Preliminary results for the second ride in our ACP Super Randonneur series, the Hawk's Nest 300K brevet, have been posted on the PA Rando website. Please review the results and let me know if something doesn't agree with your recollections. The results will be submitted to RUSA for certification later on and become final at that time.
Temperatures were very comfortable, reaching into the mid 70's for the first time this year. Some headwinds added to the difficulty factor, but signs of Spring have begun to appear everywhere. In these moderate conditions, a brave bunch of randonneurs tackled an expanded 300K Hawk's Nest course, a route that included the infamous Milbrook Climb as well as many other difficult hills.
Despite the challenging ride, 29 of the 31 starters finished under the time limit for a 94% completion rate. Congratulations and well done to all.
This was the first event run by PA Randonneurs out of the Holiday Inn Express in Easton. The event would not have been possible without volunteer help. Seasoned veterans ran things at the Start/Finish: Patrick Gaffney at the Start Controle, and Janice Chernekoff the Finish. Susan Proulx, a new volunteer, helped with food and other operations. A big round of applause for these helpers! The high quality of PA Rando events is directly related to the high quality of our volunteers.
CJ, Nick and Ryan the morning after the cruel and inhuman 300k! |
Iwan Barankay writes...
Arguably the defining quality of randonneuring is that compared to any other cycling type (or sport in general) the ratio of time you spend cycling compared to thinking about cycling is the highest. That was on full display yesterday again. 300K is the real all days work type of event and this being my first time doing this distance it was a deep, memorable, and wonderful experience. I went out too hard (again...) and paid for it but Sean and Chris were exemplary in pacing me for most of the day. Deep gratitude to them for getting me through the brevet. The scenery filled with thawing lakes and gushing streams and even riding side by side a marathon was testament to the great work you have put into routing this brevet. A real treat to be at the hands of such experienced organizers. Thanks also goes to the volunteers at the final control for welcoming us back to reality.
-- Iwan
Bill Olsen writes...
Thanks, Chris for your great job in organizing another “value brevet.” All that climbing was great for those of us who might be ‘timid’ including this feature in our regular training, and I have to admit, I’m not as stiff as I was following the 300K where we previously incuded the Old Mine/Millbrook Grades in succession.
The highlight of my day was, after making that LHT onto Bushkill Falls Road and doing that 11.7 mile leg of that segment, and then making that TRT onto Highway 402 where we continued climbing, FINALLY about 5 miles in, seeing the sign that stated “Now leaving the Bushmill Creek Watershed.” It was as grand of event as crossing the Continental Divide, and as expected, we were ‘treated’ with (essentially) a 31. mile descent all the way to Barryville, to begin the climb up El Dred
...and Andrew, THANKS(!!!) for the great course. You’ve learned from the ‘master’ taking one of Tom’s most challenging courses and really making it a doozy!
...but in saying this, all who attempted today’s brevet, including the DNF’s will admit, it will help to ensure their success on future events this season.
Eric Keller writes...
That was a really nice course. The changes made it much better than previous editions. I was really surprised the road up past Bushkill and 408 had such nice pavement. Climbing out of Millbrook Village sucked. I enjoyed the alternate route back avoiding Columbia/River road. Except maybe
for the potholes.
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Join us again in two short weeks for the continuation of the SR series, the New Blue Redux 400K. This event starts and finishes at the Holiday Inn Express, next to Cask, and will include a food buffet at the start and finish.