Sunday, February 21, 2021

SR Series in the Time of COVID

Did you know that Pennsylvania Randonneurs had, until last year, offered a complete SR series since 2007, the first year it was eligible to offer one?  Breaking that streak was heartbreaking.  As we take on the 2021 brevet season still faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a full Super Randonneur series is my top priority. Much uncertainty remains.  Once simple tasks suddenly require hours or days to complete.  Against this backdrop and recognizing that RUSA and ACP are allowing great flexibility in scheduling that I announce a decision to slightly postpone the 2021 SR series.  If you've been watching the website closely you may have already noticed the date changes.  

We have two ACP 200k events planned.  The March 13 event will be run in the format resembling the R-12 events beginning from the Park-N-Ride in Portland, PA.  This route is a Figure 8 design and will utilize the COVID protocols we've used since last fall.  

The "official" kickoff brevet for the SR series will be the April 17 Pagoda 200 starting from Hugh Moore Park in Easton.  The route is a loop, but our plan is to staff some of the controls to allow contact-free riding, if so desired.  We plan to have food available at the start and finish as has been our tradition for the SR events. 

The remaining SR events will be staged from the Holiday Inn East in Easton using the routes we debuted in 2019.  The 300k will be run on May 1; the 400k will be run on May 22; the 600k will be held on June 5.  All of these events have food offerings at the start and finish, at least that's the plan for now.  Our hope is that the extra delay will allow pandemic things to settle a bit before we ride.  COVID protocols are more difficult on the longer events as overlapping loops have their limits.  Additional staffed controls will be added, but all riders should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 100k.  

Plans may change; that's just the nature of things these days. We are hopeful that we can adjust and offer the SR series brevets that meet our own expectations and yours. If conditions dictate a change, we may alter the dates.  But please realize that we have every intention of offering the complete SR series in 2021.

Andrew Mead
Eastern PA RBA


Monday, February 1, 2021

The New New Hope to Hope 200K (Cancelled)

Update 4: Cancelled

Yes, the heavy snow hit us, and the event is canceled. We will issue refunds for all registered riders.

 

Update 3: Likely Cancellation

Unless the heavy snow predicted for Thursday and Friday misses us, the New New Hope to Hope 200K will be cancelled. It's not possible to reschedule. Anyone registered will receive a refund for your entry fee.

 

Update 2:  POSTPONEMENT

The New New Hope to Hope 200k scheduled for Saturday, February 6 is being postponed until February 20.  The snow storm earlier in the week deposited well over two feet of snow on most of the route.  While some clearing has occurred in the past two days, rain/snow forecast for Friday combined with overnight lows around 20 almost guarantee significant black ice on the route this Saturday.

If you are currently registered for the brevet, your registration will be automatically moved to the new event on February 20.  If the new date does NOT work in your schedule, contact the organizer by Tuesday, February 9 to obtain a refund of your registration fee.  There is no action required if the new date works for you and you intend to ride then.  If you were on the fence about the 6th, the new event will be live on the website soon and you'll be able to register for it.

Follow this space for additional updates

Andrew Mead
Eastern PA RBA

Update 1: 

Some tweaks have been made to the cues and RWGPS route so as to improve the "snowy shoulder compatibility" of the route. The latest update was 2021-02-1 20:14:38 EST cuesheet version 3

Original Post:

On Saturday 6 February at 7AM, weather permitting, we return to Pohatcong to ride last month's GPS-boggling route in reverse, as the new version of New Hope to Hope. This time turn RIGHT the first time you reach the blinking light.  Information and online registration is available on the event page.


There's a clearing trend, but will it be soon enough?

As a major winter storm will hit the area early in the week, we will be monitoring road conditions carefully. We will postpone or cancel the event if road conditions have not improved prior to Saturday.  Stay tuned for updates.

Park away from active stores down by the Movie Theater. There are numerous drive-in joints, gas stations, and even a Wawa in this plaza if you need anything, but the idea is that you will show up self-sufficient and have some personal supplies stashed in your car. The course is a figure 8 and you will return to your car at Pohatcong after each loop.

Many services can be found near the Start/Finish

The Southern loop passes twice through all the Delaware River towns providing many options for service. If seeing the water flowing in the river, and all that coffee you drank, is making you seek a rest room, consider stopping at Bull Island Rec Area (mi 32 and 48). There are rest rooms located on the right side of the main office building. In the winter, these rest rooms are relatively low traffic. 

The turnaround control for the Northern loop is the Dunkin Donuts at the I-80 interchange just beyond Hope, but riders seeking a quick cup of coffee at a lower traffic location might better choose the US Gas convenience store passed twice just a mile South of the turnaround, as the DD can sometimes be very crowded.

All riders must be a paid-up member of RUSA at the time of the event, so be sure to renew your RUSA membership for 2021 before you register. If your membership expires in 2020 the system will refuse you. You can join or renew RUSA membership here. PA Rando membership is not required for riding this event, but to promote PA membership there is a registration discount for PA Rando Members. 

Under pandemic rules, all intermediate controls are info controls. It is not required to enter any business to complete this 200K, although there are several stores available along the route if you choose this option. Masks are generally required at the start/finish and to enter businesses if you choose to do this.

The start and finish extend during night hours. The organizer will strictly enforce the rules regarding lighting and reflective gear.