The September R-12 brevet heads west (waayyy west) into central Pennsylvania. Organizer Steve Schoenfelder serves up the second running of The Rusty Rail 204 starting and finishing in Mifflinburg, PA on September 11.
The route features four epic climbs separated by plenty of rolling farmland and little else. The finish at the Rusty Rail Brewery* provides an excellent opportunity for carbohydrate replenishment and a time to tell tall tales (some of which might be true). You can get a sense for what awaits you by reading the ride report from the inaugural event. Additional details and the registration links are available on the PA Randonneurs website. Registration is open through Wednesday, September 8. Don't delay; the registration deadline will be here before you know it.
September also marks the 100th birthday of the Audax Club Parisien (ACP). Perhaps you read about this event this past winter in American Randonneur (see article on p. 10). In honor of the occasion, finishers of the Rusty Rail brevet will receive a special medal.
*While we had high hopes of a return to normalcy, it appears that we are not out of the pandemic woods just yet. For now the planned finish is at the Rusty Rail, but that may be impacted should the brewery shut down or be forced to dramatically curtail indoor patrons. Be prepared for changes and hope for none. I will provide any updates here on and the website as they occur. Don't throw away your cache of masks and hand sanitizer just yet. You might just need them in September.
- Eastern PA RBA