Hawks Nest 200k Course Notes

 Hawks Nest (Bushkill) Pre-Ride

A pre-ride of the Hawks Nest (Bushkill Approach) route was completed on a sunny day with tail winds in all directions.   The route is essentially unchanged although the cues are enhanced to document current conditions and services.

 Notes on services:

Services are VERY limited for the first 60 miles.  The only reliable sources of food and water before Eldred are the Pickerel Inn General Store at mile 25 (sorry no ammo on sale this year) and the Rowland Cooperative at mile 50.  Sadly the 402 Café has still not reopened and has been changed to an info control.

 The listed control at Eldred is “The Corner Restaurant” at the Northwest corner of Rte. 55 and 32 which has excellent sandwiches and ice cream.  If riders want a shorter stop, Peck’s Market is a full service grocery store on route shortly after you make the turn East onto Rte. 32. 

 Port Jervis is an open control with the excellent Riverside Creamery listed on the cue sheet.  There is a slop sink in the bathroom of Riverside Creamery for convenient bottle refilling.   If riders need additional provisions, Woogie’s Deli is 1 block off route at the corner of US209/Pike St. and King St.  If anyone has a serious mechanical issued there is also a well stocked bike shop off route: Action Bikes at 27 Front St.

 The Hainesville General Store is under new management; fortunately the new management has the same excellent baked goods and deli food.  The cashier was genuinely happy to see us and was looking forward to greeting more riders on 7/9. 

 Road Notes:

Traffic on SR402 from mile 24-39 is a little heavier than optimal but the shoulder is generally adequate for single riders.   After enduring that stretch, riders will enjoy beautiful roads following Decker Creek and the Lackawaxen River.

 At mile 103.9, you will see an ugly “Road Closed Sign” and a suggestion to detour by bearing right up hill on Pompey Rd.  Thankfully you can ignore this sign and proceed along NPS 615 as usual.  There has been some erosion of the hillside ahead and there are 2 remarkably robust barricades at mile 108.9 that you’ll need to pass.  The first one is relatively simple, the second one may require you to lift your bike onto the top of the concrete divider and squeeze your thin body between the divider and barrier.

Shortly after this bit of calisthenics, you’ll turn left to cross the bridge over Flat Brook and commence the climb on Old Mine Road. I’m happy to report that the resurfacing of this section of Old Mine road is weathering nicely which makes the climb slightly less horrible.  There has also been some improvement to the road as you near the single lane passage before you approach I-80.

 For riders that have not crossed the I-80 Bridge; after crossing under I-80, look to your left and you’ll see a hand rail marking the ramp up to the bridge.   At the end of the handrail you’ll take a sharp left to proceed up the ramp and onto the bridge.