Philly Pocono Pagoda 600K Brevet - Course Notes

Along the SRT in  Philly

The time for the culminating event of the 2022 Pennsylvania Randonneurs SR Series has arrived.  Time to find out if the earlier brevets have prepared you.  Time to dig in for the final step in the often elusive PAR-SR designation.  It's time for The Philly Pagoda Pocono 600K.  Registration is closed and the field is set.  Volunteers are burning up internet and chat discussing plans and logistical details.

Each rider is permitted one small drop bag of ~2 cubic feet (the RUSA duffle bag is a good example).  Bags should securely contain the contents (e.g. zippered openings) and any liquid or  powdered contents sealed to prevent leakage.  The rider's name is to be clearly indicated on the outside of the bag.  Drop bags will be deposited with organizers during ride check-in and added to a list of bags so we can keep track of the bags.  They will be delivered to the overnight control mid-day on Saturday and returned to Flint Hill early afternoon on Sunday.  

A volunteer course pre-ride was conducted on May 30-31 by Brad Layman, Ben Keenan, and Nick Manta. The riders dealt with some extreme heat, but it looks like we will have better temperatures on June 4 & 5.

The riders reported a few course notes and changes and the RBA has updated the cue sheet.    Please make sure you  download VERSION 3 of the cue sheet dated 6/2/2022.  Several previously unmarked railroad crossings are now noted on the cue. PAY  ATTENTION.  A few highlights noted:

47.1: Umbria Street is being repaved. Most of it has been repaved but there were sections still torn up. Maybe it will be complete by this weekend.
68.2: This is a new section on the SRT. Stay to the left after you pass the parking garage on your right or you will have to turn back. There is a sign pointing left for the SRT but it is easy to miss.
102.7: There is a closure sign on the small bridge across the Schuylkill Canal. It is passable.
116.5:  Read the cue instructions carefully to locate the Pagoda Info Control. 
220.8  A bridge on Rt 390 heading into Promised Land SP is under construction and restricted to one lane. A temporary traffic light set up on both sides to control traffic.  The light is believed to be on a timer.  Wait for the singal.  The bridge is not visible from the light, so it's hard to tell if there is oncoming traffic. There is no room on the bridge for a bike and a car traveling in opposite directions.  Wait for the green light.
313.5: The Walpack Road closure remains.  You can walk your bike around the concrete barriers and then continue. 

The course volunteers offered a few tips:

• Some GPS units (e.g. Garmin) might not be able to handle the full course. It is recommended to split the route into three segments. Splitting at the Reading Pagoda and the Beach Lake overnight control seems to work well.
• Don’t stop at the Rocky Statue control for long. Keep moving to bank time.
• The section from Philly to Reading is mostly on the SRT, which will be crowded on Saturday morning. Be courteous to other trail users.
• If the snow cone truck is set up at the Reading Pagoda, it is worth stopping for one and enjoying the view after you make the climb up. Credit cards accepted.
• Be sure to eat, drink, and stock up in Wind Gap or the Sunoco at mile 188. It is a long stretch with a lot of climbing before the Turkey Hill at Lake Wallenpaupack. The Exxon near Promised Land was closed when passed at 11:30pm.
• Bring a good set of lights. It is very dark on most of the roads in the Poconos.
• Be careful if you decide to ride in the dark after the Beach Lake control (overnight stop). There are several fast descents that have rough pavement.
• If you get to Hawk’s Nest by 11am or so, the cliffs are still shaded which makes for a nice spot to take a short break.
• The Riverside Creamery (control #8) doesn’t open until 12pm. Check outside the creamery to see if a club volunteer is set up - they would have supplies (volunteer status unconfirmed at this time). Otherwise, Woogie’s Deli is a good place to resupply, just ahead of the creamery.
• The Millbrook Historic Village bathrooms were locked and the water fountain was turned off. Be sure to have enough water between Port Jervis and Blairstown. The Millbrook climb is especially difficult in the heat because the pavement is exposed to the sun.
• If you have ridden this event before, don’t be fooled when you get close to Easton. There are still 20+ miles and a couple of climbs to the finish.

The weather looks promising.  Everything is ready to go.  Are you?