Preliminary results for the 18th annual Fall Classic 200K brevet and 154K populaire have been posted on the website. Please review the results and inform me of any necessary corrections. The results will be submitted to RUSA in the coming days and become final pending RUSA certification. Twelve riders clipped in for the 200K, and just one started the 154K. All riders in both events finished in good time for a 100% completion rate of the very challenging brevet and populaire.
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| Andreas captures the "non-peak" Fall foliage on the route |
This was the third running of the "Neo" edition classic routes with an Easton Start/Finish. It was last run in 2021.
We were graced with unbelievably nice weather for late October. It was
in the mid 60s at the start and might've reached near 80 in the middle
of the day. Usually riders are shivering at the end of this Fall event,
looking for shelter from the cold and a hot bowl of soup. Instead, we
all sat outside comfortably eating burgers at the finish and riders wanted extra salt and
vinegar for their heat exhaustion cramps.
Although a few people complained the Fall foliage wasn't quite at peak (see photo above), there were
plenty of fallen leaves. Even without the full Fall colors, riders
generally reported that the
Neo-classic was just as scenic as ever. Scenic, of course, is bike rider
code for a steady diet of hills to consume, the climb up Dyer hill just outside Easton being an appetizer for the many hilly entrees ahead.
Recent PA events have had some mishaps as riders sped ahead of their guardian angels. Thankfully, this time riders were more cautious keeping their speed checked on the many descents. There was only one crash -- a slow motion affair involving Pat and Gavin. I understand that only pride was hurt in the tangle, if that.
Some of the unique descents on this edition of the neo-classic included a descent of Fiddler's Elbow. Normally we would descend Lommanson's, but that road was obliterated by recent rains. There were also descents of storm damaged Mud Run, and on the 154K a "bonus" descent of Little Martin's Creek Rd, also storm damaged.
Bob Dye writes....
Toughest 200K I've done. This will make all others seem easy. There were ascents I had trouble walking up. As for descents, I'll be buying brake pads sooner than planned.
Tom Rosenbauer writes...
Congratulations on yet another successful event. I enjoyed catching up with many riders I hadn’t seen in a while and also meeting new ones.
Tom shares this video documentary about Columcille.
Joe Ray writes...
This ride lived up to its classic status - I really did enjoy it despite some cramping that kicked in a few miles prior to Wind Gap. Thankfully the bar and grill on Rt 115 had all-you-can-eat salt and that fixed me up for the remainder of the ride.
It was a gorgeous day all around - full moon in the clear pre-dawn sky, stunning trees and scenery everywhere, and Goldilocks temperatures helped make a complete package. Having a chance to sit and chat at the finish cookout was great - thanks for sharing your patio with us! It was made even better when Ron Anderson found my “missing“ car.
Next month we feature a brand new 200K route out of Cadence Cycles in Manayunk. A big crowd is already signed up. Should be a lot of fun. Come on out and ride your bike to work up a good appetite for holiday feasting. Click here for more info.
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