Hope to New Hope 2024 Ride Report

What a day for a bike ride! Snow, rain, cold and slush, not to mention an early sunset.

Nevertheless, the course was completed by an impressive 3 of 6 snowday riders, and 2 pre-riders (on a much nicer day) for an overall 5 of 8 (63%). Congratulations and well done to all. Preliminary results have been posted on the website.  Please review the results and let us know if something is not quite right.  The results will be submitted to RUSA after review and will become official once certified. 

RBA Chris made sure everyone knew what to expect. He also wisely moved the official start up to 6AM for more pre-snow miles. 10 of the registered Randos decided caution is the better part of valor and opted to DNS. That left 6 foolhardy courageous warriors hoping to overcome the elements. Riders Patrick Gaffney, Benjamin Keenan and Andreas Prandelli all made it back to the warmth of Frank's Trattoria having bested the gods of winter. Vadim Gritsus, Dale Houck, and George Retseck  all made valiant efforts but succumbed to the forces of reason with snow packed fenders and a worsening forecast.

 

"There were very few cars, so the riding was pleasant."

Each of our three heroes finished in great spirits. In particular, Andreas seemed positively gleeful he got to go for a long bike ride. It would take much worse to deter him. All three said the final miles were especially treacherous as tire traction abandoned them. 

The yellow jersey from that "other" bike ride has nothing over Andreas triumphant in his giallo.

Every rider who registered deserves major kudos, either for the judicious decision to take a pass or to clip in and brave January's wrath.


Pat Gaffney writes... 

Patrick's mustache hardly collected any ice.

Thanks for all your efforts with eh 200 this past Saturday. Chris, for seeing us off earlier than normal and Bob for braving the storm to see us at the finish. The cold was not as bad as I thought it would be, but the snow made the last stretch of 15 miles or so some of the hardest in recent memory. Riding directly into the storm made some pretty mundane roads seem like a real slog. Thanks again, see you down the road.

Ben Keenan writes...

Thanks Bob and Chris for organizing this ride. The cold and snow in the later miles made for a memorable day. Highlights were seeing a hard frost (rare these days) on the fields outside Hope as day broke and riding under the clouds, feeling the snow in them and wondering when the storm would begin. Special thanks to Bob for staying at the end to make sure all riders got in safely (we all owe you one). Honorable mention to Pat Gaffney for leaving a good set of tracks in the snow. No need for GPS last 15 miles!

Ben Keenan had some eyewear challenges

We return to Pohatcong Plaza shopping center again next month for another Winter classic brevet, The Stillwater 200K on 3 February. Please keep an eye on this blog and the PA Rando website for possible announcements relating to this event. The brevet will be rescheduled if possible or canceled if there is a realistic chance of black ice or other unsafe riding conditions. But just a little snow? We ride on!