PA Grand Canyon Ride Report

 

Depending on which inaccurate forecast you entrusted, the 15 riders who started (and 14 that finished for a 93% completion rate) the PA Grand Canyon 200k were in for a wet day.  No rain was falling at the ride start but as riders made their way North on the Pine Creek Trail, light rain started to fall.  Bob Dye had a minor mechanical issue and decided to return to the start and save himself for another day.

After enjoying the ambiance of the Slate Run General Store, riders started the climb to Colton Point.  The rain started to fall in earnest and came down in sheets for an extended period.  The 1/4”-1/2” of predicted rainfall quickly become more like 1” and, with the ground still saturated from hurricane Debbie, the creeks began to rise.

As riders carefully descended to the staffed control in Ansonia, the rain started to abate and 14 very soggy riders arrived at the midpoint of the ride and were on their way to more gravel, more rain and the impending cross of Babb Creek.

The ride organizer met the leading riders (Patrick and Robert) at the Liberty control and was happy to hear that they had forded the stream without incident.  As we were chatting and enjoying the light rain falling I received an indecipherable (due to the very limited cell coverage) voice mail.  Concerned that something was amiss, I passed Ron and Matt as I made my way to Babb Creek just as Andrew was making his way across:

 

I decided to walk across the creek and wait there to assist additional riders.  As I was drying my feet, I received a text advising me that the stream was unsafe to cross.  Apparently a well-intentioned local had intercepted a group of riders and told tales of impending doom and possible death if they attempted to cross Babb Creek.  The well-intentioned local gave the riders an alternative route “over a small hill”.  I’ve ridden that “small hill” and there is some 10% grade in it…….

I don’t know if it was the same local, but Nigel was given a decidedly worse alternative over an unpaved “small hill” and somehow wound up back at the stream crossing anyway having climbed a beast of a hill and added about 10 bonus miles.  Nigel forded the stream of death without incident and proceeded on route.

Despite this drama (and the hardship of 12 hours in a wet chamois), everyone got safely to the finish with smiles on their faces and good cheer.  This was a tough adventure and all riders should be applauded for enduring this challenge….chapeau!

Drying brevet cards

Preliminary results will be posted shortly. Please review them and let me know if there are any discrepancies. Results will be submitted to RUSA after review and will become official once certified.

Pa Grand Canyon Update 8/14/24

A second partial checkout ride was performed on 8/14 by the ride organizer.  The good news is the water level has dropped at Babb Creek and it can now be safely forded (remember your sandals, the bottom is very slippery).  The bad news is the bridge along Little Pine Creek is not passable necessitating a reroute on SR287 back to the start.

The route has changed fairly significantly from last year, please use version 7 of the route/cues which were updated 2024-08-14 17:53:51 EDT.

There are 5 significant non-paved sections:

1 – PCRT (Mile 0-16.7) We’ll be utilizing the Pine Creek Rail Trail from the start until it crosses SR414 past Jersey Mills.  This will avoid some parts of SR414 that are being repaired/repaved.

2 – Slate Run to Colton Pt (Mile 27-55).  After controlling at the Slate Run General Store, we’ll backtrack, cross Pine Creek and endure a very steep paved climb leaving the Pine Creek Valley.  After this initial beast, the road turns to gravel and you’ll continue to stair step climb.  At mile 38.5 there is a fairly long and steep gravel descent with some sharp turns involved.  Keep your speed in check as the turns come up quickly and there is loose gravel in many of the turns. This section ends with the wonderful view at the Colton Point Lookout.  After enjoying the view you’ll have a long (paved) descent to Ansonia.  This descent is very twisty, the road is narrow and you’ll be sharing the road with oncoming motorists who are too busy looking for bear and deer so keep your speed down.

3 - Ansonia to SR660 (Mile 61-65).  This is a shaded climb with well packed gravel leading to a pleasant descent on paved SR660.

4 - Stony Fork to Babb Creek (Mile 70-75) A beautiful, slightly downhill section with well packed dirt.  At the end of this section you’ll ford Babb Creek which is currently about 18” deep.  The bottom consists of smooth round rocks which are very slippery.  I would NOT recommend attempting to walk this bare footed this year as the bottom is harder to see.  Sandals, water shoes, crocs, etc. are highly recommended.

5 - Hurley Hill to Liberty (Mile 79-88) This is the most technically challenging section and has some moderately loose gravel on Nauvoo and Ritter Roads with a few gravel descents. 

The start location is at the Jersey Shore recreational parking area off Railroad Street (3 blocks West of Bridge Street).  There is a Nittany Mini Mart at 815 Allegheny St. but not much else will be open prior to the ride start.

My GPS recognizes the start as 445 Railroad St. Jersey Shore, PA. 

Controls/Resupply points:

1 - Wolf General Store [Slate Run] (mile 28).  A well-stocked store with excellent made-to-order breakfast sandwiches.  If you’ve got some time to spend while they’re making your sandwich, go downstairs and see their fly fishing department.  You may want to grab some extra food since you’re next resupply will not be until mile 67.

2 - Burnin’ Barrel Bar [Ansonia] (mile 59).  Unfortunately, the bar is closed until further notice.  I’ll be there with water and encouragement (but not much else).

3a - Stony Fork Country Store [Stony Fork] (mile 67).  This is a small, Mennonite owned grocery.  They have a sign on the front door requesting patrons wear long sleeved shirts and trousers but they’ve always been pleasant to me in my cycling gear.  I believe this is a cash only establishment.

3b -Stony Fork Campground store (mile 69).  This is a typical campground store with limited drink options (water/soda) and not much more than candy, crackers and ice cream.

4 - Exxon [Liberty] Mile 87.  This is a veritable oasis with clean bathrooms and hot food.  You’ll be pretty tired when you get there so it’s a great place to get reenergized. 

5 – Dandy Mini Mart [Salladasburg] (Mile 117). 

As noted on the route description there is very little cell phone coverage on course so don’t plan on staying in contact with the outside world.  You’ll have coverage at Ansonia, Liberty and along SR287 at the end.

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Update 8/11/24 (*** Pre-event gathering note)

***Nigel proposes a Pre-event Gathering

Anyone interested in an informal get together for dinner on Friday? Looks like Santino's Italian Cuisine

is a good option. The address is 100 S Main St, Jersey Shore, PA 17740. If someone with local knowledge has a better recommendation, let us know. Say 7ish?  (contact the organizer).

 

***Original Post

A partial checkout ride was performed on 8/11 by the ride organizer.  The Pine Creek Gorge was heavily damaged by the remnants of hurricane Debby but cleanup efforts have begun in earnest and the majority of the route is rideable.  The first significant gravel section from Cedar Run to Colton Pt (mile 32 to 52) has several areas that were washed out.  The road is passable but has some fairly deep ruts and areas of exposed bedrock.  I would recommend 38 mm tires at a minimum.  The second gravel section from Ansonia to Stony Fork is in pretty good condition other than some mud which should be gone by Saturday.  The most difficult gravel section from Hoytville to Liberty (Mile 76-85) was not damaged (but is still “memorable”).

 

Unfortunately, there are 2 issues that may necessitate a reroute:

Mile 72- Babb Creek is too high (and the water too swift) to cross safely.  Locals report that the water has receded about 2 feet since Saturday morning but this will need to be reevaluated.

Mile 107- There is a bridge out (and I do mean out) near the town of Carsontown on Little Pine Creek Road.  Although the bridge won’t be replaced for some time I’m hopeful the highway department installs some kind of temporary pass (hopefully workers reside on both sides of the bridge).

I’ll be revisiting these issues on Wednesday 8/14 and will post an update 8/15. 

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon 200k 8/17/24

I'll be pre-riding the course sometime this week and will post notes by 8/10 but in the meantime, I wanted to alert riders that the Little League World Series in Williamsport runs from August 14-25.  This won't impact our ride but may impact anyone looking for hotel acomodations before/after the event.  In addition, anyone travelling to/from the start should avoid route 15 in Williamsport (I-180 and SR 220 should be OK).

UPDATE - Due to the remnants of tropical storm Debbie, the pre-ride is postponed until early next week.  Report will be posted by Wednesday 8/14