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.