Hollywood Hot Dog 200K Ride Report

Preliminary results for the Hollywood Hot Dog 200K brevet are posted on the website. Please review the results and inform the RBA of any necessary corrections. The results will be submitted to RUSA in the coming days and become final pending RUSA certification.  

After days of unseasonably warm and dry weather, the morning of the Hollywood Hot Dog 200K started with appropriately brisk fall temperatures in the mid 40's that, over the course of the day, would rise to about 60 degrees under clear blue skies - great weather for a fall ride. 

The riders gathered at the start as the breaking light of dawn replaced the fading night stars. Many took advantage of the hot coffee, restrooms, and food offered by the international coffee shop that has a location at the start.

This scenic brevet includes a few miles of light gravel on bike paths, crossing the Delaware River, challenging climbs out of Easton, PA, and fantastic food stops for controls. In the late afternoon, a brush fire, fueled by the dry conditions caused by  the 40 day drought, led to a minor re-route but all riders handled the updates with ease. 

The brevet had a strong turnout with 26 starters and 24 official finishers for a 92% completion rate. This was the first brevet for eight of the starters (30% of the field)! At the other end of the spectrum of Randonneuring experience, Chris M. earned another K-Hound award (which requires completing 10,000K of RUSA events in one year) while Mac V. completed his "R60" ride (which means that he has ridden at least a 200K brevet or permanent every month for 5 years)!  

The brevet ended at the restaurant/brewery next to the coffee shop. Finishers, greeted by cowbells, cheers, and applause, enjoyed big plates of hot food and glasses of cold beverages with the hearty gusto that comes from an all day ride with significant climbs. Sitting in the comfort of the restaurant with the warm glow of achievement, stories were shared, photos taken, and tales of longer rides and great adventures, past and future, offered ideas and inspiration to all. I suspect that some, if not all, of the newly minted Randos will be back to take on the adventure and challenges offered by this unique and engaging sport.

Mac Vergara posted this excellent video about the brevet.

Here's what some of the riders had to say:

Graham L.: That was a bit more challenging than I imagined, but I made it with minutes to spare and was met with cheers and applause. First brevet. Fun!

Paul S.: This was my first Brevet and I don’t think it could have gone any better. Wonderfully welcoming riders, excellent fall weather, and a beautiful route. Challenging but not grueling. Maybe let myself cool down a bit too much at Tabora after a bit too much sugar. As the sun set eight of us grouped up in the dark and made fast work of the power line trail and through the suburban neighborhoods. Awesome ending at Iron Hill for some camaraderie. Thanks for the great day!

Photo by Chris M.

Chris M.: It’s always a pleasure to ride the scenic farm roads and enjoy the beauty of the old stone homes. The twisty turny downhills are a blast to let the bike go and double the 15 mph speed limit! 

Mac V.: Nigel, thank you to you and the PA Rando volunteers so much for organizing yesterday’s lovely adventure. You all took care to make sure the route would be fun and safe for everyone. The safety notes about the route were spot on! It was a great adventure through the countryside with folks, both long time randos and new faces, that I’ll be reminiscing about for quite a while. And, it was a fun surprise to see you, Chris N and Janice C riding down Route 29 in the opposite direction, that put a smile on my face!

Joey D: Top notch day in the saddle! Great bagels and conversation. 

Photo by Mac V.

Ben S.: Beautiful ride! Despite knowing about the climbs after Easton (from the Water and Wind 300k), I clearly didn’t heed the pre-ride warning (I know Pat “claims” that he has no relation to Gaffney Hill, I choose to believe that it is a human-made hill created by him to punish overly ambitious Randonneurs). I was completely destroyed by the time I got to Tabora Farms. Despite filling my bottles with cider and eating many donuts, I slowly grinded my way to the end. Very happy I was able to spend Saturday cycling among so many riders—old and new—looking forward to the next brevet! Thank you to all the organizers, the pre-riders, and to Iwan for, among other things, giving me the final push to attend!

Photo by Ben S.

Photo by Ben S.

 

Photo by Ben S.

Iwan B. : Dear Nigel and Pat,

I wanted to thank you for organizing yesterday's brevet. I had a great time, as the weather was neither too hot nor too cold. And the Bangers & Mash at the finish were divine.

Hollywood Hot Dog Pre-ride Notes - part 2

I completed a second pre-ride on Saturday November 2, starting at the same time the event will occur (taking into account the time being set back the next day). It was my first time on the route and it was scenic and challenging. A great course for a cool fall day. 

Be sure to read the original notes; everything there still applies. These are some additions:

• Start: There's a Starbucks at the start that opens early. A good option for Starbucks' stuff and restrooms. The ride organizer may be in there when you arrive. 
• Pennypack trail - There's a port-o-john at about the mid-point of the trail in case the coffee side-affects kick in early. The overall cue for this section is stay on the trail until Byberry Road.
• There are some shoulderless sections of road throughout the route, be aware, be seen, and know when to take the lane if necessary.
• DNR trail - the DNR trail is crushed stone, similar to Pennypack trail. There was a large tree down near the end of the trail, but it is crossable. The Rangers are aware of the issue so, hopefully, it will be cleared by ride date.
• Refuel at Phillipsburg! The following section has significantly more climbing but significantly fewer services.
• At about mile 87.8, on the other side of the second covered bridge crossing, the Tohickon family campground store has food, water, and restrooms. 
• Tabora Farms has fantastic baked goods! Treat yourself!
• Be alert for deer along the Power Line trail especially at dusk and early evening.
• Expect busy traffic in the last few miles of the ride.
• Finally, DON'T TRUST THE BIKE LANE on Fitzwatertown Road mile 119.3 -119.9 (after the 5 points intersection)! Cars park in it and they can be very hard to see at night. Stick to the main part of the road.

See you at the start!

Nigel