PA Grand Canyon Ride Report

 What a difference a year can make.

Photo by Jim Vreeland

The 2024 running of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon 200k was fraught with issues.  A major storm had caused extensive flooding along the Pine Creek in July of 2024.  This flood destroyed the Carsontown Bridge along the Little Pine Creek resulting in a reroute of the course on less than interesting roads back to Jersey Shore.

The situation didn’t get better on ride day in 2024 as another storm dumped over an inch of rain on riders shortly after the start, turning the gravel roads into various stages of peanut butter and raising the water levels to a point where a motorist warned riders not to attempt fording the stream at Babb Creek.

Fortunately, 2025 was entirely different.  The gravel was dry and fast, the bridges had been fixed, we were back to the original course and riders barely got their feet wet at Babb Creek.

Babb Creek at a manageable height (Photo by Jim Vreeland)

All 8 riders completed the course in good time for a 100% completion rate.  Ride results have been posted to the website, please review and advise if their are any inaccuracies.

Both first (Jim Vreeland) and second (Erin Fulton) riders crushed the course record and other than a little dust and worms on the bikes, thetir day couldn’t have been better.

David Stango completed his first ever brevet. Welcome to randonneuring, David. Be warned that the weather or the scenery might not be quite as nice in the future.  

All riders agree that the section from Babb Creek (mile 72) to Liberty (mile 88) are the most difficult.  The number and proximity of paved and gravel climbs on this section are a challenge for any rider.  Fortunately, after the Control in Liberty, the remaining 35 miles are basically downhill; this gives riders time to rest, recover and forget about the pain in their legs so they do not inflict damage on the ride organizer at the finish.

As we were enjoying a post ride beverage and discussing the day’s events, I learned that we were in the company of some very accomplished trail runners.  Unbeknown to me, our ride coincided with the Eastern States 100 Trail Race which was completed in 2016 by first time randonneur David Stango.  I later learned that rider Joe Galioto has run in The Barkley Marathons (I believe he makes a cameo appearance in this movie).  I’m happy these two discovered that 200k on a bike is a lot easier than 160k of running.     

While waiting for the very happy riders at the bottom of Colton Point, I even made a new friend:

What great day indeed!!!

Pa Grand Canyon 200k Pre Ride Notes

 

On 8/1 under sunny skies and incredibly beautiful conditions, the ride organizer completed a ride/drive of the course.  I’m pleased to announce that the unfortunate modifications to the route in 2024 will not be required as the bridges along Little Pine Creek have been repaired after the flooding we experienced last summer.  The route has been updated on the website and will remain unchanged (barring a natural disaster).  Please make sure you are using cue sheet version 3 dated 8/1/2025.

Overall, the route is in excellent condition.  Note that there is very limited cell phone coverage and somewhat limited services.  Although there is a restroom at the ride start, it is sometimes locked in the morning.

Specific issues/notes follow:

Mile 4.9 and 12.2 – Two short sections of 1 lane road due to construction.  The road is narrow, wait for the temporary traffic light.

Mile 27.2/Control – Wolf’s General Store has excellent breakfast sandwiches and they generally make them fairly quickly.  While you’re waiting, head down stairs and check out their excellent fly fishing department.

Mile 45 – There are some sections of Painter Letonia Rd that have received some fresh gravel, it’s not terrible but there are some areas where the gravel is deep/loose

Mile 53 – After you enjoy the beautiful view at the Colton Point Lookout, you’ll have a very twisty descent.   There are generally oncoming cars and these drivers are often looking at the beautiful scenery and not at the road.   Stay in your lane, take it slow and keep a sharp eye for knuckleheads.

Mile 57/Control 3 – The Burnin’ Barrel does not open until 12:00, I’ll be there with water but not much else.  You can get food at the general store in Stony Fork at mile 64.6

Mile 59 – Bear Crossing

Mile 72.6 – The annual “fording of the stream” should be less “interesting” than last year.  The water is currently only about 12” deep.  The stream bottom has some sharp rocks; although I’ve done it barefooted in the past, footwear is highly recommended.

It was a little deeper last year:

Mile 87.5 – After leaving the Exxon control, there is a section of Rte. 414 which is closed for construction.  Fortunately, they have kept the sidewalk open for pedestrians and I was assured today that it would remain open next Saturday.  Do not attempt to ride this, dismount and walk on the sketchy sidewalk.

Mil 103.3 – Sadly, the English Center suspension bridge has been removed (although you can still see some remnants of it).  A new (ugly and boring) bridge has been installed.