Endless Mountains Liberty Bell 2025 -- Course Notes *** UPDATE 1

Update 1 ***

I've learned that the Dingmans Ferry bridge will possibly be open on the day of the Endless Mountains. You reach this bridge at mile 126.3 of the route. Since I can't know for sure that the bridge will be open day-of, I've NOT updated the route.  The latest cues remain version 6. If you follow the current, official route you go straight across Dingman's Tpk, passing by the bridge, continue on Old Mine Road, cross the Del at the 206 bridge, on through the town of Milford PA with many replenishment options, and climb the Allegheny Front on Sawkill,  a somewhat less steep road. On the other hand,  Dingman's Bridge is pretty cool and the route up the Front on Raymondskill Rd is about 3 miles shorter. Bottom line, if you don't need to stop in town and want the shorter, steeper, quieter way that crosses a neat bridge, at mile 126.3 (assuming the bridge is open) turn left and use the Dingman's Short Cut. 

 Original POST***

A pre-drive of the course was accomplished Sept 10-11 by RBA Chris Nadovich. The following post combines those observations with notes from 2024 made by Pat Gaffney and Brad Layman. 

These notes have been incorporated into version 6 of the official route that has a link to the RWGPS data last modified 2025-09-12 17:30:52 EDT.  You should carefully study the cue sheet that is available on the the official route info page and carry a paper copy (or at least a PDF on your phone). Refer to it!  It's OK if you mostly use your GPS for navigation, but the cue sheet contains important notes, including safety warnings that might not display on your particular GPS. Many cues have comments about nearby available services and riding strategy. Our volunteers have spent many hours curating this route and compiling detailed cues. Use their work to your advantage. Ignore the cuesheet at your peril. Don't ride blindly with only GPS.

The RWPGS file is larger than many GPS units can handle. The following are unofficial partial routes Day1, Day2, Day3, and Day4.  These are for your convenience, based on Version 6. If there are last minute course changes we may not have the time to update these unofficial partial routes, so be aware and check the website often. Always carry a cue sheet of the latest version.  

Course Notes

The course is very difficult, especially day1. If you have trouble, don't despair. It's not you. Keep riding. Many people hit their darkest times when they enter the namesake Endless Mountains region at around mile 166-210. It doesn't matter if you have to walk -- keep moving. If you have one goal for this event, it should be to get through this soul sucking section and arrive intact at the Flying J truck stop at mile 211.3 or so. When you see the Golden Arches through the notch in the trees as you summit that last climb, you've made it!  Land at the "J".  Eat something. Take a shower. Have a nap.  

If you make it through those difficult miles to the Flying J, you will FLY on in relative ease to the first overnight.  Then, if you somehow get your ass back on the bike day 2,  you'll almost certainly finish the whole damn thing. 

Road Closures and Construction

Based on our scouting and experience, generally speaking the course is in good shape and you should be able to get through everywhere without bonus miles. That said, closures on Pennsylvania roads appear and disappear daily.  You should never enter an area illegally or ride where it is unsafe. Get off your bike to walk, or go another way. 

Old Mine Rd (mi 112) is the oldest road still in use in the country. Dating back beyond before the US was founded, this road has been long in need of repair -- but seems to be forever ignored by it's federal caretakers (blame the George Washington administration, I guess).  Nevertheless, this road travels through beautiful countryside along the Delaware and is worth savoring. It's home to diverse wildlife, including many black bears. Old Mine Road is fun to explore. The bears won't bother you but the potholes could swallow a grizzly, so pay attention -- especially on descents. Even the smaller descents have wheel-pretzeling-ditches hidden on them. There's a "closed" section (noted in the cuesheet) blocked of with concrete barriers. You should be able to carry over the barriers and continue without issue, but do be careful. Look out for debris, potholes, and animals.

The Dingman's Ferry bridge (mi 126) is a gem -- and one of the few bridges across the Delaware you can legally ride. Unfortunately, it's often closed for maintenance and now seems to be one of those times. We don't believe it will be open so the cuesheet routes with a detour using even more of Old Mine Road, a bit of 206/209, and Sawkill Rd that climbs the Allegheny front in an equivalently "scenic" way as did the Dingmans route. This detour (and others) add some bonus miles making the total distance 1245K -- with cutoff time correspondingly increased (92 hours, 33 minutes). 

The Traditions Hotel  for the first overnight in Johnson City is a fascinating place with a lot of history. Built in the 1900’s as a private residence, it has been an IBM Homestead and a destination for notable figures of the 20th century including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bing Crosby, Wernher von Braun and noted golf greats like Ben Hogan, Patty Berg and Sam Snead. Oh, and by the way: it's on top of a big ass hill. 

General thoughts shared from Pre-ride                    

Here's how Brad and Pat described the days from 2024, roughly the same as this year.                    

• Day 1 is a long one with a lot of climbing. Expect a late arrival at the overnight hotel. Mile 166 to 210 is a particularly difficult stretch with several steep climbs. The last 28 miles are flat.                               
• Day 2 is pleasant with long flat and downhill sections. The stretch from  Towanda to Liberty has some tough exposed climbs that add up. Once you get to Liberty, there is a nice, long gradual descent to McConnell's General  Store. The last 20 miles of the day are downhill and go by quickly.             
• Day 3 is a blast. The climbs are tough but there are only four. We took advantage of the shorter day with a relaxed meal at the Rusty Rail Brewery. Note that it closes at 8pm. Easy 9 mile ride back to the hotel.     
• Day 4 has a lot of shorter hills and exposed terrain. Last 20 miles on the  SRT will go by quickly. Pat said we went "from endless mountains to endless hills" and that was spot-on.                                                    

Each day ends with a relatively easy and quick ~20 miles.