Oley Valley & Hopewell Furnace 200K Ride Report

Preliminary results for the Oley Valley & Hopewell Furnace 200K are now posted on the website. Please take a moment to review them and let me know if anything needs correcting. The results will be submitted to RUSA in the coming days and will become final once certified. Fifteen riders, including three pre-riders, completed the course within the time limit. Congratulations to everyone who came out and embraced the winter challenge, whether you finished the whole route, turned back early, or supported the event in another way. Showing up is itself part of the long-distance spirit we share.

A wintery stretch of farmland with snow still holding in the fields. Photo by Ben Keenan.

Before getting into the day’s story, we want to say something up front: safety is always the club’s first priority. Deciding whether to postpone or cancel a ride isn’t straightforward. Forecasts can hint at one thing, while the roads present something entirely different. Heading into this event, the forecast suggested only a small chance of overnight snow or rain. We knew there could be slippery conditions, but nothing pointed to anything severe. But as it turned out, parts of northwest Philadelphia did receive a light snowfall overnight. Neighborhoods like East Falls, Mount Airy, and Chestnut Hill still had patches of snow and ice by the time riders arrived, while those coming from Center City and South Philly saw completely clear roads as they left home that morning.

Several slips happened in the same icy patch, and in true “this is ridiculous” fashion, one rider even dismounted and walked the section on foot… and still slipped. Another rider experienced the terrible luck of falling twice on that same section. The ice was nearly impossible to detect. Even so, the group stayed steady and focused on helping one another. Riders checked on those who fell and called out to the other riders who were approaching the hazardous stretch. The morning reminded us that these events are about more than endurance, and just as much about riders looking out for each other and making the choices that keep the day safe.

Slick streets in Chestnut Hill. Photo by Owen Kobasz, taken near the area of the morning falls.

The trouble spot was between mile 5 and 7. Ten riders reported falls in this early section. After assessing bikes and bodies, and the “is this worth it?” question, seven riders decided to head back to the start, a perfectly sensible decision given the circumstances. At that point, no one knew if the roads ahead would be any better. Others, after confirming they were okay, opted to continue on. 

After about 8 miles, the riders were out of Philadelphia and the roads improved dramatically. Riders reported clear and treated pavement for the rest of the day. Even the snow showers drifting through late morning added more winter scenery than challenge. And when the sun peeked out for a brief appearance, it earned disproportionate appreciation. Nothing gets a group of winter randonneurs excited quite like surprise sunshine.

At the Henning’s Market control about two hours into the ride, the group split into two equally valid strategies for regaining warmth:

• Team Fireplace, who went straight for hot plates at the buffet and seats by the welcoming heat source
• Team Keep Moving, who decided the smartest way to stay warm was to remain on the bike and let the climbing do the work

Both approaches worked, and both were greeted with the usual camaraderie that makes these gatherings a bright spot of any brevet.

Early-season icicles under the railroad bridge on Gibraltar Road, a small sign of how cold and icy this winter has begun. Photo by Travis Berry.

The hills in the second half delivered their usual brand of character-building. As with many PA Rando routes finishing in Philadelphia, the shared mantra resurfaced: “Just get to the SRT!” Once riders hit the Schuylkill River Trail, the strenuous climbing was behind them, and many reported a noticeable lift in spirits.

Afterwards, finishers and other club members gathered at Wissahickon Brewery in East Falls for the club’s holiday meetup. It was a warm and well-earned way to end a winter brevet that asked for a dash of true randonneur spirit. PA brevets are known for lively finish gatherings, and this one was no different, with riders swapping stories the moment they rolled into the finish.

Riders and club members gathered at Wissahickon Brewing

In the end, this ride wasn’t exactly what we expected, but it showcased everything that makes the PA Rando community strong. Riders adapted, supported each other, made smart choices, shared laughs where we could, and turned a difficult morning into another memorable day of riding bikes. Thank you to everyone who came out in any capacity and helped make a complicated day feel like a team effort.

Huge thanks also go to the volunteers who made this event possible. Pat Gaffney, Jake Prosser, and Brad Layman completed pre-rides to help fine-tune the cues and also managed the start and finish of the event. Some riders may have noticed the, uh… “strategically pleasant” weather the pre-riders enjoyed on their rides. This is one of the perks of volunteering: anyone who helps out is welcome to complete a pre-ride (for official credit) within the 15-day window leading up to the event. That flexibility lets volunteers pick a day/time that works for them, check the route, and still contribute on event day. Check out this info page or contact an event organizer if you are interested in volunteering.

Pat deserves an extra shout-out. He completed all seven of his 2025 club events as pre-rides. His experience and attention to detail when reviewing routes are invaluable in making PA Rando events successful. He’s also given up a lot of days this year to help the events happen. Thank you, Pat!

Join us on Saturday, January 3, for the first club event of 2026: the Hope to New Hope 200K Brevet. You can also explore the full 2026 club calendar at parando.org. Most events aren’t open for registration yet, but the dates are set, and we’re expecting a lively turnout for the Spring SR Series as riders begin preparing for Paris-Brest-Paris 2027. The SR Series will once again start and finish at the Chamounix Hostel in Philadelphia. Wishing everyone a safe and spirited winter season.

Ben Keenan writes...

Thanks to Brad, Pat and Jacob for organizing this ride.  Snow and ice made for a memorable start.  We all learned quickly the different types of ice – crunchy ice, nice!, silent ice, no dice!  Thankfully the roads cleared after passing the Morris Arboretum.  This is one of my favorite routes as well as one of the most challenging, and I appreciated the chance to ride it this time of year. In the later miles as daylight faded faster than I thought it would, I noticed my toes were numb and I didn’t care because it had been such a beautiful day of riding.  Thanks to everyone that set foot to pedal at the start and hope to see you all on a ride soon.