Ride Report from September 200/300/400

On Saturday, September 19, 46 PA Randonneurs set out from Philadelphia on three distances: the Oxford Odyssey 200K, Lancaster Loop 300K, and Hex Country 400K. All three routes shared the same opening miles before gradually branching off, giving riders the chance to choose anything from a full day on the bike to a journey stretching well into the night. 

Riders shared the roads with Amish horse carriages throughout the day (photo by Josh Grossman)

And we could hardly have asked for a better day for it.

After a summer that gave us plenty of heat, humidity, storms, and other challenges, Saturday offered nearly ideal late-summer riding weather. Comfortable temperatures, a mix of clouds and sunshine, and the first hints of fall made it the kind of day when it was easy to simply enjoy being outside on a bicycle.

Ben Keenan summed up the feeling perfectly:

Thanks Brad, Pat, Dan, Iwan and all other volunteers for organizing these rides. The 300K course was a beautiful and challenging new route and we had a perfect late summer day. A longer ride at this time of year always somehow feels like a bonus and I half expect someone to tap me on the shoulder and tell me riding season ended a while ago.

Nick Manna selfie

Of the 10 starters, including a pre-rider, 9 riders successfully completed the Hex Country 400K. 17 out of 18 starters, including 3 pre-riders, completed the Lancaster Loop 300K. And 24 out of 25 starters, including 3 pre-riders, completed the Oxford Odyssey 200K.

Tracey Sikora enjoys the odyssey (photo by Matt Altea)

Groups formed almost immediately and became one of the themes of the day. Some stayed together for long stretches, while others split and re-formed as riders settled into their own rhythms. On the longer distances especially, riders who had started among a sizable group sometimes found themselves with just one or two companions many hours later.

Jasen Lo and Zach Rachell team up for a tube change (photo by CJ Arayata)

That camaraderie mattered when things didn't go exactly according to plan. Several riders experienced mechanical issues but were helped by fellow riders.

Runnymede Rd (photo by Kostiantyn Maistrenko)

For the 200K riders, the Oxford Odyssey continued south and west through Chester County toward Oxford and Lincoln University before crossing into Delaware and eventually turning back toward Philadelphia. It was a challenging course, packed with the short, punchy climbs characteristic of the region.

The 300K and 400K riders had considerably more countryside still ahead of them. The Lancaster Loop continued west through Quarryville and into Lancaster County, eventually reaching Ronks and Lititz before beginning the long journey back east.

CJ Arayata stops for a cold drink at Dan Oh's well-supplied control (photo by Dan Oh)

At Warwick Township Park, Dan Oh staffed what turned out to be a particularly welcome control, supplying riders with water and snacks at an important point in the ride. His electric pump even helped one mechanically challenged rider finally get back to proper tire pressure.

The stop earned a special mention from several riders including Ben Keenan:

Special thanks to Dan Oh for running an excellent control and re-supplying riders at Warwick Park. That water and snacks came at a critical time and were much appreciated.

From there, 300K riders continued toward the Hopewell Big Woods and the Schuylkill River Valley before turning toward Philadelphia and Chamounix. For the 400K riders, however, there was still another 100 kilometers of Hex Country waiting.

The route turned north and east into the Oley Valley and Reading Prong, adding another substantial loop before finally pointing riders toward home. By then daylight had faded, temperatures had dropped, and the social dynamics of a long brevet had done their work. The big groups of the morning had become small groups and pairs making their way through the night. Riding together made the experience feel like a shared accomplishment and provided both a sense of security and another perspective when decisions had to be made late in a very long day.

Or, as Sean Rich offered in perhaps the most concise review possible:

A PA 400K is an exercise in beautiful brutality!

Eventually, the remaining riders picked up the Perk and SRT for the final approach to Philadelphia. After hundreds of kilometers of hills, country roads, controls, mechanical problems, food stops, conversations, and tired legs, the lights of Chamounix welcomed the riders back after a beautiful September day.

Michael Reali (left) and Anthony DiNolfo (right) celebrate with Michelle Sun after she completed her first brevet

Congratulations to the following riders who reached a new randonneuring milestone this weekend:

• Savva Babikov — first brevet & first 300K
• Peter Eby — first 400K
• Josh Grossman — first 400K
• Dan Kaminsky — first brevet & first 200K
• Alex Main — first brevet & first 400K
• Matt McLoone — first 400K
• Zach Rachell — first 300K
• Sean Rich — first 400K
• Alex Smith — first 300K
• Michelle Sun — first brevet & first 200K
• Josh Stair — first 300K
• Alex Thompson — first brevet & first 400K

Savva Babikov prepares for the next leg of the journey (photo by CJ Arayata)

And congratulations to the following three riders who completed their 2026 PA Randonneurs Super Randonneur Series with their rides this weekend. Completing an SR Series (finishing a 200K, 300K, 400K, and 600K brevet in a single year) is a significant accomplishment and one of the most prestigious annual riding awards presented by PA Randonneurs.

• Anton Lindberg (2)
• Alexa Ringer
• Kate Sparacio

A special thanks to all the volunteers who made this event happen. Pat Gaffney ran the starts for each event, while Greg Kowal and Woody Felice spent several hours at the finish welcoming riders home. Dan Oh ran the crucial on-course control, and Ben Keenan, Iwan Barankay, Michael Burns, Soph Lofaso, and Sean Rich helped with cleanup at the end of the weekend.

Sayantan Khan taking note of what's ahead after checking in with Pat Gaffney (photo by CJ Arayata)

And thank you to our pre-riders for scouting out these brand-new routes and helping us get them ready for event day: Pat and Cece Gaffney, Maria Thomson, Alexa Ringer, Sean Martin, and Peter Eby.

There was something fitting about holding these rides so late in the season. By September, many cyclists are beginning to think about shorter rides and the approaching end of summer. Instead, dozens of randonneurs spent the day riding 200, 300, or 400 kilometers through some of southeastern Pennsylvania's best cycling country.

There were too many good photos to include in this report. To view photos contributed by riders, visit these Google Photo Albums: Oxford Odyssey 200K Photos, Lancaster Loop 300K Photos, and Hex Country 400K Photos.

Jasen Lo (left) feeling a lot better after fixing his double flat (photo by CJ Arayata)

Jasen Lo writes...

A great day of riding bikes with friends on a beautiful route with short punchy climbs and long bucolic descents. The route really had me feeling like I was coasting more than I had to climb!

The course notes were not joking about the Black Walnuts on the roads and trails. I suffered a rare double pinch flat from steering straight into a cluster of walnuts on the Chester Valley trail at mile 26, and then another one just a few miles afterwards. 

But I managed to get back on the road after fellow riders Savva and Marcus graciously spared tubes of their own. I chased the group i was riding with and caught up with them at the Turkey Hill control at mile 75.

Having Dan's electrical pump at Warwick Township Park was huge for getting me back to proper PSI, and it was smooth sailing from there, although our group did suffer the loss of Phil in Phoenixville, despite Zach's best mechanical efforts to keep him on the road.

I count myself fortunate that I was able to recover from a bevy of mechanical issues, and more fortunate that despite these challenges, we all managed to make it back to Chamounix safely.

Matt Altea takes a rest (photo by Chris Myers)

Matt Altea writes...

"Never stand when you can sit, and never sit when you can lie down."

If someone asked me what the perfect brevet riding conditions are, I'd probably respond by describing a day just like saturday. Little overcast, with sun coming through to warm you up, and temperatures that make you not think of the weather. 

Saturdays journey started with me hurriedly climbing Greenland Dr to make the start time of 7:00 with the many friends who were also going to ride. In the rush to get checked in and ride off without making any friends wait for me, I didn't check into E-brevet, which made Saturdays ride my first paper only rando experience. 

We mostly stayed together, the eight of us riding to the first control, where two of our friends decided to cut their rides short for the day. As we wished them good luck (and as they did) we ripped down N Valley rd to the CVT. As we rode out, the weather started to get warm, and passing under the dark bridge after Exton was like riding into a different world. From busy cycle paths and main line streets to Long stretches of countryside road, farms, and a few crushed gravel sections.

The ride to the next 3 controls would cause us to split up into smaller and smaller groups as we started to fall into our own paces. By the time Chris and I were eating lunch with the rest of the group at control 4, we had gone from a group of 8 strong to 4-5 people. By the time we Rolled into control 5 there were even less of us. By control 6 it was just me and Chris riding together. 

The ride back into Philadelphia was eventful to say the least. A couple of close car passes, plus a fire engine and accompanying firefighters waving us on before they backed into the firehouse kept us on our toes until the very end.

Kate Sparacio writes...

Gorgeous day, great company and a fun route with plenty of challenge. Following the Twin Tunnels, Valley Creek Road was an early highlight around mile 33, winding along the creekside and giving us our first glimpse of the beauty and fun riding that was in store the rest of the day. Any time you see the yellow squiggly "winding road" sign you know you're in for a treat, and this route had plenty of them! I was delighted by all the early fall goldenrod and asters already popping in bright yellow and purple along the route, interspersed with lingering late-summer blooms and fields of sunflowers. Thanks to my fellow riders and the volunteers for a lovely day, and for celebrating the completion of my first SR series with me!

Root beer stop

CJ Arayata writes...

Brad, thanks so much for all of the route-making, organization, and logistics to make this past weekend's inaugural events so successful!

It felt great to shake the rust off and get out there for my first 300k since 2019. I was glad to trade the steep 'club classic' climbs for some nice rural rollers, and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of long 1-2% gentle downhill stretches. The weather was perfect all day, and so was the company: myself, Zack, Jasen, Savva, Andy, and Phil.

Unfortunately, the day was not without some mechanical drama. Jasen managed to overcome three flats early on in Malvern but heroically caught up to us by the Quarryville controle. Savva's electronic shifting was starting to become self-aware and needed mid-ride app taming. The biggest tragedy was Phil's wireless RD spectacularly getting caught in the chain and exploding with 35 miles left to go. Zack managed to get Phil's bike single-speeded and we spun in solidarity, resolved to get our friend to the finish. Unfortunately, we only made it another 10 miles to Phoenixville before his rear freehub body also gave up the ghost, rendering his bike unrideable and forcing a sad farewell. My finish is dedicated to the memory of Phil's rear derailleur and hanger!

Some highlights: Seeing both the sunrise and sunset, watching all of the Amish up and early harvesting tobacco, witnessing a bull standing on top of a pile of rubble(???), wondering how much stuff from Bird-In-Hand Re-Uzit we could fit in our rando bags, Dan Oh coming through with the ice-cold Coca Cola, homemade root beer (shout out Maria and Alexa for the tip!), and the camaraderie and good vibes all day.

Looking forward to exploring more of your new routes and instant classics. Thanks again Brad, Pat, Dan, Woody, and all of the the pre-riders for putting together a great ride!

Peter Eby writes...

I did the Hex County 400km pre-ride for PA Rando event coming up Sept 19 since I will be in Chicago that weekend. 15,000 feet by the end but max altitude was under 1000 feet. Lots of 100-200 foot climbs. Some with 14% grades. Ouch. I started the morning with Brad and a pair on a tandem (Pat and Cece). They were pre-riding a 200km route. We rode together until mile 55. And then I was on my own. Because I was the pre-rider, I was also the scout for the upcoming event. Brad, who designs most of the courses out here, and this one, included 25km of a gravel trail from 340-365km for the first time. He wanted my opinion about keeping it and I started at 10:30pm. It was pitch black. No lights at all. Short sight lines, lots of turns and my Garmin was confusing to me for the first time that day. I doubled back a few times and had to move slowly for safety. 

I reached the end at 1:40 am, having started at 4:40 am. So 21 hours. And I felt like I could have kept going (I had to ride 6km home anyway). Ultimately, a success! A lot of good equipment and comfort improvements. Still need a few adjustments to gear. I rode through Amish/Menonite country where my father’s father is from. Spent 1km on Eby Rd. Passed some horse and buggies - so I know I’ve got more than 1hp in me. I learned that I can ride alone for 200 miles. And will not be getting BBQ in the middle of a ride next time.

Photo by Nick Manna

Nick Manna writes...

Wow, those were some cute cows!

The Pennsylvania Randonneurs have some fun rides planned to close out the 2026 calendar. First up are the Covered Bridges Fall Classic 200K and the new Tabora Fall Classic 143K on October 17. Then on November 7, we have the Crankin' 200K, featuring a route formerly known as the Welsh Tract Wander. To close out the year, we'll run the Oley Valley–Hopewell Furnace 200K on December 5 along with a holiday soirée (details being finalized).

Note that the November and December 200Ks are ACP brevets and will count toward PBP qualification, as the new ACP calendar begins on November 1. We hope to see you all again soon! 

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs

UPDATE: September 200/300/400 Course Notes

Update (September 16):

A few small cue updates were made following additional pre-rides. Thanks to Maria Thomson for pre-riding the 300K and Peter Eby for taking another look at the Perkiomen Trail section of the 400K.

Wawa control in Malvern: After departing the first intermediate control, cross the intersection and immediately enter the trail at the opposite corner. Do not continue along PA-29; a barrier separates the road from the trail beyond the intersection. See photo below.

Black walnuts: It’s that time of year! Watch for black walnuts on roads and trails, especially when riding in groups or after dark.

Warwick Park control (300K & 400K only): Club member Dan Oh has volunteered to staff this control and will have water for riders. As noted below, pre-riders found the stretch between the Turkey Hill controls at miles 89.7 and 134.9 to be particularly long, and unfortunately Warwick Park does not have a water fountain. Dan’s support will be especially appreciated!

400K – Perkiomen Trail: Peter confirmed that the updated cues are clear. Use caution on the gravel sections after dark, particularly through the twists and turns. He also encountered two downed trees near miles 218.5 and 240. Hopefully they’ll be cleared this week, but keep an eye out.

The 400K cuesheet (Version 3) and RWGPS route (Last Modified 2026-09-14 18:51:26 EDT) can be found HERE. 

The 300K cuesheet (Version 3) and RWGPS route (Last Modified 2026-09-14 18:47:30 EDT) can be found HERE.

The 200K cuesheet (Version 3) and RWGPS route (Last Modified 2026-09-15 19:24:20 EDT) can be found HERE.

Original Post:

A huge thank you to everyone who helped pre-ride the new routes for our September 19 events. Pat and Cecilie Gaffney joined me (Brad Layman) on the Oxford Odyssey 200K, Alexa Ringer and Sean Martin tackled the Lancaster Loop 300K, and Peter Eby took on the Hex Country 400K over Labor Day weekend. Their feedback, cue corrections, and observations were invaluable and have already led to a number of improvements.

The pre-rides also featured a couple of significant milestones. Alexa Ringer completed her first Super Randonneur Series by finishing the 300K, and Peter Eby completed his first-ever 400K. Either accomplishment is impressive on its own. Doing so while helping scout a brand-new route for the club makes it even more meaningful. Congratulations to both, chapeau, and thank you for helping make these events possible for our members!

Pre-riders at the Cochranville Turkey Hill Control at Mile 55. From left to right: Brad Layman, Sean Martin, Alexa Ringer, Pat Gaffney, Cece Gaffney, and Peter Eby

General Notes

Each event starts and finishes at the Chamounix Carriage House in West Fairmount Park. The 400K starts at 4:00 AM, the 300K starts at 5:00 AM, and the 200K starts at 7:00 AM. The club will provide a light breakfast at the start and a dinner at the finish. Volunteers will be on hand one hour before each start for check-in and breakfast set-up. Restrooms are available in the Carriage House. Please see the event webpages for tips on parking since we do not recommend parking at Chamounix during the event.

This has been a particularly tough year for road surface conditions. A long winter left many roads with cracks, potholes, and rough pavement, and many rural roads have since been chip sealed, leaving loose gravel in numerous places. In addition, late-summer thunderstorms have washed debris onto roadways, so expect to encounter gravel, sticks, and other material on the shoulders and occasionally in the travel lane. Be prepared for gravel in turns and intersections. There are also several active construction zones which are passable by bike and noted in the cues.

Riders should also be aware that many roads in Amish Country, particularly in Lancaster County and parts of Chester County, have ruts worn into the pavement near the edge of the road by horse-drawn carriages. These ruts can make it difficult to ride close to the shoulder, so be prepared to adjust your line when necessary.

Before the ride, take a few minutes to review the cue sheet for your route, available on the Map & Cues tab of each event webpage. Pay particular attention to the "Danger" cues, which highlight tricky intersections, busy roads, railroad crossings, and other areas requiring extra caution. It is helpful to be familiar with these locations before the event.

Riders, especially those on the 300K & 400K, should be prepared for riding in the dark. Lights, a reflective vest, and reflective ankle straps will be inspected at the start. It also helps to partner up with other riders for the nighttime riding, particularly on the trails.

Miles 0-55 (All Riders)

All three routes share the opening 55 miles. There is a construction zone about two miles in, on Parkside Ave and 53rd St. After leaving Philadelphia, the route quickly transitions into quiet suburban roads before joining the Chester Valley Trail for a traffic-free stretch.

Be prepared with lights for the Twin Tunnels. Noted in the cues and marked with an icon on the map (mile 32)

Around mile 32, riders will pass through the Twin Tunnels near Downingtown. These tunnels are very dark, so be prepared to turn on bright lights before entering. Fortunately, the pavement through the tunnels is smooth and in good condition.

Peter Eby rides on Runnymede Rd, a few miles before the routes split at mile 55.

The three routes remain together until the Cochranville Turkey Hill control at mile 55.

Miles 55-125 (200K)

At the Cochranville Turkey Hill control, the Oxford Odyssey 200K turns southwest toward Oxford while the 300K and 400K continue farther west.

Pat & Cece Gaffney

This section of the 200K features beautiful countryside riding through southern Chester County before crossing into northern Delaware. The final 20 miles become noticeably more urban. Traffic increases, the hills remain relentless, and a series of traffic signals and stop signs interrupts your rhythm. Be patient, go with the flow, and expect frequent stops as you make your way back into Philadelphia.

It is good to know that most of this section follows designated bikeways. At mile 111, the route joins the Bicyclists Baltimore Pike, which riders will follow from Swarthmore toward Philadelphia. After crossing into the city, the route primarily uses bike lanes through West Philadelphia and into West Fairmount Park before finishing at Chamounix.

The 200K is the shortest option of the day, but it is packed with climbing. Don't be fooled by the lack of major climbs. The Oxford Odyssey is relentlessly rolling, with frequent short, steep climbs throughout the route. The short but steep climbs in the last 20 miles were especially challenging.

Miles 55-139 (300K & 400K)

After leaving the Conchranville Turkey Hill control, the 300K and 400K continue through some of the most scenic farmland in Chester and Lancaster Counties. Expect quiet roads, short sections of busy roads, rolling terrain, Amish farms, and excellent rural riding.

One important note about the Warwick Park control: restrooms are available, but there is no drinking fountain (although there is running water in the restroom sinks). The Warwick Park control is located between two Turkey Hill controls, with approximately 45 miles between the Turkey Hill in Ronks and the next Turkey Hill in Gibraltar. Be sure to plan your food and water accordingly.

You have two options: carry enough food and water to make it between controls, or plan to stop at one of the businesses along the route. There is a barbecue restaurant directly on the Warwick-Ephrata Rail Trail, and downtown Ephrata, at the end of the trail, has both a coffee shop, pizza shop, and an ice cream parlor that make convenient resupply stops (marked with icons on the RWGPS map)

Miles 139-186 (300K)

At mile 140, the Lancaster Loop turns east toward Philadelphia while the Hex Country 400K continues north for its final 100+ miles.

The final portion of the 300K continues through the Schuylkill Valley before returning toward Philadelphia. Although fatigue may be setting in by this point, navigation is generally straightforward and services remain readily available. The route follows the SRT for 24 miles from Spring City to Manayunk.

Miles 139-250 (400K)

There is a 40-mile stretch between the Gibraltar Turkey Hill control and Coopersburg Wawa control, so be sure to have enough food and water for that stretch. The Wawa controls in the last 75 miles of the route (Coopersburg, Perkasie, and Collegeville) are each open 24 hours. 

The final 40 miles are primarily trail-based. We return to the city via the Perkiomen Trail (The Perk) and the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT).

One thing to be aware of is that the mapped route does not always perfectly represent the trail alignment. This can occasionally create confusion, particularly at night or for riders who are unfamiliar with the trails. The Perk deserves the most attention. It includes several gravel sections, numerous turns, and multiple road crossings. Riders use The Perk from approximately mile 211 to mile 227, with a brief departure from the trail for the Collegeville Wawa control before rejoining it. It is also recommended that riders bring an extra light in case repairs are needed along the trail in the dark.

The SRT is generally easier to navigate, consisting primarily of long, straight sections with fewer navigation decisions. Even so, continue paying attention to your navigation as you make your way back toward the finish.

Most importantly, have fun and be safe.

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs

PA Grand Canyon 200k Ride Report

Ron Andersons Ride at Colton Pt.

13 of the 13 starters on the PA Grand Canyon 200k finished in good time for a 100% completion rate.  Although rain threatened throughout the morning, riders stayed dry and enjoyed the sunshine that finally broke through the clouds in the afternoon.

The Peleton on the Pine Creek Trail

First time randonneur Clark Hathaway had a flat shortly after the start but was able to repair the punctured tubeless tire with a couple plugs, then chased the peloton and reacquired his riding mates somewhere in the metropolis of Stony Fork.

Ben Keenan was clearly on a mission for the day and blitzed the route setting a new course record in the process.  He was clearly interested in getting home to Delaware in time for dinner.

As the temperatures (and humidity) increased in the early afternoon, riders were able to get their core temperatures down by crossing Babb Creek in the deeper areas:

Cooling off in Babb Creek

Crossing Babb Creek

I was privileged to enjoy the day with an impressive and committed group of Randonneurs.  I am happy to see that PA Randonneurs still attracts good riders and even better people.

The reconstructed Little Pine Creek Suspension Bridge

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.

PA Grand Canyon Course Notes

 A course checkout was performed on Sunday 8/2 in a steady rain.  Despite the rain, the course is in excellent condition and Babb Creek had only about 12” of water to ford.  The route remains unchanged but several  notes were added/corrected so please be sure you download the current (Rev. 2) cues/RWGPS file titled PA Grand Canyon 26. 

Colton Point 

Additional Details

The start location is at the Pine Creek Rail Trail Trailhead Parking lot on Railroad Street (3 blocks West of Bridge Street) in Jersey Shore, Pa.  My GPS recognized the start as 445 Railroad St. Jersey Shore, PA 17740.  There are restrooms at the start location that are generally opened before our 7:00 start time but sometimes state employees oversleep so you may want to make other arrangements.  Unfortunately there is a dearth of available “other arrangements” near the start.  There is a Uni- Mart/Exxon Station at 101 Bridge Street and the Shore Diner at 1211 Alleghany Street which opens at 6:00.  

Other than the Pine Creek Trail, there are 4 significant non-paved sections:

1.       Cedar Run to Colton Pt (Mile 32-53).  This is the longest non-paved section and is a stair step climb with some short descents.  This section is better described as hard packed dirt with some short sections of well packed gravel with intermittent areas of bedrock peaking through the dirt/gravel.  There were a few muddy spots at the bottom of the descents. 

2.       Ansonia to SR660 (Mile 59-61).  This is a shaded climb with well packed gravel leading to a pleasant descent onto paved SR660.

3.       Stony Fork to Babb Creek (Mile 68-73) A beautiful, slightly downhill section with well packed dirt and a few short muddy sections.  At the end of this section you’ll ford Babb Creek which is currently about 12” deep.  The bottom consists of smooth round rocks which are very slippery.  It’s entirely possibly to walk this bare footed (I’ve done it several times) but it was much more pleasant tromping through it yesterday in my cycling sandals.

4.       Hurley Hill to Liberty (Mile 76-85) This WAS the most technically challenging section of the course and still has some gravel sections but the most difficult climbs on this section along Nauvoo Rd. has been PAVED (I have no idea why).  The major decent on Ritter Road is still gravel and has some sections of loose stone (don’t outrun your guardian angel!). 

Dangers (these are noted on the cue sheet)!

Mile 28.3 This bridge over the Pine Creek is steel grate and VERY Slippery when wet.

Mile 54  After you finish the climb to Colton Point and take a couple photos at het Lookout, you’ll climb a little more and then start a long descent to Ansonia.  This descent is steep and twisty.  There will likely be some mindless drivers coming uphill so keep to the right and keep your speed in check.  This was the site of a nasty crash on this course a couple years ago.

Mile 83-85 – there are a couple short/steep descents on Ritter Rd. and Brion Hill Rd. that have a fair amount of loose gravel

Mile 103.3 - the renovated suspension bridge over Little Pine Creek has a steel grate surface and was surprisingly slippery.  I would highly recommend you walk this bridge if there is any moisture on ride day. 

Controls/Resupply points:

1.       Wolf General Store [Slate Run} Mile 28.  A well-stocked store with excellent made-to-order breakfast sandwiches.  If you’ve got some time to spend while they’re making your sandwich, go downstairs and see their fly fishing department.  If you’re a faster rider you may want to grab some extra food since you’re next resupply will not be until mile 65.

2.       Burnin’ Barrel Bar [Ansonia] Mile 57.  This is a country bar with excellent food but, sadly doesn’t open until 12:00.  For faster riders, I’ll be there with water (but not much else).

3.       Stony Fork Country Store [Stony Fork] Mile 65.  This is a small, Mennonite owned grocery store.  They have a sign on the front door requesting patrons wear long sleeved shirts and trousers but they’ve always been pleasant to me in my cycling gear. 

4.       Stony Fork Campground Mile 67 – this is a VERY small store at a campground, they only have beverages and snacks.

5.        Exxon [Liberty] Mile 87.  This is a veritable oasis with clean bathrooms and hot food.  You’ll be pretty tired when you get there so it’s a great place to get reenergized.  There are a few tables in the back and there is also a pleasant lawn area outside (no tables),

6.       McConnell’s Country Store [Waterville] Mile 11and 115.  Another well stocked general store with a deli counter.  If you’re extra thirsty the Waterville Tavern is next door and has a good beer selection (or so I’m told).

      As noted on the route description there is very little cell phone coverage on course so don’t plan on staying in contact with the outside world.  You’ll have coverage at Ansonia, Liberty and maybe Waterville.

Hawk's Nest Classic 200K -- Ride Report

 A day makes all the difference. What might have been a difficult, character building experience on Saturday, with the heavy rains and thick wildfire smoke,  became beautiful weather to experience this classic route through the Poconos and upper Delaware River valley. Twelve riders clipped in,  and all 12 finished for 100% finish rate. Preliminary results have been posted. Let us know if they agree with your memory. 

Scotty Steingart failed to improve on the course record he set in 2016. Although conditions were good, they weren't quite as perfect as they were back then. Maybe a little too windy, and the traffic lights didn't change exactly at the right time. Nevertheless, he did make quick work of the course so he could go home in time to watch the whole World Cup game.  

Although there were a few Hawk's Nest Classic 'anciens' (Scotty, Vadim, and the Gaffneys) present, the other 9 riders had never ridden this classic.  Some had seen the Nest on other routes, but most were new to this spectacular and unique road. There was an era when PA Rando offered this classic multiple times a year. I wouldn't say we were tired of it -- more that the route was a kind've PA Rando comfort food. So it was enjoyable to hear fresh impressions of the great Hawk's Nest from this latest bunch of randonneurs. 

We are offering yet another Pennsylvania North of 80 experience in the Grand Canyon of PA 200K gravel brevet on 8 August, visiting the big and little Pine Creek  Gorges, Colton Point, and the newly refurbished English Center bridge.  The route includes the always "interesting"  ford of Babb Creek. Don't miss it!

POSTPONED: Hawk's Nest Classic 200K -- Course Notes

Due to the forecast for very unhealthy air quality from wildfire smoke, we have made the decision to POSTPONE the Hawks Nest Classic 200K from Saturday, July 18, to Sunday, July 19.

The ride will begin at 7:00 AM from the same start location. While we know this change may be inconvenient for some riders, we believe postponing is the best decision for everyone's safety.

If you are already registered, please let Brad and Chris know whether you will be riding on Sunday. Riders who paid a registration fee and are unable to attend on the new date may request a full refund.

Registration will be re-opened until midnight on Friday, so if the new date works better for you, there's still time to sign up.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing everyone under healthier conditions on Sunday.

***ORIGINAL POST***

photo by G. Keenan

Now that summer's heat has arrived, Pocono venues continue to offer the best reprieve.  On  July 18th we head north for our July R-12 brevet with the Classic Hawk's Nest route.  This is the original route that follows the Broadhead Creek up onto the Allegheny Front through Canadensis and Promised Land State Park on its way to the headwaters of the Lackawaxen River.  The start is from the Delaware Water Gap Park-n-Ride near the I-80 exit, and the finish is at the Village Farmer. 

Patrick and Cecilie Gaffney completed a pre-ride of the Hawks Nest Classic Route on 10 July.  They found all roads in serviceable condition and all control locations open. 

 Here are some notes from their preride.

• The shoulder just past Hawks Nest, around mile 79 is in bad shape and there is some rough pavement on the right side of the lane. Riders should take the lane if they can. 
• Mile 91.6 there is a road closed sign. We were able to pass through and, get this, Old Mine Road has been repaved all the way to Jager road! 
• Mile 111.2 the barriers are still on Walpack road but they are easily passable. 
• Mile 112.7 the downhill on the backside of old mine road has some rough pavement and potholes descend with caution. 
• The first few miles of Old Mine just past Millbrook Village are in rough shape. Mike 115.2 is particularly bad. There is a pothole that crosses the entire width of the road and riders will be moving pretty quickly.  

At Eldred, the typical control location is not being used and instead there is an info control at the Hero’s Park in front of the Town Hall.  Pay careful attention to the question and ensure you select an answer based on the correct war.  Peck’s Market is open in Eldred, but if you’d like to stop earlier, the  Hungry Goat in Barryville  has excellent baked goods and will (fairly rapidly) make you a hot breakfast sandwich.

Although there is a big climb up the Allegheny front, peaking at Sky Top, this route is possibly the fastest ride in the PA Rando route library.  Speedier riders may arrive at the Riverside Creamery in Port Jervis before their 12:00 opening time.  Woogie’s Deli is 1 block off route at the corner of King St. & US 209/6. 

Please note that the ride finishes at the Village Farmer and not at the Park-n-ride.

 

Event registration is open on the website through midnight tonight (15 July).  Don't miss your chance to experience this PA Rando classic.   

 

 

 

 

 

Keystone Brevet Co. 200k Ride Report

 

Thank you to all who participated in the Keystone Bicycle Co. 200k this past Saturday! We had a great turn out with 44 riders starting saturday morning and 38 finishing for a 86% completion rate. An impressive start and finish rate considering the high temperatures and how many rider were either on their first brevet or just ridden a 600k the weekend before 

Congrats to the first time Randonneurs: John Wieme, Ellie Wasserman, Josh Stair,  Ryan Mucha, Ethan Mentzer, Nicholas Manna, Kristen Lee, Bree Dillon, Robert Cleary, and Xena Aves.

Great work! We hope to see you again.

Here are a few notes from the ride. Check out the ride photo album here.

 Nick Manna writes:

This was my first 200k Brevet and I had a great ride. Had a good crew and went out a little too fast, but that was also a really fun part of the ride. The heat started to hit and I was struggling but it was nice to catch up with people at the rest stops and know we were all in it together even if we weren't always on each other's wheels.

Ellie Wasserman writes

I have been training for the last several months to be able to complete my first brevet and I’m so glad it was the Keystone Co. 200k! Excellent weather despite the heat and an excellent ride. I especially loved riding through the Brandywine Valley up to our second controle. I was so happy to be on the bike all day with my friend and teammate Bree Dillon as it was also her first official brevet. We got to ride with new friends from the NYC randonneur group and leapfrogged with other PA randonneurs throughout the day. I’m already planning for the next one, consider me hooked!

Rob Cleary writes:

Somewhere out between Downingtown and Morgantown someone (I think Tracey Hinder or Xena) heard that it was my first brevet and quipped "welcome to the asylum" (which is hilarious) but accurate. It's kind of hard to ignore how a little insane choosing to ride your bike for 8+ hours is.I signed up for this brevet with like 48 hours notice after one of my friends texted a group chat reminding us that the registration closed this week. I had seen a number of them do populaires and brevets of varying lengths, and they always seemed to have a great time. Weather looked perfect, I had a solid base of miles from the past few months, so I gave it a go. I think by far my favorite part of this brevet was meeting so many like-minded riders. We're all out here doing this thing, eating off wawa trash cans, riding up crazy steep hills, for hours and hours. Why? Cause it's fun, it's hard, it's meditative, it's whatever you want it to be. There's no finish tape, no fanfare, no grand prize. Little jokes become sayings, unfamiliar faces become someone you keep rubber-banding between controls with. Some people are signing brevet card, others are playing the latest Olivia Rodrigo album as you roll out. The whole experience is just a vibe, and I'm here for it.

Thank you so much to all who participated and a very special thanks to our volunteers: Ello Shertzer, CJ Arayata, and Zachary Rachell. This ride would not have been possible with out them. I would also like to thank our RBA Brad Layman for providing support during and before the event.

Please join us next month for the Hawk's Nest Classic 200k on Saturday June 18th!

Bleu Kaundi 600K Ride Report

Twenty-nine riders, including three pre-riders, rolled out from Chamounix for the 2026 Bleu Kaundi 600K. By the end of the weekend, twenty-two riders would complete the course within the time limit.

Photo by Phil Luong

The statistics only tell part of the story.

This year's 600K reinforced a lesson many riders discover for themselves: a 600K really is a 400K followed by another ride the next day. The challenge, however, is that a big first day still has to be completed. Riders faced temperatures in the 90s, relentless humidity, powerful thunderstorms, and plenty of Pennsylvania climbing before ever reaching the overnight control. Seven riders abandoned during the first day, one following a crash and injury, and six due to the extreme heat. We wish the injured rider a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the road soon. Despite the challenging conditions, every rider who left Chamounix for Day 2 completed the brevet within the time limit.

Thunderstorm, late Saturday afternoon (photo by Dan Powers)

A group of riders found shelter in an old barn during the storm (photo by Dan Powers)

The most dramatic weather arrived late Saturday afternoon and into the evening, when severe thunderstorms swept across the course. Most riders found shelter wherever they could as lightning, heavy rain, and strong winds moved through the region. Some decided to continue riding through the conditions, appreciating the rain cooling things off. In response to the extraordinary conditions, an additional sixty minutes was added to the overall time limit. In the end, no rider needed all of that extra time, but the adjustment ensured that riders could prioritize safety.

When the RBA arrived at the Boyer's Food Market control in Orwigsburg in the middle of the storm, the scene looked less like a brevet control and more like a field hospital, with riders sprawled across the floor and occupying an entire grocery store aisle. A quick glance suggested a crisis, but the smiles and laughter that followed revealed something very different: despite the heat, storms, and long miles, spirits remained remarkably high.

For those who continued, the reward was a true 600K experience: oppressive heat, torrential rain, unexpected moments of beauty, a precious period of sleep, and the satisfaction of returning to the road on Sunday morning knowing that another 200 kilometers still awaited.

Left to right: Jimmy Karadagli, Anton Lindberg, and Josh Brown refuel at the Sheetz control in Shoemakersville. *They rode into and through the storm right after this photo.

One of the most impressive aspects of the brevet had nothing to do with finishing times or distances. The riders who abandoned remained overwhelmingly positive throughout the weekend. Several stayed at Chamounix to support riders returning from the course, while others came back later to cheer finishers and celebrate their accomplishments. More than a few were already searching the RUSA calendar for other 600Ks later this year and several signed up for next week's Keystone 200K. That attitude speaks to something special about this community. Randonneurs understand that success is not defined by a single ride, and they share a deep appreciation for the experience of spending long hours on a bicycle, facing challenges alongside friends, and returning to ride again another day.

Dan Powers writes...

It’s like when you play a video game and it takes a couple tries to beat the level. Instead of Goombas it’s hills. There’s no lava but there’s plenty of rain. It’s frustrating, but it’s stupidly satisfying. The boss battle got me this time but I’m coming back for more.

SR Series Milestones

The Bleu Kaundi 600K marked the conclusion of the 2026 Pennsylvania Super Randonneur Series. Completing an SR Series requires riders to finish a 200K, 300K, 400K, and 600K brevet within the same season, and it remains one of the most meaningful accomplishments in randonneuring.

Jasen Lo and Maria Thomson (photo by Jakub Piven)

This year's series was especially rewarding because so many riders progressed through the distances together. Riders who completed their first 400K at the Four State 400K returned just a few weeks later to take on their first 600K, demonstrating the steady progression that makes the SR Series such a powerful challenge.

Left to right: Ben Keenan, Sayantan Khan, and Nick Manta display their completed series punchards

Seven riders completed their first SR Series: Jimmy Karadagli, Sayantan Khan, Owen Kobasz, Jasen Lo, Samuel Tarlow, Maria Thomson, and Erik Wright. Congratulations and well done to all these new Super Randonneurs. David Coccagna and Matthew Willet completed their first Pennsylvania SR Series with their pre-ride of the 600K. Chapeau to each of them for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment throughout the season.

Pat Gaffney completed his ninth SR Series, tying Bill Olsen atop the club leaderboard for the most PA Rando SR Series completions. Ben Keenan earned his fourth series, Bill Scanga his third, Nick Manta his second, and yours truly his sixth.

Front to back: Alexa Ringer, Tracey Hunder, and Celia Feal Staub

A special congratulations goes to Tracey Hinder, who completed her second PA SR Series. Tracey played a major role in the success of the 2026 series, encouraging friends and teammates from New York to join our spring brevets and helping mentor many of them through their first SR Series and first flèche. Her support, encouragement, and experience helped foster the strong sense of camaraderie that became a defining feature of this year's rides. As if that were not impressive enough, Tracey arrived at the start of the Bleu Kaundi 600K just five days after completing a New Jersey 1200K. Not content to stop there, she is already signed up for the Keystone Brevet Co. 200K less than a week after finishing the 600K. Chapeau, Tracey, on an incredible season and for the countless ways you have helped strengthen our randonneuring community.

Several additional riders remain within striking distance of their SR Series completion and can still earn the award by returning later this year to complete a ride. Celia Feal Staub has completed a RUSA SR Series this year, but needs just a 200K to make it a PA Series. Alexa Ringer and Cecilie Gaffney need a 300K to complete theirs. Kate Sparacio and Anton Lindberg only need a 200K. We hope to see them all back on the road soon.

Josh Brown's season deserves special recognition as well. While he completed the 200K and 600K events in our series, he spent the weeks in between tackling two SR600s, a particularly demanding challenge that requires riders to complete a 600K route with at least 10,000 meters of climbing. This may at least partially explain how Josh was able to climb back on his bike around 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning to get an early start on the final 200K of the event. Meanwhile, Sean Rich completed the Bleu Kaundi 600K as his first ride with PA Rando. After completing his first 200K and 300K in New Jersey last month, Sean jumped straight into one of the most demanding events on our calendar and showed from the start that he was ready for the deep end. Chapeau to both riders for impressive accomplishments this season.

Bill Scanga displays his series punchcard

The 2026 PA Rando SR Series produced an impressive fifteen SR Series finishers, making it one of the most successful seasons in club history. Five additional riders remain eligible to complete the series with just one more qualifying brevet. The club record stands at seventeen SR Series finishers, set in 2011, meaning this year's group has a legitimate chance to establish a new benchmark before the year concludes. Whether or not that record falls, the growth in participation and the number of riders progressing through the brevet distances together has been one of the most rewarding stories of the season.

Thank You to Our Volunteers

A brevet may be ridden individually, but events like this are only possible because of the generosity of volunteers who give their time to support riders throughout the weekend.

On course support at Mile 103 (photo by Dan Powers)

On Day 1, Greg Kowal helped get things started by preparing breakfast and sending riders off. Support was available at several points along the course. The RBA spent portions of the day providing water, ice, and encouragement near Peace Valley Lake (mile 34), on Lower Smith Gap Road (mile 103), at the Boyer's Food Market control in Orwigsburg, and later at the Sheetz control in Shoemakersville.

Chris Nadovich staffed the penultimate control of Day 1 at the Redner's Quick Shoppe in Bally, ensuring that riders arriving late into the evening had a welcoming face, food, water, and encouragement before tackling the final miles back to Chamounix.

The overnight control was the heart of the event. Travis Berry and Woody Felice staffed the first half of the overnight and welcomed riders with dinner as they rolled in after long hours on the road. Later in the night and into the early morning, David Coccagna and Matthew Willet took over, helping riders prepare for the second day and serving breakfast burritos that quickly became one of the most appreciated features of the entire weekend.

Day 2 support continued with Sean Martin greeting riders at the Wallingford train station with homemade cookies approximately twenty miles into the day, and Jake Prosser staffing the Christiana control with pizza, water, and encouragement for the final push back to Philadelphia. Afterwards, both made their way to cheer on riders at the finish.

As usual for big PA Rando events, it was a festive scene at Chamounix as riders finished the course. Iwan Barankay staffed the finish control for the early finishers who arrived from late morning into the early afternoon. Later in the afternoon, Joey Doubek, Greg Kowal, and Noah Indegoat greeted riders with ice pops and cold drinks as soon as they pulled in. Riders lingered long after finishing to celebrate with one another and cheer on friends still out on the course. As the afternoon went on, more friends and family arrived to welcome riders home. After a weekend of heat, storms, climbing, and very little sleep, the atmosphere at the finish was a fitting celebration of the accomplishment and the community that made it possible. 

Every volunteer helped create an atmosphere that reminded riders they were not facing the challenge alone. On behalf of all the riders, thank you for making this event possible.

Jasen Lo and Maria Thomson (photo by Jakub Piven)

Rider Stories

Ben Keenan writes...

Thanks to Brad, Matt, Dave, Travis, Woody, Chris, Iwan and all volunteers for organizing this ride.  I had a great time.  This was a beautiful course that presented a fair share of challenges.  I recently saw a Little Feat concert and as we rolled through conditions that included heat, dust, headwinds and then a thunderstorm with big wet cold drops of rain and thunder that had Nick and I counting the time between the flashes and booms (“five is good, right????”),   I thought of one of the band’s songs about a long haul trucker who has to face all kinds of challenges (warped by the rain, kicked by the wind, gets hit in the head, etc.) but still keeps going for some mythical reason.  My journey was not quite as songworthy.  My challenges consisted of getting dehydrated, drinking some horrible “Tropical Refresher” juice at Boyer’s Market, feeling like I was going to barf for the next 50 miles and then fixing three flats trying to get to the overnight control, the last wondering if tube repair glue dries enough in the rain to hold a patch (it does!).

With apologies to the songwriter Lowell George, I “composed” my own randonneuring version of his song in memory of the seemingly endless final few miles on the first night:

And if you give me; dynamo light, water and chicken nuggets for $3.99
And a GPS that will show me a sign
I'll be willin' to keep movin'

This was a great SR series and special thanks to everyone that shared the miles.  Hope to see everyone on a ride soon!

Photo by Phil Luong

Pat Gaffney writes...

Brad, thanks to you Greg, Chris, Woody, Travis, David, Mathew, Jacob, Noah, Joey, and any other volunteers that I am missing for a wonderful event.  The support on this ride was great, always seeming to be there right when we needed it.  The route was beautiful and challenging, and frustrating, and joyful; as a 600 should be.  It had it all from the perfect starting temperatures to the hot hot heat, strong winds, driving rain, thunder, lightening, and fog. It was like an entire summer season in one ride.  I am proud that I matched Bill Olsen's 9 SR's. It seems poetic to me, now, that I puked on this ride not too far from where we came across him puking up a strawberry milkshake on a 400K in 2010.  I'm going to say that Bill's was more visually dramatic.  Thanks again for all the hard work and the great rides.  Hope to see everyone down the road soon!

Celia Feal Staub writes...

Bleu Kaundi gave me everything at once: a thunderstorm that turned the sky violent and then left a rainbow so surreal I had to stop believing I was hallucinating it. Ninety degree heat. Unrelenting climbing. Losing my phone in a gas station bathroom and having Brad recover it for me like the miracle it was.

Somewhere around mile 149, with the day already long and many many miles to go, Tracey and I rolled into Boyer's just as the sky opened up into an absolute deluge. When I said I needed to rest, and proceeded to lay down on the grocery store floor, she said: "That's a great idea! We have to eat into our sleep time, so get rest while you can". Words of wisdom.

We got 1.5 hours of sleep between "days". The volunteers at Chamounix greeted us at 3:30am saying "you have plenty of time, you have enough time," exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right moment. 

The next day had a lot of caffeine pills, raspberry Wawa smoothies, and abundant generosity of every volunteer and fellow rider who had what we needed when we needed it most.

Photo by Phil Luong

Sayantan Khan writes...

The motto playing in my head as I rode this long hard brevet was "I am living my life control to control", with the added understanding that the overnight control was the best control, and every minute I saved on the intermediate controls on Day 1 would be an additional minute in bed in nice clean dry clothes at Chamonix.

The being said, the suffering didn't really start until I was well through the Wind Gap, and making my way to Orwigsburg. Until then, I had enjoyed climbing into the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was having a thoroughly good time.

The good times resumed again when I made a possibly foolish decision to leave Sheetz just as the storm was rolling in: I would do anything to ride in cool weather again, and the gamble paid off, as I cooled down, and managed to tackle the remaining hard climb in relatively pleasant conditions: climbs are best enjoyed in the cool and humid post rain conditions.

As I rode the last 60k of the first day alone with my thoughts in the dark (my mp3 player having fried itself with water damage), I considered how easy it would be to quit once I rolled into Chamonix: my own home a mere 2 miles away.

I decided to postpone the quitting decision to after I'd had my shower and nap, and that worked out in my favor.

Waking up, and getting fueled by David's excellent breakfast burrito, I crawled slowly to the first Wawa control of the second day, and ran into Nick Manta: we decided without exchanging words that we'd ride together for the rest of the day, and would stop at all the controls and eat a lot, and eat slowly.

The second day would have been significantly harder if not for Nick's company. 

I learned a lot about myself, and my fellow riders on this brevet, and kudos to everyone who even set out on Day 1: "this was extremely hard but rewarding." Somewhere on the SRT on day two, with Philly getting closer and the miles finally feeling like a countdown, I knew with certainty we were going to finish. That final climb up to Chamounix was unreal. Thank you Brad, all the volunteers, and everyone I was lucky enough to ride with!

Ice cap (photo by Alexa Ringer)

Alexa Ringer writes...

Day 2 - I woke up with saddle sores and chafing, and the pain was intense. Cyclists I consider stronger than me were dropping out, rightfully saying the heat was too much. It gave me anxiety. I was crying at Chamounix as I waited for Jasen to finish getting ready, unsure how I was going to get back on the bike, but as Tracey said, 'It's a beautiful day for a bike ride.' So I hopped on and kept going.

As texts pinged on my Garmin throughout the day, I was reminded how supported I was and how grateful I am to have a community that enables me to push myself to my limits. I thought about why I really love biking: how it shows me little corners of the world, how it makes time pass slowly and quickly at the same time, and how a single joyful minute can make hours of suffering wash away.

Someone texted me to have fun. I bombed a winding descent into a covered bridge and smiled a lot. I started having fun.

At the Turkey Hill before the final Wawa control, I chugged my first-ever Celsius energy drink. It revived me like it was suddenly a new day. The worst hills were behind us, the sun began to cool off, and we started cooking.

When we reached the Schuylkill River Trail, my legs started pumping with recognition. The trail was brilliant, the sun was shining, and it really was a beautiful day for a bike ride. Jasen and I rolled up the final climb to Chamounix to the sounds of cheers, cowbells, and Sandstorm blasting from my speaker. We had 15 minutes to spare. I couldn't have done it alone, and that's what makes the randonneuring community so beautiful.

Jasen Lo pauses for a break (photo by Dan Powers)

 Jasen Lo writes...

Thanks to Brad Layman and the other organizers and volunteers for their work in making this event happen. It was a proper finale to the Spring Super Series, and one that I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in and complete.

I've never logged so many miles so early in the cycling season, and I approached the 600k with a creaky knee and a bundle of nerves about the sheer distance, elevation, and sleep deprivation that were bound to come. After a first day of relentless climbing, heat exhaustion, biblical rain, and extreme knee discomfort, I woke up in Chamonix after three hours of sleep ready to call it quits. My right knee was swollen and virtually locked in a bent position. It wasn't until Gilbert suggested applying Icy Hot to my battered knee, followed by a hearty breakfast, that my knee and I regained some semblance of function.

At that point, I knew that any additional mile I covered was simply extra credit. If I was forced to stop, I felt I had already made a good account of myself by digging deep, overcoming enough adversity, and attempting the remainder of the ride.

I recall Michael Burns telling me that, with so many resources available and so much time afforded to us, I needn't worry. In that respect, his prediction proved prophetic, as I rolled into Chamonix on Sunday evening as the lanterne rouge after a grueling day of saddle sores and persistent knee pain that made seated climbing impossible, aided by an additional hour time allowance due to the earlier storm.

Looking back, I'm overwhelmed by the generosity everyone extended to me: the encouragement and assistance of Brad Layman, David Coccagna, Jacob Prosser, and the other volunteers at key checkpoints and the overnight control; my fellow riders Alexa, Maria, Jakub, Tracey, Celia, Owen, Dan, Phil, Gilbert, Erik, and Kate, for their steadfast resilience, shared lumens, and invaluable drafts; and Aaron and James, whose company brought me back to life on the final stretches of the SRT, as my morale and stamina wavered.

Finishing on the cusp of the cutoff meant that every act of help I received was the difference between a DNF and earning the SR credit. While I understand that randonneuring is ultimately a self-supported endeavor, I can't help but think about how much support I received, and how much this SR is as much an accomplishment of my worthy, admirable peers as it is of mine.

Selfie by Kate Sparacio with Erik Wright

 Kate Sparacio writes...

This ride felt like a real “best of Eastern PA tour”- we truly got a little bit of everything along the way in terms of terrain, scenery, weather, joys and challenges. Highs included being rewarded with huge rainbows after the storm, peaceful late night pedaling under a gigantic golden moon, and sweet, supportive volunteers popping up at just the right time with just the right snacks. Lows included a mangled front derailleur, losing access to my granny gear, and the times that it was so hot that I found myself briefly grateful for a headwind, because at least there was a breeze?

For a sport that heavily stresses independence, self-sufficiency and in many ways is defined by a lack of support - I sure finished this ride feeling that my cup was overflowing from all the support and encouragement of my fellow riders and the many dedicated volunteers who made this gigantic feat of a ride possible! I feel so lucky to pedal among experienced riders who are so generous with their hard-earned knowledge, as well as folks who were navigating new territory for the first time and eager to bond over the uncertainties and new milestones we encountered along the way. The generosity, camaraderie, support and good vibes are unmatched! Enormous thanks to all - looking forward to whatever's next!

Looking Ahead

If there is such a thing as "randonesia," it appears to set in quickly. Eight Bleu Kaundi riders are registered for the Keystone Brevet Co. 200K less than a week later, suggesting that memories of heat exhaustion, thunderstorms, and sleepless nights fade remarkably fast.

While the SR Series may be complete, there is still plenty to look forward to on the 2026 PA Rando calendar. Our July and August 200Ks will head north to provide a welcome break from the urban heat of a Philly summer. September will feature a full brevet weekend in Philly with 200K, 300K, and 400K options. In October, we plan to bring back the Covered Bridges 200K as our fall classic, along with a populaire. We are also working on plans for a Philly-based holiday soiree as part of our December 200K. Whether you join us as a rider, volunteer, or both, we hope to see you at a future event. And if you have an idea for a new route or event, reach out to me at dblayman@gmail.com—we are always looking for new ideas and volunteers to help bring them to life.

Check out more photos from the ride in this Google Folder.

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs