Saturday, February 21, 2026

Spring Series, New Routes, & PBP 2027

Spring always feels like a reset in randonneuring. The days get longer, the layers get lighter, and suddenly the idea of riding all day starts to sound like a good idea again. With that energy in mind, PA Rando is excited to roll into the 2026 season with two spring offerings: the Road-to-200K Series and our full SR Series.

Road-to-200K: For the Friends You Keep Nudging

Most folks reading this blog probably already know what a 200K feels like. The Road-to-200K Series might not be specifically for you. It’s for that riding friend you’ve been gently (or not-so-gently) nudging toward randonneuring.

These rides are meant to be shared. They offer a structured, welcoming introduction to rando concepts like pacing, time limits, and controls, without throwing someone straight into a 200K cold. If you’ve got a friend who loves long rides, endurance challenges, or is just asking “how far is too far?”, this is a great on-ramp. Send them the links. Ride with them. Help them discover that this little corner of cycling might be exactly what they’ve been looking for. The IWD 107K will finish at the Philly Bike Expo and the 161K & 200K will start/finish at the Chamounix Carriage House in Philly.

The 2026 Super Randonneur Series

For those looking to go long this spring, our SR Series is locked in and comes with some exciting new routes. All of the series events will start and finish at the Chamounix Carriage House in Philadelphia.

The 200K is a brand new route designed as a punchy spring classic, winding through White Clay Creek State Park with excursions into Delaware and Maryland. The 300K is still relatively new, having debuted last September, and features a memorable climb to the top of Hawk Mountain. The 600K blends two long-standing club routes, combining the Blue Mountain 400K with the Tscheschter Kaundi 200K. The Blue Mountain route, in particular, is a true classic that has been part of PA Randonneurs since the club’s earliest days.

Thinking Ahead to Paris–Brest–Paris 2027

It may feel early, but PBP 2027 is already shaping decisions for many riders. Completing an SR Series this year is an important step not just for fitness and experience, but also for priority registration when the time comes.

Gear!

We’ll also have PA Rando jersey and gear orders going live later this year. George Retseck has offered to organize a Woolistic jersey order, which we plan to run through the club website, with the goal of submitting the final order by the end of the summer.

I’m also hoping to put together an order for synthetic jerseys and other gear that folks may want to take to France. If anyone is interested in helping organize one of these orders, please let me know. We’ll be sure to share more details later this spring so everyone can be ready.

A New Chapter for PA Randonneurs

On a personal note, I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into the role of Regional Brevet Administrator (RBA). This club has been shaped by years of thoughtful leadership and careful stewardship with a deep respect for the spirit of randonneuring. My sincere thanks to previous RBAs Chris Nadovich, Andrew Mead, and Tom Rosenbauer for building something strong and for trusting me to carry it forward. 

This club has always been driven by the members who step up by volunteering their time, designing routes, and organizing events. My role is to support those efforts and make sure rider safety remains the top priority.

Whether you’re lining up for another SR Series, riding to support a curious friend, or thinking about France in 2027, I’m looking forward to sharing the road this spring.

Brad Layman
PA Randonneurs

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