UPDATE #1: Four State 400K Course Notes

UPDATE #1

Cecilie Gaffney and Patrick Gaffney completed a pre-ride on their tandem on Saturday, May 2. David Coccagna and Matt Willet followed with a pre-ride on separate bikes on May 3. All reported a clear route with no detours and shared the following tips.

The RWGPS (last modified 2026-05-4 19:43:35 EDT) and cue sheet (Version 3) are available here.

All four riders will be volunteering at the event, so be sure to thank them for taking the time to scout the course.

Cece points out a bald eagle (photo by Pat Gaffney)

• Be alert for deer crossing the road at night and during twilight, especially on descents such as Staats Road.
• Use caution on roads departing Philadelphia. The first 90 minutes will be in the dark, and several streets include trolley tracks and potholes. Most hazards are noted in the cues, but stay alert and communicate with riders behind you.

Ditch nap (photo by David Coccagna)

• After the Birdsboro postal control and Turkey Hill, the route briefly uses U.S. Route 422 for about a quarter mile and requires a tricky left turn. There are limited alternatives for crossing, so be prepared to move through this section efficiently. Since it comes right after a control, you should be fresh and ready to get through quickly.
• Roads in New Jersey include some rough pavement. Pay extra attention here, as many riders will encounter this section in the dark.
• If you need to abandon the ride after Birdsboro, there is another option from Coopersburg. It is about a 20-mile ride, including some bike trail, to the Lansdale Regional Rail Station.
• Umbria Street (miles 243 to 245) is in rough condition, with several construction zones encroaching on the bike lane. Most riders will pass through this section late at night, which should make it easier to take the lane when needed.

Ride Your Butt(er) Off 162K Ride Report

Congratulations to all 25 riders who clipped in for the Ride Your Butt(er) Off for a Cause 162K, and especially to the 21 finishers. Results are posted. Take a look to make sure everything looks correct.

We had several riders who completed their first-ever randonneuring event: Nick Dalvano, Jacqueline Means, Ethan Mentzer, Ellie Wasserman, and Joe Zdichowski. Chapeau and a big welcome to the world of randonneuring. We hope this is the first of many rides with us.

Volunteer Pat Gaffney makes announcements at the start (photo by CJ Arayata)

Photo by Michael Reali

Riders rolled out into a steady headwind and a string of punchy hills that made it clear right away this was going to be a “earn your miles” kind of day. The reward for that early effort came at The Buttery, where most riders slipped in just before 10 a.m., narrowly beating the weekend brunch rush and enjoying a calm, well-timed stop. Along the way, riders paused to take in and photograph a notably peaceful Hopewell Lake at the control French Creek State Park, a quiet moment that felt worlds away from the grind of the city.

Checking in at The Buttery (photo by CJ Arayata)

James Mill Rd (photo by Michael Reali)

Hopewell Lake (photo by Nicholas Manna)

Of course, the route was not done asking questions. The climb out of Nantmeal Village on the Horseshoe Trail delivered a proper test, the kind that has you checking your gearing choices and perhaps questioning the route designer. What goes up, though, does come down, and riders were treated to a smooth, sweeping descent on Birchrun Road that carried them into the Butterscotch Pastry Shop control. Tucked into a scenic valley between some impressively large hills, it is about as ideal a pastry stop as you could design, complete with picnic tables and a trickling stream that encourages you to sit just a little longer than planned.

Butterscotch Pastry Shop (photos by Nicholas Manna)

From there, the tone of the day shifted. Riders found their rhythm, spirits lifted, and the route seemed to open up as they picked up a friendly tailwind along the Schuylkill River Trail. What had been a grind on the way out turned into smooth sailing on the way back, with miles ticking by and Chamounix drawing closer.

It was a great day on the bike, with steady riding conditions and a strong community feel throughout the route. As always, these rides come together because of the people willing to step up and make them happen, and this one was no exception.

Horseback riders sharing the road on Sheeder Mill (photo by Michael Reali)

Yellow Springs Village (photo by Michael Reali)

Ello Shertzer rolls into the finish at Chamounix (photo by Kostiantyn Maistrenko)

Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this event possible. Bella Kuhl played an important role in making the day run smoothly, helping keep things organized and stepping in wherever needed to support riders and logistics. She also coordinated our fundraising efforts, which benefitted the Boys & Girls Club.

Ron Anderson offered steady support throughout the weekend and helping ensure everything stayed on track from start to finish. Pat Gaffney and David Coccagna both contributed in meaningful ways on the ground, helping with event operations and rider support throughout the day.

As the day wrapped up, it was another reminder that these events are built on shared effort and a strong volunteer core. Whether it is setting things up, supporting riders, or helping at the finish, each role matters and adds to the overall experience that keeps people coming back.

CJ Arayata writes...

Thanks Brad, Pat, Ron, and all of the volunteers for the 162k/300k this Saturday. I had a great time on the 162k with excellent weather, a nice tailwind for the second half, and some fun controles. As a Chester County native, I didn't realize how much I had missed the riding around the Warwick and French Creek area. There were multiple stretches where I didn't see any cars or even other cyclists for miles. Being able to enjoy a beautiful day on smooth and quiet roads was a great contrast to the hustle (and potholes) of the city. Also, special thanks to Iwan for the additional cues; these really helped me know which descents I could bomb and which ones to be a bit more careful on. Aside, it was a pleasant surprise to have the oldest RUSA number on the 162k roster. It's exciting to see so many new faces lately and notice 'First 300!' and even 'First brevet!' notes in the results. Thanks again!

Ello Shertzer writes...

Thanks for yet another great route, Brad! I had a great day and really loved the scenery especially once we got out into the rural areas. On the animal sightings rating scale, this one gets a 10! Highlights included a really beautiful woodpecker, a very fuzzy long-horned cow, alpacas, and baby goats. 

George Retseck writes...

The route leaving the city was brilliant with low traffic, quiet roads and views of an amazing amount mansions. The country roads that followed were stunning with signs of spring and terrain that resembled scenes in Europe. The predicted headwinds on the way out were tolerable with plenty of protection provided by stone walls, barns and hills. I enjoyed sharing a few kilometers with many new members.

French Creek was a good halfway point and the turn back provided a slight bit of tailwind to assist the remaining climbs. The Butterscotch controle was awesome, especially the butterscotch cake warmed up. Big thank you to Jason for calling the controle out as I circled confused at the crossroads right before it. Michael, Joe and Jason and I leapfrogged a few times on the way back. Once on the SRT, I was content for an easy cruise back to Philly, but as Michael, Joe & Jason came by in paceline, I had to join in. It felt good to spin again after all the hills of Chester County. A gorgeous course and beautiful spring day made for a fantastic day on the bike. Thank you to the organizers and volunteers that made it possible.

Nick Manna writes...

Alpacas. A car stopping and asking if we were with PA Randonneurs. The beautiful weather once the wind died down. Rode with Andy greaser my friend since childhood and he completed his first 100 mile ride.

Kudos to everyone who has participated in the Road-to-200K Series

The Road-to-200K series continues with the Tscheschter Kaundi 200K on May 9. These events do not happen without the support of our volunteers, and we are always looking for more people to get involved. If you are interested in helping out at a future event, please reach out. Volunteering at a longer brevet is also a great way to learn what it takes to manage a long day in the saddle, without having to ride all the miles yourself.

We also encourage everyone to take a moment to share their thoughts through our anonymous Event Feedback Form. Your feedback helps us improve the rider experience, refine our routes, and continue to put on safe, well-supported events.

There were too many great photos to include here—check out the rest in the Google Photos folder.

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs

Hawk Mountain 300K Ride Report

Congratulations to all 46 riders who clipped in for the Hawk Mountain 300K, and especially to the 44 finishers (41 day-of riders and 3 pre-riders) producing an outstanding 96% finish rate. Together, we set a new club record for the most finishers on a PA Rando 300K. Results are posted. Take a look to make sure everything looks accurate.

We had a number of riders complete their first 300K: David Bacher Hicks, Anna Balchunas, Bing Dai, Peter Eby, Aaron Gemmill, Jimmy Karadagli, Sayantan Khan, Jasen Lo, Phil Luong, Peter McLoone, Sam Tarlow, and Erik Wright. Chapeau to all of you for reaching this milestone.

Chris Myers and Sawyer Rioux embraced a big challenge by making this 300K their first-ever brevet. Chapeau and kudos for jumping straight past the 200K.

Celia Feal Staub and Kristen Song completed their first PA brevets. Welcome, and we hope to see you back for another brevet soon.

Approaching Hawk Mountain (photo by Sayantan Khan)

Early morning shadows (photo by David Bacher Hicks)

Hawk Mountain summit selfie by Peter Eby

Riders were greeted with a stiff headwind in the morning hours, making the first half of the day feel a little tougher and colder than expected. Still, for many, memories of last year’s April 300K, which featured a cold rain that eventually turned to snow, made this year’s conditions feel almost ideal. After all, it would not be a proper spring ride in Pennsylvania without some wind. The most challenging stretch seemed to come between the Wanamakers General Store control and the Hawk Mountain climb, where the exposed valley and surrounding ridges create a bit of a wind tunnel effect. Thankfully, riders were rewarded with a tailwind for most of the ride back to Philly.

Photo by Daniel Steinberg

Wanamakers General Store (photo by Maria Thomson)

The Wanamakers General Store control once again stood out as a highlight of the route. The friendly staff were excited to see riders coming through and genuinely impressed that we had ridden all the way from Philly. It is a true gem in the area, with great made-to-order options, baked goods, and healthy choices, along with a relaxing outdoor spaces. Many riders commented on the jovial and welcoming atmosphere, which made it a memorable stop in the middle of a challenging day.

On-course support at Mile 113

Sean Martin and I set up an on-course support station near mile 113 at a park pavilion along the Schuylkill. It turned out to be a perfect spot to hang out and welcome riders with pizza, snacks, and drinks. Thanks to pre-riders David Coccagna and Pat Gaffney, who reported feeling parched and fatigued by the time they reached the Reading Wawa control at mile 131, we knew this would be an ideal section to offer some extra support.

Back at Chamounix, riders gathered around a taco and fajita bar, sharing tales of their adventures. Shout out to Jakub Piven for the taco inspiration. I’ve been trying to mix things up a bit with our usual food offerings, especially for dinner. If you have ideas for future events, feel free to reach out or share them through the anonymous Event Feedback Form. 

Nick Manta and David Bacher Hicks at the finish control

Taco bar at Chamounix

Bing Dai checks-in at the finish with his brevet card and series punchcard

Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this event possible. Ron Anderson was a gracious lead organizer, offering support throughout the weekend. He helped with Friday check-ins, and the start and finish for the 162K and 300K. David Coccagna and Pat Gaffney completed pre-rides and provided valuable route insights, and both helped at the finish for the 162K and 300K. Somehow, Pat even made it to the early morning start after his own early morning pre-ride the day before.

Simona Dwass was incredibly helpful as well, assisting with Friday evening check-ins, Saturday morning breakfast, and jumping in at the on-course support station after her ride ended in Kutztown. She then returned to help at the finish. Andy Spiers was also at the finish helping to cheer on riders. Andy has been attending the finish controls for the past several Philly brevets, so he deserves a big shoutout. The cheering zone at our Philly events is something special, and we love how every rider gets cheered in at the finish. 

And thank you to Sean Martin for the outstanding on-course support. His vegan oatmeal cookies have been a huge hit, and after back-to-back appearances at the March 200K and this 300K, he’s becoming a familiar and welcome sight on our routes. For many riders, his support showed up at just the right time.

Soph Lofaso and Gil Torres cross the Perkiomen Creek Bridge (photo by Phil Luong)

Riders stop to make a derailleur adjustment. Left to right: Simona Dwass, Erik Wright, and Kate Sparacio (photo by Dan Powers)

Congratulations to Jake Prosser for completing an R-12 with this ride!

Jake Prosser writes...

Was very excited to complete the 2026 rendition of the Hawk Mountain 300K. It was a beautiful course with good weather (minus the morning headwinds). This ride capped off my R-12 challenge, completing a 12 month streak of rigorous 200k and 300k courses. It was easily the most difficult thing I have ever attempted, requiring planning, dedication and mental toughness I didn’t know I was capable of. There were countless moments in the dark and cold I wanted to call it quits, but overcoming those moments makes success that much sweeter. I am so grateful for the opportunity to ride with everyone I have shared a road with over the year. Keep pushing yourself each day, have fun, and most importantly, keep your rubber down!! 🚲

Sayantan Khan writes...

What a great day for a ride: even the headwinds for the first half couldn't take away from how scenic the ride to Hawk Mountain was. This time I also decided to take it and socialize more on the ride, rather than gunning for the front group, and that paid off immensely. We had a large group of people having lunch together at Wanamaker's, and I got to meet so many new people, both at the controls, and on the many extended climbs out to Hawk Mountain: I got to witness many beautiful bikes and beautiful jerseys. 

Jakub Piven writes...

The headwind was brutal for the first half! But the consequential exhaustion in the second half was relieved by the mirage-like appearance of Sean's rando-support van, Sean & Brad & Simona, Domino's pizza, and iced cans of coke. Also, shout out to the delicious oatmeal cookies!

Loved weaving through Bill's(?) paperboy-ing up Hawk Mountain, with Joey's ever-vigilant shouts of "car!" warning him to momentarily abandon that strategy. It seemed like the extra mileage was worth it.

Grateful for Joey D.'s and Jacob P.'s company through most of the ride, especially in those last SRT sections where you just need to keep the momentum up to get to the finish.

The Reading hobbit hole (photo by Maria Thomson)

Maria Thomson writes...

Thanks to the PA Rando organizers & volunteers for putting together another beautiful and challenging ride. As usual, I was grateful for a thoughtful and safe route full of little surprises and delights (looking at you, Reading hobbit hole). Though we faced strong headwinds for the first half of the day, even blowing us around on some of the descents, seeing spring in full bloom and being surrounded by good company kept spirits high. Thanks to Sam from Bushwick for being my buddy up the grueling climb up Hawk Mountain and for helping me with a roadside derailleur fix soon thereafter. The bonus pizza stop at mile 115 was also a huge boost to break up the second-half climbing. Waiting for my knees to stop creaking and the amnesia to set in to push me on to 400k (maybe, probably...) 

Bill Scanga writes...

Amazing weather. Maybe the curse of the Pa 300k has been lifted? The things I learn from other riders along the route and the volunteers are always the highlight.  Seeing the strength, perseverance, and positive outlook of Pa Randonneurs is what gets me to the finish!

Ben Keenan writes...

Thanks to Ron, Brad and all the volunteers for a memorable day and a well-run event. I had a great time!  The stretch of the route from Kutztown to Hawk Mountain is one of my favorites ever, highlighted by the stately dog (to borrow a fellow rider’s apt description) at the top of the last hill before Wannamakers Store noting passersby with noble equanimity. I stayed over at Chamounix at the end and will remember the claps and cheers late into the night as the riders/heroes rolled into the finish. Well-done everyone and hope to see you next month at the 400.

Overlook in the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (photo by Jasen Lo)
Would make a great control in the future!

Jasen Lo writes...

Thanks to Brad and the other organizers and volunteers for their work in arranging a wonderful day of riding bikes. For someone nervous about tackling a 300k and extended riding in the dark for the first time, this route was ideal, testing me early with its severe climbs and headwinds, then delivering me home steadily on the familiar SRT at night. Between the support provided by the PA Rando organizers, my fellow riders who never ceased to encourage me, and the helpful strangers I encountered along the route, I knew I would be able to finish my longest ride to date.  A few days before the ride, PA Rando royalty CJ Arayata advised me, “Slow and steady finishes the ride in one piece!” I took his words to heart, making sure to make the most of my time allowance and rest my legs when needed. In that same spirit of stopping to smell the flowers, I decided to make a stop at the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary atop the route’s namesake mountain. A staff member encouraged me to take at least a short break at the lookout point, given my fatigue after what was a strenuous climb. At the viewpoint, fellow visitors and staff were fascinated by what our riders were doing that day. We spotted a few black vultures flying overhead while admiring the eastward view of Allentown and the surrounding Lehigh Valley, as well as the westward view of the Appalachian ridges. The climb up Hawk Mountain felt all the more rewarding, and I held on to that sense of accomplishment and adventure as I rolled back into Philadelphia. 

We are now halfway through the PA SR Series events, but only a third of the way through the total distance. The next event is the Four State 400K on May 9. This RBA was delighted to see several riders register for the 400K immediately after finishing their 300K, even before the 1 AM time cutoff had passed. Whether it is a case of rapid randonesia or simply the joy of being back on the bike this spring, the enthusiasm is strong.

As the distances increase, so does the need for volunteer support. If you are interested in helping out at a future event, please reach out. We would love to have you involved. Also, please take a moment to share your thoughts using our anonymous Event Feedback Form. Your feedback helps us improve rider experience, refine routes, and continue to provide safe and well-supported events.

The stately dog

There were too many great photos to include here—check out the rest in the Google Photos folder.

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs

UPDATE #1: Ride Your Butt(er) Off 162K Course Notes

Cue Update:

Iwan Barankay took a close look through the cues and offered some helpful suggestions to improve clarity and add a few additional warnings. I appreciate the extra set of eyes, especially with this being a new route.

The route itself is unchanged. Only the cues in RWGPS and the cue sheet have been updated for clarity. The RWGPS file (last modified 2026-04-4 10:24:04 EDT) and cue sheet (Version 3) have been updated accordingly and can be found here.

__________________________________________

Original Post:

The Ride Your Butt(er) Off for a Cause 162K is coming up on April 11 and serves as the second leg of the Road-to-200K Series. This ride fits nicely between the International Women’s Day 107K held in March and the Tscheschter Kaundi 200K on May 9. It’s a good stepping stone that builds distance and confidence as you work your way toward 200K. 

I completed a pre-ride on April 2 and found the route to be in good shape. The RWGPS route (last modified 2026-04-3 07:41:43 EDT) and cue sheet (Version 2) have been updated and can be found here.

This ride starts and finishes at the Chamounix Carriage House. The start time is 8:00 AM, and the finish control closes at 6:49 PM, giving riders 10 hours 49 minutes to complete the course. If you are driving to the event, it is recommended that you park on Ford Rd or at Cadence Cycling Center and ride over to the start. Parking at Chamounix during the event is not recommended.

Club volunteers will have some light breakfast options ready at the start and snacks at the finish. They will also have your brevet cards ready, which include a unique code to activate the eBrevet app if you choose to use it.

You may have noticed that the distance changed from 161K to 162K. This came from a small adjustment after the pre-ride. Less than a kilometer was added, but it pushed the official distance over 162K. RUSA rounds distances down (161.8K is considered 161K). This change gives riders an additional four minutes. The finish control will close at 6:49 PM.

This route has a couple of well-loved café stops that many Philly-area cyclists will recognize. The first is The Buttery in Malvern (mile 23), followed later by the Butterscotch Pastry Shop in Birchrunville (mile 62). Both are great places to take a proper break if you need one, or just grab a pastry on the go. Both cafés have indoor and outdoor seating, along with restrooms. The outdoor seating at the Butterscotch is especially nice on a warm day, with picnic tables set alongside a trickling stream. 

About eight miles after the Butterscotch stop, there is a Wawa control that serves as the last on-route opportunity to stock up before heading back toward the city.

There is one small update to the controls. The French Creek State Park control (third overall) has been moved from the park welcome sign to the boat launch at Hopewell Lake. The main reason for the change is access to a restroom at that location. This control is designated as a photo control. You will take a photo of your bike with Hopewell Lake in the background, and your brevet card will include these instructions. If you are using eBrevet, you can check-in on the app as normal and treat the photo as optional, though still encouraged for the memory. As of the April 2 pre-ride, the water fountain there was not yet turned on for the season, but the bathrooms were open (and heated on a cool day).

I want to flag a section of the route in this area that could be easy to miss. Just after the French Creek State Park/Hopewell Lake control, shortly after mile 48, there is a right turn onto a grassy connector that leads to another park road called Entrance Rd. The grassy connector is not open to cars and can be easy to miss if you are not paying attention. Look for a “Service Road Do Not Enter” sign on the left. That’s your cue to turn right onto the grassy connector, then turn left on Entrance Rd. See images below for more detail.

"Service Road Do Not Enter” sign on the left side of road is cue to turn RIGHT

 Turn right onto the grassy connector, then left onto Entrance Road.

The course features rolling hills through the suburbs before opening up into some really nice countryside riding. The final 30 miles use the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT). While some riders are not fans of the extended trail riding, it helps keep the overall difficulty in check and avoids turning the end of the ride into a hilly grind.

One final note: take a few minutes to review the route ahead of time so you do not make a wrong turn on the loop at the far end of the course. The loop is ridden clockwise and is straightforward when you are expecting it, but can be confusing if you are not.

Remember to bring your Road-to-200K punchcards if you completed the International Women’s Day 107K. We will stamp your cards at the finish.

Registration closes at midnight on Thursday, April 9. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on April 11. Thank you for supporting the Boys & Girls Club, which is the charity focus of this event.

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs