Preliminary results have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results160206.pdf
Please let me know of any corrections or other issues. Results will
be submitted shortly, and become final, pending RUSA certification.
Winter brevets are tough for everyone involved. Organizers have to consider weather, its impact on riding conditions, and possible last-minute route adjustments. Volunteers may have to endure frigid temperatures at rider sign-in or while manning a secret checkpoint. Riders have to produce extra effort stay warm and accept that a 200k when temperatures are below 40F is much more difficult than one when temperatures are in the 70s and that completion times will be longer. Yes, winter brevets are TOUGH, but the inaugural Little Britain brevet was perhaps moreso than usual. That 13 randonneurs started and finished the Little Britain 200k in February is a true testament to the mettle of these randonneurs.
The adventure began two weeks earlier when a snow storm dropped anywhere from 24 to 30+ inches of snow in the area. A course check-out ride tentatively scheduled for the following weekend suddenly seemed impossible. Mid-week reports on the local news continued to show roads not yet plowed in many areas, including portions of the route. Alternate routing and even a change of the brevet venue was considered. We brushed up on our meteorological skills and tried to look ahead to the next weekend. The weather finally warmed, roads cleared, Matt Farrell and George Metzler provided a little first-hand observational intel, and the pre-ride got a green light.
I cannot thank Bill Fischer enough for volunteering to handle the check-out ride even though the I had to bail out at the last minute. We were aware of some likely problem areas and had detour options in place. Unfortunately, I failed to consider all places that might not receive road maintenance and Bill was forced to hike-a-bike for a way through deep snow. He was smiling as usual when I met him at the finish, but I could tell it had been a tough ride for him. From his notes, I worked on a couple new detours and some other tweaks to bring the total mileage back into reason. I didn't think anyone wanted to ride a 130 mile 200k in February.
Another mid-week storm brought over an inch of rain and warm temperatures on the Wednesday before the brevet. Suddenly I began to wonder whether some roads might be flooded or if the whole route would turn into a skating rink when cold weather returned Thursday evening. A windy day on Friday helped, but apparently not enough to make for worry-free riding.
Temperatures at the start was 23F according to the car thermometer. Riders gathered and were checked in. George Metzler helped me with the start so we could get everyone moving on time. Thanks, George! A few cautionary notes, a promise that there would be icy patches, and an urging for extra caution, and the riders took off into the cold morning.
From reports I heard, there were indeed several reports of icy spots along the northern loop. The worst of these being a stretch of road after the second control that was completely iced over and was blocked by a fuel truck sitting across the road. Knowing the route, I can only suggest that a chance to walk along that section should be considered a blessing since Hill Rd is a tough climb under the best conditions. The first 100k offered adventure and I'm sure some wished for studded tires at time. Watching the SPOT trackers, I noticed that several riders took advantage of a return to the start location to adjust wardrobes and enjoy a decent lunch before tackling the southern loop.
Wind from the southwest picked up in the afternoon presenting riders with a headwind for the long, southbound leg to Little Britain. Sadly, the wind calmed in the late afternoon and deprived everyone from an anticipated tailwind assist back to the finish. Thankfully, temperatures warmed a bit and road conditions on the southern loop appeared generally improved over the northern adventure loop. Against all challenges, all 13 starters persevered and finished for another 100% finish rate. Thankfully, aside from a few small spills, all seemed in reasonable shape. Everyone agreed that the route was deceptively challenging in its own right. The winter chill (the high only reached 40) only made it tougher. Congratulations to all of the finishers on a hard-earned completion. Greg Keenan also scored his second RUSA R12 Award with this finish. Congratulations Greg.
Bill Olsen showed a true never-give-up spirit and
finished the ride on a disintegrating pedal. There's a reason he has so
many brevet completions to his name. Now we can only wonder whether
there will be a spare pedal set residing in his seat pack for future
events.
Patrick Gaffney arrived with a very nice-looking custom rando bike for a break-in ride. It must be a great bike as he and Gavin Biebuyck were first to arrive at the finish on event day in spite of adding a few bonus miles which they attributed to "not paying attention." Other finishers arrived in groups of two or three, opting for the safety of group travel after sunset.
Our finish control was located in a pizza restaurant that happens to have a great beer selection. Volunteer Jeff Butt set up shop to greet the returning riders and to sample the offerings to assure suitability for our returning the riders. Warm food and cold beer seemed to bring all back to life. C.J. Arayata even drove up so finishers would be greeted by a group of friendly faces.
Your safety is the number one priority on an Eastern PA event. Please mention any safety hazard you might have spotted or near-miss incident your saw. A couple riders have already mentioned some slips on the ice. And an alternative to Nottingham Rd is in the works, which had a limited
shoulder and some fast traffic. As with any new route there's always room for improvement. Please forward any observations or suggestions for improvement. So far it's pretty clear that this route is a bit much for a winter brevet. As for the mystery cue (1st on Liberty), it was part of a temporary bypass around a snow-covered Lakeview Rd. which I do not plan to leave permanently in place.
Rider Guy Harris decided to tackle the very fixie UNfriendly route on his fixed gear bike and writes: Never once hated you as you predicted at pre-ride meeting upon seeing my
choice of bikes. Most of the climbing was on lightly traveled roads
suitable to paperboy. When I needed my granny gear it was about as fast
as my companions in their granny gears! All in all a great reminder of
what riding in Lancaster county is all about.
Looking ahead, we return to the Quakertown hostel for the traditional SR offerings beginning with the 200k on March 19. Guy Harris and Bill Olsen will be handling the organizational responsibilities for those rides, but can always use extra hands. If you are willing and available to help with any of those events, you can direct questions to the organizers or me and sign up on the Volunteer Page. If you are considering organizing, drop an email to Tom or me. We'd be happy to explain the responsibilities and help in any way possible.
Andrew Mead
-organizer
Monday, February 8, 2016
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
RBA Transition
*** Update 2 (9/4/16) ***
Andrew Mead will officially become the Eastern PA RBA on September 15th. Both of us plan to be at annual BBQ we have at the hostel finish for the October 200/150k. All are invited to come ride and then celebrate this big milestone.
*** Update 1 (2/5/16) ***
RUSA-HQ has approved Andrew Mead's application to become the new Eastern PA RBA. The transition will become effective this coming September. Meanwhile, Andrew and I will continue to work together on administering the 2016 calendar of events and coordinating the organizers and volunteers who we will be counting on to help run them. Part of becoming a new RBA is selecting a mentor to consult with from time to time -- and Andrew has honored me by selecting me as his mentor, which I'm more than happy to accept.
Typically, new RBA's are limited to scheduling only a 200k and 300k during their first full year as a freshly minted RBA. But since Andrew and I have been able to effect a seamless transition plan, there will be no such restrictions placed on the Eastern PA 2017 schedule, and at least a full SR series and Fleche will be planned. The response of volunteers and organizers stepping up to help with the 2016 events will inform the viability of scheduling the full R-12 series and other events for 2017.
As I previously mentioned, I'm extremely confident that the Eastern PA region will be in excellent hands. The following is an excerpt from Andrew's RBA application: ".... I was hooked on randonneuring from my very first brevet with PA Randonneurs. The regular participants are a great group with wide ranging palmarés. Tom’s high standards in organization and cue sheet development make riding his events easy, at least from the perspective of navigation. His routes also tend to be physically challenging which increases the level of personal satisfaction upon completion. His routes traverse the roads less traveled. I have seen parts of this state that I would not have otherwise experienced while riding Tom’s brevets.
I’ve watched the organization grow from the “one man show” days when Tom handled all aspects of the event, usually including a course check-out ride, to more recent events when a group of volunteers handle most aspects of the event and report to Tom when it’s over. It takes a lot of effort to offer the number of high-quality brevets PA Randonneurs offers each year (monthly brevets have been scheduled since 2009, I believe). I’ve happily volunteered to help with route checkouts, creation, and event organization so that PA Randonneurs could continue to thrive. I’m am not alone as there are several volunteers committed to making sure that the region remains viable and vibrant.
Now is the time to let Tom sit back and watch his creation, the organization and its volunteers, work for a while. It’s a big task, but it benefits from a decade of effort already invested. My overall goal is to maintain the reputation of the region so that riders continue to look back on brevet completions here with fond memories and a sense of satisfaction. ...."
*** Original Post ***
Due to a medical condition that developed last year (Diffuse Scleroderma), I have begun the process of replacing myself as RBA of the Eastern PA region. Thankfully, I have a very strong group of organizers and trusted advisers and other volunteers that have helped me run PA Randonneurs in recent years. Andrew Mead has agreed to step up to become the new RBA, and he has submitted his application to RUSA-HQ. Andrew will be taking on more of the duties of running PA Randonneurs this year during a transition period. Our intent is to minimize disruptions to both the 2016 calendar of events and also next year's 2017 schedule. Having worked with Andrew since 2009 on the many routes he has developed and events he has organized, I know that the Eastern PA region will be in very good hands.
The RUSA board has Andrew's application on the agenda for their February meeting, and we will post any news and updates to this thread.
Looking ahead to 2016, there are a several domestic 1200k's to choose from. The Eastern PA region will be offering many brevets for qualification and preparation including a complete SR series, Fleche and an R-12 series of monthly 200k’s. But this year, Andrew and I will be especially be counting on organizers and volunteers to help run them – organizers and volunteers can step up for the remaining opportunities by using the online volunteer sign-up sheet.
-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA
Andrew Mead will officially become the Eastern PA RBA on September 15th. Both of us plan to be at annual BBQ we have at the hostel finish for the October 200/150k. All are invited to come ride and then celebrate this big milestone.
*** Update 1 (2/5/16) ***
RUSA-HQ has approved Andrew Mead's application to become the new Eastern PA RBA. The transition will become effective this coming September. Meanwhile, Andrew and I will continue to work together on administering the 2016 calendar of events and coordinating the organizers and volunteers who we will be counting on to help run them. Part of becoming a new RBA is selecting a mentor to consult with from time to time -- and Andrew has honored me by selecting me as his mentor, which I'm more than happy to accept.
Typically, new RBA's are limited to scheduling only a 200k and 300k during their first full year as a freshly minted RBA. But since Andrew and I have been able to effect a seamless transition plan, there will be no such restrictions placed on the Eastern PA 2017 schedule, and at least a full SR series and Fleche will be planned. The response of volunteers and organizers stepping up to help with the 2016 events will inform the viability of scheduling the full R-12 series and other events for 2017.
As I previously mentioned, I'm extremely confident that the Eastern PA region will be in excellent hands. The following is an excerpt from Andrew's RBA application: ".... I was hooked on randonneuring from my very first brevet with PA Randonneurs. The regular participants are a great group with wide ranging palmarés. Tom’s high standards in organization and cue sheet development make riding his events easy, at least from the perspective of navigation. His routes also tend to be physically challenging which increases the level of personal satisfaction upon completion. His routes traverse the roads less traveled. I have seen parts of this state that I would not have otherwise experienced while riding Tom’s brevets.
I’ve watched the organization grow from the “one man show” days when Tom handled all aspects of the event, usually including a course check-out ride, to more recent events when a group of volunteers handle most aspects of the event and report to Tom when it’s over. It takes a lot of effort to offer the number of high-quality brevets PA Randonneurs offers each year (monthly brevets have been scheduled since 2009, I believe). I’ve happily volunteered to help with route checkouts, creation, and event organization so that PA Randonneurs could continue to thrive. I’m am not alone as there are several volunteers committed to making sure that the region remains viable and vibrant.
Now is the time to let Tom sit back and watch his creation, the organization and its volunteers, work for a while. It’s a big task, but it benefits from a decade of effort already invested. My overall goal is to maintain the reputation of the region so that riders continue to look back on brevet completions here with fond memories and a sense of satisfaction. ...."
Due to a medical condition that developed last year (Diffuse Scleroderma), I have begun the process of replacing myself as RBA of the Eastern PA region. Thankfully, I have a very strong group of organizers and trusted advisers and other volunteers that have helped me run PA Randonneurs in recent years. Andrew Mead has agreed to step up to become the new RBA, and he has submitted his application to RUSA-HQ. Andrew will be taking on more of the duties of running PA Randonneurs this year during a transition period. Our intent is to minimize disruptions to both the 2016 calendar of events and also next year's 2017 schedule. Having worked with Andrew since 2009 on the many routes he has developed and events he has organized, I know that the Eastern PA region will be in very good hands.
The RUSA board has Andrew's application on the agenda for their February meeting, and we will post any news and updates to this thread.
Looking ahead to 2016, there are a several domestic 1200k's to choose from. The Eastern PA region will be offering many brevets for qualification and preparation including a complete SR series, Fleche and an R-12 series of monthly 200k’s. But this year, Andrew and I will be especially be counting on organizers and volunteers to help run them – organizers and volunteers can step up for the remaining opportunities by using the online volunteer sign-up sheet.
-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA
Monday, January 25, 2016
PA R12 Series: Little Britain Brevet, February 2016
**** Update 1 (2/1) ****
Many thanks to Bill Fischer for braving a pre-ride of this route on Sunday, a mere week after a monster snowstorm dumped over 2 feet of snow on the area. Surprisingly, most of the roads are mostly clear. A couple of the idyllic back roads, mainly of the gravel variety, remain nearly impassible. The parking area I had planned to use is buried under several feet of snow and wont be accessible for months. Obviously some snow detours are necessary.
FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT: The start location is moved to the Landis Valley Farm Museum parking lot, approximately 0.3 miles west of the original start location. Check HERE for a map. I will be staging in the west end of the parking lot. Look for a blue Honda Odyssey van. The finish remains at the original start location so you will need to check in at the finish and then return to your car at the modified start location.
A revised cue sheet has been posted with the updated route. Please be sure to print the version dated 2/1/2016 unless you want to find yourself facing a few quarter mile stretches of snow muck. The electronic map has also been updated and is available HERE.
The weather is forecast to warm this week which should further reduce the snow pack and hopefully allow more of our roads to widen to their full paved width. As is typical, most roads have a coating of gravel chips which can be almost as slippery as ice. Please exercise caution and allow your guardian angle to keep up. Another side effect of all this gravel is an increased incidence of flats. Check your tube supply before the start.
Andrew Mead
-Organizer
**** Original Post ****
This is a brand new route that offers a different twist for Lancaster County by looping generally north and south from a central start-finish location. A full ride description is available on the PA Rando website and a map is available here. The route returns to return to the start location after 60 miles providing a safety bail-out should weather conditions or rider conditioning take a turn for the worse. Hopefully this will not be too great a temptation for riders to DNF.
Breakfast is available nearby at the Oregon Dairy Restaurant, approximately 1 mile north of the start location along SR 272. The food is good and plentiful and there's even a breakfast buffet. The baked oatmeal is one of my favorites. The restaurant opens at 6am which leaves ample time for breakfast and to make you way to the start. You might even run into a celebrity.
Parking is not abundant at the start finish area, but there should be enough to manage. We will be staging for the start at the north side entrance along Landis Valley Rd under the sign with the clock/thermometer. You should park in that general area away from the store fronts. Carpooling will help. There is ample additional parking at the Landis Valley Farm Museum on the opposite side of Oregon Pike which may also be used.
If you're planning to ride, please complete an entry at the PA Randonneurs Event Registration page by 5PM Thursday February 4. As with any winter brevet, weather may necessitate changes. Many roads on this route remain susceptible to snow drift closures long after the snow has stopped falling. Keep an eye on this site for updates.
A word of caution to GPS users: This route features multiple loops which cross and several stretches of road that are run bi-directionally. You GPS may be confused if it is navigating by waypoints or provide ambiguous directions if you're following a track. The map also does not show a temporary detour around a bridge closure at the beginning of the second loop. As always, the published cue sheet is the navigational standard.
After January's free ride for members we return to the customary nominal entry fee for the R12 series brevets, including a reduced entry fee for PA Randonneur members. RUSA increased its annual membership fee last October in an effort to maintain the financial health of the club. That increase was accompanied by other behind the scenes changes toward that same goal. One important change is ride insurance. Part of the membership increase funds event insurance coverage for RUSA members participating in brevets, populaires, fleche's and permanents. Non-RUSA members obviously have not contributed to this pool and thus require additional funds toward insurance from the event sponsoring club. The PA Randonneurs annual membership fee remains unchanged for 2016. However, in order to enjoy the discounted entry fees for PA Randonneurs events, you will need to be a member in good standing with RUSA as well as with PA Randonneurs. This change appears to have little or no impact on our club membership, but I thought you should be aware as we start the season. Please direct any questions to Tom or me.
I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. I'll be doing my best to arrange for some nice weather and clear roads.
Andrew Mead
-organizer
Registered Riders 2/4/2016
1 Gavin Biebuyck
2 Jono Crane Davis
3 Matthew Farrell
4 William Fischer - Volunteer pre-ride
5 J Scott Franzen
6 Patrick Gaffney
7 Zachary R Goodrich
8 Jeffrey A Gregg
9 James R Haddad
10 Guy Harris
11 Greg Keenan
12 Eric Keller
13 Chris Nadovich
14 William Olsen
15 Joseph Ray
16 Keith A Spangler
Many thanks to Bill Fischer for braving a pre-ride of this route on Sunday, a mere week after a monster snowstorm dumped over 2 feet of snow on the area. Surprisingly, most of the roads are mostly clear. A couple of the idyllic back roads, mainly of the gravel variety, remain nearly impassible. The parking area I had planned to use is buried under several feet of snow and wont be accessible for months. Obviously some snow detours are necessary.
FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT: The start location is moved to the Landis Valley Farm Museum parking lot, approximately 0.3 miles west of the original start location. Check HERE for a map. I will be staging in the west end of the parking lot. Look for a blue Honda Odyssey van. The finish remains at the original start location so you will need to check in at the finish and then return to your car at the modified start location.
A revised cue sheet has been posted with the updated route. Please be sure to print the version dated 2/1/2016 unless you want to find yourself facing a few quarter mile stretches of snow muck. The electronic map has also been updated and is available HERE.
The weather is forecast to warm this week which should further reduce the snow pack and hopefully allow more of our roads to widen to their full paved width. As is typical, most roads have a coating of gravel chips which can be almost as slippery as ice. Please exercise caution and allow your guardian angle to keep up. Another side effect of all this gravel is an increased incidence of flats. Check your tube supply before the start.
Andrew Mead
-Organizer
**** Original Post ****
This is a brand new route that offers a different twist for Lancaster County by looping generally north and south from a central start-finish location. A full ride description is available on the PA Rando website and a map is available here. The route returns to return to the start location after 60 miles providing a safety bail-out should weather conditions or rider conditioning take a turn for the worse. Hopefully this will not be too great a temptation for riders to DNF.
Breakfast is available nearby at the Oregon Dairy Restaurant, approximately 1 mile north of the start location along SR 272. The food is good and plentiful and there's even a breakfast buffet. The baked oatmeal is one of my favorites. The restaurant opens at 6am which leaves ample time for breakfast and to make you way to the start. You might even run into a celebrity.
Parking is not abundant at the start finish area, but there should be enough to manage. We will be staging for the start at the north side entrance along Landis Valley Rd under the sign with the clock/thermometer. You should park in that general area away from the store fronts. Carpooling will help. There is ample additional parking at the Landis Valley Farm Museum on the opposite side of Oregon Pike which may also be used.
If you're planning to ride, please complete an entry at the PA Randonneurs Event Registration page by 5PM Thursday February 4. As with any winter brevet, weather may necessitate changes. Many roads on this route remain susceptible to snow drift closures long after the snow has stopped falling. Keep an eye on this site for updates.
A word of caution to GPS users: This route features multiple loops which cross and several stretches of road that are run bi-directionally. You GPS may be confused if it is navigating by waypoints or provide ambiguous directions if you're following a track. The map also does not show a temporary detour around a bridge closure at the beginning of the second loop. As always, the published cue sheet is the navigational standard.
After January's free ride for members we return to the customary nominal entry fee for the R12 series brevets, including a reduced entry fee for PA Randonneur members. RUSA increased its annual membership fee last October in an effort to maintain the financial health of the club. That increase was accompanied by other behind the scenes changes toward that same goal. One important change is ride insurance. Part of the membership increase funds event insurance coverage for RUSA members participating in brevets, populaires, fleche's and permanents. Non-RUSA members obviously have not contributed to this pool and thus require additional funds toward insurance from the event sponsoring club. The PA Randonneurs annual membership fee remains unchanged for 2016. However, in order to enjoy the discounted entry fees for PA Randonneurs events, you will need to be a member in good standing with RUSA as well as with PA Randonneurs. This change appears to have little or no impact on our club membership, but I thought you should be aware as we start the season. Please direct any questions to Tom or me.
I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. I'll be doing my best to arrange for some nice weather and clear roads.
Andrew Mead
-organizer
Registered Riders 2/4/2016
1 Gavin Biebuyck
2 Jono Crane Davis
3 Matthew Farrell
4 William Fischer - Volunteer pre-ride
5 J Scott Franzen
6 Patrick Gaffney
7 Zachary R Goodrich
8 Jeffrey A Gregg
9 James R Haddad
10 Guy Harris
11 Greg Keenan
12 Eric Keller
13 Chris Nadovich
14 William Olsen
15 Joseph Ray
16 Keith A Spangler
Monday, January 11, 2016
January R12: Beyond Hope to Hopewell Results
Preliminary results have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results160102.pdf
...Please let me know of any corrections or other issues. Results will be submitted shortly, and become final, pending RUSA certification.
Special thanks to organizers Andrew Mead, Bill Olsen, and Guy Harris, who stepped up to run this event while I was in the hospital.
Regards,
-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results160102.pdf
...Please let me know of any corrections or other issues. Results will be submitted shortly, and become final, pending RUSA certification.
Special thanks to organizers Andrew Mead, Bill Olsen, and Guy Harris, who stepped up to run this event while I was in the hospital.
Regards,
-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA
Monday, December 28, 2015
2016 PA R-12 Series Kick-Off: Beyond Hope to Hopewell
**** UPDATE ****
If you are planning to ride on Saturday, please send an email to Andrew (admead@gmail.com) and let him know. You should also complete the on-line entry form. The email to Andrew is a back-up plan so we can be certain to have brevet cards ready on Saturday. You can check the list of registered entrants below to confirm that your entry was received.
**** Original Post ****
What better way to get your randonneuring season started in style than with a brevet on the day after New Year's? Event details for the Beyond Hope to Hopewell brevet have been posted on the website at http://parando.org/R12ClubJan6.html. With the potential of winter weather always present, this course sticks to primary roads with wide shoulders. Based on the Beyond Hope to New Hope course, we start in the middle at the Milford Bakery from which we head north to Hope and points beyond. We turn around at Hope and head to Hopewell, the southernmost point on the route, before heading back to Milford.
The start is at the Milford Bakery, but you should park your car in the big parking lot on Church St. There is a sign indicating private parking, but PA Randonneurs has secured permission from the owner, US Health (which will be closed). The Bakery will be open by 6AM and in addition to baked items, breakfast sandwiches can made to order. The finish controle is at the Ship Inn just a couple of stores away from the Bakery.
Organizer Bill Olsen recently completed a course check-out and reported that the when he rode it, the roads were in relatively great shape for this time of the year, but as always, riders should remain aware of changing road conditions. Recent rains can leave piles of gravel and debris in the most convenient locations.
Sunset is at 4:46 PM; riders are required to bring lights and reflective gear, including primary and backup lighting front and rear. Any riders finishing after sunset without the proper safety gear will be disqualified.
If you're planning to ride, please complete an entry at the PA Randonneurs Event Registration page by 5PM Thursday afternoon. If your name doesn't appear in the list and you're planning to clip in, email Andrew.
Registered Riders 12/31/2015
Andrew Mead
If you are planning to ride on Saturday, please send an email to Andrew (admead@gmail.com) and let him know. You should also complete the on-line entry form. The email to Andrew is a back-up plan so we can be certain to have brevet cards ready on Saturday. You can check the list of registered entrants below to confirm that your entry was received.
**** Original Post ****
What better way to get your randonneuring season started in style than with a brevet on the day after New Year's? Event details for the Beyond Hope to Hopewell brevet have been posted on the website at http://parando.org/R12ClubJan6.html. With the potential of winter weather always present, this course sticks to primary roads with wide shoulders. Based on the Beyond Hope to New Hope course, we start in the middle at the Milford Bakery from which we head north to Hope and points beyond. We turn around at Hope and head to Hopewell, the southernmost point on the route, before heading back to Milford.
The start is at the Milford Bakery, but you should park your car in the big parking lot on Church St. There is a sign indicating private parking, but PA Randonneurs has secured permission from the owner, US Health (which will be closed). The Bakery will be open by 6AM and in addition to baked items, breakfast sandwiches can made to order. The finish controle is at the Ship Inn just a couple of stores away from the Bakery.
Organizer Bill Olsen recently completed a course check-out and reported that the when he rode it, the roads were in relatively great shape for this time of the year, but as always, riders should remain aware of changing road conditions. Recent rains can leave piles of gravel and debris in the most convenient locations.
Sunset is at 4:46 PM; riders are required to bring lights and reflective gear, including primary and backup lighting front and rear. Any riders finishing after sunset without the proper safety gear will be disqualified.
If you're planning to ride, please complete an entry at the PA Randonneurs Event Registration page by 5PM Thursday afternoon. If your name doesn't appear in the list and you're planning to clip in, email Andrew.
Registered Riders 12/31/2015
| 1 Ed Bernasky - |
| 2 Gavin Biebuyck |
| 3 Jono Crane Davis - |
| 4 Barry Eoghan |
| 5 Matthew Farrell - |
| 6 William Fischer |
| 7 Patrick Gaffney - |
| 8 James R Haddad - |
| 9 Eric K Hannon Ford - |
| 10 Robin C Landis |
| 11 Gil Lebron - |
| 12 Jonathan Levitt |
| 13 Peter Macholdt - |
| 14 Christopher Maglieri - |
| 15 Christine Newman |
| 16 William Olsen - Organizer |
| 17 Mark Olsen - Guest |
| 18 Steven J Schoenfelder - |
| 19 Paul G Shapiro |
| 20 Bob Torres |
Andrew Mead
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Brandywine 200k Ride Report
 |
| Photo compliments of Doug Haluza |
Preliminary results have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results151205.pdf
...Please let me know of any corrections or other issues. Results will be submitted shortly, and become final, pending RUSA certification.
After a little initial confusion at the start resulting from the organizer failing to bring along post cards for a post card controle requiring a change to an information controle (thank goodness for pre-ride scouting), nineteen riders started out into the budding dawn on a chilly morning. The rising sun warmed nicely as the day progressed and made for an uncharacteristically nice December day for cycling. Lest anyone have any doubts, recall the December 2009 brevet, which coincidentally occurred on the 5th and stopped by Cafe Metzler. Riders that day were treated to wet snow and 34F temperatures most of the day. Sunset that day dropped the temperature a couple degrees and allowed snow to accumulate on the road. Yes we should be very thankful for temperatures in the 50s and no precipitation.
Reports indicate that a couple riders had minor mishaps in gravel along the way. Thankfully the riders involved managed to continue riding and finish the brevet. With winter approaching we must all step up our efforts to watch for unexpectedly changing road conditions and remember Tom's sage advice: "never ride faster than your guardian angel."
Among the notable finishes is Ed Bernasky, who instead of his usual leading the pack style took a more "stop and smell the .... whatever" approach, also wrapped up his first R-12. Congratulations Ed! Bob St. Pierre and Allison Wong notched their first PA finishes as well as their first 200k brevet completions. The Brandywine 200 is a tough introduction to the 200k distance and they handily met the challenge. Chappeau!
Jeff Gregg writes: "Just a short note to say thank you to you, Andrew, George Metzler and Jeff Butt for a great ride. the thought and energy that goes into your planning is really appreciated. As usual, the ride was challenging and, if I may also add, a little 'hillish.' I have really enjoyed riding with the Pa. Randonneurs and with Saturday's ride I just added 2 more states to my list."
Patrick Gaffney, who completed the inaugural Brandywine on a single speed and wisely opted for a fuller compliment of gears this time and rolled in a few minutes after the first finishers (not that gears make much difference to his results). "Just a quick thanks to PA Rando organization for another fine ride. The cold temperatures at the start were a bit of a shock to the system, but the day turned out to be quite nice. As usual, the course was scenic and challenging and the great group of riders made the time pass quickly. Thanks to Andrew for organizing and George for hosting and manning the finish with Jeff."
CJ Arayata offered excellent feedback on the route conditions which reminded this organizer that things look very different in the dark. He writes, "Beyond those few hiccups, I enjoyed myself thoroughly on the ride yesterday. From seeing a frosty sunrise, to tons of scenic photo-ops that I missed because I was fumbling to get my camera, to seeing how long a shadow a banana on a curb can cast at 4pm... It's definitely a treat to have such a nice route on some of my 'home turf.'" As usual, CJ took a few pictures and has posted them for everyone's pleasure.
Doug Haluza decided to try the Dutchway Restaurant for breakfast and discovered that there's a tradeoff. He was pinched for time at the start, but the hearty breakfast offered plenty of energy for him to catch up with the group and finish strong. "Hope you like the edited version of the sunrise photo I sent you from Beaver Dam Rd. [Indeed I do!] There was still a little fall color in a few trees (mostly ornamentals) so you might consider scheduling this ride for November next year. Fall color in the higher areas of PA peaks in October, but I bet this area peaks much later like it does on Long Island. I thanked George for helping you out, and I also wanted to thank you for helping Tom. I'm just sorry I can't be more help because of the travel time required."
I would like to thank George Metzler for being such a great co-organizer for this event and so many others in the past. The Brandywine route was his brainchild. He and I rode many miles scouting out the nicest roads the Barndywine Valley has to offer. Shortly after committing to the December event I learned that I would also be hosting a rather large Christmas party at my house on the same day and would not be available for the finish. George stepped up and said he had the finish covered. Jeff Butt offered his assistance a couple weeks later which allowed me to worry a little less about dropping a bomb on George. This ride would not have happened without the efforts of these two. Thanks to you both!
This concludes the PA Randonneurs 2015 calendar. Thanks to all who have made for another successful year of randonneuring. Tom will be returning results and cards in the coming weeks. The 2016 Ride Schedule is posted kicking off with a January event on the 2nd. Watch this blog for updates as scheduling the January event is frequently affected by weather and other circumstances.
See you on the road in 2016!
Andrew Mead
-organizer
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Brandywine 200k
*** Update 1 (12/4) ***
Pre-ride breakfast options are somewhat limited. The announcement page identifies Aunt Jenny's 41 Diner as a possibility, primarily due to its 24-hour operation. I've never tried the food and can't comment. The Dutchway Restaurant is closer to the start has a great breakfast buffet, but does not open until 6am. Watch your time carefully should you choose this option. New Jersey riders may feel more at home at the Wawa located at the intersection of Rts. 30 & 41 in Gap. No further explanation necessary.
Parking at the Metzler residence is limited, but manageable for a group of our size. George will be directing parking in front of his house and in the vacant business parking lot across the street. Carpooling is encouraged and appreciated. We plan to have registration/check-in set up at the top of George's driveway so you don't have to begin your journey with the climb out of George's driveway. Those of you who have been here before know to appreciate this little detail.
The weather forecast is looking quite favorable for a December brevet. Still, it is better to be prepared for a dramatic swing in temperatures. Near freezing temperatures at the start combined with lots of shady sections for much of the route (this is normally a summer route) equals at least a couple hours of chilly riding to start. Expect temperatures to plummet as the sun goes down. Layers are your friend.
Finally, membership renewals in PA Randonneurs will be handled at registration for those of you needing to join or renew.
Andrew
*** Original Post ***
The 2015 Pennsylvania Randonneurs R12 Series concludes this year with a favorite from 2014, the Brandywine 200k.
*** Houses, Horses, and Hollows ***
After an initial climb, enjoy an uncharacteristically straight and level Highland Road, which follows the top of a ridge into Western Chester County. You gradually lose elevation as you meander along Buck Run Creek, while skirting the edge of Chester County's horse country which once included a 13,000 acre northern connection of famous King Ranch in Texas.
The route picks up the Brandywine River from Modena at mile 15. As the river grows and the valley widens you will begin to see the landscapes that Andrew Wyeth made famous in his artwork around his hometown of Chadds Ford at mile 34 on the ride and a quick post card controle. As the route climbs out of the Brandywine Valley on Twaddell Mill road you will enter the "House" part of the 200K and enjoy the classic colonial and federal style architecture of Delaware. The Centerville Bakery at mile 38 offers the tastiest treats of the ride which you don't want to miss. Shortly after refueling, look for this home on left side of Way Rd, its a beauty.
The route re-enters Pennsylvania just south of the mushroom capital of the world, Kennett Square, which produces over a million pounds of mushrooms per week. This normally quiet town of 6,000 people hosts over 100,000 people in the late summer to celebrate its annual Mushroom Festival.
Continuing west and south, the route enters Maryland in open farm fields and reaches is southernmost point of the ride at the Landhope Farm controle. Heading west from the controle, the route drops to the Susquehanna along the route of the abandoned Octoraro Branch of the Philadelphia & Baltimore Central Railroad. See if you can spot signs of this landmark as you ride along before climbing back up to Conowingo. You will also notice a change in the horses as you leave behind horses leading a pampered life in the stables of Chester County and see work horses used heavily by the Amish.
Having now seen houses and horses, we begin our focus on hollows. There is Scalpy Hollow, a bucolic, shaded road that gently climbs from the Susquehanna toward the southern ridge of Lancaster County. Once on top, you will find Snyder Hollow Rd which offers a glorious 3 mile descent along a little creek. Enjoy. A quick info controle and a eastward home stretch brings you back to the starting location. As is typical, Cafe Metzler will be ready.
*** Additional Course Notes ***
A pre-ride checkout was recently conducted with the following areas you should take particular note of:
-Mile 11.9 Yes, we cross this closed covered bridge and enjoy a traffic-free road thereafter.
-Mile 16.2 The signs seem to have been turned a little leaving one to wonder which road is which. You want the road with the "Road Closed" barriers. Once again, you'll enjoy a nice road with no cars.
-Mile 80.5 The shoulder is in rough shape along this leg. Please be very careful moving into the traffic lane to avoid the broken pavement as SR 222 may have some fast traffic.
With the limited amount of daylight, lighting and reflective gear will be inspected at the start. Please note that the bike inspection checklist requires that you have redundant lighting for both the front and back.
SPOT trackers will be handed out to a few selected riders. The units are about the size of a cell phone and can be carried either in your back pocket or in a bag, away from the saddle. If you happen to have a personal SPOT tracker, not already listed here:
http://parando.org/SPOT_Links.html
... please send Tom a link to your SPOT tracking webpage.
*** Roster (as of 12/4) ***
1 Charles J Arayata -
2 Ed Bernasky -
3 Gavin Biebuyck -
4 Robert Joseph Burdalski II - Guest
5 Paul Currie - Volunteer
6 Jono Crane Davis -
7 Matthew Farrell -
8 J Scott Franzen
9 Patrick Gaffney -
10 Jeffrey A Gregg -
11 James R Haddad -
12 Doug Haluza -
13 Eric K Hannon Ford -
14 Steve Harding -
15 James P. Holman -
16 Greg Keenan -
17 Christopher Anson Knight -
18 Christopher Maglieri -
19 Daniel McGill -
20 Andrew D Mead - Volunteer
21 Chris Nadovich -
22 William Olsen -
23 Bob St. Pierre - Guest
24 Gilbert Torres -
25 Allison Wong - Guest
Andrew Mead
- organizer
Pre-ride breakfast options are somewhat limited. The announcement page identifies Aunt Jenny's 41 Diner as a possibility, primarily due to its 24-hour operation. I've never tried the food and can't comment. The Dutchway Restaurant is closer to the start has a great breakfast buffet, but does not open until 6am. Watch your time carefully should you choose this option. New Jersey riders may feel more at home at the Wawa located at the intersection of Rts. 30 & 41 in Gap. No further explanation necessary.
Parking at the Metzler residence is limited, but manageable for a group of our size. George will be directing parking in front of his house and in the vacant business parking lot across the street. Carpooling is encouraged and appreciated. We plan to have registration/check-in set up at the top of George's driveway so you don't have to begin your journey with the climb out of George's driveway. Those of you who have been here before know to appreciate this little detail.
The weather forecast is looking quite favorable for a December brevet. Still, it is better to be prepared for a dramatic swing in temperatures. Near freezing temperatures at the start combined with lots of shady sections for much of the route (this is normally a summer route) equals at least a couple hours of chilly riding to start. Expect temperatures to plummet as the sun goes down. Layers are your friend.
Finally, membership renewals in PA Randonneurs will be handled at registration for those of you needing to join or renew.
Andrew
*** Original Post ***
The 2015 Pennsylvania Randonneurs R12 Series concludes this year with a favorite from 2014, the Brandywine 200k.
*** Houses, Horses, and Hollows ***
After an initial climb, enjoy an uncharacteristically straight and level Highland Road, which follows the top of a ridge into Western Chester County. You gradually lose elevation as you meander along Buck Run Creek, while skirting the edge of Chester County's horse country which once included a 13,000 acre northern connection of famous King Ranch in Texas.
The route picks up the Brandywine River from Modena at mile 15. As the river grows and the valley widens you will begin to see the landscapes that Andrew Wyeth made famous in his artwork around his hometown of Chadds Ford at mile 34 on the ride and a quick post card controle. As the route climbs out of the Brandywine Valley on Twaddell Mill road you will enter the "House" part of the 200K and enjoy the classic colonial and federal style architecture of Delaware. The Centerville Bakery at mile 38 offers the tastiest treats of the ride which you don't want to miss. Shortly after refueling, look for this home on left side of Way Rd, its a beauty.
The route re-enters Pennsylvania just south of the mushroom capital of the world, Kennett Square, which produces over a million pounds of mushrooms per week. This normally quiet town of 6,000 people hosts over 100,000 people in the late summer to celebrate its annual Mushroom Festival.
Continuing west and south, the route enters Maryland in open farm fields and reaches is southernmost point of the ride at the Landhope Farm controle. Heading west from the controle, the route drops to the Susquehanna along the route of the abandoned Octoraro Branch of the Philadelphia & Baltimore Central Railroad. See if you can spot signs of this landmark as you ride along before climbing back up to Conowingo. You will also notice a change in the horses as you leave behind horses leading a pampered life in the stables of Chester County and see work horses used heavily by the Amish.
Having now seen houses and horses, we begin our focus on hollows. There is Scalpy Hollow, a bucolic, shaded road that gently climbs from the Susquehanna toward the southern ridge of Lancaster County. Once on top, you will find Snyder Hollow Rd which offers a glorious 3 mile descent along a little creek. Enjoy. A quick info controle and a eastward home stretch brings you back to the starting location. As is typical, Cafe Metzler will be ready.
*** Additional Course Notes ***
A pre-ride checkout was recently conducted with the following areas you should take particular note of:
-Mile 11.9 Yes, we cross this closed covered bridge and enjoy a traffic-free road thereafter.
-Mile 16.2 The signs seem to have been turned a little leaving one to wonder which road is which. You want the road with the "Road Closed" barriers. Once again, you'll enjoy a nice road with no cars.
-Mile 80.5 The shoulder is in rough shape along this leg. Please be very careful moving into the traffic lane to avoid the broken pavement as SR 222 may have some fast traffic.
With the limited amount of daylight, lighting and reflective gear will be inspected at the start. Please note that the bike inspection checklist requires that you have redundant lighting for both the front and back.
SPOT trackers will be handed out to a few selected riders. The units are about the size of a cell phone and can be carried either in your back pocket or in a bag, away from the saddle. If you happen to have a personal SPOT tracker, not already listed here:
http://parando.org/SPOT_Links.html
... please send Tom a link to your SPOT tracking webpage.
*** Roster (as of 12/4) ***
1 Charles J Arayata -
2 Ed Bernasky -
3 Gavin Biebuyck -
4 Robert Joseph Burdalski II - Guest
5 Paul Currie - Volunteer
6 Jono Crane Davis -
7 Matthew Farrell -
8 J Scott Franzen
9 Patrick Gaffney -
10 Jeffrey A Gregg -
11 James R Haddad -
12 Doug Haluza -
13 Eric K Hannon Ford -
14 Steve Harding -
15 James P. Holman -
16 Greg Keenan -
17 Christopher Anson Knight -
18 Christopher Maglieri -
19 Daniel McGill -
20 Andrew D Mead - Volunteer
21 Chris Nadovich -
22 William Olsen -
23 Bob St. Pierre - Guest
24 Gilbert Torres -
25 Allison Wong - Guest
- organizer
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