Eastern PA
Mountain Blue 400K / 200K
Saturday May 20, 2017
General Info
This ride is a randonneur style event sanctioned by RUSA and ACP for PBP qualification. First time riding with PA Randonneurs? Read an overview of what to expect on your first PA brevet. All participants are obliged to follow the rules for riders as well as PA and NJ vehicle laws. Safety is a primary concern ... please read and carry these Safety Instructions with you.
Start/Finish
Weisel Youth Hostel
7347 Richlandtown Road
Quakertown, PA
(215) 536-8749
DIRECTIONS
Traveling far? Friday and Saturday night accommodations are available at the hostel ($25/night). Make reservations on the registration form. Several chain hotels are also available in nearby Quakertown.
Registration Pre-registration required.
Register On-Line
All riders must sign waiver
Includes:
-Preride breakfast
-Postride meal
-Hostel facilities (living room, showers, kitchen)
Field Limit: 40 riders
For PA Club Members:
$40 due at sign-in
For Guests:
$45 due at sign-in
400K Schedule
3:00AM Sign-in, Bike Inspection
3:50AM Rider meeting
4:00AM Riders depart (27 hr. time limit)
200K Schedule
5:00AM Sign-in, Bike Inspection
5:50AM Rider meeting
6:00AM Riders depart (13.5 hr. time limit)
Event runs rain or shine.
Daylight hours: 5:46 AM - 8:08 PM
Post Ride
Showers available at the hostel. Join us for soup/pizza and share your epic tales and goals for the coming year. Relax in the hostel's comfortable great room or porch. A dormatory in the hostel is available to rest before traveling home.
Ride Description
In a reverse version of the traditional 400K course, we begin by riding southwest toward the Schuylkill valley and French creek. Upon reaching Morgantown, we head west on rolling farmland to reach the Swatara Creek. The course then turns North and begins the climb up along the Swatara on the Swatara rail trail (crushed stone and old pavement), through Pine Grove, and eventually up to the top of the Summer Hill ridgeline, with spectacular views of two mountains, now reversed! On your right is Mountain Blue and on your left, you'll see Second Mountain.
Leaving the ridge, we cross Mountain Blue at Wind Gap, through some more rolling hills to the penultimate controle in Columbia, and then down along the Delaware and Rieglesville, where our favorite climb back to the Hostel awaits.
The 200K is the Fall Classic -- somtimes you do get Fox Gap -- route.
There are several steep, extended climbs. A triple or 39x27 is highly recommended.
Historical Records
May 2, 2015 Results Ride Report
May 17, 2014 Results Ride Report
May 18, 2013 Results Ride Report
May 19, 2012 Results Ride Report
Apr 30, 2011 Results Ride Report
May 1, 2010 Results Ride Report
May 16, 2009 Results Ride Report
May 24, 2008 Results Ride Report
May 5, 2007 Results Ride Report
Blue Mountain Course Record: 17:30 Lane Giardina
2008 Course Record: 17:10 Robert Casciato