Pennsylvania Randonneurs

Fall NeoClassic
200K Brevet

Saturday 16 October 2021
06:00 EDT Start Time

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Fall NeoClassic 200K Brevet

Saturday 16 October 2021
06:00 EDT Start Time

There are special proceedures and restrictions on this event because of the COVID-19 safety plan. Riders must

  • Bring a completed and signed  brevet waiver to the start. Riders should have this completed  ahead of time.
  • Bring a facemask and wear it as required.
  • Bring your own pencil or pen for completing info controle questions and signing brevet cards.

Please do not forget to bring these items. Be alert for other announcements and instructions.  The full set of restrictions and procedures will be described in the PA Rando Blog. Please check often for updates.

 

Start Location

National Canal Museum

2750 Hugh Moore Park Road
Easton, PA 18042
2672180418

Hugh Moore Island in the Lehigh River is the home of the National Canal Museum.  The D&L Towpath bike trail passes accross the island.

The entrance to the park is an iron bridge that T's onto Lehigh Drive. After crossing the bridge make an immediate right and drive to the museum at the end of the road. Park at the last lot on the left. The main gathering location is near the Pavilion in front of the museum by the playground.

The club usually provides some food and drink at the start and finish of the event. If you want something more substantial,  the nearest 24 hour Diner is the Key City Diner 985 US-22, Phillipsburg, NJ. There's a 24 hour Wawa in Easton at 310 Larry Holmes Dr.  Alternatively, stop for something in Hellertown at about mile 10.

Many previous PA Rando brevets pass by this location, so it should look familiar. Nevertheless, if you've not been there by car it may be difficult to find, so be sure to allot a little extra time.

Parking

There are several parking lots on Hugh Moore Island. We gather for the start near the pavilion at the museum parking lot, farthest from the iron bridge. Do not park at the doggy park parking lot nearest the bridge (where, in previous years, we used to park).

Suggested parking locations for the start/finish are public places, with theft and vandalism a real possibility, especially in cities. Park during the event at your own risk. Please do not leave valuables in your car during the ride.

Lodging

Traveling far? Overnight accommodations are available at several hotels in Easton
Make your own reservations by calling the hotel directly.

Finish

Gather in the pavilion near the Museum for post ride festivities.

Ride Description

The leaves are just beginning to change ... hopefully, the foiliage will be peaking just in time for our event. This edition of the Fall Classic PA200k includes all your favorite climbs and starts at a new location in Easton PA.

After a breakfast buffet at the start/finish near the "Forks of the Delaware" at the National Canal Museum, the course begins with a "wake up climb" that might have you questioning your life goals just a few minutes into the ride. Never fear, this soon flattens out as we follow the Bushkill Creek "fork" into the rustic Pennsylvania farmland using the new Two-Rivers Trailway. In the distance, the Appalachian mountains can be seen ... which is where we're headed via Wind Gap.  Be sure to replenish food and water at the Wind Gap controle since the next opportunity is 20 miles away. 

Land of Myth and Mystery

At the top of the Wind Gap pass, we cross the Appalachian Trail and descend down to Cherry Valley Road, offering spectacular views of the Appalachians as we head north.  Eventually, we turn onto Rt191 which marks the long, challenging climb to the top of Fox Gap and again cross the AT just before the info controle at Columcille.  We'll then head over to Portland along a very scenic route near Lake Minsi.

After the controle in Portland, instead of heading down River Road the usual way, we take a "short cut", climbing Pine Tree Rd and decending the charming Shady Lane (honestly, over a mile shorter). New we cross over into NJ at Riverton where the Lommanson Glen, Mountain View Drive, and Tunnel Rd climbs await.  The reward for that work is in the form of a scenic descent along Sweet Hollow into Milford. 

We then cross back into Pennslyvania to crawl up the Red Cliff, then down past Tinicum Church. Instead of the usual route on Headquarters Rd, we instead take Hollow Horn and Deep Hollow, another PA classic bike route past covered bridges and Stover Mill. Eventually we reach the southernmost point at the Dairy Queen in Dublin, PA.  Now we turn back north through the town of Elephant, past Lake Nockamixon and the hostel, then onward to summit the challenging Gallows Hill, Morgan Hill, and Cider Press climbs. After that, it's all downhill to the finish Bar-B-Cue at the Canal Museum.


As shown in the route profile, there are several steep, extended climbs.  Appropriately low gearing is recommended.

Course History

DateFinishers
2018-10-2028
2021-10-1616
2023-10-2812
Course Record 2021-10-16: John Park (08:57, 22.3 kph)

General Info

This ride is a randonneur style bicycle event under the sanction of Randonneurs USA. Completing this event can help you train for Paris-Brest-Paris and earn RUSA  awards.  You need a current RUSA membership to ride this event. You can sign up for RUSA here.

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 local vehicle laws (PA, NJ, NY). Safety is a primary concern. All riders must sign a waiver. Please read these Safety Instructions.

To receive credit for finishing a randonneuring event you must complete a brevet card as required by the rules. PA Randonneurs accepts traditional brevet cards filled out with stamps/signatures and backed up with merchant receipts. PA Randonneurs also accepts Electronic Proof of Passage (EPP), but the only form of EPP accepted  is the eBrevet cell phone app. (Version 1.2.4 minimum required). Your finish time and finish code from the EPP app must be written on the paper card or you will be disqualified.

These events are not for beginners.  The courses are hilly. You may face extremes of weather: heat, cold, wind, rain. The roads are unmarked and open to automobile traffic. There will be night riding in the longer events.   Complete several ordinary century cycling events before starting a 200K brevet;  complete several 200Ks before starting a longer brevet.

Registration

Registration Fee

For PA Rando members: $30
There is an extra $10 charge for registration if you are not a member of Pennsylvania Randonneurs.
Pre-payment only. Day-of-event payment is not available for this event.

Includes

Food and drink is provided compliments of the club at the start/finish.

Registration is closed for this event.

Schedule

05:00 Sign-in, Bike Inspection
05:50 Rider meeting
06:00 EDT Riders depart

Conditions

Finish Cutoff: 19:30 EDT 16 October 2021 (13 hours, 30 minutes)

Daylight Hours

Sunrise: 07:14
Sunset: 18:18

The hours for this event extend beyond daytime. Riding at night without appropriate reflective gear and lights will result in an immediate disqualification. See the rules Article 10 for requirements. See the reflectivity guide for best practices.

Weather

Weather forecast for start location: Easton, PA.

This event runs rain or shine. Rides are sometimes postponed or canceled if there is a significant chance of extreme conditions that threaten safety (e.g. ice, snow, high winds). Check the message board for last minute announcements.

Questions About This Event?

Please click here to ask the organizer a question about this event.

The online URL for this event info page is

https://parando.org/info/event/2021-10-16/200

For all other information about Pennsylvania Randonneurs, visit our web site https://parando.org/