Pennsylvania Randonneurs

Covered Bridges
200K Brevet

Saturday 4 March 2023
06:30 EST Start Time

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Covered Bridges 200K Brevet

Saturday 4 March 2023
06:30 EST Start Time

Start Location

Chamounix Carriage House Hostel

3250 Chamounix Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19131
215-878-3676

Chamounix Carriage House

Chamounix, also known as Montpelier, is a historic home located in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Federal-style house was built in 1802 by George Plumsted who was a wealthy Philadelphia merchant, then enlarged to nearly double its original size by subsequent owners after 1853.

We will use the Carriage House for our start, finish, registration, and lodging. The Carriage House is the building on the left before the eyelet loop at the end of Chamounix Drive.  Do not confuse the Carriage House with the Mansion, which is partway around the loop on the right.

Parking

Please park cars along Chamounix Drive in front of the Carriage House. Do not park back in the circle by the mansion or on the side alley to the left of the Carriage house. Park on the left side of Chamounix drive within easy view of the front porch of the Carriage house.  Park end-in, not parallel to the curb.

We believe that Chamounix is a generally safe place that is convenient and comfortable, but there have been instances of petty theft in the area. Do not leave valuables in your car. There should be nothing visible that might tempt thieves. If you must leave clothes and minor gear someplace during the event, it would be best to leave these inside the Carriage House, but please don't leave anything of great value. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Parking Layout

 

There are other free on-street parking alternatives a short distance away, including along W Ford Rd, that may be a safer alternative. Several commercial parking garages are also nearby. The Hilton City Ave garage is an off-street, fenced lot nearby and costs only $13 per day.

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

Riders are advised to make sleeping arrangements at or near the start/finish. Please don't try to drive a long distance before or after a tough brevet.  Multiple options are available.

 

Finish

As you approach the finish control there are two buildings in the cul-de-sac eyelet. We are in the Carriage House on the left awaiting you with refreshments and eager to hear your tall tales, some of which might even be true.

Volunteer

This event needs volunteers for the following jobs:

Contact Organizer to Volunteer.

Ride Description

Cabin Run Covered BridgeThe 2023 PA Rando Super Randonneur series begins in March with a 200K ACP brevet that visits many of the historical covered bridges in Bucks County. This route  starts and finishes at Chamounix Mansion Carriage House in Philadelphia.

The second half of the 19th century saw a flurry of activity in terms of covered bridge construction and this brevet invites the riders to cross over - or pass by - eight covered bridges in the following order:

  1. Van Sandt (1875)
  2. Cabin Run (1871)
  3. Frankenfield (1872)
  4. Erwinna (1832? 1871?)
  5. Uhlerstown (1855)
  6. Knechts (1873)
  7. Sheard’s Mill (1873)
  8. Pine Valley (1842)

We also added some spice to this route by incorporating the "scenic" Uhlerstown Hill Road that has a peak gradient of 37.4% (!!!) that will make the facinating Buckwampum Mountan Rd seem like a gentle grade. 

To power these efforts, you will need refuling options. Once out of the city and past New Hope, the rest of the course is largely devoid of services, so you should consider options carefully.  There is a staffed control at about 55 miles in Tinicum Park with a full gourmet lunch provided.  The next decent option is Tabora Farm (mile 93), a classic cyclist oasis, where you should also plant to stop.

After the gorgeous tour of bridges you will descend back down to Conchohocken and return via a short section of the Schuylkill River Trail to gather for some serious jibber jabber over the dinner buffet at Chamounix.

Course History

DateFinishers
2022-03-1955
2023-03-0458
2024-03-2457
Course Record 2022-03-19: Matt McLoone (08:37, 23.2 kph)

General Info

This ride is a randonneur style bicycle event under the sanction of Randonneurs USA and Audax Club Parisian. Completing this event can help you train and qualify for Paris-Brest-Paris and earn RUSA and ACP  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.  There is no sag wagon. 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: $40
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

Continental breakfast and coffee will be available at the start. Lunch will be served at the Tinicum Park control. A dinner buffet will be available at the finish.

Lodging at the Start-Finish

Registration is closed for this event.

Schedule

05:30 Sign-in, Bike Inspection
06:20 Rider meeting
06:30 EST Riders depart

Conditions

Finish Cutoff: 20:00 EST 4 March 2023 (13 hours, 30 minutes)

Daylight Hours

Sunrise: 06:28
Sunset: 17:55

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: Philadelphia, 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/2023-03-04/200

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