Jim Thorpe
600K Brevet
Saturday 3 June 2023
04:00 EDT Start Time
04:00 EDT Start Time
The start location for this brevet has been moved into the Chamounix Mansion Building. We are now in the Mansion on the right, partway around the loop at the end of Chamounix Drive. We are not the Carriage House on the left. Parking has also moved. Note the parking drawing below.
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 Mansion for our start, finish, registration, and lodging. The Mansion is the building on the right partway around the eyelet loop at the end of Chamounix Drive. Do not confuse the Mansion with the Carriage House, which is on the left before the loop.
In our opinion, the safest place to park is the the Hilton/Homewood lot just off of city avenue. Here is a Google map link. Price is $13/day. As far as we know, this fenced-in lot is secure and it's a very short, easy bike ride from this parking area to Chamounix. There are free on-street parking alternatives a short distance away, including along W Ford Rd, that may be reasonably secure because of the residences and businesses nearby.
We believe that immediately outside Chamounix is a generally safe place to park, but there have been instances of petty theft in the area. Should you decide to park near Chamounix, 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 Mansion, but please don't leave anything of great value. Thank you for your understanding. For Mansion events, please park cars along the circle by the Mansion as shown in this diagram. Do not park on Chamounix Drive or on the side alley to the left of the Carriage house. Park on the grass and off the road. Either on the infield or perimeter of the circle within view of the TV cameras. Look out for rocks, ditches, and soft spots. We don't want your car to get stuck.
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.
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.
As you approach the finish control there are two buildings in the cul-de-sac eyelet. This time we are at the Mansion on the right at the end of the loop. We will be awaiting you with refreshments and eager to hear your tall tales, some of which might even be true.
This event needs volunteers for the following jobs:
Contact Organizer to Volunteer.
Take inspiration from athletic legend Jim Thorpe as you tackle some old PA rando classics, some new classics, and some fresh roads, perhaps to become future PA rando classics: the climb of Penn's Peak, the hamlet of Jim Thorpe, and a beautiful segment of the D&L trail.
From Chamounix in Philly, mount you bike and ride North before dawn through the suburbs all still asleep. You will see sunrise as you reach the Delaware for some easy riding and maybe breakfast at Bridge St Bagel in Milford. To help you quickly digest that bagel, there's a climb over Jugtown Mountain before things ease back to the usual route up the Delaware to Water Gap, PA.
From there you'll head West, above the mountain, all the way to Palmerton, where you'll turn North again to begin the climb up to Penn's Peak (actually named Bear Mountain) via Maury Rd. This is the first time a PA Rando route has ever climbed this hill. It's an infamous hill in several ways, not the least of which is that it was the final hill climbed by Edward Marshall during the Walking Purchase. Marshall collapsed upon reaching the top, having run over 60 miles in a "day", starting from near New Hope. You'll have travelled 140 miles at this point of your "day" and we hope you can continue as there's a lot more to do.
Actually, it won't be too hard to continue as there's a screaming descent into the town of Jim Thorpe -- but don't ride too fast that you pass Jim Thorpe's grave -- a control halfway down the hill! The borough of Jim Thorpe is a facinating place. It has lots of neat shops, cafe's and restaurants. Some of the Molly Maguires were hanged there and there's a sports bar of the same name where you can grab a beer and a sandwich. Railroad tycoon and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer, lived there. The town was originally called "Mauch Chunk" but renamed to Jim Thorpe as part of a weird business deal between local leaders and the widow of the famous athlete.
A new bridge connects the town to the D&L trail to the South. This is a beautiful section of crushed stone towpath trail (suitable for most tires) and it allows you to cut south through two major mountain ridges without any climbing as it follows the Lehigh River.
At Northampton/Coplay you will leave the D&L trail and make your way through rolling Bucks County roads and some more rail trail, eventuall back to Philadelphia and your bunk at the overnight control at Chamounix Carriage House.
Day 2 of the 600K is identical to the Tscheschter Kaundi 200K. Riders who just want to ride the TK can register for this shorter distance and lend support and comradeship to the 600K riders finishing up.
There are several steep, extended climbs. Wide range gearing is highly recommended.
| Date | Finishers |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-03 | 21 |
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 encourages use of the eBrevet cell phone app. (Version 1.3 minimum required) as an electronic brevet card assistant. Nevertheless, you must check into all controls on the app -- or provide traditional proof for each control. Your finish time and finish code from the app must be written on the paper card, along with your signature, or you may 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.
Breakfast buffet and coffee will be available at the start. A bed, dinner, and breakfast at the overnight. A dinner buffet will be available at the finish.
The online URL for this event info page is
https://parando.org/info/event/2023-06-03/600
For all other information about Pennsylvania Randonneurs, visit our web site https://parando.org/
