Tscheschter Kaundi
200K Brevet
Sunday 4 June 2023
06:30 EDT Start Time
06:30 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 not a safe place to park, as there have been instances of petty theft in the area. Should you decide to park near Chamounix anyway, 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. If you need to park temporarily at the mansion, 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.
This 200 brings you back for another start and finish in Philadelphia. Its name inspired by the Pennsylvania Dutch name for Chester County, the route will take you around Chester County and into Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
The route departs from Chamounix Carriage House and heads south on the Schuylkill River to Center City. You will stop for an early controle on the South Street Bridge. The bridge is one of the best—if not the best—places to photograph the Center City skyline, especially if there is a nice sunrise and clear sky.
You will then begin heading west. After riding through West Philly, you will pass through Delaware County via the Philly to Swarthmore route, aka Bicyclists’ Baltimore Pike. This route has street signs directing the way to Swarthmore. A highlight of this section is getting a peek at the creeks, including Cobbs, Darby, Crum, Ridley, Chester, and Brandywine Creeks, that feed into the Delaware River. You might notice a dip in temperature when passing through the creek valleys in the early morning hours. Note that the Wawa in Dilworthtown at mile 32 is the last place to refuel until Cafe Metzler controle at mile 64.
As you reach Brinton Bridge Road, you'll enter Tscheschter Kaundi, fly downhill into the Brandywine Valley and turn onto Creek Rd, a popular road featured in several PAR brevets. Then over some rolling hills, you'll visit the villages of Doe Run and Spring Dell, an area full of scenic horse farms.
Next, as you cross Octaro Creek you will briefly enter Lancaster County and wistfully remember the staffed controle at Cafe Metzler, which will be closed this time (we'll use a postcard control).
Next you will head towards northern Chester County passing through the villages of Ludwigs Corner and Birchrunville. You have options for refueling in Ludwigs Corner: a Wawa for convenience items or Grandma Zook’s for fresh baked goods.
Then you will reach Phoenixville where there are plenty of refueling options, including a Wawa on the way into town. You'll cross the Schuylkill River into Montgomery County and return to Philly along the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT). There's one last little grunt, and you are at the Chamounix finish.
| Date | Finishers |
|---|---|
| 2021-12-04 | 35 |
| 2022-11-05 | 45 |
| 2023-06-04 | 23 |
| 2024-05-11 | 13 |
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.
Continental breakfast, and a buffet dinner at the finish.
The online URL for this event info page is
https://parando.org/info/event/2023-06-04/200
For all other information about Pennsylvania Randonneurs, visit our web site https://parando.org/
