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.
Start in the historic city of Philadelpia, ride past the Liberty Bell, the Rocky Steps, and then on through the Endless Mountains region and Wilds of Pennsylvania, with a special excursion across the ridge-valley Appalacians near State College. Return through Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the Brandywine Valley, and back into Philadelphia.The Endless Mountains Liberty Bell Randonnee offers a challenging tour of northeastern Pennsylvania. The course covers a variety of geological regions, including the Delaware Valley, Highlands, Water Gap, Poconos, NY Southern Tier, Pine Creek Gorge, Juniata River, and of course, the namesake Endless Mountains.
Registration Opens January 2025
Every finisher of the Endless Mountains will be awarded a unique, two-sided challege coin to commemorate their achievement. Challenge coins have a long tradition. Carry yours everywhere for luck. Brandish it proudly to the admiration of those without one.
All registered riders and volunteers will receive an endless mountains event T-shirt at no extra charge. These are made with a non-cotton moisture wicking fabric with both EMLB and PA Rando embems. For an additional fee, wool event jerseys can be ordered by riders or volunteers. These jerseys are made by Woolistic and are available in normal weight wool in Philadelphia Eagles Green. Delivery time can be six months or longer after our batched order goes out, so order yours early from the PA Rando Store if you want one in time for the event.
These Event Jerseys are intended ONLY for Endless Mountains Riders and Volunteers.
This is a challenging ride, not for beginners. Participants are expected to be fully self-sufficient and confident of their ability to complete a challenging course over multiple days (and nights) with minimal support. Participants are responsible for making arrangements for alternate transportaton, if they cannot finish the ride under their own power.
Registration is open to all RUSA members who completed a Super Randonneur series in 2024, or who (based on their experience) obtain the special permission of the RBA. Proof of your 2024 SR is required prior to 8 August or your registration will be cancelled. Securing a slot within the field limit is on a first come basis; you may register before you have completed your qualifying brevets.
Please let us know immediately if you won't be riding so you can receive the maximum refund and your spot can be given to the next rider on the waiting list. Failing to qualify or withdrawing are ordinary cancellations per the cancellation policy below. Registration fees are generally non refundable except as follows.
Riders on the waiting list receive a full refund if they are never offered a starting spot. In the case of serious injury, berievement, or other extreme situation, the RBA may grant a full refund.
At the start/finish hotel, breakfast will be provided approximately 1 hour before the start. No food is available Tuesday night -- take advantage of a restaurant in nearby Manayunk. Limited storage will be available to hold luggage and bike cases at the Start/Finish. Please use your car for storage if possible.
A single drop bag for each rider will be transported to each of the over-night controles - you will see the same bag which will be dropped off for each of the 3 nights (in other words, pack just 1 bag, not 3). Only a medium sized 28x12x12" duffle bag or smaller and no more than 15 lbs will be accepted (like one of these). When you get to the hotel controle, go to the volunteer room to collect your bag and room key (the volunteer room number will be posted in the lobby or at the registration desk). The bags will be available each night by 4PM. When you are ready to depart, return your bag and room key to the volunteer room. Food will be provided in the staffed volunteer room.
Riding straight through the sleep-over controles is not recommended -- but if you intend to do so anyway, please give us an idea of your plans.
Showers available at the finish. A postride buffet is included with your registration. Limited space is available for "safety rest" before traveling home -- you are encouraged to book finish lodging for Saturday night when you register.
Read the2022 EM1000K ride report.
"...Great event, it was fun even when it was something else completely!..."
-Ed Felker 2022 PA1000k
"...Thanks for your good organization on this ride and the brevet series. I doubt there are many, if any, series in the U.S. that are as well conducted and offer such challenging and scenic terrain..."
-Ed Pavelka 2007 PA1000k
"...The difficulty with these Pennsylvania climbs isn't that they continue for 20 miles; nothing on those roads stays the same for 20 mi. The grades are never constant, and there's usually a lot of up and down before you start going up for good. When you start really going up, it often gets extremely steep. But while they aren't that long, they are relentless, and the space in between big climbs is filled with little rollers, some of which are quite steep little kickers in their own right..."
-Emily O'Brien 2008 PA1000k
Date | Finishers |
---|---|
2024-09-25 | 5 |
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 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. Complete several ordinary century cycling events before starting a 200K brevet; complete several 200Ks before starting a longer brevet.
Bunk bed "hostel style" lodging at the start and finish is available for a small extra charge.
The online URL for this event info page is
https://parando.org/info/event/2025-09-24/1234
For all other information about Pennsylvania Randonneurs, visit our web site https://parando.org/