Bleu Kaundi 600K Brevet

Start Location

Chamounix Carriage House Hostel

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

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 Carriage House, but please don't leave anything of great value. For Carriage House events, please park cars along Chamounix Drive in front of the Carriage House as shown in this diagram. 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.

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.

• You can reserve a real bed in the Carriage House for "hostel style" shared room accomodations conveniently located at the start/finish. Book this through PA Rando as part of your brevet registration. There are a limited number of bunk beds in shared rooms with  access to a common bathroom and shower. These are available before and after the event for a small extra fee.  First come first served, with priority to riders riding longer events.
• If you are staying at the Carriage House before the event please try to arrive by 9PM so as to not disturb riders who want to get to bed early and sleep adequately before the event.
• There are numerous lodging options in the city of Philadelpia, please book your arrangements with a hotel directly.

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:

• Finish Controle
• Food and Drink
• Runner
• Staffed Controle
• Start Controle

Contact Organizer to Volunteer.

Ride Description

Day 1: Blue Mountain / New Bleu Redeux (≈395 km)

 

From Philadelphia, riders head north to Bucks County. This first stretch of the route uses roads featured on several brevets, including 

the Covered Bridges 200, Endless Mountains 1234, and Fall Classic 200. Some club favorites include Creek Rd (pictured above), Hollow Horn Rd, Upper Tinicum Church Rd, and Red Cliff Rd.

 

The second control, near Mile 57, provides an opportunity to fuel with some breakfast at a bagel shop in Milford, NJ. We'll work our way up Sweet Hollow Rd and over to Belvediere, NJ, before crossing back into PA. From there, we head toward the Appalachian Mountains, gradually leaving the piedmont plateau behind as the terrain begins to rise. We cross the Blue Mountain Ridge at Wind Gap, where the route crosses the Appalachian Trail at the crest of the ridge. Pay close attention here—missing the westward turn onto Mountain Road means an unwelcome bonus climb.

 

From Wind Gap, the route rolls west along Upper Smith Valley, joining what many riders will recognize as the classic Blue Mountain 400K alignment. Familiar roads lead to a midway control in Bowmanstown, a long-standing stop on historic PA Rando routes. The control here is a deli/convenience store, but nearby is the popular Bowmanstown Diner. From here, the route continues to parallel the Blue Mountain Ridge (pictured above).

 

The next control is in Orwigsburg. Riders who completed the Hawk Mountain from Philly 300K will remember the familiar Boyer’s Food Market control. From here, we follow the Hawk Mtn 300 route to a new section of the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) through Auburn, a.k.a. the John Bartram Trail. This new trail allows riders to pass through the Blue Mountain Ridge without the steep climb traditionally required—a welcome change at this point in the day.

 

Leaving the trail, the route traverses the East Penn Valley toward the Reading Prong, a region defined by rolling hills and steep climbs. Be prepared for a sustained climb out of the valley and into the Prong. Once in the hills, the route passes historic farmsteads (one pictured to right) and then Huff’s Church, a landmark featured on several PA Rando routes, before reaching a control at the Redner’s Quick Shoppe in Bally. *This is the last convenience store directly on the route for Day 1, so riders should stock up on food and fluids for the final 46 miles.* A water fountain and restroom—marked on RWGPS—are available approximately 15 miles beyond this control.

 

The day concludes with a few gentle miles on the Perkiomen Trail, a pass through Evansburg State Park, and a return to the Schuylkill River, setting up a mostly smooth and forgiving run back into Philadelphia.

 

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 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.

Registration

Registration Fee

• Register before May 23, only $85
• After May 23, fee is $100

Includes

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.

Lodging at the Start-Finish

• Bed before event: $40
• Bed after event: $40
• Bed both before and after: $70

Schedule

Conditions

Daylight Hours

Weather

Questions About This Event?

The online URL for this event info page is

https://parando.org/info/event/2026-06-06/600

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