Last time was fun, but after barely riding the last two weeks I think I need some outside motivation to commit to this one. Anyone else riding this?
2010-07-06 01:08:32
10
Pgh Randos 300K, Saturday July 10th
It's a challenging course: starts down in Washington, PA with a relatively mellow ride down 136 to Monogahela, then across the river and up the ridge to Perryopolis. (Riders of the 200K a few weeks back may remember Amelios Hill, Virgin Run, and a lovely stretch of gravel? I'm happy to report that they, ah, somehow vanished from the route...). Down to Dunbar, then a long climb up Furnace Hill Rd to Kentuck Knob, then down the other side of the ridge to Ohiopyle. A short stint on the trail to Confluence, then the classic ride over Mt Davis and down to Meyersdale. Another trail segment to Rockwood, then a series of challenging climbs over the Laurel and Chestnut Ridges on the way back to Connellsville, where the 200K route is re-used as far as Monongahela and a return via 136.
I pre-rode this route last Saturday; I'm not gonna lie, it's a darn tough route. The current route is a little easier than the pre-ride, but I'll still call this a "challenge ride", as it is well beyond standards for brevet toughness. That said, it's a lot of darn pretty country seen from very high places.
If you intend to ride this, RSVPs to Jim Logan (contact info at the above link)are appreciated.
2010-07-06 00:50:30
Sadly, I'm out of town this weekend, or I'd happily provide the motivation.
"If the fat guy on the 'bent can do it, what's your excuse not to?"
2010-07-06 15:24:52
To me, this sounds like a nice, although somewhat challenging, four-day ride.
That isn't sarcastic. Any one up for doing this as a long weekend about then the leaves are changing?
2010-07-06 16:01:38
This seems to be "Quiz Dan" morning for me.
I'm curious as to the level of participation in the 300 K compared to the 200 K? The DNF rate?
I'm guessing that there are way fewer folks that would do 300K and that even with this more select group, you would end up with a higher drop out rate.
Also it's puzzling to me that the ride would start in Washington, rather than a central area like Point Park.
I don't imagine there's that many hard-core randoes in Washington,PA. I don't think anyone would ride from Pittsburgh for the 5 AM start. Do some people ride up to Washington and spend the night? Or is it totally expected that people take internal combustion transportation to this bike event?
(Disclaimer: none of these things are preventing me from riding this event. The show stopper for me is that my longest one-day bike was under 80 miles and that hammered me.)
2010-07-07 16:33:20
Hey, 88MS, I pre-rode this last weekend and I've decided to ride it again. Come on, you know you can do it.
2010-07-08 00:13:45
Also it's puzzling to me that the ride would start in Washington, rather than a central area like Point Park.
It is very, very difficult to safely route a well-controlled[1] brevet out of this city. The most ideal location would be in the outskirts of Fox Chapel, but even there is difficult, given the network of roads that criss-cross the ridge.
Most randos are used to driving to the start of their events, much like racers are used to driving to races. I believe the NJ randonneurs offer one ride that starts in NYC, but it begins at the George Washington Bridge and immediately heads into New Jersey. Most of the longer events start and end at a motel (or hostel, in the case of eastern PA events) to accommodate the early starts and late finishes.
[1] The route is singular enough that it is either not possible or terribly difficult to cheat.
2010-07-08 01:55:59
@Mick: what Brian said.
I've some feeble hopes of using Neville Island as a starting point for next year's series, as that's still within reasonable starting distance of town.
2010-07-11 03:52:48
To cheat, by using an arterial road that would be shorter, faster than the official route? Two possibilities
2. put the route on the shorter, faster arterial to remove the incentive to cheat
1. add more controls.
2010-07-11 11:19:51
How'd the ride go?
2010-07-11 11:44:24