New Eastern PA R-12 event scheduled for 2/7/09

[Tom Rosenbauer]

The Eastern PA R-12 event for February is scheduled for 2/7/09. Registration and event details available at:
http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/R12ClubFeb1.html

Regards,

-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA

[Tom Rosenbauer]

The February R-12 "Mystery Ride" has been revealed ... details of the "Beyond Hope to New Hope" 200k have been posted on the website, including a preliminary cuesheet.
http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/R12ClubFeb1.html

The routing is mostly on open main roads, to minimize the hazard of icy road conditions. I scouted the northern portion of the route on Sunday, and the roads were basically clear but some of the shoulders still had some snow and ice in spots.

I'm keeping a close eye on changing road conditions ... the current forecast is calling for another couple of inches of snow but Thursday, Friday, and Saturday look sunny with temperatures getting up into the 40's. At this point, the biggest concern would be with the early morning conditions on Saturday, with the potential for black ice (from melting during the day on Friday and freezing on Friday night).

Be sure to check the website, for any last minute changes or updates.

And if you're planning to ride, drop me a note.

Regards,

-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA

[Tom Rosenbauer]

Greetings, R-12 participant,

Draft 3 of the cuesheet has been posted (dated 2/4/09). This update has a new controle #3 (Louie's Pizzeria). This should be the final change unless one of you find any problems with the cuesheet.

I scouted sections of the northern part of the course on Wednesday afternoon. In general, although it was below freezing, the sun was doing a good job of melting away the recent snowfall. The next couple of days should see improving road conditions. However, the biggest concern at this time would be black ice hazards early on Saturday morning (due to a Friday thaw and overnight freeze). Please consider your ability and tolerance to handle this potential hazard before you decide to clip-in. And remember to check the web-site on Friday for any last minute announcements or postponements.

The rest of Saturday is looking very promising with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 40's.

Some course notes:
1) The first controle stop in Bangor is rather early in the ride -- so try not to have any mechanicals early on that might make you miss the cut-off.
2) Controle #3 is a nice Pizzeria where you should plan on having your (early) lunch stop .The next controle is just an information controle at the top of the Tunnel Road climb. Other food options are at mile 52 (mini-mart at the junction of Rt 31) and a deli in Pittstown (mile 68).
3) The turn-around controle in New Hope is just a WaWa, but there are plenty of nicer options for food (including a Star Bucks) in the New Hope/Lambertville area.

Rider notes:
-Guy Harris will be on his fixie.
-Bill Fisher will once again make the trek from Ithaca to join us.
-Andy Brenner was planning join us but has a last minute commitment
-Rick Carpenter already has a Feb ride in, but will join us to keep his PA streak going.
-Matt Farrel will be going for his 5th R-12 completion
-New PA member Keith Spangler will be riding with his friend, Bill Slabonik
-A new PA member, Chris Nadovich, is planning to ride in order to get ready for his cross country trip this summer
-Ron & Barbarba Anderson will be riding their tandem
-Jim Romer will be riding his first R-12 event, but is no stranger to the PA series.
-Juan Salazar and Bill Olsen will most likely be clipping in as well.
-Your's truly also hopes to keep his PA R-12 streak alive, although I haven't logged any miles since the last event, and I'm still in catch-up mode on several projects I'm working on.

Post Ride:
Remember to get the final stamp and a receipt at the finish controle on College Hill (a WaWa, of course). Drop the card off at my mail box and sign the sign-in sheet. Post ride gathering will be at Morici's Pizzeria, across from the WaWa controle.

Regards,

-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA

[Tom Rosenbauer]

Greetings, R-12 participant,

Road conditions continue to improve, but please keep in mind the potential for black ice conditions early on Saturday morning. I would like to remind you that the waiver you signed states "...if at any time I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation..." And now would be a good time to plan for alternate means of transportation, if circumstances prevent you from finishing under your own power -- this is **your** responsibility.

Draft 3 (2/4/09) is the current cuesheet, but please note the following clarifications:
- Mile 88.2: the X on Rt 202 is at a TFL, and the road is actually marked Lower York Rd.
- Mile 86.2: part of the line is cut-off - it should say (Kichen Ln on the left); also, this is at a SS.
- Mile 107.8: the turn onto Bridge St in Milford is now unmarked. However, the TFL is an obvious cue (since Milford is a one-TFL town). If you are unfamiliar with Milford, you can look for a Citgo on your right at this turn.

Please remember to print out a cuesheet for yourself.

Although the ride is starting after sun-up and you may think you can finish before sundown, unexpected circumstances may delay you -- please bring your lights and reflective gear.

Current forecast is for another very chilly start, but plentiful sunshine and temperatures rising into the 40's should make it a good day to be out for ride. It also looks like we'll start with a northern headwind that will switch to the south, just as we start heading in that direction! But we can look forward to a 20+ MPH tailwind to speed our way back after the New Hope turn around.

Regards,

-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA

[jsalazar1978]

Dear fellow Randonneurs,

I hope you all made it safely to the finish. Thanks to Rick I was able to complete the ride in less than 9h. It was a beautiful route. I really enjoyed the time spent alongside the Delaware River. I found it challenging to cope with the large temperature swing. The windy section on 579 followed by 179 was difficult for me. As I crossed the bridge into New Hope I felt like jumping into the river. That would have been nice! After the ride Rick and I celebrated at Morici's and Jamie joined us later. We heard from him the Matt, Bill and Carl had finished. I would like to congratulate Matt for his R-12! It would have been great to celebrate with him.

Thanks Tom for your effort organizing another memorable ride. I think we all can learn from your concern with safety and attention to detail. I have written a ride report that can be found here http://tinyurl.com/cxezqe If you are only interested in pictures, click here http://tinyurl.com/bghhnw

I look forward to our next gathering in March!

Juan S.