Redefining determination: Joe Carbone's PA200k ride report

[Tom Rosenbauer]

Joe Carbone, in an amazing display of determination, finished the recent PA200k in 17 hours and 5 minutes. Here's his story ....

Tom,

First, I want to thank you for sticking with me by waiting while I battled the elements, the unrelenting wind, and my inner challenges that accompanied the wind and those hills. Although I finished in a time that I know that I can only improve on, the actual process proved to be exhilarating, frustrating, and exhausting all at various times throughout the ride.

The ride started out rather uneventful. Aside from the hill at around the ten mile mark I believe I was doing rather well. I met up with Ed shortly after that and we rode together until the 2nd controle. I did experience some cramping prior to the controle due to a mother nature stop. That little amount of time off of the bike became discomforting after a short while. It did not last long.

Following the 2nd control I some how managed to miss the Fetherman Road turn, I guess I was checking out the scenery. I had to back track. It was at this point I knew that reaching the next controle point within the allotted time frame was in jeopardy, especially with the long climb to Fox Gap looming ahead. I was correct. I managed to ride and walk up the hill, which would not be the first time I did that during my ride.

I arrived at the 4th controle, the diner, at 1:16, wind blown, cold and starting to get hungry. After some soup and tuna fish platter, I seem to recall someone mentioning a Subway Tuna sandwich and its benefits following last month's 200k, I figured I give it a try.

The next section provided a couple of climbs that were just brutal although some of the scenery was phenomenal, especially Statts Road. I arrived at the General Store around 5:50 to find it closed. Fortunately, I had some food and drink with me. It was at this time that I left you a message indicating that I hoped to be in anywhere from around 8:30 and 9:00. It turns out that I wasn't even close.

As I left the controle to continue my ride ,which was growing into an epic in more ways that one, I thought just 29 miles to go. On a good day that would be less than two hours. Did I say, "JUST"?
It turned out to be 5 more hours.

During the next 5 hours, I battled the hills, riding and walking, made a few more wrong turns since I was having a hard time reading my cue sheet, and had a bird decide to crash into my helmet and shoulder for whatever reason it deemed appropriate.

Somewhere just before Elephant Road you were gracious enough to come out to make sure I was okay and bring me some refreshments. I was glad to reach the hostel and the food could not have tasted better.

Although this was my second brevet and I am 0-2 in obtaining an official brevet finish, I am 1-2 in completion. I take that as progress and make the necessary adjustments to give me a better chance of finishing within the time allotted the next time I ride with the PA randonneurs. I definitely would enjoy hanging out with everyone at the end.

Again, thanks for your encouragement and the work you do providing a great event.

-Joe Carbone

[len zawodniak]

Joe- I have been reading online about your adventure, and your incredible determination to complete the ride regardless. Congratulations ! More than a few PBP participants were in the same position, struggling to get in well after the deadline, determined to complete the distance. I applaud you as I did each of them for showing the raw spirit of randonneuring.
Do not be discouraged !! I barely made the finish on my first 2 rides. I would be happy to share some of what I've learned over the years that might make it easier for you ( but no amount of experience stops the wind or the rain). I hope I'll see you on the next ride, Len

[EricKeller]

Joe, I was really impressed by your ride too. I'd certainly have trouble convincing myself to continue under the conditions of that ride. I was by myself for the last 15 miles, and the fact that so many roads were unmarked was starting to get to me.

We rode past that Fetherman Road turn too. Still trying to figure out why the route goes that way, does it really need to be 300 yards longer vs. just going straight at that intersection? Riding an extra 7 miles on that nasty chip seal put a real damper on my mood, which was only erased by the climb up Fox Gap.

[Tom Rosenbauer]

Yes, as Eric (and others) have pointed out, you can continue on L Cherryvalley Rd to get to Fox Gap instead of turning onto Fetherman. In fact, some of the other PA brevets take this alternate route (including at least one previous edition of the PA200k). I know it is a very easy turn to miss -- and that's why I have the Apiary spotting cue before that turn, so you can start looking for that 2nd left onto Fetherman.

There is a slight preference to go the Fetherman way, dispite the additional climbing and navigational challenge:
- The scenary is quite a bit nicer ... there's that interesting homestead along the stream (that looks about 200 years old), and the top of Fetherman has a fantastic view of the valley and ridge beyond -- in the fall, the colorful foilage is just spectacular. Going straight is just more of the same, with the exception of a sandpit operation a bit further down the road.
- The Fox Gap climb is one of the defining features and challenges of the PA200k -- by going up Fetherman, you get the Fox Gap climb in all it's glory. Note that which ever way you go, you still need to get to the top of Fox Gap, and going straight past Fetherman is not that much easier, since the road starts tilting up just past there.

The road surface through Cherry Valley used to be a bit better -- at least the parts that didn't have potholes. As you noticed, the entire road was recently tar and chipped, which made this a bit unpleasant to ride on. But at least the potholes were fixed, and the surface should get smoother over time.

In the end, every route is a series of trade-offs. The PA200k route is one of my oldest routes that has been tweaked over the years and is pretty close to my thinking of an "ideal" route -- with nice scenary, quiet roads, lot's of streams, and some challenging terrain for a memorable experience. That being said, I'm always thinking of ways to improve a course -- for future editions, I'll probably see if there are some better options in the Point Plesant area (and Cafferty Rd, which seems to get a lot of negative comments).

Thanks again for riding, and the opportunity to comment on the route design!

Regards,

-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA

[EricKeller]

Tom, haven ridden both roads on the same day, you're right. The roads you chose were nicer. I made a mistake with my cue sheet and missed the fact that there was another road between Cherry Valley Rd. and Cherry Valley Rd. Attilla made the mistake of trusting me -- oops.