PA600K Results and Ride Reports - Updated 6/2/09

[Tom Rosenbauer]

Preliminary results for the PA600k have been posted at:
http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/PA600k ... 090530.pdf
... let me know of any corrections or other issues. Results will be submitted to RUSA in a couple of days and will then become final, pending ACP/RUSA certification.

With 22 registered riders, 19 made it to the starting line. 18 riders made it back to the overnight sleep controle and 17 ultimately finished -- an 89% finishing rate. 9 of the finishers have completed their Super Randonneur series by riding all 4 of their ACP events on the Eastern PA series. Congratulations to the following Eastern PA Super Randonneurs:
Daniel Aaron
Richard G Carpenter
Judson L Hand
Guy Harris
Eric Keller
Kate Marshall
Craig Martek
William Olsen
Juan Salazar
Honorary mention to John Fessenden and Bill Fischer who completed all the events except the PA400k. Due to a scheduling conflict, they opted to ride a 400k+ fleche instead of the PA400k. Also completing a Super Randonneur series is first time PA rider Brian Berry from Mount Tremper, NY, along with Pittsburg RBA, Jim Logan and Larry Midura from East Syracuse, NY. It's really nice to see so many riders from neighboring regions, join us from time to time.

Weather conditions were just about as good as it can get -- temperatures ranging from the 50's during the overnight hours into the upper 70's during the day. Everybody stayed dry this time, and dispite a bit of misty fog early on Saturday, humidity was not problem. While the course was not easy, many of the finishers commented that this edition of the PA600k was not the hardest one they've ever done. I also got a number of comments at the end on the great scenary -- in particular, the many stream and river vistas on the first day -- those nice remarks are most appreciated and really help me keep going!

Special thanks to volunteers, Eric Bower, Bill Slabonik, and Mordecai Silver, for manning the overnight and finish controles -- they did a superb job of running the event and it was a big relief knowing that riders were in such good hands.

I'm looking forward to any ride reports or pictures that any of the participants might offer -- you can post them on this message board or forward them to me.

Regards,

-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA

[Guy]

Many thanks to Bill, Eric, and Mordecai for volunteering, good to see you. And to Rick for the checkout ride, you really should ride with us again sometime

Tom,the Rt447/Rt390 section and the Rt590-Towpath Rd/Rt97 tour of the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers were beautiful parts of the ride. The river section was a fine example what reversing a "normal" ride can do and really keeps things fresh for us locals. Thanks also for another "no bonus miles" cuesheet. Sometimes the little bit of extra info on them is really helpful ( such as "just past the bridge"). Situation: it is 3:30AM, I'm alone in the dark, and the cuesheet at mile 261.3 says R onto Delphi ("just past bridge"), sometimes I don't read the sign I just make the turn but this time I was alert enough to read it (=Old Gravel Pike not Delphi), but having great confidence I make the right, since it was "just the bridge", and *climb* a half mile until I see confirmation on a mailbox.

[lizardbiker]

Tom,
Thanks again for another fantastic ride - I am always impressed with the detail and ride organization that is your hallmark. For so many years before discovering PA Randonneurs, I was disappointed and discouraged for the lack of organization and poorly prepared routes in this area, not to mention support. I was giving up hope of participating in any public ride other than for charities due to the lack of organization.The folks that have provided support at the hostel are first class and make it such a rewarding experience that I look forward to each and every ride that I register for.
This past ride was specifically fantastic for the beautiful weather (my first PA Randonneur event without a significant weather event), the beautiful scenery, and the company during the ride. What a rewarding experience from previous groups that I've considered joining. If only more organizers paid half the attention to details and had half the enthusiasm as you, the roads would be so much safer, as everyone would be participating in a brevet rather than racing down the road at night to their favorite watering holes trying to run peaceful cyclists off the road in their haste.
Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to the EM1240!

[jud]

Thanks Tom,

As usual, the course for the 600k reached some spots so picturesque that it felt like I was on a faraway vacation. Reversing the Route 97 section along the Delaware magically transformed a narrow road into a shouldered one and a headwind to a tailwind. What a rush it was to average 16.3 mph between miles 104 and 145. I did more than once imagine that I might like to be in one of those tube rafts floating down the Delaware. But why glide effortlessly down a river on a beautiful afternoon, when you can suffer on a bike for a day and a half?

I encountered the same "Old Gravel Road" and "Delphi Road" confusion as Guy describes. But I had no worries, even though it was the middle of the night, as I happened to be riding with Larry Midura, Brian Berry, Bill Olsen and Jim Logan. How can you go wrong with four PBP finishers? The field for this event was overall one of the strongest I've seen on a local brevet. And what an honor it was, sharing a tuna sandwich with lettuce and tomato, salt and pepper (but no cheese) at a Wawa with "Mr. Tuna" himself, Bill Olsen.

And it will never cease to amaze me how much I can hurt on Sunday, swearing never to put myself through this again, and how blissfully wonderful the weekend seems as I head off to work Monday. Thanks Bill, Brian, Jim and Larry for the company on the second day, and Dan Barbasch on the first. And thanks for volunteering and making us feel so at home Bill, Mordecai and Eric. Even waking up at 2 a.m. seemed okay (well, less bad).

Jud

[Tom Rosenbauer]

George Metzler writes:
Once again congratulations are due for a finely executed event. The cue sheet was spot-on perfect, the controle stops made sense both in positioning on the route and having access to services, and the overnight and ride completion volunteers were very helpful. (the lasagna was pretty darn good also)

My highlight on the 600K occurred not longer after Eric Keller and I turned onto Rt 97. We were on a long descent and as I looked for animals (I’m always thinking about a deer or squirrels looking to ruin my day) a saw a nice big PA black bear looking for treats along the guard rail. Since I’ve never seen a black bear I started thinking…what if it decides to walk out on the road in front of me? What happens if you hit a bear at 30 miles per hour, does it get mad and eat you? Maybe it isn’t very hungry…of course I’ve been compared to a bear and I am always hungry. J Anyway I yelled at Eric to make sure he saw the bear and that startled the bear and he ran away. So I’ve always heard that if you encounter a bear in the woods you should yell at it instead of turning around a running away….Even though I saw the yelling thing work I’m sure my first instinct would still be to run.

Bill Fischer writes:
Tom, thanks for another wonderful event and a special thanks to Bill Slabonik and Eric Bower for their exceptional hospitality at the sleep over control. Like you, they go way above the call of duty and will help in any way they can. When I got into the sleep over control, Bill was waiting outside and as soon as I was off the bike, let me know that if I needed
anything adjusted on my bike that he'd take care of it while I was eating. I don't think you can get that kind of service at a bike shop!

Pittsburg RBA Jim Logan writes:
Overall, a great experience as always. I teamed up with Larry from Syracuse as I did two years ago. He reports our finish time was within a minute of our finish time 2 yrs ago.
Good job on arranging the winds both days. Both days appropriate winds picked up right around the turn points.

Bill Olsen writes:
Thanks for the great SR Series. The routes are getting better with every update you make, and although I'm still a little worried about the upcoming randonnee season, I KNOW that there isn't any better preparation for it than having successfully completed the PA brevet series, as well as the PA R-12 brevets. I'll try to post my photos and write-up soon, and provide you the link.

Larry Midura writes:
Just a quick note of thanks for all your efforts making this past weekend's PA600K a memorable experience with the camaraderie of fellow randonneur cyclists. The hostel; the food/snacks; the new and improved 600K route; and the mix of new and veteran riders, your choice of volunteers; plus amazingly comfortable weather made for a real good time.
I had a great ride finishing with our group of 5 a surprisingly 4 minutes less than what the PA 600K took me in 2007: 2007 was 35 hr/10 min; and, 2009 was 35 hr/6 min - an amazing coincidence of fate I guess as I approach my 55th birthday in June! A very nice group of cyclists on the 600K!

Larry, BTW will be clipping in for the new Canadian Ontario Granite Anvil 1200K on August 13.

Juan Salazar writes:
Thanks again for working so hard to organize yet another wonderful ride. Your lasagna is delicious. I also was very happy to meet Bill Slabonik again. Conversation with him comes so easily. It was also great to meet Mordecai Silver and Eric Bower. I had read about Mordecai from previous ride reports on your site.

I found the ride to be challenging, but so much fun at the same time. Riding with Bill F. and Craig was great. I have to say my favorite part of the ride is meeting other riders as they arrive. The post-ride chat with all the riders was icing on the cake. I am also happy I stuck around until Kate and Victor came in. They looked pretty fresh after two days in the saddle. Now it's time to rest for the Shenandoah 1200K. I'll see you for the 1000K!

I wrote up a ride report and posted pictures here:
http://www.cycloblogger.info/2009/06/pa ... ition.html

[kttrue]

Victor and I would like to extend our thanks to you all as well. Pictures and story here:
http://psycles-kttrue.blogspot.com/2009 ... story.html

I would also like to extend an invitation to you all to come up and ride with us for some upcoming Westechester Cycle Club events. We are hosting a Double Century ride on June 14th (flats and rollers) and a 200km on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 6th (Golden Apple Tour). We would be happy to put you up and share the road with you. Just let us know. Or just show up! Find details of the rides on our website. http://www.westchestercycleclub.org/

See you on the next ride!

[slabfoot]

Hi gang,
Sorry I'm so late with posting the link to these snapshots. Great time meeting and talking with all.

http://picasaweb.google.com/slabfoot/20 ... directlink

Bill