May 23, 2009 Hightstown 400k Event Description

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By Paul Shapiro, organizer

New Jersey Randonneurs - Hightstown 400
(Start / Finish: 04h00am, Days Inn, East Windsor, just by NJ Turnpike Exit 8 )

After the hilly Princeton 200 and the very hilly Princeton 300, riders will be looking forward to this very flat Hightstown 400. Although “easy,” and ideal for first time 400 riders, this flat route through the New Jersey Pine Barrens can present its own challenges from heat, to wind, to rain. Nonetheless, with reasonable weather, riders can expect to get around the course with times that might be expected for the Princeton 300.

The 2009 route is almost identical to the excellent course put together by Laurent Chambard for 2007. As described by Laurent:

Riders head out of the Days Inn into low traffic, picturesque farmland country. Progressively farmlands give way to trees, and then pine trees become more and more prominent as riders reach and cross the Pine Barrens. The controle at Crowley’s Landing camp ground comes handy to feed by now hungry Randonneurs, who then head further South through promise-sounding Vineland towards Salem over pretty farmland country. Sea breeze is increasingly felt as riders approach the Delaware river estuary, and an optional diversion to the Salem Oak. There is a lunch stop at a pizza restaurant in Salem.

After lunch, riders head back North by a different route leading them back to Crowley’s Landing for more TLC by our volunteers. It is then time to cross the Pine Barrens again in late afternoon or perhaps early evening, to Vincentown where the Wawa allows to refuel and rest a bit. The final stage is an exercise in night navigation over delightful little lanes, so little that one of them is not even surfaced for about half a mile.

The stages and approximate closing times:

Stage 1: Hightstown – Crowleys Landing (Start 04h00am, closes at 11h00)
71 miles. Flat. Free refreshments at controle

Stage 2: Crowleys Landing – Salem (closes 16h52)
57 miles. Flat. Refreshments at controle by commercial establishment

Stage 3: Salem - Crowleys Landing (closes 23h24)
52 miles. Flat. Free refreshments at controle

Stage 4: Crowleys Landing – Vincentown (closes 03h24am)
38 miles. Flat. Refreshments at controle by commercial establishment

Stage 5: Vincentown – Hightstown (closes 07h00am)
34 miles. Flat. Free

Given the early start and length of the ride, randonneurs may wish to book a room at the Days Inn at the start. We are working on reserving a block of rooms. Details to be posted.