Some of the information described here remains potentially subject to modification till the very morning of the event (like for any Brevet). However, the route has been already certified by RUSA and a preliminary cue sheet is available to pre-registered riders (3 to date). A few modifications are still due on the route, to eliminate nasty railroad crossings on the first and last stages and also to finalize location of controles (we might add an Information Controle between miles 30 and 90, and an extra controle between miles 90 and 156).
Controle # 0 - Mile 0, Princeton NJ (Forrestal Village parking lot)
Opens 4h00am, closes 5h00am (Registration open from 3h00am, mass start at 4h00am, controle closes at 5h00am)
Controle # 1 - Mile 30, Whitehouse Station NJ (Bagel Junction)
Opens 5h25am, closes 7h12am
Controle # 2 - Mile 90, Blairstown NJ (Dark Moon Tavern)
Opens 8h16am, closes 13h40
Controle # 3 - Mile 156, Whitehouse Station NJ (Fire Station)
Opens 11h29am, closes 20h44
Controle # 4 - FINISH - Mile 187, Princeton NJ (Forrestal Village pk lot)
Opens 13h00, closes 00h00am
Controles manned by volunteers will be # 0, 1, 2, 3, 4.
The entry fee (25$) gives you the following services:
1. Food and shelter at controle # 3. At other controles, you will have to pay for your food. We might set up a 5$ voucher system at controle # 2 to cut your expenses there.
2. Plus the usual standard services available on all our Brevets (liability insurance, and rider pack at the start including Brevet Card, cue sheet, Safety Instructions and Hammer Endurolytes).
We will arrange a group rate at the Holiday Inn in Princeton, just across US Rt 1 from the start/finish, for the nights before and after the event. Once this rate is in place, we will make this information available. In the meantime, you might want to wait before you book your rooms that the group rates are in place.
There are many hotels and motels in Princeton within a few miles of the start/finish so you should not have any difficulty in finding a bed.
You are strongly recommended to sleep locally the night after finishing, and avoid any driving of some distance just after completing this tough 300k. We want you to come back home alive!
This route is a fairly hilly course, probably above average at 300k distance. It will require you to have your climbing legs somewhat trained, and it is a good idea to come with small gears. Two very steep climbs can be found on the route, Ryan Rd on stage 2 and Jenny Jump on stage 3. A number of less formidable climbs can be found too. That said, the route also offers a number of long and easy sections between the main hilly bits where you may regain spare time, recover from earlier efforts, and stock-up energy for the efforts to come. Several slower riders have been known to complete this event within the time limit.
This route has been run since 2002 with only few changes, and altimeters seem to agree that total climbing is about 12,000 feet.
This event sends you to the North-Western corner of New Jersey, and is the only event on our series to go there (our Eastern PA neighbour Tom Rosenbauer goes there too). We go as far as the footsteps of the Kittatinny Mountains, and also cross beautiful Jenny Jump and Hacklebarney State Parks. Between miles 50 and 135 motor traffic is very limited and you will enjoy many miles of quiet roads.
One peculiarity of this event is that we run it at the very time when this area is in full Spring bloom. Combined with the genuine natural beauty of the area, this makes of the Princeton Classic 300 arguably the most scenic event on our series (on a par with the Englewood 600, as far as I am concerned).
Randonneurs leave Princeton before motorists wake up and enjoy a pleasant and easy first stage to Whitehouse Station over gently rolling terrain. Riders have been known in the past to complete this stage at civilized pace and by small chatty groups. Caution is needed to avoid collision with any of the many deer guaranteed to be met at one point or another. The Bagel Junction cafe arrives on time for riders to indulge in a hearty breakfast.
Upon leaving Whitehouse Station Randonneurs enter immediately hilly territory, for many miles of very scenic little lanes passing countless villages, woods, rivers and farms and also crossing larger towns Califon and Hackettstown. Some sharp and twisty descents will require due caution and good brakes and wheels/tires. Many miles of beautifully wooded traffic-free lanes lead Randonneurs to Blairstown, and then a few miles of tough roller-coaster end at the mid-point and main controle at Dark Moon Tavern.
It is a good idea to have a good lunch at the controle, because immediately afterwards comes the illustrious climb up Jenny Jump, where the occasional bear has been seen in years past. Once at the top terrain eases a bit and will allow riders to regain time and energy, before hitting more hills around Schooley's Mountain. The latter part of this long stage will see riders visiting beautiful Hacklebarney State Park and the vertiginous descent of Black River Road, before the return to Whitehouse Station where food, shelter and TLC from our volunteers await.
The last stage, at night for most of the field, is gently rolling and will require riders to pay attention to night-time traffic which may become important on the approach to Princeton. After reaching the Delaware and Raritan canal, a last effort is required from by now tired Randonneurs up to Kingston before crossing the finish line, full of memories after having completed an amazing day of cycling over wonderfully scenic territory.
In the creation of the route, special thanks go to former RBA Diane GOODWIN for creating pretty much all of it.
For any further questions, please e-mail me.