June 18, 2022: 400K
2022-06-18 04:00 - 2022-06-19 07:00 (America/New_York) | Neville Island Fairfield Inn & Suites, 5850 Grand Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15225, United States
For our spring 400K, we’re dusting off an older route: an out-and-back from Neville Island to the far side of Akron, Ohio.
Starting at the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Neville Island under the I-79 bridge (with a Speedway conveniently located just across the street), we’ll take advantage of the early hour to shoot up 51 through Monaca, then cross the Ohio and head to Beaver Falls. From there, we’ll strike westward through East Palestine and Columbiana to the controle in Salem. 40ish miles of rolling Ohio roads lead to the outskirts of Akron proper. There, we’ll turn north and head for the turnaround in Brecksville, reversing the route from there.

Here’s the preliminary route, pending revision:
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Winter Warmup, Pittsburgh Trails 100K ACP Populaire
2023-03-11 09:00 - 15:40 | Millvale Riverfront Park, 70 Riverfront Dr, Pittsburgh, PA, 15209, United States
To kick off our Winter Warmup, we’ll enjoy a tour of the trail system near Pittsburgh. Only one climb of note, and a simple, pleasant way to explore the city environs without needing to duel with traffic.
There’s some limestone, and the vast majority of the route is on paved trail.
Registration closes: Thursday March 9th 2023
Inspection opens: Saturday March 11th 8:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday March 11th 9:00 AM (6:40 time limit)
Route:
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Winter Warmup, Kittens and Puppies 100K ACP Populaire
2023-03-18 09:00 - 15:40 | Pump House Park, Monaca, 600 Atlantic Ave, Monaca, PA, 15061, United States
In order to avoid the increasingly unpleasant Rt 51, but still enjoy some familiar and mellow Ohio farm road riding, the Kittens & Puppies 100K starts in Monaca, PA at the Monaca Riverfront Park. It’s an out-and-back, wherein we’ll head north through Beaver to a stop in Koppel at Al’s Corner, then to the turnaround at the Subway in New Middletown Ohio, at which point we’ll retrace our path.
Registration closes: Thursday March 16th 2023
Inspection opens: Saturday March 18th 8:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday March 18th 9:00 AM (6:40 time limit)
Route:

Winter Warmup, Pittsburgh-Weirton-Pittsburgh 200K ACP Brevet
2023-03-25 07:00 - 20:30 | Homestead, under the Homestead Grays Bridge, 149 West Bridge St, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
An old favorite, this classic route takes us through downtown Pittsburgh and points west to a blistering descent into Weirton West Virginia. From there, we’ll climb back out of the river valley to Burgettstown via the Panhandle Trail, then southwest through Houston PA to the banks of the Monongahela River, and back to our starting point in Homestead.
Registration closes: Thursday March 23rd 2023
Inspection opens: Saturday March 25th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Saturday March 25th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:

Spring Series, Monongahela - Castleman's Run - Waynesburg 200K ACP Brevet
2023-04-15 07:00 - 20:30 | Noble J. Dick Aquatorium, Monongahela, 200 Railroad St, Monongahela, PA, 15063, United States
For 2023, a new 200K route out of the Aquatorium in Monogahela. We’ll head west, skirting Washington PA, until turning southbound at the West Virginia border through the Castleman’s Run Nature Preserve, heading towards a controle stop at the bustling TA Travel Plaza near Valley Grove. From there, more country roads to the next controle at the Sheetz in Waynesburg, and a return to the start.
Registration closes: Thursday April 13th 2023
Inspection opens: Saturday April 15th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Saturday April 15th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.

Route:
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Crush the Commonwealth
2023-04-28 08:00 - 17:00
Utterly unaffiliated with RUSA or the Pittsburgh Randonneurs, Crush the Commonwealth is nonetheless a local ultracycling tradition.

Spring Series, Castleman's Run - Morgantown - Connellsville 300K ACP Brevet
2023-05-06 05:00 - 2023-05-07 05:00 | Noble J. Dick Aquatorium, Monongahela, 200 Railroad St, Monongahela, PA, 15063, United States
Expanding upon the new Castleman’s Run 200K route, this extends the southeast leg to Morgantown, then skirts the Laurel Highlands to Connellsville. A short flat respite on the GAP Trail leads to Perryopolis and a return to the start via Belle Vernon.
Route is finalized (and has been tweaked to avoid the hike-a-bike due to a missing bridge on Hewitt Rd at mile 24.8), although we reserve the right to make last minute changes based on scouting the day before.
Registration closes: Thursday May 4th 2023
Inspection opens: Saturday May 6th 4:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Saturday May 6th 5:00 AM (20:00 time limit)
Route:

Spring Series, Washington - Cumberland - Washington 400K ACP Brevet
2023-05-13 04:00 - 2023-05-14 07:00 | Washington Hampton Inn & Suites, 119 Murtland Ave, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
For 2023, we’re dusting off one of our oldest routes…the AMCUP (Allegheny Mountains Cruel and Unusual Punishment) 400.
It starts and finishes in Washington, PA, and includes some of the more exciting climbs in the Laurel Highlands. It also includes a mind-boggling FIVE Sheetz controles, although we do reuse them on occasion.
Caveat
Let me start by being very clear: this is the hardest ride we have in our catalog. It includes climbs of Chestnut Ridge and Mt Davis, and is, frankly, unrelentingly non-flat until Meyersdale at mile 150. It has 18000′ of climbing, of which more than 2/3rds is in the first 150 miles.
That said: it’s also a beautiful route, featuring gorgeous views, remote farm roads, and all the Sheetz that anyone could ask for.
Route Notes
We’ll leave Washington PA bright and early, escaping town as quickly as possible via 136. At this hour, it’ll be very low traffic, rolling road all the way to the bank of the Monongahela River and the first Sheetz controle. From there, we’ll cross the Mon and head upriver for a few miles until climbing the ridge and heading through Perryopolis and Vanderbilt on the way to Dunbar.
In Dunbar, the first major climb of the route begins…8 miles of Furnace Hill Rd, before cresting Chestnut Ridge. It’s shaded and pleasant for most of the climb, with only a couple of particularly steep spots…but it is a very long, steady climb, so be prepared.
Once atop the ridge, we’ll narrowly miss visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kentuck Knob (as the road betwixt there and Ohiopyle is too hazardous for official routing), and work our way around some undulating ridge top roads before plummeting to Ohiopyle State Park, the next controle at Falls Market, and a brief respite from climbing on the GAP trail to Confluence. (Note that no services are available on-route after Ohiopyle for nearly 50 miles, although some are available off-route in Confluence.)
In Confluence, we’ll bid farewell to the GAP for a while, and head to our second major climb on Mt Davis Rd. While we won’t go all the way to the highest point in PA, we’ll certainly get within yelling distance thereof. Much like Furnace Hill Rd out of Dunbar, this is a very long, steady climb with a couple of steeper parts; however, it’s more open country, so the views will be significantly more expansive, and shade will be less.
After the main climb up Mt Davis, the route bends south into Maryland and a long drop through Frostburg (and another Sheetz controle) into the outskirts of Cumberland. Rather than fight traffic on the way back up the hill, we’ll pick up the GAP at the Cash Valley Trailhead and take it back to Frostburg in relative ease and comfort.
From Frostburg (see the note of caution and suggestion of alternate route below), another 20ish hilly miles remain before the Meyersdale Sheetz controle. Of particular note: on Sand Springs Rd, we pass directly through a wind farm with a couple of windmills immediately off route to left and right; depending on your affinity for windmills, this may make the poor road surface of Sand Springs Rd worthwhile. Alternatively, those who do not relish potholed gravel roads (or potentially riding them in the dark) should consider the alternative routing for safety purposes.
After Meyersdale, we finally have a real reprieve from climbing…it’s 55 miles of gentle flat riding on hard packed limestone trail from here until Connellsville, with the only real concerns being lack of places to resupply, and (potentially cranky) Ohiopyle park rangers who don’t want to deal with cyclists at night.
Out of Connellsville, it’s a brief grunt over the hill back to Vanderbilt, then following rolling Rt 201 to the bank of the Mon River, and a return to the Sheetz in Monongahela for the last controle. From there, in order to avoid potential boozy post-bar traffic, we take back roads mostly paralleling I-70 all the way to the finish in Washington.
Specific route notes

At mile 26.3, when crossing Rostraver Rd, there’s a sign ahead indicating road closure. It is closed to traffic when crossing I-70 at mile 27.5, but is passable if one wishes to do so. The alternative is a fairly unpleasant detour on Rostraver to a short stretch on the shoulder of I-70 to the next off ramp, then looping around via Tyrol Blvd to Pricedale to Finley.
When coming into Frostburg at mile 133, I recommend considering the time of day and your condition. The on-road leg from here to Meyersdale includes Sand Spring Rd, which is a poorly surfaced at best, and is dirt, gravel, and the odd pothole for much of its length. If you do not have confidence in your ability to make it 20 hilly miles to Meyersdale by dusk, I both grant permission and explicitly recommend that you stay on the trail from Frostburg to Meyersdale, then simply duck down to the Sheez controle before continuing on the trail to Confluence.
When returning to the hotel, there’s only one law-abiding way to do it (Right at TFL by the Amoco onto Rte 19/Murtland Ave, down the hill to make a U-turn at the next TFL and back up the hill). In theory, one might also go straight through the TFL by the Amoco to cross 19 into the construction site across the street, then find a creative way to cut through to the back of the hotel parking lot, or walk the verge of Rte 19 for 75 feet to get to the hotel.

Key refueling options
Mile 19/km 31, Controle 2: Monongahela Sheetz
Mile 43/km 69, Sweet Pea’s Convenience Store
Mile 68/km 110, Controle 3: Ohiopyle Falls Market, no services on route for next 50 miles
Mile 79/km 127, Confluence stores, off route
Mile 115/km 184, Controle 4: Frostburg Sheetz
Mile 150/km 241, Controle 6: Meyersdale Sheetz, no services for next 60 miles
Mile 207/km 333, Controle 7: Connellsville Sheetz
Mile 238/km 382, Controle 8: Monongahela Sheetz

Details
Registration closes: Thursday May 11th 2023
Inspection opens: Saturday May 13th 3:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Saturday May 13th 4:00 AM (27:00 time limit)
Route:
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Spring Series, Ghostly GAP Gallivant 600K
2023-05-27 04:00 - 2023-05-28 20:00 | Homestead Hampton Inn & Suites, 301 W Waterfront Dr, West Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
For 2023, we’ve added a brand spanking new 600K route. It’s a traditional pair of 400k and 200K loops with a hotel control (the Hampton Inn in Homestead) in the middle.
As this is emphatically not a daylight-only ride, lights and reflective gear are mandatory. In addition, a significant portion of the route is on unpaved or poorly maintained roads and trails, so choose your tires wisely.
The first day takes us east through Turtle Creek and Trafford, picking up the Westmoreland Heritage Trail through Murrysville and Saltsburg, where it becomes the West Penn Trail. After passing through the Conemaugh Lake recreation area (including a US Army Corps of Engineers dam and a blocked-off tunnel resembling a side door into Mordor), we’ll make our way to the next controle, the Sheetz in Blairsville. A steady gradual climb over the next 30 miles (much of which is on the Ghost Town Trail) takes us to the Dunkin controle in Ebensburg.
Forsaking trail for roads over the next 80 miles or so, we’ll head south, traversing state game lands on our way to the Fishertown Country Market controle before heading southwest through Berlin(see note for mile 151 below) to pick up the GAP trail in Rockwood, at which point it is (almost literally) downhill for the next 100 miles to the overnight controle. The GAP will take us all the way back through Confluence, Connellsville, and McKeesport to the starting point in Homestead, where we can optionally nap, shower, change into fresh clothes, or whatever before embarking on the next leg.
The second day is a slightly kinder variation of our Weirton 200K route, made nicer by simply removing the Weirton bit :). From the overnight controle, we’ll follow the trail into Station Square (just across the river from downtown Pittsburgh), then over the hills through Carnegie and Robinson to a long rolling stretch on Old Steubenville Pike. In Florence, we’ll controle at the Grab-n-Go, then head south through Burgettstown to a classic jaunt through Hickory and Houston to Mingo Creek State Park. Mingo Creek will funnel us down to New Eagle, on the banks of the Monongahela River. East and south to the penultimate controle at the Donora UniMart, before crossing the river to return on the low-traffic Bunola River Rd side. Finally, we’ll re-rejoin the GAP in McKeesport, for a familiar and easy 10-mile trail return to the hotel.
There will be a room reserved at the Hampton Inn, which will be available for showers and (limited) napping space at the overnight controle on the 27th. If we have significantly more participants than I expect, we’ll look into reserving multiple rooms.
Route Notes
At mile 42, the route follows a causeway across the Conemaugh River. If the water levels are too high, the causeway may be impassable; in which case, an on-road route from mile 39.5 to mile 46.1 is as follows: Leave westbound trail, L on Auen Rd for 1 mile to R on Quick Rd for 1/2 mile to R at T on Clarksburg Rd for 3 miles to R at T on Newport Rd to rejoin route at mile 46.1
At mile 151, there lies a 24-hour Valero convenience store. That is the last 24-hour store on route until the Sheetz in Connellsville at mile 210, so stocking up here is encouraged.
At mile 181.5, the controle is at Mitch’s Fuel and Food in Confluence, PA. Mitch’s closes at 7, as do the majority of the other businesses in Confluence. If the store is closed, feel free to take a selfie if needed for proof of passage.
At mile 192, you’ll be passing through Ohiopyle. Historically, the park rangers have discouraged through travel after dark, so I’d suggest avoiding them if possible.
At mile 210, you’ll controle at the Sheetz in Connellsville. This is the last obvious opportunity for resupply until the overnight control 50 miles later.
At mile 275.6, a 24-hour GetGo convenience store is two blocks off route in Carnegie. This is the last 24-hour store for the next 65 miles, so, if you’re riding quickly, you may wish to restock here, as most subsequent stores along the route are not open until 7 AM.
At mile 297.4, the Grab-n-Go controle is closed from 8 PM to 7 AM. Feel free to take a selfie if needed for proof of passage.
At mile 342.2, the UniMart control is closed from midnight to 6AM. Feel free to take a selfie if needed for proof of passage.

Details
Registration closes: Thursday May 25th 2023
Hotel and parking: We have a room reserved Saturday night at the Hampton Inn (c0ntrole 1, 7, and 10) for pizza/showers/changing/napping. That said, the hotel lot is fairly small, so I’d suggest that those not reserving a room at the hotel park at any one of the nearby public lots.
Inspection opens: Saturday May 27th 3:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Proof of passage: Electronic proof of passage is strongly encouraged. No brevet cards will be available unless requested in advance.
Ride start: Saturday May 27th 4:00 AM (40:00 time limit)
Checking in from the road: Please be kind to your easily-worried RBA and send me a quick text (412 915-6206) when you arrive at each controle, if you encounter any significant problems, and when you complete. This is especially important for the timing of pizza orders and similar crucial matters.
Overnight Controle: The overnight controle room will be manned by volunteer Jim Logan from 5PM Saturday to 5AM Sunday, then there will be a brief gap in coverage until I arrive around 6 or 7AM; I’ll keep the room open until 10AM or so.
Ride end: I will be in the area, within half an hour’s drive if anyone is in need of support. Otherwise, please just text me when you’ve completed, and send me your proof of passage within the next couple of days so that I can submit the results ASAP.
Cue sheet: Credit to Tom Hovan, Ghostly-Galavant-600K-Cuesheet.xlsx
Route:
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Heck Weekend, 200K ACP Brevet
2023-06-16 07:00 - 20:30 | Homestead, under the Homestead Grays Bridge, 149 West Bridge St, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Heck Weekend Day One: A 200K jaunt to Weirton.
This classic route takes us through downtown Pittsburgh and points west to a blistering descent into Weirton West Virginia. From there, we’ll climb back out of the river valley to Burgettstown via the Panhandle Trail, then southwest through Houston PA to the banks of the Monongahela River, and back to our starting point in Homestead.
Registration closes: Wednesday June 14th Thursday June 15th 2023
Inspection opens: Friday June 16th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Friday June 16th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:

Heck Weekend, 300K ACP Brevet
2023-06-17 05:00 - 2023-06-18 01:00 | Homestead Hampton Inn & Suites, 301 W Waterfront Dr, West Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Heck Weekend Day Two: 300K of adventure!
Another classic route, this 300K out-n-back includes everything from post-industrial urban neighborhoods to short steep stretches of unpaved trail…plus plenty of Sheetz stops.
Update 05/13/2022: As Bob Gregory noted, it is possible that water levels behind the Connemaugh Dam are high enough that the trail around mile 41 may be a bit more than merely damp. In that case, there’s a detour available starting at the trailhead at mile 38.6; it’s an on-road leg that adds one mile and 100′ of climbing. I will attempt to verify passability the day of the ride; but I will certainly accept GPS tracks that take the bypass.
Registration closes: Wednesday June 14th 2023
Inspection opens: Saturday June 17th 4:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Saturday June 17th 5:00 AM (20:00 time limit)
Route:

Heck Weekend, 400K ACP Brevet
2023-06-18 04:00 - 2023-06-19 07:00 | Homestead Hampton Inn & Suites, 301 W Waterfront Dr, West Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Heck Weekend Day Three: Enjoy the Alleghenies, and the limestone on the way back.
As this is emphatically not a daylight-only ride, lights and reflective gear are mandatory. In addition, a significant portion of the route is on unpaved or poorly maintained roads and trails, so choose your tires wisely.
This route takes us east through Turtle Creek and Trafford, picking up the Westmoreland Heritage Trail through Murrysville and Saltsburg, where it becomes the West Penn Trail. After passing through the Conemaugh Lake recreation area (including a US Army Corps of Engineers dam and a blocked-off tunnel resembling a side door into Mordor), we’ll make our way to the next controle, the Sheetz in Blairsville. A steady gradual climb over the next 30 miles (much of which is on the Ghost Town Trail) takes us to the Dunkin controle in Ebensburg.
Forsaking trail for roads over the next 80 miles or so, we’ll head south, traversing state game lands on our way to the Fishertown Country Market controle before heading southwest through Berlin(see note for mile 151 below) to pick up the GAP trail in Rockwood, at which point it is (almost literally) downhill for the next 100 miles to the overnight controle. The GAP will take us all the way back through Confluence, Connellsville, and McKeesport back to the finish in Homestead.
Route Notes

Cheatsheet

Mile
Stop
Address

50
2-Sheetz/td>
610 US-22 W Blairsville

86
3-Dunkin/td>
542 S Center St Ebensburg

12
4-Fishertown Country Store/td>
2095 Quaker Valley Rd Fishertown

150
[last store for 60] Valero/td>
410 Broadway Berlin

181
5-Mitch’s (closes at 7)/td>
479 Latrobe Ave

209
6-Sheetz/td>
1002 W Crawford Connellsville

261
7-Hampton Inn/td>
301 W Waterfront Dr Homestead

At mile 42, the route follows a causeway across the Conemaugh River. If the water levels are too high, the causeway may be impassable; in which case, an on-road route from mile 39.5 to mile 46.1 is as follows: Leave westbound trail, L on Auen Rd for 1 mile to R on Quick Rd for 1/2 mile to R at T on Clarksburg Rd for 3 miles to R at T on Newport Rd to rejoin route at mile 46.1
At mile 150, there lies a 24-hour Valero convenience store. That is the last 24-hour store on route until the Sheetz in Connellsville at mile 210, so stocking up here is encouraged.
At mile 181.5, the controle is at Mitch’s Fuel and Food in Confluence, PA. Mitch’s closes at 7, as do the majority of the other businesses in Confluence. If the store is closed, feel free to take a selfie if needed for proof of passage.
At mile 192, you’ll be passing through Ohiopyle. Historically, the park rangers have discouraged through travel after dark, so I’d suggest avoiding them if possible.
At mile 210, you’ll controle at the Sheetz in Connellsville. This is the last obvious opportunity for resupply until the finish 50 miles later.
Registration closes: Wednesday June 14th 2023
Inspection opens: Sunday June 18th 3:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Sunday June 18th 4:00 AM (27:00 time limit)
Route:
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Near Pittsburgh, Mostly Paved Trails 100K
2024-03-09 09:00 - 15:40 | Millvale Riverfront Park, 70 Riverfront Dr, Pittsburgh, PA, 15209, United States
To shake off the wintry cobwebs, and in honor of the 5th year of the International Women’s Day Together We Ride , we’ll enjoy a tour of the trail system near Pittsburgh. Only one climb of note, and a simple, pleasant way to explore the city environs without needing to duel with traffic.
There’s some limestone, and the vast majority of the route is on paved trail.
Registration closes: Thursday March 7th 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday March 9th 8:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday March 9th 9:00 AM (6:40 time limit)
Route:
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Pittsburgh-Weirton-Monongahela 200K
2024-03-23 07:00 - 20:30 | Homestead, under the Homestead Grays Bridge, 149 West Bridge St, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Another classic early-season ride, starting in Homestead PA and striking east to Weirton West Virginia before returning via the south along the Mon River. Of some note is that the last 40-ish miles of this route are nearly flat (by southwestern PA standards, anyway), providing a welcome respite from our otherwise unrelenting hills.
Registration closes: Thursday April 18th 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday April 20th 8:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday April 20th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:
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Kittens and Puppies Monaca 100K
2024-04-13 | Pump House Park, Monaca, 600 Atlantic Ave, Monaca, PA, 15061, United States
Taking the pleasant Ohio-based portions of our classic Kittens and Puppies route, but skipping the ever-worsening segment on Rt 51, this is a pleasant jaunt into eastern Ohio and back.
The ride starts and ends in Monaca, PA, at Pump House Park. (Note that there is parking at several locations scattered around the park, all within a few hundred feet of one another).
Registration closes: Thursday April 11th 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday April 13th 8:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday April 13th 9:00 AM (6:40 time limit)
Route:
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Meanville Greenville 200K
2024-04-20 | Zelienople Park, Zelienople, PA, 124 N Main St, Zelienople, PA, 16063, United States
It’s been a while since we’ve offered Meanville Greenville (A two-Sheetz ride, for those keeping score).
Starting in scenic downtown Zelienople, we’ll head north, skirting New Castle and pausing in New Wilmington on the way to our first Sheetz stop in Greenville. Then, we head southeast through Mercer to our second Sheetz in Slippery Rock, before heading south through Portersville to return to the start.
UPDATE 04/16/2024: I (Dan) car-scouted the route from Zelienople (Mile 0) to Slippery Rock (mile 98) on 04/14/2024; Bill Huber was kind enough to verify the leg from Slippery Rock to Zelie.
There’s a minor detour at mile 22.7 due to road closure. Detour consists of a left on East Moffat Rd to a right on 168, then left on Eastbrook Neshannock Falls to rejoin the route. This adds roughly a mile of flattish riding.
Also, note that there are several long stretches with no services, especially in the first half of the route.

Registration closes: Thursday April 18th 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday April 20th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday April 20th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:
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(Away) PA Fleche
2024-04-25 - 2024-04-29
Let’s put a team together to ride the PA Randonneurs Fleche.
The earliest start is April 25th; the recommended is April the 27th, with a finish on Sunday the 28th. (Note that there is a conflict with Crush the Commonwealth, which starts the morning of Friday the 26th.)
Details here: https://parando.org/info/event/2024-04-25/360

(Away) Crush the Commonwealth
2024-04-26 - 2024-04-27

Pittsburgh 100K
2024-05-04 | Bud Harris Cycling Oval, 1401 Washington Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
(Contrary to usual 100K practice, we’re starting this one at 7 AM, to avoid the worst of the traffic on Allegheny River Blvd and Freeport Rd.)
Starting at the Bud Harris Cycling Oval, this suburban populaire follows the Allegheny River upstream to Oakmont (site of the notable Oakmont Bakery), then north through Rural Ridge and Russellton on the way to the infamous Sun Mine Rd climb and the first controle in Saxonburg.
From Saxonburg, we’ll head west to a photo controle at the intersection of Brownsdale Rd and Valencia Rd, just across the street from “a thing that isn’t there anymore”, the much-missed Brownsdale Market.
Finally, we’ll head south through Mars (PA, that is), with a stop at the 7-11, before returning via North Park and Shaler.
Registration closes: Thursday May 2nd
Inspection opens: Saturday May 4th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Ride start: Saturday May 4th 7:00 AM (6:45 time limit)
Route:
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McConnell's Mills 200K
2024-05-11 07:00 - 20:30 | North Park Boathouse, 10301 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA, 15101, United States
The McConnell’s Mills 200K route has undergone a bit of revision since its inception: one of the controles (the Creighton Sheetz) no longer exists, and the final leg of the route passes through an area that has become quite trafficky and unpleasant later in the day.
So, we’ve moved the start to North Park, allowing us to get through the Glenshaw area early in the day (as well as to stop using RBA Emeritus Jim’s house as the start and finish controle).
Once escaping the city, we follow the Allegheny River upstream as far as Tarentum, before heading north through Butler on the way to West Sunbury. There, the traditional country market stop is now more, and has been sadly replaced with a photo control. Then we strike out westward through Liberty to Portersville and skirting McConnell’s Mill State Park. In Ellwood City, we make our first formal Sheetz stop of the day, before heading back to North Park via Brush Creek and Cranberry.
Route notes:

When crossing Bull Creek onto Thompson, you may see Road Closed signs ahead. The turn for Sun Mine Rd is before the closure, so don’t worry about them.
While there are plenty of supply options as far as Butler (around mile 50), there is little available on route until 45 miles later in Ellwood City. If you find yourself caught short, there are truck stops on 422 15 miles earlier, just off route(stay straight on Curry Rd at mile 80.5 instead of turning R on Fisher Rd)

Registration closes: Thursday May 9th
Inspection opens: Saturday May 11th 6:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday May 11th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Route:
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Castleman's Run 300K
2024-05-18 05:00 - 2024-05-19 01:00 | Noble J. Dick Aquatorium, Monongahela, 200 Railroad St, Monongahela, PA, 15063, United States
Originally, this was to be a revival of an old route into Ohio…the Minerva Cheese Ride, named for reasons that have faded into the mists of time. Sadly, after scouting, I decided that the route is not worth exhuming. So, we’re offering last year’s Castleman 300 as a far-less-hazardous substitute.
Registration closes: Thursday May 16th
Inspection opens: Saturday May 18th 4:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday May 18th 5:00 AM (20:00 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Route:
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(Away) Calvin's Challenge 2024
2024-05-18 07:00 - 2024-05-19 07:00
https://www.bikereg.com/calvins-challenge-2024

Inaugural offering, Hickory Hills 100K
2024-06-01 07:00 - 13:45 | Carnegie Park-n-Ride Lot, 338 Logan St, Carnegie, PA, 15106, United States
Okay, first off, let me be clear…it’s actually 108K, if that deters anyone 🙂
This one has a mix of traditional and new segments, with the majority of roads smoothly paved (but a few miles of unpaved dirt and occasional gravel to keep it interesting).
Starting at the Park-n-Ride lot in downtown Carnegie, PA, we take advantage of the early hour to avoid the worst of the crazed shopper traffic on Rt 50 in Heidelberg, before taking classic cycling roads Thoms Run/Presto-Sygan/Millers Run to rejoin 50 in Cecil Township. After crossing under the Montour Trail in Venice, we’ll gradually climb to Hickory before enjoying a long fast descent to our first controle at the Avella Uni-Mart.
We’ll then do our best to avoid roads with any paint on them for the next twenty miles or so miles, until we join Steubenville Pike and head east to our next controle at the Florence Grab-n-Go.
After a very brief stint on trafficky Rt 18, we’ll try to avoid consistent pavement entirely as we pass through Hillman State Park, with a pause at the Lyle Covered Bridge for a photo controle.
Continuing eastward, we’ll pass through more country roads (as well as an enormous Amazon distribution facility) through Imperial PA to a short stint on the Montour Trail and another photo controle, this time at the Enlow Tunnel.
Finally, we’ll climb back up the ridge, then make our way to Carnegie via the reverse of our classic Ewing Rd/Ridge Rd/Bayer Rd route.
Registration closes: Thursday May 30th
Inspection opens: Saturday June 1st 6:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday June 1st 7:00 AM (06:45 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Route:
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Pittsburgh - Erie - Pittsburgh 400K
2024-06-15 05:00 - 2024-06-16 08:00 | Comfort Inn Cranberry, 924 Sheraton Dr, Mars, PA, 16046, United States
It’s been a few years, so let’s dust off one of our kinder, gentler 400K routes.
Starting at the Comfort Inn in Cranberry, we head north through Evans City (passing the world-famous Evans City Cemetery used in the filming of the original Night of the Living Dead) and Slippery Rock on the way to Grove City and the first controle. After narrowly avoiding financial disaster in the nearby outlet stores, we’ll continue through Sandy Lake and Meadville on the way to the turnaround in Erie.
For variety’s sake, we’ll take an alternate route south through Edinboro back to the Sheetz in Meadville, before the return via Mercer, New Castle, and Ellwood City.
Intermediate controles are at Sheetz (Grove City, mile 41), Sheetz (Meadville, mile 82), Sheetz (Erie, mile 121), Sheetz (Meadvillle again, mile 164), Sheetz (Mercer, mile 196), and Sheetz (Ellwood City, mile 227).
Yes, that’s a full Shweep: 6 intermediate controles at 5 distinct Sheetzen, for those keeping score. (And no, your RBA does not get a kickback from Sheetz, why do you ask?)
Route notes:

Little is open for refueling on-route until Slippery Rock at mile 32. (There is a Kwik Fill 3/4 mile off-route east on 422 around mile 20)
The vast majority of the route is well-maintained pavement. There was some milled road surface just outside Grove City around mile 41, and a short dirt stretch on the return leg around mile 155.
There are quite a few RR track crossings throughout the route. Please be cautious, especially at night and if tired.
On the very last leg to the hotel, you’ll be on Rt 19 in Cranberry for half a mile. Be very careful, as traffic merging from your right from the PA turnpike in that section can be fast moving and oblivious.
I’ve reserved a room at the Comfort Inn for Saturday night, so those who wish to nap or shower may do so.

Registration closes: Thursday June 13th
Inspection opens: Saturday June 15th 4:30 AM
Ride start: Sunday June 15th 5:00 AM (27:00 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Route:
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McConnells Mills 200K
2024-06-30 07:00 - 20:30 | North Park Boathouse, 10301 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA, 15101, United States
(Since your RBA didn’t have a chance to ride it last time, we’re going to offer the McConnell’s Mills 200K again.)
The McConnell’s Mills 200K route has undergone a bit of revision since its inception: one of the controles (the Creighton Sheetz) no longer exists, and the final leg of the route passes through an area that has become quite trafficky and unpleasant later in the day.
So, we’ve moved the start to North Park, allowing us to get through the Glenshaw area early in the day (as well as to stop using RBA Emeritus Jim’s house as the start and finish controle).
Once escaping the city, we follow the Allegheny River upstream as far as Tarentum, before heading north through Butler on the way to West Sunbury. There, the traditional country market stop is no more, and has been sadly replaced with a photo control. Then we strike out westward through Liberty to Portersville and skirting McConnell’s Mill State Park. In Ellwood City, we make our first formal Sheetz stop of the day, before heading back to North Park via Brush Creek and Cranberry.
Route notes:

When crossing Bull Creek onto Thompson, you may see Road Closed signs ahead. The turn for Sun Mine Rd is before the closure, so don’t worry about them.
While there are plenty of supply options as far as Butler (around mile 50), there is little available on route until 45 miles later in Ellwood City. If you find yourself caught short, there are truck stops on 422 15 miles earlier, just off route(stay straight on Curry Rd at mile 80.5 instead of turning R on Fisher Rd)

Registration closes: Friday June 28th
Inspection opens: Sunday June 30th 6:30 AM
Ride start: Sunday June 30th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Route:
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Seven Mountains 600K
2024-07-05 05:00 - 2024-07-06 21:00 | Holiday Inn Express Delmont, 6552 US-22, Delmont, PA, 15626, United States
The Seven Mountains 600K is a new, ‘adventure style’ mixed surface route, combining 72% pavement, 21% rail trail, and about 7% gravel road. It starts in Delmont and follows a familiar route to Ebensburg using the Westmoreland Heritage, West Penn, and Ghost Town trails. From Ebensburg you head mostly south towards Bedford, reaching the highest point on the route as you climb up the Allegheny Front through a wind farm just west of the village of Blue Knob. You then tackle a swoopy, nicely paved descent of the Front through Blue Knob State Park. After controlling in Bedford, you follow the PA Bike Route S / Crush the Commonwealth route for 11 lumpy miles to Everett. At Everett you turn north and eventually make your way into Morrisons Cove, riding through rolling farmland, where you controle in Williamsburg. After taking the Lower Trail to its northern terminus in Alexandria you will enjoy what should be a quiet ride through Stone Valley before a challenging gravel climb and descent over Barrville Mountain into Big Valley. The penultimate controle of the 1st day is in Milroy. Do your best to freshen up for what may be the hardest part of the brevet which includes the 12 gravelly and mountainous miles through the Seven Mountains area of Rothrock State Forest (although you will only climb 3 of them), before stopping for at least a couple hours of sleep in State College.
The second day brings a gentle start through the rolling hills of Half Moon Valley. The climb up over Brush Mountain at the western edge of Sinking Valley is a warm up for the day’s main challenge – the climb back up the Allegheny Front past and under the historic Horseshoe Curve and a section of road locally known as The Wall. Upon reaching Ebensburg, we reverse our previous day’s path through the Allegheny Highlands, on what is mostly a downward trending profile.
For those keeping track of such things, this is a minimum 2, but optionally as many as 5, Sheetz, ride.
Route notes:

Drop bags will be available in State College at the Ramada Inn (pending confirmation) . There are 3 other hotels within a one block distance to choose from, as well. Plus a 5th option another 3 miles further down the route.
Most of the non-pavement is pretty benign rail trail, which you can roll pretty fast on, but about 20-25 miles of it is more challenging, chunky gravel that really slows you down. For these sections, a tire width of at least 35mm is recommended, with 38 or 42mm not a bad idea. This is especially true since this part will likely be done in darkness.
Roads are marked in Rothrock on painted wood posts that are not reflective and do not particularly stand out, even in daytime. Bring a good headlamp to help you find them. The use of a GPS device (or at least a cell phone with downloaded maps) is highly recommended, as well.
There is no cell phone coverage in Rothrock SF and parts of Stone Valley and even in some areas between Everett and Williamsburg. The use of a satellite tracker would not be a bad idea, if you have access to one.
The controle in Warriors Mark doesn’t open till 6AM, so for those early risers or those riding straight through, note that there are no other places to resupply till you get to Altoona 50 miles away. Stock up in State College accordingly.
The 50 miles between Williamsburg and Milroy is also devoid of any re-supply opportunities.

Registration closes: Wednesday July 3rd
Inspection and drop bag handoff opens: Friday July 5th 4:30 AM
Ride start: Friday July 5th 5:00 AM (40:00 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Route:
Cue sheet

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Inaugural offering, Mingo Creek Meander 100K
2024-07-13 09:00 - 17:30 | Mingo Creek County Park Parking Lot, 6X2M+P23, Ginger Hill, PA, 15367, United States
Another new 100K for 2024. This one lets us explore in the south a bit…starting with familiar roads through New Eagle and Monongahela (with a sad tip-o’-the-helmet to the temporarily closed Sheetz), then up the Mon River through Charleroi and Belle Vernon to the tiny town of Roscoe and the first significant climb of the day. After the summit, we’ll drop to Coal Center (beware of distracting river valley views to your left as you plummet!) and head west away from the river to mostly quiet country roads for the next 25 miles, before heading north to Eighty Four and a familiar return to the park via Sugar Run Rd.
Supply Controles:
Sunoco in Charleroi, mile 17
Padidle Donuts in Beallsville, mile 35
Coen Markets in Eighty Four, mile 55

Registration closes: Friday July 12th
Inspection opens: Saturday July 13th 8:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday July 13th 9:00 AM (06:45 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Route:
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Monongahela - Castleman's Run - Waynesburg 200K Brevet
2024-07-20 07:00 - 20:30 | Noble J. Dick Aquatorium, Monongahela, 200 Railroad St, Monongahela, PA, 15063, United States
Introduced last year, we’ll start at the Aquatorium in Monogahela. We’ll head west, skirting Washington PA, until turning southbound at the West Virginia border through the Castleman’s Run Nature Preserve, heading towards a controle stop at the bustling TA Travel Plaza near Valley Grove. From there, more country roads to the next controle at the Sheetz in Waynesburg, and a return to the start.
Registration closes: Thursday July 18th 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday July 20th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Ride start: Saturday July 20th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:

North Park 200K
2024-08-10 07:00 - 20:30 | North Park Boathouse, 10301 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA, 15101, United States
This simple out-and-back route starts and ends at the Boathouse in North Park, where the discriminating eye may note the OTB bar and restaurant exists for post-ride refreshment.
Registration closes: Thursday August 8th
Inspection opens: Saturday August 10th 6:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday August 10th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.

Seven Mountains 600K, late summer edition
2024-08-17 04:00 - 2024-08-19 22:45 | Holiday Inn Express Delmont, 6552 US-22, Delmont, PA, 15626, United States
Re-offering of the Seven Mountains 600K. This is a RUSA brevet, using gravel rules, so extra time is allotted.
The Seven Mountains 600K is a new, ‘adventure style’ mixed surface route, combining 72% pavement, 21% rail trail, and about 7% gravel road. It starts in Delmont and follows a familiar route to Ebensburg using the Westmoreland Heritage, West Penn, and Ghost Town trails. From Ebensburg you head mostly south towards Bedford, reaching the highest point on the route as you climb up the Allegheny Front through a wind farm just west of the village of Blue Knob. You then tackle a swoopy, nicely paved descent of the Front through Blue Knob State Park. After controlling in Bedford, you follow the PA Bike Route S / Crush the Commonwealth route for 11 lumpy miles to Everett. At Everett you turn north and eventually make your way into Morrisons Cove, riding through rolling farmland, where you controle in Williamsburg. After taking the Lower Trail to its northern terminus in Alexandria you will enjoy what should be a quiet ride through Stone Valley before a challenging gravel climb and descent over Barrville Mountain into Big Valley. The penultimate controle of the 1st day is in Milroy. Do your best to freshen up for what may be the hardest part of the brevet which includes the 12 gravelly and mountainous miles through the Seven Mountains area of Rothrock State Forest (although you will only climb 3 of them), before stopping for at least a couple hours of sleep in State College.
The second day brings a gentle start through the rolling hills of Half Moon Valley. The climb up over Brush Mountain at the western edge of Sinking Valley is a warm up for the day’s main challenge – the climb back up the Allegheny Front past and under the historic Horseshoe Curve and a section of road locally known as The Wall. Upon reaching Ebensburg, we reverse our previous day’s path through the Allegheny Highlands, on what is mostly a downward trending profile.
For those keeping track of such things, this is a minimum 2, but optionally as many as 5, Sheetz, ride.
Route notes:

Drop bags will be available in State College at the Ramada Inn (pending confirmation) . There are 3 other hotels within a one block distance to choose from, as well. Plus a 5th option another 3 miles further down the route.
Most of the non-pavement is pretty benign rail trail, which you can roll pretty fast on, but about 20-25 miles of it is more challenging, chunky gravel that really slows you down. For these sections, a tire width of at least 35mm is recommended, with 38 or 42mm not a bad idea. This is especially true since this part will likely be done in darkness.
Roads are marked in Rothrock on painted wood posts that are not reflective and do not particularly stand out, even in daytime. Bring a good headlamp to help you find them. The use of a GPS device (or at least a cell phone with downloaded maps) is highly recommended, as well.
There is no cell phone coverage in Rothrock SF and parts of Stone Valley and even in some areas between Everett and Williamsburg. The use of a satellite tracker would not be a bad idea, if you have access to one.
The controle in Warriors Mark doesn’t open till 6AM, so for those early risers or those riding straight through, note that there are no other places to resupply till you get to Altoona 50 miles away. Stock up in State College accordingly.
The 50 miles between Williamsburg and Milroy is also devoid of any re-supply opportunities.

UPDATES 08/12/2024:
The overnight controle in State College has been switched from the Courtyard (Courtyard Hotel 1730 University Dr, State College, PA 16801) to the Super 8 just across the street (1663 South Atherton St, State College, PA 16801).
Registration closes: Thursday August 15th
Inspection and drop bag handoff opens: Saturday August 17th 4:30 AM
Ride start: Sunday August 18th 10:45 PM (42:45 time limit)
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
EPoP: Due to abject laziness on the part of your humble RBA, we default to electronic proof of passage (e.g Strava or other GPS track) in the Pittsburgh region brevets. That said, if you prefer olde-schoole printed paperwork such as cue sheets or brevet cards, I’m happy to provide them…just let me know at least three days in advance of the event, so that I have time to prepare and print.
Route:
Cue sheet

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