Pittsburgh Randonneurs

Pittsburgh - Erie - Pittsburgh 400K
2024-06-15 05:00 - 2024-06-16 08:00 (America/New_York) | 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:
﻿﻿﻿

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:
﻿﻿﻿

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

﻿

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:
﻿﻿﻿﻿

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

﻿

(Away) Major Taylor 3-State Ride
2024-08-18

Kittens and Puppies Monaca 100K
2024-08-24 08:00 - 14:30 | Pump House Park, Monaca, 600 Atlantic Ave, Monaca, PA, 15061, United States
[Bill Huber has kindly offered to lead this ride; he’ll handle signing people in, but you may still send electronic proof of passage to Dan.]
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 August 22nd 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday August 24th 7:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday August 24th 8:00 AM (6:40 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿﻿

Cristian's LEL Prep 300K
2024-08-30 05:00 - 2024-08-31 01:00 | Comfort Inn Cranberry, 924 Sheraton Dr, Mars, PA, 16046, United States
This 300K is a new twist on an old route: an abbreviated version of our traditional 400K to Erie and back. It follows the same track through Meadville, then detours to a turn-around in Venango and follows the familiar route back through Mercer, New Castle, and Ellwood City.
It’s being offered primarily to help local rider Cristian prepare for the next London-Edinburgh-London, but there’s no reason other interested riders shouldn’t join the party if they see fit.
IMPORTANT: This is a self-supported and self-managed event, offered in conjunction with the 400K the next day; no controles will be staffed by volunteers. Electronic proof of passage is expected, although I recommend photos of controles and/or receipts as a backup in case your GPS track becomes corrupted.
I strongly recommend getting a room at the hotel at the start…however, if you don’t wish to stay at the hotel, there is a Park-n-Ride Lot roughly a mile away on-route at the intersection of Rt 19 and 228: you are welcome to use it as an alternative start and finish controle, so long as you include the quick loop into the Comfort Inn at the end to cover the route.
Registration closes: Wednesday August 28th 2024
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Friday August 30th 5:00 AM (21:00 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿﻿﻿

Cristian's LEL Prep 400K
2024-08-31 05:00 - 2024-09-01 12:00 | Comfort Inn Cranberry, 924 Sheraton Dr, Mars, PA, 16046, United States
Upon request, we’re re-offering our out-and-back 400K to Erie.
It’s being offered primarily to help local rider Cristian prepare for the next London-Edinburgh-London, but there’s no reason other interested riders shouldn’t join the party if they see fit.
IMPORTANT: This is a self-supported and self-managed event, offered in conjunction with the 300K the previous day; no controles will be staffed by volunteers. Electronic proof of passage is expected, although I recommend photos of controles and/or receipts as a backup in case your GPS track becomes corrupted.
I strongly recommend getting a room at the hotel to rest after the ride…however, if you don’t wish to stay at the hotel, there is a Park-n-Ride Lot roughly a mile away on-route at the intersection of Rt 19 and 228: you are welcome to use it as an alternative start and finish controle, so long as you include the quick loop into the Comfort Inn at the end to cover the route.
Registration closes: Thursday August 29th 2024
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday August 31st 5:00 AM (27:00 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

(Away) Western New York Waterfalls - 400/600/1000/1200/1300 options
2024-09-11 - 2024-09-15
From RBA Pete Dusel:

If LEJO is full, and 1,400k is a bit much for you, formal registration is now open for the Western NY Waterfalls events. This is rather closer to most on the list, and still has space available.

Working with RUSA and LRM, we’re pleased to announce the addition of a 1,300k option.
The extra 100k takes us over a pace break point with the 1,200k having a 90 hour cut-off and the 1,300k having a 108+ hour cut off. Ride an extra 100k, get an extra 18+ hours.

This event has five options, 400k, 600k, 1,000k ACP sanctioned and 1,200k, 1,300k LRM sanctioned events.
This is a cloverleaf with all options starting together and riding the first 400k loop to Niagara Falls, and back, together.

For more information, including registration, costs, route, etc.:
http://distancerider.net/WNYWaterfalls1200-2024/

Hickory Hills 100K
2024-09-21 07:00 - 13:30 | 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 September 19th
Inspection opens: Saturday September 21st 6:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday September 21st 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:
﻿﻿﻿

(Away) Endless Mountains Liberty Bell 1240
2024-09-25 - 2024-09-29
Hosted by the PA Randonneurs

Mingo Creek Meander
2024-10-05 07:00 - 13:45 | Mingo Creek County Park Parking Lot, 6X2M+P23, Ginger Hill, PA, 15367, United States
This (relatively) gentle populaire lets us explore in the south a bit…starting with familiar roads through New Eagle and Monongahela (with the opportunity to visit the freshly rebuilt and reopened 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.
The route is back-loaded on climbing, but front-loaded on traffic; and, given our 7 AM start, even that nominal traffic should be fairly minimal while we pass along the more heavily traveled segment by the river.
Supply Controles:
Sunoco in Charleroi, mile 17
Padidle Donuts in Beallsville, mile 35
Coen Markets in Eighty Four, mile 55
Registration closes: Thursday October 3rd
Inspection opens: Saturday October 5th 6:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday October 5th 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:
﻿﻿﻿﻿

Meanville Greenville 200K
2024-10-19 07:00 - 20:30 | Zelienople Park, Zelienople, PA, 124 N Main St, Zelienople, PA, 16063, United States
We offered this in the early spring…it was such a lovely ride that I wanted to offer it again as a fall foliage oppurtunity
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 October 17th 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday October 19th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday October 19th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:

Kittens and Puppies 100K
2024-11-02 08:00 - 14:40 | Pump House Park, Monaca, 600 Atlantic Ave, Monaca, PA, 15061, United States
Taking the mostly-flat 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 October 31st 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday November 2nd 7:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday November 2nd 8:00 AM (6:40 time limit)
Route:
﻿

North Park 200K
2024-11-09 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 November 7th
Inspection opens: Saturday November 9th 6:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday November 9th 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.

Near Pittsburgh, Mostly Paved Trails 100K
2025-03-15 00:00 - 23:59 | Millvale Riverfront Park, 70 Riverfront Dr, Pittsburgh, PA, 15209, United States
To shake off the wintry cobwebs, and in honor of the 6th 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 13th 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday March 15th 8:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday March 15th 9:00 AM (6:40 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿

Pittsburgh-Weirton-Monongahela 200K Brevet
2025-03-22 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 March 20th 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday March 22nd 06:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday March 22nd 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿

Kittens and Puppies Monaca 100K Populaire
2025-04-05 09:00 - 15:40 | 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).

Scouting notes, April 2nd 2025:
– Construction on River Road (mile 10/mile 55): one lane road, with traffic signal to control traffic flow.
– Construction on 170 in New Middleton: 170 is closed past the Subway at the turnaround, so shouldn’t directly affect the route: do watch for poorer-than-usual road surface and unusual traffic patterns, though.

Registration closes: Thursday April 3rd 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday April 5th 8:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday April 5th 9:00 AM (6:40 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿

Kittens & Puppies & Beaver 200K
2025-04-19 07:00 - 20:30 | Beaver River Trailhead, 2900 7th Ave Ext, Beaver Falls, PA, 15010, United States
New for 2025: an homage to our long-departed flat riverside K&P route, this route starts in Beaver Falls and heads west into Ohio.
Although the first 4 miles are almost entirely uphill, it’s a gradual climb, with a strategically placed Sheetz just around the corner from the trailhead.
Registration closes: Thursday April 17th 2024
Inspection opens: Saturday April 19th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday April 19th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:

Meanville Greenville 200K
2025-05-10 07:00 - 20:30 | Zelienople Park, Zelienople, PA, 124 N Main St, Zelienople, PA, 16063, United States
A big thank-you to Bill Huber for letting us know about a road closure that affects the route.
Per Bill:

On the Greenville 200k, at mile 99.5, the bridge over Slippery Rock Creek is out and totally closed for the rest of the summer.

I’ve been getting around it by leaving Slippery Rock south on Slippery Rock Road, following West Liberty road due west, then rejoining at mile 103.1.

Registration closes: Thursday May 8th 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday May 10th 06:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday May 10th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿

Cranberry Cruise 300K
2025-05-17 05:00 - 2025-05-18 02:00 | Comfort Inn Cranberry, 924 Sheraton Dr, Mars, PA, 16046, United States
Registration closes: Thursday May 15th 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday May 17th 04:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday May 17th 7:00 AM (21:00 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿

Lazing through Layton - 100K Populaire
2025-05-24 07:00 - 14:30 | McKees Point Trailhead, McKees Point Trail, McKeesport, PA, 15132, United States
Notable for the elevation profile, this route leads off with 20 miles of riverside riding, then an overland climb across the ridge, followed by a flat and easy return on the GAP.
Registration closes: Thursday May 22nd 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday May 24th 06:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday May 24th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:

AMCUP 100K Populaire
2025-06-07
Running in conjunction with the AMCUP 200K, both events leave Ohiopyle at 7 AM and share the same initial route over Sugarloaf into Confluence
After Confluence, we’ll make our way north through Kingwood and New Lexington before heading towards Normalville via the dreaded Jim Mtn Rd climb. Finally, after crestijng Laurel Ridge, we’ll enjoy a multi-mile descent into Connellsville, where the GAP trail will provide a flat, albeit limestone-covered and likely busy, respite on the way back to Ohiopyle.
This is NOT a gentle 100K…be ye warned…
NOTE: The descent on Sugarloaf has some very poor stretches of road, starting around mile 6.2. Use extreme caution!
Registration closes: Thursday June 5th 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday June 7th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday June 7th 7:00 AM (07:37 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿

AMCUP 200K
2025-06-07 07:00 - 20:30
Running in conjunction with the new AMCUP 100K route, both events leave Ohiopyle at 7 AM and share the same initial route over Sugarloaf into Confluence.
After Confluence, we’ll climb Mt Davis (the highest point in PA, in theory) before dropping back down through Salisbury to Frostburg and the turnaround in Cumberland. From there, it’s overland through Meyersdale to Confluence and a return to Ohiopyle via Sugarloaf in the other direction.
Make no mistake: this is a hard 200K. Fun, though, and we’ll earn some spectacular views.
NOTE: The descent on Sugarloaf has some very poor stretches of road, starting around mile 6.2. Use extreme caution!
Registration closes: Thursday June 5th 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday June 7th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver
Ride start: Saturday June 7th 7:00 AM (13:30 time limit)
Route:
﻿

AMCUP 400K
2025-06-14 04:00 - 2025-06-15 07:00 | Washington Hampton Inn & Suites, 119 Murtland Ave, Washington, PA, 15301, United States
Ah, 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

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 June 12th
Inspection opens: Saturday June 14th 3:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Saturday June 14th 4:00 AM (27:00 time limit)
Route:
﻿﻿

Monongahela - Castleman's Run - Waynesburg 200K RUSA Brevet
2025-06-28 07:00 - 20:30 | Noble J. Dick Aquatorium, Monongahela, 200 Railroad St, Monongahela, PA, 15063, United States
A somewhat hilly 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.
Note re: parking. Parking in the Aquatorium itself is limited, and nominally restricted to 4 hours. I’d suggest parking on nearby Railroad St, between the Sheetz and the Aquatorium.
Registration closes: Thursday June 26th 2025
Inspection opens: Saturday June 28th 6:30 AM
Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver, headlight/taillight/reflective gear
Ride start: Saturday June 28th 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:
﻿﻿

Mingo Creek Meander 100K Populaire
2025-07-05 07:00 - 13:30 | Mingo Creek County Park Parking Lot, 6X2M+P23, Ginger Hill, PA, 15367, United States
This (relatively) gentle populaire lets us explore in the south a bit…starting with familiar roads through New Eagle and Monongahela (with the opportunity to visit the freshly rebuilt and reopened 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.
The route is back-loaded on climbing, but front-loaded on traffic; and, given our 7 AM start, even that nominal traffic should be fairly minimal while we pass along the more heavily traveled segment by the river.
Supply Controles:
Sunoco in Charleroi, mile 17
Padidle Donuts in Beallsville, mile 35
Coen Markets in Eighty Four, mile 55
Registration closes: Thursday July 3rd
Inspection opens: Saturday July 5th 6:30 AM
Ride start: Saturday July 5th 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:
﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿
