Purgatory 200km this Saturday

[Tsun Au Yeung]

Hi NER members:  

  The Purgatory 200km ride is this Saturday starting from West Concord.  If you plan to ride and still have not registered, please do so by end of day Tomorrow.  

  Robert the ride leader would like riders to use eBrevet to monitor everyone's progress and to have an estimate of everyone's finish times. If you haven't used eBrevet before, it's a free app (built by a Pennsylvania Randonneur!) that you install on your phone that allows you to digitally "check in" to a control. Using eBrevet is not at all a requirement, but it makes things run a little more smoothly on his end so on behalf of Robert I am humbly requesting that people to use it. If you are able to use eBrevet, please install the app and follow the brief instructions before tomorrow's ride.  

    Please remember to carry lights and reflective gear as the cut off time for this challenging ride is past sunset.  We will need to get wet ink signature for the waiver at the start, please plan to arrive and check in no later than 6:50am.  Ride mass start at 7am.  

  The first control is Mountainside Bakery and Cafe at mile 36.  Their breakfast and coffee could be order ahead via their website if you plan to be efficient with the stop and need motivation to climb up to Mountain rd.  Alternatively you can also take a picture or just check in with e-brevet if coffee and pastry or second breakfast is not on your riding plan.  The Wachusette visitor center is open and just slighly off course about a mile before the Cafe and they have water fountain and public bathroom as well.  

  Robert will be at Oakham center gazebo for the second control.  Please check in with him or on the e-brevet app when you get there.  The library has a public bathroom that is opened from 10 to noon.  Suggest departure time for Oakham control is no later than 12:15.    

  There's a route change when compare to prior editions and we will ride through western side of Spencer for quieter and/or nicer pavement roads.  The route change also unintentionally increase the number of one lane rail road underpass utilized for the route, please pay attention for oncoming traffic if there's any.  Road conditions are generally okay through out the ride but pay close attention in South Leicester and Auburn (mile 68 to 74), there are series of deep pot holes.  They are specifically called out on the GPS file.  

  Dave will be at the Purgatory control.  NER has reserved the gazebo immediately adjacent to the chasm trail entrance.  It will be on your right hand side.  Please check in with him and/or on the e-brevet app before leaving the control.  Bathroom can be found at the visitor center across the street from the control point.  Suggested departure time for Purgatory control is before 4PM.  

  Also new this edition, we are going to use the Mass Central Rail Trail and the Bruce Freeman Phase 2C for the return to West Concord starting at Marlborough/Stow line through Sudbury.  This is almost 10 miles of share-used trail for the very end of the route, please do not speed and obey a <15mph limit.  Treat it as the cool down for all the hills you climbed for the day.  

  We will post the e-brevet start code here after registration closes.  

Tsun

Club President of NER

[Robert Liu]

Here's the sign-in sheet with your eBrevet start codes!

On Fri, Apr 24, 2026 at 3:32 PM Robert Liu <rliu...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey riders,

Registration is closed and waivers are printed! Please remember to arrive a bit early to sign your waiver. Check the attached sheet for your eBrevet start code as well (it will also be on your brevet card).

Forecast is a bit chilly and cloudy tomorrow, dress warm and get your climbing legs ready!

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[Robert Liu]

Hey riders,

We're excited to see everyone tomorrow! Registration is closed and the waivers are printed. Please check the sign-in sheet for your eBrevet start code, and reminder to arrive a few minutes early to sign your waiver!
Forecast says it'll be a cool ride, starting just under 40 degrees with a high of 53. Bundle up and get your climbing legs warm!

~Robert

[Robert Liu]

Hey riders,

Registration is closed and waivers are printed! Please remember to arrive a bit early to sign your waiver. Check the attached sheet for your eBrevet start code as well (it will also be on your brevet card).

Forecast is a bit chilly and cloudy tomorrow, dress warm and get your climbing legs ready!

On Wed, Apr 22, 2026 at 10:34 PM Tsun Au Yeung <tsuna...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Jacob Layer]

Hi All,

I haven't had Charlie's Diner before (Mile 61) but I just confirmed they take call ahead orders.  Just in case anyone wants to have a real lunch mid ride and not wait.

Best,

Jacob

[Tsun Au Yeung]

Jacob, good catch on potential lunch spot.  Spencer in general is a good place to refuel, especially before climbing bacon hill.  The reroute in Spencer is to bring more quick food option in mind, there are various business at the route 9 junction.  If you wait until later, the Cumberland Farms in Auburn or the Sutton Gulf both has quick food options.  

Tsun

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[Pierre Payette]

Hey everyone. I really love this route. I won't be in attendance sadly
but I just wanted to say to everyone I hope you all have a lot of fun!

Pierre

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[Steve Smith]

Good heads up on Charlie's Diner - the menu looks great.   Also a McDonald's is a few hundred feet further for fast food, and there's a BigY in the parking lot for on-the-go food.

While doing my virtual scout ahead, I also see Trombetta Farm homemade ice cream at mile 110.8 (!) in case one needs a break and a sugar boost to finish.  Or just likes ice cream :)

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