AMCUP 104 and 200K this weekend

[RBA Pittsburgh]

Hi, all!

It's looking like a nice weekend to go play in the Laurel Highlands. Both the 104K and 200K will start at 7 AM in Ohiopyle, and will share the same route as far as Confluence.

I will ride the 100K, as I need to hustle back to Pittsburgh to pick up my daughter by 5.

Routing notes: 

 - Tom Hovan was kind enough (or possessed of a healthy enough sense of self preservation, anyway) to put together a variant on the 200K route that avoids a couple stretches of unpleasant traffic. If you are riding the 200K, be sure to use the route listed as of today.

 - For both routes: after cresting Sugarloaf, we've a long fast descent towards Confluence. There are a couple stretches of road on the descent that are in really poor shape...navigable if riding cautiously, but likely to cause angst if taken at high speeds. Starring around mile 6.2/kilometer 10, please take care!

See you Saturday.

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Dan Blumenfeld

RBA, Pittsburgh Randonneurs

(412) 915-6206

https://pittsburghrandonneurs.com/

[Dan Blumenfeld]

Correction: the link to the 200K is here: https://pittsburghrandonneurs.com/event/2025-06-07-200k-rusa-brevet/

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[Tom Hovan]

Looking forward to it, Dan.  It's been 12 years since I did that route.

It's a tough ride, but totally do-able by most if you make good use of the 13.5 hrs one has to finish.

We won't be having hot weather on Saturday either, which should help.

[Tom Hovan]

Come on folks, it's a great route.  Sign up tonight!

Here is a great pic of JIm and I climbing up from Cumberland in 2013 on the AMCUP 200 route (pic by Jon Salmon):   https://photos.app.goo.gl/GbfHjtyUjFCxMpuL9

[James Logan]

<<t's a tough ride, but totally do-able by most if you make good use of the 13.5 hrs one has to finish.>>

On the 200 km route, people seldom need the full-time.  For those of us that ride slow-and-steady ancien pace, the main challenge is getting to the Frostburg control in time (back when intermediate control times mattered more).  It wasn't an issue, but was close enough for me that I was always happy I hadn't had a mechanical outbound.

Otherwise, the great thing about this route is that it is never too far from the GAP, so it is easy to self-evacuate on the GAP.  There is the infamous year my right pedal platform fell off just outside Cumberland.  I rode back to Ohiopyle on the GAP riding the right spindle.

The AMCUP 200 was my favorite regional route, since I enjoyed riding the mountains so much.

While I usually finished the 200 km with hours to spare, I usually finished the AMCUP 300 km and 400 km close to control time.

Jim Logan

RUSA 3730

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From: pittsbur...@googlegroups.com <pittsbur...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Tom Hovan <tomh...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2025 8:27 PM
To: Pittsburgh Randos <pittsbur...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Pgh-Randos] AMCUP 104 and 200K this weekend

 

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[James Logan]

Oops.  For full disclosure I am not riding the 200 km tomorrow, as I lost my endurance fitness after my accident last year and haven't recovered it.   I am starting the 100 km, without a firm commitment on finishing it.

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From: James Logan <jimlo...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, June 6, 2025 6:45 AM

[Tom Hovan]

Pgh Randos,

I just wanted to point out for those riding the 200K tomorrow,  the modified route won't have us going immediately past the Sheetz in Frostburg as we have in the past (although that Sheetz is only about 0.7 miles off route at mile 45-ish).  HOWEVER, there is a Sheetz in Corriganville at mile 54.4, and that extra 9 miles of riding to get to the first control is entirely downhill, so it may only be an extra 25-30 minutes of riding away from the start.

Of course, the other major re-fuel stop will be the Myersdale Sheetz at mile 89.3.

-Tom

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[jimloganpa]

Oops, road to Ohiopyle closed in the last mile on the Connellsville side    two bucket trucks working on wires.  I diveeted to Confluence.  Considering my opt.. .      ions wirh 3 hours of steady rain.

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[Tom Hovan]

Yeah, it wasn't the best morning for riding was it?

Steve and I were rained on for about 3.5 hrs.  And it was so humid the rest of the day that I never 100% dried out.  That's what sitting on a literal sponge will do.

The new part of the route descending down through the Town of Mt. Savage instead of LaVale was a big success.

At the end, leaving Confluence, the climb up Ramcat was less successful.  Being gravel, it made things a bit harder, but it so much safer than climbing up Mae West that I might still want to go that way in the future.  I am sure it was not fun for Steve being on a single speed. I had to walk a few of the ridiculously steep pitches due to a lack of traction (and energy).

The question I have is for Steve:  So was the single speed an act of self-flagellation - cruel and unusual?  If so, I guess it suits the vibe of that route.

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[Steven Kunsak]

I had a good ride, Rim brakes in the rain gave me some excitement early on and I was glad it didn't rain anymore after the morning. Mt. Savage was a neat little town and pretty low traffic descent as Tom noted.  I ran a little lean coming into Cumberland but 

after that retro (small) sheetz stop I felt better.  The return climb From Cumberland to Frostburg and the Frostburg to Finzel rd. is best thought of as like 6 or more little climbs.  I love how the air feels going from about  600ft to 2800ft. Its a special kind of fun. 

The gravel pitches near Meyersdale over 10% were very trying and on return over sugarloaf the route lived up to its name and I had get off on the steepest sections. A little walk is not so cruel 

and unusual though.  As far as bike choice. The route is hard no matter which way you slice it. I picked the Surly mostly because it is fun to ride and partially because it was ready to go. It was exhausting but without any lingering pain.

This is a beautiful challenge and rewarding route and I recommend it. 

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[Nick Pilz]

Hell yeah Steven. 

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