After some discussion about potential routes through the Lehigh Valley, the club has decided on a trip to Lake Nockamixon. The lake is the largest in southeastern Pennsylvania and is the site of the annual Masters time trial state championship. We'll be riding on the same 12.5 mile stretch on the west side of the lake. The event will feature rides of three lengths--64 miles for those up for a bit more climbing and a faster pace, 53 miles for those up for a more leisurely ride, and a 20 mile fun ride for beginners and those looking for a relaxed Sunday spin. We hope that this will give incoming students and new club members a chance to immediately become involved in the club and make connections with our current team and alumni .
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| Like this, only without the imported Italian cyclists. |
The Long Course:
64 mile map http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1631528
53 mile map http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1065236
We'll meet at the club's usual rendezvous point: the shed at Warren Square (Google Maps: Warren Square, Bethlehem, PA 18015) at 12 p.m. on Sunday, September 2. We'll head east on 4th St. through Southside before turning onto Lynn Avenue, just after Bethlehem Steel and the casino. From there, we'll ride through Goodman campus, with the 65-mile group heading west to Center Valley and the 53-mile group riding southeast towards the lake. The longer ride will pass through Center Valley and DeSales' campus over some relatively flat terrain with a couple of rolling hills heading east. After leaving Hellertown, both rides will climb up Springtown Hill Rd., a 260 foot climb over 0.8 miles. This will lead into a thrilling 2 mile descent of 400 feet into Springtown, before turning southeast on Route 412 towards Lake Nockamixon.
The ride around the lake will total nearly 20 miles, with mostly small rolling hills. Riders will pass over the west side of the lake on a 0.1 mile bridge and pedal along the water's edge for about a mile on the east side. We plan on regrouping at some point in the park encompassing Lake Nockamixon for some rest and food. After leaving the lake, we'll also have the opportunity to stop at a Turkey Hill on Route 611 at mile 42 for the 65-mile route, which will be perfect for replenishing drinks and food. Also, there is the famous Owowcow Creamery at mile 43 on Route 412/Durham Rd. which we could stop at on the way to or from the lake.
From there, the 53-mile group will head back the same way they came--back up Springtown Hill Rd. and through Goodman campus back to main campus. The 65-mile group will head east on Route 212/Durham Rd. before making a left up the steep Philadelphia Rd./Durham Rd. climb at mile 51 (yes, every road remotely close to the village of Durham is called Durham Rd.). This winding 400 foot climb, with sustained grades in excess of 10 percent, passes open fields, a beautiful 200 year old church atop a hill, and the Rosenberger's Dairies farm. A couple more categorized climbs up Raubsville Rd. and Lower Saucon will drop us off onto Applebutter Rd. which descends more than 500 feet over 3 miles and will force those remaining to hammer it out for the sprint finish.
There will be KOM/QOM and sprint awards for both the guys and girls. We'll announce the sprint locations at the start of the ride. I'm working on getting some creative and tacky trophies for our winners.
Bring:
1) Your climbing legs: 4000 feet for the 65-milers and 3200 feet for the 53-milers
2) A spare tube (in case of a flat)
3) Pump or CO2 (65 mile group will have a pump)
4) Cash/credit/debit card: you'll probably want to stop at the Turkey Hill or the creamery for some more food and drink
5) Cue Sheet (directions): can be printed off from the course map link
6) Food and Bottles: PB&J, bananas, gels, bars, electrolytes, whatever you need to make it through the day
7) Cell Phone/Camera (because you know we want lots of pictures to look at afterwards!)
Sadly, our budget is not in a state to bring out a SRAM neutral support vehicle. Please feel free to invite anyone who might be interested and pass on the info about the ride! Contact Eric at eds211@lehigh.edu if you have any questions, comments, or ideas about how to make the day even better. Hope to see you out there!
We'll meet at the club's usual rendezvous point: the shed at Warren Square (Google Maps: Warren Square, Bethlehem, PA 18015) at 12 p.m. on Sunday, September 2. We'll head east on 4th St. through Southside before turning onto Lynn Avenue, just after Bethlehem Steel and the casino. From there, we'll ride through Goodman campus, with the 65-mile group heading west to Center Valley and the 53-mile group riding southeast towards the lake. The longer ride will pass through Center Valley and DeSales' campus over some relatively flat terrain with a couple of rolling hills heading east. After leaving Hellertown, both rides will climb up Springtown Hill Rd., a 260 foot climb over 0.8 miles. This will lead into a thrilling 2 mile descent of 400 feet into Springtown, before turning southeast on Route 412 towards Lake Nockamixon.
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| Lake Nockamixon |
From there, the 53-mile group will head back the same way they came--back up Springtown Hill Rd. and through Goodman campus back to main campus. The 65-mile group will head east on Route 212/Durham Rd. before making a left up the steep Philadelphia Rd./Durham Rd. climb at mile 51 (yes, every road remotely close to the village of Durham is called Durham Rd.). This winding 400 foot climb, with sustained grades in excess of 10 percent, passes open fields, a beautiful 200 year old church atop a hill, and the Rosenberger's Dairies farm. A couple more categorized climbs up Raubsville Rd. and Lower Saucon will drop us off onto Applebutter Rd. which descends more than 500 feet over 3 miles and will force those remaining to hammer it out for the sprint finish.
There will be KOM/QOM and sprint awards for both the guys and girls. We'll announce the sprint locations at the start of the ride. I'm working on getting some creative and tacky trophies for our winners.
Bring:
1) Your climbing legs: 4000 feet for the 65-milers and 3200 feet for the 53-milers
2) A spare tube (in case of a flat)
3) Pump or CO2 (65 mile group will have a pump)
4) Cash/credit/debit card: you'll probably want to stop at the Turkey Hill or the creamery for some more food and drink
5) Cue Sheet (directions): can be printed off from the course map link
6) Food and Bottles: PB&J, bananas, gels, bars, electrolytes, whatever you need to make it through the day
7) Cell Phone/Camera (because you know we want lots of pictures to look at afterwards!)
Sadly, our budget is not in a state to bring out a SRAM neutral support vehicle. Please feel free to invite anyone who might be interested and pass on the info about the ride! Contact Eric at eds211@lehigh.edu if you have any questions, comments, or ideas about how to make the day even better. Hope to see you out there!
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