One More Mountain to Climb

As veteran riders know, and new riders soon learn, there's a good reason for the mountain profile in the background of the PPRAC logo. Eric's altimeter provides the proof, if your body is in doubt: the Ride is very vertical. 2009 will be no different, featuring the Adirondacks and the Catskills.

It seems deceptively easy, with a start in Burlington, Vermont that leads riders south through the rolling Lake Champlain landscape to the ferry crossing into New York near Ticonderoga. To the west the Adirondacks await, with North Creek or one of the "Lake" communities as possible destinations. Some riders will recognize a portion of the route through Old Forge the next day, leaving the Adirondacks en route to Rome (minus the Italian team of Breaking Away infamy). Perhaps reaching west to Oneida Lake, the third day's back roads then take us to southeast to Cooperstown. Thursday, mountains to the south beckon. Climbs here may be the most demanding of the entire ride. Not only is there the prospect of hard riding into the Catskills, at least one challenging route leads out of this rugged terrain the next morning. The firth and sixth days may offer an unusual return to Palmerton. Continuing south around or over the Shawangunk Mountains, northwestern New Jersey will be the Ride's final overnight destination. On the final day, the Delaware can be crossed at Belvidere, resulting in a ride west, staying south of Blue Mountain until the winding ascent at Little Gap. It is, literally, all downhill from there.

Yes, 500+ miles await, some relaxing and some taxing. Also awaiting are the camaraderie of riders and the satisfaction of your contribution to this, "the million dollar ride."

Final Route (subject to change due to lodging difficulties)

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