PA State Police Metric Century 2008

Registration is open - at $20.00 for a well-supported, beautifully rolling half- or full-metric, it's a bargain! (and if you're feeling frisky, ride one of the loops a second time and make it a full century)

This is a beautiful ride, folks. The route is comprised of two 32-mile loops, both beginning and ending in Hershey, PA. With proceeds going to the PA State Police historical, educational and memorial program, it is organized and supported by the Harrisburg Bicycle Club, as well as cadets from the State Police Academy here in Hershey (who have been known to occasionally swoop in on their very large motorcycles to provide traffic control - my favorite part)

Seriously, consider the drive to Hershey for this one. It's not a crowded ride. . . the rest stops are well-supported . . . the routes are beautiful . . . and it's a great goal as an early-spring metric.

I'll be happy to answer any questions about the ride/route/lodging, etc. Just post or PM and I'll be in touch.

Hope to see you there!

Beth

I'm registered for the metric

Nice! I'll be there. . . we'll catch up. Several of the groups I ride with regularly will be there . . . you can play along if you'd like.

Beth

PS Looking outside my window at the snow and ice makes a late April metric seem realllllly far away.

I'll be doing my yearly birthday ride on April 16, so I should be in good shape for the Hershey ride the next week. Of course it would help if Mother Nature would help and get rid of the ice and snow that I found on the roads today.

Scott

I'm registered.....

I'm hoping to make it as I had already signed up for the Tour de Carroll in Westminster Md that day, well before I knew of this ride....

...but it looks like the guy I was gonna ride with may have backed out....

Kim and I should be there, so long as we can find a puppy-sitter.

If im not working a race, i might go. That's usually the same weekend as the annual Porsche only swap meet at Hershey Park. When the weather's nice the really nice hardware comes out.

Looks like fun, thanks for posting. If I decide to go, then could I join a group with which to ride along?

Yes. If there are enough people from BF we'll likely form our own group(s). If not, I'm sure someone will help you fit into their group. I'm guessing these things will be discussed further nearer the time.

After a biking hiatus, I'm slowly getting my legs back. How hilly/flat is this route?

Beth - what time you rolling out? We got season passes to Hershey Park this year so I could deposit the family at the park and come ride...then hit some rides post ride before the ride home....man that's a lot of rides.

Hi, guys -

I'm so glad so many of you are planning to come to Hershey for this! You'll be glad you did, I promise. And it will be great to see all of you again (or meet you for the first time )

First, the route: based on last year's stats (this year's route is nearly identical), there were 1830 ft of climbing over 69 miles (yes, I know a metric is 62 miles but . . . whatever). Anyway, there is nothing really steep in there. Lots of little rollers, though. If it's a windy day, the wide-open rural areas can be challenging. But, it's all doable, with plenty of stops. Again, the two loops begin and end at the same place like a bow. So taking a break or choosing to do a half-metric is a pretty simple option.

Second, organizing a BF group or groups to ride together will be very manageble. I'm doing all of the pre-registrations, and will be there ready to ride the day of. There are several local groups I ride with regularly who will be there, and I'll be happy to help people find an appropriate group to join.

Grasschopper, very cool! I'd be honored to ride with you again . . . I'll probably try to roll out by 8:30 or 9 at the very latest. Possibly even earlier. The Park doesn't open til 10, but the start location is just a couple of miles from the Park. . . and I can steer your family to some good breakfast options if they want to drop you and your bike off at the starting point

It's awfully nice to be thinking ahead to this ride. . . as I sit here shivering (my daughter keeps going outside to monitor the eclipse, letting in all the cold air). Spring will be here!

Beth

Looks like a fun ride and the six (6!) rest stops on the metric would sure make life easy. The FAQ suggests they would like to see a lack of ``long pace lines,'' but are there still enough folks to make medium ones happen, or pick them up as they roll by?

^ I'm sure a mediocre pace line could ensue, however the last BF pace line ended in some tires out of true, a broken wrist, and mild road rash... we still blame ryanf.

EDIT: don't post after drinking a few beers... you start to think that tires can go out of true ... *ahem*... wheels out of true... carry on.

I wish you all fantastic weather.

The last weekend in April is perpetually booked for me. I'll be canoing.

And it depends which group you're with, of course. The guys I most likely will head out with will pull together wherever possible . . . but I'm talking about a group of no more than 10 or so.

If you're looking to grab onto a line, plan to leave early -

And SB! Bummer . . . and remind me if you remember to: I have a few more Backpacker mags for you

Beth

I think I will sign up soon. I will probably do the harder of the two half metrics, and then decide if I am up to the second half. I have gained quite a bit of weight since my last real riding, so I will just do what I can.

I will be in the area for the Tour de Cure in May as well... I loved that ride a couple of years ago.

Any hotel/motel recommendations for Friday night? Cheapish would be good.

Thanks

I would like to go, but seeing as my limit this year is 3 events (set by the wife), and I have committed to riding the Chester County Cancer Challenge in May, I will not be able to make it.

Hopefully next year will be a go.

Here is about the most comprehensive list you will find for the area. If you have any questions on the specifics, I'll do my best to help you out.

Beth

Thanks, Beth.

Wow... I haven't ridden since september. I was supposed to be out of town for most of april, but it now looks like I'll still be in the area. Have to check with the mrs. on this one.

Thanks, Beth, that's indeed a very comprehensive list. Would you happen to have any specific recommendations to help narrow down the list, maybe motels you've tried previously which you would/would not recommend?

How large is this event, i.e. will the motels fill up fairly quickly, or could I just show up on Friday and easily find lodging?

Thanks!

Living just outside of Hershey, I've never actually "tried" any of the hotels/motels.

If you're looking for comfort, surroundings, and have the $$$$ to spend, look at the Hotel Hershey or the Hershey Lodge.

All of the recognizable names (Hilton Garden, Holiday Inn Express, Days Inn, Best Western, Comfort Inn, etc.) should be predictably fine. They all do a brisk business during the tourist season.

This event is not huge, and shouldn't stress the hotel business. This area is fortified with rooms to support Hershey tourism from May through September. Last year's registrations numbered just over 800, and this year is tracking similarly.

Beth

Beth,
I saw an article in the paper this week announcing the start of a six month repaving project for route 117 in Mt Gretna, do you know if that will have an impact on the Mt Gretna part of this ride?

Scott