Sat August 31, 2024 - Frenchtown to Merrill Creek Reservoir Challenge + Ice Cream, New & Improved Route by Charlie B. 50-mi Short-Cut Option Available.
Level B-/C+: 13-14mph, 63 or 53miles short-cut
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48209311
Meet at Frenchtown - parking lot just below Bridge St, between river & Canal Trail. The ride leaves at 8:00 am. Hilly but pretty loop through Warren and Hunterdon Counties, NJ, to the scenic Merrill Creek Reservoir. New & improved route by Charlie B. Ice cream at mile 58. This route includes a couple of 400-ft climbs, and one 640-ft climb, but the vistas from the summits are magnificent. We'll be riding mostly on quiet and shaded country roads, but also passing through the quaint towns of Milford, Riegelsville, Stewartsville, and Bloomsbury. Initial and final stretches of the route, along River Road, are flat. The challenging hills section, ~10 miles of climbing, is in the middle. Total elevation gain on the 63-mi route is 4090 ft, but we will stop to regroup as needed. Food stops at mile 24 in Stewartvsille (before climbing to Reservoir), & at mile 46 in Bloomsbury. (Also have a brief photo/scenery stop at spectacular Reservoir at mile 31.) From the food stop in Bloomsbury, we'll descend to the village of Little York, then return to Milford & Frenchtown via downhill-to-flat roads. Depending on where you live, please allow an hour for the drive to Frenchtown. 53-Mi short-Cut Option: Charlie B. has developed a 53-mi alternate route which avoids the steep climb to Merrill Creek Reservoir, but still stops at the Tauro market rest stop. This is the link for the 53-miler: ridewithgps.com/routes/37360255, w/2990 ft. IMPORTANT DETOUR NOTE:bridge closure between Frenchtown & Milford, crossing a creek. The detour: cross the bridge to PA, then use PA-32/River Rd for the three miles between Frenchtown & Milford. This does not significantly alter the distance.
Leader: Linda McGrane, mcgrane_linda_a@yahoo.com, 267-251-