Where exactly does the tour begin?
Pedal The Lakes begins at the Greenville Area Sports Complex. The complex's
entrance is on Porter road, which is 1.5 miles north of the Sheetz in Greenville
on Pennsylvania Route 58. Use 262 Porter Rd, Zip code 16125 on mapquest,
googlemap, etc to find the park entrance. Where Routes 18, 58 and 358 intersect
is where Sheetz is located. You will pass by Thiel College as you leave
Greenville to the north.
When is registration?
Registration begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m.
When does the tour begin?
There is no group starting time. Once you have registered and pick up your
packet, you can leave at any time with anyone or with no one. It is preferred
by the organizers that there is no mass start due to constraints with traffic
congestion and safety issues. It is preferred, however, that all Century
riders leave as early as possible due to length (in time) of their ride.
All riders should be on their way by 10 a.m.
How long can I expect to be riding during the 10 mile, 30 mile, 65
mile and 100 mile distances?
Using a 10 m.p.h. average, a rider will take 1.2, 3.2, 6.5, and 10 hours
to complete his/her tour. Obviously, rates above or below this pace will
shorten or lengthen the time to completion. Also, realize that these routes
are not and cannot be exactly the lengths intended. These are approximate
lengths and each route is intended to be at least as long as stated.
What will be available in the registration packet?
Various items will be provided to you in your registration packet. First
and foremost, a map of your intended course will be included. Sponsorship
materials and information about Mercer County Trails Association will accompany
the map. NOTE: T-shirts this year will only be available if pre-ordered
during early registration two weeks prior to ride. We will not have any
on site for day of ride purchase.
What type of roadways will the tour follow?
The tour courses have sought to remain on secondary and tertiary roadways.
Generally, tar-and-chip surfacing over old asphalt is one end of the spectrum
and highway grade asphalt is the other end of the spectrum. Most of the
T&C surfaces were laid long enough that there is no loose gravel. Tour
directors will update these conditions if necessary.
Is there any assistance to navigating the course without constantly referring
to the provided map?
Yes, there will be directional arrows just before (to make you aware of
upcoming course direction) and at the intersection that will indicate a
turn, or simply to notify you the course is continuing straight after an
intersection or stop sign.
What is the difficulty level of the course?
Most hills are either rolling, or gentle grades. Mercer & Crawford
Counties are not flat counties. Luckily, the country roads leave good options
to avoid a torturous ride up and down every severe hill. The courses were
examined for best fit in distance, safety and scenery. That said, Mercer
& Crawford Counties are only so flat and where it is flattest is only
on main highways.
After I begin my ride, will it be necessary to check-in upon completion?
No. We will not be accounting for riders returning.
If I cannot complete the ride that I started, how will I get back to
the Sports Complex?
There will be SAG vehicles to patrol the courses and to pick up those who
have become stranded and cannot finish the course.
Will there be mechanical assistance on the courses?
No. All riders must bring their own tools, tubes, etc. There will only
be the SAG vehicle as a last resort for the rider.
What will be done in a medical emergency?
It is recommended all riders ride together, and have a cell phone amongst
the group. Cell-phone reception is good in most areas along the tour route,
but not an absolute certainty. The SAG vehicle will not be the equivalent
of a medical vehicle. For the general bumps-&-bruises of a fall, riders
should carry a small first aid kit.
The weatherperson has indicated a chance of rain and/or perhaps worse.
What will the tour organizers do to warn cyclists of impending weather
threats?
Rain or shine, the ride date will be firm. Riders will take the risk of
weather events once they have left the Sports Complex. The small two-way
radios available today have NOAA weather bands by which riders can stay
up to date on weather as the day progresses. The rider will have to seek
shelter on their own beyond what may be able to be provided at any of the
rest stops.
How many rest stops will there be?
Each course will have a stop. The 65 mile and 100 mile courses will have
multiple, well-spaced stops. The shortest loop (10 mile) will not have
a stop. All riders, regardless of route ridden are invited to attend the
main rest stop of the 65/100 mile loop at Goddard Park's marina pavilion.
This is the third stop on the 65/100 mile loops.
I am arriving by myself to ride the tour, are there any recommendations
you would have?
Arrive early and interact with other riders so that you may be able to find
a group riding your distance and at your expected ability level so that
you may have your own support group with whom to ride.
This is my first tour, what can you recommend?
First of all, choose the length most appropriate to your past riding experience.
If you have never ridden 60 plus miles or close, you may want only to ride
the 32 mile ride to get the experience of traveling new roads and reading
a map. Also, bring your cycling friends, ones with more experience than
you is good, to accompany you. And, make an inventory of your tools and
repair materials to make sure you can fix most issues that may arise. Your
local bike shop could go over this list and your bike as well to make sure
you are prepared.
I have begun the Full-Century, and determined some distance into it that
it will be hard to impossible to complete it. Is there a turn-back point
or an emergency return route to follow?
There are no return routes specific to a short return. The point at which the 65 mile course deviates from the 100 mile will be the quickest way home. If you're not feeling up to 65 miles, reverse your route earlier.
What is the purpose, other than enjoyment, of the Pedal The Lakes?
The purpose is to bring attention to The Mercer County Trails Association,
the host organization. MCTA, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose aim
is to build trails for cycling and other non-motorized forms of outdoor
recreation in the Mercer County area. Please go to www.mctrails.org for
more information. All donations to our cause are tax-deductible since we
are a 5013C non-profit organization.
If I am traveling to get to this tour, where would you recommend staying
if I arrive Friday afternoon/evening?
Cianci's Motor Lodge is a sponsor of the event. Their number is 724-588-8550.
This is also very close to the tour registration site. There are quite
a few B&B's in the Mercer County area, too. There are also national
chain hotels located in the nearby towns of Hermitage and Grove City (by
the Outlet Center).