Pedal the Lakes 2025 will feature new routes.

When:  Sunday, August 31st. Registration opens at 7am.

What:  Ride western Pennsylvania roads and trails including the typical amount of hills that are unavoidable.

·       “Metric Century” with 2 rest stops, some hills, probably entirely paved/tar&chip.

·       “Intro to Gravel” is the Metric with a gravel rail-trail short-cut that drops about 12 miles.

·       “Thirty Miler” that won’t be easy as there will be some manageable hill; one rest stop

·       A new 47 mile “Gravel Route” that does NOT omit the famous County Line Rd climb.

Where:  Maurice K. Goddard State Park; use 550 Lake Wilhelm Rd, Sandy Lake, PA as a map search.  Marina Pavilion and parking lot for registration.

Details:

            The road routes will, for the final time, be painted (hopefully).  However, plan on using digital devices with GPX files.  Routes tend to avoid (like Covid) any major roads, save when going in and out of urban areas.  Routes will be on Ride With GPS prior to the weekend to preview.  Note that RWGPS lies about surface and gradient on occasion – wink-wink!

            If you absolutely need 100 miles, please enjoy the John C. Oliver trail in the park as your last loop of the day.  If you plan on doing the 30 and the 62, plan on showing up early and doing the 30 first.  We will not be hosting that stop past 10am.

            Gravel riders should pre-register to ensure you can get the GPX file uploaded.  There will be no support for this route.  There will be no painting for this route.  There WILL be the local store in Polk, PA for you to refuel if necessary.

            The “Intro to Gravel” route is for those itching to try their gravel bike without climbing the insane hills I like to include in the actual gravel route.  Calvin Ernst has connected Conneaut Lake to his seed business on Mercer Pike.  You will ride a gravel section, across a recently built bridge, and cross US 19 where you will continue on the paved portion of his trail.  Plan on having 40mm tires to make it a good day for your first gravel ride.

            All riders should be on the road by 8:30am.  Rest stops are open for limited times based on riders leaving at 7:15am and averaging 15mph.  Riders averaging less than 15mph should not be waiting past 8:00am – that includes the 30 mile people.

            GPX file links will be QR Codes at registration that direct you to RideWithGPS for those that do not pre-register.

            Pre-Registration ends on Wednesday August 27th, 2025 sometime – so don’t plan on waiting until midnight.

            All Event Day Registration will be $40.00 for RIDE ONLY.

Fee:

            We will have a new fee structure this year.

·       Any Ride $25.00 – Everyone gets ALL GPX files Wednesday before the ride

·       Any Ride + MCTA Membership $35.00 – same as above plus become a member

·       Any Ride + MCTA Membership + Donation $60.00 – thank you for your support

Helmets are required.

WE RIDE RAIN OR SHINE!