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Sourland Classic
February 23, 2020 @ 08:00 - 17:00 EST
Sunday February 23, 2020
10:00 AM (Ride Start)
V5 Cycles 140 NJ-31, Flemington, NJ 08822
REGISTRATION OPENS IN JANUARY 2020
Based upon the success of the Hell of Hunterdon, the Fools Classic, and the Fleche Buffoon, it was deemed that organizing an even earlier season event would provide a good training opportunity while showcasing the majesty of the Sourland Region. Sourland Cycles, D&R Greenway, and Hopewell Borough have been very welcoming hosts.
The Spring Classics are not all about the Monuments! In tribute to the second tier classics, we present the Sourland Semi-Classic (SSC), a ca 100 km ride that explores the Sourland Region of Central New Jersey. It offers a gentle way to prepare for the main spring events.
There is much more excellent riding to be had in the Sourlands than the Hell of Hunterdon can offer; the SSC is our attempt to showcase it. If the HoH is the Ronde; the SSC is Het Nieuwsblad; it will take in some of the same roads, but it will hit them differently and go other places as well.
Of course there will be a few unpaved roads to go with the famous Sourland climbs and flats.
A larger version of the 2020 Provisional Final Course can be seen here
The course is ca 64 miles long with c 3300’ of climbing (according to RideWithGPS). There will be 1 aid station, and 6 sectors of dirt and gravel roads. The course is subject to change at any time, without notice, based upon current course conditions and requests of the municipalities.
The ride starts and finishes at V5 Cycles in Flemington, NJ, and traverses the Sourlands Region over mostly rural roads including some climbs on Sourland Mountain. The route passes through preserved farmland, preserved woods, past pre-revolutionary houses, the quaint Borough of Hopewell and crossroad villages such as Ringoes, Reaville, and Neshanic.
This is an old school ride. In other words this will be mostly self-supported (like a randonee, brevet, and the original professional races):
- The course will not be marked but we will provide cue sheets & GPS Data
There is only 1 aid station (at ca mile 31), but there are stores at mile 49
Think of it as a local, less epic, more manageable version of D2R2
The unpaved roads are perfectly suitable for standard road bikes, but we suggest tires wider than 23 mm to increase comfort, improve traction, and to reduce the possibility of punctures.
While we have a mass start, everyone is welcome to ride at their own pace. This is a ride, and not a race, and the roads are open to normal vehicular traffic, so you are expected to obey all rules of the road.
Please remember to bring flat changing tools, an extra tube, riding snacks and water. Weather may cancel. Check our Discord server here for up to minute information.