(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Sourland region residents and hard-core cyclists from the tri-state area are well aware of the punishing routes of the Sourland Conservancy’s annual bicycle rally fundraiser, the Sourland Spectacular. Cyclists who complete the legendary climbs earn legitimate bragging rights – and a homemade brownie sundae!
This year, the committee has mapped out four traditional Sourland region routes to challenge riders of all levels: 26.9 miles, 35.9 miles, 52.7 miles and the 65.4 miles. The longest of these, the Metric Century, includes a total of 3,275 feet of climbing. They’ve also added a new 4.7 mile Family Fun Ride.
The sixth annual Sourland Spectacular will begin and end at the Otto Kaufman Community Center, 356 Skillman Road, Skillman, NJ - rain or shine - on September 9, 2017 from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. Parking will be available across the street at Montgomery High School. For more information, call the Sourland Conservancy at 609-309-5155, email info@sourland.org or visit the event website at www.sourlandspectacular.com
Sourland Spectacular Chair, Cliff Wilson, says, “There are a lot of serious cyclists who love the vertical challenge. There are also those who would like to participate, but would rather skip the climbs. This year, we’re including a new Family Fun Ride that’s almost completely flat. Now, we have routes to really appeal to cyclists of all levels.”
Still looking for a new way to avoid huffing and puffing your way up those steep Sourland slopes? According to the event’s website, “you may ride any human-powered contraption permitted by law. Electric bikes are OK, too.”
Event sponsor, Sourland Cycles, will have their popular electric bicycles on hand at their event booth for folks to test drive. Their friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions. In addition, Sourland Cycles will be providing SAG (support and gear) services for event riders.
Cyclists will choose their preferred course and plan their own ride start accordingly. The event begins at 7:00am, but riders may start as late as 10:00. All participants will plan their rides to end between 11:00am and 1:00pm to enjoy a delicious food truck lunch courtesy of Thai Elephant Food Truck and New World Pizza. For dessert, riders will enjoy the event’s famous homemade brownie sundae topped with Sourland Spectacular secret gourmet chocolate sauce. Lunch, snacks and SAG services are included in the registration fee.
Riders will follow cue sheets that are available online and at registration. Temporary arrows will be affixed to the roads, marking every turn. The four traditional routes are marked using different colored arrows. Bathroom facilities, water and snacks will be available at rest stops along the route.
Volunteers will assist riders all along the way, from registration to dessert! Jim Andrews, Sourland Conservancy Trustee and Spectacular Volunteer Coordinator says, “Volunteers are essential to the success of this event: planning, coordinating sponsors, promotion, making sandwiches, baking brownies, filling water jugs, event registration, test-riding routes, running SAG (support and gear), staffing rest stops, photography, making sundaes, set-up, clean-up and everything in-between! Many return year after year. This is a great opportunity to spend the morning working with old friends and meeting new people. It's also a wonderful way for Scouts, college students, corporate groups and other folks to participate in community service for a great cause. We are very grateful for all of our volunteers. We wouldn’t be able to do it without them!”
Event registration is open now. Proceeds benefit the Sourland Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to protect, promote and preserve the Sourland Mountain region – 90 square miles of forest, wetlands and grasslands, home to many endangered and threatened plant and animal species, and a critical stopover for migratory birds. Covering parts of seven municipalities and three counties within the heavily developed central corridor of New Jersey, the Sourlands region is also rich in opportunities for human recreation, refuge and renewal, with hiking trails and historic sites.
The Sourland Conservancy would like to thank its business partners, Sourland Mountain Spirits, Sourland Cycles, Kilbourne & Kilbourne and The Ryland Inn for supporting their mission throughout the year.
