Event Overview

Event Date: Saturday, May 14
Start Time: 4:00am
Location: Princeton Forrestal Village, Plainsboro

Route Overview:

Upon leaving the start riders will pass through Kingston leaving the small town via Kingston-Rocky Hill Road.  After which we will use Canal Road to the Griggstown Causeway.  Montgomery Township and Hillsborough are skirted en route to Neshanic and the Elm Street Bridge crossing. Fairview Drive and Summer Road will bring the riders into Hunterdon County near the town of Three Bridges. The remaining miles to the control will be mostly quiet country lanes before Whitehouse Station and US 22 are reached. After a breakfast stop at the Bagel Junction, Randonneurs will make their way through Tewksbury Township, Mountainville, Califon and Hackettstown. The first of four major climbs appears just a few miles later.  Ryan Road is a steep, but not too long climb that will take the chill off, should it be a cool morning. Riders will then pass the chickory and sod farms of Allamuchy, Great Meadows and Johnsonburg. The terrain in this section is mild and the traffic is light. The scenery soon becomes more wooded when riders reach Route 94, quickly turning to access the northernmost point of the route, which is Stillwater.  This twelve mile section, which I've named the Stillwater Loop, is arguably one of the most scenic parts of the route. However, there is a price to pay in that there are some challenging hills.  Most notably Sunset Lake Road.  The end of the loop delivers riders to the town of Blairstown and the control at the Goumet Gallery.  A vairety of baked goods, soups and sandwiches will be available at this stop.  It is reccomended to fuel up as more heavy climbing is soon to be encountered.

With about half the ride behind them riders will leave Blairstown with a gentle climb up Route 94 heading towards Hope and Jenny Jump State Forest, where the second extended climb awaits. The grade is not terribly steep but the climb is rather relentless. As a reward for the effort a nice descent is enjoyed followed by a moderate section. The wise will conserve energy here as the next major climb to present itself will be a bit steeper to achieve the top of Schooley’s Mountain. Those who find themselves in a calorie deficit at the top of Schooley's may opt to stop at the General Store for a sandwich or pizza.  Again the terrain will moderate once again until the last big climb on Route 512 is reached leaving the town of Califon.  Rolling terrain will deliver riders to Hacklebarney State Park where it is planned to have a volunteer staffed control with hot and cold foods.  After the break short climbs will greet riders as they work their way through the rest of the park and the big descent on Black River Road. The terrain following will be moderate with a few small hillocks interspersed.

The roads will begin to look familiar once US 22 is crossed at Whitehouse Station as the same roads are used for the final thirty miles as the first thirty.  An optional stop is available at the WAWA Market, Three Bridges, just after crossing US 202.  Rolling and flat roads will deliver the riders back to the finish at Princeton Forestall Village. Volunteers will have snacks and beverages available here.

Overall, this is a challenging 300k, with some heavy climbing. Therefore, small gearing is recommended. Lighting and reflective gear are mandatory. Most of the controls on the route will be commercial establishments where riders will need to pay for their own food and beverages (except water).  A volunteer will be available at every control to validate brevet cards.  Food and beverages will be provided at Hacklebarney State Park.  Snacks will be available at the finish.  In addition, given the nature of the route at least one secret control will present itself. Multiple secret controls are a possibility depending on volunteer support.

The above route description is subject to change as the event draws nearer. Controls and routes may be revised as needed up until the day of the brevet. The 2011 Princeton 300k will be organized by New Jersey Randonneur; Joe Kratovil and RBA Leroy Varga

Hotel Information

For those wishing to stay nearby the start at Princeton Forrestal Village the following list represents a sampling of the hotels nearby.  If you wish to ride your bike to and from the start the Westin is actually on site at the Forrestal Village Center.  The second best option is the Marriott which is 1mile on College Road, which requires no riding on US #1.  The Holiday Inn on US 1 is probably the third best choice for cycling.  Riding US #1 to the start in the early morning should be safe enough. There is also a round-a-bout way to get there avoiding US #1 at the cost of some additional pedaling.  Otherwise, the list of hotels are all within a few minutes by car. 

The pricing listed is based on using the hotel owner's internet site using a AAA Membership discount.  Other discounts such as Government and AARP should yield a similar result.  Booking further in advance is the best plan. 

From closest to Farthest:

Westin    ***(Reccomended Hotel)  Rider Check-in available here Friday night 7-9pm
201 Village Blvd
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-452-7900
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/
Internet AAA Price for single room $115
Distance to start = On Site

Marriott
100 College Road East
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
1-888-236-2427
Internet AAA Price for single room $107
Distance to Start = 1 Mile on College Road (crosses Route 1 via overpass)

Holiday Inn
100 Independence Way
Princeton, NJ
609-520-1200
Internet AAA Price for single room $72
Distance to Start = 1.4 Mile (some on US #1)

Hampton Inn
4385 US 1 South
Princeton, NJ 08540
1-609-951-0066
Internet AAA Price for single room $105
Distance to start = 1 Mile (via US #1)

Best Western
4191 US Highway #1
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08052
732-329-4555
Internet AAA Price for single room $65
Distance to start = 2 Miles (via US #1)
732-329-4555