Events: Guys Fawkes Ride 2022
(2022) In the United States, the month of November becomes a time to give thanks. Those who showed up for the second edition of Kermesse Sport’s Guy Fawkes Ride on November 5th were giving thanks to unseasonably warm weather. Based at Pipersville’s Bucks County Brewing, participants registered for either the long or short course. Being almost literally in our backyard, we just had to get out and promote the bikeability of the farm roads of central Bucks County.
In usual Kermesse fashion, the check-in process was a snap after I rolled down from the office. Turning west for the opening miles, the exposed fields provided no relief from the headwind that was building for the day ahead. The route wound through developed areas as well as spread out houses that eased as the route kicked over Ridge Road and into State Game Lands west and north of the Nockamixon Lake. At a certain point the route benefited from the winds, which would be the highlight of the day. Shortly after navigating to the final ⅓ of the course, the dwellings became more numerous as did the rollers looking to finish off anyone begging for mercy.
The route arguably featured three KOMs on the long course. Schwenkmill Road up to Ridge Road is a spicy little number that hits double digit percentage points in steepness. Shortly after the first climb, Rockhill Road popped up to deliver a second blow to the legs. This climb sends riders up and over a bridge spanning train tracks. It isn’t long but it has a steep enough moment to challenge a rider over dressed and beginning to dehydrate from the unseasonable warmth. The last KOM is more like a bobsleigh track; riders descend Beaver Run Road before a sudden jolt upwards. Anyone brave enough can negate the early slopes by zipping down the steep parts leading up to the climb.
Stony Garden Road showcased beautiful wooded Bucks County scenery complete with hardwood forests and rock walls.
The course did have some flowing parts, particularly on the northern portion. For nearly twenty miles the route rolled through typical Bucks County tunnels of hardwoods and falling leaves. Once atop Rockhill Road, one can fire along at a sensible pace. And with the tailwind, there was much speed to be had. Thatcher and Apple Roads had been recently upgraded and could not have been a more perfect autumn setting, names included. Despite the warm temperature on the day, riders found long shadows along these roads that could stand in anywhere in the United States for backcountry riding.
The final miles were the equalizer. With the route bumping up and down, a return of the headwind, and two empty water bottles, the day turned bleak. The gunpowder had not been kept dry. Meanwhile the two courses merged and riders reappeared for the final ten miles. Frustratingly a rider who merged behind me stayed there, never taking a pull as a bonk started rolling in. Plowing through the droning headwind by myself was awful on Deep Run Road.
Eventually the route led back to Bucks County Brewery where participants signed out of the course, received a beverage ticket, racked the bikes, and plopped down on one of the many vacant picnic tables. All I could do was keep an eye on the roadway for the United Crepes of America food truck to replenish the losses. It was also a place where finishers discussed their day, particularly their thoughts on the new course. Some said the rollers at the end finished them. Others were quite plucky for the conditions. Eventually the sun began to set and thoughts turned to the extra hour of sleep awaiting us as the United States would turn the clocks back that night.
There was much to be thankful for amongst the second running of Kermesse Sport’s Guy Fawkes Ride. It’s not often one can ride in November without having at least sleeves on board. The summer kit got one more turn in the sun before being packed. It was also a ride to be thankful for as the conditions lined up to provide one more quality outing for the road calendar. As hoped, the leaves held on just long enough around the course to provide the last hours of autumnal beauty before a storm moved through the next day, snapping the leaves off the branches. It was a great day out and one more ride to be thankful for in the 2022 riding season.
