Tour de Pink 2007

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The Ride

Note: The ride details and documents included here are from the 2007 ride but can give you a good idea of what to expect in 2008. Descriptions and documents will be updated regularly as this year's course and details are finalized. Thank you for your interest in Hershey's Tour de Pink!

The Route
The route has been determined and will be a scenic tour of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, from Hershey thru the rolling hills and farmlands of New Jersey. Stopovers will be in King of Prussia, PA, and Trenton, NJ, before riding to Clinton, NJ, and traveling into Manhattan for Monday's finish line and closing ceremony.

The selected route features country roads with very little traffic and will pass through a covered bridge and some of the most beautiful farmland and countryside. There will be some challenges to riding skills and endurance, as the first two days will be approximately 80 miles each day, the third day 60 miles, with a ceremonial ride in NYC on day 4.

Links to the satellite and map views of the course can be found on The Route. There is a remote possibility that some modifications may be necessary, as we cannot predict road closures and other unforeseen circumstances. Take a look at the route so you have an idea of the plan.

Day 1: Hershey to King of Prussia will take us on a southern route through Amish country. Lots of horses and cows and (there may be casual droppings here and there), and the farms are a beautiful sight.

Day 2: King of Prussia to Trenton takes up towards Lake Nockamixon and down the Delaware River to the boho community of New Hope (a rider favorite last year!) before entering Trenton.

Day 3: Trenton to Clinton is a historic tour passing many Revolutionary era houses and churches and follows the original stage coach route linking Philadelphia to New York. We will ride thru scenic Stockton, NJ, and pass the Stockton Inn frequented by Dorothy Parker, Oscar Hammerstein and Moss Hart. The hotel inspired them to write: "There's a small hotel with a wishing well" song from the 40s.

Training
Individual training needs cannot be addressed here except to say that training for this event is a must. The angel of cycling will not be available to assist you if you are not prepared to ride the distances. Please be sure you have ridden some longer rides between now and the event so that you can make the distance. Even the best riders could be in the saddle for 5 or more hours the first two days, and that takes some practice.

If demand is sufficient, our Course (or is it Coarse?) Director, John Chaki, has offered to hold monthly training rides to prepare for the event. Some roads will be part of the actual Tour and will begin with moderate mileage and gradually increase. These rides are intended to help build the base needed for the Tour supplementing your regular training.

Rides will start at Holicong Park in Buckingham, PA, off Route 202. You will be required to be prepared to ride without support, so bring food to eat along the way, as John selects roads with little traffic and few opportuities for stopping, although sometimes there are rest areas. The rides will be at at pace suitable for all riders; the first ride will be about 40 miles and work up from there.

John will coach on riding technique to improve speed and endurance. You will be coached on how to "sit a wheel" to increase efficiency, group riding skills will be emphasized as well as safety tips. The planned dates are 4/20, 5/18, 6/15, 7/13 and 8/17, subject to change. The start time will be 10:00 a.m. to allow for travel to the park. In the event of bad weather, the ride will be canncelled.

Write to John if you are interested. Anyone accepting this invitation should attend or let John know if cancelling, and e-mails will be the primary communication tool.

As background, John was New York State Time Trial Champion three times and placed in the top 10 in National Championship events for time trial, track and criterium racing seven times in addition to winning numerous races and events.