Prospect Point Populaire 100k

This new populaire route shortens the existing route out of Prospect Point Brewing to meet the distance requirements for the 100-124 km rouleur distance.

Ride Report: Prospect Point Populaire Three from Gardner and Theresa

On a warm Sunday afternoon Gardner and I set out for a ride on some of the beautiful
small roads of Frederick County and Washington County. I was pre-riding the Prospect
Point Populaire and G was riding the Jefferson Williamsport permanent. Because of the
overlapping of roads between the rides, we were able to ride most miles together.

This is a beautiful ride with low mountain passes, rolling hills and meandering downhills.
The land we traverse between Catoctin and South Mountains is the Middletown Valley,
also known as the Catoctin Creek watershed. The branches of Catoctin Creek define
this valley, with several punchy crossings, particularly on the way back to Prospect
Point. These present more challenges than crossing Catoctin Mountain near the end,
which affords a lovely downhill to the finish. This is fall riding, with quickly changing
pastoral views. The corn may be harvested by October 11, but soybeans will be
standing in many different hues. The leaves are turning, too.

Gravel will be under wheel leaving Prospect Point, on Poffenberger Road early in the
ride, and about a mile on Smoketown Road. The roads are in good shape, but there
were a few spots to pay attention to when riding. There were many piles of walnuts in
the roads, some acorns, and gravel washed over the road on the Townsend descent of
South Mountain. At about 20.7, a stream washed over the road on a turn, and there
were already fallen leaves in there.

The big climbing occurs in the first 12.7 miles, which takes you up to War
Correspondents Arch on South Mountain, and the next to last 10.6 miles which take you
up Mt. Briar Road, Trego Road and Townsend Road back to the Arch.
The food stops along the route are minimal, but available if you need more than one. In
Sharpsburg at 21 miles, you have the Battleview Market on Sharpsburg Pike, just a
short deviation from the route, with really good sandwiches and clean bathrooms.

WARNING just before Williamsport: There is a new, large Sheetz at 33.7. This is not
the turnaround control, and if you don’t ride into old Williamsport, you will miss the
control, miss the good food options, come up short on distance, be disqualified, and
your mother will never speak to you again. (Just kidding about the last of those
problems.)

At Williamsport, you have the reliable Sheetz on East Potomac. For those who have the
time and desire to explore, there is the Williamsport Diner on the corner of 2 E. Potomac
Street, G and I had a good breakfast there once. For the sweet eaters, there is a
delightful bakery, Sweet Notes Bakery on 34 N Conococheague St, with some savory
offerings, tasty desserts, coffee and clean bathrooms, and Still Smokin’ BBQ is right
next door.

Except for approximately 6 miles, the return route of 32 miles is more downhills than
climbs and complements the beauty of this ride. We finish at Prospect Point Brewing,
which has a variety of beverages, a food truck, and beautiful fall views. We have
permission to park there before opening to start the ride.

See you then. Ride your ride and enjoy.
G & T