Events: Festive 500 Day Three

(2015) Ride Distance: 35 Miles/ 221 Miles Remaining

I try not to be married to an idea. Several years ago I went hiking with friends while being sworn to the idea we would summit a certain mountain. After struggling to find a parking spot, gearing up late, and a late-season summit attempt, we ultimately had to switch summits and stand atop a mountain I had already visited which was en route to the other peak. I struggled to let go of the concept that basically said it would be foolish to pursue. Since that day I learned to let the ideas alter in real-time lest a more substantial penalty lay beyond the disappointment.

The shuttered Mountainside Inn, which proclaims to be one of the oldest inns in America.

I kept putting off my departure time to hit out toward Washington Crossing Park in my quest to chronicle the Revolutionary War activities of 239 years ago. When things didn’t work out with comrades on the bike, I found myself making excuses why the ride shouldn’t happen. That is, until Mike (if you remember he’s the one from all our great adventures) called me whilst riding toward my location. I quickly kitted up and met him at the agreed-upon location.

But wait! What about my original route? Well, I decided riding in great company would outweigh being in love with a route. Instead we got to hit some roads he hadn’t been on, or I hadn’t visited in quite some time. Gone were the obligations of meeting the daily quota, though the ride certainly would visit some of the Revolutionary War sites throughout our adventure.

Mike riding in his new Lone Wolf Cycling kit.

We headed up toward the familiar haunts near Brig O’Doon Coffee Shop. The first part of the ride maintained a vantage point of Haycock Mountain, Bucks County’s highest point at 960+ feet of elevation (pathetic I know). We had the best view from Brick Church Road. This church’s extremely high roof is remarkable along with its two- stage cemetery boasting some of the oldest Bucks County residents.

We accessed Cafferty Road, a great ride if one wants to tackle each mile of it. Today we luckily descended it, keeping the Tohickon Creek to our right as we met it in the town of Point Pleasant, PA. This town supplies water to the nearby Montgomery County. This pumping action has caused a lot of controversy since 1989. Today residents are caught up in another controversy in fighting off PennEast pipeline. This town used to be a popular hunting vacation destination in the earlier years. It is also home to Slobbery Run, a waterway that isn’t exactly the cleanest looking waterway descending to the Delaware River.

The lovely framed-out view of Haycock Mountain from Brick Church Road.

We pushed through Lumberville, past the Black Bass Inn. We continued down to Cuttalossa Road, which used to house a restaurant complete with backyard waterfall. I hadn’t ridden this road in quite some time. The waterfall at the old inn, the waterwheel up the road, and the dirt road portion were great to experience again after years of fallow.

A view of Slobbery Run from Point Pleasant Pike.

Mike and I continued the typical route back through Carversville and through the northern portions of Doylestown where I broke off to head home. It started drizzling at this point. I was too happy to notice. The day after Christmas always seems to be a bit more laid-back on the roads, and today was no exception. Despite thinking I was going to head to Washington Crossing Park, I found new excitement in the fact that I was riding with great company. At the outset of the Festive 500 I meted out I needed something along the numbers of 38 miles per day. I did that while advancing my mileage toward earning my roundel.

The Cuttalossa Road waterwheel, arguably one of the most photographed items in central Bucks County.