taking a long pause see ya next year
taking a long pause see ya next year
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Higher Ground



 

Note: Registration has officially closed for 2022. There is NO same-day registration, sorry we just can't logistically provide it, maybe next year?

Welcome to Higher Ground, a non-UCI semi-competative cycling event, where the race is you against yourself. We believe that the outdoors will save Johnstown, and wanted to host a cycling event to bring more people to town. We will be giving $10 from each ticket to our local YWCA, and paying our friends and vendors for their wares. 

Now about the routes. We have four different routes available for your enjoyment. They are  30mi, 50mi, 69mi, and the full Hundo. They all start at Hope Cyclery 647 Railroad Street, Johnstown, Pa 15901 and end at PNG park. You ascend out of the city and are on dirt in under 3 miles. From there all of the routes are a mix of pavement, dirt roads, and ripping gravel descents. 

Schedule:

Friday 10/14

12:00PM-4:00PM
Check In

5:00PM - 8:00PM - Crust Happy Hour @ Hope Cyclery
We couldn’t be more stoked to let you know our friends over @crustbikes made this flyer to tell y’all they’re hosting a Happy Hour at the shop Friday 5-8 before @highergroundhundo. We couldn’t be more stoked.

6:00PM - Camping Opens @ PNG Park (90 Johns St. Johnstown, PA)
Tent camping only, but there will be a side gate open that you can drive in and drop off your stuff. Parking is available all around the park and is free all weekend. If you are planning on camping Friday night the park will be open at 6 pm to allow people in. There are NO DOGS allowed. Everyone camping will get a wristband that will allow them to go in and out during the night. If you are not camping you are still able to go in and out but around 11PM the park will be closed except for campers. If you are arriving after 11pm Friday night to camp, the side gate will be open for you and security will let you unload your gear. Saturday night we will be partying for everyone but again, the park will close except for campers around 11PM. 

There will be at least one fire ring that people can hang out around (bring your chair!) and you are more than welcome to cook food on a camp stove if you bring one.

There will be a beer bar open Saturday night in the park. Please do not bring outside alcohol in. 

Restrooms are open at the park during open hours, there will be porta johns outside for campers to use in the night.

Saturday 10/15

Start is at Hope Cyclery 647 Railroad St, Johnstown, PA
Finish is at PNG Park

 

7AM-8AM - Coffee provided
8AM - 100 and 69 MILE START-please do not start any earlier or you may not have an aid station set up to rely on

9AM 50mile and 30 mile start

5PM - Finishers start arriving at PNG Park (90 Johns St. Johnstown, PA)

5PM To Sellout- Island Cuisine Jamaican Food

6:00PM-11:00PM Beer bar will be open

8:00PM-10:00 Saturday Night Prime Parts Swap

Set up a blanket and slang your used goods. 

Sunday 10/16

12:00PM - PNG Park Closes
Campers must be out of the park by 12:00PM on Sunday 10/16

Routes:

Click on the links to find your route on Ride with GPS. It is recommended that you save/download the route for offline use.

30 miles/ 2000ft climbing, ~50% Gravel

50 miles/ 3000ft climbing ~50% Gravel 

69 miles/ 7800ft climbing, ~45% Mixed/Gravel

100 miles/ 10000ft climbing, ~45% Gravel

(Bailout - 25 mile bailout for the 50, 69, & 100 can be found here)

Route Notes:

First off.. if you signed up for the 100 mile route you may have noticed that the first 70 miles are the complete 70 mile route. If you signed up for the 50 miler, you may have noticed that the first 19 miles are also part of the 70/100 miler. If you are doing the 50 or the 70/100 you will get on a snowmobile trail just about mile 14. We have marked it with green ribbon because it is a little overgrown and confusing. It is also a ROCKY descent! Use caution.

It is also hunting season here and the routes do go through state game lands. People may be out with bows and muzzleloaders so if you have any safety colored clothing you may feel more comfortable by wearing it.

More about the event:

We’ve ridden the routes with Tires 38c and up, and found the sweet spot to be 40c

We have the routes mapped out and GPX/ride with gps data will be sent out to all who register. We hope you make it out, we have coffee provided, 1-3 aid stations depending on the course, coffee the am of the event.  We also hope to be able to donate a portion of the race fees to our local YWCA. There is a bikewash station, and we will have the indoors open for facility use. There is also a spot outdoors to setup for a parts swap if you'd like. 

Camping is available at PNG Park, https://www.jaha.org/locations/peoples-natural-gas-park/ for $20 y'all can camp here Friday and Saturday Night, we do have to have everyone out of the park by 12 noon Sunday. Camping Dates are 10/14/2022- 10/15/2022 with a close on 10/16/2022 at 12 noon. 

Any other questions we can be reached via email or phone at the shop ask for David or Jarrod. 

Thank you!
Hope Cyclery

Merchandise:

Merchandise purchased during regular registration will be available for pick up the weekend of the event. Purchases made during late registration will be shipped after the event.