Hundreds of Mid-Atlantic bicyclists headed for Greencastle Road Race

Hundreds of bicyclists will ride some rural roads in Antrim Township as the Antietam Velo Club, based in Washington County, Md., heads north for its first Greencastle Road Race on Sunday, May 5.

Joseph Jefferson, race director for the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association event, said he rides in Antrim Township and nearby areas of Pennsylvania about once a week and the roads are “some of the best and safest I’ve been on.”

This is one of the first competitive road races in the area since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Jefferson.

Upwards of 300 riders are expected from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and beyond.

The same riders will compete in short criterium races beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Oswald Park on Prospect Street in Hagerstown. The races both days are championship events for MABRA.

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Where will the racers be in Antrim Township?

The Greencastle Road Race will feature a 5 1/2-mile course on parts of Long Lane and Phillippy, Grindstone Hill, Hades Church and Burkholder roads in the northeast part of the township outside of Shady Grove. It will start and end at a parking lot behind Manitowoc Cranes.

There will be six races between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., with riders circling the course multiple times for distances of 38 to 71 ½ miles. The men’s and women’s skill levels will range from beginner to elite.

Spectators are welcome.

The “feed zone,” where riders can get water and snacks, will be the slowest part of the race. It will be located at the Eshleman farm at 1862 Phillippy Road.

Riders will be going their fastest, 30-plus mph, as they head down Long Lane to make the turn onto Phillippy Road, Jefferson said.

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What do you need to know about race day?

The racing will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but traffic in the area will be impacted from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and many support vehicles will be on hand.

Antrim Township, Rescue Hose Co. fire police and event organizers will have safety measures in place to protect participants, volunteers and drivers.

“Motorists will still be able to travel in that area. However, they will encounter detours and flaggers,” according to Chris Ardinger, Antrim Township administrator and roadmaster. “We advise residents and motorists to expect some delays.”

Racers are advised to keep to the right, but “because of intersections and turns, motorists are encouraged to give participants plenty of space,” he said.

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What’s around the next turn for bicycle racing in Greencastle?

A variety of bicycle races have been held in Hagerstown and Washington County, Md., since the 1980s. This is the first Antietam Velo Club event in the Greencastle area, and Jefferson hopes for more in the future.

Road races are one of three types of competitive events. There also are staged races – like the Tour de France – and short criterium races.

Jefferson envisions a criterium race in downtown Greencastle and a staged race somewhere in Antrim Township.

The races bring people to the area and boost the economy, but have little impact on residents and don’t require a lot of resources, Jefferson said.

For more information

Road detours and logistics: Chris Ardinger, 717-597-3818, Ext. 103, or cardinger@twp.antrim.pa.us

Greencastle Road Race: Joseph Jefferson, race director, 301-331-1129 or max41265@yahoo.com

The course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44141350

“Antietam Velo Club” on Facebook