Upgraded bike course makes Bucks County Duathlon even faster

It’s a cyclist’s dream: Ten miles of coffee-table smooth pavement with not a nasty pothole in sight.
Such a stretch of perfect road would be hard to find around here but the Bucks County Duathlon has managed to do so.
With the repaving of Stoneybrook Road in the Washington Crossing area, the 10-mile segment of the BCD is now one of the smoothest, uninterrupted multi-sport surfaces you’re going to find on either side of the Delaware.
The 11th running of the Bucks County Duathlon will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4 starting at 7 a.m. Those connected with the race are excited to be back after a two-year interruption caused by the pandemic.
The 2-mile run, 10-mile bike, 2-mile run venue in and around Washington Crossing Historic Park has proved to be increasingly popular over the years.
Many local athletes participate in part because nearly all the proceeds go to Missy Flynn, the former Newtown world-class triathlete who suffered a life-threatening brain aneurysm back on Dec. 23, 2005.
So far more than $100,000 has been raised to help with Flynn’s uninsured medical costs.
The bike segment traverses River Road, Stoneybrook Road, Slack Road, Woodhill Road and Eagle Road throughout Upper Makefield. This course has a perfect blend of flat stretches and rolling hills.
Now with the final 2-mile span on Stoneybrook complete (resurfacing was completed in 2020), competitors can focus on their performance and not concentrate on spotting some lurking pothole up ahead. Stoneybrook’s old blacktop was marred by all sorts of “tire challenges’’ and was annoying, if not a health hazard.
Bob Burke, owner and manager of Guy’s Bicycles in Feasterville, is one of the top cyclists in Bucks County and a longtime supporter of the BCD. He can vouch for how the improved bike course will lower times and make for a more pleasurable experience.

“The new surface on Stoneybrook is a game changer,’’ said Burke. “I ride the roads that are part of the course quite often. This will certainly create the fastest course the racers have had over the years.’’
And the energy level should be  high because the summer of 2022 has seen a real return to pre-pandemic conditions.
“Many of my friends and customers who do the race each year are so happy to hear the race is back,’’ Burke said. “Especially with the new road surface.”
Harry Betz, co-director of BCD and owner of Newtown Bike Shop, also believes the bike course is now top-notch.
And why not? He’s the one who designed the course in the first place.
“With the new paved course, some of the issues that we’ve had in the past have been addressed,” said Betz. “It’s going to be ‘Boogie City.’ Bring it on, bring your friends and family.”
Betz, along with race committee members Gwen and Mark Smith, are pleased to finally be able to put on the event under increasingly safer health conditions.
“Of course, after a two-year hiatus we’re happy to be back on track,” Betz said. “As with years past, the most gratifying thing with this race is the amount of diverse athletes we get, from the first-time beginner to the aspiring professional and everything in between.’’
For more information and to register for the race, visit buckscountyduathlon.org.
The website also contains a link for those wishing to make a donation. For information on sponsorships or questions about the race, call 215-968-3200.

---

Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.