Start Location:Lefty Loosey Bike Collective 50 Sims Ave., Providence RI (See parking details below) Start Time: 7am Length: 200k Time Limit: 13.5 Hours Ride Leader: John Rosenwinkel (Rosy) Controls: Charlton Public Library Outdoor Reading Garden, Charlton, MA (See Description Below) and Hanks Dairy Bar, Plainfield, CT Sanctioning: RUSA & ACP Lighting & Reflective Gear: Required if finishing after 7:20pm Registration:https://www.bikereg.com/nerri200k GPS File/Route:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54292245 (Finalized and e-Brevet App Compatible)
The 2026 Hells Hollow 200k will follow a very similar route to the 2024 ride. Start and finish will be at Lefty Loosey Bike Collective (“LLBC,” previously known as the Providence Bicycle Collective), a nonprofit community bike shop. There is plenty of parking, public bathrooms, and a full suite of bike repair tools for any last-minute repairs or adjustments.
The route is moderately hilly (50% more elevation than the other RI 200k happening in May), with lots of lovely back roads in RI, MA, and CT. The return to Providence includes 17 miles of gradual descent on the Washington Secondary Bike Path — a welcome rest from the sometimes punchy hills of the first 100 miles. The two changes to the route since the 2024 ride are taking advantage of new bike paths in Providence during the last couple miles to minimize city riding and skip Dugg Hill Rd heading toward Woodstock CT (one less gratuitous hill at mile 56). Also, the “Summit General Store” at mile 105 has re-opened under new ownership but sadly is not as good as its previous incarnation.
Parking at LLBC: You can either park in the small front lot, in the large back lot, or along Sims Ave. See photos below.
Instead of the unbuild land one house behind the left turn at Charlton Center on Worcester Road, where riders could still pick up snacks at the c-stores near that intersection, Charlton control has been moved to the Charlton Public Library Outdoor Reading Garden. Remember to turn right into library driveway to check in with NER volunteer. The Town’s LED bulletin board is right before the turn into the Library driveway.
The Town Hall and Gazebo will be on your left at the town green at the control point
Photos from Aug 25th 2018 Pre-Ride (Jake)
Hell’s Hollow aptly begins by going by the birthplace of the father of Cthulhu.Bike Path leaving Providence along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway. Surprisingly not much foot traffic.This is an example of the sort of road you’ll be spending most of the day on.First Control: The Village Bean. Pictured is a chocolate chip & coconut muffin. Still warm!When stopping to re-patch a tube this cute guy climbed on for a ride. Anyone know what type of spider it is?Overlook in Dudley, MA. The route has no steep climbs but is endlessly rolling.The famously long lake name.Ruins in Plainfield, CT. This stately house burned down in 2015. Apparently the fire required 18 tanker trucks. You can see what the house looked like before the fire on Google Maps (Link).Control #3 is a classic. The double cheeseburger & milkshake really hit the spot. Cheap too. Tip: The “Small” shake is probably large enough.There’s about 15 miles of flat, well paved bike path coming into Providence. Not many others on the path, even on a nice day. Good place to pick up some time or take it easy.
