The P2A BRÈVE is an important part of the P2A. It has its own
history going back to 2001. It's fast. It's muddy. It's awesome!
The P2A BRÈVE is approximately 45km long and begins at the St. George Arena in St George, Ontario. Compared to the other P2A race distances it is brief, or "brève" in french. Starting in 2001 we have offered this shorter race. Many people have said "It's only 45K". Then they wonder why they are hitting the wall at the finish. Don't underestimate it. It is a very fast race. You also get a lot of the best, or the worst, of the longer races. There is the slow mud and beautiful forest of The Prengerlaan. There is the Mineral Springs Road Mud Chute and the infamous Powerline Road Mudslide that sucks off shoes and clogs bikes. You still experience the legendary climb up Old Martin Road with its steep, rutted, and wet track. If you can stay on your bike for the whole climb you're good. It is a good challenge for many racers and it sees more participants every year.
Be prepared! Event goes rain or snow or shine! Bring appropriate tools, a rain jacket and gloves. Helmets are mandatory.
What's with the new names BRÈVE, CLASSIC, and CENTO? In the past we have referred to the events according to their approximate distance - 45K, 70K or 100K. But accuracy has never been our strong point. New routes, availability of private property and last minute weather re-routes have always meant the distance varied somewhat from advertised - part of the history of the event. In 2022 a last minute reroute of a private land section, due to COVID protocols, resulted in the CLASSIC 70K course being approx. 58K! Thus the new names. At the same time, we will endeavour to keep the courses as close to their advertised distances as possible.
Below you will find the Elevation Profile for the 2023 P2A Brève. This is the ideal course we have planned. It can change up to and including Race Day depending upon spring conditions. It is 45.3K long, has 362m of climbing and is 58% unpaved surface (stripes). Many will know this plot is from Ridewithgps. Will we release the route for download? We don't know at this time. P2A is concerned about trespassing on the private property that makes the race what it is. If racers behave with respect to private property we will release the route. It only takes a couple of bad actors to mess things up for us and the others participating. If we do release it, it will be very close to race day.
CLICK ON THE ELEVATION PROFILE BELOW TO VIEW A LARGER VERSION
Categories
You are placed into a category based on age as of Dec 31/23.
Specialty categories ie. mixed team, tandem, singlespeed, etc.are not age graded.
| race categories |
| Under 10 | 11-14 |
| 15-16 |
| 17-18 |
| 19-22 |
| 23-34 |
| 35-44 |
| 45-54 |
| 55-64 |
| 65-74 |
| 75+ |
| Fat Bike - M inimum tire width of 3.7". Verified at finish. |
| Tandem - (trail-a-bike style tandems included) |
| Mixed Team - (1 male & 1 female) Total time of both members. Riders do not have to finish together. |
| Single Speed - Open men/ Open women |
| Open Men's Clydesdale For riders 220 pounds plus. Riders who place must weigh in at Awards. Weight done in riding gear or street clothes. No extra weight is permitted (e.g. hydration pack, etc.). Disagreements are decided at the discretion of the organizers. |
Plate pick up
You must go to Ancaster on Saturday to pick up your plate - they are not available in St. George!
Registration and Number Pick Up is only available at Ancaster on
Saturday, April 29, 2023 - 10am to 5pm @ Ancaster Community Center/Robert E. Wade Community Park, Ancaster Ontario. LINK TO ANCASTER RACE HQ MAP
IMPORTANT - Plate Pick-up on Saturday Only for the P2A BRÈVE UNLESS you registered for VIP OR if you are a P2A Convenience Package purchaser. You need to be there on Saturday in person or have a friend pick-up for you. You will need to show your ID in order to pick up your own kit. Friends will need to show an email from you indicating that they in fact do have permission to pick it up. They will also need to show ID to pick up. While you are getting your kit come & browse the P2A Expo!
P2A BRÈVE Start Times
2 STARTS to reduce congestion on course
START 1 - 11:15AM
START 2 - 11:20AM
Depart from St. George Arena/South Dumfries Community Centre, St. George, ON LINK TO ST GEORGE ARENA MAP
P2A BRÈVE Start descriptions and qualifying criteria
START 1 NOW FILLED! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Fast riders followed by VIPs.
No qualification criteria. First come/first entered. Limit 350 riders.
START 2
No qualification criteria, but riders should feel capable of completing the race in 2 hours 45 minutes. Limit 450 riders.
By being honest with your predicted finish time everyone will have more fun and a faster, less congested ride. If a start is full - You may be able to switch starts at the time you pick up your race number, if someone else moves to create an opening. We are NOT taking names for a waiting list to change starts. The procedure will be to pick up your race number, go to the "Event/Start ChangeTable" to see if a spot is available to switch your registration.
P2A BRÈVE CUT OFF TIMES
See our FAQ page for details - Race course will close at pro-rated times at the 14km and 6km to go points. If you're late you will not be permitted to continue. There will be a shuttle provided to take you to the finish from the 14km point only.
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THE P2A VIP - THE PRO EXPERIENCE If you're interested in something truly special then register for the P2A VIP - The Pro Experience. The P2A VIP includes services usually reserved for professional cyclists or Olympians. Space is limited - reserve today! CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE P2A VIP DETAILS! |
AWARDS
Award Ceremonies are at 3pm on race day at the Ancaster Community Center/Robert E. Wade Community Park. You or a representative must be in attendance to get your medal/prize. Medals/prizes will not be mailed.
COURSE PRE-RIDING
We have an assortment of legal pre-ride course maps, without private property, available under our MAPS button. Please be aware that much is weather dependent and these routes may or may not be useable. April 2023 is a long way off.
Aero position handlebar extensions are prohibited
The P2A is a mass start race. You must have your hands near your brakes. Aero bars/extensions are not permitted on either drop bars or flat bars. Bar ends are permitted on flat bars (ie. mountain bike bars) only. If you are found to be using aero bars/extensions you will disqualified and/or excluded from the results.
Earbuds or headphones are prohibited
You need to be able to hear instructions in case of an emergency situation.
REGISTRATION
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE REGISTERING
There is no plate pick-up on Race Day. There are no refunds once you register. There are no rainchecks. All number/kit pick up is at the Ancaster Community Centre unless you have purchased P2A VIP or the P2A Convenience Package.
The P2A BRÈVE St. George To Ancaster start is at the St. George Arena/South Dumfries Community Centre in St George. A nominal charge will be made for start area parking, with monies going to a local charity. Riders are encouraged to carpool. See the link on the Navigation Bar for MAPS to Ancaster and St George.
TRANSPORTATION - CLICK HERE
The P2A is a point to point event. We have some options to move you and your bike.
P2A CONVENIENCE PACKAGE - MAKING IT EASIER ON RACE DAY!
The $60 P2A Convenience Package Includes:
- Race Day Number Pickup
- Pre-Race Bus and Bike transfer to start line
- Access to Start Line VIP area
- Breakfast before race
Note:- Availability of the P2A Convenience Package is limited
2023 Official P2A T-Shirt
CLICK HERE |
REGISTRATION FEE FOR THE P2A BRÈVE IS $75.
Please Note - All prices are subject to HST and online processing charges |
