We offer three great events – P2A CENTO Paris to Ancaster (approximately 110KM), P2A CLASSIC Cambridge to Ancaster (approximately 70KM), and the P2A BRÈVE St. George to Ancaster (approximately 45KM following the final portion of the Paris to Ancaster/Cambridge to Ancaster course). As there are cutoff times, we would recommend that inexperienced or first time participants tackle the P2A BRÈVE (45km) race the first year, prior to attempting the longer distances in a future year. The P2A BRÈVE offers all the same benefits as the P2A CLASSIC, including lots of fun and challenging terrain (eg Jack's Dirt Chute, the Prengerlaan, the Powerline Road Mud Slide, Martin Road Climb), with just a little less pain than the full P2A CLASSIC route.

PLEASE NOTE: - Unlike most races, the route, and therefore the distances, can change up to and including race day. The P2A has a unique blend of public roads, public property, public trails and private land. Circumstances can cause a change to our route.

No, by mountain biking standards the route is not a difficult technical challenge. It is a long, periodically very muddy, (unless it rains …) and physically challenging and interesting ride though. As is the trend, most people are using a gravel or cyclocross bike to ride the P2A. That produces its own challenges with loose gravel and mud.

99.8% of the route is ride-able in all weather conditions. There are 3-4 short sections of guaranteed mud. These are 50m to 100 m long, 3-10cm deep. Many riders shoulder their bike and run these sections. 2022 was the warmest and driest ever. 2023 was one of the wettest ever. Spring weather is variable from year to year.

New Hope Community Bikes, a cycling education charity based in Hamilton, Ontario, is thrilled to take charge of the bike wash station for P2A. Proceeds from the bike wash directly support New Hope's initiatives, focusing on cycling education, safety, rider fluency, and improving accessibility and affordability of bicycles.

Your purchase of a $10 bike wash not only keeps your wheels clean but also contributes to the impactful work of New Hope Community Bikes in Hamilton and throughout Ontario. After you purchase a Bike Wash Ticket you will receive an email where you will be able to download your e-ticket (which includes a QR code). This QR code is unique to your purchase and will be required for proof of purchase at the bike wash station. Purchase a Bike Wash Ticket

We will take payment on Race Day of both cash or card as well. Bike wash closes at 4pm. Please collect your bike before then.

No, we do not publish maps of the route because several sections of the course are on private property, which we only have permission to use on race day. To help ensure the longevity of the race we ask that you do not trespass on other days of the year. The map pages have directions to the start and finish lines and as we get closer to the race date, we will add a spectator map for those who want to watch.

See question above. The final route is not marked until the morning of the race. In the event of bad weather some sections of the course may be excluded to prevent environmental damage, or detoured around downed trees. Unlike most races, the route, and therefore the distances, change up to and including race day. There are legal pre-ride maps, without private property, available via the MAPS button above. This will give you a taste of the terrain you will encounter. Please be aware that much is weather dependent and April 2024 is a long way off.

Riders should be confident that they can finish the P2A CENTO ride in 5 hours. Riders should be confident that they can finish the P2A CLASSIC ride in 4 1/2 hours or the P2A BRÈVE ride in 3 hours. The race course will close at pro-rated times at 35km, 20km and 10km to go. If you're late you will not be permitted to continue. If you're late you will not be permitted to continue. The reason for this is that the roads are closed for you, the racer. In order to open the roads for local residents in a timely manner we have cut-off times.

Cutoff times/locations will be adjusted according to course conditions at the organizer's discretion up to and including Race Day.

Cutoff #1 - NEW Glen Morris 9:30am (this is for P2A Cento only) - 38KM done (shuttle available)
Cutoff #2 - Harrisburg Aid Station 12:00pm - 38KM TO GO (shuttle available)
Cutoff #3 - Jerseyville Road & the Rail Trail - 1:30pm 14KM TO GO (shuttle available)
Cutoff #4 - Slote Road and Mineral Springs Road - 2:00pm 6KM TO GO (you will be directed east on Mineral Springs Road bypassing the Powerline Road Mud Slide)

The shuttle will take you to either Harrisburg or the Finish. We recommend that inexperienced or first time participants tackle the P2A BRÈVE their first year, prior to attempting the P2A CLASSIC or the P2A CENTO event in the future.

Saturday, April 27 2024 - 10am to 5pm for P2A CENTO, P2A CLASSIC and P2A BRÈVE at the Ancaster Community Center/Robert E. Wade Community Park, Ancaster Ontario LINK TO MAP

Sunday, April 28 2024 - VIP only at Ancaster Community Centre (no P2A CENTO, P2A CLASSIC or P2A BRÈVE pickup
Sunday, April 28 2024 - P2A Convenience Package at a location TBD not far from the finish.

No. You need to register on line by April 15, 2024 or earlier.. Be aware that there are field limits and package limits (eg. bus/truck purchases, VIP, etc.)

Yes AND No. VIPs have always been able to pick up their kits in Ancaster on race day. Registrants who purchased the P2A Convenience Package through registration may also pick up their kit in Ancaster on race day. If you are riding the P2A BRÈVE or P2A CLASSIC or P2A CENTO there is no race day kit pick up. There are so many people doing these 3 distances that if everyone showed up on race day we couldn't get them their kit and have them reach the starts on time. Please assist us by coming to get your kit on Saturday. Thank you for your understanding.

Kits can be picked up by a friend, team captain, etc. To pick up kits for you, they will need to show an email from you indicating that you in fact do give permission to pick it up for you as well as their ID.

YES! In fact we encourage it! However, in order to pick up kits for friends you will need to show an email from them indicating you in fact do have permission to pick it up. You will also need to show your ID in order to pick up your own kit. Remember that kit pick up is on Saturday, not Race Day.

Our refund policy is NO REFUNDS. There are no rainchecks. You acknowledge that there are no refunds during the registration process. There are no exceptions.

Yes. To transfer your entry to another rider you will need to log into your Race Roster Account. The transfer fee is $20 +taxes. You need to have a person to transfer your registration to. We do not provide people to transfer to nor do we keep a waiting list. Your spot in a particular start is not retained by the person you transfer your registration to. Products such as t-shirts, buses etcetera do not automatically move with the registration. They must be added during the transfer process. IF YOU FORGET TO ADD THEM THEY ARE GONE AND THERE IS NO CREDIT.

PLEASE VIEW THE HOW TO TRANSFER PAGE ON RACE ROSTER BEFORE STARTING YOUR TRANSFER. TRANSFERS MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED BY MONDAY APRIL 15 2024 11:59PM PROBLEMS? PLEASE CONTACT P2A VIA EMAIL LINK AT BOTTOM OF PAGE RACE ROSTER TRANSFER HELP PAGE

Yes, when you pick up your race number, go to the event/start change table to see if a spot is available in what you want. Be patient - riders frequently switch starts or move from the P2A CLASSIC 70km race to the P2A BRÈVE 45km race, for example, leaving openings to be filled. It is done on a first come, first served basis. We can't guarantee that you will be able to change even if you are waiting.

No, we will donate it for you to one of our volunteer marshaling organizations.

No, but a licence/permit from Cycling Canada, The Ontario Cycling Association , USA Cycling, or any UCI federation will get preferred seeding (subject to start limits).

To enter either the P2A CENTO Start 1 or the P2A CLASSIC (70km) Start 1, use your 2023 licence information. Before the race log into your Race Roster account and update your licence information (must be completed by Monday April 15, 2024 11:59PM). To enter Start 2 of the P2A CENTO or Starts 2-5 of the P2A CLASSIC race, or either start of the P2A BRÈVE race, there are no qualification/licence/membership standards.

Cash awards for the top 10 male & female racers overall (P2A CENTO race only). Final purse tba. Medals to the top 3 in each age group and special classification (singlespeed, unicycle etc) in the P2A CLASSIC and P2A BRÈVE.

Award ceremonies are at 3pm on race day at the Ancaster community centre. You or a representative must be in attendance to get your medal/prize. Medals/prizes will not be mailed.

Mountain bikes, hybrids and gravel/cyclocross bikes are recommended. The race has been won on a cyclo-cross bike, 26" mtb, 29" mtb and a road bike, (with mtb pedals and a world junior time trial champion on board). As is the current trend, the majority of racers are using gravel bikes.

No electric assisted bikes (no motors of any kind) are permitted in the P2A CENTO, P2A CLASSIC and P2A BRÈVE, as these 3 events are races. If you have accommodations and use an e-bike please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your circumstances.

A tandem is a bicycle built for 2 riders. We consider trail-a-bike type things tandems as well.

A fat bike is a style of bicycle built with extra wide tires. This category appears in both the P2A BRÈVE and the P2A CLASSIC. We are specifying a minimum tire width of 3.7" as stamped on the sidewall of the tire. We'll check at the finish. It shouldn't be a problem as most fat bikes are using 4 inch or wider tires.

No, 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.

No, the P2A is a mass start race. You must able to quickly hear what is going on around you and follow instructions if necessary.