The Northern Exposure 400km brevet, designed by Crista Borras, is a beautiful and challenging expedition to Newport PA on the Juniata River. Many of our brevets ride through Cumberland Valley, e.g. in the region of Shippensburg, PA, leaving us to wonder what is in the mountains to the north and west of the valley? This brevet answers that question. (Alternatively, the Cumberland Valley is part of what the USGS defines as the Great Appalachian Valley and the mountains to the north and west are part of the Ridge and Valley Appalachians.) Starting from the Frederick Day’s Inn (park at the “P” on the map in the gravel truck-parking lot, unless you are staying in the hotel), we ride north on familiar and easy roads to Thurmont. We cross Catoctin Mountain on Sabillasville Rd heading into the Michaux State Forest, one of the more beautiful and easygoing crossings. This is the same route that the Frederick 600km takes on the first day, as far as Sabillasville–but here the routes part, with the Northern Exposure route climbing over South Mountain, here, and into and across the Cumberland Valley. From Roxbury, riders climb over Kittatinny Mountain into the Path Valley, with its picturesque Amish farms and long mountain views. The route continues northwest through the Path Valley and Horse Valley to East Waterford, followed by a gentle climb over Tuscarora Mountain and then a scenic cruise to Newport. After a stop in Newport (open control) riders climb over Blue Mountain, back into the Cumberland Valley. After passing Children’s Lake in lovely Boiling Springs, riders return to familiar roads, joining the route of the Frederick 300 for the return over South Mountain on Whiskey Springs Rd, eventually passing Lake Meade, controlling at East Berlin, continuing on through Thurmont and the relatively easy terrain back to Frederick.