diff --git a/Changelog.md b/Changelog.md
index 20a9b526a7..3981753251 100644
--- a/Changelog.md
+++ b/Changelog.md
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 [full changelog](http://github.com/rspec/rspec-rails/compare/v2.8.1...master)
 
+Enhancments
+* add description method to RouteToMatcher (John Wulff)
+
 Bug fixes
 * mock_model(XXX).as_null_object.unknown_method returns self again
 
diff --git a/spec/rspec/rails/matchers/route_to_spec.rb b/spec/rspec/rails/matchers/route_to_spec.rb
index 15ed9970f3..682a322026 100644
--- a/spec/rspec/rails/matchers/route_to_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/rspec/rails/matchers/route_to_spec.rb
@@ -4,9 +4,13 @@
   include RSpec::Rails::Matchers::RoutingMatchers
   include RSpec::Rails::Matchers::RoutingMatchers::RouteHelpers
 
+  def assert_recognizes(*)
+    # no-op
+  end
+
   it "provides a description" do
-    matcher = route_to 'these' => 'options'
-    matcher.instance_variable_set(:@verb_to_path_map, { :get => 'path' })
+    matcher = route_to("these" => "options")
+    matcher.matches?(:get => "path")
     matcher.description.should == "route {:get=>\"path\"} to {\"these\"=>\"options\"}"
   end