Ride/Scouting Reports

Westchester Dirt! (Sunday, Nov 24)

UPDATE: This ride is over. You can find some additional photos and a brief recap on Steve’s Strava activity: https://www.strava.com/activities/12975542393

Our thanks to everyone who joined us for this fun day of riding and post-ride celebrating. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Join us for a dirt-heavy ride in Westchester county! We don’t know how many more “3-speed” rides we’ll be able to do this year, given that winter is coming fast. We will have our usual three pace groups, which will differ in speed, distance, and intensity of climbing.

RSVP Link: https://www.strava.com/clubs/513005/group_events/1843882

ROUTES:

Long (61mi, >5200ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43458179
Medium (51mi, >4100ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43458220
Short (42mi, >3500ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43458314

DISCLAIMER: This is totally informal. You ride at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety. You are expected to be self-sufficient. We cannot guarantee the condition or safety of roads and trails. Nor can we control the behavior of other riders. This is not a supported event. We expect everyone to be an experienced cyclist who can repair a flat, carry appropriate food and hydration, and navigate independently if they lose the group.

Riders tackling the climb through Mountain Lakes Park.

We traversed many miles of beautiful dirt roads through forests, farms, and horse country estates.

Off-road trails and crazy climbs from Garrison, NY (Nov 16, 2024)

UPDATE: THIS RIDE IS OVER, BUT WE’LL BE POSTING MORE RIDES SOON. You can find a brief ride summary and some photos on Steve’s Strava activity: https://www.strava.com/activities/12916865605

Expect a normal “three speeds” ride on SUNDAY 11/24. We’ll try to get that ride posted soon.

This week (Saturday 11/16) Steve will be leading an informal gravel ride aimed at folks in our faster pace group. Expect miles of fun off-road trails and crazy climbs. If you have the choice between skinnier and fatter tires, bring the fat tires. You’ll be okay on normal gravel tires (e.g. 40mm) if that’s what you’ve got.

RSVP Link: https://www.strava.com/clubs/513005/group_events/1839047

ROUTES:

Full insanity (74mi, >8500ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49036211

Partial insanity (58mi, >6800ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49039746

Extra Credit (10k ft or bust edition): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49046949

Black Rock Forest & Storm King (November 9th)

UPDATE: THIS RIDE IS OVER, BUT WE’LL BE POSTING MORE RIDES SOON. You can find a brief ride summary and some photos on Steve’s Strava activity:
https://www.strava.com/activities/12862424903

Come ready for adventure! Black Rock Forest is a hidden gem in our region. Steve has visited across seasons, whether riding the forest roads, hiking the trails, XC skiing, or snowshoeing. We will stick to the maintained forest roads, which were highly rideable – and a lot of fun – when we scouted them in July. It’s a beautiful place!

Here are some photos from Black Rock Forest for inspiration: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XzXA1TRMH7emrGWe6

We’ll also visit Storm King Highway, a better-known highlight of our region, which offers magnificent views of the Hudson River and beyond. Black Rock Forest and Storm King both suffered major damage during a major storm in July of 2023. Thankfully both places have been repaired, so we can return to these favorite spots.

See Strava to RSVP and find more details about the ride and pace groups: https://www.strava.com/clubs/513005/group_events/1829665

*** We will start at Bear Mountain State Park. If you are driving, there is a $10 fee for parking. If you have a NYS Empire Pass, you’ll be able to park for free, just like in any other NYS park.

*** Train riders can hop off at Manitou Station. They will have a 3-mile ride to Bear Mountain. [There is no parking lot at Manitou Station. If drivers want to avoid the parking fee at Bear Mountain, you’ll have to find a different place.]

*** All riders should use caution at the start and end of the route! We’ll have to navigate a busy road and traffic circle as we leave Bear Mountain State Park. The same goes for train riders, who will have to navigate to the park.

Strava is currently stripping external links from their pages. We have posted the routes and map links below.

QUESTIONS? You can email Steve at track.smart@gmail.com, but first see the RSVP link on Strava and GrNY’s tips and guidelines page, which contain a lot of useful information.

ROUTES:

Long (60mi, ~6000ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48960396
Medium (48mi, ~4500ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48913132
Short (38mi, ~3500ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48913108

START LOCATION: Bear Mountain State Park, Parking Lot 1. Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ScbZTf7v6w96iwyZ8

END OF RIDE HANGOUT: Informal picnic at Bear Mountain. See the RidewithGPS routes for the exact location we plan to gather after the ride. Look for the picnic table symbol on the map.

Black Rock Forest.

Views from Storm King Highway.

Jersey Dirt from Natirar Park, Nov 2 (Routes & Missing Links)

UPDATE: THIS RIDE IS OVER, BUT WE’LL BE POSTING MORE RIDES SOON. You can find a brief ride summary and some photos on Steve’s Strava activity:
https://www.strava.com/activities/12806981854

This area of NJ has some of the nicest gravel riding in our region: Dirt roads through woods, forests, and along peaceful streams; Ridges and hills with beautiful pastoral views; Quaint small towns with General Stores. You’ll probably find at least one cooler in the woods with local maple syrup and an on-your-honor jar for depositing money.

See Strava to RSVP and find more details about the ride and pace groups: https://www.strava.com/clubs/513005/group_events/1825379

Strava is currently stripping external links from their pages. We have posted the missing links below.

QUESTIONS? You can email Steve at track.smart@gmail.com, but first see the RSVP link on Strava and GrNY’s tips and guidelines page, which contain a lot of useful information.

ROUTE LINKS:

Long (60 mi, >6000 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47048264
Medium (54 mi, >4900 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47048304
Short (40 mi, >3600 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47048336

START LOCATION: Natirar Park. Take the Peapack Rd entrance and go to the first parking area: https://goo.gl/maps/Naqdh1oga6mN5FRS8. Check the RWGPS routes for clarification.

END OF RIDE HANGOUT: Picnic in Natirar Park. We’ll bring some cold drinks and snacks.

(Photo: Courtesy of Ken)

Tunnels & Forests: Saturday, Oct 26 (Routes and Missing Links)

UPDATE: This ride is over, but you are welcome to check out Steve’s Strava post for more photos and a quick recap: https://www.strava.com/activities/12751976266

In honor of Kathy’s birthday, join us for a challenging ride on the dirt roads and trails of Litchfield County, CT. We’ll be riding brand new routes for the occasion. Expect tunnels, forests, and potentially goats on the trail!

See Strava to RSVP and find more details about the ride and pace groups: https://www.strava.com/clubs/513005/group_events/1816914

Strava is currently stripping external links from their pages. We have posted the missing links below.

QUESTIONS? You can email Steve at track.smart@gmail.com, but first see the RSVP link on Strava and GrNY’s tips and guidelines page, which contain a lot of useful information.

ROUTE LINKS:

Long (60 mi, >6000 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48837945
Medium (54 mi, >4900 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48810220
Short (40 mi, >3600 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48810314

GOOGLE MAPS LINKS

Start Location: Pawling Train Station – https://maps.app.goo.gl/qDnPvgnn4ruwdYYZ8 (* Be sure to look at the RWGPS routes for the exact meet-up location and parking spot for car drivers)

End of Ride Gathering: O’Connor’s Public House in Pawling, NY. All of the routes end at this location – https://maps.app.goo.gl/LPFzaHWSFpjLfhSs8

Group photo, minus about seven riders who were still getting ready near their cars.

Great views. There was still some excellent fall foliage in many places.

Riders entering the tunnel in Steep Rock Preserve.

Dutchess Fall Foliage Ride, Saturday October 12 (Routes & Missing Links)

UPDATE: This ride is over, but you are welcome to check out Steve’s Strava post for more photos and a quick recap: https://www.strava.com/activities/12639767105

Join us for a spectacular fall foliage ride on the dirt roads of Dutchess County. We’ll be riding fresh routes to keep things interesting! The trees should have nice fall color, which will be an extra treat. We will have the usual three pace groups (short, medium, long) and expect all groups to end at around the same time. All routes end at Kelly’s Creamery & Food Truck, so everyone can celebrate together at the end of the ride.

Strava is currently stripping external links from their pages. We have posted the links related to this group ride below.

QUESTIONS? You can email Steve at track.smart@gmail.com, but first see the RSVP link on Strava and GrNY’s tips and guidelines page, which contain a lot of useful information.

ROUTE LINKS:

Long (64 mi, >5300 ft): ridewithgps.com/routes/48709455
Medium (54 mi, >4200 ft) : ridewithgps.com/routes/48708817
Short (42.8 mi, >3400 ft): ridewithgps.com/routes/48708860

GOOGLE MAPS LINKS

Start Location: Dover Plains Train Station. Use the parking lot on Market Street. Do NOT use the parking lot on Railroad street. Google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eJeZb2fB9N2L6ber7

End of Ride Gathering: Kelly’s Creamery & Kelly’s Husband’s Food Truck for food and drinks. Google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HbdpM6W6UNSQeHk4A

Group photo, minus 5 riders who were either late or still getting themselves ready to roll.

View from the top of Tower Hill Rd. Absolutely worth the climb! Fall colors in the foreground and the Catskills Mountains in the distance.

Summer’s Last Hurrah – Katonah to Carmel Hamlet

Summer weather returned for this weekend, so we decided to get the band back together for another three-speeds ride! It was a lovely ride on beautiful rolling roads in Westchester. We traversed forests, reservoirs, and horse country estates. This was a bit of a “groad” ride (more pavement and less dirt), but it allowed us to visit some places we seldom travel in our other Westchester rides. The long, medium, and short distance groups all had plenty of riders and everyone had a great time. Many of us gathered at Paulie’s Deli after the ride for some well-deserved drinks and food. Thanks to everyone who joined us today and added to the fun!

ROUTES
-Long (66mi/>5000ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48389478
-Medium (59mi/>4200ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48389607
-Short (45mi/>3200ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48389755

Steve’s Strava Post: https://www.strava.com/activities/12409971731

Berkshires Gravel Century from Wingdale, NY (Mt Riga, Mt Everett and Sunset Rock)

Spectacular day of riding with some GrNY regulars. We had perfect weather and a beautiful course! This ride included the core of the Berkshires-Riga-Sunset Rock route, but we started in Wingdale, NY, which is closer to NYC. The route includes an optional spur (mile 50, in blue) to the top of Mt Everett. Everyone was feeling good and did the extra climb, though not everyone maintained traction for the steepest section near the end (i.e., a few riders needed to walk a short distance). The road up to Mt Everett is steep, particularly the last 0.5 mile dirt section near the top, but there are good views as payoff.

Route (110 mi, ~10,000 ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48334310

Steve’s Strava Post: https://www.strava.com/activities/12362495208

The route was beautiful from end to end.

Along the Mt Everett climb.

October Mountain Gravel Century (Berkshires)

We were originally targeting Sunday for this ride, but Saturday’s upcoming rain was going to make that a bad idea. Instead, a couple of us took Thursday off and we queued up a different Berkshires century ride for Sunday!

This route (October Mtn) was a gorgeous mix of deep woods, open vistas, smooth dirt, rough dirt, and some double-track and jeep-road adventure mixed in. About 85 miles was new exploration for GrNY, including the lovely October Mountain area. Note that conditions will change greatly if the weather has been wet recently (i.e., expect deep puddles, mud, and stream-bed-like sections), so choose your timing for this route accordingly! We chose a period of dry weather. Also consider whether to bring larger tires for the rougher sections. Steve was on 40mm gravel tires, but he would have appreciated fatter tires in places. Please use caution on the rougher parts, particularly the descents.

The route travels from North Canaan, CT to October Mountain State Forest in Massachusetts and includes all of the dirt from F2G2 (Fall Foliage Gravel Grinder) and a lot more. Expect ~65% dirt roads by distance, but probably 75% dirt by riding time.

Here’s the route (with some warnings you should heed in the route description): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48256312

Here’s Steve’s Strava Post: https://www.strava.com/activities/12336524065

Some forest double track.

WARNING: You’ll hit this partway down the descent of Brace Rd. It is more like a loose streambed (dry at this moment) than a road.

Views from Anderson Vista in October Mountain State Forest.

NEW Jersey Dirt – Featuring Fresh Dirt Routes from David S.

Awesome day on the bike in NJ. Our thanks to David S. for cooking up some great new routes for us! And a second thanks, for being our personal guide (for the Long Distance group) with interesting facts, real-time hazard warnings, local history, and making sure we got up-close and personal with the Buffalo in Readington! All three pace groups (short/medium/long) arrived back at Burnt Mills Park at about the same time (just a few minutes apart). Everyone rode hard, enjoyed the excellent scenery, and most people stayed after the ride for cold drinks and homemade baked goods courtesy of Kathy. Thanks everyone for making it a fun day!

ROUTES:
– Long: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47183096
– Medium:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47183729
– Short: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47183731

Steve’s Strava Post: https://www.strava.com/activities/12241042261

Steve leading out the long distance group.

Some views from our route.

Up close and personal with the buffalo of Readington.