We’re happy to report that GravelNY’s (GrNY) first “SGS” (Spring Gravel Series) will occur on Saturdays from April 30th to May 21st. There will be two or three “ride groups” each week which will differ in pace and distance. We’re attempting to have the different groups end their rides around the same time so they can socialize together at a common spot at the end of each ride.
The Ride Groups
Long distance group
- 60 to 65+ miles
- Pace: 19-20mph (NYCC standards), 16-17 mph (“Strava speed” on relatively flat routes)
- Led by Steve
- Physcially intense – faster pace, more climbing, more steep/long hills
Medium distance group
- 50 to 55 miles (+/-)
- Pace: 16-17 mph (NYCC standards), 13-14 mph (“Strava speed” on relatively flat routes)
- Led by Kathy
- Roughly the same length (time-wise) as long distance rides, but at a slower pace
- (Group only available two of the four weeks)
Short distance group
- Under 50 miles
- Pace: ~14mph (NYCC standards), 11-12 mph (“Strava speed” on relatively flat routes)
- Led by Jay
- It will have its intense moments, but generally be more relaxed.
- Two of the weeks it will start after the long and medium distance groups
Please make sure you can maintain the speed an intensity of the group you ride with. In some of the weeks if you get into a speed group that’s beyond what you’re capable of, there’s the option to drop back to a slower, more manageable group, but that’s not always the case.
Ride details…
(Each of the rides is named for their start location)
April 30 – Washington Heights
The first week we start in Washington Heights near the George Washington Bridge and ride up to Nyack/Haverstraw and then down the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. This week lets cyclists from outside NYC see just how much nice riding is available to City residents without having to drive or take a train to go on a ride.
(Click to see the collection of routes)
Short Distance Group
- 49 miles (or as little as 30 w/ MetroNorth return)
- 1,990 feet climbing
Long Distance Group
- 65 miles
- 2,890 feet climbing (or 3,500 if you take River Road)
Compared to other weeks this week is pretty chill and easy – there’s not much climbing, and there are MetroNorth stops every few miles towards the end of the ride. So if you get in over your head it’s no big deal.
May 7 – Cold Spring
This week is all about climbing and dirt roads. We start and end in Cold Spring, NY and all of the riding will be in Putnam County.
(Click to see the collection of routes)
Short Distance Group
- 33 miles
- 2,900 feet of climbing (1,000 in the first 6.5 miles!)
Medium Distance Group
(has far less gravel than short and long)
- 55 miles (can be 49 with a small tweak)
- 4,770 feet climbing (200 less with “small tweak”)
Long Distance Group
- 60 miles (w/ option for 56)
- 6,630 feet climbing (w/ option for 6,380)
May 14 – Katonah
The third week we ride the dirt roads in Westchester County around Katonah. It’s an incremental step up for the slow group and a slightly longer ride for the long group (but less climbing)…
(Click to see the collection of routes)
Short Distance Group
- 39 miles
- 3,680 feet climbing
Long Distance Group
- 65 miles
- 5,830 feet climbing
Given how the routes are designed, if you fall behind in the long distance group, you can easily switch to a shorter distance.
May 21 – Pawling
The fourth week we start and end in Pawling NY, in the Harlem Valley and ride some of the best dirt roads in Dutchess County (NY) and Litchfield County (CT).
(Click to see collection of routes)
Short Distance Group
- 46 miles
- 3,650 feet climbing
Long Distance Group
- 65 miles
- 5,360 feet climbing
Add-on options for people taking MetroNorth
- +14 miles, 610 feet of climbing
- +15 miles, 860 feet of climbing
Trains only run every two hours to/from Pawling, so the add-on routes are for people who want to take the train from Brewster where trains run every hour. They can also be used by people who just want a longer ride and are taking MetroNorth home.