Route Report: 3 States of Gravel

 Quote of the Day: 

"Not sure which of these roads go through in Great Barrington"

Actually, they all went through but the real surprise was Blue Hill Road, just past Monument Valley Road in Great Barrington.  It's a gravel road till you get to the pond.  Fortunately, there was a metal bridge over the stream otherwise we would have had wet feet for the remainder of the ride.

This route had us stop at a spot that I call the Sound of Music View that reminds of Austria and when you look down the valley you can see Mt Everett off in the distance.  The masthead above was taken on the first Fall Foliage Gravel Grinder (F2G2), three years ago and the weather was stellar.  Not so today.  Still, it's a wonderful view.

Roubaix to Brew: 3 States of Gravel

The next Roubaix to Brewery Ride destination is the Barrington Brewery in Great Barrington, MA.

Sunday, April 30th

Salisbury, CT

 8 ish am Start

Parking:  In and around Salisbury.  The library, or Town Hall.

 

Recommended Equipment:  Cyclcross Bikes with 32c tires (at least) or Mountain Bikes, and empty growler and a way to safely carry it on dirt roads for the remainder of the ride.

Terrain:  Two really big climbs, followed by moderate climbing after lunch. 

1. Mt Riga Road (biggest climb in CT and a dirt road):  6.2 miles, 1,293 ft climb, 4% average grade
2. Sunset Rock:  762 ft climb with an average 12% grade 

All the big climbs are in the morning.

Relive the 2017 Ronde De Rosey

Relive Roubaix dans la nuit

Riding dirt roads at night is a blast.  The climbs seem shorter, the descents are scarier and it's so peaceful.

Relive Roubaix to Brew - Big Elm Brewing

Roubaix to Brew Ride: Big Elm Brewery

The next Roubaix to Brewery Ride destination is the Big Elm Brewery in Sheffield, MA.

Saturday, November 19th
Copake Falls, NY
Harlem Valley Rail Trail Parking Lot
Across from the Depot Deli
9 am Start

Recommended Equipment:  Cyclcross Bikes with 32c tires (at least) or Mountain Bikes, and empty growler and a way to safely carry it on dirt roads for the remainder of the ride.

Terrain:  Two really big climbs and the remaining is a mix of rail trail, pavement and dirt roads around Mt Washington State Forest. 

1. Sunset Rock:  762 ft climb with an average 12% grade 
2. Mt Riga Road (biggest climb in CT and a dirt road):  6.2 miles, 1,293 ft climb, 4% average grade

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17695966

Roubaix to Brews

Introducing the second iteration of The Gravle Guide

Roubaix to Brews

This new maps combines a new passion that I discovered this fall when I rode a quasi gravel grinder/adventure ride with a bike shop out of New Haven called True Cyclery called the True to Brew Gravel Grinder.  While it was more of an adventure ride to two breweries in Oxford, CT, OEC and Black Hog.  We rode some gravel, single track, rail trail, a lot of road, and made a few audibles along the way.

I learned of some new dirt roads in the central part of Connecticut and decided it was time to consolidate the information in order to add more layers to a more expanded map.

There are now four sections to the map:

1. Breweries
2. Greenways
3. New York (to include NJ & PA)
4. Western New England (New England west of I-91) 

Of course if you have any updates or see something I am missing, feel free to send me an email:  gravlerandonneurs@gmail.com