DeoreDX

This is usually how I spend my lunch hours. Grinding the gravel roads around the house. Nothing as scenic as you guys. Most of the gravel roads around here are cute through tunnels of trees. One of the rare gravel locations around you aren't staring at walls of trees.

AndreyT

Rode the above route on September 3. Started from Gazos Creek Beach at around 8 am. The Butano Fire Road was still foggy when I got to its beginning at Cloverdale


(video frame capture)

But the fog cleared out quickly

(video frame capture)

The climb to the abandoned airstrip is not difficult at all. And there are no serious sandy sports to speak of.





To a first time rider the airstrip might deceptively feel as the highest point of the route, but it isn't




At some point after that the forest becomes a bit more shady and "sequoish". Instead of bright sand the road is covered with more peaty-looking forest dirt. And this is where some tougher climbs begin to appear, most of them short at first. But once you approach the boundary of Butano park and ride towards Big Basin it becomes very sandy, and pretty mashed up by some construction equipment. Combine this with a number of fairly steep and more extended climbs, and at some points I had to walk the bike uphill.

The Johansen Road at the top of Big Basin is a nice descent. But Middle Ridge Road after the fork is quite unpleasant. Several steep climbs and descends on bedrock with blind turns at the bottom. It is probably nothing for a seasoned mountain biker and/or someone more familiar with the route. Also, by the time I was approaching the center of the park (around noon), Middle Ridge Road became much easier to ride, but at the same time hikers started to appear surprisingly often. Apparently, this road is a popular hiking route.

From there, Gazos Creek Road again becomes a typical fire road ride: some sand pits at times but rideable. Mostly nicely shaded.

tFUnK

AndreyT glad you made it out, and thanks for the recap. Sums it up well! The airstrip is near the summit if you look at the elevation chart zoomed out, but there's absolutely still significant climbing punches after. Using the airstrip as an indicator for hydration planning was my miscue - really could have used another bottle (but I didn't die). Middle Ridge is a proper mountain bike trail - or at least felt that way on a gravel bike with 40mm tires (Pathfinder Pros). The flat bar setup on my XO2 helped, but I kinda wish I had suspension forks. We went on a weekday and didn't see a single soul the whole day, except for a construction truck going into Big Basin. The route felt like the sandiest thing I've ever ridden, practically felt like I surfed down Gazos Creek Rd until I got to the pavement.

cuda2k

Got out for a short stretch of gravel (still working on getting back on the bike after a wee bit of time away) this weekend. Swapped out the 32mm touring tires for some 37mm Riddlers on the Spacehorse and got a little saddle time in from Farmersville to Merit and back (less than 15 miles, but still probably the longest ride this year).

t2p

added a small spur trail excursion and a trail detour

should keep me in good standing with Big Gravel

davesupra

I rode the Katy trail, which runs across Missouri. The is an awesome/beautiful trail.

bOsscO

Looks smooth like buttah

Eric F 

A recent ride in my local mountains...

SoSmellyAir

Eric F What handlebar is on your red BEAR gravel bike? (I think you had mentioned it before in another thread, but of course I failed to note that at the time.) I do not really like the EA70 AX that came with my bike.

Noonievut

I asked him that question before lol. I think it’s a Whiskey Spano

Polaris OBark

DorkDisk

On my way home from grinding gravel on my cross bike, I accidentally made my way into the head of the parade route of the Columbus Day parade going down 5th avenue. So I rode down the whole length.

t2p

dorkdisk - might be headed up the hudson valley early next week

ill keep my eyes open for :

Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning


lol

Eric F 

Whisky!!
https://whiskyparts.co/handlebars/sp...op-handlebar#/

While I was riding yesterday, it struck me (again) how much I like this handlebar. All the positions are just "right' for me.

A view from yesterday's Happy Hour ride...

SoSmellyAir

Nice photos! I did not know one can go gravel grinding in NYC!

It is one of the rare gravel handlebar with mild back sweep and compound flare (so that the STI levers sit more or less straight rather than diagonally), both nice features. I don't understand how anyone could get comfortable on tops that sweep forward.

But the lack of cable routing channels ...

Eric F 

I have never considered it any kind of issue.

DorkDisk

One has to leave the city to reach the roads with gravel, it adds about an hour each way.

Croton Acqueduct Trail goes all the way up the Hudson on the east side; the west side has some nice road riding like Henry Hudson Drive and Route 9W

Eric F 

I love late afternoon rides in my local hills.

t2p

eric f - that shot is outstanding

question - compared to your off road bike - do you encounter more pedal strikes on your gravel bike ?

pedal strikes obviously not pleasant - but for me especially a bit unnerving on a gravel bike

need to brush up on my off road / single track technique - been away from off road riding too long and failed to account for this

t2p

might be up the hudson valley near tarrytown … cloisters (?) … if you are around that area and can drop off a bike would be greatly appreciated lol

Eric F 

I can't say that I've noticed a significant difference in pedal strikes between my MTB and gravel bike. I think I'm pretty good about timing/adjusting my pedal strokes to minimize that issue. It happens on occasion, but no often enough to be a concern for me.

Noonievut

A great time of year to ride!

SoSmellyAir

Everyone has such epic gravel ride pics while I am just tooling along on gravel MUPs.

t2p

gravel mups not interesting / scenic ?

t2p

agree - fav time

great sights - smells - sounds