Kissena features 

https://theradavist.com/2022-rasputitsa-dirt-gravel-cycling-event/

It was such a great event - if there are still 2023 reg spots open, highly highly recommend signing up!

Did my first Gravel Grinder type event this past weekend as I've now got a gravel bike (3T Exploro)

https://www.bikereg.com/loudoun-1725-gravel-grinder

https://ex2adventures.com/cycling/loudoun-1725-gravel-grinder/

I did the Loudoun 1725 event ("not a race" as they kept saying) in and around Middleburg, VA, just east of the Blue Ridge. I did the 80 mile route which featured about 6k ft of climbing. There were also 40 and 60 mile options. Middleburg has a lot scenic gravel roads (300miles per the organizers dating back to the early 1700s).

• Jeremiah Bishop showed up for the event
• Miles 1-10 I rode solo, the start was in waves of 5-10 people or so, my group was going slower so I pushed ahead
• At mile ~15 I got passed by 3 guys in a paceline all wearing the kit of a DC based team, jumped on to their group and picked up another couple of guys at mile 20. One of the guys who hopped on had ridden 50 miles to the start and would end up having a 180mi day
• We rode at a pretty fast pace despite the roads being pretty poor, maybe 18mph over this section
• At mile 40 I was leading the paceline on a section that was tarmac downhill, slowed down for a 4-way stop where a few other cars were approaching at the same time, everyone else decided to risk it and blow by. They then proceeded on a gravel climb with that momentum. I got dropped
• When I reach the crest of that climb and proceeded downhill, I saw that everyone had stopped. But not for me. One of the guys caught his wheel in a rut on the descent and when over his bike. Snapped his carbon handlebars and was favoring his shoulder. His teammates waited around for the medical car
• Also at the bottom of this descent was a ford. Water was well above the BB, and not wanting to mess up the bearings on my new bike, I decided to walk it vs riding it like others. Took my shoes and socks off too which made the next 40 miles much more comfortable than for some of the others
• Rode solo for most of the second half so I could actually enjoy the scenery
• I had lowered my tires pressures (tubeless) a bit during the ride but must have lowered them too much because at about mile 60 I took a quick turn and lost all pressure in my rear at once. When looking at the tire, the bead was still on but there was sealant showing all the way around the rim. I pumped it back up with a hand pump and it held pressure until the end of the ride. As of this afternoon, the tire it still holding pressure. Not sure how to explain that blow out besides maybe running too little pressure.
• The last 20 miles had much better quality roads but had a lot of medium grade climbs with long descents (with first half of ride having mostly short 10%+ grade climbs). I descended cautiously on these last 20 miles as I wasn't sure what the deal was with my rear tire
  

Overall this was a very fun ride in a scenic part of the country. Organized very well too. The climbing profile is something else with 6k ft of climbing over the 80 miles, but you only reach 800ft max elevation and maybe 300ft minimum.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7298511923/overview

Just came across this gravel event which is a fairly short hop from NYC (just under 2h)

https://rsgadventures.com/event/macedonia-gravel-grinder-gravel/

There are three courses - Soul (33 mile), Adventure (58 mile) or Mega (74 mile).

Any takers?

I could be convinced, this is very close to my Aunt's house, I'm sure I've rode some of the same roads.

probably gonna do this (all reservations for childcare aside), its by the same people who put on the jersey gravel grinder.  I'll probably go with adventure as I ain't been riding anything that could be considered mega.  More looking for a little tune up before the Overland in VT in August. 

Sweet, I am also signed up for Overland. Could be convinced to do the mega, but will ride with teammates, if I do Macedonia

Looks like I'll be in town for Macedonia - @niallsmart @eloy @SammuelAuld are you all still up for this?

if you haven't singed up yet, they sent an email this morning with a discount code: 

Use Code PRIMEGRAVEL and Save 10% Off

Sam is signed for the Adventure route. Which one are you considering James?

I think Adventure route, too

I am!  But don't my choice sway you because (a) new baby had made me always a soft yes and (b) you guys are in better riding shape than me. I take no offense if you guys end up in the adventure route.  Really looking forward to seeing you guys, in Macedonia and in Vermont for the Overland. 

PS. I rode the 60 mile course from the old dirty apple gravel grinder that begins in Goldens Bride in Westchester a few weeks back.  Seriously challenging ride (with a nice technical climb and descent in Mtn Lakes state park), and only an hour from the city.  Route essentially has no chill points. 

just signed up for the Adventure route

Anyone else besides Sam and James? Eloy? Niall? Pretty tempted myself...

They apparently also have a team competition using points/rankings which might make things more interesting.

I’m thinking about it 

FYI PRIMEGRAVEL is no longer active as a discount code.

So that means you are in, @David Yang??? 

Lol I may have a family function during that so trying to figure out schedules. Will probably know if I can register by this weekend.

I just signed up for the Adventure route @David Yang  @eloy

(You can get 5% off with code JMQAMPD3)

In for Adventure.

signed up for the adventure loop

Hey all,

I am signed up for D2R2 180K route on August 20th along with Eloy and James. Given that I will be recovering rather than riding, I am happy to transfer it to someone on the club if interested. Probably a great way to get in big miles before cross season. I've heard it is awesome. I am sad to miss it, but plan to do so next year.  Message me on Slack (or email me at livetoridebikes@gmail.com) if interested 

https://www.franklinlandtrust.org/d2r2/

Another gravel event this fall that's not too far from NYC (~2.5h). I think the owner at the Velo Domestique bike shop is involved with or runs this. Unfortunately I can't make the date just posting FYI:

https://www.bikereg.com/fall-foliage-grave-grinder-f2g2

Signed up for Iron Cross happening in October, previewed a couple pages back by James. 

Hey all
Mark and I are planning to do a gravelly route from Brooklyn this Saturday. We haven't figured out the exact route yet but possible options north include River Road, Ruckman Road, Old 9W, Tallman, Old Erie Path, Hook Mtn, then over the bridge and down the OCA.
Leaving GAP at 5:30 am to beat the heat. Probably be at BB by 5:45 but we'll keep rolling so if you intend to join, be there by then.

Change of plans - we are gong to take the 6:45 train to Peekskill and ride back on the OCA. Meeting at GAP at 5:50.
I think a road bike with 32s would be fine (though there are some bumpy sections on the OCA).
Mellow pace all the way. 
Will cross post to Slack.

Spent a few days in Vermont, super last minute signed to do the Guildford Gravel Grinder about an hour south from where I was staying.

• Description of the event seems grassroots, put on by 545 Velo
• 65 km (40ish miles)
• About 95% of it on dirt roads
• Full on Gravel Grinder USAC Race, so while I'm sure some will gravel it mellow, there will be a full crew of people racing. No segments, this is a simple classic start to finish race.
• Night before tell my dad "I'll be riding it, not racing it" -- yeah right
• Starts on a super steep downhill, but mega neutralized, we'll have to climb back up this for the finish
• As the downhill ends and the neutral car disappears, I realize that other than the distance, I did not checkout the route at all and have no real idea of what's coming, other than this is Vermont and there will be a lot of climbing
• Did download the route to my Hammerhead Karoo 2 😅
• Precisely as I don't quite know what's coming, on the first climb I make the decision to let the lead/elite group go
• We eventually hit a 5km climb, and from then on we are going down or up.
• Do not remember any flat.
• End up with a group of around 12 riders, guessing we are the second or third group 
• Feels like I am one the strongest on the climbs, but definitely struggling on the downhills
• Worth note, seems everyone had at least 1:1 gearing, so my 38 front 36 rear is a little heavy
• Wonder if the same is true in the downhills, where most probably have a 9, and my 38/11 might be a little low
• Oh there's one pit/water stop, that was fun to do Unbound style, all in agreement to stay together, and grabbing water and whatever as quickly as possible
• Whenever the downhill gets technical, a bit single trackie or double track, I also appear to have an advantage, but not so when is just let it rip no brakes fast
• I am keeping up on the shorter downhills, but we hit one last 6km downhill, and at some point feels like I have to let the group go, as I'm taking risks to keep up -- specially remembering what I told my dad
• A couple of riders would catch me, but they were quickly dropped when the road went back up
• One last hill to the finish 18% wut wut
• Would finish 40 something out of 200+ -- not terrible, not great, decent description of my skills
• Oh, the phone on my pocket butt dialed an ex 10 times -- I am trying not to address that at all
• Highly recommend this ride/race. Missed you.

Looks like fun!  This is only 30 minutes from my GF's in NH, so I'll  have to check it out next year.

GregHoge said:

Looks like fun!  This is only 30 minutes from my GF's in NH, so I'll  have to check it out next year.

I think it might be part of a local(ish) area series too

Jim and myself took the early train from grand central ,where we bumped into Sebastian the Hilltop Williamsburg store manager , he was off on a “full sus” gravel adventure , we headed off through blue mountain reserve and eventually found croton dam ,picked some wild wine raspberry’s and then picked up the OCA back to the city , the shade kept us cool until we got back to the Bronx , where we would them smell the city melting , not crazy miles but a fun hard day , got my routine hydrant shower back in the neighborhood