Thanks everyone who joined us today!  What a fun and beautiful ride.  
Here are some photos from today: https://photos.app.goo.gl/7fyaHfokMwLawnE58  . 
Feel free to use them on your Strava feed (or elsewhere).  Or to add your own if you took some good ones.
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We are moving this ride to SUNDAY.  There is some possibility that Saturday's rain will creep into Sunday, but based on the best information we have at this moment (Wednesday afternoon), Sunday looks like the better day.  We hope that most people will still be able to ride with us.
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One more Spring Gravel Series Ride! We skipped these awesome routes due to weather and competing events.  
- A HUGE THANKS to everyone who has contributed a few bucks towards club expenses! GrNY will remain free to join and free to ride, so just come out and ride.  That said, contributions to help cover expenses are always appreciated. Insurance, which covers all riders, is our biggest expense (~$10/yr for each rider who joins us more than once).  You can find out more at this link:  https://grny.org/guidelines
- Yes, there will be more rides this season!  Approximately every other week.
- Don't forget to fill out the online waiver form!  You only need to do this once and it takes less than a minute: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7KKI8DMlB4aF0-M1cYWYP0zUys5aOv3i-AkCm0LagW4xi1A/viewform

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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.  Additional highlights of our route include the rugged climb up Teetertown Ravine and riding above the Lockwood Gorge.  You won't want to miss it!

START TIME: 9:20 AM *Wheels Rolling*.  
- Car drivers should arrive at least 15 minutes early. If you are slow to get ready, please arrive even earlier. There are a couple of portable toilets in the park.
- Train riders: If the train is running late, we will wait for you. You do not need to take an extra-early train.  You'll need to ride from Far Hills station to the park (1.5 miles until the park entrance, then another 0.5 down the park road: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C8dPazy72xeoWnwNA)


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 and find a spot in the shade. 

ROUTES FOR THIS WEEK:
Long (62mi, ~5000ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47048264
Medium (52mi, ~4400ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47048304
Short (45mi, ~3700ft): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47048336

Refueling Location:  Califon - most likely at Rambo's General Store.  This will be grab-and-go for efficiency.  

QUESTIONS? You can email Steve at track.smart@gmail.com, but first be sure to read all of the information below and at https://grny.org


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RIDE ORGANIZATION
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We will have at least one place to buy food and drink on each ride, but we are only doing grab-and-go during the ride itself (e.g., gatorade + portable snacks). Each group will have a few “wait for everyone” stops. That said, the Long and Medium groups will not wait for riders who are considerably behind the pace. The Short group will be no-drop - with some limits. If you are walking the hills and suffering, even at the slower ride pace, please take a shortcut back to the start and tell the rest of the group to travel without you. We can all hangout after the ride.

PACE GROUPS

Long (60-65+ miles, faster speed, and killer climbs): These rides will be led by Steve. 17+ mph (“Strava speed” on paved solo rides); 20mph (NYCC standards); >14MPH actual average on gravel rides with 100ft/mile of elevation gain.

Medium (45-55 miles, moderate speed, skips some of the deadliest climbs): Kathy will lead these rides, which will still be challenging, but travel at a slower speed. Pace expectation: 14 mph (“Strava speed” on paved solo routes);l 16-17 mph (NYCC standards); ~12 MPH average on gravel rides with 100ft/mile of elevation gain.

Short (40-45 miles, no-drop): Jason will once again lead this group. This group will stop more often to rest, take photos, and enjoy the scenery, riding at a friendly, no-drop pace. Pace expectation: 12-13 mph (“Strava speed” on paved solo routes); 14-15 mph (NYCC standards); 10 MPH average on gravel rides with 100ft/mile of elevation gain.

“Strava speed” = actual recorded average speed for long, solo paved rides on relatively flat terrain (i.e., not group rides with drafting).

EXAMPLE RIDES FOR EACH PACE GROUP

It is difficult to describe pace for rides that include dirt, pavement, and substantial climbing. You can compare these examples to your own gravel rides over similar distances and elevation gains. PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE ELEVATION GAIN. THESE WILL BE HILLY RIDES.

Long: 63 miles, 6300 ft climbing, ~14 MPH
– Example: https://www.strava.com/activities/9023394582

Medium: 52 miles, 5000 ft climbing, ~12 MPH.
-Example: https://www.strava.com/activities/11234727321

Short: 40 miles, 3700 ft climbing, ~10 MPH.
-Example: https://www.strava.com/activities/11234424900

[These examples are from a previous year’s SGS rides]

*THREE REQUESTS*

1) Choose a pace group based on your riding speed, not distance! We want the groups to finish around the same time, so we can all hang out post-ride. We understand you can go the longer distance, but we want people to ride together and then hangout for food and drinks after the ride. This is a social ride.

2) Ride safely! Please read our ride guidelines at https://grny.org. Key points:
– Control your speed when traveling downhill. Racing downhill is how many serious injuries happen. If you’d like to ride hard, save it for the climbs! Then wait at the top.
– Being predictable to other riders and cars will keep everyone safer. Never pass a rider on the right. If you want to pass, call out, and then pass on their left (like a car).
– You need some form of off-line navigation and should have a backup navigation plan. Why? Many areas won’t have cell coverage. And phone batteries can die during long rides. Examples of offline navigation: Dedicated bike computer (Garmin, Wahoo, etc); Phone with paid subscription to Ride with GPS or Strava AND remembering to download the route for offline usage; Paper map + cue sheets.

3) Don't blow up your pace group!
– If one or two riders are traveling much faster than the group leader, others will chase them. Then everybody will get strung out riding alone. That's not fun.
– If you are faster than the group average: WAIT at the top of hills. WAIT before major road crossings.
– If there are big speed differences within a pace group, the group will subdivide. This way everybody will have somebody to ride with.

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Disclaimer: GrNY rides are completely 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. Our rides are not supported events. 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. We expect everyone to follow the group's guidelines, which are listed at https://grny.org/guidelines .
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SGS Extended: Far Hills, NJ - MOVED TO *SUNDAY*

GrNY is an informal club for gravel riding in the New York metro area. Rides involve dirt and paved surfaces, since it is difficult to string together continuous unpaved routes in our area. The goal is to get away from cars and seek gravel where we can find it.

Join us for rides that emphasize:
- Fun exploration
- Non-competitive atmosphere
- No dress code (whether lycra, MTB baggies, or flannel)
- Some members enjoy challenging rides, but the goal is the experience, not speed/stats
- Pacelining on dirt roads is strongly discouraged.

Info & how to join: https://grny.org/guidelines

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SGS Extended: Far Hills, NJ - MOVED TO SUNDAY

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