A return to NJ, but with fresh routes!  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. 

Once again, we've got new routes for everyone.  We still haven't repeated a set of routes this season.  Compared to our Spring Gravel Series routes in this area (3.5 months ago), we'll have some new dirt roads, and for repeated terrain, we will be traveling in the opposite direction - with the exception of the Teetertown Ravine - which is always better to climb than bomb down on a rigid bike.

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1) 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. You can find out more at this link: https://grny.org/guidelines
2) 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
3)  Let's keep these rides friendly and social!  See here for a request from us on how to do that: https://www.strava.com/clubs/513005/posts/39475734
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START TIME: 8:30AM *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.
- No train option this week (we'd have to push the ride start back by quite a lot, something we can do when summer is over).

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. If all goes as planned, we'll bring a cooler with some cold drinks and snacks to share after the ride.

ROUTES FOR THIS WEEK:
Long: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52487244
Medium: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52487480
Short: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52487514

Refueling Location: Califon - Aqui Market (grocery store). This will be grab-and-go for efficiency.  [If the group is very small, Rambo's General Store is slightly closer and works okay.]

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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DISCLAIMER: This is totally 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. This is not a supported event. 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.
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PACE GROUPS
- Long (60-65+ miles, faster speed, and killer climbs): Led by Steve. 17+ mph (“Strava speed” on paved solo rides); 19-20mph (NYCC standards); >14MPH average on gravel rides with 100ft/mile of elevation gain.

- Medium (45-55 miles, moderate speed, skips some of the deadliest climbs): Kathy will typically 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 or Ralph will typically lead these rides. 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
(Elevation is from bike computers.  RWGPS routes typically show less elevation gain than cycling computers or the same routes when imported into Strava).

Medium: 47 miles, 4500 ft climbing, ~12 MPH.
-Example: https://www.strava.com/activities/9023193918

Short: 45 miles, 3600 ft climbing, ~10.5 MPH.
-Example: https://www.strava.com/activities/9197009980

[These examples are from last year’s SGS rides. Actual pace will vary based on elevation and ruggedness of the terrain.  These are all routes with relatively smooth dirt roads and about half pavement.]

RIDE ORGANIZATION
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.

THREE REQUESTS
1) Choose a ride 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 it will be more fun if people ride together (rather than get dropped) and then hangout for food and drink after the ride.

2) Ride safely! Please read our ride guidelines: https://grny.org/guidelines. 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 to route for offline usage before the ride; 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.
- If you are faster than the group average, wait at the top of hills and after major road crossings.
- If there are big speed differences within a group, the group will subdivide at the first catch-up stop. This way everybody will have somebody to ride with.

** Ways to get your exercise, without blowing up the group **
1) On the longer, steeper climbs (not the easy, rolling stuff), go nuts! Then WAIT AT THE TOP.
2) If you don't like stopping: Get to the top of the climb, then go back down until you find the back of the group. Bonus points for helping us sweep (i.e., checking that we have everyone).
3) If there are big speed differences within a group, the group can subdivide. This way everybody can ride their speed, but still have company.

Far Hills, NJ (new, dirtier routes)

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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Far Hills, NJ (new, dirtier routes)

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