We will be reprising the 2023 version of our "short" Cold Spring Route, which we have not done in over a year. This one involves a true loop, rather than crisscrossing around the dirt roads on the western side of the region. The old ride notes are below.
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Gravel ride that starts in Cold Spring and loops around Fahnestock State Park. Terrain is a mix of dirt, gravel, and paved roads. 35mm or wider tires are recommended, though experienced gravel or cyclocross riders can probably make do with 32mm tires. All that said, many riders will enjoy having much wider tires, particularly in sections of dirt road that are loose, washboarded, rutted, or rocky.
For the short route: We have removed the two deadliest climbs and cut out some distance, *but this is still a challenging ride*. This route also skips ~5 miles and 500 feet of climbing that the Medium group will do at the end of the ride.
Consider downloading the *bailout route*, just in case:
ridewithgps.com/routes/42990486
Mile 23: We will replenish food and snacks at Boyd's Corner Store. This will be grab-and-go for efficiency (no hot food service). Make sure to leave with full bottles and supplies. We won't see other places to stop until near the end of the ride.
End-of-Ride Meetup: We'll picnic at Foundry Dock Park. It's a tiny park near the train station parking lot with spectacular views of the Hudson River and beyond. We'll bring a cooler with cold drinks and snacks, so we can relax after the ride instead of waiting in long lines at busy stores in town.
Important notes (year-round):
- The Terrain is a mix of dirt, gravel, and paved roads. 35mm or wider tires are recommended, though experienced gravel or cyclocross riders can probably make do with 32mm tires.
- Sunken Mine and other interior dirt roads on this route are officially closed to traffic during the winter months (Dec - April) and are not cleared of snow. Snow can linger on these forested roads long after it has melted in other places.
- There are some very steep climbs (and descents) on this route. Use caution when descending!