Night Gravel

A friend of mine, Andy, leads these Thursday afternoon/evening gravel rides from his house in Roxbury and decided to attend one of them and this evening we covered a lot of dirt, too.

Dirty, cold and wet, Thirty Roubaix

The weather boffins predicted a break in the rainy weather on Saturday around 3 PM and Mike and I were batting around different ride ideas earlier in the day but didn't come to any conclusions. I started rebuilding the CAADX and just happened to check my phone at 2:45 PM and discovered that Mike and Marshall decided to do a gravel ride from the Roxbury Market at 3:15 PM.  I told them I would meet them and got hopping.  Roxbury Market is a 10 to 15 minute drive from my house.

I threw on a pair of bib shorts, a long sleeve base layer and a long sleeve jersey, grabbed a vest and my cycling rain jacket and drove like a bat out of hell to the Market only to get stuck behind someone on the road to Bridgewater who decided they should drive the speed limit the entire way to Route 67.  I got to the Market at 3:15 and was rolling in 10. I love that I live so close to some of the best dirt road riding in the State of Connecticut.

A Good Day to Dirt

After the let down of the D2R2 Mystery ride I needed to back into the dirt of the Lower Litchfield Hills.  I put a post on the Bike Rides Facebook page to see if anyone wanted to come along and I got a few takers, like Andy Engel and the illustrious, dirt road denizen of the Lower Litchfield Hills, Jeff McKay!  Steven Tramposch joined as well. The route encompassed some of my favorites like Moosehorn, Judd's Bridge, Walker Brook and the old Shepaug Railroad roadbed. Nothing too killer; just a dirty, social ride.

3 Lake Dirty Century

A couple of weeks ago I headed back to the foot hills of the Berkshires for an unscripted ride to north.  This time I hit the lower section of the Shepaug Railroad right of way, only from Minor's Bridge. 

Taking the single track in was tough but ride able.  There was some hike-a-bike on the steeps ups and a rock garden or two, but it's worth it once you get to the railroad bed.

I rode Mine Hill and descended down Judds Bridge.  I prefer climbing Judds Bridge but coming in this way means overlapping my return route and that goes against the grain for me.  Descending Judds Bridge then puts you at the start of Walker Brook which is a 7 mile gradual, gravel grinding climb.

Not a lot of cyclotourist at this time of the day at Waramug.  I am sure earlier in the day the road looks like the Tour de France, however, until Soccer season ends I have to ride when I can and right now that means later in the day.  

I did have one goal and that was to ride the Shepaug Railroad ROW from north to south starting in Rumford, CT.  I stopped off at the halfway point on Whittlesey Road to recharge and enjoy the views.

The Cross Check was riding nicely.  The Schwalbes are the best tires for this kind of riding.  While I wasn't riding with my handlebar pack on this ride, I have to remember not to use it when I am going to be riding singletrack because everything bounces around too much.

On the ride down the Shepaug Railroad right of way, I tried to stay true to the rail road bed but I ended up losing it and started climbing the yellow trail only to find that it was closed because of the bridge construction.  It looks like they are building a suspension bridge and they are anchoring the cables on the yellow trail.  

Looking down towards the river there was this huge snapping turtle sunning itself on this rock.  

It must have some sharp claws to get to the top of that rock!

I hit the Shepaug Railroad tunnel at 5 PM and this was the latest I think I have ridden through it.  The cool thing was the setting sun actually lit the southern portal in such a way that coming out you are bathed in the light of the setting sun.

I ended up getting home around 7 PM

Old Mount Tom Gravel Grinder

Rolling down Peach Orchard

After riding Roxbury Dirt roads two weeks ago in one direction it was time to do it in the other.  On this ride, however, my intention was to ride north tracing the old Shepaug Railroad line as far as one can ride.  From the Shepaug I thought I would check out some of the dirt roads around Mount Tom and Mount Prospect.

On the map it looked like there was a dirt road that skirted a forest and that you could ride down to one of the reservoirs of the Shepaug, so that was what I was aiming for.

My route started off be reversing the tail end of my Raid Roxbury route by heading up Purchase Brook and then Riding down Peach Orchard to West Flag Swamp and then onto River Road.  By the River Road Preserve I ran into Roland and his girlfriend about to roll out on some singletrack.  We chatted a bit and then we parted ways.

Following Judds Bridge and then to Tunnel Road I headed north on the Shepaug Rail Road bed

It's so different in the other direction!

There is no straight view to the tunnel

As you round the bend it opens up

It's unexpected and eerie

It's shadier looking into the south portal

Riding out of the north portal is cool because of the straight view down the bed

This is the best section to ride because there is a lot more pea gravel on the bed

It always seems there is more light at this end of the tunnel

When ever I ride through Hidden Valley I miss the turn and end up on the singletrack along the river.  It's rideable, even for a cross bike but it's also a little hairy.

The Shepaug River looked so inviting

The top end of the Shepaug Railroad bed dumps out at one of the athletic fields for the Rumse Hall School and you can see where the right of way continues but it's clearly posted with No Trespassing signs.  So, I hit some new dirt on West Morris Road.  It's a steady climb and then a fast descent back over the Shepaug.  At the second crossing of the Shepaug it turns to pave.

Coming out to Route 202 I stopped at Merritt Clarke's Store thinking it was a general store but turns out they sold clothing.  The girl working there let me fill up my water bottle and it was good that I did because I went through three bottles on this ride.  I need to start planning on bringing at least another bottle, if not two for these kinds of rides, especially if there is no chance at resupply.

After riding up the edge of Prospect Mountain, which tops out at 1100 feet, I found my plans thwarted to ride around the reservoir by a big green gate and more No Trespassing signs.  I headed down Prospect Mountain Road which turns into gravel about a half mile from the intersection with Headquarters Road.  It's awesome.

Where the dirt road ends, there is this cool dairy farm call the the Kar-Mic Dairy.  It's here where I learned not to store bananas in my handlebar pack with other loose items.  The banana had turned to mush from all the bouncing around and by the container of trail mix.  I was able to salvage some of it but I had to toss the rest and it was gross.

Heading west on Old Mount Tom Road you are immediately greeted with gravel and it descends into a little river valley and then starts a steady climb.  Eventually it turns to Pave and then the real fun begins.  The climbs starts out at 6% and then steadily increases until a whopping 14% for the last ten yards to the Stop Sign.  Reminded me of a mini Dibble Hill in Cornwall.

After the big climb, Old Mount Tom is paved until a big bend in the road and goes back to dirt.  This is a nice flat section for gravel road for almost a mile.  It climbs up a bit and then there is a quick descent down to Route 202.  From here, I rode down Rt 202 to Rumford Road, which is dirt and then climbed out of the Shepaug River Valley on Whittlesey Road.  From there I rode over to Church Hill and headed up to Walker Brook.  

Before heading up the big hill on Judds Bridge I fueled up for the climb.  At the top, I was beat and bagged the last section of the Shepaug Railroad Bed and road down to Old Turnpike Road and took that back up to 2nd Ridge.  Boy what a climb that turned out to be! Road down 133 towards home and after the Bridge I started to cramp in my legs so I jumped off and tried to relax on the side of the road.  I ate my last piece of beef jerky and finished off the rest of my water.  A few minutes later I was able get back on the bike and ride home!

Raid Roxbury

I headed out Saturday afternoon on an unscripted ride, meaning no preset course that I mapped out on RideWithGPS.  I had 4 hours to explore some new areas that I have been meaning to ride.  Today's ride was also the first time I would be riding with the Ventoura Handlebar bag with the customized handlebar bracket that I had made.  Also, it was the inaugural ride on the new Schwalbe tires.

Heading north on Transylvania Rd

Right out of the gate, I was having issues with my drop outs.  I thought I had it fixed but it just wasn't right.  Finally, I just took everything off and would deal with it when I got home later.  I headed down towards the Housatonic towards Southbury but missed the NY & NE path through winery.  The one thing I forgot to bring were my eye drops.  My eyes were really itchy.  

I rode north on Transylvania Road and that is great road to get in the mood for a Gravle ride.  It was a slow and steady climb but it felt good and that's when my Velo Wa kicked, all the stress and anxiety was instantly flushed out of me and I was one with the bike and the road.  I took Rucum, which according to Bing it's supposed to be dirty but it wasn't and then headed over to East Woods.  I stopped at Badger's House but he wasn't home so I continued over to East Grassy Hill.

Schwalbe Land Cruiser HS 307 Cruiser Bicycle Tire - Wire Bead (Black - 700 x 40)

The new tires were rocking!  Plenty grip and yet roll smooth on the Pave, and no road noise!  I rode 65 psi in the rear and 60 psi up front and they were sweet!  I think they are the best tire yet.

I flew down Grassy Hill and then rode over to Old Roxbury and then up to Lower County.  I remember the first time I descended Grassy Hill, 5 years ago on the Tour de Roxbury and all I remember is the group that I caught up were flying and I crawled at a snails pace.  Today, I flew!

I took Dorthy Diebold to Moosehorn and then cut over to Battleswamp.  I stopped at Judd's Bridge and what I should have done is dunked my head in the river because it was so dusty and dry and my eyes were still bothering me.  The climb up Judd's was slow but worth every push of the pedal.  There were some soft spots that I thought I might spin out on but the Schwalbe's just ate it up!  I took Hartwell down to Shinar Mountain and when the Pave started I took another break and washed my face and eyes.  I also changed glasses and that seem to help, too.

On South Fenn Hill I had my banana, ate another Guu block and finished off my first water bottle.  I go this way in order to catch the Gravle section of West Church Hill Road and then drops into Steep Rock Reservation.  On the descent, I think I might hit 40 mph!

Not a lot of people at the Reservation today which was kind of surprising.  No horses either.

One of the highlights is riding down the Old Shepaug Rail Road Right of Way.  There were plenty of packed go-arounds on the muddy sections but there was really no mud.  There is a new tree down somewhere in the middle but it doesn't block the right of way entirely.

The highlight is riding through Steep Rock Reservation is riding through the old Shepaug Railroad Tunnel.

From where I took the picture of the Cross Check (below) you could feel the cold air of the tunnel coming out.

My eyes were doing much better, largely I think due to the different glasses.  On the transition of the Shepaug Railroad Right of Way to the powerline access road, I had a slip in the drops that I had to fix but it took a few seconds to get it right.  That's why I need to go back to some sort of tensioner so this doesn't happen.

Riding up Judd's Bridge towards Roxbury Center I felt, for the first time, a hamstring cramp coming on so I stopped and stretched it out and then continued riding.  I was going to head up Hemlock but it was getting late and I had to be home by 7:30 PM so I rolled down 67 to River Road instead.  River road was riding nice and then I tried something new and rode up Flag Swamp.  While I wasn't bonking I was feeling tired but kept pushing.

Another new treat was the Gravle on West Flag Swamp.  I can't believe I have been missing this so long.  After the last house it turns rough and there is some short ups on it.  It comes out at a farm and at the Cell Tower turns to Pave.  Next to the cell tower is a red and while water tower and this area resembles a landing strip.  The last dirt of the ride was on Peach Orchard Road.  It had some soft spots and newly laid gravel making it tough in some spots.

When I got home I was wiped and later had some cramping, even after drinking a bottle of Powerade, three glasses of water and 4 Tums.  I think I need to take the tums before the ride, or it's just ant acids don't really help.

Dirty Father's Day Gravel Grinder

I had grandiose plans of hitting the road really early for a 50 mile gravel grinder only to procrastinate and leave two hours later.  It's funny how everything that could go wrong on this ride that I didn't expect happened and the one thing I was afraid of never came to pass.  On Obtuse Rocks, I had to reset my Garmin.  Further down the road my front tire became unseated.  Later in the ride, my Garmin shut off by itself, this also happened to me on the Bloomin' Metric.  If that wasn't enough, on the return trip some old guy drove up along side me and yelled at me that my seat was too low.  I compared to my Cannondale and he was right!