u/Icy-Dealer-2001

I pulled out of a big 100 mile gravel race coming up mid October for which I very intently trained. The local race calendar is obviously closing down for the season so I thought I’d come up with a personal challenge and what most comes to mind is riding “for time” from NYC to Poughkeepsie on the Empire State trail (which seems to have about 6 names between here and there but you know what I mean). I know this is not a closed course and of course I would yield as needed to pedestrians and those areas where there are car crossings. In the aggregate I’m not worried about things like that and will put safety first.

I’m wondering if anyone who has done something like this might have specific advice? I’ve only taken the trail up to Mahopec but am otherwise on that trail at least once per week usually going past Elmsford. I’d either take a train back or have my wife meet me there at a hotel.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: if anyone thinks I should consider another 100 mile route I am all ears! I have a road bike to do a bear mountaineasque ride but if I’m on the EST I’d take my gravel bike given all those root cracks.

I have two 10-minute threshold intervals to do Tuesday during a 90 minute ride. Am thinking of driving to Bear mountain around 3pm to do them up there. The climbs of that duration (expecting to avg 320+) that I know of are Tiorati and Bear Mtn itself.

I don’t know of any others. Any recommendations?

Was walking my dogs through the neighborhood yesterday and saw Good Guys racing had a banner up in a sub street level space on West 19th between 5th and 6th. The space seemed vacant when peeking through the window but there was some bike stuff about.

Wondering if anyone knows if they’re coming or going or what they use that space for?

I have 40 minute Tempos at about 270w every Thursday right now. I did this on my Zwift last week and that makes for a super clean file but it’s peak summer and I wanna do outdoors of course.

Can anyone suggest the best stretch of road for this?

I would never do these in CP or PP.

I’ve done them starting at the beginning of 9W (from GW Bridge) and that takes me halfway through the Bradley/Tweed climb but there are 2-3 sketchy areas and the rolling terrain is not great for even power.

Any other route ideas for this?

Anyone local (NYC) signed up for Big Sugar or any other gravel races? I’m gonna turn Big Sugar into a road trip with wife but would love to train with anyone doing the same. I’m gonna use the experience to gauge potential to do Unbound 200 in 2027.

Context:

Road racer here. Got back into road racing after 20 years of not. I made a post yesterday about group rides. Thank you for all your responses.

I’m really drawn to this Gravel racing scene as it seems the Road Racing scene is a fraction of what it was when I raced in the early 2000s. It looks wildly adventurous and I want new adventures.

So I signed up for Big Sugar in October. My plan is to do 90% of my training on the road and make a few weekend trips over the summer to Rothrock area to sharpen my off-road skills. Did a fair amount of mountain biking many years ago and feel comfortable negotiating off-road stuff. I currently ride 12+ hours per week and will build that up toward 16-18 late summer.

Please reach out if you’re doing this kind of riding and racing.

I’m having trouble sorting out which group to join on weekend rides. I see a few groups on Strava (NYCC, Rapha, RA Cycles).

I’ve gotten back to racing, so on Saturdays in particular I’m looking to get in about 4+ hours with one 10 minute stop. I usually end up around the Stony Point/Haverstraw area and when I head back south I start seeing all these groups! Feel so left out lol.

20 years ago I was part of CRCA and rode for a team as a cat2 guy. I do want to ride with guys of that caliber but I’m just not interested in Central Park racing/marshaling anymore. Also not really interested in Crits/Circuits.

I’m 54 and closing in on my old racing fitness. I don’t care how young or old the crowd is I just want fast, good riding.

Can someone point me in the right direction?