Great Gravel and Road Rides

By Dave Kraus

As this story is being written, there is still plenty of snow on the ground in upstate New York. But before you know it, it will be time for another season of cycling events to enjoy. This spring offers a tempting menu that will let cyclists enjoy the scenery, fellowship and competition.

Three of the most notable early spring events are organized by the Capital Bicycle Racing Club, and new members are welcome: cbrc.cc. But you don’t need to be a racing fan to enjoy participating. 

The club’s big event comes on Sunday, May 21, as the ninth annual Farmer’s Daughter Gravel Grinder winds for 65 miles through the hills and hollows of Columbia County, based out of the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham and featuring some of the most scenic gravel roads you will find anywhere. Started in 2015, the FDGG has exploded onto the national gravel riding scene to become one of the largest rides in the country. As of early March, almost 1,000 entries have been spoken for, and race organizer Andy Ruiz says he fully expects it to fill its 1,200-rider cap.

The Farmer’s Daughter’s unique 65-mile course includes 6,000 feet of climbing and 45 miles of unpaved roads and even singletrack trail sections. There’s a fully stocked lunch stop and rest stops, and riders also get a free post-race catered meal and those over 21 get a free draught from Chatham Brewery – where their Farmer’s Daughter Rye IPA lent its name to the event. To get in on the fun, go to: bikereg.com.

The club’s other dirt road ride, set for Saturday, April 15 is the second annual Toad Strangler Gravel Grinder in Chatham, drawing its unique name from a nickname for an intense thunderstorm. The 40-mile route is already sold out, but there are still spots open for the casual 10-mile family ride and the post-ride fun kids’ race held in Crellin Park. Head online to register for the open divisions: bikereg.com.

Also, on two consecutive Saturdays, the Trooper David Brinkerhoff Memorial Race Series is on April 22 and 29 in Coxsackie. The race series is dedicated to NYS Trooper David Brinkerhoff who was killed in the line of duty in 2007. There are separate race fields for men, women, and juniors, and a beginner’s field for first-times – ideal to gauge your early season fitness even if you’re not a serious racing cyclist. For info and registration, visit: bikereg.com.

Speaking of local clubs, Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club is the Capital Region’s largest recreational cycling club, established in 1969, is busy planning their Spring Kickoff Ride on Saturday, May 13 at Indian Ladder Farms in Voorheesville; second annual CycleFest on Saturday, Sept. 9 in Schaghticoke; and Gravel Goblin gravel grinder near Halloween. MHCC organizes a calendar of weekday and weekend rides designed for a variety of enthusiast and casual paces and distances, and new riders are welcome. For club and membership info to participate in their 300+ social and fitness rides, go to: mohawkhudsoncyclingclub.org.

Like many of the organizations and events listed in this story, MHCC will be staffing a booth with cycling information and friendly people at the Adirondack Sports Summer Expo at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19: adksports.com/summer-expo.

Another spring ride that’s rapidly growing is the third annual The Great North: Battenkill Valley, based in Cambridge on Saturday, May 6, created by Anthem Sports. Event director, Dieter Drake, is the originator of Tour of the Battenkill so he knows a thing or two about putting together a great gravel route! The full route is 75 miles with lots of sweet gravel, hills and beautiful views. But if you haven’t built endurance this early in the season, there are also shorter routes of 55 and 25 miles with many similar Battenkill features, plus a nice 25-mile pavement only option. 

Riders receive a pint glass, event T-shirt if registered by April 25, and on-course moto and sag support, a $15 coupon for post-ride food trucks, and a free first fill for that pint glass at the social after-party with live music at the old train station ride base, Argyle Brewing. Oh, and free apple pie at the finish – just do it! For details and entry, check out: bikereg.com.

Another major event, on Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 28, is the second annual Tour de Lewis which winds through Lewis County’s scenic Black River Valley, starting near the state forests at Osceola Ski & Sport Center on the Tug Hill Plateau, and ending in the Adirondack Park at the Oswegatchie Education Center that overlooks beautiful Long Pond. The main 62-mile route goes from Osceola to Oswegatchie – the “O to O” ride – and shorter routes are available at 35 and 14 miles, all with timed and recreational options, plus shuttle and bike transport, to accommodate riders of all abilities.

The Tour de Lewis includes all the perks you would expect, with rest stops, sag support, event T-shirt, and a ride after-party at Oswegatchie Center with great food, drinks and music. It’s sponsored by the Adirondack Foothills Cycling Club, who you can also meet at the Summer Expo. Keep an eye out for their Northwinds Gravel Classic on July 16, Short Track MTB Race Series this summer, and Cycle the St. Lawrence road ride on Aug. 26. For info and registration, visit: bikereg.com.

If you’re looking for events where your participation will benefit worthy causes, plus help you meet new people and ride new roads, there are three great events on each Sunday in May that will help achieve your goal.

The Tour de Force Charity Run & Bike Ride will be happening on Sunday, May 7 at Point Au Roche State Park near Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain. The event combines various running events with bike rides of 25 and 50 miles, which highlight the beautiful roads in scenic Clinton County. This year’s event will honor and raise funds for the family of 25-year-old Border Patrol Agent Hunter LaBombard who was killed in an accident in January 2023. He is survived by his wife Zoe and a soon to be born daughter. To learn more and get registered, go to: runsignup.com.

On Sunday, May 14, Janey’s Ride will again be happening at Common Roots Brewing in South Glens Falls. The ride was originally organized to benefit Janey Fairchild, the wife of Grey Ghost Bicycles manager Steve Fairchild. Shortly before Grey Ghost originally opened, Janey was diagnosed with breast cancer. After rounds of treatment in Glens Falls and Boston, she is now happily in remission, and the ride is held annually to benefit the Breast Cancer Care & Research Fund at the Glens Falls Hospital – to help other families offset costs of cancer treatment not covered by insurance.

Janey’s Ride features three different paved routes including a 17-mile paved family ride, 30-mile paved ride, and a 62-mile metric century that heads across the Hudson River to ride paved roads in scenic Washington County, with a short section of road-bikeable dirt roads. For the ultimate challenge, there’s also the “Muddy Mother” that will navigate 85 miles on scenic roads that includes 32 miles of rural gravel roads. To register, visit (you guessed it): bikereg.com.

The finale of this trio of charity events takes place on Sunday, May 21, as the 19th annual Team Billy Ride & Walk for Research takes riders from the Farmer’s Market in downtown Saratoga Springs on three different routes of 10, 25, and 50 miles through beautiful roads in Saratoga County. For non-riders, there’s also a three-mile walk in historic Saratoga Springs. 

Team Billy is a fundraiser to support brain cancer research, in memory of the organizer’s son, Billy Grey, who died of glioblastoma multiforme in 2001, just short of his 13th birthday. Billy’s life was always one of remarkable strength, courage and love. Team Billy awards grants annually through the Brain Tumor Society, and funded nearly $2,800,000 in grants since 2004. To register, volunteer, donate, join a team, or create a team, go to: teambilly.org.

No matter what your cycling ability or goals, there’s something for everyone! To stay abreast of rides and races, keep your eyes on the ads and events in every issue of Adirondack Sports magazine and signup to receive Weekly emails: adksports.com. Bike safely and enjoy your ride! 

Dave Kraus (dbkgrafik@gmail.com) is a longtime area road and gravel cyclist, photographer, and writer who is looking forward to another great season of getting dropped by his friends on a variety of rides. Visit: KrausGrafik.com