GrNY - The Full OCA - Recap
Saturday, June 19, 2021 - Recap
Chill ride in the shade on the OCA
47 miles (or less)
Saturday, June 19, 2021
The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail is one of the really good gravel rides in the area. Being a multi-use trail it’s a more relaxed vibe than the rides that focus on dirt roads.
This is the route we’ll be taking - it basically covers ~98% of the route of the trail…
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30832419
There are MetroNorth stations all along the route - if you need to call it quits for one reason or another.
The pace will be ~15mph by NYCC standards. If your average speed on 30+ mile (paved) rides is 12 mph or greater in Strava, then you should be fine. [I will drop people who clearly can’t keep up - otherwise it’s a no-drop ride unless we’re going too slow and you want to shoot out ahead.]
I’ll be taking the 8:20 MetroNorth train out of the 125th Street station. The ride will start in Chappaqua shortly after the train gets in (it’s scheduled to arrive at 9:08).
If you’re using a car to get to/from the ride there are a few options.
- Park in near 125th or Fordham station and take the train with us up to Chappaqua.
- Park in Chappaqua and take the train at the end of the ride (probably from Fordham).
- Park in Chappaqua and from Yonkers take the South/North County Trail and then roads to get back to your car. (This would be the route - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36337370?privacy_code=RpzHX8slWZU8bNxn - total mileage is 56 miles and you miss a portion of the OCA.)
Of those options, #2 or #3 are recommended, all other things being equal. This is because the conductors can refuse bikes if they go over a certain number. So not going all in one group reduces that possibility.
If you’re getting on the train somewhere else, feel free to text me to coordinate - 917-447-2572.
Average riders will want 32+ mm tires. Strong riders can do it easily on 28s.
This ride is organized by GravelNY which has a mix of gay and straight members.
https://strava.app.link/pKRkKzIdUgb
Please review the GrNY guidelines before the ride…
https://grny.org/guidelines
Rain date is the next day - Sunday the 20th
Ride Details
| Team | Gravel / Multi-Surface |
| Distance | 47 miles (or less) |
| Start Location | Sent to registered members |
| Date | Saturday, June 19, 2021 |
| Meet Time | Sent to registered members |
| Start Time | Sent to registered members |
| Level | B - Steady Eddy, C - Easy Rider |
| Speed | 15 mph |
| Ride Organizer | Jay H. |
Riders
Jay H.
Stephen P.
Daniel W.
Mark N.
X Q
Xiaoyang Q.
RIDES AND EVENTS CALENDAR
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05
JAN
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23
FEB
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08
MAR
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10
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11
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14
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THU
26
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THU
30
APR
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11
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17
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MON
25
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WED
27
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31
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07
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21
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TUE
23
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28
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11
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11
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17
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18
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25
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25
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25
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25
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01
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08
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15
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22
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22
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MON
24
AUG
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29
AUG
WED
09
SEP
SUN
13
SEP
TUE
22
SEP
FRI
09
OCT
SAT
10
OCT
SUN
18
OCT
SAT
24
OCT
SUN
25
OCT
SAT
31
OCT
SAT
28
NOV
TUE
01
DEC
SUN
06
DEC
THU
10
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SAT
12
DEC
SUN
13
DEC
THU
24
DEC
SUN
27
DEC
SAT
02
JAN
SUN
10
JAN
WED
20
JAN
THU
04
FEB
WED
03
MAR
SAT
20
MAR
SUN
21
MAR
SAT
27
MAR
SUN
04
APR
SAT
10
APR
SAT
10
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WED
14
APR
SAT
17
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17
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17
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17
APR
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17
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TUE
20
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24
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24
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24
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24
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24
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01
MAY
SAT
01
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01
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01
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01
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SAT
01
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THU
06
MAY
THU
06
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FRI
07
MAY
FRI
07
MAY
SUN
09
MAY
SUN
09
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SUN
09
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SUN
09
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15
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15
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15
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15
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22
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22
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22
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22
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22
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29
MAY
THU
03
JUN
FRI
04
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SAT
05
JUN
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05
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SAT
05
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SAT
05
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SAT
12
JUN
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13
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19
JUN
SUN
20
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FRI
23
JUL
THU
05
AUG
THU
05
AUG
SAT
25
SEP
RIDE LEVEL KEY
A - Speed Freak - Fast paceline ride
B - Steady Eddy - Moderately paced ride
C - Easy Rider - Gentle paced ride
The 'Ride Speed' indicates the target cruising speed on flat roads.
Comments:
Stephen P.
June 7, 2021
Do you really mean 9:15 PM? I'm assuming this isn't a night ride, or you would have advised lights ....
Jay H.
June 8, 2021
Good catch Stephen. Fixed.
X Q
Xiaoyang Q.
June 14, 2021
hey Jay, I'd love to try this out but I only have 28mm tires.. Do you think this would be too adventurous for a first-time gravel rider or should I give it a shot? Worst case there are always metro north stations...
Jay H.
June 14, 2021
Xiaoyang - It is possible to do it on 28s. I'd suggest lowering the pressure in your tires just slightly. Maybe ~65psi front and 70-75psi back. just be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride. Fatter tires would give you a plusher ride. And yes, if it's not working for you, just jump on MNR.
Glenna G.
Wednesday at 7:23PM
If anyone knows of a bike rental place near the OCA, let me know! I'd love to try it some time but don't have the tire clearance on my own bike.
Jay H.
Thursday at 7:21AM
Glenna - Kinda any bike rental place between you and MetroNorth (@ Grand Central or 125th) will do. Pick it up the night before, return it when you're done with the ride. It doesn't need to be close to the OCA per se. Just be wary of the tourist-oriented rental places (which are mostly around Central Park) - their bikes probably won't be all that great. Unfortunately renting a decent bike in NYC can be really expensive.
It's also worth mentioning that a mountain bike would work completely well for the ride. It's probably easier to find one of them than a gravel bike.
Glenna G.
Thursday at 12:32PM
Thanks, Jay! I don't think I'll make it to this one but I hope to join a multi surface ride at some point this year.