Pinelands Gravel: Ay Carranza!

Welcome to Pinelands Gravel; our newest unpaved road adventure- ¡Ay Carranza!

This adventure event is many years in the making.  Shortly after we organized the first Hell of Hunterdon in 2009, we received several requests to organize a gravel ride in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.  We knew we could develop a fun and fast course, but the timing wasn’t right.  A few years ago, when we began working with the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) on their annual Tour de Pines, we knew the time was finally right.

The ride starts at PPA’s headquarters at a preserved farm in Southampton, NJ and travels through some hidden regions of the Pine Barrens, including State Forests, Natural Preserves, Cranberry Bogs, Famous Trails, Ghost Towns, Ruins, and the Carranza Memorial.  Carranza?  Captain Emilio Carranza was the “Lindbergh of Mexico”, whose plane crashed in 1928 in a remote section of the Pine Barrens during a goodwill mission.

In recognition of his adventure, and in celebration of ours, the ride finishes with post ride festivities in the PPA Barn.
 

Proceeds benefit the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA).  Founded in 1989, the PPA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the Pinelands of New Jersey.  PPA protects the land, water, plants, wildlife, and historic resources of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve.  The PPA engages thousands of people each year in actions to protect the wildest place in New Jersey.

The ride is semi-supported: we will provide each participant with:

2 Aid Stations (only 1 on the Short Course) SAG Support Cue Sheets GPS Files Free Access to the Ride with GPS App Post Ride Food & Drink

Please note that the course will not be marked in 2023, except for clarification signs in confusing areas. 

We recommend a minimum tire size of 32mm, and use of off-road pedals, in case any walking or portaging is required.  Gravel or Cyclocross bikes will be best suited for the event. 

Due to the lack of road signs (particularly on the secondary roads) and poor cell phone signal reliability, use of GPS (downloaded and saved to your device in advance) is essential. 

Conditions of Entry:

All entries and merchandise purchases are final; no refunds. Entries are not transferable.  Please don't ask. Register by 4/7/23 to receive a complimentary event T-Shirt.  All shirts must be picked up at the event.  All merchandise orders must be picked up at the event, including event t-shirts.  Unclaimed merchandise may be mailed to you at your expense, upon request.  All participants are required to check in prior to the ride. All participants must sign the waivers during the registration process.  Parents/legal guardians must complete the waiver for minors.  All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.  All Riders must finish by 3:00; Post Ride Food & Drink Service will close by 4:00 All participants must abide by our latest COVID-19 Protocols; if you can’t or unwilling to comply with these, we kindly request you do not enter any of our events until we can lift these measures. In light of the COVID-19 situation, participants are expected to follow the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the New Jersey Department of Health, which include maintaining social distancing and wearing masks when called for.  If you are traveling to New Jersey from another state, please check both New Jersey’s and your state’s travel guidelines and restrictions.  The ride will be held rain or shine.  Normal amounts of rain will not cancel the rides.  However, in the event of Extreme Weather (such as named storms, or Official Weather Warning), other emergency, impassable roads, or other situations beyond the organizers’ control, the organizers reserve the right to cancel the event or reschedule it to a date of their convenience.  If you cannot attend the rescheduled date, entry fee refunds will not be issued.  Should the event be cancelled for reasons of force majeure, entry fees will not be refunded. The roads are open to vehicular traffic; all rules of the road must be obeyed.  Participants are responsible for their own safety and for knowing and complying with the New Jersey’s applicable laws and vehicle codes Participants should ride in a safe and courteous manner; please stay to the right, except when passing.  NJ Traffic Guidelines suggest cyclists ride Single File.  All bicycles must have at least 1 working brake All riders must wear a helmet that meets CPSC, ANSI and/or Snell (or similar standards). Wearing headsets or earbuds are prohibited.  E-Bikes: Participants using Class 1 (Pedal Assist) E-Bikes are permitted to participate in the rides.  Use of Class 2 (Throttle Type) and Class 3 (Speed Pedelec) E-Bikes are prohibited from participating in the rides.

Support There are no dedicated emergency medical services for the event, please bring a cell phone and be prepared to dial 911 as needed.  The routes and road defects will NOT be marked.  Participants are responsible for their own navigation.  Access to Cue Sheets, RideWithGPS App and GPS files will be provided to the participants.  Please carry food, beverages, spare tires, tubes, tools, etc.