Butternut Valley Gravel Grinder

2024 Butternut Valley Gravel Grinder  

This is the 2nd Year we have Teamed Up and are fund raising for the Bassett Cancer Institute.

You Must Enter by 9/2 to get a meal ticket !

CNYC, Butternuts Brewery, and Butternut Valley Alliance (BVA) invite you to come have some fun and ride your bike  on some amazing dirtphalt terrain. This event is co-sponsored by the BVA, a community non-profit whose mission is to protect and conserve the environmental qualities, farming, economic development and cultural heritage in the Butternut Creek watershed.

THERE WILL BE NO DAY OF RIDE ENTRY.

Please read everything below.  It contains some important and useful information!

Ride Protocol: 

Come join us for the 2024 Butternut Valley  Gravel Grinder! On site parking will be at the Butternuts Brewery, and from there you'll take in some of the nicest (and steepest) roads in the area. 

This is not a race; more like a cycling challenge.    Strava segments are scattered throughout the course and you are free to ride at your own pace. This ride is an adventurous and challenging day on the bike, but I'm sure some will want to ride it fast. The most important things to remember are to have some fun riding your bike and to be safe.

We plan to have motos and follow vehicles for both rides.  As of this moment we plan to have marshals at intersections that cross a lane of traffic. Since this event takes in many  intersections all participants must obey all traffic laws. That means stopping at intersections when necessary. Our marshals have no control over motor vehicles. They will have complete control over our riders for everyone's safety.    We will try to get riders through every intersection quickly. But safety comes first over speed. If marshals tell you to stop, you must stop. 

Course Info:

10 or 45 mile challenging route.  Please look at the course profile and consider bike gearing and category appropriately.   

Presently this is our route. 

2024 Route Maps Up Soon !

The course is in good shape.  Expect fast and smooth dirt roads.  But be aware there are some technical - dangerous sections.

Schedule:

First Riders off at 11 AM.  

Second Wave - Ride at 11:10 AM

There is no time limit to finish the ride, but  after 4 hours for the longer ride  course marshals may be packing it up.  We mark our course excellently !!!   Our volunteers make this event safe, fun and possible but can only donate a reasonable amount of their time.  Please know your abilities and try to pick your event accordingly.

Suggested Equipment:

Since we are riding seasonal roads the course is subject to change, but bring your climbing legs.  A 1 to 1 ratio for climbing steep stuff is suggested....ie  42 x 42.    Most of the gravel roads are fairly smooth.  You will be riding on some dirt roads that are not maintained and contain some technical sections. Tires of 35mm+ width are suggested. Mountain bikes and road bikes are welcome, but the weapon of choice is a modern gravel bike with 40-47mm tires. 

Post-Ride Festivities:

After the ride there will be food provided by The Empire House of Gilbertsville.   Beer will be on tap from Butternuts Brewery.     Come join us for a great day of fun! 

Entrants will be receiving a free meal with their entry fee.  But you must be registered by Monday, Sept.  2nd to assure a meal ticket.  We  have to know quantities by then as this is delicious food that takes time to prepare... check out the Empire House Menu to get an idea of the food that will be provided.  We will try to accommodate and feed everyone, but this food is being bought and prepped early in the week.  In other words if you want some tasty Mediterranean Chicken stew, sign up by the 2nd !

Your first beer is on us.  Afterwards expect about a $5 or so for a pint refill.   You must be 21 or older to drink the beer.

We here at CNYC want a fun and safe day out on the bike for everyone.  What could be better ?   A great course...riding your bike with your friends.....some tasty beer andgood food.  All for a good cause !   Proceeds from this year's event will go to Bassett Cancer Institute, BVA,  and  CNYC.