This ride has something for everyone ! Mountain Bikers, Gravel Riders and Road Cyclists Levels C through A!
Date: Saturday, July 12th
Time: 8:45am Assembly 9:00am Ride Start Time (see specific group ride for additional detail) + a Post-Ride party hosted at the Norbrook Farm Brewery where friends & families are encouraged to join the riders to enjoy a beautiful afternoon!
Membership: RBC Members and their guests
Pre-Ride Requirements:
- registration for your ride choice is required
- upload your route to your navigation device
- line up by 8:45am according to pace in pods of 6 or less
Cost: There is no fee to participate. Riders are responsible for own expenses at Norbrook Farm Brewery or any ride stop planned or unplanned. Riders should bring own supply of snacks/fuel for stops and either bring food for tailgating or money for food trucks and the brewery.
Narrative/Description of Ride:
Norbrook Farm Brewery, mountain bike mecca, is also a fabulous base for launching Litchfield/Berkshire County road and gravel rides, and a great destination to meet up after our rides to socialize. Expect this destination event to be one of the season's highlights!
Location: 204 Stillman Hill Rd, Colebrook, CT 06021 (About 1.5 hours from Ridgefield)
Event Host: JD Beebe 203.733.1099 jdbb529@gmail.com
Post Ride Festivities:
Each of the ride options depart Norbrook Farm Brewery at either 9am or 9:30 am. Based on mileage, stops and pace, it is expected that all riders will be back at “base” between 12pm and 1pm (mostly by 12:30pm).
While there is a food truck and a brewery on site in the “upper” lot, we anticipate a sufficiently large group best suited to the lower lot where we are free to cookout and tailgate in the comfort of relative serenity.
You are encouraged to bring all professional grade tailgating paraphernalia including but not limited to: charcoal and/or propane grills, chairs, collapsable tables, stocked coolers, condiments, disposable plates, silverware, napkins, garbage bags, your favorite grillables – (burgers, chicken, dogs), sides (coleslaw, salads, pickles, sauerkraut), buns and rolls, and of course chips + dips and favorite beverages.
There will be at least 1 propane grill and 2 fuel tanks available for use.
Members are encouraged to invite their friends and family to join the post-ride party! Have them arrive as the riders are returning and enjoy an afternoon tailgating, exploring the brewery and food trucks, hiking the 450 acres of the farm, playing disc golf, tackling the mountain biking trails and more! It's the perfect day for families of all ages.
Cancellation/Rain Date: TBD .. stay tuned to WA for updates
Routes Offered:
Detailed Route Descriptions:
A/A-/B+/B Road Ride (95% paved)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50983182
63 mile loop (metric century) with 4300 feet elevation. Well-scouted lower-traffic roads with stunning vistas of the Taconics and Berkshires. Well spaced breaks with known 'cyclist friendly' shops. Challenging climbs, descents and mix of surfaces should appeal to experienced riders. The two 'champaign gravel' sections are typically ridden on road bikes and you should feel confident riding these segments.
Duration Expect 3-1/2 to 4 hours.
Stops (three possible - ride leader option)
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B/B- Road Ride(100% paved)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50670531
48 mile loop with ~3000 feet of elevation. A detour to the Southfield Store (recommended) would increase to ~50 miles. Scouted, low-traffic roads, with stunning views of the Taconics and Berkshires. Includes the famous 8 mile paceline descent from York Lake entrance to North Colebrook.
Duration Expect 3-1/2 hours.
Stops (two possible - ride leader option)
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B-/C Road Ride(100% paved)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50983952
A 28 mile loop with ~2400 feet of elevation. This route features gentle climbs and descents along lesser travelled roads up into the Berkshires. Perfect for anyone looking for a B-/C paced ride (ride leader option) comfortable on open road and riding with other cyclists.
Duration Expect 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
Stop (one planned)
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Gravel Ride(40% paved 60% DIRT/GRAVEL)
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51051457
Cuesheet with Info!
A 43+/- mile loop with 4000' elevation gain on 60% unpaved roads (26 miles of gravel) in Litchfield and southern Berkshire Counties. Includes a variety of terrain and views with some champagne dirt roads and also seriously challenging climbs/descents. Coffee break at the Southfield Store at the halfway point ... mile 20.5. Includes a fantastic 3.6 mile ‘-1.5%’ paceline descent of the low-traffic Sandybrook Turnpike at about three-quarters of the way into the route … just about where you need it most! Note: very limited cell coverage and remote area. Besides Southfield Store there are no services (water). Have routes downloaded well in advance and plan to be self-sufficient! Carry the backup paper cuesheet in your pocket!
Duration Expect 3-1/2 to 4 hours.
Stop (one planned)
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MOUNTAIN BIKING (NORBROOK Farm BREWERY TRAILS)
https://www.norbrookfarm.com/biking.pdf
https://youtu.be/lfKvfJlNE8Q?si=MLLszNYz9BULbTDH
Norbrook offers extensive MTB and downhill courses.
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Check Wild Apricot for updates and cancellations.
By signing in, you agree to RBSC Waiver and RBC Rules and Etiquette
All Riders are required to
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping us all riding safe.
*Bring sufficient water and nutrition for mileage.
*Bring spare tubes, inflation, cell phone and tools.
Some recent pictures from along the route:
