This route is brought to you by Laura Kelly. She currently lives in New York, but her heart is in Colorado.
She is the event director for the Dirty Apple and Frozen Apple gravel events, of which this route is taken from.
This Frozen Apple gravel route allows you to explore the quiet dirt backroads between Peekskill and Cold Spring where you'll feel a million miles away from the world (although it is just 35 miles north of New York City).
Pause to soak in the natural beauty of shaded roads framed by stone walls, babbling creeks, family farms and beautiful homes.
There are numerous historical markers where you can learn about the Revolutionary relevance of this area, including mile markers from when Ben Franklin was the Post Master General.
There are a few long stretches of pavement that eventually lead to dirt, I promise. (Most of the pavement is getting in and out of Peekskill.)
Don't be fooled by the low mileage - this is a very challenging route and is not for beginners or those that prefer smooth hard packed dirt! Conditions range from pavement to hardpacked dirt to technical jeep road and may include washouts, ruts, potholes, leaves, sand, mud, ice/snow, and chunky terrain. There are 2.5 miles of seasonally unmaintained road though Fahnestock State Park, including a 7/10th mile technical access road. The technical section is 100% ridable but most people end up walking portions of it depending on conditions.
There is a significant hill at mile 26 (paved) and another one at mile 30 (dirt), so save some energy for that last one!
Do this beautiful and especially challenging 42-mile route if you like to feel the lactic acid burning in your legs and want to explore the quiet dirt backroads between Peekskill and Cold Spring.
The minimum tire width suggested is 32mm. Optimal would be 38-40mm. Larger if you want additional traction in the seasonally unmaintained section (but will be overkill everywhere else on the course). Be prepared and know how to fix a flat!
Bathrooms are available at Peekskill Landing Park, just off course at mile 1. There is a gas station at mile 10 where you can replenish water/snacks. At mile 26, you can also follow 9D into Cold Spring for gas station water, snacks, bathrooms (purchase generally required to use). All other areas are remote with no services.
As a Pactimo ambassador, I recommend their 12hr bibs, zero-weight base, and Summit jerseys for summer; thermal bibtights, wool base, Alpine thermal jersey, and Vertex WX-D jacket for the winter.
Plan to grab a bite in Peekskill before heading home! Peekskill has a variety of delicious ethnic cuisines and breweries to choose from as well as plenty of riverside parks to relax and enjoy the day.
When this is done on event day, it begins at River Outpost Brewing, but most either take Metro-North to Peekskill (start at the train station) or you're driving you can park at Lents Cove Park (just south of the brewery).
Guest: Laura Kelly
Hi I'm Laura Kelly! I have lived in a lot of places, but Colorado is where my heart lives. I currently live in New York.
I started as a bike commuter and road rider, but fell in love with mountain biking while living just outside Philadelphia. After moving to Westchester County, I was introduced to dirt roads and made the switch to All Dirt, All The Time.
I am the event director for the Dirty Apple and Frozen Apple gravel events as well as an assistant trail supervisor for the New York New Jersey Trail Conference and board member of Westchester Mountain Bike Association.
As a brand ambassador, I represent Pactimo cycling apparel and Nuun hydration.
I believe smiles > average speed. I believe the best rides are where we don't take ourselves too seriously.
