Campus Tour duh Gravel

April 05 - May 24 2025

Buffalo NY

Unconfirmed

Distances: 30, 50 miles

Difficulty: Gently rolling terrain with one or two short hills

Join the Campus Cycling Collective as we take you on (another) tour of our favorite local gravel routes!

-Back for 2023 and now two months long. There were no local gravel conflicts that I could find so I extended the fun through May! All of last years rides return and some new ones. (most of which are still in the discovery phase) As I get them confirmed I will be updating this page. You may pay as you play, there is not series discount, just sign up each week you want to ride. Registration will remain open until 5pm of each ride day, so it will all be here online!

-Thanks for checking out our event. We have created two routes for each of these group rides. One around 40 miles, one around 25 miles. Hopefully that creates something for most folks to enjoy. Come out and get a tast of this "GRAVEL" everyone is talking about. Lots of details below, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions!

-These are unsupported "drop" group rides. You are given the gps file for the course and it is your responsibility to navigate it and get yourself back to your car. People will likely group up, but there is no sweep, SAG or mechanical support. GPS computer or phone navigation mandatory (with enough battery power to last up to 4 hours). Q-sheets may be unreliable because many streets don't have street signs on them in gravel country.

-Each Saturday is a new location. Two route options exist each week you can select whichever sounds better to you, you may update your registration to change routes. Sometimes they share many of the same roads, other times not, so don't count on a mid ride bail-out within the planned routes.

-For the "Gravel Heavy" helping expect a 3-4 hour ride depending on your pace. "Gravel Lite" 2 hours ish. Come prepared with plenty of water, food and mechanical gear. There are no services or gas stations on these routes typically so don't count on a resupply. For me that's two bottles, a couple bars, and a couple shots, extra chamois cream, a tube, patch kit, tire plug kit, tire levers, multi tool, and CO2 or a Pump.

-Clothing: dress for the weather. April can be any kind of weather. You will be far from your car a rain shell, arm or leg warmers, etc. are a good idea if weather looks unpredictable.

-Bicycle: gravel bikes (obv..), cyclocross bikes and mountain bikes are all acceptable tools for these routes. A 32c tire minimum is recommended.

-Why buy the cow when I'm giving you the milk for free? I have included all the info to do these rides in this reg page, these routes will also be on www.campuscyclingcollective.com soon. I don't want to keep gravel a secret in WNY, I want to share it. I also want everyone to know exactly what they are signing up for. Your $10 "donation" goes to help the CCC cover insurance costs for all our free events, as well as a small donation we hope to make to Folsomedale Baptist Church for use of their parking lot this winter and for the first ride as a thank you. Lastly, eventhough these are not "no-drop" group rides I'm hopeing we get a critical mass so that everyone who wants to ride with others has that opportunity.

Routes subject to change. Individual routes will be finalized a week in advance of each ride. Best to download close to the event. Some have snow on them or are more or less passable as intel arrives I will continue to update.

4/1/23 Bennington Gravel: Bennington is the first local gravel loop I mapped out in preperation for my 40th birthday ride, "Ethan's 40 fondo". With the guidance of Matt Ronin and Gravelmap.com I started riding this area and this is what I think are the best routes to hit as much of the good stuff as possible. I hope you enjoy it. New twist for 2023 with "the Varysburg extension..." by Mike Smith.

4/8/23 North Java (jAy-va) Gravel: Always searching for variation, I later mapped this route out. This is the next closest gravel road hub to Buffalo. A little more road to gravel ratio here, but they are fun roads to ride never-the-less I hope you enjoy it. Sodom Rd is the gem of this loop.

4/22/23 Ellicottville Gravel Ride: A new route for 2023 comes to us from Aaron McCarter… So blame him if your legs fall off… This is going to be quite the adventure and not one to miss if you can ride more elevation than mileage (relating to the 1mile/100 ft golden ratio), or at least want to try. Ellicottville also has many a apres ride amenity… Bring your mountain bike and stay for the weekend! This will be a blast.

From the route maestro: "This route is a gravel ride, bookend by some unorthodox routing that could be classified as "Adventure Riding". Surfaces include: tarmac, gravel, single-track, chonky stones, grass field among others. There are a handful of gates on the route, some will be open and others will have to be gone around or under (gate at the bottom of descent, approx. mile 27).
All descents on course contain hazards and should be descended with caution. Gravel/CX bikes are perfectly suited for this course, but anyone less than confident in their skills may opt for a flat bar/mountain bike. "#

4/29/23 Wellandport, Canada Gravel Ride: This will be our first official gravel ride in Canada. After many adventures with our friends across the border we wanted to share some of the great terrain that is really not far from Buffalo and very gravel-friendly. Our Friends Bean Cycling: Matt & Kerry Bradbury will be hosting us at their house/farm. There will be an option for a 10 am "coffee experience" from Bean Cycling, prior to our ride. AirBnB Details . Meet Honey the Mare, and Jack the Donkey before or after our ride. This will be one to remember...

5/6/23 Fort Erie, ON Canada Gravel: (From our gracious host “Canada” Mike House): Welcome. You are riding through the traditional and unceded territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishanbeg peoples. Please pause to reflect on this with gratitude while honouring their legacy and friendship.

So did I hear you hate climbs but love seasonal roads and wind swept farm pastures? Well strap in little buddies because you’re in business. Make the trip to Worst Case Ontario and join the carnival for an afternoon of riding through the hamlets of Fort Erie, Stevensville and wait for it…Snyder. These routes aren’t soul crushing but there are some “trail” sections so best to leave the slicks at home, bring your DEET for the gams and consider some old shoes. If you get a soaker Mom isn’t putting a milk bag in your boot (That one’s for the peeps who know). All people welcome, no bad vibes-only love

The longer route affords a chance to stop and refuel about 1/4 of the way. Watch for the convenience store on Main St. East in Stevensville. The short route does not offer a refuel spot until the very end and then why bother.

Remember entering Canada requires proof of citizenship such as Passport or Nexus Card and not your student ID from West Seneca West High. Proof of Covid19 vaccine is not required but highly encouraged. In the words of McLyte “Leave the guns and knives and crack alone”. If you’re riding across the border set your GPS on 225 Highland Avenue, Fort Erie. Basically once you clear customs you will be directed towards the bicycle path that leads towards the Niagara River, turn left on Niagara Blvd and follow to Highland Avenue.

You will likely be roaming once you get into the countryside, as we move away from the river US signals tend to drop.

Please parkon the street somewhere or around the block. There will be some water and snacks available pre-ride. If there is interest post ride all are welcome to chill afterwards. Consider a cooler, bevies and chair. Do not cross the border with herb…yes you can buy it in Canada and no you cannot import it..so grab and go when you cross.

Campus Tour duh Gravel