KG3.0 Route Recon - All the Rest

Over the course of a few days we got out and did a recon of the proposed Kingdom Graveleur KG3.0 extra credit route and some of the full route non extra credit sections. All in all, the route is looking fine and the gravel is coming along quite nicely after the long hard winter and spring. Even the ClassIV sections were not that bad all told and with a few weeks still to further settle we should be in great shape come June 22nd.

It's looking like the full route is going to come in at a respectable 97.2 miles with just over 10000' of gain spread pretty evenly throughout the course of the day. The extra credit route will top that at 114.3 miles and just a hair under 13000' of gain with the tipping point that jumps it up from just about 100' of gain per mile come in at mile 88 with the day's optional out and back ascent that garners about 1800' in about four double digit average percent grade miles. But hey, then you get a really long descent. Nice thing is that you can take it or leave it at any point based on how you are feeling.

There are a few ClassIV unmaintained roads that the route will hit. Most of these are easily passable but all require attention. Ride safe, ride smart especially on the multiple long descents after the first rest stop which will be at Top of the Mountain Vegetable Farm, which as the name implies, is at the top of a mountain which you will have the opportunity to climb. The ClassIV that gets us back to civilization is remote and rustic. The descents are steep and in cases, loose. Treat them with the respect that they deserve. I posted a video compilation of the Coles Pond ClassIV Descent.

After last weekend I modified the routes to avoid a couple of the longer and steeper descents that were on the initial proposed route. They added nothing and had more risk than reward.

I still need to do a little more recon to look at some of the minor points but I think in general we are in good shape. The route visits many, many scenic vistas with incredible views. Enjoy those views and the route and don't treat this as a race. The reward is in the ride itself.

If you are not on the notification email list for the ride, which is how all notifications, plans and invitation are handle, and you would like to be shoot us a message and we will get you in the loop as appropriate. You can also contact us through our social media presence at Kingdom Graveleur.

For now, here are some images of the route from last week.

Enjoy and see you soon!