Shawangunk Grit

Close out your riding season with a ride to remember at Mohonk Preserve!

Join us for an epic fundraising ride across the Shawangunk Ridge, just 90 miles north of Manhattan. Pick from two distances 50.4 miles (4,711 ft. gain) or 23 miles (1,811 ft. gain). Both courses begin and end at the Ulster County Fairgrounds and once you enter the Preserve at mile two, the course is over 98% gravel on our famous network of historic carriage roads.

This is not a race; think of it as a super challenging fun ride for a really good cause. Some of the gravel is rough and steep in spots. Expect some loose rock – especially on the descents. The long course includes an optional short technical section and a mandatory dismount/bike hike up a rustic steps near the “million dollar view.” Bring your gravel, cyclocross, or mountain bike. Class 1 e-bikes only are permitted if you can manage the technical sections. No road bikes, please.

You won’t be timed but you will be well-fed. Look for well-stocked aid stations with water, Skratch hydration and energy bars and bananas. A post ride party with food and music awaits you at the finish. Be sure to carry some food and water, and maybe extra clothes depending on the weather - this is a rain or shine event. You’ll be sharing the carriage roads with hikers and climbers, so bike bells are highly recommended. Be courteous to hikers and other riders when passing. Pack a spare tube, tools, and pump as there’s no mechanical support on course and no sag wagon. Helmets are required.

*Shout out to our friends at the Open Space Institute for granting us access to the River-to-Ridge Trail and to the Mohonk Mountain House who grant us special access to Sky Top and the golf course area for the event day only. Bikes are not allowed on carriage roads near Sky Top so you cannot pre-ride these sections of the course. No exceptions – If we blow this, access to Sky Top and the golf course will not continue. PLEASE DO NOT POST PICS FROM SKY TOP ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

Also, near Spring Farm Trailhead, the private driveway near the Slingerland Pavilion, the Table Rocks Trail, and the Crag Trail on the Preserve are accessible to ride participants during the event only. You cannot pre-ride these sections.

Pricing (No price increase for 2026!)

50.4 Mile $150

23 Mile $125

Optional fundraising: (New!)

When you register you'll be set up with a fundraising page automatically. Raise $150 for Mohonk Preserve and we'll reward you with a super cool Grit pullover hoodie. Money raised will help us provide educational programs for children, maintain and repair the carriage roads you'll be riding on, conduct research and fight invasive species.

Registration fees get you...

• Pre-ride bike support on the morning of the event from Bicycle Depot staff

• Bike plate

• Grit sticker

• Aid stations with, water, Skratch Labs hydration products and snacks

• Finish line food, live music, beverages and beer.

• A GRIT tech t-shirt.

• A chance to win great prizes from our sponsors!

• A gravel ride that's actually on gravel!

• Satisfaction in knowing you're helping to raise money for a great cause!

• Timed Strava segment for 50.4 mile course riders with prizes!

The Start

Expect a calm and controlled mass start for the 50.4 mile course at 8:30 am and the 23 mile course at 9:30 am. Riders will line up Goldilocks style: strong riders go to the front of the pack; moderate folks aim for the middle, and those planning a more leisurely pace, head to the back.

A pace car will lead riders for the first two miles of the course along public roads from Ulster Fairgrounds to Mohonk

Preserve property on Gatehouse Road. Riders must remain in their lane behind the pace car. We mean it, calm and controlled.

Once you’re off the public road and on the gravel, you can ride at your own pace.

NEW Cutoff Time for 50-Mile Course

Cutoff time for the 2026 ride is 2:00 pm at mile 31. If you don't think you can ride at this pace, we strongly encourage you to sign up for the 23 mile course. We want you back at the finish line in time for the the fun! Prize drawing will be at 3 pm. You need not be present to win, but we hope you'll be there! Note: The event takes place after daylight saving time ends so sunset is at 4:44 pm.

Cancellation/Refund Policy:

Registration fees are non-refundable. You may wish to take the optional Registration Protection Plan from Allianz during registration. Shawangunk Grit is a major fundraiser for Mohonk Preserve. When you register, we hold a spot, make commitments to vendors, and deny others entry when the event sells out. Therefore, registration fees are non-refundable. We do allow transfers for a nominal fee. Event deferrals for any reason, including injury, are not allowed.

Should the event be canceled for a qualifying reason by the event producer such as adverse weather conditions which would make holding the event unsafe, your registration fees will deferred to the next year.

If you find you can’t participate, we would like to know. Please contact us at [email protected]. All cancellations will be acknowledged via email.

Protection Plan:

Consider taking the registration protection insurance offered by Bike.reg during registration which will reimburse you registration fees if you are unable to participate due to a qualifying reason. This plan is administered by a third party, Allianz and claims must be made to them directly.

Be prepared for a challenging, but fun ride! Registration fees raise money for a great cause, Mohonk Preserve!

Your registration fees directly support Mohonk Preserve’s mission to protect the northern Shawangunk Mountains region and inspire people to care for, enjoy and explore the natural world. With more than 8,200 acres of mountain ridges, forests, fields, streams, ponds and other unique and beautiful places, Mohonk Preserve is the largest member and visitor-supported nature preserve in New York State.

Course options:

50.4 Mile

8:30 am Start

Four aid stations at mile 12.4, 25, 35.7 and 43.1

Elevation gain: 4,711

23 Mile

9:30 am Start

Two aid stations at mile 9.6 and 13

Elevation gain: 1,811

Advance Packet Pickup:

Friday, November 6, 2026

12 noon - 5 pm

Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center

3197 Route 44 55

Gardiner, NY 12525

Yes, you can pick up your packet on Saturday prior to the start of each ride. Just leave yourself extra time so you aren't rushed!

Day of Packet Pickup:

Saturday, November 7, 2026

7:00 am - 8:25 am | 50.4 milers

7:00 am - 9:25 am | 23 milers

Ulster County Fairgrounds

249 Libertyville Road

New Paltz, NY 12561

View the great photos taken by the Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographers!

Questions?

Contact Ride Director, Tom Leader at [email protected]

About Shawangunk Grit:

The ridge where you’ll be riding is made from bedrock called Shawangunk Conglomerate, also known as Shawangunk Grit. Shawangunk Grit slabs were used to make millstones around the turn of the century and some of these millstones can still be seen on the land today. A nod to the history of the ridge is found in the Shawangunk Grit logo.

Cover photo by: Deborah Kral