Warsaw Valley

Alright Folks,

Since "Houses of the Holy" was so well-received, they foolishly decided to let me put another ride on the schedule. Next Saturday is the grand unveiling of "Warsaw Valley" (Formerly "Molasses Hill"). When I first moved out to the far East of Buffalo, people kept asking me "Why the hell did you move all the way out there?!", and to be honest, I spent a fair amount of time asking myself that same question. It wasn't until I rediscovered bicycling when I finally realised that part of the answer to that question is: There are some amazingly beautiful roads out there, and they're only a few minutes away from where I live. Whenever I need a moment of clarity, I hop on the bike and take off Eastward bound.

We don't ride those roads too often in the club; we tend to stick to our usual haunts: Orchard Park, East Aurora, Clarence, Wheatfield, Lancaster, Clarence, Hamburg, and Clarence. Part of the reason is that it's a long way to drive for most members of the club, and I get that. Every once in a while though, it's fun to make a day of a far ride and see some roads you've never been on. I've been working on this route for almost a year now, and I've tried to pick out the roads with the best views over Warsaw Valley that are possible. I did a test run back in October when the trees were in peak Fall colors, and it was absolutely breathtaking. Since it's on the schedule in July, we won't get the rustic reds and oranges, but we'll have plenty of verdant greens.

There's two options. The long version has the best views, especially along Merchant Road. There are 3 significant climbs, and a whole host of smaller hills as well. I tried to space out the climbs with relatively nice flat sections so that you can catch your breath if you need it. The short ride cuts off the East Ridge of the Valley and has just two large hills. None of the gradients are too bad. I've picked the easiest climb out of Warsaw, but the die-hards can easily take 20A back up if they're so inclined. My saying is: If I can do them, you can do them.

If you bonk, there's a built-in "Escape Route"; instead of turning left at Centerline, keep going straight onto 238, and enjoy almost 10 full miles of nothing but downhill, straight back into Attica.

I hope you enjoy this ride as much as I enjoyed making it! See you Saturday! I will have beverages and refreshments in the parking lot at the end of the ride as usual.

PS: Forecast says a slight chance of rain right now. It'll probably change, but don't feel compelled to drive all the way out to Attica if it's raining. No offense will be taken.

Note to the ride committee, If you like this ride your should consider bringing back the Genesee Wyoming County Challenge. It was a very popular ride on the schedule 20 - 25 years ago but seems to have slipped off the schedule in recent years.

Dan Schwenk has ridden the route and discovered two current issues which will require detouring:

1) On the long route, at about mile 9, Molasses is stoned. Detour as follows:

Right on Dry Bridge (after the tracks)

Left on Chaddock

Left on E. Main

Right on Vernal (back on the route)

2) On the short at about mile 13 and the long at about mile 19 Dale Rd has impassable road work. Detour as follows:

Left on Dale (from Stevens, after the tracks)

Right on Kelly

Left on Kingsley

Right on Fox

Right on Rt 19

Right on Sayre

Left on Dale (back on route)

The second detour does add about 10 miles and 500 ft up to 13%, so here are two more ways to go. Keep in mind that these, unlike the one from Dan, have unconfirmed road conditions.

2.1) This one skips the left on Stevens and stays on Black House to 20A, then down to Warsaw. No steep climbs.

Stay on Black House

Left on 20A

Left on Wyoming St

Right on Old Buffalo (back on route)

2.2) Does not go onto Comet, but bears left on Vernal to Dale and then Fox to Rt 19. Less mileage.

Bear left on Vernal

Right on Dale

Left on Fox

Right on Rt 19

Right on Sayre

Left on Dale (back on route)