UP Ridge Rd. then tooling around on the Glenville Heights area

I call the Ti man saying 'meet me at 9 am at the Starbucks.'

He says that Accuweather says it's going to rain and we should start later, say 10 am.

OK.

I leave at 9:45 am to get there on time, for the first time in ages. "So, where to?" Perennial question: answer

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/niskayuna/172125097469814468

We're off at a fast pace. Swoop through Old Nisky, cross Rosa Rd, down the escarpment near the Nisky Garden Apts then across the Mohawk, left onto Sunnyside, along it to the dodge on to Cuthbert to find ourselves steaming toward 147. What do you want to do?

We hang a left onto 147 N, then left at the former site of a tavern, to start the climb up Ridge.

I tell 'em, 'see you at the top.' And indeed they are off. Climbin' Filkinos is way ahead before the titanium bike starts to catch up. Minutes later I find them moseying along well north of the hill top. I whizz past. 'Epic.' is all I can come up with, and on we go.

In spite of the late morning hour, 10:45 am we are alone up there, with no cars, no one at the Guan-Ho-Ha club, and by the time we are out at the T junction with W. Glenville Rd., we are flying along.

Left at the junction, along W. Glenville toward W. Glenville's fire station where we'll turn right to return to Charlton without the pull along 147 with the traffic and stuff on North. We jog right then left onto Charlton Rd. for the long pull east all the way to the north end of Ballston Lake, Outlet Rd. 'Good Times Restaurant 1 mile'

We take the Bug Line trolley rail bed, now trail, to return to the Ballston Lake metropolis where one can find Carney's established 183-something. The rest is too familiar to talk about and I've kind of had it so I deviate west at Glenridge Avenue through Alplaus, along Maple Ave to Freeman's Bridge, instead of the Rexford Bridge. . . sigh*

'Are you delusional, Price?' is the last I hear from the group as I wheel off west from the top of the hill.

Probably.

Thursday's Ride

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/niskayuna/221124718832783322

Timan and I leave the meeting spot, sail down the Rail Trail, up to Stewarts, then east on the regular run. We were flying. The air was cool and the sun had just come out.

The return by way of Grooms then Droms, past the Van Arum place, again, twice in a week. Although this was with the Ti man.

Training run for the Pinebush Triathlon

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/niskayuna/998124707784622394

In preparation for the Pinebush Triathlon, Moser and I went out for a quick tour of the southern Saratoga County pathways fit for cycling.

We started off by forgetting an ID badge, return to Fitness Center, re-launch, and no need to grind up the hill to the main entrance/gate since no one else was going to attend. The trail north to the Aquaduct Rd. intersection with Route 146, Balltown Road, onto the Rexford Bridge, then up the hill, right at Stewarts then the fun begins. Hearing a free-wheel whirring in back of me, I put the push to the pedal. The pace increases. . . a bit. We aren't pushing anything worth worrying about.

Soon we are at the split--Grooms Rd goes left on a turn, and Riverview straight ahead. We keep on. The asphalt is new and the road is smooth. It's 62 F out and the clouds and clear sky dapple the roadway. We pass the apple orchard on the right, the apple trees on the left, and turn left at Sugar Hill Road opposite of the Vischer Ferry Power Station.

It's still uphill once we're past the second apple orchard, Bowman's. Topping the hill, down toward the Groom's Tavern past the Grange Hall with "1495" address (not the date of establishment). We turn right but decide to turn back in favor of making the 1:30 pm meetings we both have. Soon it's a left onto Droms so we can take a new route home, off the 50 mph+ traffic on Grooms.

I am priveleged to show off the Van Arum home historical marker: I'm not sure it's standing in front of a real remainder of that time (ca. 1780), but that's what's implied.

Reconnecting with Riverview, we go right, west, toward the golf courses, the Stewarts, the left hand turn onto 146 heading downhill fast, fast, across the Rexford bridge. A right-hand turn up Aquaduct a bit, and onto the Rail Trail keeps us from attempting a cross-traffic turn that would retrace exactly our route from earlier, 50 minutes earlier.

The last pull up the hill on middle front chain ring, larger cassette gears in the back, we top the hill breathless. Not fast, but breathless.

Nice day for it.

55 minutes.

Heading out from Niskayuna to go to Grafton Lake SP is a bit on the folly side of enterprising, so I drove to the Cohoes power station on the Mohawk, just off Route 9 a couple of miles south of the bridge.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ny/cohoes/911124614943660492

At first I thought I'd be in the sun, just coming out from a rather dreary start to the morning, but nope--the clouds from the east rolled in and started to dim the light. Just as well; I didn't want the ride to be hot. I went south on the river road following the Mohawk into Cohoes.

I took the standard Route 32 across the 787 to 7 feed route to follow the Mohawk Hudson bikeway signs into the town of GreenIsland. I went to the Green Island bridge, a bit too far, actually, crossed the river, and started up the hill. I managed to lock onto Federal. Up to 15th Street, Peoples, too. On to Route 7, Hoosick Street. I'll take the other route next time.

Once out of town, I searched for the turn off to Grafton Lake SP and gratified when I found it. I saw the Route 142 entering from the north. That was the way we took, last time, with David Mika and Jonathan.

Soon I'm truly enjoying the country ride, but uphill all the way. There are places along the climb that feel like a permanent rain is taking place. Very odd.

A wall of water is advancing toward me as I top the hill to just see the park entrance so I turn and head back down. Route 2 is really rough. Take care. Watch for larger potholes. Mostly it is simply bumpy.

Instead of taking 287 back over to 7 then on into town, I follow Route 2 west into Troy. I pass more than a few Victorian places on the hill to the right or north side of the road. A huge cemetary with impressive monuments.

Back in Troy I cross on the lift bridge, turn north on 32, go on into Waterford, and cross the Champlain canal to get onto Rte 97 going north, then 96 then onto the road that will take me into Halfmoon, Crescent at Rte 9. I'm only 2 miles from the car and pass Saratoga Winners on the left, the ashes of Saratoga Winners. The 'owner' who is suspected of setting the fire, is being judged or is waiting for the court date.

Suspicious circumstances.

Knox from Tawasentha Park, Guilderland

I said I'd be gone for a short one, but mis counted the time to return. I started at Tawasentha Park, on John's advice. Good thing I showed up before they manned the guard shack--when I returned it was posted "$20 parking"

Yikes.

I'd never seen 146 end to end, as one route, so I decided to run west with it.

Guilderland to Altamont by 146 seems familiar; we've probably taken it a dozen times. Soon I had passed through Altamont, and started up the hill to the plateau. By the time I reached East Township slope had abated; I was on top of the hill. The slope runs the other way starting with West Township. And it is a fun downhill. I drank and tanked up on water, Gatorade and stopped at Larry Hill Rd. to check the map.

Someone stopped on the opposite side of the road, "You lost?"
"No," I answer, "But I'm trying!"
A laugh, and he leaves.

I'm planning to return on Route 443 and think I can manage it in 1 h 10 m, but it takes a lot longer.

Rte 443 is slower than I remember. There's plenty to huff up in spite of my recall to the opposite. Even sailing down 85 to Stewarts, left to hit the turn-off to the J. Boyd Thacher Park, on down into New Salem, Voorheesville, it's getting to be well past my scheduled time of arrival, to the intersection of Grant Hill Rd and Wormer. I happen upon a weekend cyclist. We exchange a greeting then I'm left onto Wormer. Wormer to Ostlander, Ostlander to 146 then right to the park.

Hoo haw... like I said longer than I thought -- 72 km. 2.5 hr. or so.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ny/guilderland/658124552251665987

Tuesday's Ride 16 June 2009

Tuesday, 16 June 2009, I went out on a standard two bridges or Route 9 Loop ride. Nice day, cool and nothing by way of wind. Clock-wise, viewed from above.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/rexford/743147367

Squashed turles line the road. It went fast in spite of the week's lay-off while I was out of town. Then there was a weekend completely taken by a reunion with a couple of high school buddies, Wes and Colin.
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/573046193LgkYTI

We had a blast. We went to breakfast together, the three of us, at the IHOP on Wolf Rd. and nearly forgot the day's plans. Gisele arrived and we took off for the Hancock Shaker Village NOT located in Hancock, MA, but closer to Pittsfield. We find the place, have lunch, and go through the village and its historic treasures. There is an introduction to the Shaker Community, its history, and final disposition.

We came back to Troy, NY, then to Brown's ale house. We take the two home and promise to reassemble Sunday morning. We do and go north to Saratoga Springs for a visit to the State Park then the race course, Yaddo, and the Battlefield. With one eye on the clock and one eye on a visit round the battlefield, we do lunch from another well-packed basket fournished by Gisele.

We're off on the rounds, and when 2 pm rolls around, we leave the circuit, and take Colin to his Troy hotel.

1 h 30 min for the 30 miles = 20 mph.

Next day: my legs felt funny.

The ADA Century

Sunday arrived. We piled into the car, lashed the third bike to the carrier on the back door, and started to roll. We managed to line up behind someone who'd never been to Saratoga Springs, was reading from the instructions, and generally kept the speed down to a safe value.









We talked everything of importance: Cub Scouts, meetings, the weather, buying a Schenectady home, NOT buying a Schenectady home, car stuff . . .









Once in the high school parking lot, saw Nicole and said 'hello', and once we found a spot to park we piled out to go register. Once done, loaded up on water, a couple of energy bars, bib numbers pinned on our jerseys, we managed to line up about three minutes before the 'gun' went off. Actually, it was a countdown of the ways that diabetes can decimate a society's life -- chronic conditions, hospitalization costs, incapacitation. Poor health in general for entire lifetimes.

Sobering thoughts.

We leave en masse. We're wayyyy back in the pack. We have to weave in and out to get to the front. We pass James. 'You guys -- see you at the end.' It worked.

We finally found Nic up front in the lead group. It took us a while. We were in Ballston Center area before we had a chance to talk. We were blasting along on the Charlton Road. As we ran up the hill to 50 we lost a few, like two years ago, but this time I stood the rise. And stayed with the peloton.

By the time we reached 147 to jog north then west, I was still in the group but when the Glenville Hills arrived, I couldn't keep pace. I lost 50 yards on the group. But I couldn't keep up. Then another hill, and that was it. The twelve were gone. Last time I saw them they were 200 or 300 yards ahead.

ShawRd. and its cool shady overhanging trees in full leaf of summer. I saw a mink-like creature carrying a young one in her maw. She had dark, weasly black fur. Rolling--not bad pace.

A north then east-bound section of farm road in bad shape rough on the surface. I'm following the 'trail' of wrappers, bottles and a folded set of queues for the 100 mile route!

The trail crosses Route 67.

I recognize roads around Middle Grove. Indicators and flagmen want to steer me into the food and water stop. I have to shout 'Where now!' Which trail? '100' is my answer. Someone waves me back the way I came. . . then right. There is a tightening in my chest; I'm on my way up to Lake Desolation.

I remember thinking it's a nice day for a camping trip . .. it was the wood smoke and hilariously rattletrap houses, backyards that looked like some Scouting trip. Homesteads, trailers, fixed-er-uppers, and some suburban home designs plopped down in the country. We could also see a couple of cars up on blocks and wood piles, too. One crawled with a happy band of kids, a dog on leash and an active pair of parents repairing something outside on this cool and cloudy day.

Here the sun would come through and warm a spot here and there. Real hope.

Someone on the side of the road fooling iwth their bike. I shout "Are you OK?" and a look back. Oh. It's Siavash! Hey wait. I pull a 180, peeling off of some guy I've been trading leads with, chatting about honking car drivers and where are you from topics.

S's seat was loose and he was stopped for a repair and adjustment. He was feeling good but 28 miles ahd been his longest ride to date. He's trying 2 times that today.

We ride comfortably together. I'm happy to be first. We get to some hills and he gives me permission to take off if I want. Not there, but a bit down the road another rise comes up and I'm on to catch up with the other dude.

Corinth: "Gate-way to the Adirondacks" with fishing and hunting stores, brick buildings and a ride along the Hudson that looks like a lake.

After an exit from town and a piece of road out in the country. I top a rise near a fork in the road and pull off to take a leak.

Getting ready for the ADA Tour de Cure tomorrow

We are preparing for the ADA Tour de Cure that will take place tomorrow, Sunday, 7 June 2009, by loading up on the carbs and proceeding with the taper.

Tapering is engaged. I feel ready. Here is the route, in case you plan on joinng us, or simply want to view the planned ride.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ny/saratoga%20springs/168124430550597232

All the way to Hadley, NY, then turn south.

Two years ago the Tour de Cure was a lot of fun. The weather was cool, the route was OK, and it was undertaken with guys who stuck together. The mini-peloton included Clickn Knee on the Bianchi, TiMan, and Juan Filkinos. Great team. We started out in Stillwater or Saratoga Springs, headed north along the Hudson River in the early morning. The weather was calm, no wind, and the river was beautiful. I managed to grunt and push to the front where there was a crew of State Police bike team dudes sailing along. In the group, one feels no wind, and you can hear only the spinning of sprockets, changing of gears when the slope changes.

TiMan warned me that these guys can roll all day and never stop for water, so we dropped off the pace at Argyle, had some chow, took a leak, then moved over the table for a chat with the volunteers. The Bianchi whipped past. 'Let's go get him!' was the rallying cry, so off we went.

On we went through little burgs moving north to the turn-around point and a noticeable degradation in the pavement. In 2008 this is where the flats sprouted up. We were having none of it until . . . ffft .. ffft .. ffft we all heard the sound of air escaping from a tire going around.

We slow to stop and engage the quick-fix-the-flat dance. Bike on ground. Wheel off the frame. Hands pushing down hard, running round the rim, pulling the tire and tube off the rim.

Someone flips Juan the spare innertube and someone inspects the innert surface of the tire to make sure the offending piece of glass or sharp metal object isn't still stuck in flat-producing position.

Soon it's all reassembled and someone's loosened a pump from its perch and is pumping it up, checking for proper seating before going all the way to 8 bar pressure.

There is a short pause while everyone puts helmets back on, picks up assortment of plastic tools, pumps, caps, and nuts, zipping shut the little repair kit bags underneath seats, and clips back in.

Done is good time; when everyone helps, it's kinda fun.

We can see the mountains in Vermont nearby here and the weather is gradually warming up. An enjoyable ride so far. Soon we have managed to catch up to the Bianchi, we say hi, gather him into the peloton, and spin back up.

By now it's approaching mile 80 and we're no longer so chatty. The work is wearing on us a bit, and I drop a piece of watermelon off the stack I take -- it hits the gazebo deck in Greenwich, was it?, I felt like a dope. A tired dope.

We saw Chris W. and Rachel there. Mounted up and moved on home. I don't think we stopped until the end. . . repeating to ourselves, 'this is just a noon time ride -- that's all that remains -- yeah, not much at all!' Talking to ourselves, building our courage, cause it had already been a good 4 and a half hours at that point.

So we finished in 5 h 35 m roughly. A good time.

We were happy to be done.

The Mile 80 Stare. The mid-distance, about the focal plane yardage used to make sure you don't run over something in the road.

Absorbing liquids.

Thinking about philosophical implications of wailing on pedals from 7 am until nearly 1 pm, while mere mortals stared from inside passing cars and trucks.

Rensselaerville from Stewarts at 443 and 85

Into the teeth of the fiercest wind we've seen in a while, I go up Wolf Hill on 85. Sunday's little trip started at 1:30 pm with a 30 minute drive out tot he starting spot. I parked the car in a short pull-out on 85.

So up the hill, into the wind, building character, I think I was traveling 13 kph until the top of the plateau. following 85 west for another 12 miles.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/new-scotland/382124381302513183

I'd planned a ride to Middleburgh, but it was not in the cards or in the direction of the wind. I took Route 6 north to Berne, and following a right turn onto the route 443 followed a rolling, green, route all the way to the 443 - 85 intersection I'd passed an hour 50 minutes earlier. It's all downhill from there. But scary in view of the wrecky pavement.

Fun!

Asharokan Ride with KoM

Nice ride. Fun. The weather was great and there were lots of other riders. My favorite ride companion is with me on the road. We are out on the Asharoken village peninsula for a ride in the morning of Memorial Day 2009. Had a good ride!

We started out at the apartment. He and I both took our bicycles out of the shed where we'd kept them overnight. I had driven down two days earlier with the bike apart in the car's trunk. Had to put it back together and the dude had a bike stand to work on. It took a while to figure out how to hold the Fuji's diamond-shaped downtube into the jaws made for circular cross section tubes. . . but we made it.

Not being used to it, I mounted the wheel somewhat not seated. We had to undo that silliness. Lubricated the chains, pumped up the tires, set the bottles into the cages with drink, popped a granola bar into the back pockets andoff we went.

West, first, on Fifth avenue, then north on Larkfield which turns into Vernon Valley. We tool past downtown E. Northport, across into foreign territory, an adventure, and on to 25A. Vernon Valley Deli and Sandwich Shop. Worth waiting for.

Once across 25A we wind our way through to Locust which is to the left, up and once on top, we turn right, then onto the road going past the power station. Down the hill, and onto thepenninsula leading out to Asharoken, past beach places that remind me of Malibu, the summers I spent there at Caroline's place on Broadbeach Rd. One summer I traded some interior decorating and refurbishment for room and board, and we took a class on James Joyce's Ulysses.

We are out the penninsula, onto the spot of land that rises up out of the sand. Up and down, and around in the treelined streets, and residences, finally to a run at the beach.

Lots of groups large and small. It's the day to ride. Sunny, cool, and a holiday.

Going back is just as fun but more uphills, it seems, although really the house didn't change altitude while we were gone!

Rock City from Outlet Road, northern end of Ballston Lake

Looking for a route south of town, I tried to leave the house through the Nisky Days traffic around upper Union Street. This was a lost case. I turned around and worked my way north away from that toward well-worn routes of southern Saratoga County.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ny/ballston%20center/554124251227991512

I kept driving, without a certain idea where to stop, and soon found myself on a route I'd ridden on scores of outtings.

I parked at the lot on the northern side of Outlet Rd. near the fishing spots on the southern side, on the lake shore. I start up the slope to highway 50. The light changes and I'm off, traveling west. 20 minutes later I happen upon Peaceable, a charmingly named road going north. Harmony Corners looms. I love the names of these places.

I get to Galway Road, turn left, onto a wide bicycle lane, smooth pavement and a nice day ahead. West Corners is up, I turn right into the Adirondack general direction. I love this piece of road going north. Rolling, rural, with some odd farms and places along the route. I pass the Galway golf course, tiny, green, and inviting. It's about an hour since I started; I always get this way after 25 miles.

Up ahead there is a odd little corner and right turns Hermance, Jockey, and now I'm going east by the compass I've taken along. I'm on Shaw Road heading east. Fun road! Quiet, leafy green everywhere, a beautiful bike road. . . which I follow on into Rock City Falls.

Cottrells electrical papers or something like this adorns a building. A crumbling electrical generating station. Rock buildings. 60 year old + fishermen, with their jackets, rods and reels. They are walking upstream to find a nice spot. It's noon. I roll through town, eat a granola bar, drink some more and swap bottles in cages. Set to go home, I roll south on 59, 43, I'm confused about which road is fastest, but I know I have to south.

I find myself at a familiar crossroads, Middle Line Road.

The wind as shifted and now comes from the south. With a bite. It's warm, but it is stiff.

I'm now moving slowly south into the Ballston Center crossroads, turn left, roll on to the Highway 50 intersection, and whip, I mean fly down the hill to the car. 1 h 45 for the entire 50 km. Not so bad with photo ops, eating and drinking, and wandering.

Shaker Bay Loop on Monday

I had to go mentor a student at an elementary school so I didn't manage to plan for a traditional 11:30 am departure. I left at 12:45 pm.

Going south and east on River Road is always a bit of a mixed bag. Some days there is little traffic, some days it is scary. From the traffic circle it's a fast (nearly 30 mph) spin to KAPL, then gently uphill to a slower more stately 20 mph. We have a backward rotation into and out of lead for the peloton. When you're feeling chipper you move out into the traffic side of the groupetto, pedal harder, lean tighter into the wind, and work your way up to the lead, move in and don't look back.

Everyone else does the exact opposite; when you're tired, you peel off out into the traffic side, slide back and let number two pick up the effort.

At Rosendale, we turn left and go downhill to the creek, whip past the little bridge or culvert, and straighten out to head toward the island bridge. It's here in 07 I ran off the road after a day at the Science Fair-like Tech Fair, that I left the road for the slower shoulder, hit something hard, flipped over the handle bars, and landed . . . somehow.

Third degree separation of my shoulder. Whanged my left hand. Kept me out of moving jobs for the fall.

We pass Niskayuna Road, ride up a bit of a rise, and head out into the River Road near the ponds, the old rail road bed, and the park. The park has a nice new parking lot, a shiny new toilet, and a very old Niskayuna Train stop (station, of sorts).

We turn left at the big arrows saying 'Turn Right.' Traffic thins, the road is a bit bumpier, and the rural aspect of Niskayuna appears. We drink from our bottles, start conversations, and settle into a slightly less hectic pace.

We pass the WTRY station, hear airplanes overhead, and pass the home where white rock in the road, after visit by the gas delivery truck, nearly killed one rider. He hit it head on. Lost control. Fell. We were steaming along that day, and so the rider wore a bandage on the left wrist for two weeks after.

Fort's Ferry Road is a branchpoint; the brave take a right, go uphill, work their way through the residential area, then on up to County View, down the hill and back to the rail trail.

We go left, then right, to forge ahead to the Shaker Bay loop on the hill. This hill nearly killed me the first time I did it. It still makes me pause. Nice homes.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/niskayuna/137306707

We complete the circle, and return to the Rail Trail (Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway), swing past the entrance to the Colonie town dump, and head back on the Rail Trail itself. Look right and see up the river, the Mighty Mohawk. Look right to see back yards with splendid views.

The way back this way is sheltered by the woods on either side of the narrow strip of asphalt. Taking care to avoid the cables, we pass the cross traffic access points. Train Station. People out eating lunch, reading, fussing with their dog leashes. Past the ponds, past the overhead bridge, past the water treatment facility. Lock 7 access road is down then back up. The coldest part of the trail is found here, near a plaque commemorating someone, where snow can be found weeks after the melt elsewhere. We approach the Blatnick Hill -- a diagonal climb up the closed-over landfill lump. At the top, you can see much more of the river!

After another rise, past the baseball fields, round the bend to pass by KAPL. We're nearly home. The yellow bike is prepared to peel off left to go home. We pull our id badges out of our jerseys so we can get past the guard. 28 km.

Stockade then west of town, quick one hour out-and-back

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ny/niskayuna/358124138366253481

Quick one-hour route west of town, through the Stockade, out along the Mohawk River on the Rail Trail.

Rail Trail: Mohawk Hudson Bikeway http://www.mhbht.org/ The remains of the Erie Canal can be found everywhere along the trail. Near Schenectady, it starts just west of town, not five miles down the trail; stone walls that used to support the locks used to raise and lower craft from the Hudson going west and from the Great Lakes going east to the Hudson River, access to trade routes, markets, and consumers.

The March of Dimes was sponsoring a run-walk on this portion of the trail this morning. I saw a table and chairs just north of the GE plant and the on-ramp to the access to I-890. I didn't see marshalls or anyone with a Walk shirt. Farther along the trail were folks, pairs walking dogs, a couple on bikes. Out by the intersection with Route 5S was a small group looking a bit like some serious roadies. They were waiting for someone.

I turn around. We are going to eat at 12:30 pm and I left at 11:15 am. Time out: 30 minutes. Hopefully, time back will not run much over that. I turn around, leaving the trail, turning left onto 5S, only to be hit in the face by some mild prevailing wind . . . from the east. More work.

I pass by Upper Gregg Rd. , and a sign saying 'Old Crawford Road.'

Crawford: fear strikes in the hearts of all those who have undertaken the ride up the hill. 2.1 miles. 1200 feet gain in elevation. The person who cuts my hair: "I'm afraid to drive on that road in my car!" One noon -time rider, Bianchi, says he once went up in the middle of summer, and as he neared the top, he wheeled past someone working in their yard.

Mower: "You OK?"

All this exercise is supposed to be good for you.

John Boyd Thacher State Park

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/-niskayuna/899124138139927106

9 am St. James Square Starbucks--The yellow bike pulls up. I am dressed far more warmly than I want. It's only 50 F outside, and there's a nasty little wind blowing. Weatherunderground said would be only 6 mph. It's blowing. Objective: the park.

We head out west on Nott, swing south on Regent to slip through Central Park, and over the Roosevelt, to pick up Kings Rd. and follow past all the historical marker signs to Old State. Once out there, we are warmed a bit by the activity, and begin the lefts and rights that take us past Pinehaven Golf to cross Western Ave. and pickup Foundry Rd. heading into the Helderbergs. 'Clear Mountains' says the sign, once you're up there, key to the North American geology!

We sail through Vorheesville, right onto the route to New Salem where I adjust the rear derailleur to shift with less trouble. I'd spun the adjustment CW, loosening, not TIGHTening, and so had to backtrack. I'm OK. The yellow bike notes that I'm using the middle chain ring in front, 'what seems to be the problem?'

So, I'm flying up the hill, Route 85, the right to begin the real pedaling. The wind, that had disappeared, blows in out faces once again and I consider another sport. We're up on top and enjoy the view while some troopers check out someone's driver's license in the overlook parking lot. Then reinforcements.

As a change of pace, we return the way we came. Don't do that too often; most trips here we push on through the park to sail down the other side through into Altamont. Thence Schenectady.

Today, we return the way we came.

Good thing I had the arm warmers. Needed equipment. It's only 52 F by noon when we're back in town.

Story told en route: during Robert Kennedy's campaign swing through W Virginia, a retired miner, grizzled with years of hard work underground, approaches the candidate on the speaker's platform. "You probably never worked a day in your life." Kennedy can't think of anything to say but the truth, compared to this man, "No, I just went to college, law school, . . ."

Miner: "Well, you haven't missed anything."

This in response to reflections on Ivy League schools or not for undergrads, untested, never been away from home longer than summer camp. Today's bill: $50 k/year with some help, still well past $20 k. Perfectly good undergrad lessons and expertise, available at the state college of your choice, the system you paid for throughout residence in the state, for lots less. With proper counselors, counselors at the targeted school for admission as a junior, the student doesn't lose one credit-hour.

I had planned on another route,
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/altamont/273124121195818337

We'll have to do it another day. It took us nearly 3 hours to do the out and back, with a nice long break at the overlook.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ny/niskayuna/165124079295382335

The ride today started with good intentions of returning after two hours in the saddle, come what may, just stop, you know, pedaling and turning around if necessary.

So I start for J. Boyd Thatcher State Park promising to keep my word, when the inspiration hits 'Why do the park?' I've done the park. Everyone does the park, why not something else this fine day?

Mistake one.

Over the hill and up the hill . . . instead of turn right from 85 to go up the hill to the Park entrance, I continue following 86. At 443, I take a left to go down hill into Clarksville, then on to Unionville, and of course, about this time I realize I have no more time, long since past that point, and no idea where I am. I can't turn around, so take New Scotland Square Rd. to find another rider with better bearings. 'Oh, yeah, to get back to Schenectady, just go up here to where this road ends, take a left (that will be 85), right on Swift Rd. and that will take you into Vorheesville. . . In Vorheesville you got options.'

I follow, he is turning left well before Swift, so off I go. I find V-ville, wander around trying to locate Wormer or Grant Hill Rd. I manage to lose Wormer, thinking the Albany golf course can't be what I want, then reorient correctly.

By this time a wind from the north has sprung up, I've run out of water, and I'm feeling a bit of a cramp coming on by km 75. By home, all is forgiven, but taking off my shoes sets off some cramping again. And I slip out of my clips with straightened legs.

Remember the 2 hour limit? Ha. 3 hours 7 minutes!

Lunch is ready after a quick turn at the computer to find out whether Angelina Jolie has clogged up the entrance ramps/exit ramps of I-787 in Albany, since a neighbor is leaving town briefly and needs this info to plan her drive to the train station.

A. Jolie is not clogging exits.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/niskayuna/96695656

This afternoon's ride after my daughter's arrival from college. I spent the morning donating some time to the Roots and Wisdom opening of the garden on Fehr Avenue, Schenectady, NY.

Hot ride. It was nearly 80 F this afternoon at 5 pm!! A change in the weather. It hadn't hit 70 F during the day since September, 2008.

This follows a Monday lactic acid burn-off after the Battenkill.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ny/niskayuna/137306707

It wasn't 38 but more like 45 F, with a stiff, I mean STIFF wind maybe 20 knots from the SSE. So on the way out, east more or less, it was brutal. We kept losing riders off the back. Bitter.

Tour of the Battenkill

Forgot the map of the Battenkill 2009.
http://tourofthebattenkill.com/TouroftheBattenkillMap2009.pdf

Finished the Battenkill

It wasn't an auspicious beginning to my cycling competitive career; I arrived at the starting line 15 minutes late. Traffic in Troy prevented me from making the predicted 1 h 05 m transit from advice generated by Mapquest. The organizers were gracious enough to pull my bib number from the file and I signed in. They had a handy junior bike with me to the starting zone. "They left some time ago," was the answer. All I needed was an indication of which way to go.

The ride was fun, I did the entire 60 miles hors groupe, but did pass some and was passed by others. The weather was perfect; cool, very little rain. The unpave was dry, clean for the most part, and the race organizers had a great organization. Turns, intersections, and crossroads were all well manned. No worries on fast turns.

At around mile 50 I managed to relieve the onset of cramping with a break, while rolling, but had to keep pedaling to avoid more cramping. I drank the last of my gatorade, had something to eat, and eased upon my legs. That did the trick until the last unpave section, the hill just outside Cambridge.

Official time: nearly four hours. My watch: 3:38. Bib number: 160.

Goal for Saturday

I'm in the Cat 5 portion of the race Tour of the Battenkill: hope to arrive at the end, no crashes, no throwing up into the wind or uphill.

Wishing for: nice weather.

First Post: ReseachRiderNotes

This is the first post for the ResearchRiderNotes. Whether you ride with your friends after work, with your kids on the weekends, mountain bike, hybrid, road . . . you can participate by checking in and contributing whould you be moved.

Post favorite rides, hints for maintenance, good reviews of equipment you've read, news of sales or reductions on riding gear, a good or not-so-good experience with a repair shop--post it.

Scott