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.