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.