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.