Monthly Archives: October 2013

See and Be Seen

See and Be Seen 10-31-13 001The City of Albany and the Albany Police Department, in cooperation with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the NYS Department of Health and neighboring municipalities, have initiated a traffic safety campaign – “See and Be Seen.”

Amongst other features, the program involves promotional literature and posters carrying basic messages for motor vehicle operators and pedestrians. The recent spate of pedestrian injuries and deaths on Central Ave. and other streets prompted this campaign.

Heavy Traffic 10-31-13

The reminders are good for both experienced cyclists and drivers – the overall message is, as always, be considerate of other road users.

Just a warning . . . this time . . .  10-31-13

Leave a comment

Filed under Activism, City Review

MeetUp Ride to Troy and Back 10-19-13

On a splendid fall day, we met up at the boat launch for a leisurely ride to Troy to visit the farmers’ market. Riders Keith (MeetUp coordinator), John (“Mr. Erie Canal”), and Lorenz were joined by two riders from Connecticut. We invited Ally and Pat (see photo #1) to join us – which they did.
???????????????????????????????

Walkers, riders, joggers, and cyclists pleasantly filled the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail giving us plenty of opportunities to say “hello” or “good morning.” We took to the streets in Watervaliet (and then braved the supper-highway Rt. 2 Bridge to Troy – a four-lane bridge connecting two-lane streets in Troy and Watervaliet – NYSDOT at its best and all for only $12.3 million.)

In Troy, we enjoyed the happy shoppers and strollers, chocolate croissants, coffee, and lasagna. (See also photo #2 – buying bread.) ??????????????????????????????? After a lengthy chat with our new friends from Connecticut – who were heading off to Waterford to the study the “Waterford Flight” of canal locks – we headed off to our various destinations.

Aren’t you sorry you missed the ride? Sign up for info on more rides at Capital Cyclists MeetUp Group

. . . and for those who “read the paper on the web” — Wear Your Helmet TU 10-19-13 001

Leave a comment

Filed under Comings and Goings, Local Bike Rides, Rides

In Living Color – “Bicycle Quarterly”

Bicycle Quarterly - Autum 2013 10-14-13 001It was a real pleasure to open the autumn 2013 edition (Vol. 12, No. 1) of “Bicycle Quarterly” and find all the artwork (including the few ads) in full color. “Bicycle Quarterly” is a labor of love of its founder and editor, Jan Heine. If you want technical articles and unrestrained reviews, this is the mag for you.

There is almost a glut of non-racing bicycle journals on the market – “Momentum,” “Bicycle Quarterly,” “Bicycle Times,” “Urban Velo,” and “Bicycling.” Part of the market will shake out with edge going to those that have the editorial courage to write independent equipment coverage. From at least one of the aforementioned journals, one would think that every light, shifter, frame, tire, etc. was a flawless divine creation in which no possible improvement could be envisioned.

While recognizing that the bicycle magazines have to survive within the realities of ad revenues and their dependence on the manufactures for test equipment, “Bicycle Quarterly” stands out. Not only are the tests well documented and based on (in some cases) some sophisticated test modalities but the reader gets the impression that the review is the “whole truth and nothing but the truth. Interestingly, “Bicycle Quarterly” invites the manufacturer to comment on the test/review and publishes the reactions along with the review.

If you are unfamiliar with “Bicycle Quarterly,” try it out – http://www.bikequarterly.com/

Leave a comment

Filed under Bike Tech, Editorial, Product Review

The First Step toward “20 in Plenty”?

Up until today, the only “20 MPH” signs in the City of Albany of which one would be aware are in school “zones” and at the recreation field/Hoffman Park. The two images are from the Willet/Madison entrance to Washington Park, 10/13/13.

???????????????????????????????
???????????????????????????????

Maybe this is the start . . . of “20 is Plenty” in Albany . . .

Leave a comment

Filed under Activism, Support the Cause

But is it Art?

This is old news, but interesting on a rainy day.How Not to Lock Up 10-7-13

The Kryptonite-4 is in the New York City Museum of Modern art having achieved that status by being rated as having high quality and historical significance. The museum’s assistant curator for architecture and design stated “the lock is simple, a very good solution to the problem.”
Big Lock 10-7-13
Michael Zane is the man behind the U-shaped Kryptonite-4. Zane (an art and history major in college) obtained manufacturing rights for the Kryptonite-4 in 1972 from the original owner and, with his father, created the current plastic-sleeved, sleek design.

So lock up and be proud.

But remember Sheldon Brown’s advice – “A U-lock should go around the rear rim and tire, somewhere inside the rear triangle of the frame. There is no need to loop it around the seat tube as well, because the wheel cannot be pulled through the rear triangle.”
???????????????????????????????

1 Comment

Filed under Bike Tech, Product Review