Category Archives: Local Bike Rides

by Lorenz M. Worden | March 31, 2014 · 2:33 pm

Albany Tweed Ride Returns on April 27

It’s time for Albany’s third Tweed Ride – Sunday, April 27, 10:00 AM.

Don’t have any tweed? Don’t worry: just dress in your Sunday best and leave the spandex & Day-Glo at home. Meet at The Cheese Traveler, 540 Delaware Ave., 10:00 AM where there will be breakfast specials. We will depart around 10:30 AM. There will be ride marshals to help through intersections and to keep us together. This is a casual ride and is neither fast nor competitive. No one will be left behind.

There will be a group photo shoot in Washington Park after which we will end at Olde English Pub & Pantry at 683 Broadway for brunch. Riders get 10 percent off their orders. Previous Tweed Rides were a lot of (very civilized) fun with friendly people. If you are looking forward to getting back on your bike this spring, and meet some other cycle-friendly people, this could be a good opportunity.

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Filed under Comings and Goings, Events, Local Bike Rides, Rides

by Lorenz M. Worden | March 20, 2014 · 12:35 pm

Promoting the Pedestrian/Bicycle Pathway ~ Livingston Avenue Railroad Bridge

Albany Bicycle Coalition is a long-time supporter of the re-establishing a pedestrian/bicycle pathway over the to-be-built Livingston Avenue Railroad Bridge. ABC has joined with the Livingston Ave. Rail Road Bridge Coalition and other organizations to support this critical river crossing to include writing to the Governor as follows:

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo:

The planned rebuilding of Albany’s Livingston Avenue Railroad Bridge presents a one-time, unique opportunity to provide a pedestrian and bicycle link between both sides of the Hudson River.

Within a very short time, Amtrak, NYSDOT, and other organizations must begin work to replace this aging but critical rail link. We in the Albany Bicycle Coalition, on behalf of pedestrians and cyclists in the Capital Region, are asking your support for one small but key provision: restoration of a walkway/bikeway on the new bridge.

The numerous pedestrian and cycling projects underway throughout the Capital Region will benefit enormously, when connected together by this vital link. One can easily envision both recreational and commuter bicyclists using the link to decrease traffic congestion, promote tourism, reduce pollution, and increase health.

The cost of this minor augmentation to the bridge will be minimal within the project’s scope. By contrast, its impact on economic development, recreation, and environmental quality, will be great and lasting. Local governing bodies and planning commissions have fully endorsed this project, as has Senator Schumer.

We urge your involvement to ensure that residents, commuters, and tourists on both sides of the river can once again have a convenient and safe crossing over the Hudson.

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Filed under Activism, City Review, Local Bike Rides

by Lorenz M. Worden | December 22, 2013 · 1:40 pm

Riding in Albany – The Days Are Getting Longer

Since 12/22 marks the beginning of our return to longer, warmer, snow-free days, here are some “riding (and yakking) in Albany” scenes from last August’s “Latino Festival” in Washington Park to keep us all focused.

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Filed under City Review, Events, Local Bike Rides

by Lorenz M. Worden | October 19, 2013 · 6:56 pm

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” —

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Filed under Comings and Goings, Local Bike Rides, Rides

by Lorenz M. Worden | October 5, 2013 · 1:58 pm

1st Friday Gallery Spin – Live in Albany!

With renewed effort by the Capital Cyclist Meetup Group coordinator and the new 1st Friday director, several riders enjoyed a balmy fall ride through the welcoming streets to tour the art sites.

Per custom, we met at the 1912 Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Washington Park and then headed out for the ride’s traditional start at the Upstate Artists Guild for the Grey (or “Gray”) show. The always-elegant ladies of UAG greeted us warmly as the gallery filled with other art aficionados. After being joined by another rider and some chitchat on the crowded sidewalk, it was off to the College of St. Rose student gallery on State St. to view some excellent studio work. With wonderfully pleasant evening weather wise for riding, we took a cruise through Center Square and Washington Park over Lake Ave. to the Opalka Gallery at Sage College. The show – a knock off on the 1913 New York City Armory Show is not to be missed. Local artists Ken Ragsdale has outdone himself – better check it out. Another rider joined us here for the best hors d’oeuvres in Albany and packed gallery.

A new venue, Overit (web design and development), in the former St. Teresa of Avila Church down the street on New Scotland Ave. featured “art by musicians” – showing clearly the multiple talents of our local performers/artists. (As a side note, Overit has done a wonderful conversion of a 1920s ecclesiastical building into an open space work area. In the redesign, they incorporated many of the remnants of the church into walls, worktables, and desks – all very tasteful and, one might guess, comforting to the former parishioners. Unfortunately, you cannot say the same for the out-of-place, garish “Allstate Insurance” sign plastered on the front of the former rectory – YIKES!)

At this point, two riders headed off to meet another at Franklin Towers with the remainder going to Crisan pâtisserie for some “edible art” (their tag line). We enjoyed pastry, gelato, and late evening coffees in this bright and cheery Albany venue. If you have not been to Crisan, you have not lived a full life. It will be one of the cornerstone destinations when the City of Albany converts Lark St. into a pedestrian walkway/mall a la Burlington or any other advanced city. Can’t wait!

While in Crisan, we waited out a brief, cleansing rain shower by solving many cycling issues (electric bicycles, crazy drivers/riders, road design, going to Europe, traffic safety, etc.), planning Bicycle Expo 2014, and enjoying good company.

As a closing note, one of our first-time riders used a combination of his neat-o touring bicycle and CDTA’s bicycle buses to join us from Cliflton Park. It is riders like this who will help Albany become a truly bicycle friendly community.

The next 1st Friday will be on November 1, 6-9 PM with many post-event entertainment, socializing, and dinning opportunities. Why not “get off that couch,” grab your lights and helmet, and join in? Even if you are not a big art fan, this is a great way to enjoy the city and its opportunities for riding as well as being with some nice people (with our without bicycles).