Albany Bicycle Coalition

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 14, 2013 · 2:40 pm

In Living Color – “Bicycle Quarterly”

It 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/

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Filed under Bike Tech, Editorial, Product Review

by Lorenz M. Worden | October 13, 2013 · 12:12 pm

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 . . .

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Filed under Activism, Support the Cause

by Lorenz M. Worden | October 7, 2013 · 2:37 pm

But is it Art?

This is old news, but interesting on a rainy day.

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.”

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.”

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Filed under Bike Tech, Product Review

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).