Albany Bicycle Coalition

Bicycles, Coffee, and Good Friends – 5th Annual Daily Grind Café Ride – Saturday, August 18, 2012 –  Six happy riders – ranging in age from “in diapers” on up – headed out from the Lark Street’s Daily Grind Café at 9:30 AM.  As can be seen in the photo of the Troy/Rt. 378 spiral access to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, it was a perfect day for riding with temps in the low 70s.  This is the fifth consecutive year that the Daily Grind Café has sponsored the Albany Bicycle Coalition’s ride from Albany to Troy and back.

In Troy, we enjoyed a delicious, discounted luncheon hosted by Barrye and the gracious staff.  Indiana, outfitted in her ladybug Nutcase helmet charmed the passersby with her smiles and attentions.  After lunch, we walked a block over to the world-famous Troy Farmers Market to check out the edibles and flea market.  Three riders purchased treats for their spouses/significant others – a handmade shawl, a Troy Bike Rescue  T-shirt (don’t miss “Bike!Bike! Northeast” – September 28-30, 2012), and a loaf of bread.

On the way back, we cruised past some classic Troy scenes – the “fortress, the Burden Iron Works, the building containing the room in which the contract for the “Monitor” was signed, the factory where the plates for the “Monitor’s” pilot house were cast, Doyle Middle school, the cement works, the Capital District Community Garden’s headquarters, and various other sites along the river.

At the Rt. 378 South Troy bicycle crossing, we were pleased to find the path to be pretty clean although still lacking any signage on either end.  We zipped down the “serpent,” rejoined the path, rode south on the path and though the very heavily used Corning Preserve, and then wound our way up the hill to Albany.

Our riders were Indiana, Perry, Rob, Ted, John, and Lorenz.  We were joined at the Daily Grind in Troy by Corrie and son, Margaret with son and mother, and David.  We are indebted to Lee, Barrye, Ric, and the staff of both Daily Grinds for their sponsorship and warm welcome.

Round-Trip Ride Stats –

• Miles – 23.6
• Max Speed – 18.2
• Ride Time – 2:46
• Avg – 8.5

Project Ideas for the Albany Bicycle Coalition – In looking ahead, the Albany Bicycle Coalition considered 2012 and 2013 project.  These are merely ideas and should not be interpreted as plans.  Please provide your own thoughts.

Bicycle Boulevard (e.g., Manning Blvd and west via Berkshire Blvd, etc.) –

• What are the rules or nationwide standards?
• Work with city?
• Raise “sponsored by . . .” funds for the signs
• Develop a proposal

Gateways to Albany – Improve selected entry points to the city working with the City of Albany and the neighboring community governments/bicycle groups.

Bicycle Summit – Draw together bicycle and related groups for a summit on cycling and community development.

Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Signage-Albany Entrances  – Improve signage for access to the north and south ends of the MHBHT at the boat launch and USS Slater entrances.

Urban Rides – Meetup Group to host a series of “summer evening” rides with could include the following –

• Tastee Freeze (or Kurver Cream) Ride – with modest discount at shop
• History Ride(s) – Each with, say, 3 stops and some intermediate ride-bys.  Could do several of these, depending on interest.
• The Albany “No Hills” Causal Ride – Ending with self-financed pizza, coffee, beverage.
• Bicycle Amenities Rides – Need two.
• Coffee Shop Ride(s) – (e.g., Tierra, 5^th Annual Daily Grind-Daily Grind Ride).
• ABR-TBR Ride – with party at the midway point

Route 378 (S. Troy) Bridge Clean Up –

• Adopt the bicycle path from Troy to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail
• Schedule clean up event in the media
• Clean it up
• Post an “adopted by . . . “ sign

Organize a youth road-skills rider program in conjunction with Albany district, charter, and private schools.

Develop road-skills cycling programs in conjunction with City of Albany agencies.

Washington Park Car-Free Saturdays

Bicycle Expo 2013