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2 Join a Group Ride: The First Ride of the Season Now that the weather is beginning to clear up and the snow banks have melted, many of us who have had our bikes sitting on the trainer all winter are beginning to get back out on the roads. The weather is occasionally a little finicky in Spring, but getting back into the saddle is always better done earlier in the season rather than later. The great part about our area is that group rides can be found everyday throughout the week, and most have already started up with regular meeting times. So if you’re lacking in the motivation department, hooking up with one (or all) of these groups can give you a little help getting out the door and back on the bike. The first official group ride that I was able to get to this year was on Thursday, March 30th over at Grey Ghost Bicycles, located in The Colvin Building down on Glen Street in Glens Falls. They will be hosting group rides from now until when the snow starts to fly again next Fall. If you’re looking to come on the next ride, the meeting place is the public parking lot behind Grey Ghost Bicycles at 6pm SHARP. The ride is usually comprised of an ‘A’ Group that goes a little further and a little faster than the ‘B’ Group. Both groups are led by either Steve Fairchild or Niles Gagnon who are experienced riders, bike mechanics, and permanent fixtures at Grey Ghost. All rides are no-drop rides, meaning that if you’re newer to the sport, you don’t need to worry about getting left out in the middle of nowhere. Niles and Steve are on hand to help anyone with mechanical issues or flats that happen from time-to-time out on rides. Our ride that Thursday was a bit colder than normal spring and summer conditions as it was 42 degrees, but there were still about 12 hardy riders that showed up. We set out across the bridge into South Glens Falls and down Saratoga Road before picking up Butler Road. We used Redmond Road to cross over The Northway and get out to the nice country roads of Selfridge and Clark Road. Once we got over I-87 the ride was a pretty gradual downhill except for one short, steep hill towards the end of Clark Road followed by a pretty steep, fun descent out to West River Road. The ride followed the Hudson River north for about three miles until we made our way back up into South Glens Falls via Fort Edward Road and Sisson Road. The ride finished up back over the bridge into Glens Falls and with a short sprint up the Civic Center Hill, we were back at GGB. The ride was fairly easy and casual given that it was most peoples’ first The group stayed very close together, talked about how sick and tired they were of riding on their bike trainers... By Jared Newell Photo by Niles Gagnon time out on the roads for the year. The group stayed very close together, talked about how sick they were of riding the bike trainers, and how the rest of their winter was since everyone last saw one another. Overall we rode 22 miles and averaged a very relaxed 16 mph. While it was definitely a very social ride, as the weather becomes warmer and the ride gathers its normal group of riders, the ‘A’ and ‘B’ rides will break off into groups of 15-20 riders. As the summer ramps up the rides progress to some more difficult routes and get a little faster. While there is plenty of help out on the rides, its always a good idea to bring a couple of water bottles, some gels or nutrition bars, and your own flat kit (spare tube, co2 and inflator, patch kit) to be on the safe side. Helmets are always mandatory, and LED lights are recommended, especially for the longer rides when it might start getting dark before the end of the ride. If you haven’t been out on the roads in a while it wouldn’t hurt to get your bike checked out at your local bike shop or get a tune up before getting out there and riding. I am looking forward to more Thursday Night Rides and hope to see some of our readers out there! The Grey Ghost group out on one of their favorite routes. Check with your local bike shop to locate a group ride you can join. 12 | DACKS & TOGA activelife
PHOTO: Shutterstock Get on a Mountain Bike: 3 Great Local Trail Options For Everyone By Drew Cappabianca Professionally built trails are designed for a wide range of riders. Mountain Biking in the Capital Region and Adirondacks used to be reserved for a relatively small group of seasoned, often dedicated riders capable of navigating very technical terrain. They constructed the trails they rode on and those trails not only had limited access but more importantly they had limited appeal, especially with the less experienced mountain bike community. However, recent assistance from a couple of municipalities, a business group, and one local professional trail builder, has changed all of this. Up until 2013, not a single mile of professionally built mountain bike trails could be found in the Capital Region or the Adirondacks. This all changed when the Town of North Creek and the North Creek Business Alliance hired professional trail builder Steve Ovitt of Wilderness Property Management to develop single track mountain bike trails on the Town’s property at Ski Bowl Park. While initially limited, this became the genesis of local professional trail development. The following year the Town of Queensbury hired Steve to design and direct the construction of a bike park at the Town’s Gurney Lane Recreation Area. Since then trails have been added every season with more on the way in 2017. It has quickly become a top destination for local and visiting riders. So what is the importance of professionally built trails versus their volunteer built counterparts? Professionally built trails are designed for a wide range of riders and take into consideration rider ability and safety, whereas volunteer/nonprofessional builds tend to be used by those that built them, and they tend to be more experienced and capable riders. Additionally, professionals know how to create well-designed trails that are more durable. Beyond the environmental impact it should be noted that even beginner or intermediate level trails can wear down and become more difficult to navigate over time because soil erosion reveals rocks and roots. So having a trail designed to last is crucial. This doesn’t mean that professionally If you haven’t tried mountain biking in a while (or ever), I can’t be more emphatic by recommending you try it again. built trails are not enjoyable to better riders. It just means that a larger portion of the community, from beginner to expert, can enjoy them. The greatest importance of professionally built trails is the growth they help fuel the sport with. With the increase of professionally built trails fueling mountain biking growth, I must say that bike technology has also helped in this growth. Bigger wheel sizes, plus size tires, and full-suspension options allow almost anyone who can ride a bike to enjoy mountain biking. If you haven’t tried mountain biking in a while (or ever), I can’t be more emphatic by recommending you try it again. Rent, borrow, or buy one and hit the trails. You’ll have a great time! Here are just a couple of my local favorite trails: The Ski Bowl Trails have become popular to bicyclists from the North and South and they are located at Ski Bowl Park off State Route 28 in North Creek, NY (just past the turn for Gore). If you’re in the area, come try them but note this trail system is designed more for intermediate and advanced riders and less for beginner riders. When you’re done riding the main single track trail system, be sure to check out the often overlooked Raymond Brook Ski Trail via the ski bowl connector trail. The mostly double track climb leads to a fantastic decent of the Ski Trail, which features bike-specific improvements. It ends at Route 28 where you can casually pedal back on the generous shoulder and recap the day’s highlights. When you’re back at the parking lot, don’t stop there. Pedal into downtown North Creek for post-ride food and drink (or just coffee for the way home) from great places like Cafe Sarah, Izzy’s, and BarVino. Conveniently located right off exit 20 of I87 in Queensbury, Gurney Lane Recreation Area in my opinion is the best place for someone interested in getting into mountain biking. It features plenty for beginner riders, has a lot to offer for intermediate riders, and enough to keep experts attentive because of challenging rock features and tight & twisty session-type trail options. You can either park behind the county home (follow the “Detention Center” sign), or continue up Gurney Lane and park at the park’s entrance. The park is so well designed that I don’t have any tips… just follow the trail maps and have a blast! – Continued DACKS & TOGA activelife | 13
Page 1: activelife TM FREE SPORTS • FITNE
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Page 8 and 9: tech Off-Road, On-Road, Any Terrain
Page 10 and 11: FIVE WAYS TO It’s Spring and the
Page 14 and 15: 4 Take the Scenic Route: By Eric J.
Page 16 and 17: Finding the Right Bike is just the
Page 18 and 19: health & wellness Surviving a Minor
Page 20 and 21: active life Profile Bill Parks Bill
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