Adirondack Sports May 2024

MAY 2024 23
MOUNTAIN BIKING cont. from 21
Group Rides – A new development at SMBA has been
the Ladies Rides. They started organically during a fall
2022 trailwork day. A core group of female mountain bikers
expressed an interest in a recurring Ladies Ride that
was open to any skill level. The group is year-round as
quite a few of the participants have fat bikes for winter
rides. The group has grown in camaraderie and participation.
Currently coordinated by Becky Lusignan and
Kathryn Kos, they’ve scheduled rides from May through
August, including 6/8 10am, 6/17 6pm, 7/13 10am, 7/28
10am, 8/10 10am, and 8/18 10am. All Daniels Road State
Forest rides meet at the DEC Clearing Lot on Daniels
Road (east of the Skidmore stables). According to Becky,
“Ladies rides are a fun and supportive experience, where
we get to do challenging terrain, cheer each other on, and
try new features. We gain confidence, share stories and
always laugh!”
Anyone considering these rides shouldn’t worry
whether their skill level is up to par. They’ve seen novice
riders go in on the rides and come out smiling afterwords.
Kathryn mentioned, “The rides are welcoming of all skill
levels, they help everyone build confidence, and create
lasting friendships. We empower each other to “session”
challenging parts of the trail. We feel the group out and
if it’s large, we break into smaller groups based on skill
levels. It’s always a great ride!” They’ve improved and
grown as a group, and they also show up for trail work
when needed!
Another addition to SMBA has been the weekly Grey
Ghost Bicycles Group Rides. Coordinated by GBB’s Niles
Gagnon and local firefighter Robert Piparo, they meet
every Tuesday at 6pm (weather permitting) from the DEC
Clearing Lot. The ride runs year-round, switching to fat
bikes in the winter, and snowshoes if needed! “It’s great
to see the amount of new work that’s been happening at
Daniels and locally,” Niles said, “it seems to have put new
breath into Daniels and the number of people we see in
there is awesome.” The group ride is targeted for anyone
falling into the intermediate-advanced range of ability.
Robert made a point to emphasize that “they are no drop
rides” so less-advanced folks won’t be left in the dust.
SMBA South – In Rensselaer County, the association
stays busy growing and improving as well. SMBA South
president Chris Cavanagh caught us up on what’s buzzing,
“We’re partnering with multiple land management
groups to build and maintain trails in Rensselaer County.”
The stewardship arrangement with DEC allows SMBA
to maintain the trails in Pittstown State Forest and work
with them on new trail development. The state recently
acquired a 1,200-acre parcel that has been added to
Pittstown. SMBA and DEC are planning a new trail network
on it, which will add to the 15 miles of trail already
established in the state forest.
SMBA also partners with the Rensselaer Plateau
Alliance on land conservation and trail development projects.
RPA has recently acquired multiple parcels throughout
Rensselaer County that total over 2,000 acres. They’re
being developed into community forests with recreational
and educational opportunities for the public. SMBA is
working with RPA to plan and build new trail networks in
▲ CONSTRUCTING
CLIMB TRAIL AT
ARTISANAL.
each of the community forests.
Be sure to check out the trails at
Pittstown State Forest, they’re
well worth it!
Improved Memberships –
Looking after the trail networks
takes time, resources and tools.
Annual memberships are how
SMBA is able to acquire the
funds to manage these needs.
In the past, memberships have
simply come with a few stickers,
trail map, and good feeling
of knowing you’re giving back
to the trails you enjoy. In 2024,
the good feeling and stickers
are now accompanied by some
▲ SMBA LADIES
GROUP RIDE AT
DANIELS.
new perks from local sponsors: Freemans Bridge Sports,
Grey Ghost Bicycles, Freeman’s Bridge Sports, Unior Bike
Tools, The Grateful Den pub, and Artisanal Brew Works.
They share the desire to see mountain biking grow and
improve, and are happy to help increase the value of a
membership. Go to: saratogamtb.org.
Looking Forward – Art Picard stepped down as president
and is back to trail director, where he can focus
on his signature rock bridges. Owen Dougherty is now
president, Dave Walters move from trail director to vice
president, and I’m in communications. We’re working on
connecting Daniels Road State Forest to Graphite Range
Community Forest, and eventually to Moreau Lake State
Park, as part of the Palmertown Range initiative. Our fall/
spring trail days have seen north of 50 volunteers since
2021 and newcomers are welcome. For winter fat biking,
Daniels has been tracked within three to four days after a
snowfall and more new winter riders are joining. See you
out on the trails!
▲ JUNE BARBER
RIDING CLIMB TRAIL
ON ARTISANAL.
Josh Clevenstine released his second full-length album,
By My Fire Again: An Adirondack Album on May 11. It’s
available streaming on all major platforms or for sale at
all of his gigs. Schedule: joshclevenstine.com.