Adirondack Sports June 2024

News Briefs
Historical Marker Celebrating
1898 Union Avenue
Bike Path Unveiled
Saratoga Springs cyclists and history buffs are celebrating the installation of a new
historical marker commemorating the 1898 Union Avenue bike path. The marker,
which was funded by a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to Saratoga
nonprofit Bikeatoga, is in front of the Empire State College building at 2 Union
Avenue. About 35 residents attended the event on May 30, including Deputy Mayor
JoAnne Kiernan and Deputy Commissioner Heather Crocker.
According to Bikeatoga Advocacy Chair Ed Lindner, “The 1890s bicycle boom
took Saratoga Springs by storm. The bicycle was immediately popular with summer
visitors.” An 1895 newspaper account declared that it was “Bicycle Summer” in the
city, reporting that each morning, 50 to 100 riders headed out to Saratoga Lake,
where hotels and roadhouses provided bicycle storage rooms and a hearty meal.
“Those riders passed right down Union Avenue,” Ed said.
In just a few years, Saratoga residents, led by the Good Roads Association and
funded in part by the Woman’s Association of Greater Saratoga, built a network of
bicycle paths around the city that was the envy of neighboring communities. A 1900
Visitor’s Guide reports that Saratogians, “recognizing the great popularity of cycling,
and the demands of so many visitors to Saratoga for proper facilities,” built a series
of “delightful paths” set aside for the exclusive use of bicyclers.” Bicycle paths ran to
Albany, Glens Falls, Lake George and other neighboring communities. One popular
path ran along the south side of Union Avenue to Yaddo, Saratoga Lake and the
White Sulphur Springs. The historical marker was installed on Union Avenue near
the location of the original bike path.
Bikeatoga considers the Union Avenue historical marker both a reminder of our
past and a blueprint for our future. “Bicycles and bike paths were very much part of
the history and culture of Saratoga’s golden age.” Ed said. “We can honor that history
by building the bike lanes envisioned in our present-day Complete Streets plan, here
on Union Avenue and throughout the city.”
The organization notes that in 1899, after the completion of the city’s bike paths,
the Troy Daily Times reported that “as in many other things, Saratoga excels in bicycle
paths.” Bikeatoga is a nonprofit corporation created in 2005 that is dedicated
to making cycling more convenient, accessible, and safer in and around Saratoga
Springs. Visit: bikeatoga.org.
Blackbirds Bike
Café Now Open
MAY 2024 7
When Stewart’s Shops closed its location
on South Main Street in Voorheesville,
it left a vacant building and a gap in the
village’s employment base. Voorheesville
is the hometown of Business for Good
cofounder Ed Mitzen, who saw an opportunity
to turn the empty space into businesses
that could benefit the community. The result of the community development
are two new destinations – the Blackbirds Bike Café and Blackbirds Tavern, named
after the town’s high school mascot.
Business for Good purchased the property and began renovations in 2021 with
support from the mayor and town. With renovations complete, both the café and
tavern have begun to employ and will contribute to the Main Street corridor for years
to come. The Bike Café is open now and Blackbirds Tavern is scheduled to open
later in 2024. All profits from
both locations are donated
to Business for Good to
fund high school sports,
activities and programs in
Voorheesville and nearby
towns. They also plan to
support this community by
exploring affordable housing
options and collaborating
more as the business launch.
Visit: blackbirdscafe.com.
Lake Placid
May Host
2026 XC
World Cup
Finale
Mt Van Hoevenberg in Lake
Placid may become the host
for the 2026 Nordic Skiing
World Cup. For the 2023 World
University Games, MVH and
the rest of ORDA’s local venues were upgraded thanks to more than $500 million in
state investments. Venue and senior management at ORDA worked with the US ski
team and FIS to build trust and show that Lake Placid could successfully host more
world cup events, based on Ski Jumping World Cups over the last two years, other
national and international events held at the venues.
Two of the biggest upgrades at Mt Van Hoevenberg that give Lake Placid an
edge over other venues are the snowmaking and broadcast infrastructure. Despite
recent challenging winter weather, the Nordic ski center has not had to cancel any
or postpone any races due to the ability to make snow. MVH’s broadcast compound
connects to television trucks and servers for broadcasting.
Mt Van Hoevenberg is attracting more national and international sports events
including the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Cup on September 27-29, and
the International Biathlon Union’s IBU Cup in February 2026. Visit: lakeplacidlegacysites.com.