Do Something Different

Visit These Cycling Exhibitors at the Summer Expo

By Dave Kraus

As this long winter slowly marches toward spring, are you already thinking about the cycling season ahead? Of course you are, planning rides to come on sunny days along roads or trails lined with spring flowers still sleeping beneath the snow today.

But are those rides on the same old roads and trails? On the same old bike? With the same people? Why not do something different this this season? Stretch your envelope. Mix it up. Shake off the routine!

Here are some ways to do just that in your 2018 cycling plans. You will be able to get more information about all of these options from their representatives at the Adirondack Sports Summer Expo at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Saturday-Sunday, March 17-18. Admission is free!

Ride for a cause – Two different events this season offer unique opportunities to support vital, important causes. First on Sunday, June 10, the Capital Region Tour de Cure will help raise funds to fight diabetes for the millions of Americans who already have the disease, and the new victims who are diagnosed at the rate of one every 21 seconds. This year the ADA is changing pace with a new ride start at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa, new ride routes, and a new 5K Run/Walk event. There will be catering by Mazzone Hospitality, a beer garden hosted by New Belgium Brewing (think Fat Tire Ale), and live entertainment by Body & Soul, an eight-piece band that will energize your celebration. (diabetes.org/capitalregion)

Later in the season on Friday, September 21, the 11th annual Ride for Missing Children – Albany will cover 100 miles around the Capital Region, visiting area elementary schools to honor the memory of all missing children; raise public awareness of the plight of missing and exploited children; and raise funds to support the missing children poster distribution process and mission of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – New York. Riders will tour as a group, escorted by the State Police and local law enforcement, after their start at the Guilderland YMCA. (rideformissingchildrengcd.com)

Experience a new event – From the first event in Rensselaerville, in 2014, the Farm to Fork Fondo series of innovative, non-competitive rides from Wrenegade Sports has expanded to eight events in locations ranging from the Maine coast to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Ride options vary from 10 to 100 miles for this series, which is designed to highlight and support local farmers and food products, while giving riders challenging, rewarding rides through great scenery. Each route includes aid stations where participants can sample chef-prepared items made from local ingredients. It’s a different, exciting way to experience a cycling event. (farmforkfondo.com)

Pedal something different – The Revolution Rail Company offers two-hour, leisurely paced guided tours based in North Creek that let you experience the beauty of the Adirondacks using pedal powered rail cars. The open-air cars can seat up to four people and are equipped with special carriers for toddlers and safety harnesses for older children. Tours are offered from May 12 to October 28, and cover a six-mile circuit on a wilderness railroad that has never before seen passenger traffic, with scenery including the Hudson River gorge and a river crossing on a spectacular trestle bridge. (revrail.com)

Ride in a new place – If you’re looking for someplace new to ride, just head north from the Capital Region, where the Warren County Safe and Quality Bicycling Organization coordinates events and materials that help cyclists fully enjoy the area’s scenery and cycling facilities. The county offers something for cyclists of every level, from the casual Warren County Bikeway between Glens Falls and Lake George to rural routes that offer an irresistible mix of flats, climbs, pavement, dirt and trails, scenic vistas and memorable experiences. This advocacy group’s mission is to encourage and improve cycling of all kinds in Warren County and you can visit their website to find ride, event and advocacy information. (bikewarrenco.org)

Ride from a new place – While you’re up in Warren County, take Exit 25, then head east on NY Route 8 a few miles to The Hub in Brant Lake, where the owners have renovated the old Horicon Town Hall into a seasonal base for road and mountain biking, paddling, and hiking in this region that offers great scenery, and quiet roads just a short drive from the Capital Region. The Hub offers convenient parking, easy access to area roads, post ride food, local craft beers and wines, a bike repair facility, and local expertise on the best places to ride, whether road, dirt or gravel. Owner Drew Cappabianco has also purchased the mountain behind the business where there’s already a one-mile nature trail completed, and six miles of mountain bike trails under construction. If you’re a multisport enthusiast, there’s also access to a dock to launch your kayak, canoe or SUP on Brant Lake. (thehubadk.com)

Get it fixed your way – Don’t have the time to haul your bike or skis to the local shop for servicing? Or just don’t want to miss that upcoming ride or ski event while waiting for repairs? Then Velofix Albany can come to you for the service you need right out of their dedicated repair van. They will meet you at your home, office, special event, or just about anywhere in between to keep your bike or skis in top-notch condition. Just schedule your appointment online or by phone with owner Karl Miller, then you can chat with the mechanic as he does the job, or use the time to do other important tasks. There are a variety of tune-up options to get ready for the 2018 cycling season, and the service is available seven days a week from 7am until 9pm.  (velofix.com/locations/albany)

Solve an old problem in a new way – If you’ve got a trunk mounted bike rack, you’ve probably noticed the rack’s cross bar can make some ugly gouges or dents in the paint on your car’s trunk lid. Bernie and Debra DeGiule of Rensselaer have come up with an innovative solution with their YosherTM Bike Rack Trunk Guard. Just clip it onto the cross bar and it offers heavy duty, long-lasting protection for your car’s paint. (facebook.com/bikeracktrunkguard)

Buy something new – Grey Ghost Bicycles of Glens Falls will be featuring their custom fitting services, expert repairs and new 2018 models, including the reengineered GIANT Anthem Advanced Pro29er that’s light, smooth, and feasts on challenging XC terrain. They’ll also be representing their upcoming Adirondack Race Management events, including the Lake George Triathlon Festival on Sept. 1-2, Glens Falls Urban Assault on May 26, and new Finest 5K Memorial Run on June 17, which is part of Law Enforcement Officers Weekend in Lake George. (greyghostbicycles.com or adkracemgmt.com)

All of these businesses and organizations will be on hand at the Adirondack Sports Summer Expo to talk to attendees about their events, services and products. Visit the show on Saturday, March 17 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, March 18 from 10am-4pm at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

Dave Kraus (dbkraus@earthlink.net) of Schenectady is a longtime area cyclist, photographer, and writer who is looking forward to another spectacular season of riding in upstate New York. Visit him at krausgrafik.com.