Spring Riding

By Dave Kraus

It’s been a Covid cycling feast or famine. During the pandemic, more people than ever before have bought new bikes or hauled old ones out of the attic to rediscover the joys of riding. Local bike shops have feasted on the service business as riders get those old rides fixed up. But then the famine hit as some dealers also ran low on new bikes to sell now and a while to come. Local bike clubs have also taken a hit after having to cancel almost all group rides and events.

The Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club is a good example, losing almost a hundred members over the past year according to President, Bill Leahey. That means a loss to club finances as well, he added, because events and services are financed through member dues. Many group rides and all events were cancelled in 2020, including the annual spring recognition dinner, the spring kickoff ride, and the club’s annual Century Weekend event that is also a prime fundraiser.

Bill still managed himself to lead 40+ club rides last year, said it was also hard to host any kind of ride while obeying rapidly changing Covid guidelines, and addressing individual member’s concerns. “Everybody’s idea of what is risky on a ride differs. Several people left rides because they thought it was unsafe. We tried to obey the social distancing rules, but I think there was some fear of the whole thing from some percentage of riders – I’d say about 10% really had concerns.”

But there have been silver linings, said Bill Little, Vice President of MHCC. “I think there’s been an informal rousing of spirit for communicating with each other, exploring all the new local bike trails, to try to identify their own interests and raise consciousness.”

Both said they also ended up riding more during the pandemic. “It felt great,” Bill said, “and it was like I was being smart medically… It’s kind of a mental health/biking karma thing. You’re seeing the countryside, you’re seeing more people, you’re getting more attuned to what’s going on in your county. I really felt like was getting healthier.”

Currently MHCC is only hosting virtual group rides led by club member Sue Forte on the Zwift online platform. But efforts to get back to normal are ramping up as the public health situation improves and outdoor gathering limits are scheduled to go up to 200 on March 22. Plans are being made for the kickoff ride on May 1-2 and ride leaders are already discussing how to fully open the regular schedule of group rides. The club is also planning outreach efforts at the Adirondack Sports Expo (dates/location TBA in Saratoga Springs) and an initiative with local bike shops to offer introductory one-year club memberships with bike purchases.

For more info on MHCC club membership, group rides, and to join online, go to: mohawkhudsoncyclingclub.org.

Spring Cycling Events – Regional cycling events are once again on the calendar after all were canceled or held virtually last year. Here’s a summary of where things stand as of early March for some popular spring events. Remember to check in online for the latest news as the weather warms up.

Great North Ride – On May 15, this new gravel event from Tour of the Battenkill originator Dieter Drake is capped at 500 riders in a socially distanced outdoors format with routes of 25, 50 and 75 miles. It’s based out of Cambridge in Washington County and benefits the Cambridge Fire Department.

Farmer’s Daughter Gravel Grinder – On May 16, this Columbia County gravel event has already sold out its 700 spaces, but don’t despair you can get on the waiting list. This year’s 65-mile ride, organized by Andy Ruiz and Jon Stillman, will be based at the PS21: Performing Arts Spaces for the 21st Century in Chatham.

Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race – On Friday, June 4 at 5:30pm, challenge yourself to ride 11 miles at an average 8% up the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway. Race categories include open, junior, Clydesdale, Athena, military, unicycle and tandem. The reward? Great views!

ADA Tour de Cure Virtual Ride – On June 12, this year’s event will once again be virtual due to the large number of riders, typically over 1,000. Participants can ride anywhere to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

North Country Subaru Black Fly Challenge – On June 12, the 25th annual the Adirondack Gravel Grinder will travel from Inlet to Indian Lake. Register soon as over half of the 1,000 spots have already been claimed, per race director Dave Scranton. A final decision on holding the event will be made in mid-April.

Get Ready to Ride – Are you one of the hardy souls who rides outdoors all winter? More likely you’ve been riding indoors and just trying to keep a cardio base to get a head start in the spring. So now is the time to start working on putting that head start to good use.

Get your bike ready – Make an appointment with your local bike shop now to get a tune-up for your bike before the crowd appears. Many have spring specials and can make sure your noble metal steed is ready to gallop when the flowers bloom. While you’re there, do you need a new jersey, socks, a wind shell or an undershirt or sports bra to replace that one that’s gotten a bit, ah, fragrant?

Consider your season goals – What exactly do you want to do this season? Up your weekly mileage? Ride a century? Sign up for that event you’ve always missed? Go on a cycling vacation? Now is the time to consider what’s reasonable and what you can plan ahead for right now. Devise a reasonable plan to up your mileage gradually so you can get that century and get signed up for events or tours before they sell out.

Don’t go too fast and get injured – Yes, it’s spring and it’s great to finally get out! But doing too many miles too fast is a great way to aggravate old injuries or create new ones. Control yourself, increase your mileage and training gradually, and reap the benefit of a long and satisfying riding season.

Don’t forget your layers – April showers bring... wet cyclists! Unless, of course, you remembered to stash your raincoat in your jersey pocket when you headed out for that sunny ride. Well, it was sunny when you started. Remember hypothermia is possible when you get wet even at temperatures that may seem to be warm at first. Now, go GIT EM’!

Dave Kraus (dbkgrafik@gmail.com) of Schenectady is a longtime cyclist, photographer, and writer who is dreaming about being able to go outside to ride in short sleeves. Visit krausgrafik.com.