The Tweener Season

At least late Fall / early Winter has the wild sport of cyclocross to keep us fit and hold our interest.  And during the CX season, beer tends to flow and be consumed freely with little regard for performance effects or weight gain.   Also during CX season, caution is usually thrown to the wind for the tasty treats we usual steer from during the thick of racing season.   Maybe this is because Winter is right around the corner, and it's just our nature to 'store up' for Winter.   Maybe it's just serious cyclists rewarding themselves for a Summer full of ultimate dedication and will.  Or maybe it's just because CX is just way too much fun to do otherwise : )

Either way, for cyclists, it's the tweener season we are in now that begins to remind us about why we do what we do, why we sacrifice so much for so little gains, and why we need to get back on the bike - and quick!

 
This time of the year is about miles. Miles, miles, and miles. We need to fire up that engine inside and let it know once more that the treats aren't going to be around anymore, fat will be its only fuel, and slow will soon be unacceptable.

The Catskills Backyard: NYC

Let's just start this post by stating the obvious: the absolute best part about the Catskill Park is that NYC is right down the road.  This is a reciprocal feeling as New Yorkers get to escape to the tranquility of the Catskills with the greatest ease, and we people of the Hinterland get to submerge ourselves in the excitement of the city.  In fact, it's probably a bit easier for us hill folk since we are doing the exact opposite the masses do each weekend.

So for some time now, my buddy Jack has been bugging me to get my MTB and I to the city to hit this greenway trail out to the Croton Dam via dirt trail.  As this past weekend was lining up to be one of the most stellar of the winter season yet, plans were being made fast and furious.  To make a long story short, we decided to put a hold on the MTB excursion until later in the spring, but we did make sure the road bikes would have their spokes turning.  

We showed up Saturday morning and got on it.  We worked through the traditional greetings and got our things together. We kitted up, agreed on a route / mileage, and away we went. 

Even though I now live in the beautiful Catskill Mtns, riding in city traffic is something I grew up doing.  So NYC Streets do not unnerve me.  Well designed streets and a healthy respect by motorists in NYC make it a lot easier than when I was growing up in Scranton, PA.  Jack lives uptown, so it wasn't too hard to get over to the West Side and over the GW Bridge. 

We crossed into Jersey and he made a left.  I thought this was odd since I new we would be heading North, but he led me to the entrance of what he called River Rd, which is the old original carriage road of the Pallisades.  I had never been on this road and it was just great.  The cliffs just shoot up 75+ feet on your left, and the drop-offs down to the Hudson River on your right can be unnerving on a bike if you drift too close to the edge.  There is evidence of regular landslides, but luckily the road was clear for us that day.  There were some rough patches in the tarmac, but nothing I wasn't used to riding on in the weather-tested Catskills.  

We worked our way along to the "Ranger Station" and got out onto 9W.  For years, as I have made my way down the Palisades Pkwy, and I have always watched the cyclists cranking along 9W in envy.  I knew it must have been taking them somewhere interesting.  I knew it couldn't just be a good road to ride.  

Jack took us to Piermont via 9W and Tallman Mtn State Park.  The entire trip surprised me because all in all, we didn't experience much traffic.  Being a favorite NYC Cycling Route, we did see plenty of cyclists.  Piermont was great.  We enjoyed a coffee and a chocolate muffin at the famous Bunbury's Cafe.  We met some good people; wished my feet would fully thaw, speculated how many bong hits the girls behind the counter had before work, and busted out of there without incident.  We got back to it for the journey home with full headwinds waiting for us.  

Along 9W back to NYC the wind was strong.  The stronger the gusts, the colder my feet got.  Jack had plenty of miles in so far and he was pulling most of the way without missing a beat.  I was in it more for the miles than anything, so I nursed my cold toes from the back.  

We got back to the GW and I was delighted to know that over the bridge was the city.  The city that I could hide in.  Get out of the cold.  Unclip at stoplights, and maybe get some feeling back in the feet.  However when we dumped back into Manhattan, Jack had a different plan.  He turned to take me down to the Greenway Trail on the West Side, heading South, into full gust headwind.  Now I began to worry if my feet would have permanent damage because I knew there would be no letting up from the cold wind.  And it was growing late in the day now.  

We made it back to the apartment and it took roughly 1.5 hours and 3-4 Belgian Ales to thaw those toes back to normal.  There were times the thawing brought on bouts of agony straight out of "The Exorcist", but I made it through.  

Later that night, we had some of the best times over great food and good beer.  The next morning my wife and I headed back home to the backyard of NYC - The Catskills.

Until Spring . . .

Bike As Art

Back in September, CatskillsCycling.com did a write-up on a local Fleischmanns artist who does one hell of a job at turning the simple act of cycling into art.  His name is Fred Woller.  He is yet another example of the great diversity of characters from the Catskill Park Region.  Fred is by no means a cycling champion or race promoter, or even a carbon bike owner.  He and his wife are like many other people; in that, they simply enjoy as many hours on two wheels as they can get. 

Scott Ackerman - Fred Woller

I've seen some of Fred's work before, and even put some images up here before.  But this past Saturday I was invited to an opening of his and another artist (Scott Ackerman) at Oriole 9 in Woodstock, NY.  When I walked in, it was great to see a good many people enjoying the evening.  However, when I turned to view Fred's paintings, the first thing you notice is not bicycles, but rather shapes and the vibrancy of them.  Art is like flowers - different ones look good to different people.  However, the subject matter of Fred's work isn't what makes his paintings beautiful, and I urge you to contact him if you are interested in fine art. Particularly if you are interested in Bike as Art.

You must see these paintings in person.  They are worth the $$

Then I got to thinking how integral cycling has become to the art world in general.  I started thinking maybe this is why the bicycle has its deepest root in France.  The people of France tend to have a keen eye towards what is beautiful.  

For those of us who call ourselves cyclists, the beauty of the bicycle goes far beyond the object itself.  

Much of the beauty that is found in cycling is the basic freedom to move about in a self-propelled way.  Kids recognize this immediately, and in my opinion, that feeling only gets better with time and age.  Filling your tank at the local gas station gets really old after doing a few hundred times.  It just isn't the same as clicking into those pedals after throwing a leg over the bike.  


Legs, Lungs, and Heart - that is really what the bicycle is about.  Healthy legs, lungs, and heart are the fertilizer of a healthy mind.  A healthy mind is a creative one.  Want to do better at your job?- ride a bike. Want to have better focus in life?- ride a bike. Want to be able to set goals and achieve them?- you guessed it.  What a life of cycling teaches can not be taught at the best schools or bought with all the money in the world.  And it's something all cyclists know.


I'd beg to argue, one of the greatest societal forces is the artist on a bicycle. 


The bike and bicycling are beautiful.  And if the bike is beautiful, then the bike is art. 

THE MAN WHO LIVED ON HIS BIKE from Guillaume Blanchet on Vimeo.

No more excuses.  Get on it!

The New Logo

So you may have noticed the new CatskillsCycling.com logo.  I'm real happy to have something new, and something that is a big improvement over the other logo - which was pretty generic to say the least.  This logo has been a long time coming.  I originally contacted Kurt Boyer Design Services back during summer, but between his schedule and mine, and between him raising his family and me raising mine, it took us some time to get together to hash out the details.  And since we are both part of the same community, we weren't in that big of a rush.

Kurt Boyer is one of the craftiest devils you're going to meet.  He's been at it a good long time and has a whole host of tricks up his sleeve.  His business has a small shop feel, but he is completely up to date on the technology front, and has a good supply of modern equipment to get the job done.  He's quick, professional, and a down-right good person to deal with.

I urge you to pay a visit to his site.  He handles everything from Websites to Lawn Signs.  His rates are very reasonable, so if you have graphic design needs of almost any kind, you need to contact him.  Deal with Kurt once, and you'll regret you haven't dealt with him sooner.

Feel free to leave a comment about our new logo.  We'd love to hear your thoughts.  Now get out there!

High Quality Crap Logo
Good Ridance

New Year's Revolutions 2012

I'm not the biggest believer of resolutions, but there is no doubt that writing your goals down and posting them where you can see them everyday is a good thing.  If you've never done this, I urge you to try it.

Some cyclists write down the races they want to win / place well.  Others document nutrition goals.  Some people jot down financial goals.  Maybe you'll have one to cycle the Catskills more.  Or maybe you'll have a combination of these.  Whatever you choose, it's probably a good idea to keep it to 10 or fewer bullets.  A maximum of 5 would probably be best.  By keeping the list smaller, you'll have a better mental attitude toward keeping it real throughout the year.

The next step is to tape this thing somewhere where you will see it everyday.  Some choose their mirror.  Others their front door, etc.  However, in today's world, you might want to put a picture of it on your sign-in screen on your IPhone or IPad.  Just be sure to 'consciously' see it after 2 weeks or more.  You know what I'm saying.

For me, I'm keeping it simple.  Well, except for the '-Less Alcohol' one : )

Good luck, and Happy Belated New Year everyone!

Bike = Life

Fats in the Cats, Catskill Mtn Velo Club, CatskillsCycling.com, and too many people to list, who volunteered time and gave funds to buy bikes for kids in the Catskill Park Region should be proud of their efforts in this new year of 2012!  We have been receiving applications since distribution, and we're excited to be getting closer to the day we can set a give-away date.


Doing something like this makes those who contribute feel great.  But after receiving the short stories submitted with the applications, it should make everyone feel even better.  Below is a short list of some of the stories submitted with our applications:

• "It (bicycle) was taken by the river next to my house since my home is in a flooding area.  If I get a bike, I can go bike riding with my friends during the summer."

• "Her bike was completely washed away.  She could use a new one because she doesn't have one now and she loves to ride her bike."

• "during the flood of Hurricane Irene, our attempts to save them (bikes) was lost when the water current swept them down stream.  We never found even a piece of them again."

• "Our old address was -------------- Fleischmanns and after the flood we had to move due to extensive damage to our place.  Everything outside was completely washed away, so it couldn't even be recovered including her first bike without training wheels. She could use a new bike because that is something we haven't been able to replace yet."

• "The bikes went through the flood in the apartment we were living in.  The apartment was not livable after the flood so we moved the salvageable stuff to the upstairs apartment."

Thank you again all who helped bring good energy back to the Catskill Communities via bicycles!  Who woulda thought?


FYI - Our club Catskill Mtn Velo Club and all efforts are in no way affiliated to a copy-club found on Facebook called Catskill Cycling Club.  Not even close.

Bike Recovery Application

Finally.  We have funds secured, and an application established for kids to apply for a new bike who lost theirs during the Hurricane Irene flooding.

CatskillsCycling.com is your source for a digital application that can be printed for submittal.  Please let those in the Catskill Region, who may benefit from this program know about this page. 

We will also be distributing this application to the local Catskill Area schools to be sure they get this in the hands who need them. 

We would also like to thank our fellow club - Fats In The Cats - for allowing us 4-5 bikes they give away each year.  This was a very courteous offer, and we cyclists of the Catskills appreciate what they do for the MTB community!

Pedaling Towards Making A Real Difference

Several weeks ago I received a call from the Shandaken Town Clerk (Laurie Frasier) asking if the Catskill Mtn Velo club would be interested putting together a charity ride for flood victims.  I told her I was already considering a benefit ride, but I was hoping to focus any money raised to be used towards 1) Bikes & 2) Children.  So we both agreed we would hold a ride where the proceeds go toward purchasing bikes for kids who lost theirs due to the Hurricane Irene flooding. 

We also worked with Belleayre Ski Center to see if they would like to support us in our efforts and allow us a spot at their Annual Fall Festival.  They cordially stood beside what we were doing.

Now, early October can be a bit of a coin toss here in the Catskill Park.  It could be warm and sunny, or frigid cold and raining.  We warned people to prepare for the worst.  However, none of the doomsday gear was necessary because last Sunday was - like Ace Ventura would say - B-E-A-utiful!  The sun was out all weekend for much of the East Coast, and the temps were close to summer-like.  It was basically a cyclist's weekend!

With a very short time frame, and basically no budget, we threw an event together that would bring people from the Hudson Valley, NYC, England, and beyond.  We had a great showing from local cyclists here in the Catskill Park as well. 

We never achieved the $100,000+ the Windham Mountain Benefit Dinner did, but we did end up raising $1704.50!  Some of this goes to USA Cycling for the event, but the rest will go towards working with our local bike shop to get kids back on bikes.  Hopefully we can have them to families to put under the tree during the Holiday Season.

We have an application being developed for any family in the Catskill Region to fill out and mail back to the Catskill Mtn Velo Club for a new bike.  This project is on a first come - first serve basis, and is good only until we have reached the end of our fund balance.  I will have the application up soon on its own specific post. 

Thank you to all who showed and gave funds toward our event.  We are excited to be moving cycling forward here in our Catskill Mountains ; )

A very special thanks to:

Margaretville Central School

Belleayre Mountain Fall Fest

Overlook Mountain Bikes

Catskill Mountain Physical Therapy

SUNY Delhi Staff Members

Judy Hoffman - Big Indian, NY

Katherine Anderson - Woodstock, NY

Laurie & Charlie Frasier - Phoenicia, NY

Catskill Mtn Velo Club Charity Ride - Sunday Oct 9th

Charity is a funny thing.  There are many different forms and styles of giving.  In fact, there is even a sense of priority toward giving after disasters with the most basic needs of food, shelter, water obviously addressed first. 


But for kids, food, water, and shelter are not considered basic needs.  That's something the grown-ups take care of.  Basic needs for young kids are things like toys, bicycles, paper and crayons, etc..  Things like that.  And these are things sometimes overlooked when people are in the mood for giving, and thought of long after people are past the mood for giving.


So the Catskill Mtn Velo Club is putting together a charity ride to raise funds to buy new bikes for kids affected by the recent Hurricane Irene flooding to hit the Catskills (see main link on web page header bar).  We have two rides heading out.  One is 55 miles, and the other is 24 miles.  So there is something for both the bicycle enthusiast and for the casual rider. 


We will also accept donations of new or like-new bicycles, but we will not accept old or rusted bicycles.  Another funny thing about charity is for some, it's a perfect way to get rid of their junk.  The kids we are looking to support do not need any extra costs of bicycle maintenance or repair.  So if you've got a bike to give, let me know.


Please see the link above, and sign up at BikeReg.com today! Just click "Register Now" if you don't already have an account ; )


Thanks for your support,
Catskill Mtn Velo Club

Fred Woller Art - Some Of The Best You'll Get

Cycling as a sport, a sub-culture, as a means of transportation, a form of therapy, and a way to stay fit, has been growing at a remarkable rate here in the US.  Bike part suppliers and catalogues have multiplied along with it.

In those catalogs (more often than not) you'll find half-hearted and cheesy attempts at cycling wear, art, jewelery, etc.  There seems a real void for those who love the sport, but would rather have something of a finer quality to invest in, instead of the same-old chain bracelet, chain link earrings, or illustrated silhouettes, etc.

Well, the good news is we have some incredible artists here in our Catskill Mountains.  In fact, our mountains are like giant magnets for artists looking to find some peace so they can fully sink their head into their work. 

So if you are one of those people who love the sport, but have been dismayed for years about how to go about collecting something of value; something that has the ability to stand the test of time beyond the fads spilling out of cycling catalogs, let me introduce to you one of the coolest guys here in these hills - Fred Woller.

Fred Woller in his studio. You should see his sculptural work.

Fred, has a penchant for bicycles.  Like many guys his age, he was into cycling long before "American Fliers" and "Breaking Away".  For simply riding a bike, he was honked at and cursed at before some of us were in diapers.  Through many professions and life experiences, his art is something that has evolved over years, but has finally reached a place that is worth sharing with the rest of us.  And if you were smart, you would invest in some of his stuff right away . .

You can check out Fred Woller's work this coming Saturday - September 17th 2011 - at the Art Upstairs Gallery located on Main Street in Phoenicia NY.  The show is from 6-9pm, and between the Phoenicia and Woodstock vibe, it's sure to be a good time.  What better way for cyclists to support other cyclists, and cycling in general?  Hope you make it there on Saturday.  Get there before it's all gone!