HBC Blog

Over a month ago (when it wasn’t dark all the time and winter didn’t seem so close) a group from HBC visited the Bear. Here are some photos sent in by Sal.

Halfway done - still looking fresh

Gang on top! HBC beats the Bear once again.

Ken gets a a closeup

Sal gets a solo photo

A ride isn't complete unless you stop for lunch.

Everyone gets a rest when the train goes by

Scott, Tracy and Sal - looks like a fun time was had by all

Rich and Tracy look ready to ride some more.

Hey, Sal... what's this photo, doesn't look like the Bear? Did Alec pay you to include this so he could get his photo in the blog? (actually from MD trip)

Hope you enjoyed the photos of Sal’s visit to the Bear. Good memories of warmer times — keep riding to be ready for more Bear Mtn. 2010!

Arch

Message from the NYBC – New York Bicycling Coalition

CURRENT NYSDOT POLICY: Do not install rumble strips on secondary roads except in rare instances.
PROPOSED NYSDOT POLICY: Installation of rumble strips will be the preferred practice in the design of all secondary roads with a few exceptions.
RUMBLE STRIPS are a well-documented hazard to bicyclists. Accepted practice nationwide dictates rumble strips be used only sparingly on roads permitting cycling.
NYSDOT is proposing an Engineering Instruction (EI), titled “Secondary Highway Audible Roadway Delineators – Guidance and Policy,” which is at variance with the practices recommended by the Federal Highway Administration, The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and other standards setting agencies. Such national agencies generally recommend rumble strips are to be used on two-lane roads if there is a documented run-off-the road accident problem — and then used only as a last resort due to the hazards they create for other roadway users, including bicyclists.

NYBC asks us to contact NYSDOT and your legislators to urge NYSDOT to not issue the proposed policy. Ask them to work with groups, such as the New York Bicycling Coalition, organizers of bicycling tours and events, and local cycling clubs to construct a less hostile policy that better balances the needs of motorist and bicyclist safety.

NYBC Contact: Jennifer Clunie, Executive Director
(518) 436-0889 or jennifer@nybc.net

Screen capture from GPS tracking app

Check out the screen capture of the Trimble mapping program. The ride was tracked on a friend’s Blackberry.  We did an out and back ride past Sunken Meadow park with a loop over by St. James. Note the accurate map, the elevation,  speed etc etc.  This functionality is offered by Verizon for $3.50 a month. He emailed the link after we were done with the ride.  (I have cropped out the part of the screenshot that shows the average speed – since in my mind I am faster than gps says I am.)

I have tried ride mapping with the iPhone, but the battery died and the program I was using wasn’t that great. If anyone has advice of a good iPhone app, please leave a comment.

Thanks, Arch