MHBC Monthly Update

Mid Hudson Bicycle Club

Your Monthly Update

March 2022

Calendar Updates - Save the Dates

Our club calendar is starting to fill in. More information on all these events can be found on the MHBC calendar

Special events:

Sunday, April 10 - MHBC Semi annual road cleanup

Saturday, May 14th : Spring Fling @ Red Hook Recreational Park, Fruitbud Lane, Red Hook. Multi level rides and lunch. Raindate: Sunday, May 15th.

Thursday, June 9 - Sunday, June 12 : Club group trip to Amish Country, Lancaster, PA for 2-3 days of riding

Saturday, July 16th: Summer picnic with multilevel rides & lunch, Majestic Park, Gardiner

Aug 21 - 25: Club group trip to Boothbay, ME prior to Bike Maine More info

Aug 26 - 28: Bike Maine, Lincoln, ME Registration

** Rides are being added daily to the calendar now that nicer weather has returned. So please keep checking for updates.

Weekly Gravel Rides Have Started

Jeff Dolfinger has started a gravel group here at MHBC and will be doing weekly rides, usually on Monday evenings, from different locations in Dutchess, Ulster, Southern Dutchess/ Northern Putnam and hopefully one long weekend ride each month. Please check both the MHBC calendar and the MHBC Facebook page for the most current information.

Many of the rides will be on the Mohonk Preserve. It is suggested that you purchase the yearly pass which is $120.00. I know it seems like a lot but last year I think I road the preserve over 30 times. It’s truly the only place in the area where you can ride car free and 100% gravel with distances up to 40 miles and that doesn’t include the mileage you can add if you add Minnewaska State Park which is free to enter by bike. https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/join/

The pass gives year round entry for everything the preserve has to offer as well.

About the rides ….

Gravel involves climbing. There is just no way around it so the rides will not be flat at all. That being said the group has been pretty good about waiting for everyone at intersections and staying together so the pace tends to be on the slower side of things. Low B Or high C, certainly not an A pace. An example of a typical Monday ride would be 20 miles 1400- 2000ft.

If you are new to gravel, wondering about the pace or hills, this is likely the ride to give it a try as the weather looks warm and the climbing and distance will be limited do to daylight.

Recommend tire size is 32-45c. I’ve seen people use 28’s but they didn’t fair well and a mountain bike has too much rolling resistance and most can’t keep the pace even on a Hardtail.

If you have any questions send a message via Facebook Messenger to Jeff Dolfinger

MHBC Semi-annual road cleanup

Sunday, April 10,2022

2:00 – 3:30 PM

Page Lumber parking lot, Route 55, LaGrange, NY

This is a revival of the MHBC pre-COVID tradition of semi-annual public service we perform in the spring and fall every year.

We have been assigned a section of roadway on Overlook Road, between route 44 and 55. We meet at Page Lumber parking area and split into two group. Each group starts at opposite ends of the route. When they meet in the middle they turn around and pick up trash from the opposite side of the road. Trash bags and safety equipment will be provided. Please bring gloves and tick spray. Please sign up from MHBC Ride Calendar.

For more information contact Ron Gall - rongall@optonline.net/914-456-6953

Thank You, Bill Miller

Bill Miller, the current MHBC treasurer, has resigned for personal reasons. Bill has been a 30 year plus member of the club. In addition to serving as treasurer, in the past he has been club president and vice president. He also organized many club functions including the fall roundup, century rides and trips. He will be greatly missed and we thank him for his years of service to the club.

Safety Tip of the Month:

Watch these two 6 minute NYBC videos for a pre-season review of Bicycle Law in NYS.

Sharing The Road (Part 1) - Bicycle Law in New York State

Understand New York State vehicle and traffic laws and how they pertain to motorists when driving in the vicinity of bicyclists.

Sharing The Road (Part 2) - Bicycle Law in New York State

Understand New York State vehicle and traffic laws and how they pertain to bicyclists when operating their bicycles on public roadways.

Submitted by Paula Ward

MHBC AMISH COUNTRY WEEKEND

JUNE 9-12

MHBC is planning a Pennsylvania Amish Country 4 day/ 3 night group trip from Thursday, June 9 to Sunday June 12. Karen Snowman is charge of organizing this event. There is plenty to do for both riders and non riders. Check in will be Thursday afternoon with riding on Friday, Sat, and possibly Sunday. Join the group for all or part of the this fun excursion. There will be a choice of C/B level rides, 35 - 62 miles each day. These are unsupported rides. As a group we will decide on the routes for the day and how we want to split up. All the rides will start at the Bird-In-Hand Family Restaurant. Join us for all or part of this fun excursion. Contact Karen Snowman with any questions Karen Snowman @ karensnowlady@yahoo.com or (845) 242-8735.

Lodging information and signup can be found on the

MHBC June 9 calendar posting

A tentative head count would be helpful for planning purposes.

**All riders must be have a current membership in the MHBC Club.
**All participants must be up to date at the time of the trip with the CDC recommended Covid vaccines/boosters and follow current COVID guidelines during the trip.

Sample of routes being considered for each day:

Thursday PM rides:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26881209

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38642143

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/23086707

Friday rides:

Long:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38627846

Short:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38628020

Saturday:

Long:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38641148

Short:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38641924

Sunday: Choice of:

Additional shorter routes:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38662290
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38662166

Advocacy

A local law to allow electric bicycles to be used on all roads in the Town of New Paltz will be considered after a public hearing, to be opened March 17. State law authorized the use of these vehicles — which are seen by environmentalists as a green alternative to local trips in cars — but only on roads with speed limits of up to 30 mph. More Information

Membership

Our club is changing from a yearly membership to a subscription membership service. New and renewing members will get one year of membership from the date of their sign up. All 2021 memberships expired on Dec. 31, 2021. The new enrollment information can be found on our website or by clicking this link: Membership enrollment

Ride leaders are always needed. If you enjoy participating in group rides please consider leading a ride. Check the club website in the info section for ride leader guidance. Also, any ride leader would be happy to answer any questions.

The MHBC is only as good as our rides. And our rides are only as good as our leaders!

Any questions or concerns, contact us

https://midhudsonbicycleclub.com/contact

Newsletter Editor: Gail Thornton, MHBC Secretary mhbc.clerk@gmail.com