Running | Hiking | Biking | Paddling Triathlon | Health | Fitness | Travel FREE! OCTOBER 20,000 CIRCULATION CAPITAL REGION • SARATOGA • GLENS FALLS • ADIRONDACKS bra 2010 ele ti C n g ASF ◀ PAUL KALAC OF GLOVERSVILLE AND DOUG TINKLER OF NEW HARTFORD ENJOYING THE SUNRISE FROM FRENCH POINT MOUNTAIN. PHOTO BY BILL INGERSOLL Visit Us on the Web! AdkSports.com CONTENTS Fall Backpacking the 1 Hiking & Backpacking Fall Backpacking: Tongue Mt. Range 3 Bicycling Tongue Mountain Range “More Cowbell” It’s Cyclocross Season 4-7 CALENDAR OF EVENTS by Bill Ingersoll October-December: 250 Things to Do! he many scarred and cliff-strewn mountains that Within this drier, warmer environment, hikers might 9 Running & Walking rise a thousand feet or more from the shores of also encounter the eastern timber rattlesnake basking Big & Fit Runners: Clydesdales & Fillies TLake George hardly attain the lofty heights of other in the sun. This denizen of the Tongue Mountain Range 10 Athlete Profile Adirondack peaks. Nevertheless, Lake George’s Tongue is hardly aggressive towards humans – these snakes will Mountain Range offers some of the best mountain hiking leave you alone if you leave them alone. By fall they have Duathlon with Marge Rajczewski in New York. A trail runs the entire length of the ridge, from taken cover for the season, and you will hardly even know 11 Kayaking & Canoeing NY Route 9N on the north to Montcalm Point on the south. they are there. History & Adventure at Lake Luzerne Side trails make a spectacular loop trip possible, and two On two different Novembers, some friends and I 12 Around the Region News Briefs lean-tos provide shelter for backpackers. The rugged ter- hiked the southern half of the range as overnight trips. 12 From the Publisher & Editor rain, unique flora and fauna, and outstanding views give The experience of settling in for the night while the lights 13 Triathlon the Tongue Mountains their wilderness-like qualities. came on all around the lake was one I will never forget, Athletic Blunders & Avoiding Them The range’s relatively low elevation and southerly ori- and one I hope to repeat soon. There is a lean-to located entation help explain why its forests more closely resem- on the summit of Fifth Peak, but our preferred spot was 13 Community ble those of the Appalachians than the Adirondacks. The a hardy meadow near the top of French Point Mountain. A Flatlander at Mid-Mountain Marathon northern hardwood forest type that is so characteristic The scarcity of water on the ridge means that campers 14-17 RACE RESULTS of the North Woods is present only on the north-facing have to tote their own supply, in most cases. August-September: Finishers in 20 Events slopes. On the southern slopes, expect to find oaks, hick- HOW TO GET THERE 19 Bicycling ories, and junipers in abundance. Natural meadows on The Clay Meadow Trailhead is located on NY Route Check Your Bike & Wear Your Helmet! several summits provide wide vistas. 9N, about five miles north of Bolton Landing. A brown See FALL BACKPACKING, 18 ▶ • Olympic Sports • Running • Snowboarding • Snowshoeing • Sports Medicine • Telemark Skiing • Walking • Wilderness Skills • Walking FREE SAVE THE ADMISSION! DATE! WINTER EXPO November 20-21 • Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-5 Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs The Capital Region’s Winter Sports, Health/Fitness and Travel Expo! Featuring 100 Exhibitors, Sales, Demos, Clinics, Kids Activities & More AdkSports.com • (518) 877-8788 • • Nutrition Travel Alpine • Non-Profits Skiing • Backcountry Skiing • Clubs • Cross-Country Skiing • Environment • Events • Health • Fitness • Ice Climbing • Ice Skating • Kids’ Activities • 2 Adirondack Sports & Fitness The Gazette Stockade-athon 15K Celebrates 35 Years Join us on Sunday, November 7 th, 2010 9:00am BRIGHTROOM INC. Storm the Stockade - A classic loop course of Schenectady’s historic neighborhoods and parks. The oldest major 15k road race in the USA means MORE IMPROVEMENTS for 2010/11! Testimonials: t &YDJUJOHQSPHSFTTPOUIF*OUFSDPOOFDUXJUIUIF)JTUPSJD/PSUI “This course is awesome. The hills, the different parts $SFFL4LJ#PXMoGFBUVSJOHUFSSBJOGPSBMMBCJMJUZMFWFMTPO-JUUMF of town, the cemetery, the loops around the park… (PSF.PVOUBJOTFSWJDFECZUIFOFX)VETPO$IBJS An HMRRC premier event really a great course, probably my favorite 15K; it felt like cross country on the roads. “ t &YQBOEFEWFSUJDBMESPQUP Healthy Living Expo – Saturday Nov. 6 at Proctor’s 2008 Champion Emory Mort Theater in downtown Schenectady t /FX#PBSEFS4LJFS9$PVSTF This is a first class event! I am an avid older runner, t 5XPOFXHMBEFTo#BSLFBUFS$IBUUFSCPY Stockade-thon 15K – Sunday Nov. 7 in Central Park, Testimonials:back of the pack and love this race. Great food…talent Schenectady, New York “Thisgalore! course On-line is awesome. Blog The hills, the different parts t 1SPGFTTJPOBMZFBSSPVOETFSWJDFTGPSCBORVFUT NFFUJOHT of town, the cemetery, the loops around the park… 15K USATF & HMRRC Grand Prix Event really a great course, probably my favorite 15K; it felt QBSUJFT XFEEJOHT like cross country on the roads. “ USATF - Regional Competition – Open, Masters, Visit Website for 2008 event Champion details Emory and Mort Age-Graded, & Team Divisions Mark Your Calendar how to register This is a first class event! I am an avid older runner, Harvest Fest: October 9-10 $4000 Cash Prizes –presented by Fleet Feet Sports back ofwww.stockadeathon.com the pack and love this race. Great food…talent galore! On-line Blog Leaf Cruncher 5K Trail Run: October 10 1-mile Duck Pond Run for Children Season Pass & Snow Sports Deadline: November 18 Visit Website for event details and how to register Tentative Opening Day: November 26 www.hmrrc.com (PSF.PVOUBJODPN *OGP 4OPX1IPOF • NORDICA • VOLKL • FISHER • BLIZARD • MARKER • SCOTT SMITH • OAKLEY • K2 • BURTON • FACE NORTH THE • GlenmontValatie Store Store Glenmont Store ROUTEROUTE 9W9 - -2 2.5MI. MI SOUTH. SOUTH OF OF ROUTE 9W - 2.5 MI. SOUTH OF I-90,THRUWAY EXIT EXIT 1223 • 784-3663427-2406 THRUWAY EXIT 23 • 427-2406 OCTOBER SKI, BIKE & KAYAK SPECIALISTS OCTOBER 8th,1st, 9th, 2nd 10th & & 3rd 11th www.steinersskibike.com 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th ANNUAL SKI and HUGE SNOWBOARD TENT SALE SALE WHERE PRESEASON TENT SALE PRICES MEET KNOWLEDGEABLE SALES & SERVICE 50 TO 70% OFF SKIWEAR UNDER THE TENT FISCHER VIRON 2.2 SKI & BINDING on SALE $399.00 REG $599.00 BURTON SNOWBOARD PACKAGES 10% OFF 2 0 1 0 20% OFF Ski Helmets 30-60% Off ALL with any new ski or SKIS, BOOTS lease purchase Left Over Skis & Boots KAYAKS ON & SKIWEAR • NOW LEASING SKIS & SNOWBOARDS • SALE 40% • STEINER’S SPORT IS CERTIFIED AMERICA’S BEST FITTING BOOT SHOP TECNICAOAKLEY • MARKER • SMITH • K2 • SCOTT • ON SALE BY MASTER FIT UNIVERSITY OFF www.AdkSports.com OCTOBER 2010 3 BICYCLING “More Cowbell” It’s time. This is an excellent opportunity to try your hand at this fun sport. Entry into these two special categories is free and requires no pre-registration. Cyclocross Season! PHOTOS BY DAVE BEALS The NYS Cyclocross Championship race is Oct. 31 in Rochester, hosted by Full by Dave Beals sure. Natural or manmade obstacles are lap, and can see how the race unfolds Moon Vista. Based upon the event these encountered in every lap of the race to over the hour for the elite races. Fans folks put on in September this should be yclocross racing got its start in the force riders off the bike and to run over will make all sorts of noise with all sorts exciting and well run. north of France in the early 1900s logs or wooden barriers or to carry the of noise makers, horns and drums. Some If the drive out west is a bit much, try C when cyclists there would contin- bike up a steep incline. In the photo, Justin fans even dress up for the event. The the Wicked Creepy Cyclocross race on ue to ride their race bikes throughout the Lindine, formerly of Maplecrest and now “Monkey Man” (see photo) has become Oct. 31, just a quick trip over the border from Salem, Mass., shows the classic form famous with his appearance at races all winter months to keep in shape for the to Bennington, Vt. Part of the NYcross. of a ‘suitcase’ bike carry while running at across the Northeast. spring race season. These cyclists would com race series, it features a course that meet up in local parks and other locations speed over a 16-inch high pair of wooden Here in our region, several cyclocross sends racers through a volleyball sandpit to practice and to maintain some race fit- barriers. races are within a very short drive. First that tests the strength of even the fittest ness. Since these folks had racing in their The racer’s technique in quickly and up is the Uncle Sam GP of Cyclocross of cyclists. It’s a fun day all set in a clas- blood and were extremely competitive in smoothly dismounting, running, and on Oct. 16-17 in Prospect Park, Troy. This nature, these training sessions turned into remounting the bike all while travel- urban park on the side of a hill provides sic New England surrounding. The park some serious racing. This was the birth of ing at speeds approaching 25 miles per a fantastic setting for great CX course is family friendly with two playgrounds, cyclocross racing, where today cyclists hour takes considerable practice. In the in the true classic European style. Grass walking paths, and a BMX course. race in parks on a relatively short course early laps of a cyclocross race, riders are trails, grassy hills, some fast pavement Another local favorite CX race is the of about three kilometers in length. bunched up severely and the pushing sections, and some tricky off-camber Bethlehem Cup, held this year on Nov.