Running | Hiking | Biking | Paddling Triathlon | Skiing | Fitness | Travel FREE! APRIL 20,000 CIRCULATION COVERING UPSTATE NEW YORK SINCE 2000 2015 TOUR OF THE BATTENKILL RIDERS ON RICH ROAD NEAR SHUSHAN IN APRIL 2014. Visit Us on the Web! DAVE KRAUS/KRAUSGRAFIK.COM AdkSports.com Facebook.com/AdirondackSports CONTENTS Early Season Cycling 1 Bicycling Early Season Cycling Register Now for a Variety of Rides! By Dave Kraus seniors. For complete details on the rides, 5K run, Meghan’s 3 Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Mile and many other weekend events, visit seansrun.com. Spring Paddling Guide s it spring yet? After the long, harsh winter, the snow is The Team Billy Ride and Walk for Research on melting and multiple Capital and Adirondack region groups Sunday, May 17, raises funds for brain tumor research by 5 Around the Region News Briefs Iare ready to supply area cyclists with a wider variety of honoring Billy Grey, who died in 2001 after a courageous fight benefit and recreational rides than ever before. against glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive form of 5 From the Publisher & Editor The first big ride event of the spring – theTour of the brain tumor. Battenkill Gran Fondo on Sunday, April 19 – typically The morning event offers 10, 25, and 50-mile riding 6-11 CALENDAR OF EVENTS attracts over 3,000 racers and is part of the largest single rac- options, and a three-mile walk through the Saratoga Springs ing event in the country. In the less formal gran fondo ride, rac- historic neighborhoods. All the events begin at the Farmer’s April - June 2015 Events ers can race for prizes but any rider can challenge themselves Market on High Rock Avenue. on the partially paved Washington County course, which has Brain tumors are a little known, but serious danger that 12 Non-Medicated Life affect more than 688,000 Americans every year, and take the become a legend in domestic US racing. lives of more than 14,000. Only one in three people with brain Role of Supplements Revisited In this 11th year, the event gets some major route changes tumors survive for more than five years. Now in its 11th year, and a new start/finish at the Washington County Fairgrounds this local ride has raised almost $2 million for brain tumor 15 Running & Walking near Greenwich. It’s easier to reach from Albany and Saratoga, research. Get all the details at teambilly.org. with abundant space for parking and the event expo. From The Farmer’s Daughter Gravel Grinder, also on Spring Up for Coming Races there, gran fondo riders will head out on 23 or 68-mile courses Sunday, May 17, is a new event organized by the Capital that include challenging climbs and traffic control, neutraland 17 Athlete Profile Bicycle Racing Club and Helping Riders Realize Talent. “Gravel sag support, and fully stocked rest stops. For more info, course Grinder” rides take place mostly on dirt roads and use either Luge with Duncan Segger maps and registration info, visit tourofthebattenkill.com. cyclocross or other wide-tire bikes, including hard-tail moun- Sean’s Ride on Saturday, April 25, is part of the Sean’s tain bikes. It’s not quite a road ride, but not quite a mountain 19 Triathlon & Duathlon Run Weekend in memory of Sean French, who lost his life in bike ride either. The unpaved back roads and woodland tracks 2002 as a passenger in a drunk driving car crash. The 10, offer light car traffic and some stunning rural scenery. Share the Passion with Family 20 and 50-mile routes start from the Chatham Fairgrounds, Starting in Chatham, approximately 45 miles of the 65-mile and offer scenery including views of the Hudson set against course will be on maintained gravel roads, with upwards of 22-27 RACE RESULTS the backdrop of the Catskills. There are stocked rest stops, 6,000 feet of climbing. There’s a limit of 300 riders for this Top Finishers in 25+ Events post-ride refreshments, and souvenir jerseys to the first 200 inaugural event, and funds go to benefit the Columbia Land registrants. Conservancy. 31 Hiking & Backpacking Since 2002, Sean’s Weekend events have raised over The route will include fully supported aid stations, por- $195,000 to fund grants that support programs at schools and table toilets, and sweep vehicles to make sure nobody gets “Must See” Waterfalls youth organizations, and scholarships to deserving high school left behind. But organizers make no bones about it: this is a See BICYCLING, 21 ▶ 2 Adirondack Sports & Fitness Start Point: 90-Miler Adk Canoe Classic Route Northern Forest Canoe Trail Family Friendly Waters Spring: Whitewater Moose River Summer: McCauley Mountain Canoe & Kayak Summer Scenic Chairlift (return by train) Views to the High Peaks Hiking Trails Mt. Biking Picnic Areas Go To: OldForgeNY.com Free Guide/Trip Planner Paddlefest 2015 Saratoga Paddlefest • Saratoga Springs, NY • May 2 & 3 Come See the Light Adirondack Paddlefest • Old Forge, NY • May 15, 16 & 17 SpitFire 13 Ultra – 20 lbs 263 Station Street RapidFire Ultra - 22 lbs Lake Placid Shadow Ultra - 22.5 lbs 518-524-2949 America’s Largest On-Water Canoe, www.placidboats.com Kayak and Paddleboard Sale! St. Regis Canoe Outfitters Guided TripsGuided – WinterDay and Trips Overnight BackcountryOutfitting Skiing– By the & SnowshoeingPiece or Package Daily CampingCanoeing & & Backpacking Kayaking in Florida Rentals RetailRetail Paddlesports Paddlesports Shop Shop NewNew & & Used Used Canoes, Canoes, Kayaks & & Gear Gear NewNew Adk Adirondack Paddler’s Paddler’s Map – Map South 73 Dorsey St, Saranac Lake (518) 891-1838 • (888) 775-2925 www.canoeoutfitters.com NORTH CREEK • NORTH RIVER • RIPARIUS Saturday, May 2 After Giant Slalom New: Give downriver racing a try! Not so Wild Downriver Race 2.5M of moving water for beginner to intermediate canoers and kayakers Only $10 plus $5 ACA insurance Saturday, May 2 • 10:30am Giant Slalom & Sprint Races Awards Celebration at 4 pm at Basil & Wicks in North Creek Over 1,000 Canoes, Kayaks and SUPs on Sale! Sunday, May 3 • 11am Presented by Downriver Race North Creek to Riparius Awards Celebration after race at Riverside Station Park www.whitewaterderby.com Gore Mountain Region Chamber of Commerce 518-251-2612 New York’s Largest Canoe, Kayak & SUP Dealer • www.MountainmanOutdoors.com www.AdkSports.com KAYAKING, CANOEING & SUP Spring APRIL 2015 3 Paddling Guide By Rich Macha pring has arrived on the calendar, but as I write this in KAYAKERS ON THE MOHAWK late March most bodies of water in upstate New York are RIVER IN THE CAPITAL REGION. Sstill topped with ice and snow. Although I enjoy spring through May 1. Personally, I think the state should extend this skiing, my thoughts often drift toward the upcoming paddling RICH MACHA to June 1. On May 1 this year some lakes in the Adirondacks season, and I start planning some early season trips. might still have ice on them. The way this spring is going my First of all, you must consider the fact that once the ice is bet is that Blue Mountain Lake will still have some ice on it out, the water temperature is still only just above the freezing in early May. mark. A drysuit or a wetsuit should be worn whenever there Duanesburg Area Community Center offers pool sessions is a probability of capsizing – most experts agree that would In mid/lower Hudson Valley, the tidal Hudson River will likely be one of the first bodies of water to become ice-free. for paddlers on Thursday evenings in April. These sessions be the case in most any paddling situation. At a minimum, Unless you understand how the tides and winds affect the are a great opportunity for folks to practice rescues, rolling you should avoid cotton clothing and wear a life jacket (aka river’s surface, you might want to stay away until the water and other skills. PFD – personal flotation device). In New York State, the law temperature rises above 60 degrees. For example, a south Most years, I like to head south in April in search of says you must wear a PFD when paddling from November 1 wind during an ebb tide can produce waves of well over a warmer water and warmer air; somewhere between south foot in height. ern New Jersey and North Carolina usually does the trick If you are desperate to wet your paddle as soon as pos for me. The rivers of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens are very sible, you can take advantage of indoor pool sessions offered attractive if you like twisty streams with some current. The by certain institutions. For example, in the Capital Region the Delmarva Peninsula, sandwiched between Chesapeake Bay - and the Atlantic Ocean, offers a plethora of choice fresh - water and saltwater paddling destinations, as does eastern STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS North Carolina. Sales, Rentals and - Lessons Available See PADDLING, GO LIGHT! 21 ▶ It’s Always Summer at Patty’s! Have MORE FUN BOTE, DOYLE sacrificing performance! PattysWaterSports.com • 518-656-9353AND NAISH or BOARDS793-5452 without O’Brien Tubes, Skis and More All Stocked Up For Spring! 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