Catskills Cycling

The Tweener Season

2012-02-04T06:26:00.000-05:00

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

The Catskills Backyard: NYC

2012-01-31T22:19:00.003-05:00

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

Bike As Art

2012-01-26T13:49:00.003-05:00

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

The New Logo

2012-01-18T23:31:00.001-05:00

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

New Year's Revolutions 2012

2012-01-13T08:28:00.000-05:00

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

Bike = Life

2012-01-04T19:34:00.000-05:00

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

Bike Recovery Application

2011-11-14T10:11:00.001-05:00

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

Pedaling Towards Making A Real Difference

2011-10-14T12:18:00.000-04:00

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

Catskill Mtn Velo Club Charity Ride - Sunday Oct 9th

2011-09-24T08:11:00.002-04:00

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

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

2011-09-12T15:51:00.003-04:00

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

Don't Take It For Granted

2011-09-06T00:42:00.000-04:00

Church Rd - Big Indian If you've been in touch with the Catskill Region as of late, you are probably familiar with the devastation Hurricane Irene has dropped on this area as she fizzled herself out over our peaks here in the park. It's hard to believe the furry of water that came from this event. Houses were moved and destroyed. Stream beds were forever changed. Neighborhoods became

Great Catskill Divide Road Race 2012, Here We Come!

2011-08-23T13:09:00.000-04:00

Some 30 racers registered for The Great Catskill Divide Road Race which kicked off Sunday morning, with equal parts of anxiety and excitement. The Catskill Mtn Velo Club put together a course that was sure to be different than anything road racers were to encounter here on the East Coast. Many racers weren't quite sure what to expect, so there were many different equipment setups, from 23mm

A Race Through the Mountains - Catskill Divide Road Race Aug 21st

2011-08-11T22:18:00.001-04:00

Ok! Who's ready for a challenge like no other Road Race you've ever participated in? The Great Catskill Divide Road Race is a race like no other. It will take you on some of the most remote roads found in the Catskill Park, and will take you up and over the Catskill Divide (topo line separating waters flowing to the Hudson & Delaware rivers). The application is finalized. The route is

Are We There Yet?? Black Fly - Placid Marathon - Catskills

2011-06-14T10:46:00.000-04:00

This past weekend my wife and I were gifted with her parents watching our two little girls while we were able to load the truck and get away to the Adirondacks for two days of athletic competition. Me, competing in my third straight race at the Black Fly Challenge (a 40mi dirt road race between Indian Lake, NY and Inlet, NY). Her, competing in the Lake Placid Marathon (1/2 Marathon for her).

I Have Good News, More Good News, And More Good News

2011-05-11T20:20:00.000-04:00

Lately I've seen a lot more cyclists hitting the famed roads of the Catskill Region. No one can blame them. We have some of the best riding the East Coast has to offer. If you want to be really fit for your next race, group ride, or 2011 fitness goals, you need to be here. In years past, we've been a 'best kept secret', but I'd like to think this site has helped move that fact into the

Kill'n It

2011-04-11T22:37:00.000-04:00

Wow it's been a while. Many of you sent emails to make sure I was still alive, and other sent hate mail wishing I wasn't. I'm sorry for the time lapse between then and now, but sometimes life happens. And sometimes 4-6 weeks of life happens. Which is what happened to me . Finish Line For most cyclists, being off the bike can have a traumatic effect on the psyche. And I have to admit

Pepacton Reservoir Ride, Cyclocross Tires, and Winter Cycling

2011-02-14T21:08:00.001-05:00

360 degree view from Shavertown Bridge - Pepacton Reservoir The Pepacton Reservoir (a drinking water reservoir for NYC) is probably most locally known for the record-sized Brown Trout fisherman pull out of its waters each summer. However, it's also famous amongst cyclists as being one of the more pristine and flatter rides to be found here in the Catskill Park. The Pepacton Reservoir ride is

Handle With Care

2011-02-05T21:45:00.001-05:00

This past week was whirlwind of entertainment in the cycling world with "The Gospel According To Floyd". It was a transcribed -7hr interview by Paul Kimmage at Landis' residence. It was intriguing and at the same time exhausting to read. If you have some time, you may enjoy the read (not sure if 'enjoy' is the right word though). I'm a born skeptic by nature, so let's get that out of the way

Got Hills?

2011-02-01T18:22:00.000-05:00

For several months now I've been reading a blog titled "The Daily Grind". The blog's author is Rob Manning - an amazing writer, photographer, sport science graduate, bike geek, racer, enthusiast, and Hudson Valley Chiropractor (who specializes dealing with athletes, by the way). Living so close to the Catskill Mountains, he's ridden his bike here from time to time. Since he's a fan of

Did somebody say shift up?

2011-01-29T18:47:00.000-05:00

Map My Ride doesn't compare to Strava. Especially with the elevation. Won't forget my GPS next time! Today was one of those days that just come together. Yesterday I swung into Overlook Bikes to pick up my MTB wheel (broke a spoke back on the Wissahickon Park adventure - Philly). Steve is one of the wrenches there and his girlfriend Dorothy are two of the area's more serious athletes.

This I Believe

2011-01-25T13:31:00.000-05:00

I believe we all have the right to be happy. Bikes are fun and make people happy, no doubt. I believe every child should own a bicycle and not live in fear of having it stolen. In fact, if everyone owned a bike, there should (theoretically) be less bike theft. No? I believe enlightenment is achieved through the conservation of energy. Not physical energy, but actual energy. Driving a car

Training Rollers Or Skinny Skis? Easy Choice . .

2011-01-18T13:34:00.001-05:00

Like moths to the flame, people are drawn to a fresh carpet of snow. It's able to drag even the most sedentary onto its shining stage. The biting cold tends to loose teeth when the snow it follows lets people pull out the winter gear they spent good money on, only to get a few weekends per Winter to put to use. And before it goes out of style, "god damn it, we're gonna use 'em". Rochester

An Interview With Georgia Gould

2011-01-05T20:41:00.002-05:00

If you caught Ryan Trebon's Tweet back in October, you'd have read he was riding around Arkville, NY and said it was some of the best riding in the country. He didn't say why he was here, but Georgia Gould has family here and has been spotted every now and again. So it made sense he was here with Georgia and confirmed it with a follow-up Tweet some hours later. So being that Georgia's Aunt is

New Years Revolutions

2011-01-01T20:43:00.001-05:00

2010 was a great year for cycling, wasn't it? We had serious prosecution of drivers injuring cyclists, we had the Secretary of Transportation tell us this is "the age of the bicycle", we had NYC exceed comparable metro areas by adding a lot of miles of new bike lanes and paths for the residents and visitors of NYC, we had People For Bikes and Bikes Belong working hard to do their part by raising

Hmm . . You Guys Do What Where?

2010-12-27T17:19:00.005-05:00

Got A Problem With The East Coast? From a recreational standpoint, there's not a lot that separates the Catskill and Adirondack Parks of NY from the big bad open spaces of the West, that so many young adults race to be part of; then typically have children and rush back East to be closer to family. Don't get me wrong, I love it out West. The western states are unique and varied, and are pure