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Bike and Dine 2007 - Oct. 6, 2007
This was a joint event with the Southern Tier Bicycle Club (STBC)
Photos by Tim Hanna
View Trip Reports
Breakfast at Neptune
Catskill Scenic Trail (CST) Ride from Bloomeville to Stamford,
Coordinated by Nancy Botting with the Southern Tier Bicycle Club (STBC)
Photos coming soon ... check back later!
Read Nancy Botting's trip report below.
On a record breaking warm October day, a group of
nine riders were treated to beautiful views of the Catskill
foothills, with leaves in full color on the STBC TCSC CST ride.
Riding the trail were five ski club members, and four bike club
members.... We rode approx. 28 miles on the trail, turning around in
Stamford--- a few wandered around town, while the more adventurous (aka-
crazy) of us thought we'd summit Mt Utsayantha on our bikes... after
riding about a mile UP hill --- someone mentioned our turnaround
time (we had to get the skiiers back to Oneonta for dinner with the
rest of their group that went to Plattekill) -- Hard to believe it
was after 2 PM already -- and we had no choice but to turn back....
we had more than another mile of UP hill to go, and there was no way
we could do that, and still get the group back to Oneonta on
time.... so halfway up the mountain we aborted our mission and
returned to Stamford, regrouping with the others in town, and
returned to the trailhead.
Two STBC'ers went with Tim Hanna and the rest of the Ski club to
Plattekill for a fun-filled day of downhill (not as easy as it
sounds) mountain biking.... hopefully we'll get a report from either
Chris or Dave on their adventures of the day !!
BTW-- the ladies of the ski club that accompanied me on the trail
ride did VERY WELL !!! For NON-bikers, they met the challenge of a
long ride on gravel and dirt -- and they were still smiling when we
got done (and maybe a few comments about certain parts of their
anatomy being VERY sore !!!--- ok, maybe a LOT of comments about
that...)
Nancy
Our Mountain Biking Adventure at Plattekill Mountain ... (Several STBC
and TCSC members went to Plattekill for downhill mountain biking ...
Coordinated by Tim Hanna of TCSC)
Read reports
written by Chris Mencel and Tim Hanna
Sabatini's Restaurant - Oneonta ... (Members of each group got back
together at the end of the day for dinner [and a few laughs.])
Trip Reports
A few thoughts about Mountain biking at Plattekill by Christopher
Mencel
An adventure it was--we (or at least I)
started out as much out of our (my) element as a nordic skier on flat
land. However, after a little practice, I realized riding downhill over
ruts, roots and rocks isn't so difficult with full suspension and the
false sense of security (and bravado) that a set of knee and elbow pads
provides. After a couple of runs we were going over rougher terrain and
at higher speeds than I ever expected just a few hours before. Also,
lightly squeezing a little brake lever has a certain seductive appeal
over the work of continuously pushing those pedals round 'n' round--and
the fact that every time we came to an uphill, there was a guy who
picked up our bikes and put them on a lift for us--practically
eliminating the need to downshift. Now that's bicycling!!??
And as if the idea of 'riding without pedaling' wasn't enough; the
spectacular fall foliage panoramas; fresh mountain air; and warm
sunshine slanting in from a blue sky we'd be lucky to have any time of
year let alone two weeks past the end of summer--were like a trip to
disneyland: you know you likely won't see it again for a long time so
you'd best drink up every precious moment!
The lift line was non-existent and the rental shop was extremely
courteous and helpful in setting us up with freeride bikes for the
trail. We were very fortunate to have our knowledgeable guide, Mike,
showing us which trails to take to avoid the black diamonds; stay within
our capabilities, and not get lost. Thanks Mike!
After a trip like that all's I can say as I can say as come down off an
incredible experiential high is: 'Thanks Tim & Nancy for planning a
great trip. How about a repeat next year?' Chris
A few comments from Tim Hanna
Chris and Nancy, thanks for writing those
terrific reports. And I was really pleased to see the two clubs work
together on this event. Nancy did a great job of speaking at the ski
club meeting last Thursday night and represents STBC well.
It looks like we had a total of 20 people participate; 9 for the CST
ride and 11 at Plattekill. Of the Plattekill folks, 7 were ski club
members and 6 were STBC members. Obviously, there are some dual
memberships, which is also good. Hopefully we’ve made some bikers out of
skiers and visa versa.
The thing that strikes me about riding bikes at Plattekill is the way it
stirs up the memories of skiing. It’s a great “fix” for the skier that
has a few months to wait for the snow. At the same time, we enjoyed the
downhill mountain biking as a unique experience with its own thrills and
charm. There’s no reason to “wish the year away.” The season you’re in
is the right season to be in. Thanks to Danielle, Laszlo, Marie and our
skilled mountain guide, Mike, for making the Plattekill experience top
notch!
We captured a few images along the way. They are on the ski club Web
site at the following link. If anyone has more please send them.
http://www.tcscweb.com/Photos-BikeAndDine2007-10-6-07.htm
Thanks to everyone who rode on Saturday and thanks to Nancy for
coordinating the CST ride. We had a fun time.
Tim
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