Multi-modal to Albany

October 11, 2012

Albany, New York is the capital of the state of New York, and it is also a business and educational hub. A large number of colleges and universities make their home in and around the city, so that college-town-vibe has roots in a number of places around the city. Also, the only Brompton dealer in the upstate region keeps business across from Washington Park on Madison Avenue (only about 6 blocks from a great coffee shop on Lark Street!) I had business in Albany, and I wanted to try to make the trip without my car using only the Brompton and public transportation. While others in many places around the world routinely do this, in this part of New York State, people see this as an oddity. "If you own a car, why would you bicycle?" "You use the train? That's so quaint!"

The morning of my trip, I fit what I needed into the Brompton touring bag and pedaled the 5ish miles (8 km) to the train station. There are only 4 trains a day from Syracuse to Albany, so this one was not to be missed. Today, the train was only about 15 minutes late. I've waited for much longer before. Amtrak allows a folded bicycle as one of 3 checked bags, and I did not check. I carried on, stowing the bicycle in the convient storage rack just past the toilets from the entrance door.

Notice in the following photo that the bike fit most easily in the top space on the rack. I worried a little that it might tip, and the train started and stopped gently enough that that was no real concern. This might be a little difficult for some to lift it that high. My configuration is a very pretty heavy one, and I had no trouble. The conductor did make a comment about how small the bike folded. I have yet to see another Brompton in my travels, so I'm pretty sure he's never seen one before.

In retrospect, I am likely to avoid taking the train all the way to Albany in the future. I think I will get off at the station in Schenectady, the city-stop before Albany. Just outside of the Albany station, the train stopped for over 20 minutes while it was divided into two sections. One section went north-east to Boston and the other went south to New York City. I thought it would be better to get off at the Albany-Rensselaer station and ride from there because it was a shorter ride to my destination by a couple of miles. The 20 minute wait added to the hill climb from one side of the Hudson across the bridge down to downtown Albany and then the second hill climb up out of the valley makes me think that getting off the train earlier is a better choice.

One interesting note: I stopped off at my favorite Albany pub, C. W. Evans Brewery at the Albany Pump Station for a pint on the way out of the Hudson Valley. I rode right to the door, and folded up my bike, carrying it and my T-bag into a corner near the bar. As soon as I sat down, the owner of the establishment came up to me, interested in talking to me about folding bicycles. He's a boater, interested in finding foldies to put on his powerboat for when he is docked. I have to admit a small sin. While I did extol the virtues of the Brompton, I specifically neglected to send him directly the the LBS that sells Bromptons. I am ashamed, and I'll explain later why I was so reluctant. And he was kind enough to buy me my pint. Sigh... I am a selfish bastard...

On my way to my hotel, I did pass this sight. I couldn't help stopping for this photo. I've heard that the buses are for tours of the city of Albany, but I haven't seen any on the road?

After a quick ride (once I was out of the valley) through what was mostly sub-urban bedroom communities, arrival at the hotel cheered me up. The room was comfortable, and, more importantly, there was a good Belgian style ale at the hotel restaurant! Nobody seemed to mind that I didn't have a car to list on my hotel registration.

I will definitely make an effort to multi-modal my way to Albany again.

Riding the Saratoga Battlefield (and Downtown Albany and Syracuse)

On the web I found a local cycling club's map for a ride from Congress Park in Saratoga Springs to and around the Saratoga Battlefield. The whole ride was about 75 km and more than I wanted to bite off without really testing the new bike. So I drove to the battlefield and was at the Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. when they opened. Very friendly people gave me a map and brochure that, not only showed the park, but also briefly described the two major battles that occurred in 1777. Find the brochure here. Here is the link to the park's website.

The vistor center is located on a ridge that looks over most of the park and battlefield.

What a beautiful bicycle! Did I tell you that the owner of my LBS told me that mine was the most beautiful Brompton he had sold. :)

This was part of the American fortifications overlooking the road and the Hudson River. 

Wheels certainly have changed in 240 years.

The ride was about 17 km, but took a while, because I kept stopping to read the information posted along the way. The sun shone. The leaves had just started to turn. There was a light wind, and temperatures of around 60F (15C). The road was paved and smooth with only moderate hills. I didn't need 1st or 6th, but used the all of the others. I had been concerned that shifting the two systems, derailleur and hub gear would be confusing and difficult to learn, but that was silly. I figured it out very quickly and the bicycle is really very forgiving.

It was still early when I finished. On the entire loop I had seen no one else but two cars, one of which was the park service. Calm, peaceful, and relaxed on a British made bicycle. A significant difference to the carnage of the battles: 500 American and 1200 British casualties over the course of 3 weeks.

After an easy fold back in to the boot of my car, I drove down to Albany for a second visit at the LBS. Before the visit, I parked near the shop, and took a fast run down the hill to visit a favorite pub of mine. Stopping for a photo op at the New York State Education Department building. I'm sure I was having more fun than anyone working there. And I know a few working there that would have wished to be where I was going!

The Albany Pump Station is a converted.. pump station.. that years ago fed water to the city out of the Hudson river. Now, fortunately, the city gets its water from other place. I didn't have too much time, so it was a quick pint.

The bicycle nestled nicely next to my stool at the bar. :)

Just as I was getting up to leave, a tour bus showed up and disgorged many gray-haired people wearing name tages and labeling them as part of Jubilee Tours from Abilene, Texas. There were so many that they clogged the hostess stand and the doorway and spilled out on to the front steps. I had to "excuse me" my way through the crowd, caring the bike and dodging the people standing on the walk. Outside, I quickly unfolded to a growing buzz of interest from the Texans. I got on and pulled away and a few (apparently easily impressed folks) applauded. That's the first time this fat old man has been celebrated for just riding a bicycle!

After the visit with at my LBS, I drove back to Syracuse. I had an appointment at the Apple store to sort out a problem with my MacBook Pro, and I had made arrangements to meet family for dinner. Last week, this would have meant that we would drive two cars to get it all done. Instead, I rode the bike to the mall, folded it up, and rolled it through to the Apple store. Dropped the computer off, rolled the bike back through the mall and out. Quick and easy.

For the ride to dinner where I was to meet my others, I was able to use the Creekwalk path that leads from the mall to Syracuse's small restaurant and bar area. Glad I was wearing glasses; the gnats were out in force and provided a small appetizer.

I like how this works! And I was able to put in a lot of miles. Life is good!