Hi Gang.

Just a reminder to call the Trail Boss Hotline (631-499-3953) after 6am on the morning of a ride.  It's always a close call when thunderstorms are a possibility.  Also, bring your rain gear, just in case.

See you soon.

George.

Hi Gang.

I've just updated the website for next weekend's canoe trip.  This event requires a bit more planning on your part than showing up for a bike ride.  Please visit the website, do what you have to do, and let me know if you have any questions.

http://www.bikearoundlongisland.com/tripinfo.htm#CANOETRIP-Nissequogue

George.

Hi Gang -

You may want to check out this Newsday article, and possibly share it with anyone who may be using their bicycle to commute to work.

It 's a very timely piece, and contains a few words of wisdom by someone you might know.

http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzcov075755208jul07,0,1809544.story?page=1

Regards, George.

Hi Gang.

Be sure to check out "Musings From Mattituck", a creative commentary by Bill Egan on his experience on the day of the Mattituck ride

http://www.bikearoundlongisland.com/p080614/p080614.htm#Musings_From_Mattituck

Regards, George

Hi Gang.

Sometimes, life gets chaotic.  It has been, and thus the 2-week delay in posting the photos from our last ride.  Thanks to Dennis McKeever, we have a great photo documentary of the event.  Until I saw the photos, I didn't realize Dennis was so busy with his camera.  Thanks, Dennis.

http://www.bikearoundlongisland.com/p080726/p080726.htm

All the best,

George.

Hello Everyone,

It was nice meeting you all on the Mattituck ride. Is anyone else
riding the NFC next weekend? I'm signed up for the 66 mile route, but
if it's ridiculous hot may switch to the 25.

Take Care,
John

Hi John,

Donna and I are riding the 25 miles.

See you there.

Mike Tassone

The Park Ave and connecting streets from Brooklyn Bridge were closed for cars
the past Saturday and will be closed the next two Saturdays also. If you ever
wanted to ride on Manhattan but were scared of the traffic, this is your moment.

From last Saturdaya, see here:

http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/summer-streets-2008-nyc/

More info:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/home/home.shtml

I am training for a century, so I am will not ride the Summer streets. I am
going to ride to Nyack. Anyone who wants to ride Columbus Circle - Nyack -
Columbus Circle this Saturday (about 50 miles with some serious hills), let me
know.

martina

I'm new, interested in joining the group for the Sag Harbor trip.
Recommendations appreciated as to Bike Carrier for my '07 Maxima.  Thanks!

Hi Gang.

I've updated the website for the details of the 8/23 canoe trip.  The big difference this time is that it's in the afternoon.  Please visit the webite for details:

http://www.bikearoundlongisland.com/tripinfo.htm#CANOETRIP-Nissequogue

Also, please let me know when you've made your reservation so I know who to expect. 

See you on the river.

George.

Hi Gang.

Saturday's forecast is for 79 degrees and partly cloudy.  It's perfect canoeing weather.  For your convenience, I've included the details from the website below.  Be sure to reserve your canoe, and let me know when you've done so.

See you soon.

George.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canoe Trip - Nissequogue River

The Nissequogue is a tidal river, which means that the current changes direction as the tides change. The trip will be timed so that we will be paddling in one direction, with the current. Canoes should be reserved on an individual basis in advance by calling Bob's Canoe Rental at (631)269-9761. Mention that you'd like to start with George Waldbusser, as per the schedule below.  You must have a partner to rent a canoe.  Or, you could rent a kayak to paddle solo.  If you wish to try to find another person looking for a partner, send an email through the Yahoo Group by clicking here:  BikeAroundLongIsland@yahoogroups.com.  Trail Boss is not responsible for the results of any partnerships thus arranged.

Directions to starting point: Long Island Expressway to exit 53 - Sunken Meadow Parkway. Go north on parkway to exit SM3E, Route 25 (Jericho Turnpike). Take Jericho eastbound 4 miles to Paul T. Given Park on right. Park is just past the Route 25 and 25a merge, diagonally across the road from the statue of the Smithtown Bull.

FAQs (compliments of Bob)
Bob's Basic Instructions

More helpful info: 

• Release of Liability -   print and bring along one copy for each participant

• Dress as you would for the beach.

• Be sure to wear something on your feet that you can walk in the water with.

• Bring a waterproof bag (or 2 large garbage bags) and rope to tie your loose stuff to the boat and keep it dry.

• Bring food and drink - definitely lots of water.

• Don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray.

• Some have been known to bring water guns.

• Bring cash - no credit cards accepted.  The price is $50.  We may get a discount ($45) if we have at least 6 canoes, and we're able to sign up at the same time.  We might try letting Bob's people know when we arrive, but tell them we want to wait for a headcount to see if we have 6 or more before we pay.  Trail Boss has known Bob for about 25 years, and good will has always been the way of doing things (in both directions).  Please maintain your sense of humor if you are requested to pay the normal $50 rate. 

The schedule (8/23/2008):

• 12:30pm - Meet at Paul T. Given Park (across from The Bull). Park your car, gather your stuff and greet your friends.  On a nice day, the place can get chaotic.  The parking lot has 2 sections, and cars may be parked in either section.  The first section is where you enter from Jericho Turnpike.  The second section is beyond that, where the canoes are launched.  Meet the group near the canoe launch site (in the second section).  Try to get a headcount before paying, to see if we get a discount.  Pay Bob's people for your canoe rental.  Bring cash, as they cannot accept credit cards. 

• 1:00pm - Line up for a canoe, and hop in when told.  Expect beautiful scenery and no rapids.  Try to keep the rest of the group in sight.  We might head "upstream a couple hundred yards to see the waterfall before we go down the river.  This is not a race.  I've seen people get in their boat, take off, and we never see them again (that day).  Conditions permitting, we will look for a place to "hang out" on the banks of the Nissequogue.

• About 3 hours after starting - Arrive at Kings Park Bluff, where Bob's bus will take us back to our cars at the Paul T. Given Park (across from The Bull).   

Rain or foul weather:

I know what you're thinking.  Rain?  Impossible!  But, just in case, call the Trail Boss Hotline (631-499-3953) after 7am on the morning of the trip, just to be sure.  A chance of a shower might not scare us off, but a chance of a thunderstorm should be taken seriously. 

Hi Gang.

It's Friday (8/29) afternoon, and I'm about to start some website maintenance.  With a bit of luck, I'll be done in a day or two.  While this work is underway, you either won't be able to access the website, or strange things may happen.  Either way, I'll let you know when I'm done. 

George.

Hi Gang.

The maintenance went faster than I anticipated.  Everything should appear and behave as it did before.  Bike Around Long Island's website currently contains 3209 files that were all just moved around.  I found one that got lost in the process, and corrected that.  You can help by letting me know if you find anything else that isn't right, such as an empty box where a picture should be.

Our Fall season starts next Saturday - see you soon.

George.

Hi Gang.

We have a minor technicality regarding our planned ride to Jones Beach this Saturday.  The center section of the second bridge (of 3 bridges) is being replaced.  While some of our friends were able to sneak past the closed bike path by walking on the closed roadway a few days ago, that part of the roadway has now been removed.  I rode there today, and was able to do 25 miles round trip.  But somehow, without getting to the boardwalk, it just wasn't the same.  In place of the Jones Beach ride this Saturday, we'll probably do the Commack ride, with some possible extension to what we normally do.  Watch for details, and hope for good weather.

George.

Hi Gang.

Instead of Jones Beach on 9/13/08, we'll be doing the Commack-Sunken Meadow ride, weather permitting, of course.

http://www.bikearoundlongisland.com/tripinfo.htm#COMMACK

Be sure to call 631-499-3953 after 6am Saturday morning for a recorded message.

George.

This is my first post so I thought I'd introduce myself..

My name is John, I live in the Shirley/Mastic Beach area. I hadn't been
riding in quite some time until I had to turn in the plates to my car
for the summer(gotta love dmv!lol) I've been biking to/from the train
station almost everyday and to my second part time job in Bellport at
Home Depot which is a nice 8 mile ride each way.  As much as I'd like
to be able to take my first ride with all of you this weekend I'll be
unable to since it's at the shop for a tune up but I am looking forward
to joining you all some day.

Anyway, I am planning on doing a special 42 mile ride at the end of
this month for Cancer. I am doing this for a younger cousin of mine
with cancer. I won't get into the details about that,  but just wanted
to share the website with you all not knowing if you have heard of it
and/or might be interested.

http://www.pedalersforacure.org/

Hi Gang.

Photos are now available for the 9/13/08 Commack - Sunken Meadow ride.

http://www.bikearoundlongisland.com/p080913/p080913.htm

George.

Hi Gang.

Saturday's ride on Shelter Island, I thought, was a beautiful thing.  Not just the scenery and the weather, but friends (old & new) enjoying each other's company. 

Aside from taking the group picture at the beginning of a ride, I usually find it difficult to take more pictures along the way.  Some of you have filled that gap by bringing your cameras, and getting different shots wherever you see fit.  The collective result is far better than anything I could do myself. 

I'll wait a few days after a ride for you to send me your pictures, before I start posting them on the website.  It's easier to do them all at one time.

Thanks for all of your contributions.

George.