Starting Monday, I will help put on a mass bike ride from Albany to the Battery in NYC. The Hudson Valley Pedal will go through great countryside and now more solidly Democratic Congressional districts. We'll camp out along the way, meet local elected officials, fix flats, talk politics and drink beer. (A truck brings tents, luggage, food, so we bike with minimal burdens).

In case long distance, multi-day biking feels to be too much for you, I want to alert you to two NYC opportunities:

On Sunday September 9, 2007, The NYC Century offers cycling options at every range: 100, 75, 50 , 35 & 15 mile routes. Because many fewer people go on it, than on the 5 BBC ride in the spring (6,000 vs. 42,000), the mob scene aspect of the ride is much reduced. People say the lack of crush makes the NYC Century a lot of fun. I plan to help out on the ride. Come say "hi!" The ride costs money, benefits Transportation Alternatives and fills up; register now.

On Sunday Oct 21, 2007 The Tour de Bronx (which was my first and for that reason perhaps) is still my favorite mass bike ride. Thousands of brightly colored spandex/gel butts biking down the Grand Concourse is a starkly startling sight still. It's free , sponsored by Transportation Alternatives and others and lunch and snacks etc. are provided (but their quality has, sadly of late declined, in my view -- but did I say it's free?). It comes in 25 mile and 40 mile routes and while I recommend the the 40 miles, people should remember that parts of the Bronx are very hilly and plan accordingly.