The New Golden Apple
September 5th, 2010
By Kate Marshall - updated 1/13/10
For almost 30 years, the Golden Apple has been the season highlight for many local and regional cyclists. From the 25 mile to the 125-mile ride, everyone has a great time. The Golden Apple Tour is made possible through the dedicated work of WCC volunteers. For the past several years, we have donated a portion of its proceeds to Friends of Karen and New York Bicycle Coalition. Last year, we received great feedback from riders and volunteers and we have already begun planning and working to make the 2010 Golden Apple better than ever.
Labor Day weekend turned out to be a very favorable day for the ride. 99% of the folks who responded to our survey stated that they liked having the ride on the holiday weekend. For a few, having the ride on Labor Day creates conflict and means they will miss the ride, but for the vast majority it fits in nicely with weekend plans and gives a day to recover. So, Golden Apple 2010 will be on Sunday, September 5th.
Key to improving the event is getting more volunteer participation. The work begins now. We are updating the routes and looking for ways to make the ride safer, such as fewer left turns and less overlap. We want to make sure everybody gets lunch at Golden’s Bridge, so we hope to create more options. Signs will be used in addition to road markings. Maps and cue sheets will be available online.
Registration will be open earlier for century and 125mi riders so that they can be on the road by 7:00. Lunch tickets will be required to ensure that everyone gets a delicious sandwich. Food will be abundant at all rest stops, and we plan to have more food and beverage choices including the very popular baked potatoes.
At Golden’s Bridge we hope to enhance the post ride experience with more vendors, music and activities. While we will not be raising the price for the Golden Apple 2010, we will no longer be giving away shirts. We will give away reusable tote bags full of valuable items and coupons. WCC merchandise, including Golden Apple T shirts will be available for purchase at Golden’s Bridge.
The Golden Apple 2009 was great thanks to near perfect weather. With your feedback we hope to make 2010 better yet. Please put the Golden Apple on your cycling calendar now. If you are a member, please contact me, Kate Marshall, to volunteer kttrue@gmail.com. If you are planning to ride, please register early online. Consider joining us on some training rides. See you on the road!
Action Alert: New Hazards to Bicyclists
NYSDOT Proposing Widespread Use of Rumble Strips
Contact NYSDOT and Your Legislators - Urge NYSDOT Not to Jeopardize the Safety of Its Roadway Users!
Current NYSDOT Policy: Do not install rumble strips on secondary roads except in rare instances.
Proposed NYSDOT Policy: Installation of rumble strips will be the preferred practice in the design of all secondary roads with a few exceptions.
Rumble Strips are a well-documented hazard to bicyclists; the debacle on Rt. 100 is proof enough. Accepted practice nationwide dictates rumble strips be used only sparingly on roads permitting cycling.
NYSDOT is proposing an Engineering Instruction (EI), titled “Secondary Highway Audible Roadway Delineators – Guidance and Policy,” which is at variance with the practices recommended by the Federal Highway Administration, The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and other standards setting agencies. Such national agencies generally recommend rumble strips are to be used on two-lane roads if there is a documented run-off-the road accident problem — and then used only as a last resort due to the hazards they create for other roadway users, including bicyclists.
Contact NYSDOT and your legislators to urge NYSDOT to not issue the proposed policy TODAY. Call, write, or email (or utilize all three methods of communication) your Assembly Member, State Senator and the Commissioner of Transportation.
Who represents me?
Who's my NYS Assemblyperson?
Click here to search by Zip Code
Who's my NYS Senator?
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At the above sites, clicking on the highlighted names will bring you directly to the legislator’s official website where you may make comments.
How to contact NYSDOT
Website:
Click here to email NYSDOT
Or write:
Commissioner Stanley Gee
NYS Department of Transportation
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12232
More Information
* Cycling Central at LoHud.com
* Idea has cyclists ready to rumble (LoHud.com)
* Press Release (PDF - New York Bicycling Coalition)
* A Safety Move That Cyclists Call a Menace (New York Times)
* Streetblog New York City
* Rumble Strip Grumble (Bicycle Colorado)