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READER LETTERS

Mountain Biking

The articles on mountain bike routes are great! Perhaps you could get Gary Thomann to compile a list of these routes into a published series. There's no comprehensive information out there on mountain biking opportunities [for intermediate and advanced riders] in the Adirondacks, Warren, Washington, Saratoga, or the greater Albany area.

Most of it is known by "word of mouth". So, if you have an ideas or suggestions, let me know. Our bike shop, Inside Edge, is always looking for routes to send people on. ADK just doesn't publish anything on mountain bikes, and I'm not sure if they want to encourage it.

Thanks!

Dave Matthews, Glens Falls
Reliable Racing Supply-Inside Edge Ski & Bike

Publisher's note: Dave, thanks for your email. As you know, this is a common topic of discussion. Gary Thomann is one of the contributors to the Adirondack Park 1994 Mountain Bike Preliminary Trail and Route Listing, published by the Adirondack North Country Association and Adirondack Mountain Club. It's a light blue, comb-bound book, which you see wherever books are sold in the Adirondacksãrecognized as the first attempt to identify and define mountain bike rides in the park. It influenced the original agreement to allow mountain bikes on the 1.3 million acres of land classified as Wild Forest in the Adirondack Park. Because some of the trails were not actually ridden by bikers, it can be difficult or unreliable for use as a guide.

In 1999, Backcountry Publications released 25 Mountain Bike Tours in the Adirondacks, by Peter Kick, a NYS-licensed Guide and graduate of Paul Smiths College. It covers rides of varying lengths for beginner and intermediate levels, focusing on the west-central wilderness and northwest lakes areas within the Park. The other title is part of the Falcon Guide Series, Mountain Biking New York, by Michael Margulis. The odd assortment of rides includes the northern Adirondacks, Catskills, Westchester County, Long Island, and northern New Jerseyãno trails in the greater Albany area, or Central or Western New York.

Great Mag

Just read the August issue, and wanted to let you know that you have a great publication. As an outdoor person, I'm always looking for new suggestions of things to do. I especially like the Mountain Biking trail reviews, and will be going to the Sargent Ponds-Raquette Lake trail (Adirondack Mountain Biking, August '00) this weekend.

I hope that you can keep the web site updated, and may even add information in advance of the printed version.

Overall, keep it up!

Peter Russell
Albany

I really love your paper, keep up the good work. I like the format you are following, it's refreshing. And real. Wish the frickin' rain would stop so I could ride my bike.

Julie Harrell
Cherry Plain

Congrats Father Dan Callahan!

Fr. Dan Callahan (Athlete Profile, August '00) successfully completed the Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon on July 31. He finished the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run course in 15:03:35 ® beating last year's time by almost 15 minutes. His pre-race prayers even kept the rain away!

In addition, more than $16,000 was raised to provide financial aid for individuals in need at St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Services in Saranac Lake, where Fr. Dan ministers. The cause was generously supported by an individual anonymous donation of $8,000. For the second year in a row, the St. Joseph's Aid Station won the $1,000 prize for the best and most spirited team on the run course®determined by applause from the triathletes.