Pedal party: Albany Social Cycling is a whole vibe

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re introducing you to the cool kids behind Albany Social Cycling. Also, Easter Sunday, Earth Week and 4/20 are all colliding this weekend, making for some interesting mashups. See our weekend guide to navigate to the best events.

Let’s 🐇 to it!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Pedal Party: Albany Social Cycling takes off 🚴‍♀️ 

During the pandemic, it seemed like we collectively rediscovered the joy of biking, and bike shops everywhere struggled to keep up with the demand.

Of course, bike advocates have been touting the benefits of bicycling for years—and forming social clubs around their shared love of traveling on two wheels.

In Portland, there’s Shift2Bikes. In Los Angeles, you’ve got Critical Mass (this month’s Soul Train-themed ride looks rad). Social Cycling NYC organizes Thursday night rides through the streets of Manhattan.

Inspired by their counterparts down in the city, there’s now Albany Social Cycling, Troy Social Cycling, and Saratoga Social Cycling.

Albany Social Cycling came to life in 2022 when Matthew McGowen, who used to join the Thursday night rides in NYC, moved to the Capital District and pitched some friends on starting something similar up here. Matt owns the Freewheel Bike Shop in Albany.

The group has since grown into a thriving community of bike-loving folks looking for fun and connection.

“The first ride was just six of us,” says Menucha Rachel Bindell, a nursing student at Hudson Valley Community College and one of the core organizers. “Now we’ve had up to 100 people show up.”

The crew rides on Thursday evenings, always starting at 6:30 pm by the Washington Park Playhouse. No fancy gear required—just bring your bike and a sense of fun. The vibe is intentionally casual.

“You don’t need to wear anything special,” says Erica Schneider, another core organizer and the policy and planning manager at Parks & Trails New York. “Just show up in your regular clothes and ride.”

In fact, thanks to CDPHP Cycle!, you don’t even need your own bike. Every Thursday, the club sends out a code to get a free bike-sharing rental. 

Expect everyone from hardcore cyclists to stroller-towing parents. Every ride includes a social stop at a cafe, bar or restaurant. "We’ve had babies in trailers and people in their 60s,” Menucha says. “There’s a real mix.”

Tim Gailie, the group’s map wizard, does a great job of setting a bike-friendly course every week. Other volunteers watch out for traffic, making sure everyone stays safe.

One of the goals of Albany Social Cycling is to make biking more visible. “We want the city to see how many more people would bike if they felt safe,” Erica says. “The infrastructure isn’t quite there yet, but we’re showing what’s possible.”

The other goal is to simply inspire connection. “I moved here during the pandemic and knew no one,” Menucha says. “This ride gave me a community.”

The deets: Join Albany Social Cycling every Thursday at 6:30 pm by the Washington Park Lakehouse—until it gets too cold to ride. The crew’s first ride of the season starts TONIGHT 🥳 

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🎸 Albany’s Alive at Five concert series will return to its original home at Tricentennial Park this year, following a $1.25 million facelift. Relocating the free summer concerts from the riverfront back downtown is intended to breathe “life back into our newest and fastest-growing neighborhood,” says da mayor. [Metroland]

🍕 DeFazio’s at 216 is a massive expansion for the beloved Troy pizzeria, but a “big success,” according to the TU’s dining critic. The modern, black-and-white design is a major departure from the original restaurant, but the wood-fire pizza is still delicious as ever. Diners are especially clamoring for chef Max Clement’s pastas. As a result, reservations are still hard to come by. [Times Union]

💼 In case you missed it… Sticker Mule, led by controversial CEO (and outspoken Trump supporter) Anthony Constantino, is laying off 68 employees after the Amsterdam company installed 250 robots to automate tasks. The reaction on r/Albany was not kind, to say the least. [Times Union]

⭐️ Earth Day is our chance to celebrate our precious planet. Find numerous events throughout the Capital Region: Dyken Pond Earth Day Gathering | Common Roots South Glens Falls Earth Day Fundraiser | Earth Day Jellyfish Touch Tank at Via Aquarium | Nine Pin Warehouse District Cleanup. We’ll be at the South End Earth Day Celebration at the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center from 9a—3p.

⭐️ The Easter Bunny is gonna be a busy fella this weekend. Some highlights: Easter Egg Hunt at Via Aquarium | Love Albany Egg Hunt in Washington Park | Easter Egg Hunt benefiting The Children's Museum in Saratoga | Dick’s House of Sport in Latham | Dutch Apple Cruises’ Easter Brunch | K9 Easter Egg Hunt at Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville | Easter Egg Hunt at S&S Farm Brewery in Nassau

🐰 The Easter Egg Hunt at Ten Broeck Mansion looks grand, but unfortunately, tix are sold out. You can get on the waiting list, though.

⭐️ Easter Sunday 🤝 4/20. Catch the Reefer Easter Comedy Spotlight at Madison Theatre, Sun, 7:30p, $10. Need to get into, uh, higher spirits? Check out the Royale Flowers 420 Fest on Fri & Sat. RR Legacy Dispensary in Glens Falls is also putting on egg hunts for adults this weekend.

⭐️ Our top Easter pick: At the Unbridled Horse Sanctuary Open Days, you’ll be able to meet all of their sweet rescue ponies, snuggle with the snow donkeys, and marvel at the mules, Molly & Arnie. Sun, 12—3p, free (but tickets are going fast).

⭐️ Farming While Black is a full-length doc highlighting Black farmers in America, including Soul Fire Farm co-founder Leah Penniman. Watch the film at the Albany Institute of History & Art, then find her portrait in the terrific Americans Who Tell the Truth exhibition. Make it a day at the museum! Sat, 2p, free with admission.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🌎️ It’s Earth Week (and spring break) at miSci, so bring the kids to any one of these STEM workshops to get them off their screens.

TONIGHT

🚴 Albany Social Cycling starts up their season with a casual evening ride, starting at the Washington Park Playhouse.

FRIDAY

🎛️ On Friday, Paper Moon in Troy puts on a mini-rave in its fantastic shop / gallery. Check their full calendar for similarly cool events all month.

SATURDAY

♻️ Give planned obsolescence the middle finger as Toolshed Catskill hosts the Ecoshed Repair Café, from 10a—2p at the Catskill Fire Department. Expert volunteers will be on hand to help you repair broken toasters, lamps, bikes, jeans, chairs and much more. Free & open to all. Because the most sustainable things are the things you already own.

🐰 Not all bunnies are cute. The Upstate Oddities Market celebrates an eerie Easter on Saturday with its Nightmare Bunny. Uh, we’re really supposed to bring the kids to this?

🎬️ In honor of 4/20, Context Collective Movie Night features the classic stoner hit, “Dazed and Confused”. $5-$10 suggested donation.

SUNDAY

😮‍💨 Method Man, Redman, Ghostface and other rap stars highlight the Just A Little Music Festival: Smokers Edition at the MVP Arena.

🏳️‍🌈 The No Mans Land Film Festival at Skidmore is touted as the first all-women and gender-queer adventure film festival! Free.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Weekly deadline: Sundays at 2pm

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