There is a rather large and impassable landslide on River Road.
River Road landslide
Thu, 11/27/2003 - 10:06am
Thu, 11/27/2003 - 11:03am
#1
"The major landslide is located between Palisades Ave & Alpine. Large boulders and large trees completely block the road. We managed to climb over the debris carrying our bikes. This maneuver is treacherous and should not be attempted by a solitary cyclist.
Based on my experience how the Parks Commission operates I think we should be happy if this beautiful road is cleaned up by Spring and although I am not an expert on such matters I would estimate the cost of the cleanup and protecting the cliffside from further slides as ""into $7 figures""
"
Thu, 11/27/2003 - 12:43pm
#2
Unfortunate..
If Jay's estimate is anything close to correct, one wonders where the money will come from as I understand they haven't repaved the road for some time due to lack of funds. Maybe an appropriate emergency fund of some kind exists??
Fri, 11/28/2003 - 7:18am
#3
Poison Ivy
About 6 years ago I scrambled over a slide on River Road and had 6 weeks of poison ivy for my troubles. If you don't think you can get poison ivy this time again, you are wrong.
Fri, 11/28/2003 - 1:33pm
#4
River Road Landslide
"Definitely disappointing, though not surprising, to hear that this happened again. If past is prologue, things may not be as dire as some predict. There was a rather significant landslide in the first dip of the 2 ""roller coaster"" bumps (River Road cognoscenti should know where I mean) about 3 years ago. It was quite a job for the group I was with to pass bikes over the collection of boulders, branches and shrubbery, though we did ultimately get past the debris. The park officials managed to clean that mess up relatively quickly if my memory serves me correctly - I believe it was less than 1 month. (you weren't actually expecting me to write 1 week, were you)?
Let's hope they are as willing and capable this time around.
Hmmm. What is Richard Rosenthal going to do!!??"
Fri, 11/28/2003 - 2:28pm
#5
What's a limited, narrow, constricted, person of habit to do?
"Ron, thoughtfully having me in mind, asked, ""What is Richard Rosenthal going to do!!??""
Answer: Do what I have throughout history done at such a time: continue my winter (mid-Oct. to early April) respite.
...However, the last two rides I've lead on River Road, we've plunged (quite illegally) down that wonderful, serpentine road at the end of Hudson Terrace to River Road.
It has the benefit of bypassing the worst of the rotten pavement; plus it's a terrific descent. And an even more wonderful (and equally illegal) ascent.
So just maybe a short, but pretty neat ride would be roundtrip on River Road but only as far as the landslide and back--going up that illegal ascent back to Hudson Terrace.
Meanwhile, I'm still on the city's case to resurface the promised resurfacing of the curb cut onto the GWB.
Richard"
Wed, 12/03/2003 - 8:49pm
#6
that darn curb cut
Maybe at this point it would be easier for us to get a little cement and fix the curb cut ourselves.
I say this not without regard to what motivates Richard's crusade: the matter of principle above and beyond one hazardous piece of pavement. Please bear in mind that my proposed solution is probably illegal, providing grounds for both the City and the Club to waive principles in the interest of mutual convenience. Done anonymously in the dead of night (Note: consult almanac to find out when this occurs in Manhattan) this poetic justification need only exist in our collective cycling conscience.
Anyone handy with cement? Does Park make a pocket jackhammer? I'll show up with my trowel.
Cat
p.s. crusade probably too strong a word. no offense intended to RR or anyone else.
Wed, 12/03/2003 - 8:54pm
#7
Richard and the Law
Furthermore I imagine that my suggestion would appeal to one who so brazenly relishes illegal cycling(-related) activities.
Thu, 12/04/2003 - 8:31am
#8
It won't work.
"Good idea Cat. But, aside from the legalities, it's way too cold to cement. The water would freeze and then the cement would crack. Also, it would need a day at least to dry. Meanwhile, shoes prints, cleat prints, tire prints and ""Etoain loves (whomever)"" would appear in the cement - what's left of it.
And remember the lessons learned by many who have tried to participate on this board - no good deed goes unpunished, and humorous asides may earn you a title like ""Clown Prince"" from some of the little *****s out there trying without success to act regal.
I open the betting with a ;-)
Rgds, JP"
Thu, 12/04/2003 - 9:26am
#9
My name up in wet cement
"""Also, it would need a day at least to dry. Meanwhile, shoes prints, cleat prints, tire prints and ""Etoain loves (whomever)"" would appear in the cement - what's left of it.""
Please don't call her (whomever). She has a perfectly good name -- Raisehellfrieda. She is a very good rider.
I fell in love with her backwards, by drafting her. Curiosity caused me to pull ahead and see what she looked like from the front. Unfortunately, in the course of looking back at her over my right shoulder, I swerved to the right, in front of her, and we crashed. By the time we untangled ourselves from each other and our bikes, we were bloody in love.
Can you believe there are still some guys who go to lonely hearts websites to meet women? No wonder so many cyclists have non-bicycling partners! To quote an old Montenegrin cycling maxim, ""Sometimes you can have a lucky crash.""
Your Pal,
Etoain
"
Thu, 12/04/2003 - 1:44pm
#10
cold weather construction
Concrete of the correct chemical compostion can be placed in sub-freezing temperatures and can even be placed underwater. Concrete is a chemical reaction and actually generates heat. When Hoover Dam wa being built, an extensive system of piping was provided to cool the concrete. Asphalt, however, is another issue. Asphalt is a far less complex material and most asphalt plants shut down for the winter.
If someone wants to know the details, I believe that there are some structural engineers out there who could tell you the right concrete mix and admixture. Any volunteers?
Thu, 12/04/2003 - 2:54pm
#11
"Although I do not have a degree in Civil Engineering, I do concur with your posting. Cement ""drying"" is in fact an exothermic reaction -- heat is released. Some cements can be poured down to -10 degrees Celsius. However, at the rate the weather is going, we would have to make our repairs very soon...
"
Thu, 12/04/2003 - 4:17pm
#12
Enjoy your ride at -10 celsius. At that temperature, I don't care what the roads are like or even if they are there. On the other hand, with a landslide and snow, River Road would be a decent x-country ski trail,good off-season training.
Thu, 12/04/2003 - 9:32am
#13
What about...
The crumbly curb cut may be a hassle, and it's state of disrepair is a certain indicator that cyclists' needs rank pretty darn low on the DOT's priority list, but it's hardly a major hazard. On any ride up to the GWB, I'm sure you can find holes and cracks in the roads far more likely to take someone down.
Actually, I think that the large steel plate embedded in the sidewalk just a few feet east of the bike/ped ramp is far more dangerous. Coming off the ramp, one needs to make a hard right turn onto the sidewalk, and when you hit that plate when it's wet... That, along with the fact that it lies within inches of automobile traffic, ought to be of greater concern.
