CYCLOPEDIA: ROCHESTER

2011 Rochester Royals

marc.lavender — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:05:56 +0000

Intro Lesson: Rochester Royals (album)

Rochester’s professional basketball team, the Rochester Royals, called Rochester home from their 1945/46 season until the 1956/57 season. They played in the National Basketball League from 1945 – 1948, and in the National Basketball Association from 1948 until 1957. The also won the NBA championship in their 1950/51 season, defeating the New York Knicks in 7 games.

The Royals eventually moved to Cincinnati, Kansas City (where the existing professional baseball team forced a name change to the Kings), and then to Sacramento where they have remained ever since as the Sacramento Kings.

Word of the Day: armory

(from Middle English armerie = to bear arms)

The Rochester Royals used to play at Rochester’s Main Street Armory, which now hosts many local and national performances.

Trip: We headed out from the club and headed to one of our favorite transition routes – the Genesee River Trail. We then headed north to Chestnut Street where the kids got to learn how nasty chip seal can be on bike tires. They then go to watch Marc change his flat tire. From there we headed north along Hudson Avenue past the headquarters of one of our sponsors, R Commnuity Bikes, where one of their staff Tim Kearney gave us some insight into the work they do. From there, it was straight to St. Stanislaus Hall, the former practice court for the Rochester Royals. It was the perfect spot for a little R&R before we headed back to the club. Unfortunately, limited time and the near-90 degree heat kept us from visiting the Armory, so from St. Stanislaus we headed west to the Genesee River and then headed home via the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge at High Falls and then Brown Street.

Riders’ Photos:
This trip was on August 20, 2011
Trip distance: 11.5 miles
Programming time: 2.5 hours
Participants: Alex Forbes (12), Sid Forbes (10 1/2), Damien Grant (12), Jazz Griffin (12), Keyon McClary, Jonathan Shellman, Malik Sturgis

Leaders: Marc Lavender, Eric Soublet

2011 Rochester Royals

2011 Erie Canal (West) (girls)

marc.lavender — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:38:05 +0000

Intro Lesson We decided to focus on a less structured ride with an emphasis on observation and documentation through photography.

Word of the Day exploration

(L. ex- ‘out’ + plorare‘utter a cry.’)

Trip

At the club we reviewed the map to orient ourselves. We cruised down Genesee Street to the Genesee Valley Trail where we stopped to take photos at the junction of the Genesee River with the Erie Canal. We took a right turn to head west along the Canal Trail and stopped at a few more places along the way for more photos and plenty of water breaks. The riders had a great time cruising the trails and exploring the surrounding landscape: bugs, plants, birds, etc.: an engaging blend of the natural with the man-made. Back at the club we uploaded the photos and practiced editing.

This trip was on August 11, 2011
Trip distance: 6.6 miles
Programming time: 2.5 hours
Participants: **

Leaders: Shawn Brown

2011 Erie Canal (west – girls’ trip)

2011 B-Boy BBQ

Cappy — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:10:35 +0000

ALBUM

Intro Lesson Hip Hop
The lesson focused on Hip Hop culture, and the B-Boy BBQ. We discussed the ”true” meaning of the culture, and how it started. Hip Hop started in New York City in the late 70′s as a way for urban youth to express their feelings about everyday happenings in their communities. We also learned the four elements of Hip Hop culture: DJing, MCing, graffiti, and B-Boying. Our lesson centered around the art of Hip Hop, and it being a path for youth to express their creativity, skill, and love for all people.

Word of the Day graffiti
(It. graffio = a scratch)
In ancient times, Roman soldiers would carve their names on monuments—an early form of graffiti.

Trip
The riders were looking forward to the Rochester B-Boys BBQ all summer.
[insert text here]

Riders’ Photos
Davontay Bradley
Bre’asia Gibson
Damien Grant
Momoh Kamara
Vanni Kamara
Keyon McClary
Johnathan Shellman

This trip was on August 06, 2011
Trip distance: 7.6 miles
Programming time: 2.5 hours
Participants: Davontay Bradley, Bre’asia Gibson, Damien Grant, Momoh Kamara, Vanni Kamara, Keyon McClary, Johnathan Shellman

Leaders: Shawn Brown, Tania Caballero, Cappy Collins, Marc Lavender, Emily Lynch, Galina Radunsky, Eric Soublet

2011 B-Boy BBQ

2011 Geocaching

Cappy — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:36:43 +0000

ALBUM

Intro Lesson Geocaching
In the spirit of exploring one’s environment we decided to find a local geocache—a hidden object that can be found be using GPS coordinates.

Word of the Day geocache
(Gk. geo- = earth + Fr. cacher = to hide)
A geocache is an item hidden somewhere on earth.

Trip
After reviewing the safety rules of the road at the club we headed out toward Corn Hill in search of a geocache we found listed on the geocaching.com website. We parked our bikes at the north end of Clarrisa and ventured around the fence of the playground to find the ice rink parking lot… and a pile of snow in August. A brief snowball fight ensued. Then, back to the search. We knew the cache was magnetic, and there was a steel grate on the side of the building. On closer inspection we found the magnetic box stuck to the underside of the grate and we added our name to the list. Our successful searchers then spent some time climbing the nearby trees and taking photos.

Riders’ Photos
Rayauna Goodman
Chaunny Joyner
Imoni Lewis-McDonald
Brianna Lundy

This trip was on August 04, 2011
Trip distance: 4.4 miles
Programming time: 1.5 hours
Participants: Rayauna Goodman, Chaunny Joyner, Imoni Lewis-McDonald, Brianna Lundy, Shannon Oliver

Leaders: Shawn Brown, Cappy Collins, Dan King

2011 Geocache

2011 Aviation (girls trip)

Cappy — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 22:10:35 +0000

ALBUM

Intro Lesson Aviation
We replicated most of John Curran’s aviation trip for the girls trip this week: from lighter-than-air travel to propellor-driven biplanes to Rochester’s very own Tuskegee Airman, we provided hands-on demonstrations to memorably convey the importance of these events in Rochester’s history.

Words of the Day epaulette
(Fr. epaule = shoulder; epaulette = little shoulder)
General Fitz-John Porter, pioneer of balloon reconnaissance, wore epaulettes on his military uniform.

aviation
(L. avis = bird)
Aviation is the practice of flying aircraft.

Trip
Early balloonists used lighter-than-air gas (like sulfuric acid mixed with iron filings to produce hydrogen). General Fitz-John Porter used this technology during the Civil War for reconnaissance since it’s easier to see where the enemy is from a high vantage point. At the club we demonstrated how a ground crew worked together to launch and retrieve the manned balloon. We then rode to Camp Fitz-John Porter along the Genesee to take photos.

Rochester’s former airfield is on the site of the current Strong Hospital. We put on our own airshow with balsa wood planes to see who could go the farthest.

The last stop was the Mount Hope Cemetery where John had discovered the unmarked grave of Theodore Lancaster, Rochester native and Tuskegee Airman. Lt. Lancaster’s body was returned to Rochester at the time of his death in Alaska, but he had no remaining family to pay for a headstone. We saw the flowers that were planted on the boys trip and the girls spent time exploring the cemetery and taking photos.

We kept the remnants of one of our balsa wood planes for our trophy case.

John’s supplemental photos for the ride are seen here.

Riders’ Photos
Jenna Cook
Rayauna Goodman
Chaunny Joyner
Brianna Lundy
Rayonna Nichols
Harmony Scott
Auretta Scott

This trip was on July 28, 2011
Trip distance: 5.5 miles
Programming time: 2.5 hours
Participants: Jenna Cook, Rayauna Goodman, Chaunny Joyner, Brianna Lundy, Rayonna Nichols, Harmony Scott, Auretta Scott
Leaders: Shawn Brown, Cappy Collins, Sara Morrison

2011 Girls Aviation Map

2011 Erie Canal (West)

Cappy — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:41:18 +0000

ALBUM

Intro Lesson Exploration
We didn’t have time for the riders to take photos on our last trip so this time around we decided to focus on a less structured ride with an emphasis on observation and documentation.

Word of the Dayexploration
(L. ex- ‘out’ + plorare‘utter a cry.’)

Trip
At the club we reviewed the map to orient ourselves. After a quick stop at the Wilson Academy high school we cruised down Genesee Street to the Genesee Valley Trail where we stopped to take photos at the junction of the Genesee River with the Erie Canal. We took a right turn to head west along the Canal Trail and stopped at a few more places along the way for more photos and plenty of water breaks. The riders had a great time cruising the trails and exploring the surrounding landscape: bugs, plants, birds, bridges, rails, etc.: an engaging blend of the natural with the man-made. Back at the club we uploaded the photos and practiced editing. We brought back Queen Anne’s lace (relative of carrot) and a shard of terra cotta as souvenirs for our trophy case.

Riders’ Photos
Jazz Griffin
Nick Heard
Keyon McClary
Tajmere McKnight
Johnathan Shellman
Malik Sturgis

This trip was on July 30, 2011
Trip distance: 7.8 miles
Programming time: 2.5 hours
Participants: Jazz Griffin, Robert “Nick” Heard, Keyon McClary, Tajmere McKnight, Johnathan Shellman, Malik Sturgis

Leaders: Shawn Brown, Cappy Collins, Dan King, Duke Kiner, Marc Lavender, Anthony Petruso, Emily Lynch

2011 Erie Canal (West)

2011 Aviation

Cappy — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:42:01 +0000

ALBUM

Intro Lesson- Aviation
John Curran came back to lead another trip, this time threading together a history of aviation technology as pertains to Rochester. From lighter-than-air travel to propellor-driven biplanes to Rochester’s very own Tuskegee Airman, John provided hands-on demonstrations to convey the importance of these events in a memorable fashion.

Word of the Day epaulette
(Fr. epaule = shoulder; epaulette = little shoulder)
General Fitz-John Porter, pioneer of balloon reconnaissance, wore epaulettes on his military uniform.

Trip
At the club John first asked the riders to inflate a surgical glove with their breath—would it float or fall to the floor? Of course, it fell because it was heavier than air. Early balloonists used lighter-than-air gas (like sulfuric acid mixed with iron filings to produce hydrogen). General Fitz-John Porter used this technology during the Civil War for reconnaissance since it’s easier to see where the enemy is from a high vantage point. At Camp Fitz-John Porter along the Genesee the riders worked together as the ground crew to control our own helium balloon model.

Next we stopped by the western side of the U of R pedestrian bridge where John demonstrated a propellor and wind tunnel such as the Wright brothers developed to perfect their first heavier-than-air flying machine. The propellor was modeled on the windlass, familiar to the Wright brothers because of their bicycle shop!

Rochester’s former airfield is on the site of the current Strong Hospital. We put on our own airshow with balsa wood planes to see who could go the farthest—tricky in a strong wind.

We kept the remnants of one of our balsa wood planes for our trophy case.

Many thanks to John and his sister Pat who put together a fantastic ride, replete with much-appreciated popsicles on a sweltering day.

John’s supplemental photos for the ride are seen here.

This trip was on July 23, 2011
Trip distance: 5.8 miles
Programming time: 4 hours
Participants: Robert “Nick” Heard, Momoh Kamara, Johnathan Shellman, Malik Sturgis, Brandon
Leaders: Shawn Brown, Cappy Collins, John Curran, Pat Curran

2011 Aviation Map

2011 Genesee River Gorge

marc.lavender — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:29:56 +0000

ALBUM

Intro Lesson: Our pre-ride lesson today focused on the course of the Genesee River through downtown Rochester, as well as a review of the Club’s location in relation to the river and it’s three sets of waterfalls – Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. The kids were right on track with our word-of-the-day, gorge, meaning a small canyon. What the didn’t know, however, was the relationship of the word ‘gorge’ to it’s Latin origin meaning ‘whirlpool or eddy’, as well as to an alternate definition meaning throat. So perhaps we can think of the Genesee River Gorge as Rochester’s throat, generating plenty of whirlpools and eddys as the water tumbles over the falls…

Word of the Day: gorge – a small canyon or narrow cleft through which a stream or river runs; from Latin ‘gurges’ meaning whirlpool or eddy; alternate definition – throat

The Ride: We headed north from the club to Brown Street which took us northeast to the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge. After a pit stop, some photos, and getting to see a Blue Heron, we shot north along St. Paul Street to the continuation of the Genesee River Trail near Clifford Street. Then the fun began with a nice downhill to the Middle Falls bridge followed by a snack stop at Lower Falls. Our northernmost destination was Kelsey’s Landing in Maplewood Park, where “freedom was assured for escaping slaves who boarded Canadian vessels here at the end of the underground railroad.”

Other Points of Interest: Redwings Stadium, Genesee Brewery, Rochester Rhinos Stadium

Riders Photos
Vanni Kamara

This trip was on July 16, 2011
Trip distance: 8.1 miles
Programming Time: 3 hours
Participants: Quinton Bedell (age 13), Eric Carter (age 11), Jerome Henderson (age 11), Momoh Kamara (age 12), Vanni Kamara (age 12), Brandon McClary (age 12), and T.J. McKnight (age 10)
Leaders: Shawn Brown, Marc Lavender, Rodney

2011 Genesee River Gorge Map

2011 The Pinnacle Hills

marc.lavender — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 13:06:07 +0000

PHOTO ALBUM

Intro lesson: Word of the day – Reservoir – French for “storehouse.”

We talked about Highland Park reservoir and Cobbs’ Hill reservoir as “storehouses” for water. Within the context of riding our bicycles up some of the Pinnacle Hills (we biked Highland ‘Hill’ & Cobbs’ Hill; biked part way up Pinnacle Hill; and visited Mt. Hope ‘Hill’), we discussed our legs as storehouses for the energy needed to ride our bikes. Furthermore, we talked about the Clif Bars and clementines we would be snacking on as the storehouses of energy to fuel our muscles.

The Ride: We began today’s ride at the club and headed east over the Ford Street Bridge to Mt. Hope Avenue. After a brief stopover at the entrance to Mt. Hope Cemetery, we made it to the Highland Park reservoir, which happened to be empty for a thorough cleaning. Then it was off to Cobbs’ Hill via Rochester first Bicycle Boulevard, winding along the northern side of Pinnacle Hill on Pinnacle Road. After a water stop and a thrill ride down the west side of Cobbs’ Hill, it was time to head back to the Club.

Here area a couple great links to historic photos of the Pinnacle Hill and Cobbs’ Hill areas.

Other Points of Interest: S.W.A.N. neighborhood garden/greenhouse; Mt. Hope Cemetery; Pinnacle Road/Linden Street Bicycle Boulevard; Cobbs’ Hill Park

This trip was on July 9, 2011
Trip distance: 11.1 miles
Programming Time: 3 hours
Participants: Jamal, Momoh Kamara, Vani Kamara, Malik Sturgis
Leaders: Andy Aligne, Marc Lavender, Scott MacCrae

The Pinnacle Hills_2011

2011 Genesee Valley Park Rides – 8 to 12 year-olds

marc.lavender — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:07:14 +0000

Intro Lesson: rules of the road and safety, riding skills, basic geography

Each week, Cyclopedia expands its reach to the younger children of the club so they can be introduced to bicycling, team building, and Rochester geography and history.

Below is a map of our “8 to 12 year-old” Genesee Valley Park ride, and links to albums from many of the rides.

Other points of interest: Genesee Valley Waterways Center; the “big tree” now split in two after a Spring 2011 lightning strike

These trips were on: June 28, 2011 (ALBUM); July 6, 2011 (ALBUM)

Trip distance: 3.5 miles

Participants:

July 6, 2011: Heaven Conaway (age 8), Deon Edwards (age 10), Keon Gaskin (age 11), Jalen Griffin (age 10), Jalen Hanna (age 9), Tyreese Harris (age 8), Keonte Lawhorn (age 9), Tyler Penns (age 12), Aniyah Stamps (age 9), Darrell Williams (age 10), Arthur Wilson (age 10)

June 28, 2011:

Leaders:

July 6, 2011: Shawn Brown, Marc Lavender, Rodney

June 28, 2011: Quinton Bedell, Shawn Brown

GVP 8 to 12′s Map