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80 We all eventually visit Rhode Island. Whether we're there for a wedding or a col- lege graduation, sooner or later the tiniest state in the union traps each of us like a lobster. When it happens, you'll need to escape from your stewed kin for some fresh air and a bit of reflection on the human condition. At that moment, the East Bay Bicycle Path will be ready for yotJ. It starts in East Providence at li'ldian Point Park-by far. its sketchiest leg, as you'll need to skate over the Washington Bridge on a "sidewalk" that would cramp a hamster, and right next to tf:le traffic whizzing by on 1-195 Eas!. You'll find, however, that the rest of il- 14 miles of smooth asphalt ruflning right next to or near Narragansett Bay thmugh the towns of Barrington, Warren and Bristol-will be much kinder. The scemery is sweet, the path is flat and the air is fragrant with things marine. In the warmer months, you'll be heading into the wind on your outbound leg. In the cold m~>ntf.1s, who knows? Bring a hanky, just in case. CALL THE REGIONAL MANAGER AT. COLT STATE PARK (A HISTORIC SITE ONE MILE FROM THE TRAIL'S EASTERN TERMINUS) FOR MORE INFORMATION AT 40f-253- 7482, OR GO liO WWW.RIPARKS.COM. Ponder such newly created eastern pleasures as the bike path that runs alongside the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers for a whopping 41 miles. Tf:lough just one of many absurdly long bike and recreation paths that could only exist in the wide-open spaces of upstate New York, the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway is close enough for a long day trip and long enough to kick yowr ass six ways to Sunday. Of course, you could make just a tentative foray down the thing and I wouldn't think you were a wuss, but why not take a friend, some cash and a backpack with some extra clothes and make a two-day trip out of it? The path, which starts in Albany and takes you west to tf:le town of Rotterdam, occasionally ptJts you on calm municipal streets. There is a rough but still skateable mile-long section surfaced with stone dust (in the town of Colonie, from Schermerhom Road to the Cohoes city line). But oth- erwise, it's way more bike path than you can skate in a day. And how many bike paths can you say tf:lat about? FOR MORE INFO, CHECK THE WEB- SITE AT WWW.CANALS.STATE.NY.US OR CALL 518-386-4503.