Table of Contents
- President's Message
- 2025 SCU Best of Bucks- THANK YOU!!!
- Do You Wish You Had Ordered One of Those Cool New SCU Jerseys?
- Picnic with Central Bucks Bicycle Club!
- Scout Pack 145 Bike Safety Clinic
- Interested in Leading Rides?
- SCU IS NOW ON INSTAGRAM!
- SCU Ride Guidelines (and safety reminder)
- SCU eBike Policy
- Reminder of Member Benefits
- Online Club Resources
- Regional Events Calendar and Mileage Log
- New Members
- Executive Committee Meeting Schedule (Members Welcome)
- SCU Executive Committee
|  | President's Message
June 2025
In case you missed it, the inaugural Best of Bucks Metric was a success in all regards. Even the weather cooperated! It was a little breezy, but there was plenty of sunshine. A cool morning became a very pleasant midday and afternoon. All the volunteers that made it happen are listed below. Every year I find it inspiring to see the excellent teamwork by members from throughout the club. But a special shout-out goes to Charlie Brant for working his route planning magic. A consistent theme in our feedback survey was how beautiful the route was. The best news of all is that riders had a good time which will make them want to come back next year.
The club needs a successful fundraising ride to continue making SCU more than just a calendar of rides. Membership dues are enough to cover the basic expenses such as the website, Meetup, insurance, etc. It's the profits from our century that allow us to support the Membership Tailgates, Club Picnic, Annual Celebration and other initiatives that make SCU a vibrant community of cyclists. We are much more than a group of people who show-up, pedal for a while on the same road, and go home. So a successful event like this has the compound effect of bringing us together to make it happen and getting us together again to enjoy each other's company.
And if you haven't got an SCU jersey yet, look below for details on a second ordering window. This may be your last chance to make the fashion statement of "I'm proud to be SCU."
Steve "It always seems impossible until it's done."* Muth
SCU President
*Nelson Mandela
| 2025 Best of Bucks Metric - THANK YOU!!!
Thanks to all participants for making the 2025 Best of Bucks Metric a great success for the club and cycling community! Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and will help to make next year's event even better!
A big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who made the event happen! From Route Markers, Registration & Parking, Base Camp and Rest Stops to SAG and Homemade/Baked Goodies, you made our riders feel welcome, kept them moving in the right direction and well supported (and fed!) during the ride. It takes many hands to carry out an event like this. Thank you for sharing that SCU Hospitality! Volunteers were as follows:
ROUTE MARKING - Jeff Kochanowicz (Coordinator), Linda McGrane
REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN - Jeremy Wall (Coordinator), Himanshu Dadarwala, David Hubler, Jan Solkov
PARKING - Fred Goodwin (Coordinator), Steve DeLabio, David Peltzman
BASE CAMP - Helen Muth (Coordinator),Pat Butcher, Chrislee Butcher, Monica Coleman, Jack Elias, Katie Hunt, Min Lee, Andrew Nathans, Kathleen Nieman, Abdul Rahiman, Rich Terry, Lien Vu
ST. PETERS TOHICKON UCC REST STOP -Monica Coleman (Coordinator), Riad ElDada, Bill Reagan, Kieran Ward
HANSELL PARK REST STOP - Claire Tanzer (Coordinator), Charlie Brant, Daniel Davis, Shirley Landis
AD-HOC WATER STOP @ LANDIS PARK - Brita Brant
SAG - Thom McAdams (Coordinator), John Dzubinski, Fred Goodwin, Jay Sitkin
BAKERS FOR B.o.B.! - Sharon Hansen (Coordinator), Charlie Brant, Pat Butcher, Elisabeth Charrier, Monica Coleman, Michele Dragani, Katie Hunt, Jacinthe Julien, Amy Leder, Tom "T-Mac" McGinley, Linda Mueller, Eric Newman, Jon Shapiro, Jane Souweine
and last but not least, our Best of Bucks Metric PLANNING COMMITTEE:
Savannah Lee - Event Director
Steve Muth - Assistant Event Director
Charlie Brant - Route Planning
Kevin Olsavsky - Digital Communications
Chuck Herbert - IT Support
Linda McGrane - Publicity
Sharon Hansen - Event Planning
Curtis Schwartz - Rest Stops and Permits
Fred Goodwin - Event Planning
Thanks all and we look forward to an even bigger and better event in 2026!
|  | Do You Wish You Had Ordered One of Those
Cool New SCU Jerseys?
We have received a number of inquiries from members (and non-members) who have seen the new SCU Jerseys and would like to order one, or somehow missed the previous order window. By special arrangement with Voler, the jersey supplier, we have arranged an additional ordering window during the month of June.
If you missed ordering a new SCU jersey and would like to get yours, please follow the link at the bottom
NOTE:The ordering window is subject to a minimum order quantity of 10 jerseys. If for any reason the minimum order quantity is not met, the jerseys may not be produced and any payments received will be refunded by Voler.
|  | Picnic with Central Bucks Bicycle Club on June 21!
Central Bucks Bicycle Club (CBBC) invites SCU members to their Saturday, June 21 Picnic/Rides at Peace Valley Park (Pavilion 5), 770 New Galena Rd, Chalfont, PA (We'll be inviting them to our annual picnic in the fall). Come join us to discover new roads and new friends!
CBBC will supply drinks and main dish (with vegetarian option).All riders/picnickers should bring a side dish or dessert of their choice.
SCU ride leaders will be present to help keep the ride groups small. Ride leaders (and paces) attending are Wes Wolf (A), David Taylor (B), Claire Tanzer and Judith Pyle (C+), Doug Smithman and Katie Hunt (C) and Linda McGrane (D).
You may also picnic without riding if that suits you better.
Please sign up at the CBBC Ride Calendar so that CBBC has a correct headcount for the food order.
| Scout Pack 145 Bike Safety Clinic
Kudos to Thom McAdams for again conducting a Bike Safety Clinic for Cub Scout Pack 145 (Richboro)! This was the 3rd time Thom held this type of clinic. He took the time to review everyone's helmet, go over the ABCs of cycling safety, bike fit and other important topics as well as a brief ride. The scouts are now preparing for 5-mile rides to complete their requirements for cycling awards.
Thom is certified as an instructor by the League of American Bicylists. He has graciously donated his time, energy and expertise to numerous organizations and individuals seeking to improve their cycling skills.
What a great way to give back to the community and foster a love of cycling in the next generation! |  | Interested in Leading Rides?
Our ride leaders truly make it happen for SCU! They are the reason we have such a vibrant club with so many choices of rides across all levels.
If you would like to try leading rides for SCU, please contact the Ride Leader Coordinator, Curtis Schwartz, at rides@suburbancyclists.org and he can provide more information to start you on your way!
| SCU IS NOW ON INSTAGRAM!
Follow SCU on Instagram for images and news from the club and our growing cycling community!
| The SCU Ride Guide (and Safety Reminders)
- Arrive ten to 15 minutes early and Be Prepared To Leave On Time! The starting times are actual departure times
- Make sure your bike is in proper working order Before you arrive
- Carry a spare tube, patch kit, pump, water bottle, and some form of I.D. (emergency information)
- Ride in a safe manner and obey all traffic laws
- The wearing of a helmet (ANSI and/or Snell approved) is Required on all club rides
- Do not "Bike off" more than you can do. Go on rides within your ability, interest and experience
- Each rider assumes his or her own risk on all rides
- Those who ride ahead of the group are on their own ride
- Always notify the ride leader when leaving the group
- Riders should adhere to the advertised speed of the ride
- Ride leaders are not expected to be bike mechanics
- During Winter months or questionable weather conditions, please contact the ride leader
- If it is raining at the start time, then the ride is canceled unless otherwise noted by the ride leader
- Have fun riding your bike.
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Hello SCU Riders !!!
Passing along a few safety reminders and points we all need to be aware of on our group rides...
- Please always use a red tail light - even during the day - for visibility since it does make you more visible. You need to be visible and conspicuous on the road. Especially if you have a bright red tail light of close to 100 lumens. Please see what you have and make changes if necessary. If you do not have a rear red tail light, please get one. Using a front white light helps even more with being seen.
- While passing another rider, ALW\AYS pass on their left side and ALWAYS announce that you are passing them on their left. If - for a very rare reason - you are on a riders right side need or need to pass a rider on their right, ALWAYS announce that also. Otherwise it is not a good idea to ever pass or even ride directly on the right side of a rider in front of you. If you are on a riders' right side, stay well behind them and still let them know you are there.
- And while we are talking about trailing a rider, please avoid "half-wheeling" the rider in front of you for any reason. Either on their left or right if they are in front of you.. This occurs when your front wheel overlaps the rear wheel of the rider in front of you. Sometimes the shoulders of roads are narrow and this will make for a dangerous situation when cars are passing.
- When someone yells out "CAR BACK" we should all be looking to immediately form a single line of cyclists as quickly and as safely as possible and not ride two abreast in the lane the cars are in. This should be the case regardless of the width of the shoulder. The narrower the shoulder, the more we should be aware of this condition. A safe way of doing this is, if you are the rider on the right of the two-abreast, allow the rider on your left to get in front of you. that way the left side rider is not drifting back toward the oncoming and approaching car and gtets out of the way quicker..
- When coming to a light and there is a right-hand turning lane and you are going straight, stay to the right in the lane in the direction you are travelling. Do not veer right into that lane and then jump back into the lane where you are going straight. One of the best ways to be safe it to be "Predictable" and "Conspicuous"
Thank you Thom McAdams for the reminder!
| SCU eBike Policy
More information will be explained and distributed at SCU club rides by the ride leaders, but below describes the 3 categories of e-bikes and what is allowed on club rides. As the popularity of eBikes increases both in general and in SCU, we welcome the use of them on club rides but need to be aware of limitations and what is allowed.
Summary:
Electric bikes shall be permitted on club rides only as covered by the club's insurance policy and as consistent with local, state and Federal laws. The Treasurer shall determine the club's insurance coverage regarding electric bikes. A summary of this coverage and any changes to it shall be communicated to membership by the Digital Communications Director and directly communicated to ride leaders by the Ride Director. The ride sign-in sheet shall be revised and updated as needed to indicate this coverage.
- Only pedal assist eBikes (Classes 1 and 3) will be allowed on club rides.
- As SCU club rides cross into multiple states (PA, NJ, DE), it is critical we adhere to the regulations of all 3.
- If you have questions, please contact the SCU executive team or talk to your ride leader.
3 Classifications - eBikes
- Allowed: A “class 1 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Not Allowed: A “class 2 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Allowed: A “class 3 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and is equipped with a speedometer.
When considering purchasing an eBike, it is important to understand the laws in your state and the type riding you want to do, including if bringing it on a SCU club ride (which again, we enjoy having them).
Thank you,
SCU Executive Team |  | As membership director, I want to welcome back all of our SCU members who have renewed their memberships and I am encouraging our non-members to join our ranks! We are excited to have over 1,800 cyclists in our Meetup Group but we would be even more excited to have more of the group become dues-paying SCU members. Our membership fee is one of the best bargains around!! So what are the benefits you will receive with your SCU membership you may ask?
Here are just a few:
- Insurance coverage if an accident occurs while participating in a SCU ride
- Access to all SCU events including the SCU picnic, awards banquet, tailgate parties and many more events that occur throughout the year
- Discounts at designated local bike shops and SCU Century / Summer Event rides
- Monthly newsletter
And most importantly...supporting our cycling community especially our experienced and dedicated ride leaders who work hard at providing our club members with the best and safest routes throughout the region that accommodates various rider abilities.
The SCU membership fees help to sustain our club so please consider becoming a member today! To join our club, click https://suburbancyclists.org/. Please feel free to reach out to me at membership@suburbancyclists.org or any of our Executive Committee if you have any questions or comments.
Hope to see you on the road!
Pat Butcher
Membership Director | Online Club Resources
As a reminder, there are other online resources available to you to fully enjoy your club membership:
- Meetup.com: Look for the Suburban Cyclists Unlimited (SCU) Meetup page to learn about and sign up for group rides.
- Facebook: Visit the Suburban Cyclists Unlimited page to hear about the latest club news or pictures and adventures from club rides.
- Instagram: Check SCU on Instagram for images and news from the club and our cycling community.
| Regional Events Calendar & Mileage Log | | Regional Events Update
Be sure check Jack Elias' famous Calendar of Regional Events for an updated, chronological list of regional events. Jack is updating the list as information is provided.
This calendar is presented by Suburban Cyclists Unlimited and lists recreational bicycle events that take place in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and start within approximately 150 miles of Horsham, Montgomery County, PA.
| | Mileage Tracker and
Universal Mileage Logs are available
The universal mileage log features include:
- A universal log that is good for any year.
- An automatic summation of mileage and number of rides and computation of the average ride distance.
- Displays six charts of mileage, number of rides and average distance.
- The mileage logs can be found in the Documents Library on the SCU website.
- Go to SCU's Documents Library and scroll down to "Ride Documents" and “Mileage Log”.
| | |
- Kristie Bruno - Lansdale, PA
- Ryan Comisky - Dresher, PA
- Linda B. Elgart - Philadelphia, PA
- Larry Ellison - Morrisville, PA
- Patty Gillon
- Julie Prey - Wallingford, PA
- David Rosenbaum - Doylestown, PA
- John Ryan - Philadelphia, PA
| | | All Members Welcome at Executive Committee Meetings!
For 2024, Executive Committee meetings are held every third Thursday (normally) of the month and are posted to the Meetup ride calendar. All members are invited to participate in the discussions or share thoughts and ideas. Meetings are held via Zoom. If you RSVP to the Meetup or send an email to president@suburbancyclists.org, a Zoom link and an agenda will be sent to you shortly before the meeting. If you have something specific to share, you will be put at the top of the agenda so you can be heard without waiting through the routine business. Meetings are posted in MeetUp.
Hope to see you there! | President
Steve Muth
Secretary
Helen Muth
Treasurer
Savannah Lee
Digital Communications Director
Kevin Olsavsky
Membership Director
Pat Butcher
Public Relations Director
Linda A. McGrane
Ride Leader Director
Curtis Schwartz
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Regional Calendar Editor
Jack Elias
Merchandise Manager
Open | |