Table of Contents
- Registration now open - September 23 - 2023 SCU Century
- From our Friends at BCP: Fall Foliage Weekend, Oct 20-22
- 9/11 Memorial Trail Cyclists to Arrive in Philadelphia on July 3
- SCU Ride Guidelines (reminder)
- SCU eBike Policy
- Covid-19 Mitigation Measures - Updated May 13, 2021
- Reminder of Member Benefits
- Online Club Resources
- Regional Events Calendar and Mileage Log
- New Members
- Executive Committee Meeting Schedule (Members Welcome)
- SCU Executive Committee
| Registration is now open!
Saturday, September 23, 2023
SCU 2023 Summer Century!
|  | | Click here to Register
Featuring
Four beautiful routes in Bucks County, PA and the scenic horse country of Hunterdon County, NJ.
- 33 Miles (+/-)
- 50 Miles (+/-)
- 64 Mile Metric Century (+/-)
- 100 Mile Century (+/-)
- Pizza party at the finish
- Baked goods, drinks and friendly SCU volunteers at three well-stocked rest stops
- SAG support
- Well-marked routes
- Cue sheets
- Online route maps and GPX files
- Free parking at the start/finish
When: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM
- Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine
- 654 Ferry Road
- Doylestown, PA 18901
If anyone has questions about the Summer Century, please contact century@suburbancyclists.org. | | Click here to Register
Early Registration
- $50 -- register by Sunday, August 13, 2023
- SCU Members receive a $5 registration discount!
- Registration is limited to 500 riders.
Group and Team Discount
- Groups of eight or more registering as a group can receive a $5 per person discount.
Tandem-Two-for-One
- Riders on a tandem pay one registration for two riders.
Unicyclists -- half price!
| | |  | | BCP Annual Fall Foliage Weekend
|  | 9/11 MEMORIAL TRAIL CYCLISTS TO ARRIVE IN PHILADELPHIA JULY 3
Cyclists with the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance are scheduled to arrive at the Liberty Bell Independence Mall site on July 3, 2023, at 3;30pm. Capping a two-week 700-mile state-wide journey along the 9/11 Memorial Trail from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, these Alliance riders are part of a mission to commemorate the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, by traversing part of the total 1,300-mile route that links the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Flight 93 Memorial.
The primary goal of the tour is fundraising for the Alliance where participants are asked to donate or fundraise $2,000, with proceeds supporting the continued development of the multi-use trail connecting the three locations impacted by 9/11—Shanksville, New York City and Washington D.C.
For the organizers and participants, biking along this trail is a significant way to honor the memory of those affected by the tragic events of 9/11. According to Advisory Board member, Bruce White, “One of the key goals of the 9/11 Memorial Trail Alliance is to establish a lasting connection between the three impacted sites. It is essential to ensure that future generations are aware of and connected to this significant historical event. By creating and preserving the trail, the intention is to pass down this commemorative legacy from one generation to the next.”
The September 11 National Memorial Trail, established in 2019 through Senate Resolution 267, sponsored by Senators Pat Toomey (PA), Mark Warner (VA), and Bob Casey (PA), holds significant recognition as an important trail and greenway in honor of the heroes of September 11th.
Beginning at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, the trail follows the path of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, running alongside the Potomac River for 184 miles until reaching Cumberland, Maryland. From Cumberland, the trail continues along the Great Allegheny Passage to Pittsburgh. At Garrett, the route veers towards the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, continuing eastward, stretching beyond Harrisburg, and encompassing Chambersburg, Lancaster, Reading, and Allentown. The trail finally connects with New York City. and then follows the East Coast Greenway through Philadelphia to the Pentagon, completing the symbolic triangle that forever links these three sacred sites.
| The SCU Ride Guide
With the start of the 'official' riding season and an influx of new members, we thought it would be good to re-publish the SCU Ride Guide here in the Chainletter. When everyone has a common understanding of club ride rules and etiquette it helps make the group ride experience more enjoyable for all involved. The SCU Ride Guide can also be found in the Documents tab of our website.
SCU Ride Guidelines
- 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.
| 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 SUC 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 |
SCU COVID-19 Mitigation Measures
| SCU COVID-19 Mitigation Measures - Updated May 13, 2021
The Covid situation has changed for the better in recent weeks. But we can't ignore the reality that the threat has not yet gone away completely. To reflect this change while remaining vigilant in protecting all members, the Executive Committee has adopted the new guidelines below. Keep in mind that your fellow riders may not have all been vaccinated, some by choice and others by circumstance. We should respect their privacy in this regard. In the absence of vaccination, social distancing and masking remain effective defenses against transmission. Therefore, we are asking all members to follow the new Guidelines to the best of their ability.
Hope to see you on a ride soon.
- Please stay home or ride solo if you have any Covid symptoms, have tested positive for Covid, or have been recently exposed to someone that has Covid.
- Bring a mask to wear when social distancing is not possible and for entry into commercial establishments at rest stops.
- Recommended maximum group size is 15, but the ride leader may restrict groups to less.
- If you develop Covid symptoms or test positive for Covid within a week of a group ride, please contact the club Ride Director (rides@suburbancyclists.org).
- Maintain social distance as appropriate. Observe any applicable local, state and federal guidelines and comply with all county Health Department regulations.
Steve Muth
SCU President |  | | As membership director, I want to welcome back all of our SCU members who have renewed their memberships and hoping to encourage 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.
| 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”.
| | |
- Page Buck, Wayne
- Gary Chamberlain, Horsham
- Amy Fluckiger, Chesterbrook
- Patrick Gurian, Wayne
- Andrew Kennedy
- Richard Kusnierz, King of Prussia
- Matthew Pezzicara, Willow Grove
- Joe Price, New Hope
- Ron Schmidt, Chalfont
- Matan Shamir, Ambler
- Marion Valaro, North Wales
- Tom Wallace, Ambler
- Tom Wieser, Philadelphia
- Brian Williams, Lansdowne
- William Wood, Villanova
| | | All Members Welcome at Executive Committee Meetings
For 2023, Executive Committee meetings are held every second 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. In the past we have met at College Settlement Camp facilities, but due to Covid we are meeting 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. Next meeting is Thursday, July 13, 7PM.
Hope to see you there. | President
Open
Secretary
Jim Hill
Treasurer
Savannah Lee
Signature Event Director
Open
Digital Communications Director
Steve DeLabio
IT Director
Scott Siegfried
Membership Director
Pat Butcher
Public Relations Director
Linda A. McGrane
Ride Leader Director
Curtis Schwartz
Social Director
Chrislee Butcher
**************************************************
Regional Calendar Editor
Jack Elias
Merchandise Manager
Open | |