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Date: 11/1/2023
Subject: November Chainletter
From: SCU Announcements



Vol 2023 l No 11 l November

Table of Contents
  • President's Message
  • SCU Club Picinic - Good time had by all!
  • Upcoming SCU Election
  • 6th Annual Cranksgiving Ride
  • 2024 PBE Inclusivity Scholarship Application is Open!
  • SCU Ride Guidelines (and safety 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

President's Message
 
November 2023
 
In case word has not reached you yet, I was appointed by the Executive Committee to be President for the remainder of 2023. I still haven't got my red phone or missile silo codes back, but the EC has assigned me the important job of cutting the grass at the local athletic fields. I guess sometimes life truly is like a box of chocolates...
 
Our Annual Picnic was blessed with unseasonably mild weather and an awesome group of volunteers led by our Social Director, Chrislee. Many burgers and hot dogs were grilled, served, and consumed along with numerous side dishes and desserts brought by members. Kudos to Wes Wolf and Katie Hunt for planning and organizing the rides. No fewer than eight ride groups of a wide range of paces and distances were formed from the 70 riders that turned out. None of them went home hungry, that much is certain.
 
The spacious and scenic setting for the picnic was College Settlement Camp with whom we have had a long relationship. For those new to the club, College Settlement Camp is a non-profit dedicated to providing outdoor experiences to financially disadvantaged children. Every year we make a donation to their youth cycling program. In return, they allow us to park our storage shed and hold club events on their campus.
 
Although the weather is getting chillier and the weeknight rides have ended, most SCU-er's will keep riding through the winter as long as the roads are clear. And many of us will be hiking or skiing as well. But no matter your preference, keep those legs moving so they are ready for Spring!
 
The end of the year also brings our Annual Elections. You should have already received an official announcement. I will be a candidate for President and many current EC members will be candidates as well. However, there is a need for candidates for IT Director, Digital Communications Director, and Event Director. If you are interested in having a role in organizing all the great things happening at SCU, please contact our Election Officer, Jeff Kochanowicz, for more details. Or if you know someone who you think would be a great candidate, don't be afraid to suggest it to them or pass their name along.
 
Steve "Anyone can become President -- that's the problem."* Muth
SCU President
*George Carlin

club picnic 1 2023
Thanks to everyone who came out to support the club picnic this past Saturday!
club picnic 2023 pic 2
Many thanks to our Social Director, Chrislee for organizing! Kudos to Wes Wolf and Katie Hunt for planning and organizing the rides. No fewer than eight ride groups of a wide range of paces and distances were formed from the 70 riders that turned out.

SCU Elections
 
Candidates Needed for 2024
2024 Executive Committee Elections
 
Join the Board, Make a Difference
 
It’s time to think about SCU in 2024 and how you might want to contribute by becoming a member of our Executive Committee (EC). Elections are coming up in November 2023, and now is the time to start thinking about filling those positions!!
 
The current SCU Executive Committee, is comprised of the following members including President (Steve Muth - recently back, more on that below), Treasurer (Savannah Lee), Secretary (Jim Hill), Ride Director (Curtis Schwartz), Social Director (Chrislee Butcher), Public Relations Director (Linda McGrane), Membership Director (Pat Butcher), Digital Communications Director (Steve DeLabio), and Information Technology Director (Scott Siegfried).
 
Vacancies for the upcoming 2024 include:
  • IT Director
  • Digital Communications Director
  • Signature Event (Century) Director
The EC is elected to these positions by the membership and serves for a minimum of one (1) year terms. Candidates can be self-nominated or the EC can solicit nominees. Every year all EC positions are open for anyone with the drive and interest to help the Club, and this year is no different. The only requirement to being on the EC is that you be a member in good standing (per the SCU Bylaws) for at least 60 days prior to the publication of your biographical submission (which will occur in October 2023). The President must also have prior EC service as defined and stipulated in the SCU Bylaws. So, if you have the desire and some good ideas to share, now is the time to step forward and be a “cog” in the SCU wheel! If you are unsure as to what duties the position may entail, feel free to contact me or any of the current EC members! Like all good wheel sucking vampires, we thrive on “new blood”, and will be eager to mentor you into any one of these new roles for your Club!
 
Thank you for your attention to this very important matter; we look forward to hearing from you; you can email me at jeffbicycle@comcast.net if you are interested or have questions.
 
Jeff Kochanowicz
 
SCU Election Coordinator (2023 EC Election)

6th Annual Cranksgiving Ride
  • This year's Cranksgiving Souderton is Saturday, November 4, at 9:00 am
This very special ride starts at Souderton Borough Community Park. Here's what you need to do to be a part of it: Register on BikeReg for Souderton 2023 Cranksgiving for your choice of 5, 20 and 30 mile routes. RSVP on Meetup to 6th Annual Cranksgiving Ride/Food Drive to let your friends know you will be there. Meet ahead of the start to pick-up your 'thank you' gift and chat with your riding buddies.
 
Ride the marked and marshalled course to the Landis supermarkets where there will be dedicated checkout lanes to buy food and household goods for donation to the local food pantry at the Keystone Opportunity Center. The goods you purchase will be transported to the pantry by Scooter's Bike Shop, Bergy's AutoIntegrated Security Systems, and a small army of volunteers. At the end enjoy a hot lunch provided by Jesse's Barbeque and Local Market. Go home knowing you've 'done good' while riding your bike.


2024 PBE Inclusivity Scholarship Application is Open!
 
2024 PBE Inclusivity Scholarship Application
 
In 2019, the Philly Bike Expo announced a new framebuilder scholarship program. The PBE Inclusivity Scholarship supports women, transgender, and POC framebuilders who have been underrepresented at bike shows and in the industry at large. We are now accepting applications for the 2024 Philly Bike Expo Inclusivity Scholarship. Application deadline is October 27th and recipients announced on November 16th.
 
 Scholarship recipients will receive:
  •  Booth space
  • Transportation to and from Philly
  • Lodging
  • Food
  • Components to complete your build!
Apply Now

Please share this with any potential candidates. If you are interested in supporting this initiative, please reach out.


The SCU Ride Guide (and Safety Reminders)
 
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.
**************************************
 
Hello SCU Riders !!!

Passing along a few safety reminders and points we all need to be aware of on our group rides...
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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..
  5. 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 SUC executive team or talk to your ride leader.

3 Classifications - eBikes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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”.

Welcome Our New Members
  • Amit Basu, New Hope
  • Steven Baxter, Chalfont
  • Peter Crawford, Washington Crossing
  • Janice Katucki, North Wales
  • Steve Spindler, Jenkintown
  • Eli Zavialov, Furlong

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, Nov 9, at 7:30PM.
 
Hope to see you there.  

SCU Executive Committee
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