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Date: 12/1/2023
Subject: December Chainletter
From: SCU Announcements



Vol 2023 l No 12 l December

Table of Contents
  • President's Message
  • Save the Date: SCU Summer Century, Saturday, July 13 at Delaware Valley University (new location this year!)
  • Upcoming SCU Election
  • FREE Seminars Open to ALL Cyclists
  • Who did 5000 miles in 2023?
  • 6th Annual Cranksgiving Ride - Thank you!
  • 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
 
December 2023
 
Just a few days ago we had our first snow flurries, so I guess it's hard to deny Winter will arrive this month. Yet there are still rides happening both on weekends and on weekdays, daytime and evenings. Sometimes nasty weather forces a change to the usual dates, so keep an eye on Meetup so you don't miss out. Don't like riding in the cold? There are hikes posted on Meetup almost every weekend as well. There is no need to spend the Winter watching out the window, missing your riding buddies, and wishing for something to do.
 
Regardless of the weather, a lot of great things are in the works at SCU. First, there is our election on December 11 for the 2024 Executive Committee. The elections will be online as they have been for several years now. While it is true that none of the positions are contested, your vote still matters. Reviewing the list of candidates is an opportunity for you to get to know the people who will be planning, organizing and directing club rides and events for the coming year. Casting your vote lets them know you value the time and effort they put in on behalf of all of us.
 
The next exciting news is that the 2024 Summer Century will be held Saturday, July 13, and we have a new venue: The beautiful campus of Delaware Valley University! (Say thank you to Curtis next time you see him for securing this location.) The Shrine was a nice place, but that final climb up Cheese Factory Road was not popular with many riders, both new and experienced. We will still have access to the same awesome roads and rest stops in Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, but it will be a smooth cruise into base camp instead of a 'summit finish'. The Century Committee is starting the planning and organizing needed to make this a fun and exciting event for all. Come join us at the online meetings posted on Meetup to be a part of it.
 
And we are very close to finalizing a date and venue for the Annual Celebration. I won't jinx things by divulging specifics prematurely. However, I can say that I think everyone will find it a great place to recognize our ride leaders and celebrate the 2023 riding season.
 
Stay tuned to SCU Announcements and Meetup for details on these and all other upcoming club rides and events. Hope to see you on a ride soon.
 
Steve "A Rolling Bicycle Gathers No Moss" Muth
SCU President

Save the Date:
SCU Summer Century, Saturday, July 13 at Delaware Valley University (new location this year!)
 
More information and registration to be open soon, but we have a new date and a new location for the SCU 2024 Summer Century!
  • To start and end from Delaware Valley University, near Doylestown
  • Mid-Summer date, Saturday, July 13
Watch for more details!

Executive Committee Elections
 
Keep any eye open for an email for upcoming elections.  As a reminder, as we prepare for the upcoming 2024 SCU elections, please take a moment and see below on the candidates.
  • President: Steve Muth
  • Treasurer: Savannah Lee
  • Digital Communications Director: Kevin Olsavsky
  • IT Director: Jim Hill
  • Membership Director: Pat Butcher
  • Public Relations Director: Linda A. McGrane
  • Ride Leader Director: Curtis Schwartz
  • Secretary: Helen Muth
  • Social Director: Chrislee Butcher
No individuals have come forward to run for election for the position of Signature Event Director (Century Director). However, under these circumstances a member can be appointed to this position by the Executive Committee as described in the Bylaws. Please contact any Committee member if interested.
  • Signature Event Director
Jeff Kochanowicz
SCU Election Coordinator (2023 EC Election)

FREE Seminars Open to ALL Cyclists
Co-Sponsored by Linda McGrane and the Host Bike Shops Listed Below
ALL cyclists are warmly invited to participate.
 
 Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 6:30pm
“Winter Fitness” 
  • How to Maintain Physical Fitness during the Off-season
  • How to Minimize Holiday & Winter Weight Gain
  • How Exercise can Help Prevent the Winter Blahs\
  • How to Winterize Your Bike for Harsh Weather & Road Conditions
  • How to Illuminate Your Bike Effectively for Safety
  • How to Dress & Accessorize Properly to Stay Warm in the Cold
FREE Refreshments will be served
Venue: Main Line Cycles, 919 Montgomery Ave, Narberth, PA 19072, 610-664-1970
Parking: Ample free parking in the lot behind the bike shop.
Public Transit: SEPTA’s 44 Bus runs along Montgomery Ave, in front of Main Line Cycles. The Narberth train station is less than a mile away.
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 6:30pm
“Bike Tech 101: Getting the Most from Your Gadgets”
  • How to Get Full Functionality from Your Bike Devices
  • How to Program Your GPS
  • How to Download Routes to your GPS, and Upload Routes from Your GPS
  • How to Take Proper Care of the Electronic Components on Your Bike
  • How to Get Full Functionality from Your Indoor Trainer for Winter Training
FREE Refreshments will be served
Venue: Keswick Cycle, 408 North Easton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038, 215-885-7433 (215-885-RIDE)
Parking: Free street parking behind the store on Geneva Ave. There is also a free parking lot at the playground on Parkdale Ave, on the other side of Easton Rd.
Public Transit: SEPTA’s 22 Bus runs along Easton Rd, in front of Keswick Cycle. The Glenside train station at Easton Rd & Mt. Carmel Ave is half a mile south of the bike shop.
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Looking forward to seeing you at these FREE educational programs!
 
Questions? Please feel free to contact Main Line Cycles, Keswick Cycle Glenside, or Linda McGrane at mcgrane_linda_a@yahoo.com, or 267-251-7862


Who did 5000 miles in 2023?
 
5000 milers. We would like to recognize those who rode 5000 or more miles in the calendar year 2023 at our annual celebration event and in the February 2024 Chainletter. If you would like to be recognized, please let me know your name and number of miles.
 
Please send to rides@suburbancyclists.org before Wednesday, January 10th.2024. Thank you.
 
Curtis Schwartz
Ride Leader Coordinator

6th Annual Cranksgiving Ride - Thank you!
A couple of pics from the recent Nov 4 Cranksgiving ride, thanks to everyone who supported and participated!

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
  • Diane Hoagland Sweet, Archbald
  • Eric Mann, Coopersburg

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. Meetings are posted in MeetUp.
 
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