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Date: 1/1/2024
Subject: January Chainletter
From: SCU Announcements



Vol 2024 l No 1 l January

Table of Contents
  • President's Message
  • Register NOW for the SCU Annual Celebration on January 27!
  • Save the Date: SCU Summer Century, Saturday, July 13 at Delaware Valley University (new location this year!)
  • Executive Committee Elections
  • FREE Seminar Open to ALL Cyclists
  • [LAST CALL!] Who did 5000 miles in 2023?
  • 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
 
January 2024
 
January is the "Winter of discontent" for many cyclists. The holidays are over and the weather tends to be at its nastiest. But January can also be time to reflect on the past riding season and to set goals or make plans for the next. Do you want to achieve a new personal best on a Strava segment? Ride more miles? Meet new cycling buddies? Tour parts of the world you haven't seen? You say you don't want to set goals or make plans and just roll with whatever the new year brings? Well, that's a plan, too, albeit a very simple and open-ended one. Any plan you're happy with is a good one.

As part of your thoughts on the coming season, please consider striving to become a safer cyclist. During the past season we had a number of mishaps on club rides. Fortunately, none resulted in life-changing injuries, but they weren't fun for anyone either. (For my part, I assure you that I did not enjoy colliding with a large dog on a fast descent.) Being a safer cyclist does not mean being excessively cautious or becoming a stickler for following the rules. Mostly, riding safely involves being situationally aware and riding defensively. Just like driving defensively, this means leaving yourself room to stop, slow, or maneuver if motorists, or your fellow cyclists, don't behave as expected. Human beings (and dogs!) can be unpredictable. You should not make your safety dependent on the assumption that they will act rationally.

So, next time you're stuck inside because of Winter's cold, wind and snow, go get yourself a hot cocoa, stare out the window, and make plans for enjoying the coming season. By the end of the month the days will be getting noticeably longer, and those plans will be closer to becoming a reality.

Best wishes for a healthy New Year and a safe riding season!

Steve "I intend to live forever, or die trying"* Muth
SCU President

*Thank you, Groucho, for this bit of wisdom.

2024_Celebration.jpg
 

REGISTER NOW FOR THE SCU ANNUAL CELEBRATION

Saturday, January 27th, 2024

 

Hi Cycling Friends,


The indoor trainer is not nearly as energizing as riding with you. I hope to see you at our annual celebration on Jan 27th at Whitemarsh Valley Event Center in Fort Washington.

Now is the time toREGISTER!

Come out for a night of dancing, door prizes, awards, and fun as we celebrate the rides and ride leaders of 2023. Members can bring one non-member guest. Be sure to answer the question about your favorite, appropriate dance song when you register.

 For just $20 you get:
  • Appetizers
  • Cash bar
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • To thank and recognize our amazing ride leaders
  • Time to connect with the best group of people, bar none

To register, complete the form after logging in to the SCU site with your credentials. When you click through, make sure your name is in the upper right-hand corner then you can hit register now and pay.

 Due to space restrictions, only the 1st 100 people to pay will be able to attend.


Don't delay, register now!


Chrislee Butcher

SCU Social Director


2024_Summer_Century.jpg
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
 
We are pleased to announce that the following slate of Executive Committee nominees was elected by the membership to serve for the 2024 calendar year:
  • 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
The position of Signature Event Director (Century Director) remains available. 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 Seminar Open to ALL Cyclists
Co-Sponsored by Linda McGrane and the Host Bike Shop Listed Below
ALL cyclists are warmly invited to participate.
 
  
(New Date) Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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


[LAST CALL!] 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


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

Covid remains a health issue in the United States. 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 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.

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
  • Robert L. Highley - Brigantine, NJ
  • Sue Wiedorn - Yardley, 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.  

SCU Executive Committee
President
Steve Muth

Secretary
Helen Muth

Treasurer
Savannah Lee
 
Signature Event Director
Open

Digital Communications Director
Kevin Olsavsky

IT Director
Jim Hill

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