Vol 2026 l No 2 l February | Table of Contents
- President's Message
- SCU Annual Celebration Recap
- February Safe Cycling Tip - Winter Bike Safety Check
- Order of the Knights of the Cast Iron Crotch 2025
- THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 RIDE LEADERS!
- REGISTRATION OPEN THIS WEEK - 2026 SCU Best of Bucks Metric!
Saturday, May 9, 2026
- Join the 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance
25th Anniversary Cycling Challenge
- RideWithGPS Online Seminars Hosted by BCP!
- Welcome Our New Members!
- General Club Reference & Resources
- The SCU Ride Guide (and Safety Reminders)
- Member Benefits
- Online Club Resources
- Regional Events Calendar & Mileage Log
- SCU Executive Committee
- Connect with SCU on Social Media!
| Image credit:
MS Copilot AI response based on an upload of my election bio picture with the prompt, "Please make this person look like they are outside in a blizzard." | President's Message
February 2026
Last month I wrote, "The last week of January is the coldest week of the coldest month of the year." Looking at my window thermometer of 16 degrees and a forecast of two below, I feel like a prophet! Mother Nature certainly has not been kind this week to cyclists in Eastern PA. Trying to make lemonade out of life's lemons, I have taken the opportunity for both the practical and the reflective. First, I have cleaned up my bike workshop. Old worn-out items were tossed. (Why was I saving several bent derailleurs?) Good items were organized. Slightly-worn-but-still-serviceable items gathering dust were set aside for donation to Neighborhood Bike Works. I even mopped the floor. I feel quite proud of myself, actually.
On the reflective side, I have been reminiscing about fun local rides and exciting trips from this past summer. Riding the same local roads all the time could get boring, but sharing the joy and suffering of hills, heat, cold, and wind with others makes riding more than rolling down the road. Trips bring fresh experiences, challenges to be faced, and new friends that add perspective to our riding. I am making plans for more rides and trips in the future, anticipating warmer weather and more good times. Yet our time on this planet is finite. Our health can be more fragile than we care to think about. I try not to forget that any ride could be my last for whatever reason. So, while I savor my biking memories and look forward to rides, I try to live in the present. I consider every ride and trip a gift and each mile to be the unwrapping of something beautiful.
Soon it will be Groundhog day, the mid-Winter milestone on the path towards better riding weather. I hope to see you out there as soon as the roads thaw.
Steve "The present moment is all you ever have"* Muth
SCU President
*Eckhart Tolle
PS -- On a more prosaic note, the Executive Committee discussed the calendar change at length at its January meeting. No decisions were made except to continue the discussions this month.
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SCU Annual Celebration Recap
Over 90 SCU members and guests gathered at MaGerks in Fort Washington on Saturday, January 10
to celebrate the cycling year of 2025, renew friendships and look ahead to a great 2026!
Thanks to everyone who made this evening so special!
|  | February Safe Cycling Tip
Winter Bike Safety Check
Use this period of cold weather to assess your bike's safety readiness. Murphy's Law tells us these failures are most likely to happen on the first fast descent of Spring.
- Inspect your tires for cuts and tears, especially if you can see the casing threads. Even if they are not bulging, water can eventually get in and weaken the casing.
- Gently tap on all your spokes with a small wrench. Or give them a gentle squeeze. If one sounds or feels different from its neighbors, it may need tightening or replacement.
- While you're there, inspect for cracks where the spokes connect to the rim and hub.
- Check your brake pads. For rim brakes, they are toast if the wear bars or dots are gone. For disc brakes, they should have at least 1 mm of material remaining. This is about the thickness of a credit card. Using a flashlight will help you see into the caliper.
- Inspect your frame for cracks. The top of forks, near the headset bearings, and around the cranks are common areas of cracking. As long as you're there, look at the cranks too. A crank failure while out of the saddle will likely result in a crash.
- Been riding on the trainer a lot? It's easy for sweat to collect under the bar tape and cause corrosion. The only real way to check is to remove the tape and inspect before replacing it. That tape was probably looking grungy away.
Winter's the best time to get these matters addressed at your local bike shop. You're not riding and the mechanics have plenty of time. That way when the weather warms you will be ready to ride rather than waiting for your bike to be serviced.
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I Will Ride and Survive
At first I was afraid, I was petrified— Thought I could never ride my bike Through all this frost outside. But then I spent so many nights Just staring at the weather app, And I grew strong, Decided snow won’t hold me back.
So now I’m back, Back on the road, I’ve got three thermal layers on And still the wind feels like it’s cold. I should’ve bought those fancy gloves, I should’ve wrapped my face up tight, If I’d known for just one second How the wind would try to bite.
Oh yes, I ride! Oh, I survive! As long as I keep pedaling, My toes might stay alive. I’ve got all my gears to give, I’ve got all this grit inside, And I’ll ride, I will survive.
|  | REGISTRATION OPEN THIS WEEK - 2026 SCU BEST OF BUCKS METRIC!
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Mark your calendar! The 2026 Best of Bucks Metric will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026 starting from Delaware Valley University! Registration will open THIS WEEK - please keep an eye out for a separate announcement and check the SCU website. We can't wait!!!! | Order of the Knights of the Cast Iron Crotch 2025
Congratulations to those SCUers who went the extra miles
(5,000 or more) in 2025! These individuals were recognized at the Annual Celebration
as official members of the Order!
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Name
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Mileage
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Matthew Murray
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13,777
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Linda McGrane
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12,562
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Judith Pyle
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7,582
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Stephen Muth
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7,405
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Linda Dart
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6,512
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Joe Phelps
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6,304
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Curtis Schwartz
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6,141
|
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Tom Kramlik
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6,102
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Joe Pless
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6,009
|
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Sharon Hansen
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5,763
|
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Charles Brant
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5,487
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Kevin Olsavsky
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5,445
|
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Chuck Herbert
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5,375
|
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Steve Baxter
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5,345
|
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Dean Mondelblatt
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5,091
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Alan Rendina
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5,084
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Charlaine Dunlap
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5,032
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Honorable Mentions:
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Marilyn Harvey
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4,926
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Wayne Dunlap
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4,800
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| THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 RIDE LEADERS!
SCU couldn't exist without our ride leaders! They are the reason that our club
offers so many choices of days/times, destinations and ride levels to its members.
Thank you to all those listed below who led club rides in 2025! | | Linda McGrane
Joe Phelps
Katie Hunt
Wes Wolf
Dave Atkins
Scott Siegfried
Terry Strobaugh
Bob Doyle
Tom Madle
Monica Coleman
Dean Mondelblatt
Dan Operacz
Tom Beckett
Thom McAdams
Dmitri Levin
Scott Willbanks
Rob Leder
Doug Smithman
Kevin Olsavsky
David Kaplan
Stephen Muth
Sharon Hansen
Judith Pyle
| | Jacinthe Julien
Curtis Schwartz
Mike Mitchell
Elliot Titcher
David Taylor
Rich Abraham
Elisabeth Charrier
Claire Tanzer
Tom O’Neill
Pauline Martin
Don Smullen
Elliot Selsley
Jeff Kochanowicz
Andrew Nathans
Alan Silverman
Steve Baxter
Chuck Herbert
Rick Loechler
Charles Brant
Savannah Lee
Caresa Creasey
Cassandra Hogue | | |  | Join the 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance
25th Anniversary Cycling Challenge
This year, in honor of the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance invites all to participate in the 25th Anniversary Cycling Challenge – a year-long series of more than 23 events between May and October along the 9/11 National Memorial Trail. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just beginning, this event series allows you to explore different parts of the trail while accumulating miles, earning prizes, and honoring the memory of those affected by 9/11. The 2026 SCU Best of Bucks Metric is one of the events associated with the Cycling Challenge. The bike club logging the most miles across all events will receive a special prize.
Follow the link below for detailed information on the Cycling Challenge, associated events and rules.
Join the Alliance in resilience, community, and remembrance as we journey along the 1,500-mile September 11th National Memorial Trail, connecting the 9/11 Memorial sites in New York City, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and Arlington, Virginia.
| RideWithGPS Online Seminars Hosted by BCP!
The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia will be holding 2 FREE interactive online seminars on
using RideWithGPS to follow or plan cycling routes. Further information on these seminars is below.
A link to join the sessions is also provided:
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Bobby Phengvath - King of Prussia, PA
| | |  | | | | |  | 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".
- At intersections, do not call "Clear" for other riders. Conditions can change quickly with incorrect and potentially dangerous assumptions by other riders. Each rider should satisfy themself that it is safe to proceed. Do always call out approaching vehicles and other hazards, though.
Thank you Thom McAdams for the reminders!
|  | 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, Steve Baxter, at rides@suburbancyclists.org and he can provide more information to start you on your way!
| 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 Committee |  | 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”.
| | | All Members Welcome at Executive Committee Meetings!
For 2025, 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
Larry Kohout
Treasurer
Savannah Lee
Digital Communications Director
Kevin Olsavsky
Membership Director
Pat Butcher
Public Relations Director
Linda A. McGrane
Ride Leader Director
Steve Baxter
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Regional Calendar Editor
Jack Elias
Merchandise Manager
Open | CONNECT WITH SCU ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow SCU on Facebook and Instagram for news and images from the club and our growing cycling community!
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