Table of Contents
- President's Message
- CBBC Picnic August 22, 2026
- NEW DATE! SCU Members Picnic October 3, 2026
- Member Appreciation Events are Here!
- August Safety Tip - Staying Cool in Hot and Humid Weather
- 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!
|  | President's Message
August 2026
July was not kind to the cyclists of the Philly suburbs. First we had uncommonly hot days that ran into the triple digits. This was followed by wildfire smoke that seared our throats and watered our eyes. And now, as I write this, we seem to be in a weather pattern designed by Tempestas herself. These brutal conditions have driven many of us to ride indoors, usually not a summertime option. Maybe we should blame El Niño. Maybe we should wear our lucky bike shorts more often. Or maybe we just need to drink more Brawndo. Regardless, it's better to modify and adjust our riding than to give it up in favor of something like logging grass growth rates or monitoring the dust accumulation on your window sill.
However, good things are in store for us this August. There is a cycling event every weekend on Jack Elias' Regional Calendar. Some are enjoyable fundraisers and others are for those who want a challenging course. SCU has been invited to CBBC's picnic on August 22 for joint outings and post ride bread breaking. (We'll be inviting them to ours on September 26.) Watch Meetup for more details. Most exciting of all, on August 30 the Philly Cycling Classic is back! After a ten year hiatus we'll once again be able to watch top national talent speeding down Kelly Drive and attacking the Manayunk Wall to that sound of chains, tires and breathing that is unique to a racing peloton. I think Lemon Hill is the best place to watch, but since it's ten laps you can move around and watch the race from different locations.
So keep your fingers crossed for a better August than July. I hope to see you on a ride soon.
Steve "It's hotter than Satan's armpit" Muth
SCU President
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CBBC Picnic
Saturday, August 22, 2026
The Central Bucks Bicycle Club annual picnic will be held on Saturday, August 22. Once again SCU members are invited to join in the fun with their CBBC friends (old and new!). The event will be potluck this year. More ride details will follow via the Meetup app. Register on the CBBC website at www.cbbikeclub.org (from the home page click on CALENDAR and see August 22 for the various options). Note that, similar to last year, we will need SCU ride leaders to lead some of the combined ride groups. We look forward to another fun event! |  | |
NEW DATE!
SCU Members Picnic
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Please mark your calendar for the annual SCU Members Picnic will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026! Similar to previous years, the day will include group rides at various levels ending at the picnic venue, which this year will be Evansburg State Park, Pavilion B. The format will be pot luck with sign ups to bring various salads, sides and desserts. We are currently finalizing the details of the event. Additional details will follow under separate correspondence. It's a great opportunity to connect with all your favorite SCUers (plus our friends from Central Bucks Bicycle Club!) and relax for a change! We look forward to seeing you there! | |
Member Appreciation Events are Here!
The dynamic duo of Pat and ChrisLee Butcher put on a Member Appreciation Celebration spread of goodies and beverages for members returning from the July 30 edition of Ride Yer Bike Tuesday (yes, that was a Thursday, but it had been rescheduled due to weather). Among the goodies were fresh-cut watermelon, salt and vinegar chips, chocolate chip cookies, and pretzel nuggets. Leaders of regularly scheduled rides who have not arranged Member Appreciation Celebration event should contact Pat at membership@suburbancyclists.org. |  | |
August Safety Tip - Staying Cool in Hot and Humid Weather
August brings with it the hottest and most humid days of the year (okay, so July was no picnic this year either!) To stay cool cycling in hot and humid weather, ride during the early morning hours, wear light-colored, moisture-wicking jerseys, and pour cold water over your head or down your neck. Because high humidity stops sweat from evaporating, you must rely on active external cooling, proper pacing, and electrolyte drinks.
Smart Timing and Route Planning
- Start early: Finish your ride before 10 AM to miss peak afternoon temperatures and solar radiation.
- Seek shade: Choose tree-lined paths, greenways, or loops with plenty of canopy cover rather than exposed open roads.
- Keep loops short: Stay closer to your start point so you can easily cut the ride short if you overheat.
Clothing and External Cooling
- Wear light colors: White and pale jerseys reflect sunlight instead of trapping heat like black or dark kit.
- Skip cotton: Choose breathable, synthetic, or merino wool items.
- Get wet: Pour water over your head, arms, and jersey at every water stop; the wind while riding accelerates cooling.
- Use ice: Stuff ice cubes inside your jersey pockets or down the front of your kit for an improvised ice vest.
Hydration and Pacing
- Add electrolytes: Drink mixes with sodium and salts to replace what you sweat out and prevent dangerous cramping.
- Lower your pace: Drop your target power output or speed by 10 to 20 percent because your heart works much harder in high humidity.
- Watch for symptoms: Stop immediately in the shade if you feel dizzy, sick, or clammy.
| | Michael D. Ahlert - Kempton, PA
Kevin Quan - Norristown, PA
Aaron J. Stemplewicz - Wyndmoor, PA
Tom Steppling - Jeffersonville, PA
Richard H. Vernick - Ambler, 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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