Vol 2026 l No 10 l October | Table of Contents
- President's Message
- 2027 SCU Executive Committee Elections - Call for Candidates
- SCU Member Picnic- THANK YOU!
- What's Better han a Cranksgiving Ride? Two Cranksgivings!
- October Safety Tip - Safety Gear
- 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
October 2026
As cyclists we have all participated in some amount of drafting. Some of us ride this way often, others do so only for very brief moments. Certainly, we have all seen events where road racers win or lose through drafting.
So, we're all familiar with scenarios where someone is at the front of a cooperative group of riders. Maybe they're in a breakaway group trying to stay ahead of the peloton. Maybe they’re on a team working to save their lead rider’s legs for a stage win. Or maybe they're just friends enjoying the camaraderie of keeping the pace up.
In all these cases, when you get to the front you've got the fresh legs that let you ride at a quicker pace than you can normally sustain. You work to keep a steady pace that makes it easy for those behind you to get the maximum benefit. You roll along for a while like this feeling good for doing your part in this collective endeavor. Unfortunately, the reality is that sooner or later you start to tire. Perhaps you can reach deep into your reserves for a little bit longer. But if you don't move over and drop back soon your pace will drop, slowing the entire group with you.
Sometimes it's possible for you to find yourself in a situation where nobody is willing to let you off the front. When you move over, those behind you stay on your wheel instead of pulling through. Naturally, you may start to feel resentful because it may start to feel like it’s no longer a collaborative process. You are likely to consider intentionally dropping out of the group, or at least reducing your speed until someone finally does go around you. This breakdown in cooperation is how breakaways and team efforts fail, and how recreational group rides turn into several individual rides that just happen to be on the same roads at the same time.
The point is that when you are at the front it's important to know when to move over and let others go to the front. And those in the group need to recognize when they need to take a pull at the front before the lead rider burns out, physically or mentally. Shared time at the front wins races and keeps recreational rides fun. Please consider this something to think about as we ride in October’s Fall Foliage glory and as we head into our annual elections. Our club is stronger when we take turns at the front.
Steve “Elbow flick” Muth
SCU President
*Image created with Copilot AI since I could not find a real photo of recumbents in a pace line. Please don't look at the wheels too carefully. It will make your head hurt. |  |
2027 SCU Executive Committee Elections - Call for Candidates
It’s time to think about SCU in 2027 and how you might want to contribute by becoming a member of our Executive Committee (EC). Elections are coming up in November 2026, 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), Treasurer (Savannah Lee), Secretary (Larry Kohout), Ride Director (Steve Baxter), Public Relations Director (Linda McGrane), Membership Director (Pat Butcher) and Digital Communications Director (Kevin Olsavsky).
As part of our efforts to ensure we assemble the best possible slate of candidates, the deadline for submission of applications and accompanying biographical sketches is Monday, October 26, 2026.
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 (October 2026). 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!
I’ll be coordinating any interest, so any prospective nominees/volunteers can contact me at jeffbicycle@comcast.net. Whether you are an existing EC member and would like to consider another year in your current position or are an SCU member in good standing and want to throw your hat into the ring for a new position, please contact me. Note that anyone expressing an interest (including repeat “offenders”) should provide a brief “bio” and picture to me with the EC position of interest, qualifications, plus any pertinent background info prior to Monday, October 26, 2026. All such bio information for each position nominee will then be posted for the membership to view. The elections will be held in November. Election details will be provided in a separate announcement.
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 (2027 EC Elections)
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SCU Members' Picnic - THANK YOU!
Thank you again to all the Organizers, Volunteers and Ride Leaders who made the annual SCU Members' Picnic so special! Thanks also to the members of CBBC who joined us! It takes all of us playing our part to make member events like the picnic possible.
Our next planned event is the Annual Celebration after the first of the year. Please step up to help so that we can hold another memorable event! Contact Steve Muth or an Executive Committee member for additional information!
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What's Better Than a Cranksgiving Ride? Two Cranksgivings!
Just as in past years, SCU is a sponsor of Cranksgiving 2026 Souderton, which is organized by Scooter's Bike Shop. Three courses of 5, 20 and 30 miles are offered on Saturday, November 21. The short course stops at one Landis supermarket, the longer ones at two. Registration is free on BikeReg.
But what if you can't make that date? Or what if you want to double-down on your support of those facing food scarcity? There's also the 2026 Bucks County Cranksgiving organized by Doylestown Bike Works. This event is on Sunday, November 8, and offers a 10 mile course around town that stops at two local markets. Registration is also free on BikeReg.
Both events will transport your purchased donations from the market, have free parking and offer lunch after the ride. More details at each ride's BikeReg page.
Cranksgiving is a unique opportunity for the cycling community
to come together and help those in need
at a critical time of the year - please join us!
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October Safety Tip - Safety Gear
Required, Encouraged, Expected and Prohibited Gear
Safety while riding depends mostly on your behavior but also on your gear. Some safety related gear is non-negotiable because of bicycle laws and the terms of our insurance. This is the absolute minimum and you will be asked to leave a ride group if you don’t have these required items. Other gear is encouraged by the club. There won’t be a pre-ride check for these items, but your safety will be enhanced if you use them. Yet other gear is expected because you are with a group and its absence can impact other riders. Finally, there are some items that are absolutely prohibited either by the club or our insurance.
Required by PA bicycle law
- Head light visible for 500 feet plus rear and side reflectors for rides that start before sunrise or end after sunset
- Effective brakes (Don’t bring a track fixie without brakes)
Required by our insurance
- Helmet approved by a safety certification agency (Snell, CPSC, ASTM, or ANSI)
Encouraged by SCU
- Brightly colored jersey, t-shirt, jacket, and/or helmet
- Daytime: visibility head and tail light
- Nighttime: high-powered head light and multiple tail lights
- Water bottle or hydration bladder
- Sunglasses or other eye protection
- Rear facing mirror or radar
Expected by your ride leader and fellow riders
- Spare tube, tire levers and pump/inflator (You will not be popular with your group if you get a flat and don’t have them, especially the tube)
Prohibited
- Headphones or earbuds that obstruct the ear canal are prohibited by club policy (They interfere with communication between riders)
- Throttled Class II e-bikes are prohibited by our insurance (Class I and III e-bikes are welcome)
| | Eileen Brett - Wayne, PA
Peter Mayes - Narberth, PA
Rob Vinson - Oreland, 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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