| Vol 34 l No 7 l July 2020 |  | |
As we continue the strangest season of cycling that any of us can remember, it is important to keep the situation in perspective. It is easy in times of uncertainty to let our minds run to extremes, to avoid all risk or to disregard risk entirely. Finding the proper balance between risk and benefit is much trickier. Even more so when our decisions affect not just ourselves and immediate family, but also the health of everyone around us. The Executive Committee has done its best by adapting guidelines set by cycling professionals and their medical experts. Members can do their best by following these to the best of their ability. And doing our best is all any of us can do. We cannot stop leading our lives out of fear, and for most members group cycling is a big part of our lives. But we can take sensible precautions. So, wear your mask as much as possible, keep a good distance from others and stay home if you or yours are sick. These are small prices to pay to continue to enjoy the special camaraderie of cycling with friends.
Steve "Embracing the New Normal" Muth
| | |  | SCU and Green Phase
On Friday, June 26, the Governor is expected to announce that the Philly Suburbs will go into the Green Phase of the Covid-19 Response (https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#GreenPhase). This is described as a 'new normal' that continues to involve social distancing and use of face masks while loosening some restrictions on businesses and social gatherings.
What does this mean for group rides at SCU? Please continue to practice the Mitigation Measures (found here: https://suburbancyclists.org/docs.ashx?id=636920) to the best of your ability. The virus is not gone, and we need continued vigilance to prevent a resurgence and a retreat to greater restrictions. We have seen this in other states where a shortage of diligence has led to new outbreaks. The good news is that we are applying to the start locations of our larger ride groups in an effort to resume regular weeknight rides. So far, they have seemed receptive, but they have not yet granted permission. Please wait and watch for ride postings on Meetup by the site coordinators.
Things are improving and will continue to improve if we all work together to prevent the spread of the virus. The most important measure to follow is to stay home or ride alone if you or someone close to you has symptoms or has had them in the past 10 days.
Hope to see you on a ride soon.
Steve Muth
SCU President |
SCU Scavenger Hunt Winners
| | ....And the Winners Are...
Recipients of $10 Wawa Gift Cards:
- Margaret Rux,
- Ed Sawin,
- Greg Vaeth,
- Becky Smith,
- Martina Steves,
- John Dwyer
- Jeff Kochanowicz.
The grand prize winner of the custom jersey goes to Wesley Wolf!!
Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2020 SCU Scavenger Hunt. We hope you had fun on your rides and enjoyed discovering some local gems in the area!!
Below are some more photos of the the event. | | |
Coming Soon!
SCU Photo Contest
| | Don't put your cameras down just because the Scavenger Hunt is over.
Start sharpening up your photography skills.
SCU will be announcing the details of its upcoming Photo Contest very soon! | | | A Poem by Jim Howat
Bike Rides and Friendship | |
On June 13th, I did a ride with John Dwyer
My enthusiasm level couldn’t have been higher
It was a beautiful day, nothing short of ideal
Good biking companionship was enjoyed for real
We left from Blue Bell, at Wentz Run Park
At 10:00, we did embark
Along with John, there was Becky and Dave
The Scavenger Hunt ride was what we did crave
We took photos along the way
Norristown, SRT, and Valley Forge Park made our day
With social distancing and solo riding
It felt like I was coming out of hiding
Life has been anything but ordinary
The way Covid has spread is indeed scary
The battle with Covid is far from over, that is true
Let us continue to do all we can do
Let us go about day to day living with common sense
With all we’re missing, the outrage and depression is immense
Everyone is crying foul, that’s for sure
Let’s hope that soon there is a cure
Let’s keep our spirits up, let us keep in touch
Our bike rides and friendship have meant so much | | |
Missing the Tour de France?
|  | | The Tour de France, typically held in the month of July, has been postponed until August 29 through September 20, 2020. This leaves a void in the viewing schedules of many cycling fans. However, the Tour de France United announced that it will be holding a Virtual Tour de France, in partnership with Zwift, over three weekends in July. There are 23 men's teams and 17 women's teams (each team has 4 riders) signed up. Among the confirmed starters are Egan Bernal (last year's winner of the TdF), Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas, Greg van Avermaet, Marianne Vos, Chloe Dygert, Anna van der Breggan, and more.
The Virtual Tour de France starts Saturday July 4th and will run for three consecutive weekends (total of six stages). Virtual courses include a climb up Mont Ventoux to Chalet Reynard and a stage down the Champs Elysees, around the Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde.
How can I watch? Zwift will livestream the races for free each day (9:00am-11:00am EDT). See HERE for a link to the virtual events and the schedule of events. The events are also currently scheduled to air live on NBCSN and on the GCN (Global Cycling Network) App.
Zwift members are invited to ride the stages in special Virtual L'Etape due Tour de France events that will be held after the pros ride the courses. | | |
Cancelled and Postponed Events, Sorted by Name
| Cancelled and Postponed Events
Be sure check Jack Elias' famous Calendar of Regional Events for an updated, chronological list of cancelled or postponed regional events. Many of the postponed events have not announced new dates. Jack is updating the list as information is provided.
See below for a list of cancelled and postponed events, sorted by name (updated through 6/28/2020)
|
Name / Location
|
Status
|
Original Date
|
|
ACS Bike-a-thon, Philadelphia to Atlantic City
|
Virtual Event
|
Jun. 14 / Aug. 9
|
|
Ben to the Shore Bike Tour, Philadelphia to Atlantic City
|
Postponed to Aug. 23
|
Sun. July 26
|
|
Bikes & Beers Hershey, Hershey, PA
|
Postponed to Oct. 10
|
May 30 / Aug. 1
|
|
Bikes & Beers New Jersey, Somerdale, NJ
|
Postponed to Aug. 30
|
Sat. June 13
|
|
Bikes & Beers Parkesburg, Parkesburg, PA
|
Postponed to Sept. 26
|
Sat. July 18
|
|
Brandywine Valley Roubaix V, West Chester, PA
|
Postponed to July 19
|
Sat. April 11
|
|
Breakthrough Bike Challenge, Birdsboro, PA
|
Virtual Event
|
Sun. Sept. 13
|
|
Cinco de Mayo Benefit Bike Ride, Exton, PA
|
Postponed to Sept. 13
|
Sun. May 3
|
|
Covered Bridges Ride, Erwinna, PA
|
Cancelled
|
Sun. Oct. 11
|
|
Cumberland Valley TrailFest, Shippensburg, PA
|
Postponed
|
Sat. April 18
|
|
Eagles Autism Challenge, Philadelphia, PA
|
Postponed to Sept. 26
|
Sat. May 16
|
|
Farmland Ride, Flemington, NJ
|
Postponed to Oct. 18
|
Sun. June 14
|
|
Fleche Buffoon, New Hope, PA
|
Postponed
|
Sat. April 18
|
|
Grandview DiVine Ride, Mount Joy, PA
|
Postponed to Aug. 30
|
Sun. May 17
|
|
Hell of Hunterdon, Blawenburg, NJ
|
Postponed
|
Sun. April 5
|
|
New York City-to-Philadelphia Greenway Ride
|
Postponed to Fall 2020
|
May 16-17
|
|
Ocean to Bay Bike Tour, Bethany Beach, DE
|
Postponed
|
April 24-25
|
|
PA Hope Ride, Hummelstown, PA
|
Postponed to Sept. 12
|
June 27-28
|
|
Ramapo Rally, Mahwah, NJ
|
Cancelled
|
Sun. Aug. 16
|
|
RCDCU Bike to Fight Prostate Cancer, Somerset, NJ
|
Virtual Event
|
Sat. Sept. 19
|
|
Ride for New Beginnings, Toms River, NJ
|
Postponed to Sept. 12
|
June 26-28
|
|
Ride to Defeat ALS, Wildwood, NJ
|
Postponed to Sept. 13
|
Sat. June 13
|
|
Shoo-Fly Classic, Oley, PA
|
Cancelled
|
Sat. Oct. 3
|
|
South Jersey Tour des Farms, Vincentown, NJ
|
Cancelled
|
Sept. 2020
|
|
Spencer Martin Memorial Ride for Habitat, Lehman, PA
|
Postponed
|
Sat. May 2
|
|
The Ride, Glassboro, NJ
|
Postponed
|
Sat. June 6
|
|
Tour de Belt, Harrisburg, PA
|
Postponed to Aug. 16
|
Sat. June 13
|
|
Tour de Lebanon Valley, Lebanon, PA
|
Postponed to July 18
|
Sat. June 13
|
|
Tour de Scranton, Scranton, PA
|
Postponed
|
Sun. April 26
|
|
YSC Tour de Pink East, Princeton, NJ
|
Virtual Event
|
Oct. 2-4
|
|
Have a Happy and
Safe 4th of July
from SCU!
|
Save the Dates!
BCP's Annual Fall Foliage Weekend
| BCP's Annual Fall Foliage Weekend
in scenic, historic Hanover/Gettysburg, PA
October 23-25, 2020
**Based on the timeline for COVID recovery, re-opening of PA, and rescheduling of BCP rides & events, we will provide updates in the next few months.
Complete package:
- 2 nights at the Hampton Inn & Holiday Inn Express of Hanover,
- Ride packets with a wide array of cue sheets & maps,
- Schedule of group rides with Leaders,
- Cycling around Gettysburg Battlefield,
- Friday & Saturday dinners,
- Saturday & Sunday breakfasts,
- Cycling snacks and sandwiches to take along with you on rides,
- Post-ride therapeutic massages on Saturday afternoon,
- Parties, SAG, road markings, live music, & more, including
- “Wheely Good Smoothies” made on a “smoothie (blender) bike”.
- Plenty of sightseeing and local attractions for non-cyclist companions, also.
- For any questions, please contact Linda McGrane, at:
267-251-7862, or lindabcpevents@yahoo.com
| | 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”
| | | | Please give a warm welcome to SCU's newest members
Mark Bonner- Horsham, PA
Allan Fitton
Joe Kestel - Abington, PA
Martina Steves - Ambler, PA
| | |  | |
(215) 885-7433 |  | |
(215) 357-2250 | | |
 | |
(215) 513-7550 |  | |
(800) 275-6953 | | |
President
Steve Muth
Secretary
Marc Katz
Treasurer
David Kaplan
Signature Event Director
Chuck Herbert
Digital Communications Director
Amy Brumbaugh
IT Director
Scott Siegfried
Membership Director
Robin Einhorn
Public Relations Director
Linda A. McGrane
Ride Leader Director
Curtis Schwartz
Social Director
Judith Pyle
Safety & Legislative Director
Jay Sitkin
**************************************************
Regional Calendar Editor
Jack Elias
Merchandise Manager
Dina Adams | |