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Date: 3/1/2021
Subject: SCU March Chainletter
From: SCU Announcements



Vol 35  l  No  3  l  March 2021

Table of Contents
  • President's Message
  • 2021 Quad County Metric: In person cancelled for 2021 due to COVID-19, evaluating alternative events
  • Covid-19 Mitigation Measures
  • Ride Leader and Sweeps - January and February (and an awards correction)
  • March Poem from Jim Howat
  • From Our Friends at Bicycle Club of Philadelphia (BCP)
  • Regional Events Calendar and Mileage Log
  • New Members
  • Support Our Sponsors
  • Executive Committee Meeting Schedule (Members Welcome)
  • SCU Executive Committee

President's Message
President's Message March 2021

March is sometimes a month of wind and rain, but always of a month of hope as the first day of Spring arrives. Even before that, we'll move the clock forward and have more time for daylight riding during the week. Overall, Spring is a time of positive change, I think this will be true more this year than most.
 
At the February meeting the Executive Committee decided to hold an event in the late Summer or early Fall rather than hold a second virtual Quad. Virtual organized rides were a novelty that were better than sitting home, but most of us prefer the buzz and atmosphere of the start/finish of a live event as well as the support out on the road. With most experts predicting the widespread availability of Covid vaccines by the Summer, an event should be feasible -- with some precautions, of course. However, since Montgomery County is unwilling to commit to issuing permits through the summer, the Executive and Century Committees are considering a new event with a start in Bucks County rather than just holding the Quad in the summer. 
 
Also, as the Covid situation abates, we are also hoping to resume regular weeknight rides this season. We may need to wait past the traditional April 1 start date for larger gatherings, consider alternate venues, and still take some basic precautions. But by summer it should be possible once again for members to gather and enjoy each other's company on a regular basis.
 
Stay tuned for more details, and start watching for robins and daffodils!
 
Steve "A kind word is like a Spring day" Muth
SCU President



SCU’s Quad County Metric canceled due to COVID-19 complications

SCU’s Quad County Metric canceled due to COVID-19 complications

 
SCU’s 2021 Quad County Metric has been canceled as we are unable to reserve some of the key facilities needed for the event at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Green Lane Park and other venues understandably are not approving use of their facilities for large group activities this Spring and Summer. In the best interest of the Club and all Quad participants, we have decided to cancel the event.
 
No one is more disappointed than the dedicated group of people who have worked hard to prepare for this event. Marc Katz and Denyse Ringling did an excellent job preparing our public relations material. Charlie Brant and some of his fellow long-distance riders have scouted and planned wonderful routes. They and Dina Adams, Robin Einhorn, Jack Elias, David Katz, Jeff Kochanowicz, John Martino, Linda McGrane, Curtis Schwartz, Scott Siegfried and Rich Terry, have been working with us since last year’s Virtual Quad to prepare for this year’s event.
  • We are considering alternatives to the Quad, perhaps a virtual or socially distanced event this Spring, or an Autumn version of the Quad later this year (or maybe both).
Stay tuned for more announcements and stay healthy.

Chuck Herbert
Quad Director

Steve Muth
SCU President


SCU COVID-19 Mitigation Measures

SCU COVID-19 Mitigation Measures

SCU will continue to practice the Mitigation Measures (found here: https://suburbancyclists.org/docs.ashx?id=636920) . The virus is not gone, and we need continued vigilance to prevent a resurgence and a retreat to greater restrictions.  Thank you to all members and ride leaders who continue to act responsibly!


Ride Leader and Sweeps - January and February
 
We would like to thank the ride leaders and sweeps who led in January and February:
  • John Dwyer
  • Scott Siegfried
  • Joe Phelps
  • Linda McGrane
 
We would also like to make a correction to the Ride Leader Awards announced last month:
  • Bob Fuerst led 25 rides during the 2019-2020, not 7 as previously mentioned.  This was the 5th highest tied with Monica Coleman.  

March Poem from Jim Howat
  • We are now into March, February is done, still having to deal with covid is not fun.
  • A new variant of covid has come along, the contagious aspect of it is pretty strong.
  • We were not sorry to see 2020 go, but covid is still here, as we know Restrictions are ongoing, that is very clear.
  • We may have to make sacrifices, just like last year.
  • Let us keep in shape, let us keep working out.
  • Think positive, and let’s not pout!

From our Friends at Bicycle Club of Philadelphia (BCP)
 
  • The 22nd Annual National Bike Summit, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists (LAB), will take place ALL ON-LINE this year, February 28 to March 3. This year’s theme is “Bikes: Our Vehicle for Change” in recognition of the power of bicycling to move us forward, even in the most challenging of times. Daily sessions convene at 1:00pm ET and 10:00am PT. Details, re. Summit Agenda and registration (via Whova) are available here: https://bikeleague.org/summit.
  • More Trails in the Pipeline for Spring Rides - One of the major campaigns of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is the Circuit Trails Network (https://circuittrails.org). Currently, there are 350 miles of trails in the Greater Philadelphia region (in both PA and NJ).  The goal is to achieve 500 miles by 2025.  A few weeks ago, I attended an on-line meeting of Bike Bucks County – the Bucks County Action Team for the Circuit Trails campaign.  There are several new trails in Bucks County to explore – either completed & open (e.g., Neshaminy Greenway), in progress (e.g., Newtown Rail Trail) , or “in the pipeline” (proposed).  That Bucks County Action Team meeting was recorded – here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0RwqTHoRcg 

  • Remember Greg Lemond? In 2018, Daniel deVise wrote the popular book, The Comeback: Greg LeMond, the True King of American Cycling, and a Legendary Tour de France. I was recently invited to an on-line discussion of this book with the author. The event was labeled as a “Tireside Chat”, and was advertised on Facebook. The program was RECORDED by the presenters, US Bicycling Hall of Fame, you may be able to locate this recording on the Internet. It took place on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7:00 to 8:00pm EST, and was free and open to the public.
  • Some Anti-COVID Levity.  British bike blogger Leonard M. Lee, aka Jolly God Velo, has recently posted this Feb. 20 ride in his cycling diary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX1pL12mBpc. Leonard discusses topics which are universal for all cyclists, e.g., trying to squeeze in a ride when the skies are overcast, with the threat of rain…..how many miles will Mother Nature permit you to stay dry? Also, if you happen to be an Anglophile, you get to vicariously travel to southern England to cycle with Leonard on peaceful and scenic roads on the left side of the road.
  • BCP is in the process of planning the Spring Weekend in Danville for May 21-23, with adaptations in place for COVID mitigation and public health & safety, e.g., outdoor dining & gatherings, wearing masks, encouraging vaccination prior to attending the event, etc. Please contact Linda McGrane for event details - mcgrane_linda_a@yahoo.com, 267-251-7862
Courtesy of Linda McGrane
BCP President

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. See Other Bicycle Event Calendars for bicycle events outside of the coverage area of the SCU calendar.
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
 
No new members in February, spread the word of the benefits of SCU membership!
   

Support Our Sponsors
www.keswickcycle.com
(215) 885-7433

www.zinmanandcompany.com
(215) 357-2250

(215) 355-1166

All Members Welcome at Executive Committee Meetings
 
For 2021, Executive Committee meetings are held every second Thursday 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. In the past we have met at College Settlement Camp facilities, but due to Covid we are meeting 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. Upcoming dates include March 11, April 8, May 13, June 11, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 11, and December 9.
 
Hope to see you there.  

SCU Executive Committee
President
Steve Muth

Secretary
Dina Adams

Treasurer
David Kaplan
 
Signature Event Director
Chuck Herbert

Digital Communications Director
Steve DeLabio

IT Director
Scott Siegfried

Membership Director
Robin Einhorn

Public Relations Director
Linda A. McGrane

Ride Leader Director
Curtis Schwartz

Social Director
Marc Katz
 
Safety & Legislative Director
Open
 
**************************************************
Regional Calendar Editor
Jack Elias
 
Merchandise Manager
Dina Adams