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Date: 4/1/2021
Subject: SCU April Chainletter
From: SCU Announcements



Vol 35  l  No  4  l  April 2021

Table of Contents
  • President's Message
  • 2021 Quad County Metric: Cancelled for 2021 due to COVID-19, evaluating alternatives
  • Covid-19 Mitigation Measures
  • Ride Leader and Sweeps - March
  • From Our Friends at Bicycle Club of Philadelphia (BCP) and condolences to Linda on the passing of her father Jim
  • 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 April 2021

I've been vaxxed. I was even lucky enough to get the single-dose version. A few of us have also been fully vaxxed, and some have had their first dose and are waiting on their second. Of course, for a number of reasons there are many that haven't been able to get vaxxed at all. So, we can't throw away our masks and start freely hugging each other quite yet, but we're getting closer.

A Fall century is getting very close to becoming a reality. Thanks to the efforts of Chuck Herbert and the Century Committee, we are in the process of securing a start location in Bucks County. The Committee will be selecting an event name soon. Feel free to send suggestions to Chuck or me, but we can't use Lake Nockamixon. (We sold that name several years ago.) However, you can mark the date of Saturday, August 21, on your calendar to either ride or volunteer. More details will be announced as soon as possible.

With the return of Daylight Savings Time, the weeknight ride locations are re-opening. CoS in Wayne will resume Monday. Harleysville and Flourtown Wednesday rides never fully stopped for the Winter except when the conditions were too extreme. A permit hasn't been secured for Tuesdays and Thursdays at HHHS yet, but ride leaders are being encouraged to start individual pace groups from nearby locations. As part of its partnership with Bicycle Club of Philadelphia, online ride leader training will be available soon. If you are interested in leading rides, contact our Ride Director, Curtis Schwarz. He can set you up for the training and with an experienced co-leader for your first lead, if you'd like.

So, it's Springtime both on the calendar and for club riding at SCU. Hope to see you on a ride soon.

Steve "Choose optimism, it feels better" 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

 
As noted above we are considering alternatives to the Quad... 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 - March
 
We would like to thank the ride leaders and sweeps who led in March:
  • Steve Muth
  • John Dwyer
  • Scott Siegfried
  • Linda McGrane
  • Joe Phelps
  • Linda McGrane 

From our Friends at Bicycle Club of Philadelphia (BCP)
 
  • From Linda, on the passing of her father Jim, a friend to many in SCU...
    • My beloved Dad, Jim McGrane, long-time member and volunteer in BCP/SCU, passed away at Immaculate Mary Rehab in Northeast Philadelphia on 3/16/2021.
    • Jim McGrane was born & raised in West Philadelphia, and educated at Transfiguration grade school, West Catholic High School for Boys, and Spring Garden Institute for two years.  Jim overcame scarlet fever when he was ~age 5-6, and grew up during the Great Depression.  During high school, Jim played End on West Catholic’s city-wide championship Burrs football team.  Jim served in the US Navy in the South Pacific, during World War II.
    • Jim never drove a car, but was an avid walker, and walked to the train/bus/subway, etc.  Jim began serious bicycling when he was ~49 for his cardiac health, used his bike for commuting, and also exercised faithfully at the gym.  Jim inspired Yours Truly to join him on bike rides, and we became devoted cycling companions.  Jim became involved in the American Cancer Society’s annual Bike-a-thon to Atlantic City in the late 1970’s, and rode in this event for decades.  Yours Truly continues this tradition.
    • Jim continued to bicycle, well into his 80’s.  In his 70’s, he bought himself a new Trek hybrid bike for errands and commuting.  When he noticed that the chart of gearing ratios was not included in the owner’s manual, Jim wrote a letter to Trek Bikes to ask for this info, and explained that he was still cycling in his 70’s.  Jim received a congratulatory letter (& the gearing ratios) from the PRESIDENT of Trek Bikes, commending him on still riding.
    • During retirement, Jim became more involved in cooking & homemaking, attending church, supporting West Catholic’s Alumni Association, playing “Grandpop” to cats at home, and helping me with bike club events, e.g., staffing the BCP display table at expos.  Dad & I were perennial participants at the Baltimore Bike Club’s Kent County Spring Fling on Memorial Day weekend in Chestertown, MD, as well as SCU’s Ocean City event in August, and weekends with the Potomac Pedalers.  Dad patiently waited for me at the Finish Line at many century rides, e.g., Brandywine, Nockamixon, Lancaster, Hanover, etc.
    • I learned many valuable lessons from cycling with Dad.  We always wore our helmets and obeyed the rules of the road.  Enjoying the ride did not necessarily depend on speed, distance, or terrain.  Sharing the journey with a good companion was the priority, and we always found a peaceful place to stop for a rest break.  Our bikes gave us geographic freedom (and father-daughter bonding time).
    • THANK YOU to everyone in BCP (and SCU, DVBC, & CBBC) who kindly sent me condolence cards and messages, and who participated in Dad’s viewing, funeral Mass, and burial last week.  Your friendship and loving support have helped me (and Alan) through this difficult time.  The complete tribute to Jim McGrane can be found here: https://mcgheefuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/4566408/McGrane-James/service-details.php
  • A new web app with an interactive map is available to help cyclists (and runners, pedestrians, etc.) plan outdoor exercise in their neighborhoods, on roads identified as having low traffic stress: www.montcopa.org/GetOutAndGoStreets.  This interactive map highlights the thousands of miles of local streets throughout Montco that are considered low-stress and which can be used comfortably by bicyclists and pedestrians. This app was developed in response to the 100-200% increase in trail usage, which has made it challenging to maintain the required safe distancing.
  • The Coalition surpassed its goal of 5000 signatures.  More details and next steps are : 
    www.bicyclecoalition.org/5000-people-have-called-for-a-reimagined-mlk-drive-heres-what-happens-next
    Also from the Coalition……YOUR input is needed for PennDoT’s Transportation Survey, conducted every two years to update the long-term transportation plan.  PublIc input is vital for prioritizing transportation projects.  This survey is available until April 14: https://talkpatransportation.com/public-comment-period
  • Plans for the BCP Spring Weekend in Danville, PA are being finalized for May 21-22-23.  Details for the Spring Weekend will be announced very shortly.  This year’s Spring Weekend will be adjusted for COVID precautions, e.g., keeping gatherings outdoors for safer social distancing.  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
 
Welcome our newest SCU members:
  • Luis Chelminski, Doylestown
  • Kevin Hahn, Horhsam
  • Jim Hill, Ambler
  • Anthony Oleck, Wilmington

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 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