Month: October 2023

Doug McMahon

So sad to say good bye to Doug who is the ultimate friend and volunteer . He is such a great guy and wish him well on the next chapter of his life in SC

Rough Roads

There are several roads that many of you may have some misunderstandings and keep you from posting certain rides.

ROUTE 611-From Slateford, Pa to Delaware Water Gap, Pa Rt 611 is narrow, no bike lane and traffic. However, due to a rock slide that road is closed to cars but unofficially open to pedestrians and bikes.  It is one of the most scenic stretches in our library with Mount Minsi on one side and the Delaware River and Mount Tammany on the other side.

LAKE ROAD-Lake Road along Ravine Lake has some very rough stretches but is negotiable as long as you take it easy and enjoy the scenery but that is my opinion.

BLACK RIVER RD-From Hacklebarney Rd to Fairmount Rd there are some rough sections but some areas have been repaved so it is not as bad as it used to be.  It is a steep very scenic downhill thru Hacklebarney Park along the Lamington River.  I do recommend you use your brakes and keep your distance from your fellow riders.

Manny

Jack Brohal

Sad news – the passing on October 21, 2023 of longtime bike racer and adventurer Jack Brohal, beloved husband of Lili and a member of the Freewheelers since the early 1980’s. Look in our newspaper archive for some of the tales of his bicycling life. There are no services, but Lili will be sitting shiva at home, 19 Amackassin Road in Blairstown, NJ, Monday October 30 and Thursday November 2, both days 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Limited parking. If you are coming same time as friends, you can park at the Acme and carpool up.

I met Jack for the first time at one of our ride leader pizza parties.   He and Lili were full of life and had a pure love for riding their bikes.   You will be amazed to find out about Jack’s accomplishments and depth of knowledge.  He led an amazing life and lived it to the fullest.   The club lost a good one.

I encourage all of you to look back and take some time to read about this wonderful individual in our archives. The Jack Brohal newsletters are on our website in the newsletter archive directory.
You will immediately see that Jack was a very detail-oriented man!

The links to the newsletters are noted below:

Regards
Joseph Reo
Club President

SAFETY

Bicycle Safety 101 Updated Friday April 28 (2)[507360]

This weekend a group of us will be heading to Gettysburg for the Fall Foliage Ride sponsored by the Philadelphia Bike Club.  I just want to share this bicycle safety document that was sent to all the participants.  As cyclists we should follow all that is presented in this document.

Manny

PIZZA PARTY AND FALL FOLIAGE

PIZZA PARTY-So far we have a good turnout for the Ride Leader Pizza Party and you can still sign in to attend.  This party is to recognize ride leaders who have led at least one ride last year.  To check if you are eligible to attend click here. If you signed on to attend but decide you can’t attend please remove your name from the list so we don’t get charged by the restaurant.  You can bring a guest at $20.

FALL FOLIAGE-I checked and fall foliage is at near peak at Stokes State Forest. Sign up here.

Manny

Tour de Bronx Oct 22

I almost forgot about another special ride and it is the Tour de Bronx.  Information on this ride is on our calendar of events and it is free but you still need to register on the event website.  After registering be sure to sign up on the MAFW schedule.  This event is expecting ~4000 cyclists and already 4 MAFW cyclists have signed up.

Manny

Special Events and a Road Closure Update

SPECIAL EVENTS- In the next week we have several special events.  If you have registered for the event, you can go to the MAFW schedule and sign up for the ride so your fellow riders can get together at the event.  Just a reminder that signing up on the MAFW schedule does not mean you are registered for the event.  You still have to register via the event website.

  1. Seagull Century Saturday Oct 14.  Here is your chance to do a flat century.  Not sure if you can still register.
  2. JFCS 3rd Annual Wheels for Meals Sunday Oct 15. You can sign up for this event day of the event.  You get to ride on roads we normally don’t ride on.
  3. Fall Foliage Ride Weekend Oct 20-22. This event is run by the Philadelphia Bike Club and registration is closed.  Two hotels were reserved for this event in Gettysburg and both hotels were filled with cyclists.  We have at least 11 MAFW cyclists attending this event.

ROAD CLOSURE-The covered bridge on Rosemont Ringoes Rd is closed but the roadway next to the covered bridge is open.  I did it yesterday.  There is a lot of chip sealing going on and it is hard to update all the chip sealing.  Just slow down and be careful until you get through it.  May want to unclip one foot.

Manny

RIDE LEADER PIZZA PARTY

Another reminder that the Ride Leader Pizza Party will be held Oct 19 from 6-8pm at Vintage Tavern in Gillette.  This party honors ride leaders who have led at least one ride this past year from 10/1/2022 to 9/30/2023.  Cost for a guest is $20.  Be sure to sign up on the MAFW website. If you sign up and then decide you can’t attend be sure to remove your name from the list so we don’t get charged by the restaurant.

Thanks, Manny

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