SAFETY THOUGHT This message was shared to me by a fellow rider.

Stopping at red lights is one of the simplest yet most important responsibilities for cyclists.It isn’t just about following the law – it’s about safety and respect on the road.A cyclist who rolls through a red light puts themselves at risk of colliding with vehicles, pedestrians, or other riders, often at intersections where crashes are most likely to occur.Obeying lights also helps build trust with other road users. Drivers are more likely to respect cyclists’ space and rights when they see consistent, responsible behavior.By stopping, you’re showing motorists that cyclists belong on the road and play by the same rules.There’s also the powerful effect of setting an example. When one rider stops, others behind are more likely to do the same, normalizing safe habits within the cycling community.In short: stopping at red lights protects you, earns respect, and makes cycling safer for everyone.

The message above also applies to stop signs and other rules followed by vehicles. In a related safety topic, if you are riding in a group and half the group makes it through a traffic light, the part of the group that makes it thru the light should wait for the part of the group that did not make it thru the light.  Don’t try and go thru a red light to stay with the group.

SCENIC SCHUYLKILL CENTURY SUNDAY SEPT 7

This Sunday Sept 7 is the Scenic Schuylkill Century and this event has been added to the MAFW Calendar and the MAFW Schedule with Marty Pratt as ride leader.  If you want to go you need to register via the link below and then sign up on the schedule so we know who is going and we might ride together. This well-supported event gives you the opportunity to ride in new territory.

2025 Scenic Schuylkill Century — Sunday Sept 7, 2025

SOURLANDS SPECTACULAR SATURDAY SEPT 13

Saturday Sept 13 is the Sourlands Spectacular with Dennis Budnick as rider leader. If you want to go you need to register via the link below and then sign up on the schedule so we know who is going and we might ride together.

Sourland Spectacular – Pennington, NJ

MAFW PICNIC SUNDAY SEPT 14

Sunday Sept 14 is the MAFW Fall Picnic to be held at White Oak Park with rides at all paces. Be sure to sign up.

OTHER RIDES

 On the MAFW Schedule are other special rides and events you should check out.

RIDE PREPARATION

Standard preparation for MAFW riders after signing up for a ride:

       -Ride time posted on the schedule is the time the group leaves.

       -Arrive with enough time to prepare for the ride. Recommend at least 15 to 30     minutes.

       -If you are going to be late for a ride or decide to cancel you need to call the ride leader.

       -Recommend red light for back of your bike and a front light. Bell or horn is the law.

       -Bring 2 filled water bottles and some snacks.

       -Check your tires before arriving at the start point.

       -Ride leaders can help you with a flat, but you need to bring spare tube and repair kit.

Any questions or if you want to become a ride leader to help the Club, feel free to contact me at 732-259-8990, Manny

My apologies but I will have to cancel the ride leader meeting scheduled for next week.

This will be the 10th weekend of fun in the Penn Dutch area in Lancaster County. Pa. This is the second year that this event will be in the fall because we have found it to usually be great weather for bicycle riding,  To get more information on this event please go the MAFW Calendar.

Good Evening All:

Our next party ride will be on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Harry Dunham Park. The club will be providing those amazing sloppy joe sandwiches from Avenue Deli in New Providence, as well as chips, fritos, watermelon, and beverages. And we will be having some drawings for some nice giveaways at the end of the ride. So that we get an accurate head count for the food quantities, please sign up for the rides asap. The weather forecast looks ideal. Come join us for our August party ride. 

 

Jeff

 

 

Good Evening All:

I just want to remind you that our next party ride will be this Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Harry Dunham Park. We will be providing delicious sloppy joes, some veggie wraps, watermelon, chips, fritos and beverages.  In addition, we will having drawings for some nice giveaways.  We posted a great C+ ride, #612,  a 45 miler that is need of a ride leader, so if you are available, we would appreciate you leading that ride. So we have an accurate head count for the food, please sign up asap.   The weather forecast looks great. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday. 

Tbanks,

Jeff

There will be a ride leader zoom meeting  for Wednesday, August 27th from 7pm to 9pm. Here’s the link for the meeting: http://bit.ly/3HGs0Ye  

This Sunday Aug 17 there will be a Memorial Ride for Wajih Addul-Haqq who was a cyclist killed Aug 4 on North Ave in Westfield by a drunk driver.  Ride will start 9:30 am from 513 Richmond St, Elizabeth with gathering at 9am.  This will be a casual pace for 20-25 miles.

Manny

Recently Guinea Hollow and Sutton Roads were chip sealed.  Does anyone know the current status of those roads?  I was asked by a group who want to go on those roads this weekend.

Thanks, Manny

 

• NEW RIDE LEADERS We always need new ride leaders so we can offer more rides for our members.  As ride leader you get to choose tour, date and time. If interested, please contact me.  The main requirements to become a ride leader are that you are a member of MAFW and have completed a few rides. The procedure to post a ride is simple and I can help you step thru the process.
• RIDER EDIQUETTE If you sign up for a ride and then realize you can’t make the ride, please cancel from the ride so the ride leader doesn’t have to try and contact you or even wait for you. If you are going to be late or you are cancelling just before the ride please contact the ride leader. If start time is for example 9am, the ride will leave promptly at 9am so please try and get there with enough time to prepare for the ride. I recommend 20-30 minutes.
• CALENDAR When you log into the MAFW site please check out the special calendar of events by selecting “VIEW OUR CALENDAR TO SEE MAFW AND OTHER EVENTS”.  This calendar has events by other organizations that normally do not show up on our regular ride schedule.
• SPECIAL MAFW EVENTS We have some great MAFW events coming up with rides for almost all paces. Right now they will start showing up on the schedule as ride leaders sign up for the rides.  These events include:
  • August 23 Social ride from Harry Dunham. 
  • September 14 Fall picnic at White Oak Park.
  • September 27 Beer and Pizza ride with BTCNJ from Denville.
  • October 7 Milestone Party from Pickell Park.

Sincerely,
Manny

If you want to lead a proposed ride all you have to do is go to the Rides Schedule, select the ride you want to lead under Tour/Signup, and select Save Changes.  You also have ability to change the time and pace of the ride you want to lead but not for the picnic, social or milestone rides.  Thanks, Manny