RIDE COORDINATOR UPDATE

COLONIAL PARK-During the winter you can switch start point from Howe Athletic Parking Lot to Colonial Park Lot C.  All porta johns were removed from Howe for the winter while Lot C has heated bathrooms.  Be sure to include this message in your ride.  Cue sheets will not be changed for this winter move but I figure you can work it out.

As of yesterday, Canal Rd between Blackwell Mills and Jacques is still closed at 6 Mile Run.  You have 3 options to get around the closure:

  1. River Rd from Blackwell Mills to Griggstown. Traffic and no bike lane.
  2. Blackwell Mills to Middlebush to Jacques.  Adds mileage and Middlebush has traffic and no bike lane.
  3. Yesterday we chose the hardpacked gravel towpath from Blackwells Mills to Griggstown.  There is a very short section that you should walk.  Yesterday we had no issues on the towpath and no rider fell in the canal.

SAFETY-During your winter rides be sure to include caution of black ice, especially in shady areas.

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving,

Manny

CANAL ROAD CLOSED AT 6 MILE RUN

Canal Road is closed just south of Blackwells Mills.  Work is being done on the bridge over 6 Mile Run.  You have several options:

  • Take Blackwell Mills to Middlebush Rd to Jacques Lane.  Adds ~2 miles and Middlebush has fast traffic and narrow bike lane.
  • Take the towpath from Blackwells Mills to Griggstown.
  • Cross over to River Rd and take it to Griggstown.

Manny

BATHROOMS

BED 1 – The bathrooms at the Art Building have been sealed for the winter.  There is a portajohn at Burnt Mill Park but not sure if it will be removed for the winter.

COLONIAL PARK – All portajohns at Howe Athletic have been removed for the winter.  There are heated bathrooms in Colonial Park at Lots C and F.  Hopefully they will stay open for the winter.

WHITE OAK PARK – There are heated bathrooms at White Oak Park.

LOANTAKA – Hopefully the bathrooms will stay open for the winter.

PICKELL PARK – Not sure if bathrooms stay open for the winter.

LIMECREST – Not sure if bathrooms stay open for the winter.

Manny

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  Lake Road will be paved.

Far Hills Police Department Public Message

Advisory: AVOID Lake road 11/15/23 and 11/20/23 for milling and paving. Lake Road will be closed from Hidden Valley Road to Campbell Road.

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

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