CHIP SEALING:

Just want to share with you roads that will undergo chip sealing this summer.  No exact dates set.

• CR641 Burnt Mills Road in Bedminster/Branchburg from CR640 Burnt Mills Road to Easton Turnpike
• CR567 Old York Road in Branchburg from Route 202 to North Branch Bridge
• CR567 South Branch Road in Branchburg from Old York Road to Chubb Way
• CR621 Elizabeth Ave in Franklin from Amwell Road to 300’ North of New Brunswick Road
• CR613 North Finley Ave in Bernardsville/Bernards from Route 202 to West Oak Street
• CR613 South Finley Ave in Bernards from West Oak Street to Cross Road

LAKE ROAD

Far Hills Train Station is a popular start point and ~22 of 29 rides use Lake Rd along Ravine Lake.  I rode Lake Rd yesterday and it is a rough road but very scenic.  If you want to use Lake Rd be sure to tell your riders that it is a rough road.  Recommend taking it slow and single file.  You can detour around Lake using Peapak Rd but I leave it up to you.  Comments???

PARKING

For Far Hills Train Station during the week you can use the far parking lot after 9am.  I don’t think there are any restrictions on the weekends. From Memorial Day to Labor Day you need to use Goodale startpoint instead of  Limecrest.

Thanks, Manny

The smoke is clearing and weather is shaping up for a great weekend of riding. This Saturday is the Revolutionary Ramble from Drew University and all is set for a great ride even if you are riding or volunteering.  We are still looking for volunteers.

This Sunday June 11 is the Farmlands Ride from the Jewish Community Center in Flemington with picturesque rides thru the farmlands and rolling hills of Hunterdon County.  On-line registration is closed but you can register at the event. Website is attached below.

Home (farmlandride.org)

Both events are listed on the MAFW calendar.

Manny

There is a room available for Roy’s Penn Dutch Ride.  Contact Roy Fischman if you want to register for this fun event.  Besides cycling there is a lot of other activities in the Lancaster area including the Bird-In-Hand Inn where we are staying.  Except for this one room, the hotel is fully booked.

Manny

Test rides for the Revolutionary Ramble have been scheduled for Mon and Tues next week.  We could not do the test rides this weekend because Drew was not available and road markings will not be done until this weekend.  The 25, 35 and 45 mile test rides will be done Monday from Drew University.  The segments of the 70 and 100 mile rides that start and end at Harry Dunham will be tested Tuesday.  We need your help to complete this important task.

Thanks, Manny

The special Trek Inspection rides have been posted and # of riders is limited. Before the rides commence, all those members that sign up for the ride will receive a free, no obligation, multi-point inspection of their bike. Trek mechanics will be on duty and will give each member a detailed scorecard assessment of their bike.  The areas that will be inspected include tires, frame, fork, suspension, drivetrain, rider contact points, wheel systems, and braking systems. As a gesture of goodwill, for all those members that sign up for the ride and their bike inspection, Trek will issue a $20.00 gift card that can be used for anything in the store, sales or service. It is important to reiterate that members are not obligated to have their bikes serviced at Trek. You are free to take your bike to any bike service if you deem it appropriate. Trek will have refreshments, bananas, coffee, donuts, water, bagels (from O’Bagel) and cream cheese before the ride as well as after the ride.  Bathroom facilities will be available inside the store before the ride starts. Please arrive at the Trek Store at 8 am so there will be adequate time to complete the inspections prior to the start of the rides.

Parking is limited but you can park on the street or you may be able to park at the school next door.

4 new rides have been prepared and tested from the Trek Store.

Manny

It is early in the spring riding season, and we are pleased to announce a special event for all our MAFW members! For the first time in our club history, in conjunction with our friends at Trek Stirling and Trek Summit, we will have Freewheeler rides initiating from and ending at the Trek Stirling location, 395 Main Street in Stirling.

We also want to provide an important safety inspection on your bike through the auspices of Trek. Before the rides commence, all those members that sign up for the ride will receive a free, no obligation, multi-point inspection of their bike. Trek mechanics will be on duty and will give each member a detailed scorecard assessment of their bike.  The areas that will be inspected include tires, frame, fork, suspension, drivetrain, rider contact points, wheel systems, and braking systems. As a gesture of goodwill, for all those members that sign up for the ride and their bike inspection, Trek will issue a $20.00 gift card that can be used for anything in the store, sales or service. It is important to reiterate that members are not obligated to have their bikes serviced at Trek. You are free to take your bike to any bike service if you deem it appropriate.

Trek will have refreshments, bananas, coffee, donuts, water, bagels (from O’Bagel) and cream cheese before the ride as well as after the ride.  Bathroom facilities will be available inside the store before the ride starts. Please arrive at the Trek Store at 8 am so there will be adequate time to complete the inspections prior to the start of the rides. There will be adequate parking in the Trek parking area.

There is only one room available for Roy’s Penn Dutch Ride.  If interested please contact Roy at (718) 887-1854.

I just reserved my room for Roy’s Penn Dutch Ride for June 23 to 25 at the Bird-In-Hand Inn.  Great place with much to do even if you don’t ride.  More information on the MAFW website as well as some scheduled rides.  More rides will be listed.  Lancaster Bike Club will be supplying ride leaders. After registering with the hotel and booking on the website please also sign up on the MAFW schedule.

Roy has reserved a block of rooms for us but you need to sign up tomorrow since he loses the remaining rooms after tomorrow.  There are only 4 rooms left in his reserved block and all other rooms in the hotel are booked.  That weekend is very popular so don’t wait.  The hotel has an indoor and a big outdoor pool as well as a hot tub so bring that bathing suit.  You do have the ability to cancel without cost 24 hours before the weekend.

Thanks, Manny

Picnic is set for this Saturday May 13.  If you sign up for the picnic, be sure to go to the ride schedule and sign up for one of our rides.  Picnic is at Lot C and all rides will start from Lot C.  Cue sheets are set to start from Howe that is ~1/2 mile from Lot C on Colonial Drive.  Ride leaders should be able to make the easy adjustment.

For the C+ riders I had to switch your ride to #890 since the bridge is still out on Dutchtown Zion and the alternative of turning onto Dutchtown to Pin Oak has a section of gravel.  You will be following the B riders,

For casual riders I set up a ride where you can follow the D riders and turn around at Griggstown for a 15 mile ride.  Alternative if you have the proper bike is to switch to the D&R towpath at Griggstown and return to Colonial Park via the tow path.

While at Colonial Park be sure to visit the Van der Goot Rose Garden in the western part of the park off Mettlers.

Manny