Watchung Amateur Ski Club is running a bus trip to Plattekill this Sunday and has a few openings.  Cost of trip for nonmembers is $135 and includes bus transportation, breakfast, apres-ski snacks and lift ticket.  Rentals can be arranged and trip open to families. Bus leaves from Hyatt Golf Course in Clark at 6am. Alternate pickup in Mahwah on RT17. At least 6 members of WASC are also members of MAFW and during the year we run joint cycling trips.  If interested, you can contact me at mannyt66@gmail.com or call me at 732-259-8990.  See below for more info.

Thanks, Manny

Experience an “old school” skiing experience at Plattekill!

February 25, 2024

HOP ON THE BUS; LEAVE THE DRIVING TO US!

Located in the Northwestern Catskills of New York, Plattekill Mountain is the last family-owned and operated mountain in the region, a variety that is becoming few and far between in today’s changed skiing industry. Their motto – FIERCELY INDEPENDENT – describes them best, not owned by a corporation or group of mountains, but by a family. That’s what makes a visit to Plattekill unique: a good old-fashioned family atmosphere with a laid-back, authentic, “independent” vibe feeling. BIG mountain terrain and SMALL mountain charm. Choose from 40 trails, cruise down Plattekill’s 2-mile long beginner run, and charge down the steep double black diamonds with 1100′ of vertical drop. There truly is something for everyone.

BUS INFORMATION

Click here to download bus pick-up times, locations & other information

INCLUDED IN THE TRIP

• Round-trip bus transportation
• Breakfast on the bus***
• Après ski snacks on the return trip
• All-day lift ticket

During this recent storm a tree fell on the Woodfern Bridge as you can see in the attached picture.  The bridge will be out of action for several months and don’t plan on crossing the bridge while being repaired.  One easy detour is make a right turn onto Woodfern Rd from Three Bridges Rd, left on Amwell, left onto Blackpoint after very short distance, and then right onto Woodfern.  Woodfern from bridge to Amwell is a little bumpy but you are on Woodfern only ~1/2 mile and it is level and paved.  If coming from Wawa take Summer Rd to Briar Way to Lehigh.  I will leave it up to you to determine best detour for your ride.  Today the Blackpoint bridge was OK but road from the bridge to Woodfern was a little flooded but should be OK tomorrow.  Duke Island Park is closed due to flooding but should be open soon.  Time for John Storey to schedule a kayak trip but just duck when going under the bridges.

https://patch.com/new-jersey/bridgewater/branchburg-bridge-closed-several-months-after-storm-damage

In addition to the rides on our schedule we have special rides listed on our calendar and there will be more posted.  Recommend you check out these rides.  Several of us have registered again for the Bon Ton Roulet, a multiday ride in the Finger Lakes of New York.  About 8 MAFW riders did it last year and had a great time.  If you have any questions about Bon Ton feel free to contact me.

Manny

Just to be clear I sent the email about ride leader status to all ride leaders, even if you led a ride since 10/2022.  In the email I did say if you did not lead a ride this past year and still want to maintain ride leader status to contact me.

Manny

Today MAFW kicked off 2024 with three rides and 27 riders.  Could not ask for better weather for New Years Day.  Weather permitting, we will continue winter rides.  Thanks to Chris Hartman who will be once again kicking off indoor Zwift riding tomorrow.  I do have one resolution for ride leaders and that is to lead more rides this year and earn the ride leader award.  If you are not a ride leader another resolution is to become a ride leader.  If you want to become a ride leader, just contact me.

Happy New Year, Manny

To maintain your ride leader status, you need to lead at least one ride from Oct 1 to Sept 30.  If you did not lead a ride since 10/1/2022 and still want to maintain your status as a ride leader, just contact me by email.  We need you.  Thanks, Manny

Just a reminder Trek will supply bagels, coffee and juice and we will also have bananas and clementines.  Trek will also have door prizes. Trek is offering free safety bike inspections but you can skip the inspections.  However, you need the inspection for the special service package.  There will be a delay in the start of the rides so please be patient and don’t start your ride until all inspections are completed for your group.

See you tomorrow, Manny

Trek Stirling was contacted, and they are looking forward to this club event and will be fully engaged with their top three mechanics.   They will have an outdoor fire pit and are providing bagels, cream cheese, juices and coffee. We will provide bananas and oranges.  Back in June when we did this event with Trek I was told they took 2 bikes offline due to serious safety issues that the riders were not aware of.  Not to worry since Trek offered the riders bikes that they could use for the ride.  Manny

TREK C+ RIDE-I cancelled the C+ ride because I could not get a ride leader to lead the ride.  If anyone wants to lead that ride I can repost the ride.  I have 2 riders who want to do the ride and I told them to do the C ride.  Looking for your help on this club event.

BATHROOMS-Heated bathrooms for the winter are available at Duke Island Park, Colonial Park Lot C, and White Oak Park.  Bathrooms at Art Building at Bed 1 are closed for the winter.  Not sure of the bathrooms at Loantaka but I assume they are open for the winter.

LAKE ROAD AT FAR HILLS-I road Lake Road along Ravine Lake and the bad sections were repaved but not all of the road.

Manny

Weather looks great for riding so let’s not miss this opportunity.  In addition, Trek has offered to do free safety inspections of your bike and I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to make sure you are riding a safe bike.  Trek has also offered a special discounted service package to correct any deficiencies as outlined in the ride description.  Trek is offering coffee and bagels, and we will have other snacks like bananas and oranges before and after the rides.  There will be slight delays in the start times to allow the safety inspections of your bikes, so I ask your understanding and patience.  Please sign up by Friday afternoon so we can better plan this club event.

Thanks, Manny