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

Registration for the Bon Ton Roulet will open 1/2/2024.  Seven of us from MAFW did it this past year and had a great time.  Involves 7 days of cycling/camping thru the Finger Lakes of New York.  Attached below is the web site for this event.  I plan on doing this event again and if you have any questions feel free to contact me.  I will add this event to the MAFW schedule so that you sign on as a rider after you register with Bon Ton.

Manny

Bon Ton Roulet | Auburn YMCA

Weather looks great this coming Sat for a ride so hold off putting your bike away for the winter.  We have 5 rides scheduled for this Sat from Trek Stirling and we will have breakfast supplied.  Parking will be in the store lot, the day care next door, Main Street and the Stirling Train station. Trek is offering free safety inspections as indicated in Joe Reo’s earlier email.  These safety inspections helps you have a safer ride.  There will be delays from the actual start times to allow the inspections to take place, but we will do our best to minimize delays.  Please sign up as soon as you can so we can better plan this event and know how many bagels to buy.  If you are a ride leader please let me know which ride you want to lead.  I need ride leaders for the C and C+ rides.

Thanks, Manny

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 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