MAFW February 2026 March 2026 Newsletter Available

Hi Freewheelers,

Watch the website to see information on upcoming events, communication from our club president and ride coordinator, and ride guidelines.

Our Social Coordinator, John Storey, is always in need of your help for a number of our activities. Please email if you are interested: social_coordinator@mafw.org

MAFW has 2 main guidelines or mottos that riders and ride leaders should follow:

Nobody rides alone including the ride leader
Ride leader sweeps for all rides except B and faster

Just a reminder that the February 2026 March 2026 edition of our NL is online. To read: click https://mafw.org/newsletter/

What’s in this issue:

Dirt / gravel ride from Bedminster, NJ – Dennis Budnick
In Memory of Ed Carpenito
Connect with the MAF Bike Club on Social Media! – Tracy Brown
2026 MAFW Calendar
MAFW Crash Report Review: 2021 through 2025 – Drew Thraen
5 Ways to smooth out your pedal stroke – Tony Marchand
Let’s get with it..girls! – Jay Marowitz
Photo Gallery
Nostalgia
Bicycle Adventures 2026
Cycling Guides – Mark Jay
People Cycling
Safety – Paul Malinowsk
Club Sponsors
Club Officers

Enjoying your E-bike, trike, gravel bike? Let’s hear about your experience.

Folks, many of you have taken some interesting trips this year or in the past. So why not share your stories & photos with fellow club members?

We welcome any articles that you feel would be of interest. WHEN YOU HAVE A SPARE MOMENT, PLEASE SEND ME A STORY AND PICTURES OF YOUR BICYCLING ADVENTURES. Submit any information by the 24th of the preceding month at the following email address: newsletter@mafw.org

If you have any issues with your login credentials, please contact Membership Coordinator Lisa Gentile at the following email address: membership@mafw.org

Good Reading. Thanks,

Patricia Kipp
Editor

DAYTIME PACES (Updated: April 2015)
Pace	Minimum Average Speed	Description
A	18+ mph	Hard fast riding, few stops, slower riders will be dropped, frequent pace lines.
B+	17 mph	For very fit cyclists, slower riders will be dropped, leader rides at listed pace, occasional pace lines.
B	16 mph	For fit cyclists, terrain varies, up to 30 miles between rest stops. Leader sweeps no slower than 16 mph. BUT if there is a concurrent identical (same tour #, same start time) C+ ride, or the ride leader has posted “no sweep” in the ride comments, the leader rides a B pace and does not sweep.
C+	14.5 mph	For accomplished cyclists, terrain varies, up to 30 miles between rest stops, leader sweeps no slower than 14.5 mph. If there is a concurrent identical (same tour #, same start time) C ride, the Ride Leader may choose not to sweep and depend on the C ride to look after slower C+ riders.
C	13 mph	For accomplished cyclists, terrain varies, up to 30 miles between rest stops, leader sweeps no slower than 13 mph.
D+	11 mph	For experienced cyclists who want an easier pace, up to 20 miles between rest stops, leader sweeps no slower than 11 mph.
D	9 mph	Relaxed riding for experienced cyclists, easier terrain, up to 15 miles between rest stops, leader sweeps no slower than 9 mph (typically no longer than 35 miles and on terrain not more difficult than C+).
CA(Casual)	Casual	Relaxed riding, no steep hills, frequent stops, group stays together.
S (Special)	varies	Special ride. Click on ‘More’ (after login) to read special comments.

EVENING TRAINING RIDE PACES Paces for evening rides have a T prefix to indicate that they are “training” rides. Training means that the rides are typically shorter, do not have rest stops and riders generally ride at a faster average compared to day rides.
Pace	Average Speed	Description
TA	18+ mph	Hard fast riding, few stops, slower riders will be dropped, frequent pace lines.
TB	16.5+ mph	For very fit cyclists, slower riders will be dropped, leader rides at listed pace, occasional pace lines
TC	15+ mph	For accomplished cyclists, terrain varies, leader sweeps no slower than 15 mph.
TD	13+ mph	For experienced cyclists, leader sweeps no slower than 13 mph
TE	11+ mph	For any cyclists who can average 11 mph and ride the posted distance without a rest stop, leader sweeps no slower than 11 mph