To all MAFW riders,

Below are 2 cycling events that I want to highlight.

BON TON ROULET 2023  JULY 22-29 The Bon Ton Roulet is a seven-day bicycle tour through the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State. Fully supported tour takes cyclists from wide-open farm fields, past stunning overlooks of our lakes to cavernous water-carved gorges, National Historic Sites, and award-winning wineries.  Registration starts Jan 9 and is open to only 350 cyclists.  Website below:

https://www.auburnymca.org/BonTonRoulet

SPELLBOUND 2023  JULY 29 This a one day ride from Mount Holly and is limited to 1500 cyclists.  This is the biggest cycling event in South Jersey and registration is open.  Last year this event sold out in March. Website below:

https://www.spellboundcentury.org/

Manny

First of all, Happy New Year and looking forward to a great and safe cycling year.  We are only 2 days into 2023 and already we have had 7 rides thanks to the warm weather.

MILEAGE LOG-On our website select Rides and then More Ride Info and you will find Mileage Log that you can use to keep track of your rides for 2023.  Also, under Rides is Rides I Rode that lists rides you rode or led over last few years.

ROAD CLOSURES-There have been 2 road closures that affect many of our rides.  I am happy to report that you can now ride around Round Valley since they finally completed the dam project.  Also, the bridge on Mill Rd near the Readington Dairy is passable for bikes, not cars.

CANCELING FROM A RIDE-Just a reminder that if you sign up for a ride but then change your mind, please cancel yourself from the ride as soon as you can.  This is a courtesy to your fellow riders and ride leader.

BECOMING A RIDE LEADER-If you are interested in becoming a ride leader it is a simple process and an opportunity to give back to MAFW.  Recommend first that you shadow a ride leader for a couple of rides and ask that ride leader what being a ride leader involves.  Then you can contact me, and I will make you a ride leader.  There is a very informative ride leader handbook to review and help you.

RIDE QUESTIONS-If new to MAFW and have any questions about MAFW feel free to contact me. This also applies to all members.

Happy New Year,

Manny, MAFW Ride Coordinator

With the cold weather upon us and you want to get into skiing I recommend checking out the Watchung Amateur Ski Club (WASC).  There are several members of MAFW that belong to WASC that has day and weekend trips and is family oriented.  We have Thursday meetings where you can learn more about WASC. Check out our schedule.

http://www.watchungskiclub.com

However, don’t put your bike away.  As long as weather permits we will continue to have winter rides.

Ride safely and warm,

Manny

International Bike Trip to Denia, Spain

Lou Blanco and Jay Marowitz are coordinating a one week (3/11/23-3/18/23) trip to Denia, Spain. The bike event price which includes 2 meals per day and hotel is very reasonable (see below).  Singles or doubles are available. Of course, transportation and bike hires are extra.

Denia is a bike friendly area where a lot of cycling teams train. Here’s a bunch of articles about biking in Denia, Spain.

At the end of the biking tour, Lou and I will be driving 4+ hours to Barcelona from which you can get a 1-hop flight back to Newark.
We decided to go site-seeing in Barcelona for a few extra days. You can also get a multi-hop flight back from the nearest airport, Alicante (ALC).  The Barcelona trip and or stayover would be optional, but everyone is welcome to do this as well. Anyone interested can contact either one of us and we’ll work out the details.

To clarify, the options are:
Do the bike trip and one of these options.
1. fly back from the nearest airport, ALC, or
2. drive to Barcelona and immediately fly back from there, or
3. drive to Barcelona, stay a few days, and fly back

We can probably work out more than one scenario depending what they are.

Details:
The biking is for one week, 3/11/23-3/18/23, at Denia on the Costa Blanca, on the East coast of Spain, hosted by People Cycling.  An English chap who moved to Denia and who has been running this ride for a few years will be our host.

The riding is listed as Moderate difficulty with average rides about 40 mi. The average temperature is 68F in March and it’s usually dry. The Denia landscape is dominated by a castle and other historical structures.There are significant Iberian ruins on the hillsides nearby as well. Read more.

The costs are 695 (USD + $50.00 ride fee), bike rental (about $150) plus transportation. See details below.

Meals: Breakfast and evening meal are included, as well as drinks with the evening meal.
Meals are buffet style, with a wide choice each day. Lunches, drinks and other food during the ride are not included.

Transport: Transfers for you, your bike and luggage from Alicante airport and back are included. Air fare is not included.

Go to: https://www.peoplecycling.org and join/login to Peoples Cycling (it’s free), then check out the ride details here.

Bicycle Hire: Bicycle hire is available from local businesses in Dénia. There are several bicycle shops in the area, providing a range of road and mountain bikes, including e-bikes. The People Cycling host will coordinate and assist in hiring bicycles, but the contract will be between you and the cycle hire business.

Lou Blanco (loublanco@gmail.com) and Jay Marowitz (freewheeljay@gmail.com) are coordinating club members wishing to join the trip. Contact either for details.