Temporary Ride Guidelines for MAF Members

Temporary Ride Guidelines for MAF Members

MAF Members:

 I am sure you are aware that we are experiencing an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the United States as well as in New Jersey.  Our current case rate in New Jersey is higher than the rate when we suspended the ride schedule in March, and well above what the state was experiencing when we reopened the ride schedule in June.  At yesterday’s MAF Board meeting it was decided that we would return to the same restrictions we had in place when we reopened our ride calendar in the summer.  Rides will be limited to a maximum of 10 riders, and ride leaders can set their own limit of between 4 and 10 riders.  To reduce crowding in the parking lots and at rest stops, rides from the same starting point need to be spaced by at least 30 minutes.  

These guidelines are in line with those set by BTCNJ and PFW and are put in place for the safety of our riders and their families. We also want to ensure we abide by the governor’s mandate limiting outdoor “events” to 25 persons or less.  I know many of you may not view multiple rides from the same start point as “an event”.  While these may seem to us to be distinct rides, an external observer (including law enforcement) is unlikely to view it that way.  We do not want to jeopardize our ability to use any of our ride start points or to be a trigger for some government action (such as closing the parks or limiting parking access).  

Our other COVID restrictions, such as requiring all riders to sign in on line, no guests, wearing a mask, and social distancing are still in effect.  Please do not come to a ride if you feel sick in any way, or have been exposed to anyone who may have COVID.  If you have traveled out of state, please follow NJ state guidelines about self-isolation on return.  And consider downloading the NJCOVID app (available for iOS and Android) devices to be notified if you have come in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID.  (https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/app)

Our ride leaders have done a great job this summer and fall, adding additional rides and using different start points.  Please remember that they are volunteers, and they will be enforcing the MAFW policy on attendance and sign ups.  And please consider reducing the burden on those who have already led many rides this season by becoming a ride leader yourself.  The last thing the Board wants to do is prevent riders from riding.   But with smaller ride size we need even more ride leaders to accommodate members who want to ride.

These restrictions will be in place through at least January 31, 2021.  The only change would be if the state imposes more stringent restrictions on outdoor sports and contact between those of different households. This is a definite possibility, as several states already have such limitations, and these would effectively shut down our ride schedule.  All indications are that COVID rates will continue to climb after the end of year holidays; estimates are that we have yet to reach the post-Thanksgiving peak. .

For those who would like to ride with just a few friends, the Club cue sheet library remains open to all. 

Stay safe and ride safe,

Liz Jennison (President Elect)

Andrew Stroukoff (President)

Follow the 4 C’s: Ride Schedule for soft opening June 15th!!

Members,

We will have a soft opening of our Ride Schedule on June 15th. 

Many of you will feel you need more time or information before you feel safe riding in a group.  Despite the Ride Schedule being open and active, if you are uncomfortable riding in a group under these conditions, don’t.  If you are uncomfortable leading a ride, don’t. 

Follow the 4 C’s

Avoid contact, confinement and crowds. And make realistic choices. 

For at least the first two weeks after opening the guidelines will be:

  1. DO NOT RIDE IF YOU ARE SICK. Please report any contact with a COVID sufferer to Amy Horn, our Safety Coordinator.
  2. Members must sign up ahead of time on the website. Do not just show up and expect to ride with the group.   You will have to sign up more than 30 minutes before the ride to allow the RL time to print the Sign In Sheet.  During this soft opening there will not be a ‘maybe’ option.  The RL will sign you in upon arrival. **You cannot bring guests to the ride**
  3. RLs will have the discretion to limit the group size of their rides. No ride will have more than 10 riders.  This will be posted in the ride comments.
  4. Ride distances should take into account the limited availability of rest rooms and food stops. 
  5. Every rider should be prepared with sufficient fluid and food for the duration of the ride.
  6. Every rider should bring a mask, bandana, or gaiter to be used pulled up pre- and post- rides and at all times when social distancing is impossible.  Try to leave a parking space between cars at the start points. You may wear your mask up when riding if you wish.  And, just like the new Major League Baseball rules – no spitting!  Bring tissue or a handkerchief and dispose of them properly.
  7. Every rider should bring a small container of sanitizing fluid to be used when applicable.
  8. Riders should maintain an appropriate distance while riding.  6 feet is too little, and 60 feet is probably excessive.  We should attempt to avoid bunching at intersections or when slowing for any reason. Use your good judgement.  We are all adults who have the best interest of our fellow club members at heart, as well as our own health and safety.
  9. The foregoing may not be waived by individual leaders. Additional restrictions may be added by individual leaders with the same force and effect as the foregoing.
  10. As always, ride leaders have the right to ask any rider to leave the ride when rules are not followed.

The Club may find it necessary to amend these guidelines based on experience or future announcements by local government authorities.  Please monitor the website.

We appreciate your cooperation!  After the first two weeks, who knows, we may be back in full swing.

Remember, we are all ambassadors.  Ride responsibly.

We will have a soft opening of our Ride Schedule on June 15th.

To quote Governor Murphy, “data determine dates”.

As of Monday, there have been 160,445 cases of COVID and 11,698 deaths from COVID in New Jersey.  This is almost as many as New Jersey lost on both fronts of World War 2.

Today we are still seeing 81 deaths per day and 2610 people currently in the hospital suffering from COVID.

While these numbers are frightening to contemplate, they represent a diminishing of the virus’ effect on our society.

Monday Gov. Murphy indicated the Stage 2 openings will occur on 15 June.  This will apply to non-contact sports, outdoor dining, etc.  Outdoor gatherings, limited use of parks and beaches was allowed on 22 May.

We will have a soft opening of our Ride Schedule on June 15th. 

Despite the Ride Schedule being open and active, if you are uncomfortable riding in a group under these conditions, please don’t. 

If you are uncomfortable leading a ride, please don’t. 

Many of you will feel you need more time or information before you feel safe riding in a group.  We get it!

We are working to create guidelines that will keep us all as safe as possible.  For at least the first two weeks after opening we will use these new, but temporary, guidelines to govern our Ride Schedule.   There will be limits to ride size and actions to allow for social distancing before and after rides.

We will have specific webinars for both ride leaders and club members to go over the new guidelines next week.  We will publish the complete new guidelines for you as soon as possible. 

Thank you for spending the past three months staying home, staying safe.  It is time for us to venture out, slowly and carefully, being mindful of our own health as well as others.  Come join us riding again.

As a thank you, for anyone who has an active MAFW membership on June 15, we will add 3 months to your MAFW membership.  This will happen automatically, no action required by you!

Looking forward to seeing you on the road.  It feels good to say that.

Andrew Stroukoff

Ride Schedule: Important Announcement

Members,

I have been in contact with the presidents of BTCNJ and the Princeton FW as well as other local clubs.  We have similar thoughts on the limited and gradual re-opening of our Ride Schedules and have agreed to cooperate.

I have also heard from many of you personally with incredibly varied opinions about when we should re-open our Ride Schedule.  Everything from

‘Hurry up, damnit! What are you waiting for?’

to

‘Even if you restart the rides, I won’t ride with the club for a few more months’

to

‘It’s not safe yet’.

We will have a soft open with a limited Ride Schedule as soon as it is safe.  Please monitor the website.

When we do re-open the Ride Schedule, we will adjust your membership expiration date by the amount of time we have been suspended.  We appreciate you sticking with us during these unprecedented times.

Perception is important!  We cannot appear to be flaunting or ignoring social distancing concepts.  And we should take a little time after state easing to let it filter to the general public, law enforcement and park rangers – we do not need our club name on anyone’s desk blotter accused of not following the rules.

We appreciate your cooperation!   Who knows, we may be back in full swing sooner than you think.

Remember, we are all ambassadors.  Even when we are not doing “club” rides together, please ride responsibly.

Andrew Stroukoff

RideWithGPS: How to download from your phone to the Garmin

RideWithGPS: How to download from your phone to the Garmin

Initial Setup:

You need to have the following apps on your phone:

  • RideWithGPS
  • Garmin Connect
  • Garmin Connect IQ

Pair the Garmin to your phone:

  1. Sign in to the Garmin Connect App. You may have to create a free account with Garmin if you don’t have one already. After you create the Garmin account go to the following link to join the Club Account on RideWithGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/clubs/455-morris-area-freewheelers?join_code=fg5QfiRMDyXw3rCO.
  2. Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone, and pair your Garmin device to your phone. This will vary depending on your device, and will be done from your device.
  3. On your smartphone, open the Garmin Connect™ Mobile app. Then press the More option in the lower right corner of the main app screen on iPhone, or the menu icon in the upper left corner on Android, and select Garmin Devices > Add Device to enter pairing mode and follow the steps shown in the Garmin Connect app to find your device.
  4. Follow the on screen instructions to finish the pairing and set up process.

In the Garmin Connect App go to the Menu and select Connect IQ Store and search for Ride With GPS and click on it and then click install.

On the Garmin Edge select Connect IQ from the menu then select Ride With GPS. The first time you do this it will show you a code, you then go to rwgps.com/iq to enter the code. 

Downloading a Ride to the Garmin

  1. In the Ride With GPS app click on Morris Area Freewheelers to get into the Club area and then click on Organization routes  then search for the route you want then click on the menu and click on Pin.  
  2. On the Garmin Edge go to the Menu->Connect IQ->Ride With GPS->Pinned Routes
  3. Select the route you want then click on Download & Ride (or just Download).

You can find step-by-step instructions for downloading a ride from your phone to your Garmin here.

Here are the full  instructions: https://ridewithgps.com/help/iq/

Message from the President: April 2nd

April 2, 2020

Hi All

We all joined the Freewheelers for the bike riding.  But we stayed because it brought us into this wonderful community that is amazingly varied in interests, abilities and personalities. The basic idea of just wanting to ride hardly covers what we get by being a part of the amalgam that is the Freewheelers.

By now you have looked at our updated website.  All the functions you are used to are there, perhaps in different places, but they are there.

We also have a new and more useful ability to communicate with each other through Forums and Groups.  I have attached a User Guide to help you get started using these to connect with each other in this strange period of isolation. 

There is a new Group called Going Corona Crazy with a few threads to help us see what the rest of us are doing to cope with the strain and some advice to keep us safe.  Check out the good info from the Potomac Pedalers.

There are also Zwift Group topics and info on how to access the Club membership for RideWithGPS to see the entirety of the MAFW Tour Library.

I’m looking forward to when we can all ride together again.

BTW, I saw a video and figured we all know this song from our younger days.  It’s a hoot. Check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/john.a.tiscornia/videos/3403893116305964/

Andrew Stroukoff

Link to Forums User Guide

Event Cancellations & Postponments

Imperative to check with event organizer.

In addition to MAF club events there are a number of “Other Organizational Events” posted on our new Calendar. At this point some have already been cancelled with others slated as “Postponed”. For your planning and answers go to the specific website for that event.

Other Organization Events

Immediate suspension of all MAF rides until further notice.

The Morris Area Freewheelers Board of Directors has immediately suspended all MAF rides until further notice.  This means the rides on the schedule for Wednesday March 18th will be cancelled.

We will reevaluate the situation at the end of March depending on the guidance from local and national health officials at that time.

We also believe that getting time outdoors and exercising are still beneficial for our physical and mental well-being in these trying times. Feel free to ride, either by yourself or with a few friends. You can find all our rides by using the MAFW club account for RideWithGPS.

Bear in mind that the club’s Medical Accidental Insurance will not be in effect when you participate in a non-MAFW sanctioned ride

Stay safe everyone, we will keep you posted.

For further information on riding amid COVID-19 concerns see this article in Bicycling Magazine

Andrew Stroukoff

MAF 2021 Bike Adventure Information

MAF Bike Adventures

The Club designates “as official” a number of cycling trips or one-day events each year. These are fun- neled through MAF “event coordinators“. However, all registrations and travel arrangements are up to each member. These events and trips are open to all members of the Club.

If you are interested in becoming an “event coordinator” or would like to organize a tour please notify the Adventures Coordinator and it will be added to our ride list. You do not have to be the MAF leader on the event to have it listed here.

The Club also organizes and sponsors its own event rides and trips such as the Lehigh Valley Trail Ride, the Lake George Tour, the New Member Ride & Lunch and others that are restricted to club members only (residents of the immediate household of members are the only exception). Non-members of the club may participate in club trips by paying an additional $27 fee to join the club for a one year membership. These are also captured and listed on this page.

If you went on a Bicycle Adventure in 2020 (2021 as we move forward) and would be willing to share your experience with the club, please send the Adventures Coordinator a brief write up (photos encouraged). Adventure write ups will be submitted to the Newsletter editor and published.

Here are two recently crafted articles for traveling considerations. Feel free to download or contact the Adventures Coordinatordirectly should you have any questions.

Travel Insurance

The ins and outs & best practices.

Engaging in a Third World Tour Guide

Due Diligence, reviewing the reviews,,, & other practical tips.

How to Tell When You Need to Replace Your Helmet by Tony Marchand, M.D.

How to Tell When You Need to Replace Your Helmet 

By Anthony Marchand, M.D. based on an article by Michael Nystrom 

Helmets today are a balance of protection, aerodynamics, ventilation and weight. But not all helmets are the same. Even those that carry the MIPS label are not equal in protection. Check out the latest standing on Consumer Report which recently updated there testing. Bontrager also has a new safety system but the results of testing are not yet in. 

Likewise, helmet fit and proper adjustment are keys.
But when should you replace your helmet? What situations warrant a helmet be discarded? But a helmet isn’t good forever. There are a few ways to tell if you need to replace your helmet. Every Three to Five Years 

It’s commonly accepted knowledge that cyclists should replace their helmet every three to five years. While this is a loose rule and depends on how much you ride and the condition of the helmet, it’s a great starting point when determining if your helmet should be replaced. 

Even without a major crash, five years of small bumps, drops and exposure to weather can break down the foam and leave you less protected in case of a spill. Like bike and component technology, helmet technolo- gy also improves at a rapid rate, so after five years there will be plenty of innovations that will increase the protective qualities of the replacement helmet. 

Page 8 February 2020 / March 2020 FREEWHEELER NEWS 

Major Impacts 

Generally speaking, if you crash and hit your head, it’s time to replace your helmet. The thin plastic shell around the helmet can be pretty resistant to scratching and tearing, but even the smallest impact can com- promise the structure of the internal foam shell. 

A helmet’s main job is to disperse the energy from colliding with the ground away from the head, and this is accomplished by the foam cracking and breaking down under impact. If it has done its job once already, it won’t be as effective the next time you take a tumble—and this can lead to serious (sometimes life- threatening) injury. 

Other Damage 

We’ve mentioned checking for structural damage after a major impact, but it’s always a good idea to regu- larly inspect your helmet for any damage—no matter if you’ve crashed or not. 

Check the outer shell for tearing or dents, check the straps for fraying, make sure the plastic buckles are in working order, make sure the closure system stays snug and double check that the pads are securely in place. 

Remember, issues are uncommon if the helmet hasn’t been subjected to any sort of trauma, so if any of these features have been compromised, it can be a sign of a bigger, underlying problem and it’s time to consider replacing your helmet. 

How to Maximize Your Helmet’s Lifespan 

We know helmets aren’t cheap, but luckily there are a few ways to make sure your helmet lasts as long as possible. 

First, always store your helmet indoors and in a dark, dry location. Exposure to UV sunlight and moisture can degrade the outer shell and internal foam liner over time, making it less effective in a crash. 

Next—and this one is easy—be careful with your helmet. Don’t throw it into the back of your car or pack it at the bottom of a checked bag when you fly. It’s designed to be durable, but try to limit the bumps and scuffs whenever possible. 

Lastly, keep it as clean as possible. Sunscreen and sweat don’t play nicely with the foam layer in your hel- met, so it’s important to keep it clean. Wash by hand with mild detergent and hang dry (in your garage, not in the sun) after especially sweaty and grimy rides. 

FREEWHEELER NEWS February 2020 / March 2020 Page 9 

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