RIDE COORDINATOR MESSAGE

CONFLICTING RIDES-The Board agreed that the following applies to conflicting rides with respect to social rides:

It was decided whatever location the social ride is scheduled, no rides will be allowed to be scheduled 2 hours before start of ride or 3 hours after the ride is started. Rides from other locations will be allowed.

To be clear the time constraints only apply if you decide to do a ride from the same location as the social ride. However, as always there can’t be any conflicting rides during the Spring and Fall picnics.

PACES-Definition of paces can be found after logging into the website. Select RIDES>MORE RIDE INFO>PACE AND TERRAIN DEFINITIONS.  It’s important that when you decide to lead a ride that you ride the pace. As the ride leader you lead from behind and to reduce the chance that you may be riding alone you can request regrouping.

RIDE LEADER HANDBOOK-Minor changes have been made to the ride leader handbook and the new version will be posted by 9/14.

CAPE COD SEPT 23-30

People Cycling is running a cycling trip to Cape Cod Sept 23-30.  I will be going and I was just notified by Rick Gallo, the trip leader, that there is room for one female.  I did a 10 day cycling trip back in May with Rick and I know some of you have done past trips with him.  He is a great trip leader.  If interested please contact me.  For more info on this trip go to the People Cycling website.

Manny

FALL PICNIC SUNDAY SEPT 14

This Sunday Sept 14 is the MAFW Fall Picnic from White Oak Park and weather looks good.  If you plan on attending the picnic, be sure to sign up on the MAFW calendar (not ride schedule) by 2pm today so we plan on food.  If you plan on riding, please sign up on the ride schedule and please ride the pace you signed up for.  If you are not sure of paces you can find them under RIDES>MORE RIDE INFO>PACE AND TERRAIN. As always arrive 30 mins before the start of the ride so you can prepare. So far we have 61 signed up for the picnic and 38 for rides.

In addition, the Sourland’s Spectacular is this Saturday.

Thanks, Manny

Fall Picnic-Final Reminder

Greetings, friends.

Final reminder to sign up for the Fall Picnic.

We must place food the order Thursday which means we need a head count no later than 2 PM on Thursday.

Be sure to sign up for the picnic if you plan to attend.  We won’t assume that all who sign up for the ride will be staying for the picnic.

Best regards,

Michael

RIDE LEADER COORDINATOR UPDATE

RIDE LEADER COORDINATOR UPDATE

-We are heading to the end of our cycling year.  If by Sept 30 you have led 12 or more rides you are eligible for a $50 gift certificate or a ride leader jersey. If you have led 8 to 11 rides you are eligible for a $25 gift certificate.  Thanks to every ride leader for leading!!!

-Sept 14 is the Fall Picnic at White Oak Park and the Club is supplying some great food, except for dessert. We still need a few ride leaders so please sign up.

-Sept 27 is the next Bike, Brew, Pizza Ride from Denville.  Club will supply pizza.  This is a joint ride with BTCNJ but we still need a few ride leaders so please sign up.

-I want to remind you that by accepting the responsibility of being a ride leader you agree to sweep. In other words, you lead from behind.  A, B+, TA and TB rides don’t require a sweep and B rides don’t require a sweep if the ride leader stipulates no sweep in his comments.   

-Ride leaders should try and maintain the ride pace and this may require regrouping.  Ride leader can put in their ride comments that the ride will be regrouping.  One issue with regrouping is that there are too many riders to regroup.  Ride leaders can limit the number of riders so that they can better manage their ride. BTCNJ tries to keep their rides to ~10 riders.

-C is our most popular pace. I would like to see more ride leaders backing up C rides from the front as a C+ ride and from the back as D+ ride.

Any concerns or comments feel free to contact me.

Sincerely, Manny

Fall Picnic-URGENT

Hello, friends.

The fall picnic is next Sunday at White Oak Park.  The club will be providing salads, a variety of hot and cold food, and beverages.  Since we need to order the food in advance, please sign up ASAP if you plan to attend so we can order enough food.

Dessert will be provided by club members.  Please bring enough dessert items for 3 to 5 people.

See you then!

Best regards,

Michael

Fall Picnic Update and Other Upcoming Events

Greetings, friends.

I am pleased to inform you that the Club will be providing all food and beverages for the Fall Picnic on Sunday, September 14, 2025 with the exception of desserts.  We are asking all who attend the picnic to bring a dessert item for 3-5 people.  We’re very excited about having the opportunity to have the picnic catered rather than to have a pot luck.  The picnic will be at White Oak Park.

Other upcoming events:

  1. Joint ride with BTCNJ on September 27 with optional pizza and drinks after the ride at Diamond Springs Brewery.
  2. Final Club party ride for 2025 on Sunday, October 12.  More details to follow.
  3. In-person membership meeting will be scheduled for November.  More details to follow.

As always, have fun and be safe.

Best regards,

Michael

 

RIDE COORDINATOR UPDATE 09/01/2025

SAFETY THOUGHT This message was shared to me by a fellow rider.

Stopping at red lights is one of the simplest yet most important responsibilities for cyclists.It isn’t just about following the law – it’s about safety and respect on the road.A cyclist who rolls through a red light puts themselves at risk of colliding with vehicles, pedestrians, or other riders, often at intersections where crashes are most likely to occur.Obeying lights also helps build trust with other road users. Drivers are more likely to respect cyclists’ space and rights when they see consistent, responsible behavior.By stopping, you’re showing motorists that cyclists belong on the road and play by the same rules.There’s also the powerful effect of setting an example. When one rider stops, others behind are more likely to do the same, normalizing safe habits within the cycling community.In short: stopping at red lights protects you, earns respect, and makes cycling safer for everyone.

The message above also applies to stop signs and other rules followed by vehicles. In a related safety topic, if you are riding in a group and half the group makes it through a traffic light, the part of the group that makes it thru the light should wait for the part of the group that did not make it thru the light.  Don’t try and go thru a red light to stay with the group.

SCENIC SCHUYLKILL CENTURY SUNDAY SEPT 7

This Sunday Sept 7 is the Scenic Schuylkill Century and this event has been added to the MAFW Calendar and the MAFW Schedule with Marty Pratt as ride leader.  If you want to go you need to register via the link below and then sign up on the schedule so we know who is going and we might ride together. This well-supported event gives you the opportunity to ride in new territory.

2025 Scenic Schuylkill Century — Sunday Sept 7, 2025

SOURLANDS SPECTACULAR SATURDAY SEPT 13

Saturday Sept 13 is the Sourlands Spectacular with Dennis Budnick as rider leader. If you want to go you need to register via the link below and then sign up on the schedule so we know who is going and we might ride together.

Sourland Spectacular – Pennington, NJ

MAFW PICNIC SUNDAY SEPT 14

Sunday Sept 14 is the MAFW Fall Picnic to be held at White Oak Park with rides at all paces. Be sure to sign up.

OTHER RIDES

 On the MAFW Calendar are other special rides and events you should check out.

RIDE PREPARATION

Standard preparation for MAFW riders after signing up for a ride:

  •        Ride time posted on the schedule is the time the group leaves.
  •        Arrive with enough time to prepare for the ride. Recommend at least 15 to 30     minutes.
  •        If you are going to be late for a ride or decide to cancel you need to call the ride leader.
  •        Recommend red light for back of your bike and a front light. Bell or horn is the law.
  •        Bring 2 filled water bottles and some snacks.
  •        Check your tires before arriving at the start point.
  •        Ride leaders can help you with a flat, but you need to bring spare tube and repair kit.

Any questions or if you want to become a ride leader to help the Club, feel free to contact me at 732-259-8990, Manny

MAFW September 2025 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:

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

Just a reminder that the August 2025 edition of our NL is online. To read: click https://mafw.org/newsletter/

What’s in this issue:

  1. Freewheelers enjoyed the Velodrome Friday night August 8
  2. Connect with the MAF Bike Club on Social Media! – Tracy Brown
  3. 2025 Calendar
  4. THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MILESTONE PARTY – Tuesday October 7
  5. Call for volunteers – Lisa Gentile
  6. Benefit Luncheon for the Morris Area Freewheelers Foundation Monday September 29
  7. Classic Answer Man – Len Sanders
  8. 7 Things You Need to Do After You Have a Bike Crash – Tony Marchand, M.D.
  9. BON TON ROULET 2025 – Manny Coelho
  10. Bike, Brew & Pizza Ride – Paul Malinowski
  11. Photo Gallery
  12. Inspiration
  13. Roy’s Penn Dutch Weekend September 19, 20 and 21, 2025
  14. Bicycle Adventures 2025
  15. Cycling Guides – Mark Jay
  16. People Cycling
  17. Safety – Paul Malinowski
  18. Club Sponsors
  19. 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

Save the Dates, Part 2

Grteetings, friends.

It was pointed out to me by a fellow club member that I had a senior moment and forgot to mention another fun food date in September.

There will be another joint bike ride with BTCNJ out of Denville on September 27.  Those who wish to do so can go to Diamond Springs Brewery after the ride for pizza provided by the club.  Drinks are at your discretion and not paid for by the Club.

Have fun; stay ssafe.

Best regards,

Michael