8/24/2020: FOR ALL MAF RIDERS AND RIDE LEADERS

  • Since reopening June 15 I am pleased to report that we have had over 346 rides compared to 287 rides for same time period last year and I want to thank the ride leaders who have led these rides.  Many of you have stepped up to be new ride leaders and if you want to become a ride leader let me know.  Please continue to follow the Covid guidelines outlined under “Temporary Ride Guidelines” on the website.
  • A reminder again that if you sign up for a ride and decide you can’t make it please cancel yourself from the ride and please don’t wait 30 mins before a ride.  This allows others to join the ride.  Jon Eiseman has set up a waiting list if a ride is full.  If a ride is full and you cancel from that ride the first person on the waiting list gets to ride. 
  • Please be sure to update your profile.  After logging in hover over “Logged in your name” and select ‘Edit My Profile’.  It is important we have emergency contact numbers as well as your personal cell phone.  If you don’t put that information in it forces the ride leader to ask for that info at the start of the ride.
  • Any questions on how to work the new website or on the temporary Covid guidelines check the website when you log in.  Always remember selecting the Freewheeler logo top center brings you back to start of the website.
  • Recently I received some information on chip sealing I want to share with you.  Usually after a road is chip sealed I was told it is OK to ride on after 3-4 days.  For a thorough list of road closures and hazards check out “Road Closures/Hazards” maintained by Tony Marchand under “Rides”.  Also if there is an * next to a rides name on the schedule that indicates a road closure.
    • Started 8/18 and may be OK now: Meyersville, Woodland, Miller between Green Village and Pleasantville, Blue Mill between Spring Valley and James St (affecting your section from Red Gate to Dickson’s Mill).
    • Starting 8/31 weather permitting: Please be advised that the Township of East Amwell will chip seal the following roads: • Back Brook Road • Boss Road • Garboski Road • Iron Horse Drive • Melbourne Lane
    • Station Road Bridge Construction North Branch: Do not attempt to cross this construction.  We tried yesterday and it is dangerous.  Use Readington Rd as a detour to Station Rd and then Miller.  Adds 3 miles.

Stay safe and ride safe,

Ride Coordinator

Manny

7/16/2020: FOR ALL MAF RIDERS AND RIDE LEADERS

ALL MAF RIDERS AND RIDE LEADERS,                       7/16/2020

The day before a ride please verify starting time and location of your ride.  Also verify hours before a ride that it was not cancelled due to weather.  This weekend due to heat some of the rides are starting earlier than originally posted.  Both Bed 1 rides on Sat are starting earlier.  Also Sam’s Sunday ride was changed from Limecrest to Goodale because we have an agreement on weekends and holidays not to use Limecrest.

If you have a friend who wants to ride with MAFW please have them register as a member so they can officially sign up on line for a ride.  

For Tues and Thurs night rides I want to make clear you are not locked into Bed 1 and Loantaka as starting points.  RLs should feel free to experiment.

Be sure to bring a mask and sanitizer on all rides and be sure to hydrate.  It is up to you to wear the mask while riding but is necessary at rest stops, especially if you enter the store.

Ride safe,

Manny

7/13/2020: FOR ALL MAF RIDERS AND RIDE LEADERS

To all MAF RIDERS AND RIDE LEADERS,                       7/13/2020

  • Since reopening June 15 I am pleased to report that we have had over 100 rides and I want to thank the ride leaders who have led these rides.  The more ride leaders we have the more rides that can be posted.  I ask all ride leaders to continue to post rides and if you want to become a ride leader let me know.  To get the ride leader award you only need to post 10 rides and you have until Oct 1.  Never too late!!!
  • On another note if you sign up for a ride and decide you can’t make it please cancel yourself from the ride and please don’t wait 30 mins before a ride to cancel.  Jon Eiseman has set up a waiting list if a ride is full.  If a ride is full and you cancel from that ride the first person on the waiting list gets to ride.  If you are on a waiting list for one ride and join another ride please cancel yourself from the waiting list.
  • I led a ride yesterday that was full at 10 and only 7 riders showed up.  This is very unfair to those who wanted to do my ride.
  • Last week the Board voted to maintain 10 riders per ride but allowed riders to sign up 30 mins before a ride and allowed rides to be within 15 mins at same start point.  These ride guidelines were decided on by the Board to protect all riders and others during this COVID-19 pandemic.  The Board will be constantly revisiting these guidelines.
  • One way to get around the limit that has worked this past weekend is to post multiple rides from the same starting point 15 mins apart but we need ride leaders to do this.  I led a C ride at 8:30am and Maddy led a B ride at 8:45am ride from Summer Rd, both doing same ride.  There were 3 D+ rides out of Kittatinny doing the same cue but 15 mins apart.
  • Please be sure to update your profile.  After logging in hover over “Logged in your name” and select Edit My Profile.
  • Any questions on how to work the new website or on the temporary Covid guidelines check the website when you log in.  Always remember selecting the Freewheeler logo top center brings you back to start of the website.

Stay safe,

Ride Coordinator

Manny

Calling all Ride Leaders

MAFW ride leaders are the foundation of our club and we do have a great group of experienced ride leaders. 

If you lost your status as a ride leader due to inactivity and want to be reinstated just email me and I will immediately reinstate you.  I apologize for any misunderstanding.

If you never were a ride leader and want to become one please contact me about steps to become a ride leader.  Don’t worry if you don’t know how to change a flat.  We can teach you.  Many of us find being a ride leader very rewarding.

Stay safe,

Manny

We are back in the saddle again.  The ride schedule is open!

Good morning,

We are back in the saddle again.  The ride schedule is open!

Many thanks to Gen Benfiglio, Arlene Whalen, Les Garber and Arnie Cohen for starting us up again by leading four rides yesterday in four different start points.  And we have six rides today led by Fred Bennett, Barb Delaney, Marty Siegel, Kathi Caccavale, Xue Li and Pam Gregory. 

While these friends have jumped in and started leading rides again, we always need more ride leaders, and now more than ever while our ride sizes are limited.  You can contact our Ride Coordinator, Manny Coelho at ridecoodinator@mafw.org if you want to become a ride leader.  He will help you get started.

We have several new guidelines in place for the next couple of weeks, that we will be adjusting as the situation demands.  The guidelines can be found on the website.  During this uncertain period, we must all adhere to these guidelines.  Thank you all for your cooperation.

As of yesterday, all current members received a three-month extension of your membership automatically.  Your renew date was changed within the system and there is no action necessary on your part.

As I have mentioned before, there are several of you who will need more time before you feel comfortable riding in a group.  For you, we have left the cue sheet library open until the end of September.  You can use our tours to ride solo or with a buddy that you know well.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and enjoy this beautiful weather.

See you on the road.

Andrew Stroukoff

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

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