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BCP Ride List for December 2003
Saturday, December 6 - Parkesburg Breakfast Special. Class B, 65 miles, some hills, approx 14 mph. Leaving from behind the Wawa in Chadd's Ford at 8:00. Leaders: Doug Kennedy, 610-543-4664, dougkennedy7@yahoo.ca, and Debbie Wilson, 302-798-1243, djwbike@aol.com.
Saturday, December 6 - Northeast with Lunch. Class C-, 25-40 miles. Debut of a new Saturday ride in NE Phila. See Weekly Ride Listing for details. Leaders: Madge & Dick Trickey: 215-288-5907.
Saturday, December 6 - Take to the Woods! Class C, 7-10 mph, ~18 miles. Meet on the north side (Philly) of Route 420 in Prospect Park, Pa, at the John Heinz Wildlife Reserve side lot for a 9:00 start. We'll ride the Reserve's pathways observing nature such as birds, deer, foxes, rabbits, and a whole lot more. The trail is very tame. This makes the hybrid bike an excellent alternative if you don't own a mountain bike. Rides like this can be an enjoyable alternative when the temperatures are low. Wet weather or recent heavy rains will cancel, since navigating the trail will not be practical. Call ahead. Leader: Frank Jackson 610-534- 3978 (eve), 215-537-4299 (day), fjackson@rohmhaas.com.
Saturday, December 6 - Bruno's to Skippack for Lunch. Class B- /C++, 40 miles. What could be better than a ride to Skippack on a cold December Day? We'll do our now classic route out to Skippack for lunch at Mal's Diner. The ride will be an easy-paced social ride, about 13mph, so plan on having the group stay together. Sign in at 9:45 at Bruno's for a 10:00 sharp departure. Ride canceled if high temps are below 40 or if it's raining/snowing. Email or call at 8 if there are any questions about the weather. Leader: Glenn Schreiber, 215-836-5754, glenn@theweatherguy.net.
Sunday, December 7 - Chesterbrook to Mont Clare. a.k.a. Schuylkill Canal Days, selected as our best ride of the season. Class C, about 45 miles, 11 mph average. Starts 9:00 from Manhattan Bagel in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center on Chesterbrook Blvd. We'll go along some well traveled biking roads in western Montgomery County to the Oaks Reach of the historic Schuylkill Canal. Lunch is at the Fitzwater Station Inn, on the banks of the canal in Port Providence. Expect some hills at a moderate C pace. Cue sheets provided, no one left behind. Bring snacks, beverage and money. A joint ride with BBC & DVBC. Call for directions or weather concerns. Leaders: Arnie Roseman, 610- 640-4529, biker73pa@msn.com, and Steve Trobovic, 610-687-9229 (home), 610- 209-8259 (cell, on ride day), wildyugo@comcast.net.
Sunday, December 7 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Ambler or Blue Bell. Sit-down food break. Meet at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon. Call if weather is questionable or start temperature below 40 degrees. Leader: Jeff Bakely, 215-843-1093, jbake@snip.net.
Monday, December 8 - BCP Monthly Meeting. 6:30 PM at the Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant, 4120 Main St, Philadelphia. All BCP members are encouraged to attend. To get something on the agenda: David Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu.
Thursday, December 11 - Hooky Ride. Class B-, 42-50 miles. Play hooky from work to tour Amish country. Ride leaves 9:00 from Bob LaDrew's house near Coatesville. Bagels & juice before ride. Call or email for reservation & directions. Leader: Bob LaDrew, 610- 383-9327, 2ladrews@netreach.net.
Saturday, December 13 - Bruno's to Doylestown. Class B/B-, 13-15 mph. We do the 40-mile version unless we get extraordinarily mild weather, in which case we will do about 50 miles. We ride to eat at the Bagel Deli or Internet Cafe. Flat to rolling with a few short climbs. Meet at Bruno's at 9:45 for a prompt 10:00 start. Leader: Jeff Bakely, 215-843-1093, jbake@snip.net.
Sunday, December 14 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Meet at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon. Show and Go.
Friday, December 19 - Holiday Lights Night Celebration. All classes, 13 miles. Relive your childhood days of cruising the streets in search of holiday lights and festive displays. This is a reprise of the past couple of years and a club favorite! You won't be disappointed on this ride, as I've found a number of unique streets and hundreds of houses decorated to the maximum for the season. We'll tour south Philly's best and brightest holiday displays. Meet in FRONT of the Art Museum in Philadelphia at 7 PM. The ride will be canceled only if it's raining. To avoid shivering in the cold weather, overdress in layers to insure your full enjoyment of the ride. Our rolling average speed is about 8- 10 mph, not nearly fast enough to generate much body heat. Bring your hybrid or MTB for some of the rougher terrain along the city streets. Your bike should be equipped with lights and reflectors, and you should dress with bright reflective clothing. Those really looking to get in the spirit are encouraged to decorate their bikes with lights and garlands. Afterwards we'll go out for food and spirits. Leader: Bob Paradise, 610-662-2077, bobparad@albertsorganics.com.
Sunday, December 21 - Christmas Hike/Snowshoeing. A brisk hike through the Delaware and Raritan Canal walk/bike path. If there is little or no snow on the ground, we'll hike 8-10 miles. If there is enough snow, we will snowshoe at this location or some other place for about half that distance. The path is totally flat, but because of the length of the hike, wear your most comfortable shoes. We'll hike to Bull's Island from Stockton, NJ, then cross the bridge to finish on the PA side. Bring enough water and snacks and come prepared for the weather. We'll have lunch after the hike, if the group wants. Starts 9:00 from Bridge Street in Stockton. Rain and temperatures under 32 degrees cancel. Call for directions. If you don't have snowshoes, I have three extra pairs for the first three callers. Also you can rent them at REI or EMS. Leader: Luis Figueroa, 215-673-0785, luisbikefiggs@aol.com. I will not be able to ride until mid- spring 2004, so there will be a lot of walking in the coming months.
Sunday, December 21 - Breakfast at the Pepper Mill. Class B, 55 miles, 15 mph avg. Moderately hilly. The usual bunch of polar bears invite you for a nice ride through the Main Line to Chester County, where we'll have our traditional breakfast at the Pepper Mill in Goshen. If the hills on the west side of the Schuylkill are not enough to warm you up, we'll climb the Wall in Manayunk on our way back to Chestnut Hill. Starts 9:00 from Bruno's. Call if weather is dubious (rain or snow - low temps will not cancel). Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572- 0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, December 21 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Meet at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon. Show and Go.
Sunday, December 28 - Ride with the Recumbents. Class B-/C+, 40 miles. Start 9:00 at the old IGA parking lot on Rt 29, just north of Lambertville and south of the Rt 202 toll bridge. Ride up to "The Baker" in Milford. Flat, easy route. Of course all cyclists, "bent" or otherwise, are welcome. Joint ride with the Recumbent Bicyclists of the Delaware Valley. Leader: Al Herman, 215-750- 1011, alherman@aol.com.
Sunday, December 28 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Meet at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon. Show and Go.
Tuesday, December 30 - Mailing the January Newsletter. Meet 6:30 at Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP, 1650 Arch Street, southeast corner 17th & Arch Sts. Coordinator: Tom Witt, 215-977- 2164.
Sundays
Sunday Morning Breakfast Ride. Class C, up to 30 miles. Meet 8:45 at the SE corner of 22nd & Spring Garden for a delightful ride to a delightful place to have a delightful breakfast. Bring locks and money for brunch in the middle of the ride. We always need volunteers to lead us to delightful eating spots and pretty biking areas. Rides might be canceled at temps below 32 degrees or when there is ice or snow on the road. Leaders: December 7 - Henry Lazarus, 267-259-6275 (cell phone), hlazar@netaxs.com; 14th - Mark Helmus, 215-752-3731, mhelmus@comcast.net; 21st - Ben Sears, 215-844-3784, BikerBenn@aol.com; 28th - Peggy Gertz, 215- 844-2669, gertz@email.chop.edu.MTB on the Pennypack Trails. December 7 and 21 ONLY. Class B+/C. Starts from the Pine Road entrance to Pennypack Park at 9 AM. A longer and more challenging version of the ride that we do on Tuesday evenings. We ride for approximately 2 hours. The ride may be canceled due to poor weather and/or trail conditions, so call ahead or e-mail to confirm. Also, call or e- mail with questions. Leader: Chris Beetham, 215-576-6514, beetham@snip.net.
B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, approx. 40 miles. Meet noon at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum. Check the Monthly Calendar for leaders, ride descriptions, and cancellations.
Sunny Sunday Afternoon Ride from LLoyd Hall will resume in April when daylight savings time returns. Have a good winter and we'll see you in spring!!
Sunny Sunday Spin-Off Ride. Class C, usually 25-30 miles. A true C ride which cheerfully waits to regroup. All welcome. Meets 12:15 at the rock near the Italian Fountain, behind the Art Museum. Leaders: December 7 - Patrick O'Neill, 215-724-1847; 14th - Lyn Hedrick (no Sunday calls please), 215-438-7665; 21st - Tom Witt, 215-977-2164; 28th - Chuck Martin, 215-923-1887.
Tuesdays
NightRiders. Class C. 10-20 miles. We spin around Southern DelCo well in the dark. Bike lights front and rear are a must. You must call or e-mail the leader to confirm the start time and location. Very cold or wet weather will cancel ride. Most rides start at 6 PM. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dmtrout@usa.net.MTB on the Pennypack Trails. Class B+/C. Starts from the Pine Road entrance to Pennypack Park at 6:30 PM. Lights are required. We ride for approximately 1-1/2 hours. Come enjoy the great outdoors after dark! Depending on weather and/or trail conditions, the day may change. Call or e-mail to confirm that the ride is on. Leader: Chris Beetham, beetham@snip.net, 215-576- 6514.
Fridays
Wallyball. December 12 and 26. Come to the Aquatic & Fitness Center at Riverside Racquet at 600 Righters Ferry Road in Bala Cynwyd at 7 PM for a fun and invigorating game of Wallyball. What is that, you ask? Good question - it's volleyball in a racquetball court. We play until at least 9:00. Cost is $7.50 per person. Bring your own lock for a locker. Call the club at 610- 664-6464 for directions. Call or email coordinator Nikki Marx, 215-963-9377, bcpwallyball@hotmail.com to let her know you are coming or there may not be a game. Also call or email Nikki if you would like to be on the Wallyball e-mail list to remind you of upcoming games.Saturdays
MTB Belmont Plateau. December 13 and 27. Class C/D. Meet at the rock across from the Italian Fountain 10:30 AM for a 3-hour tour. The area consists of packed dirt, loose & crushed rock, twisty single track, steep climbs. Perfect riding! Ride will cancel if temps below 40. Leader: Paul Winkfield, 215-329-9830, paladin007@comcast.net.Northeast with Lunch. December 6, 13, 20, and 27. Class C-, 25-40 miles, NE Phila rides with lunch stop. Usually leaving at 9:30 AM. Must call on Thursday evening or Friday to find out point of departure, destination. Dependent on weather and temperature. Leaders: Madge & Dick Trickey: 215-288-5907.
