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BCP Ride List for June 2003
Saturday, May 31 - Ridley-Ridley, Meet the Train. Class C, 12-14 mph, +/- 40 miles. We will meet the train from Philadelphia and ride out to and through Ridley Creek State Park. The ride starts in the parking lot of the Pathmark on MacDade Blvd in Folsom, Ridley Township and leaves at 8:30 in order to get to the Ridley Park train station to meet the 8:58 train from the city. Riders from Philadelphia can take the R-2 train (#4207) that leaves Suburban Station at 8:34. Bring money for a food stop. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dmtrout@usa.net.
Saturday, May 31 - Return to New IKEA. Class C, 35 miles. Starts at 9:00 in East Cheltenham in Tookany Park. Parking is on the west side of Tookany Parkway north of Central Ave. Because of the iffy weather in March, we had a small turnout. So we will do it again. The route takes us through Montgomery County, via Glenside, Oreland, Erdenheim, Conshohocken, and the completed section of the Conshohocken to Ft. Washington Bike path, to the new Ikea in Plymouth Meeting for a Norse lunch. The new Ikea has a full service restaurant, a coffee shop and a snack bar. Leader: Bill Cotton, 215-559-2910 (cell), 215-663-8364 (home), billcotton@comcast.net.
Sunday, June 1 - The Dark Side of the Hawk. Class B, 75 miles, 15 mph avg, moderately hilly with a few tough climbs and incredible long descents. First, we'll head towards the Blue Mountain ridge going through New Tripoli, and after reaching the top on route 309, a screaming descent will take us to a sparsely settled little valley that crosses the watershed from the Lehigh River to the Schuylkill River. Convenience store stops at mile 25 (very quick) and mile 45 in Orwigsburg (moderately quick). Then we glide down Pheasant Run to Hawk Mountain, a private preserve set up years ago to protect migrating hawks from being shot by hunters. We'll climb the challenging northern side of the mountain (the dark one!!) to start the winding run back to Trexlertown (with another exhilarating long descent, of course). Starts at 9:00 sharp from the Trexlertown velodrome. I-476 North to Allentown exit. Rt 22 West to exit 14. Follow Rt 100 south for about 2 miles and turn right onto Rt 222 West, then 2nd right onto Moser Rd, turn left into velodrome parking lot, near the port-a-potty. Call if there is a chance of rain. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572- 0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, June 1 - Spring Mill to Skippack. Class C, about 40 miles. Starts at 9:00 from the SEPTA R-6 Spring Mill Station parking lot adjacent to the Schuylkill River trail. We will do this ride at a leisurely C pace with the route heading west to lunch in Skippack. Rain at the start cancels. Riders from Philadelphia can take the R-6 train to Spring Mill. Please contact the leader ahead of time if you plan on coming by train. Leader: Tom Stewart, 215-455-9168, stewart.tom@verizon.net.
Sunday, June 1 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Destination is somewhere in eastern Montgomery County. Some hills, nothing too drastic. Meet at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon. Leader: Jeff Greene, 610-664-1472, dadgreene@hotmail.com.
Monday, June 2 - BCP Monthly Meeting. 6:30 PM at the Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant, 4120 Main Street, Philadelphia. All BCP members are encouraged to attend. For information or to get something on the agenda: David Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu. The restaurant's Monday special is a full lobster dinner for $13. Now you have TWO good reasons to attend!
Thursday, June 5 - Mountain Biking in Wissahickon Park. Class B or C, approx 6-10 miles. Leaves from the parking lot just west of the Valley Green Inn. Meet every Thursday at 6:15PM. Leader: Lisa Coyle, 215-763-8488, Lisa_Coyle@aoncons.com. See the Regular Weekly Rides for more info.
Saturday, June 7 - Tour of Chesco. Class A-/B+, 15-17 mph, 100 miles. Leaving from the Valley Forge National Park Visitors Center, lower lot, at 8:00. This is the third and last of my "county rides" this spring. This month we will travel to the far southern parts of Chester County, PA. Hills are to be expected. We will have at least three food stops. Leader: Rich Wagner, 610-521-4570, roadrich@hotmail.com.
Saturday, June 7 - Tour of Tibet. Class B, approx 65 miles or more at about 14 mph, hilly but scenic. Leaves 9:00 from the Lock 12 Recreation Area at the west end of the Rt 372 bridge over the Susquehanna River. We will explore the areas around the river including the waterfront at Columbia/Wrightsville and Long Level, and will lunch (bring or buy & carry) at the most scenic overlook in Pennsylvania, high atop Mt. Pisgah. Ride is canceled if there is any chance of rain or fog. Lock 12 is 2 hours travel time from Center City Philadelphia. Leaders: Doug Kennedy, 610-543-4664, dougkennedy7@yahoo.ca, and Debbie Wilson, 302-798-1243, djwbike@aol.com.
Sunday, June 8 - Pianist's Knee. Class B, approx 62 miles at 14 mph avg. Rolling with some hills, climbing at tandem pace (slow!). Classic Brandywine scenery for those who never get tired of the beauty of these roads, their horse farms and the shaded creeks. If you can climb the knee, you definitely can climb the elbow next week. Quick stops in Landenberg and south of Coatesville (well, maybe not so quick). Starts at 8:30 from Pocopson Elementary School near Chadds Ford. From U.S. 1, take Route 100 north for about 3 miles and continue straight onto Route 926 west over the bridge and RR tracks. At the first light, Pocopson Rd, turn right and then left into the school's driveway. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, June 8 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 45 miles. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon for a ride through Chestnut Hill to Fort Washington. Rest stop after 25 miles. Leader: Werner Carrieri, 215-680-2618, wernerman@aol.com.
Tuesday, June 10 - Intercourse for Lunch. Class C+, 14 mph, 50 miles. Starts at 9:00 from Bob LaDrew's house near Coatesville. We've done this ride twice already this season. It's well worth taking a day off from work to do. Come on a tour of the Amish countryside. Bagels, cereal & juice at start. You must contact the leader for directions. Leader: Steve Trobovic, 610-687-9229, wildyugo@comcast.net.
Saturday, June 14 - Southern Camden County. Class B/C+, 13-16 mph, 25 to 30 miles. Starts at 8:30 from the parking area in Berlin Park, just off the White Horse Pike and Park Drive in Berlin, N.J. This ride is a rescheduling of the rained out April one. We will tour the towns in southern Camden County. Leader: Dave Wender, 856-809-9194, dwender1@comcast.net.
Saturday, June 14 - 50 Miles with the Boy Scouts. Class C, 10-13 mph, 50+ miles. Starts at 9:00 from Grace Baptist Church, 23 Reeve Av, Westmont, N.J. (Possible alternate: L3 Parking Lot, Camden, right next to the N.J. State Aquarium). This ride is for a number of scouts to fulfill their 50-mile bike ride requirement for the Bicycling Merit Badge. Crosses the Ben Franklin Bridge, to the Art Museum via Spring Garden St, then Schuylkill River bike path all the way to Valley Forge National Park and back. Call for directions and to confirm starting location. Leader: Tom Geigel, 856-858-0592.
Saturday, June 14 - Chains, Charm, Chanticleer & Charge. Class C, 40 miles. Depart Italian Fountain at 10:00 (sleep in!). Ride 18 miles to lunch at Villanova Inn, then on to Chanticleer for 1.5 to 2 hours of touring their lovely gardens (tickets $5 at gate). Leave gardens at 3:00 for either: (a) a scenic 20-mile ride back to Italian Fountain (get back 4:30-ish) OR (b) join the leaders at the Philadelphia Charge women's professional soccer match (tickets $10/16/21/30 at gate) at 4:00 in Villanova Stadium. Ride to Italian Fountain by 7:45 pm after game or take the 6:50 pm SEPTA R-5 train to town, arriving 7:15 at 30th Street station. Leaders: Gary & Vikki Morris, 215-557-0410, 202-390-0504 (cell), gmorris@vzavenue.net, morris@gradient.cis.upenn.edu.
Saturday, June 14 - MTB Belmont Plateau. Out of Shape! Class D. Meet at the Italian Fountain at 11:00 for a 3-hour tour. The area consists of packed dirt, loose & crushed rock, twisty single track, steep climbs. Perfect riding! No ride if rain. Leader: Paul Winkfield, 215-329-9830, paladin007@comcast.net.
Sunday, June 15 - Fiddler's Elbow. Class B. 72 miles at 15 mph avg. Hilly. So, you think that New Jersey is flat? Come to see the "Jersey Alps" along this very scenic route. Riding in New Jersey will never feel the same! This is the final test for those going on the Tour of Somerset; believe me, the climbs in central Pa. will feel like molehills. But don't feel intimidated, nobody will be dropped (maybe I will?). The ride is mostly in Warren County, N.J. and upper Bucks County, Pa. Beautiful roads. Starts at 8:30 from Nockamixon State Park, Haycock Boat Access parking lot. Route 611 North, left on Route 412, go for about a mile and turn left onto Route 563 to first parking lot on the left. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, June 15 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon. Show and Go.
Saturday, June 21 - Meet the Train: Ridley to Chadds Ford. Class C+, 13-15 mph, 50 miles to Chadds Ford. Expect hills. The ride starts in the parking lot of the Pathmark on MacDade Blvd in Folsom, Ridley Township and leaves at 8:30 sharp in order to get to the Ridley Park train station to meet the 8:58 train from the city. Riders from Philadelphia can take the R-2 train (#4207) that leaves Suburban Station at 8:34. Bring money for a food stop. Please contact me ahead of time if you're coming by train. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dm_trout@usa.net.
Saturday, June 21 - Bruno's to New Hope. Class B, 15-16 mph, 65 miles. New Hope has all these cool trendy restaurants for lunch. Let's go check it out. We leave from Bruno's at 9, proceeding at a good strong B pace through mostly rolling terrain to New Hope, where we gorge ourselves and ride back at perhaps a slightly slower pace. If we get really tired, keep in mind that we can get a second good lunch at Bruno's when we return. The listed mileage is a guess, by the way. Leader: David L. Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu.
Saturday, June 21 - MTB Belmont Plateau. Yes, still out of shape! Class C/D. Meet at Italian Fountain at 11 for a 3-hour tour. The area consists of packed dirt, loose & crushed rock, twisty single track, steep climbs. Perfect riding! No ride if rain. Leader: Paul Winkfield, 215-329-9830, paladin007@comcast.net.
Sunday, June 22 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Mystery destination. Sit-down food break. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon. Call if weather is questionable. Leader: Jeff Bakely, 215-843-1093, jbake@snip.net.
Saturday, June 28 - Muscle the Hills. Class C+/C, 12-14 mph, 35-40 miles. Starts 8:30 from the Folsom Pathmark on MacDade Boulevard in Ridley Township. First we ride to the Ridley Park Train Station and meet up with those coming via the 8:49 train from Philadelphia (departs 30th Street at 8:29). From the train station we'll bike to Neumann College, the highest point in Delaware County, take a short break, and continue through Glen Mills to a lunch stop just before Ridley Creek State Park. Afterwards we'll cut through the park, pedal by Media, and via the Smedley/Leiper Trail back to the Ridley Park Train Station. We'll enjoy a few memorable hills (both ways) and see lots of back road beauty. Bring money for the lunch stop and strong legs for the hills. Nobody will be dropped. Please contact the leader ahead of time if you intend to come by train. Leader: Frank Jackson, 610-534-3978 (eve), 215-537-4299 (day), fjackson@rohmhaas.com.
Saturday, June 28 - Schwenksville. Class B, 14-15 mph, about 50 miles. Return via the extended Valley Forge bike path. Rolling hills, a tougher climb or two. Bring some food, my sit-down restaurant in Schwenksville is closed. Convenience store stop. Meet at 8:45 for a 9:00 start at Bruno's. Leader: Jeff Bakely, 215-843-1093, jbake@snip.net.
Saturday, June 28 - MTB Belmont Plateau. Smell the Roses! Class C/D. Meet at Italian Fountain at 11 for a 3-hour tour. Packed dirt, loose & crushed rock, twisty single track, steep climbs -perfect riding! No ride if rain. Leader: Paul Winkfield, 215-329-9830, paladin007@comcast.net.
Sunday, June 29 - Schuylkill Canal Day. Class C+/C, 12 mph, 30 to 40 miles. Starts at 8:30 from Manhattan Bagels in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center on Chesterbrook Blvd. This ride will take us along some well-traveled biking roads in western Montgomery County. We eventually wind up at the Oaks Reach of the historic Schuylkill Canal. We will lunch at the Fitzwater Station Inn, on the banks of the canal in Port Providence, and take in the 21st annual Canal Day events and sights at Lock #60 in Mont Clare. Afterward, the return is a short and easy route back to Chesterbrook. For more info about the Schuylkill Canal and Canal Day, go to www.schuylkillcanal.com. Expect some hills at a moderate C pace. Cue sheets provided. Call for directions and to confirm. Leaders: Arnie Roseman, 610-640-4529, asr3pa@msn.com, and Steve Trobovic, 610-687-9229, srtrobovic@juno.com.
Sunday, June 29 - Western Montgomery County. Class B+, 16-17 mph, 50-55 miles. We'll do a moderately hilly ride on lightly traveled roads in the western part of Montgomery County. Food stop in Schwenksville. Must call or e-mail by June 28 to confirm. Rain cancels. Meet at the parking lot across from the Evansburg State Park Youth Hostel for a 9:00 start. Leader: Chris Beetham, 215-576-6514, beetham@snip.net.
Sunday, June 29 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon. Show and Go.
Tuesday, July 1 - Mailing the July 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.
Friday, July 4 - Fourth of July Celebration. Class B/C+, 50-55 miles. Starting at 9:00 from the Bourse Bldg, main entrance, 5th & Market in Philadelphia, we will follow the original George Dub's footsteps on his escape to Valley Forge, take a break near the Welcome Center, then return to Philadelphia via the Valley Forge trail. This ride will finish at the Italian Fountain, behind the Art Museum. Leader: Rich Wagner, 610-521-4570, roadrich@hotmail.com.
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. Leaders: Sunday, June 1st - Ann Martha, 215-335-5662, achristinemartha@yahoo.com; 8th - Henry Lazarus, 267-259-6275 (cell phone), hlazar@netaxs.com. Watch the race go off, then go for a ride before brunch in Manayunk; 15th - go on the Freedom Valley Ride instead; 22nd - Ben Sears, 215-844-3784, BikerBenn@aol.com; 29th - Mark Helmus, 215-752-3731, mhelmus@comcast.net.
Bulldog Ride. Class A-/B+, 45-65 miles, average speed 16-18 mph depending on the terrain. Meets most Sundays at the Bulldog statue, in the triangular park at 25th St, Fairmount & Pennsylvania Aves. Leaves noon sharp. No cue sheet provided, follow the leader. Leader: Bruce Taubman, 215-735-7935. No ride June 8. June 29 will be Show and Go.
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 and ride descriptions.
Sunny Sunday Afternoon Ride. Class D, usually 12-22 miles. Meets every Sunday at noon in front of Lloyd Hall, #1 Boathouse Row, on Kelly Drive. For the beginner who wishes to improve his/her cycling skills, for those new to Philadelphia who want to explore the little-known, out-of-the-way places in the city and near suburbs. All June rides are Show and Go. No ride June 8 or 15. Volunteer leaders for the Sunny Sunday D rides will be greatly appreciated - call J.D. Mitchell at 215-844-2669.
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: June 1st - Tom Witt, 215-977-2164; 8th - we'll be watching the USPro race; 15th - All Spin-Off leaders are on the Freedom Valley Ride; 22nd - Dave Johnson, 215-849-8013; 29th - Lyn Hedrick, (no Sunday calls please) 215-438-3618.
Mondays
Attention all sturdy girls: Women's Recovery Ride every Monday! It's a B- pace, 25-30 mile recovery ride. Tired of all the testosterone from weekly rides, need an easy spin following hard or long miles on Saturdays and Sundays, or looking to meet other women riders who share your passion for cycling? Meet at the Italian fountain at 5:45 PM for a prompt 6:00 departure. The group will stay together at all times and rotation of ride leadership will be encouraged to share responsibility of maintaining a safe and supportive ride. Coordinator: Sally Poliwoda, 215-753-2468, poliwoda@email.chop.edu.
Tuesdays
Vocabulary Ride. Class C, 12-14 mph, 15-20 miles. Does your job cause you angst? Is your workplace an imbroglio of Kafkaesque proportions? Then come on a demulcent ride with an air of insouciance as we spin around southern Delaware County at the best time of the year. Meet every Tuesday, all month, at the Pathmark on MacDade Blvd in Folsom for a 6 PM start. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dmtrout@usa.net.
Evening Ride from Holmesburg. Class C, 15-20 miles. Leaves 6 PM SHARP from Holmesburg Shopping Center, Frankford Ave & Ashburner St, Phila. Ride around Northeast Philly and Bucks County. Canceled if it's raining one hour before start time. Leaders: Joe Wilkinson & Harriet Herman, 215-331-6672, hHerman@pmhcc.org.
Narberth ChainSmokers. Class B, 15-16 mph, 22+ miles, a training ride through the back roads of the Main Line. Our goal is to bike to Valley Forge by the end of June. There will be a faster group and we are looking for a C+ leader. Leaves from Mainly Bikes in Narberth at 6 PM. Leader: Art Elwood, 856-424-1770, bikeman1@gte.net.
Kolman's Evening Ride. Class C, 12-14 mph, 15-20 miles. Starts at 6 from Lenape High School, Church & Hartford Roads, Medford, N.J. Start easy and build miles. Leader: Kolman Kleinbord, 856-789-9677, kolman39@hotmail.com.
Thursdays
Thursday Night C+ Training Ride. Class C+, approximately 24 miles. Departs 6 PM from the Italian Fountain. We will do the traditional 3-hill challenge. Leader: June 5, 12 & 26 - Gary Morris, 215-557-0410, gmorris@vzavenue.net; June 19, Steve Trobovic, 610-687-9229, wildyugo@comcast.net.
Mountain Bike Ride in Wissahickon Park. Class B or C, approx 6-10 miles. Leaves from the parking lot just west of the Valley Green Inn: meet every Thurday at 6:15 PM and leave by 6:30. Depending on the number of people, we may break the ride into two or more rides based on ability level. Note that we bike the trails, not Forbidden Drive. Helmets are mandatory. Rain cancels. You should get a Wissahickon Park permit - cost is only $10 (the fee is really an annual contribution to the Fairmount Park). You can get an application in the park or call 215-685-0014 and they can fax or mail you an application. You can also download one from the BCP web site: http://www.phillybikeclub.org/permit.html. Leader: Lisa Coyle, 215- 763-8488, Lisa_Coyle@aoncons.com.
Narberth ChainSmokers. Class B, 15-16 mph, 22+ miles. See Tuesdays for description. Leader: Art Elwood, 856-424-1770, bikeman1@gte.net.
Fridays
BCP Softball. We meet every Friday through Labor Day Weekend between 5:45 and 6:15 PM at Clifford Park, Walnut Lane & Wissahickon Avenue. Everyone welcome (as long as you're not too good!) Info: John J. Kalicki, teach@kalicki.com (preferred), or 215-426-3937.
Wallyball will resume in the fall. Anyone interested in playing during the summer, especially if softball is rained out, call Nikki Marx at 215-963-9377.
Saturdays
MTB Belmont Plateau. Class D working gradually up to C/D. Meet at the Italian Fountain at 11:00. See Monthly Calendar for ride descriptions. Leader: Paul Winkfield, 215-329-9830, paladin007@comcast.net. No ride June 7.
