Please send comments or suggestions about the web page to
BCP Ride List for March 2004
Saturday, March 6 - Narberth to Malvern. Class B-, 13-14 mph, 45 miles, some hills. Leaving from Narberth Park Playground parking lot off Haverford Ave in Narberth. Meet at 9:15 for a 9:30 sharp departure. Bring money for lunch at Wawa, pizza shop, or bakery. Ride canceled if it's below 30 degrees at 8:30 or if there's precipitation. Leaders: Bob Silverman, 215-977-2282, rsilverman@wolfblock.com, and Henry Miller, 215-977-2182, miller@wolfblock.com.
Sunday, March 7 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, maybe slower as we work our way back into shape, 40-45 miles. Destination will be the Ambler/Horsham area. Sit-down food break. Meet at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon. Call if weather is questionable. Leader: Jeff Bakely, 215-843-1093, jbake@snip.net.Saturday, March 13 - Historic Greenwich. Class B. 53 miles at 15 mph avg, flat. Winter is almost over, and you'd better start thinking of getting back in shape. This is a nice easy loop in Salem and Cumberland Counties, NJ, where we'll enjoy scenic, traffic-free, and flat roads through some of the oldest towns and villages of the Garden State. Starts at 10 from the Salem Oak Diner on Broadway & Oak Sts in Salem, NJ, across from the 500- year-old Salem Oak. If interested in having breakfast at the diner prior to the ride, call or email. If interested in losing weight, show up at 10:00. Take I-95 South to I-495 to Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295). Take first exit at the end of the bridge, SR 49, and follow it for 9 miles into Salem where SR 49 becomes Broadway. Diner is on right-hand side. Please park on the street so we don't clog up the diner's parking lot. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leaders: Ida and Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, March 14 - Asbury Willows. Class B, 55 miles at 15 mph avg, rolling with a few moderate hills. The ride is mostly along lightly traveled roads in Hunterdon and Warren Counties, N.J. We'll warm up first along a long flat stretch by the Delaware River and then follow a gentle incline over Jugtown Mt. en route to Asbury, our lunch destination. Starts 9:00 from Bulls Island State Park on SR 29, 3 miles north of Stockton, N.J. From CC Philadelphia (50 minute trip) take I-95 North for 30 miles to the first exit after crossing the Delaware River, then follow SR 29 North for about 16 miles. The park is on the left side of the road. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, March 14 - 6th Annual Leprechaun Breakfast. All classes, 30 to 40 miles. Starts 9:30 from Valley Forge Park Visitor Center, lower parking lot. We ride to Parker Ford and Pennhurst looking for the Leprechaun's pot of gold. We probably won't find it, but we will find good biking roads and a great, late breakfast at the Phoenixville Polish American Club near the end of the ride. Can we get an Irish breakfast at a Polish American club? Come and find out. "Szczesliwego Dnia Sw. Patryka!" Cue sheets and Regional Bike Maps provided. A multi- club ride. Bring $ & H2O. Wear something green and win a cup of (Irish?) coffee. U.S. 422 to the Valley Forge Rd (SR 23 W) exit. Enter VFNHP at the main entrance at the traffic light. Take the first right after entering, which leads you around the Visitor Center to the lower parking lot. If you want to come by SEPTA, contact Steve for directions. Leader: Steve O'Trobovic, 610- 687-9229, 610-209-8259 (cell on Sun.), wildyugo@comcast.net.
Sunday, March 14 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon. Show and Go.
Monday, March 15 - BCP Monthly Meeting. 6:30 PM, Goat Hollow, 300 W. Mount Pleasant Ave (near Lincoln Drive), Philadelphia, PA 19119. 215-242-4710. All BCP members are encouraged to attend. To get something on the agenda: David Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu.
Saturday, March 20 - Nockamixon to Lehigh. Class B, 14-16 mph, 60 miles. This ride starts along the shores of Lake Nockamixon and winds through beautiful, quiet roads, past the remains of the Bethlehem Steel plant (which is being turned into a museum) to lunch on Lehigh University's campus. This is a moderately hilly ride, but not too bad. Starts at 9 from Nockamixon State Park, Haycock Boat Access parking lot on Pa. 563, 1 mile from Pa. 412. 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. Ride will be canceled if rain, snow, or daytime highs forecast below 32 degrees. Leader: David L. Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu.
Saturday, March 20 - First Day of Spring. Class C, 11-13 mph, 50 miles. Meet at Tookany Parkway and Central Avenue in Cheltenham at 9. The ride is through Bryn Athyn, Bryn Gweled (www.bryngweled.org), Holland, Core Creek State Park, Yardley, Langhorne, Trevose, and Northeast Philly. Option to ride R3 West Trenton Regional Rail back from Yardley to Jenkintown, Fern Rock or Center City. Via bike/train: R8 Newtown Cheltenham Station is two blocks from the start. From the station, go right on Old Soldier to Tookany, continue straight to parking lot on left. If driving: From Center City, take Roosevelt Blvd, turn left on Cottman Ave. Continue for about two miles, cross Rising Sun Ave. (Five Points). Continue to second traffic light (Central Ave) then turn left at the next traffic light (Tookany Dr.), turn right and left into the first parking lot. Leader: Bill Cotton, 215-559-2910 (cell), billcotton@billcotton.com.
Sunday, March 21 - New Years All Over Again/Brandywine Classic. Class B-, 13-14 mph, 43 miles. Starts 9:30 from behind Wawa at Rts. 1 & 100. Revisit the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley on this Bob Paradise (I think) ride. Quik Mart food stop. Forecast high 45+ or ride is a no go. Leader: Roger Burnham, 215- 848-3545.
Sunday, March 21 - B Ramble: Bryn Mawr & Farther. Class B, 15- 16 mph, 40 miles. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon. We'll get our cycling legs back in no time. Goes through scenic Bryn Mawr. Below 50F, let's try it another time. Leader: Werner Carrieri, 215-680-2618, wernerman@aol.com.
Saturday, March 27 - Breakfast in Gap. Class B-, 55 miles, 13- 14 mph avg, rolling to moderately hilly. After a gentle warm-up along the Struble Trail, we'll head straight west from Chester County into Lancaster County for a late breakfast at the Gap Diner. Slow climbs at tandem pace along lightly traveled back roads. Starts at 9 from Downingtown, Pa. From King of Prussia (20 minute trip) take U.S. 202 south to U.S. 30 west and exit on SR 282, Wallace Ave. Turn left at the end of the ramp and park in the first small parking lot (no signs) on the right side of the road (look for the port-a-potty!). Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leaders: Ida and Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, March 28 - Trem das Cores. Class B, 65 miles at 15 mph avg, rolling to moderately hilly. A journey across the Brandywine Valley will take us deep into Guillam country. Early springtime is always beautiful there. One food stop at 35 miles and then an easy and scenic return along the west branch of the Brandywine creek, until we climb back to Ridley Creek. Starts 9 o'clock from Ridley Creek State Park office parking lot. Take U.S. 1 south to SR 252 north, turn right at the end of the ramp and go 0.5 mile along 252, bear left onto Providence Rd, continue for 2.5 miles and turn left onto Gradyville Rd. Follow park signs to park office. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, March 28 - MTB on the Pennypack Trails 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 if there are poor weather and/or trail conditions, so call ahead or e-mail to confirm, or with any questions. Leader: Chris Beetham, 215-576-6514, ride_with_cb@verizon.net.Sunday, March 28 - Perkiomen Trail Class C, 11-12 mph, 35 miles. Departs 10:00 from Lower Perkiomen Park, Egypt Rd and 422, plenty of free parking. Park info at www.montcopa.org/parks/lpvp.htm. The trail is gravel, so wide tires are suggested. We will stop for pizza so bring money, water, and food for the trail. Rain or snow at the start definitely cancels, below 40 degrees at start also cancels. Leader: Len Langsdorf, 610-278-7779 home, 215-826-6998 work, lnl@jny.com. 215-576-6514, ride_with_cb@verizon.net.
Sunday, March 28 - B Ramble, 14-15 mph, maybe slower as we work our way back into shape, 40-45 miles. Probable destination is Devon Whole Foods Market. 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.
Tuesday, March 30 - Mailing the April 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.
Regular Weekly and Sunday Rides
HELMETS are REQUIRED ON ALL RIDES
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: March 7 - Peggy Gertz, 215-844-2669, gertz@email.chop.edu; 14th - Ben Sears, 215-844-3784, bikerbenn@aol.com; 21st - Joseph Feeney, 215-332-0283, jfe7378071@aol.com; 28th - Henry Lazarus, 267-259- 6275 (cell phone), hlazar@netaxs.com.MTB in the Parks. See Monthly Calendar for details. Call or e- mail to confirm and 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: March 7 - Dave Johnson, 215-849-8013; 14 - Chuck Martin, 215-923-1887; 21 - Lyn Hedrick (no Sunday calls please), 215-438- 7665; 28 - Tom Witt, 215-977-2164.
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 ore-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, 215-576-6514, ride_with_cb@verizon.net.
Fridays
Wallyball. March 5 and 19. 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. 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 if you want to be on the Wallyball e-mail list to remind you of upcoming games.
Saturdays
MTB Belmont Plateau. No rides scheduled, but check the website for ad-hoc listings. Leader: Paul Winkfield, 215-329-983, paladin007@comcast.net.Class C, 30 miles. Call to confirm ride. In the winter cold, our main goal is to get some miles and spin the pedals. We do not worry about pace but will try to hold a low C cruising pace (12- 14 mph). Faster riders are welcome and may ride off, but group will maintain pace. Rain one hour before ride cancels, as does snow or below 35 degrees. Meet at baseball field parking lot, Sharp & Columbia Sts, Millville, NJ. From 55 S, take exit 27. Go south. Cross light, bear right at the Y, stay right at second Y. Go about 1 mile. Laundromat is on left, parking lot for the ride is on the right. Joint ride with SJ Wheelmen. Leader: Kolman Kleinbord, 856-787-9677, kolman39@hotmail.com.
Northeast Ramble. Class C-, 25 miles. Usually leaves at 9:30 promptly with a brunch stop. Must call Thursday or Friday evening to check on point of departure, destination. Depends on weather and temperature. Leaders: Dick & Madge Trickey, 215-288-5907.
