******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

[SEE "WHAT'S NEW" AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE]

Last updated 5/22/13

CURRENT EVENT RIDE (S):

*June 1st, Saturday, Greater Philadelphia Tour de Cure (Ambler, PA)

*June 1st, Saturday, Lancaster Farmland Trust Pedal to Preserve (New Holland, PA)

*June 8th, Saturday, The Revolutionary Ramble  (Madison, NJ)

*June 9th, Sunday, French Creek Iron Tour  (Phoenixville, PA)

*June 15th, Saturday, Bike MS - Cranking for the Cure (Middletown, DE) 

*June 15th, Saturday, Roll & Stroll  (Souderton, PA)

*June 22nd, Saturday, Cycle Bucks County (New Hope, PA) 

*June 29th, Saturday, Miles for Missions Bike Rally (Lower Makefield, PA)

See more rides at: http://www.bikersandspinners.com/eventscalendar/)

FEATURED RIDE PICKS FOR JUNE: 

June 1st, Saturday, Lancaster Farmland Trust Pedal to Preserve (New Holland, PA)

Pedal to Preserve 2013

Celebrate Lancaster Farmland Trust's 25th Anniversary and "Ride Because She Can't" 
in Pedal to Preserve 2013! 

With distances of 6, 20, and 51 miles, these 3 leisure routes provide scenic views of more than 75 preserved farms in the heart of beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. For families, novice riders, and experienced cyclists, this event offers fun for all ages and abilities. Pedal to Preserve 2013 is a leisure ride, not a race. Marked routes, SAG support, breakfast snacks, rest stops, and lunch are included in your registration. 

Date: Saturday, June 1, 2013

Time: Registration/check-in begins at 7 a.m.

51 mile ride leaves at 8 a.m.

20 mile ride leaves at 9 a.m.

6 mile ride leaves at 9:30 a.m.

Pedal to Preserve is a leisure ride, not a race, however, all riders must depart within 30 minutes of their sheduled ride in order to have SAG support and lunch available. Riders may also leave earlier than their designated start time as long as they have checked-in at registration. 

Location: Garden Spot Village, 433 South Kinzer Avenue, New Holland, PA 17557. All rides begin and end at Garden Spot Village. Thank you Garden Spot Village for serving as our host  site again this year!

Directions: Garden Spot Village

Parking Map

Maps and Cue Sheets:

6 Mile Ride | 20 Mile Ride | 51 Mile Ride

June 9th, Sunday, French Creek Iron Tour  (Phoenixville, PA)

The 11th Annual   
French Creek Iron Tour   
Cycling for Open Space

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Join over 1,500 riders for scenic cycling through Iron Furnace country and have a blast! The French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust preserves open space where iron blast furnaces and forges served as cornerstones of industry in colonial Pennsylvania – hence “Iron Tour.”

When you ride in the French Creek Iron Tour, you have a direct impact on the preservation of the pristine countryside that surrounds you. Since 1967, the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust has protected more than 10,000 acres of open space in northern Chester County.

With courses ranging from 11 to 100 miles, there’s something for everyone – from seasoned riders looking for a challenge to families with kids in tow.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Registration will close at 1800 riders or at 5 p.m., June 4, whichever comes first. There will be no day-of-event registration. Registration is non-refundable, and the ride takes place rain or shine.

***************************************************************************************************

*** GENERAL RIDE INFORMATION***

Few Organized Group Rides Scheduled, but.........

Because of rapidly changing weather conditions in the early Spring and our ride leaders' schedules, we aren't doing many of our organized group rides at this time. Please check this website often for group ride postings. We expect our Wednesday evening rides to begin by mid May.

If you would like to hook up with other riders, try using our B&S Comment Page.  Or try one of the organized rides offered by our area bicycle clubs.

For a safe and enjoyable ride, we encourage everyone to always follow the requirements and suggestions we have for our group rides:

    Always ride with a helmet that fits you and is correctly worn 

    Carry 2 water bottles (1 with a sports drink the other with water) and hydrate often- drink before you get thirsty

    Carry a spare tube, an inflation device (frame pump and/or CO2 cartidge) and a set of tire levers (unless you have thumbs of steel!)

    Wear eye protection - tinted or clear 

    Carry your cell phone, but use it only when stopped and off the road were you will be safe from vehicular traffic and won't create a safety issue for other cyclists

    Use a rear flashing light (even during daylight) attached to your saddle bag, seat post or frame to help increase your visibility; if planning to ride near dawn or dusk (or when you might be caught in rain), use a front facing light as well. 

    Always practice safe riding skills including calling out when passing a fellow cyclist or pedestrian from behind, riding single file on heavily trafficked roads (hey - this is Bucks County so don't expect a bike lane or even a shoulder - with or without debris!), obeying traffic laws and setting a good example for how to co-exist with other cyclists, joggers, walkers and motorists.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ROUGH ROAD (Updated 5/13/13):

    * Bulls Island Pedestrian Bridge (a/k/a The Lumberville-Raven Rock Toll-Supported Pedestrian Bridge) REOPENED on May 8th

    *  NJ Route 29 between Frenchtown and Stockton - On Wednesday 4/10 during mid afternoon, Nancy, Margie and I did our "first of the season" out and back ride.  We averaged 15.2 mph on the way up and 14.9 mph overall - getting slowed down on the way back by the strong headwinds - with a total of 1 1/2 hours in the saddle for the 23 +/- mile ride. Road conditions are still a little rough - especially the "middle portion" between mile 5 and 8 of the west side of Rt. 29 (as you go up to Frenchtown). Potholes for the most part have been recently filled, but watch out for gravel, debris and vertical cracks!  Portions paved last year are generally good, but the adjacent shoulders (not repaved last year) are in really bad shape (lots broken asphalt) so you'll need to get out in the roadway.  Heading back from Frenchtown to Stockton the biggest issue is lots of gravel on the shoulders - which are generally in good condition, as are the road surfaces (with the exception again being the middle portion of the route where the roadway gets a little rough).  The canal path that runs parallel to the east side of Rt. 29 appeared to be in good shape (for hybrid/trail rides), although we did not see anyone riding on it.  We parked our bikes at Prallsville Mills (as usual) and celebrated with a great dinner (including sharing a wonderful bottle of Barbera!) at the newly opened location for Cafe Galleria in Lambertville (BYOB) - which is spandex friendly to bicycleists (both on their large wrap around outdoor porch and inside). We will return....soon!!!

    *Pineville Road Bridge over Pidcock Creek is CLOSED until June 2013.......unless you want a challenging crossing as Rich and Bill G did  on  3/28 ride!

    * Fleecy Dale Road bridge over Paunnacussing Creek between Fretz Mill and Old Carversville Road CLOSED until October 2013

    * Bridge CLOSED over Neshaminy Creek near intersection of Sackettsford Road and Rushland Road / Swamp Road (Northampton Township)

PLEASE REPORT ROAD PROBLEMS TO Bill Gorodetzer FOR POSTING ON THE BIKERSANDSPINERS WEB SITE.

***************************************************************************************************