4 President`s Message

masterlink / MARCH 2016
Contents
4
President’s Message
Cycling Bliss
6
Tours
Tour Announcements
7
Rides Captain’s Corner
You’re Not Going To Want To Miss Aprils Meeting
3
This Month
3
March Membership Meeting
Thursday, March 10, 2016, 7:30pm
5
Save the Date
Upcoming BTCNJ Events
4
Coming Soon
5
Maintenance Clinic
Saturday, April 16, 2016
9
Defensive Biking Skills Workshop
Saturday, April 23, 2016
On The Cover:
Geoffrey Silverstein led a ride from Brookdale Park to the Cathedral
Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark. Pictured are Tom Wieser, Sue Kizer
Petroulas, Helene Blaustein, Geoffrey Silverstein and Edgar Pardo.
PAGE 2
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masterlink / MARCH 2016
March
Membership
Meeting
PRESIDENT
Bill Telgheder
telgheder@aol.com
VICE PRESIDENT
MEMBERSHIP
Alan Scherl
Harold Todman
ajscherl@gmail.com
htodman@aol.com
SECRETARY
RALLY CHAIRPERSON
Harriet Einschlag
Alain Chahine
heinschlag@gmail.com
alainchahine2014@gmail.com
RIDES CAPTAIN
MASTERLINK
Keith Schlanger
Marc Soloff
keithschlanger@gmail.com
marcsoloff@optimum.net
WEBMASTER
PUBLICITY
Larry Schwartz
Karen Rose
larryjet@gmail.com
karen_rose3@verizon.net
SPCL. EVENTS/VOL. DEVELOPMENT
TOURS
Lauren Kelly
Don Schlenger
kelly042702@verizon.net
aschleng@optonline.net
TREASURER
ADVOCACY AND SAFETY
Don Kaplan
Tom Conlon
dhkcpa@optonline.net
tqconlon@gmail.com
March 2016, Volume 39, Number 3. Circulation: approx. 1,500 via electronic download.
MasterLink is published 12 times per year as the official publication of the
Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey,
PO Box 853, Ridgewood NJ 07451. Our website is www.btcnj.com.
©2015 by the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey, all rights reserved.
“MasterLink”, “BTCNJ”, “BTCNJ.COM”, “Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey” (words and
logo), and “Ramapo Rally” are trademarks of the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey.
The March Membership Meeting
will feature a presentation
by Genea Barnes, author of
“Don’t Forget Me: Ghost BikesA Photographic Memorial.”
After traveling around the
country in search of ghost
bikes, Genea has put together
a collection of beautiful and
haunting photos.
For those of you who don’t
know what a “ghost bike” is,
you probably have seen an entirely white bike placed by the
roadside, surrounded with flowers. They are memorials to cyclists who have died while out
cycling, usually due to a fatal runin with a motor vehicle. Genea
captures the stories behind these
bikes through her camera.
Copies of the book will be available for sale after the meeting.
For more on Genea’s book, go to
http://geneabarnes.com/blog/bo
ok/
MasterLink Submissions:
Materials for MasterLink are due the 23rd of each month for publication
in the following month’s issue. Please send articles, photos, letters, or comments
to MasterLink, at our email address btcnj.masterlink@gmail.com. Materials may
be edited by the MasterLink staff for length and clarity. Publication of materials
submitted is at the discretion of the Editor. All materials submitted for publication
become the property of BTCNJ®. Due to copyright laws, any articles, photos, cartoons,
art, etc., that have appeared in other publications may not be published in
MasterLink without written consent of the copyright holder.
Photos in MasterLink may not be reused or republished without prior permission.
Protection of the Intellectual Property of BTCNJ®
We welcome your creative suggestions for promotional activities using the
Club’s brands, however, the Club’s name, slogans, designs and logos are its intellectual
property, which embody the “goodwill” of the Club as developed over the years
through service to its members and the community, with thanks to the volunteer
efforts of countless members. In order to preserve and protect our goodwill, it is
critical that all use of the Club’s intellectual property be properly regulated.
Please do not reproduce or simulate the Club logo, the names “BTCNJ” or
“Bicycling Touring Club of North Jersey”, or any other brands such as “Ramapo Rally”
and “MasterLink” on shirts, caps, jerseys, bottles, stickers, or any other merchandise
without authorization from our Merchandise Chair, Harold Todman.
A BIG thank-you to Carol Raff
for volunteering to handle the
post-meeting refreshments.
I think she has something
unusual planned... so that’s
another reason not to miss the
March meeting!!!
And there are still openings if
you’d like to provide the food
after future meetings. All volunteers get FREE admittance to the
meeting, with seating in the VIP
section of the auditorium.
When: March 10, 2016
Time: 7:30 PM
(but come early!)
Where: Ridgewood Public Library
125 N Maple Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
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masterlink / MARCH 2016
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
By Bill Telgheder
The World Database of Happiness measures a country’s happiness on a scale of 1 to 10. Most countries score
between 5 and 8. The United States ranks 22nd with a score of 7.3. The Dutch score is consistently higher,
which could be because the Dutch earn oodles of vacation time, have job security, and receive free health care.
Or, maybe it’s because they can visit coffee shops for drugs, the red-light district for you know what, and just
love their cycling. No wonder we are not as happy in the United States—we can only cycle! Thank goodness
for BTCNJ.
Don’t you feel happier every time you hop on your bike? It raises your happiness score to nearly 10. So the more
you cycle, the higher your happiness.
The BTCNJ Executive Committee is working behind the scenes to satisfy one of the club’s purposes:
“promoting bicycle activities for the enjoyment (happiness) of the membership.” Please consider joining us at
the many events planned for 2016. Volunteering is also known to raise your happiness, and BTCNJ has ample
opportunities for you to get involved, help out, and meet fellow members.
It makes me happy to share some more interesting points on happiness from Eric Weiner’s book,
The Geography of Bliss:
• Winning the lottery raises your happiness score, but you will probably return to your old level of happiness
after a while. I doubt I would.
• The Swiss are happy because they have clean toilets, don’t provoke envy, and are even-keeled.
Those cycling Andalusia, Spain, this year are going to be happy. It’s a nation of clean toilets.
• Bhutan measures Gross National Happiness instead of Gross National Product.
• Costa Rica ranks first at 8.5. No wonder everyone who visits loves it.
• Tanzania ranks last at 2.5.
• Family, money, trust, friends, gratitude, chocolate, a good job, luxury, spirituality, good health, pleasure,
companionship, busyness, food, helping others, social contact, and a short commute all lead to happiness.
A quote from Eric Weiner’s book: “Our happiness is completely and utterly intertwined with other people:
family and friends and neighbors and the woman you hardly notice who cleans your office. Happiness is not a
noun or verb. It’s a conjunction. Connective tissue.”
I enjoyed reading The Geography of Bliss; you might, too. The list of countries in the World Database of
Happiness can be found at http://worlddatabaseofhappiness.eur.nl/hap_nat/nat_fp.php?mode=8&ranks=1
PAGE 4
masterlink / MARCH 2016
Is your bicycle covered with dust
from a winter of inactivity?
Or, is it grimy from a
winter of frigid riding?
Either way come to this
year’s Maintenance Clinic
where you will learn
how to shine up it, and
how to keep it running
smoothly for the 2016 cycling season and beyond.
The clinic will prepare you for when a
tire has gone flat; a
spoke has broken, a
derailleur is skipping, or if your chain
breaks. Attend and
learn what to do when
disaster strikes. Attending
could mean the difference
between a long walk home
following a mechanical disaster, or only experiencing the
minor inconvenience of a roadside repair before
getting back on your way
Come to the maintenance clinic and learn how to care
for your bike, and how to overcome a variety of mechanical misfortunes. I will try to de-mystify putting a
tool to your bicycle. You’ll learn what to check before
you ride, and what to carry with you when you ride.
We will discuss repairs, maintenance and, demonstrate
various tools, and how to make
simple and routine adjustments to
you bicycle.
Topics covered include what
to do if you wheel develops
a pronounced wobble, or if
your rear derailleur should
jam and twist into a piece
of useless junk, and
how to deal with
other misfortunes
while on the road.
And yes, training on
changing tires and fixing flats will be provided. This clinic is
for both the mechanically challenged and those
that are gifted.
The clinic will be held on Saturday, April 16, between 9:30 and
2:30 at the Ridgewood Public Library. Registration fee is $15.00
payable on arrival. During the
clinic, light refreshments will be
served. A confirmed reservation is required. Seating is
limited to those with reservation. This event is waitlisted every year. To guarantee a spot, do not delay
making your reservation.
To reserve your place you must contact Bob Reich
(bob1200trek@aol.com), at 973-633-0493 after 7:00
in the evening, calls accepted until 10:00.
Save the Date!
April 16.....................Maintenance Clinic
April 23 ....................Defensive Biking
Skills Workshop
May 7 ........................CycloFemme/
CycloDudes
May 13 ......................New Members’ Dinner
May 18–July 13.........Cross-the-Continent
Tour
May 27-30................Vermont Tour
June 5.......................Picnic
June 10-12................French Creek Iron Tour
June 10-25 ...............Southern Andalusia Tour
June 18 .....................New Members’ Ride
July 8-10 ..................Lake George Tour
July 15-17 .................Rhinebeck Tour
July 22-24................Amish Tour
August 6-13 .............Quebec Eastern
Township Tour
August 21 .................Ramapo Rally
August 28 ................Ramapo Rally
Volunteers’ Party
September 23-25....Amagansett Tour
October 9 ................New Members’ Ride
November 18 ...........New Members’ Dinner
PAGE 5
masterlink / MARCH 2016
TOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pannier Tour of the Hudson Valley
May 30 through June 4, 2016
The joys of bicycle touring with panniers can be yours when you
join us as we ride the Hudson Valley to Lake George and back.
This 6-day tour follows the rolling terrain of the Hudson River and
provides picturesque views of the Catskills and the Berkshires.
We ride to Kingston NY on May 30, then on to Troy, Lake George,
Lake Luzerne, Schenectady and Kingston before returning to West
Milford, NJ on Sat June 4.
This is a self-contained pannier tour. We carry all our own gear on
the bike in panniers, and there is no support vehicle planned. We’ll stay in motels every night. Cue sheets and a
list of essentials will be provided.
Cost will be approximately $300 for motels; meals will be additional. Riders can join for all or any part of the
tour. Daily mileage will be 70 miles at a comfortable 12-13 MPH pace, allowing plenty of time for pictures and
rest stops. Terrain is rolling with no killer hills.
This will not be a race, but an easy paced tour. We prefer to ride together and enjoy the companionship of the
group and beauty of the area. If this style of riding suits you, then please sign-up.
For more information and to sign up, contact tour leaders Jim Grady, (irishbiker@juno.com) or
Steve Felmeister(felmeiss@gmail.com).
Bike the Amish Country
July 22 through July 24, 2016
The Amish Bicycle Weekend Returns! BTCNJ returns to the
land of the horse and buggy. Lancaster County is about a
4 hour car ride from Bergen County, but the experience of
being there is like stepping back into the 19th century.
The county is dominated by the Amish and Mennonites,
whose lifestyle shuns modern technology and harkens back
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masterlink / MARCH 2016
to a time when life was lived off the land, and being close with
nature was part of every person’s daily existence.
This makes for idyllic bicycling conditions. Beautiful back
country paved roads that cover rolling terrain (no killer hillswell, mostly no killers), interesting sights, and the only traffic
to speak of are the Amish folks in their horse-drawn buggies.
Come join us for a great weekend of cycling. Our home base
will be the Mill Stream Country Inn, a clean and well-kept motel
“deep in the heart of Amish Country,” with beautiful grounds
and a small outdoor pool. We have cue sheets for rides of
varying lengths and difficulty leaving and returning directly to the Inn. We’ll likely lead a mid-length ride on
Friday afternoon (for those who can arrange to get there), a longer ride on Saturday (maybe 50 or a metric),
and a short ride on Sunday morning before departure, weather-depending of course. A stay-over option and
ride on Monday 7/25 may also be possible.
Anticipated costs for this weekend trip are $160/person based on double occupancy and will include 2 nights’
accommodations, expanded continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, a wine/cheese reception, and a
group dinner at an Amish-style restaurant on Saturday evening. And for old times’ sake (for those who remember our bike and baseball trips from the late 1990s), we may have an optional trip to a minor league baseball
game, if the local Lancaster Barnstormers are in town and playing that weekend.
Rides will be led at a C* level or above. We will have cue sheets and options available for those who do not want
to ride at that pace and/or prefer to ride on their own.
Please send a check for $160 per person, payable to Alan Horwitz, to the home address listed on the club
website. Reminder that all trip participants must be club members in good standing (i.e. dues fully paid).
Your trip leaders: Alan Horwitz, Barbara Kauffman, Barbara Augenblick, Ethan Brook. Questions to Alan at
ajh973@gmail.com
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For information about club merchandise,
contact Harold Todman at htodman@aol.com.
You do not need to be a BTCNJ member
to purchase BTCNJ merchandise.
The color photos on your screen may differ from
the actual item color, due to differences in
computer monitors and settings.
RIDES CAPTAIN’S CORNER:
Attention Ride
Leaders and Future
Ride Leaders...
you’re not going to
want to miss Aprils
meeting!
We went a little more
than ten times around
the world. I left out one
of more prolific members.
MEMBER
TOTAL
COMMENTS
Ken Levins..............7,592 .......................No Junk Miles Here - Quality not
Quantity Miles Elevation Gain
436,394 ft
PAGE 7
masterlink / MARCH 2016
BTCNJ TOURS
In the table below is a summary of the upcoming tours hosted by BTCNJ.
For a full description of the tours, please visit our website. You must be
a BTCNJ member to participate in a tour hosted by BTCNJ.
CROSS THE CONTINENT, MAY 18-JULY 13
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
CONTACT:
$2500 plus airfare
Flat to very hilly
Steve Lorenz, slinjersey@msn.com
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Open
3,380 miles
SOUTHERN VERMONT, MAY 27-30 (MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND)
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
CONTACT:
$340/person (DO)
All levels
Linda Krauss, krauski@gmail.com
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Open
12-62 mile rides
FRENCH CREEK IRON TOUR, JUNE 10-12
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
$45, hotel on your own All levels
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Open
11-100 mile rides
CONTACT:
Cynthia MacVicker, cmacvicker@optonline.net
Peggy Telgheder, peggytelgheder@aol.com
SOUTHERN ANDALUSIA, JUNE 10-25
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
CONTACT:
$3,000/person (DO)
Rolling to hilly
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Ethan Brook, ethanbrook@gmail.com
Barbara Augenblick, beejayaug@gmail.com
Wait-listed
30-50 miles/day
LAKE GEORGE, JULY 8-10
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
CONTACT:
$220/person (DO)
Varied
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Barbara Mallach, mallachb@gmail.com
Aaron Winograd
Open
16-65 mile rides
RHINEBECK, JULY 15-17
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
CONTACT:
$199/person (DO)
Varied
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Richard Fine, richardfine42@hotmail.com
Amy Hass, amyhass@amyhass.com
Open
30-70 mile rides
BIKE THE AMISH COUNTRY, JULY 22-24
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
CONTACT:
TBD
Rolling
Alan Horwitz, ajh973@gmail.com
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Watch for listing
Varying
QUEBEC’S EASTERN TOWNSHIPS, AUGUST 6-13
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
CONTACT:
$1,000/person (DO)
Rolling
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Don Schlenger- aschleng@opotonline.net
Harriet Einschlag- heinschlag@gmail.com
Open
40-55 miles/day
AMAGANSETT, SEPTEMBER 23-25
PAGE 8
PRICE:
TERRAIN:
CONTACT:
$250/person (DO)
Mostly flat
Robert DeMair, rdemair@optonline.net
CAPACITY:
DISTANCE:
Open
12-107 mile rides
masterlink / MARCH 2016
PAGE 9
masterlink / MARCH 2016
SUPPORT YOUR
LOCAL BIKE SHOP
The owners of all these shops support BTCNJ. Please tell them you saw their shop in MasterLink.
Show them your BTCNJ membership card for a 10% discount off accessories and parts. They are skilled bicycle
pros, and we urge you to use their services. Please note that the discount may not apply to sale items and
may not allow credit card payment. Please note that the individual shop owners have sole discretion over the
definition of “accessories and parts” and of the items in their stock to which any BTCNJ-related discount applies.
D.J.s’ Cycles .............................................Belmar
732-681-8228
Toga Bike ...............................................NYC, NY
212-759-0002
Brookdale Cycle .............................Bloomfield
973-338-8908
Nyack Bicycle Outfitters ..............Nyack, NY
845-353-0268
Get-a-way Cycle Center........Bloomingdale
973-291-4163
Pedal Sports .........................................Oakland
201-337-9380
Bikeland..................................................Caldwell
973-403-3330
CampMor...............................................Paramus
201-445-5000
Bikeland II.............................................Chatham
973-635-8066
The Bicycle II........................................Paramus
201-632-0200
Closter Cycle...........................................Closter
201-768-3086
Cycle Sport Cyclery......................Park Ridge
201-391-5269
Congers Bike Shop ....................Congers, NY
845-268-3315
Cycle Craft .......................................Parsippany
973-227-4462
Steve’s Moped & Bicycle ..................Dumont
201-384-7777
Bicycle Depot..................................Pearl River
845-735-8686
Sam’s Bicycle Repair.............Elmwood Park
201-797-5819
Heino’s Ski and Cycle................Pequannock
973-696-3044
Bike Master......................................Englewood
201-569-3773
Piermont Bicycle.......................Piermont, NY
845-365-0900
Strictly Bicycles...................................Fort Lee
201-944-7074
Cycle Center...........................Pompton Lakes
973-835-6339
Carrera Cycles ..................................Glen Rock
201-857-0106
Bicycle Source.......................Pompton Plains
973-835-7595
Marty’s Reliable ........................Hackettstown
908-852-1650
Bike & Ski Shop ....................................Ramsey
201-327-9480
Bike Pad ............................................Hawthorne
973-427-9400
Ramsey Outdoor..................................Ramsey
201-327-8141
Grove Street Bicycles ..................Jersey City
201-451-2453
Ultimate Cycle Shop...........................Ramsey
201-962-9000
James Vincent................................Jersey City
201-420-5151
Marty’s Reliable ....................................Randolf
973-584-7773
Ramsey Outdoor..........................Ledgewood
973-584-7798
Cosmic Wheel ........................Ridgefield Park
201-440-6655
Bicycle Tech ..................................Lincoln Park
973-694-6775
Fit Werx....................................Ridgefield Park
201-440-2025
D.J.’s Cycles..................................Long Branch
732-870-2277
Ridgewood Cycle .........................Ridgewood
201-444-2553
Peddler ..........................................Long Branch
732-229-6623
Bikeworks....................................Rochelle Park
201-843-6409
Cycle Craft ......................................Long Valley
908-876-5600
Original Bike Shop ...................Saddle Brook
973-478-6555
Madison Bicycle Shop.......................Madison
973-377-6616
Valley Cycle .........................Spring Valley, NY
845-356-3179
High Gear Cyclery ...............................Millburn
973-376-0001
High Gear Cyclery................................Stiriling
908-647-2010
Diamond Cycle...................................Montclair
973-509-0233
Bicycle Workshop .................................Tenafly
201-568-9372
The Bikery............................................Montclair
973-744-7252
Fusion Cycles..........................................Tenafly
201-266-6925
Marty’s Reliable .............................Morristown
973-538-7773
Toga Bike..............................Upper Nyack, NY
845-358-3455
Cycle World.................................New City, NY
845-364-2384
Town Cycle............................West Milford, NJ
973-728-8878
James Vincent...........................North Bergen
201-869-1901
Albert’s Westwood Cycle ...........Westwood
201-664-1688
Chelsea Bikes.......................................NYC, NY
646-230-7715
Whippany Cycle ..............................Whippany
973-887-8150
Gotham Bike.........................................NYC, NY
212-732-2453
Wyckoff Cycle......................................Wyckoff
201-891-5500
As proof of BTCNJ membership, you will need to print your membership card through the BTCNJ website.
Log onto the site, select Membership Card under the Membership tab. Printing instructions are provided.
PAGE 10
masterlink / MARCH 2016
BTCNJ RIDE CATEGORIES
RIDE LEVEL
DESCRIPTION
A
Average speed 17+ mph - For strong/experienced cyclists. Stops every 30+ miles.
B*
Average speed 15.0 - 16.9 mph - average speed on flats 17.0 - 18.0 mph.
For strong cyclists. Stops every 20 - 25 miles
B
Average speed 13.0 - 14.9 mph - average speed on flats 15.0 - 16.0 mph.
For solid cyclists. Stops every 15 - 20 miles.
C*
Average speed 11.0 - 12.9 mph - average speed on flats 13.0 - 14.0 mph.
For solid cyclists. Stops every 15 - 20 miles.
C
Average speed 9.0 - 10.9 mph - average speed on flats 11.0 - 12.0 mph.
For average cyclists. Stops as needed.
D
Average speed Under 9.0 mph - average speed on flats 10.0 mph.
For new, inexperienced cyclists. Frequent stops.
F
Family ride for families. Frequent stops, child friendly.
MTB-B
Mountain Bike - Single track with challenging surfaces, rocks, roots, logs and
technical terrain. Extended ascents and challenging descents.
MTB-C
Mountain Bike - Single and double track trails with uneven surfaces and
minimal obstacles. Gradual and moderate climbing and descents.
MTB-D
Mountain Bike - Unpaved wide trails and fire roads with obstruction free riding
surfaces. Small and gradual changes in elevation.
A, B*, B Categories: No obligation to wait for stragglers if advertised pace is kept and written directions
(cue sheets, maps) are issued. C*, C, D Categories: Group will wait for stragglers and assist those having
mechanical difficulty. MTB rides: the slowest participant dictates ride pace; no rider is ever left behind.
TERRAIN DESCRIPTIONS
Hilly: Numerous long and steep climbs
Moderately Hilly: Numerous climbs, with no “killer” hills
Rolling: Some small hills, farmland ups and downs
Flat: Minimal gear shifting required
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LEADERS
Bring maps and/or cue sheets. Discourage riders
with unsound bikes from joining the ride. Within the
first few miles, urge riders who are unable to maintain
the advertised pace to leave the ride. Adhere to the
advertised speed of the ride. Advise riders exceeding
your intended pace that they will be considered to be
on their own.
RIDE LEADERS MUST SUBMIT THEIR SIGN-IN SHEETS
TO EARN RIDE LEADER POINTS.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RIDERS
Riders must obey NJ motor vehicle laws. Bring tools:
tire irons, pump, and spare tube. Bicycle must be in
good working order. Don’t ride in a category that is
too difficult for you. Advise leader if you are making an
unscheduled stop or leaving the group. Rides will not
go in the following conditions (unless otherwise noted
in the rides description): rain, snow, wet or icy roads,
or temperatures under 32°. Rides will leave 15 minutes
after the published meeting time (unless otherwise
noted.) For rides longer than 15 miles, bring snacks,
for rides over 30 miles, bring lunch (unless a deli stop
is indicated). Note: anyone under 18 years of age must
be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on all
rides. Every rider is required to wear a helmet that
meets CPSC Performance Standards on all club rides.
Headphones are not permitted on rides.
PAGE 11
masterlink / SEPTEMBER 2014
BIKE MARSHALS
NEEDED!
Registration as a bike marshals on
our road crew team is free.
Contact Joey Farmery at
jfarmery@eventage.net or by
phone at 773-344-7102
PAGE 12
masterlink / MARCH 2016
BTCNJ® EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Executive Summary of Meeting Minutes
February 3, 2016
Present:
Harriet Einschlag, Secretary
Alan Scherl, Vice President
Karen Rose, Public Relations
Keith Schlanger, Rides Captain
Marc Soloff, Masterlink
Alain Chahine, Rally Chair
Harold Todman, Membership
Larry Schwartz, Webmaster
Don Schlenger, Tours
Not Present:
Don Kaplan, Treasurer
Tom Conlon, Legislative and Safety
Lauren Kelley, Volunteer development
Bill Telgheder, President
Call to Order
VP Alan Scherl opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
President (VP in President’s absence):
• Alan opened the meeting by welcoming the committee members.
• Alan opened discussion on ideas to improve cycling safety and cyclist riding skills. The group discussed
many aspects of safety. Larry volunteered to write an article on situations where it is more likely that
accidents will occur. There was discussion that safety tips and skills may differ depending on the ride level.
For example, riding skills and situations encountered may be different on an A ride, or C* or D ride.
It was suggested that ride leaders would have specific suggestions based on the nature of their ride, and
that there be a checklist covered by ride leaders. It was suggested that a safety discussion for ride leaders
take place at the ride leader jersey club meeting in April.
• Some towns have not responded to our offer of a bike rack. Committee members will follow-up.
Vice President:
• Alan Scherl reported that February’s meeting will have Rich Brookler and Mike Gisler demonstrating
new trainers and online ride sharing applications. March’s meeting will have Genea Barnes discussing
“Ghost Bikes” memorials. April’s meeting will be ride leader jersey distribution and safety discussion.
May’s meeting will have John Russo from Cosmic Wheel discussing Garmins and technology.
Rides Captain:
• Keith Schlanger discussed the topic of providing more incentives for members who lead a lot of rides
and earn more than points needed for a jersey. He will solicit ideas at the next rides committee meeting
with ride lieutenants.
• Keith reported that there were 125 jerseys on order. 15 members opted for free membership.
There are 6 ride leaders in the 8-11 point category who earn club merchandise.
Special Events/Volunteer Development:
• Lauren Kelly was absent, but Keith mentioned that Ellen Davis, club member, is in charge of volunteers
for the NY Grand Fondo. There is an expo, and maybe BTCNJ should have a table at the expo?
The expo dates are 5/13 and 5/14. The event is 5/15.
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masterlink / MARCH 2016
Publicity:
• Karen Rose requested topics for the February eletter
MasterLink:
• Marc reported that a club member volunteered to video record club meeting presentations and upload them
to YouTube
Webmaster:
• Larry Schwartz reported that there was a database error where there was no information on six members.
He thinks the error occurred when they timed out on a page, but were able to continue the process.
Larry will correct the error.
Ramapo Rally:
• Alain reported that the Ramapo Rally meeting in January was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Harriet
Einschlag
Harriet Einschlag
BTCNJ Board Secretary
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