The annual Eastern Shore Weekend in Easton, MD is on the Meetup calendar for May 5 - 7.  You can get full details about the event here.  As has been the case every year there are rides planned for Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday.  At this point there are 18 members signed up.  I have 10 rooms booked at the hotel at a special rate of $134.10 per night.  If you've already RSVPed to the event be sure to make your room reservation.  If we need more than 10 rooms I can likely add more.  The cutoff date to reserve at this rate is April 5.  After that date I can't promise rooms will be available.

On the Saturday ride we've traditionally stopped at Old Salty's on Hooper's Island for our lunch break.  I've had several conversations with the owner and it became clear that they would not be able to accomodate us as a group, so I'm looking for alternatives.  I've reached out to the Hooper's Island Volunteer Fire Company to see if they would be willing to host a rest stop.  It will be helpful for me to have a good idea of the number of riders and guests coming so I can give the fire company an idea of how many to expect.  So, if you are considering coming to the weeeknd I'd like to encourage you to RSVP sooner rather than later.  I'll have more information about the rest stop once the fire company has their meeting March 1.

I also have a request for someone willing to be the point person for the Friday afternoon rides.  There are two routes available so I'd need two people.  I will not get to Easton in time for the 2:00pm scheduled start, so if you are willing to act as a host for one of the Friday rides please let me know (pocono723@yahoo.com).  

I'll look forward to seeing you at Easton for this really great LWA event.

Paul Smith  - Event Organizer

Last week a contingent of LWA members participated in a week long ride on the Natchez Trace Parkway.  At the club meeting Wednesday 10/26 Rich, with color commentary from other attendees, will do a presentation about the ride .  Please check the Meetup calandar and RSVP.

Paul Smith

LWA President 

This is Paul Smith, current LWA President, reaching out to all club members regarding club leadership opportunities and needs.  As you may know, the club by laws specify five LWA officers (President,  VP Touring, VP Racing, Secretary, Treasure) and four at large LWA Board of Directors members.  In addition to these positions there are several other critical leadership positions that the club relies on, including Membership Coordinator, Web Master, Club Picnic organizer,  and the Donut Derby event director.  This year several of these position will be open, and the club needs members to step up to fill these vacancies. 

Here are the positions we need filled for next year.

LWA President.  I am stepping down as the LWA President after serving one year.  We need someone to assume that role. I will certainly work with anyone to facilitate a smooth transition.

Member of the Board of Directors:  There are seveal current board members who's terms either expire this year or who are leaving the area.  If you are willing to serve on the Board please reach out.

Donut Derby Event Organizer:  Bert has done an outstanding job during his tenure.  He is stepping down, so we need somneone to assume that role.

Presentation for the Sept 28 Club Meeting

While the cold and gloom of winter are (hopefully) a few months away, we all know that at some point we will not be able to enjoy cycling with our buddies outdoors. But there is a way to stay fit, cycle (virtually) all over the world and talk to your friends as you ride all from the comfort and warmth of home.

This month will be a demo of the use of a smart trainer connected to a cycling app called Rouvy AR. The AR stands for augmented reality, which means the computer simulates riding real roads with real video, while the smart trainer automatically adjusts the resistance as the grade changes. Additional, using another app called Discord, cyclists can actually talk to other riders as you ride.

Come on out to see how it all works. The LWA business meeting follow after the presentation.

Paul Smith  LWA President

Hello fellow cyclists,

At the August 24th club meeting,  LWA member Clyde Odem will be presenting a a summary of their (he had company!) bike trip to Prince Edward Island and the Cape Breton peninsula, and the historic Cabot Trail around the peninsula. 

I'm looking forward to hearing about this trip.  Having been to Cape Breton many years ago I have great memories of how scenic the area is.  I'm excited to have Clyde share his experience.  Please come join us.  Details are on the LWA Meetup.

Paul Smith 

LWA President

Hello LWA Members

This month's club meeting is June 22 and will be held at McCall Collective Taphouse, 7443 Hamilton Blvd, within walking distance of the Velodrome .  The owners reached out to the club because they are cyclists, and wanted to do something for the LWA.  LWA members attending this event receive $1.00 off draft beers and 10% food discount.  The venue will be open to the public until 7:30pm. You can come in when you want prior to that so you can enjoy the food, beer and other drinks, and the company of your riding buddies.  The special private LWA event will begin at 7:30pm with our business meeting shortly after that.

Please check the posting on the Meetup site and RSVP.  McCalls Collective is a gold level sponser of the Donut Derby.  They are supporting us, lets have a great turnout.  If you have any cool LWA related items that might make good display items, the owners may be interested in using them so bring them along.

Paul Smith - LWA President

Hello LWA members.

I want to remind everyone of a special event that is happening next Thursday, June 16.

A group of about 15 riders is participating in a 23-day, 1,070 mile triangle tour of the 911 Memorials in each of the three cities directly impacted by the attacks.  Their own journey will start at the Pentagon, ride to Flight 93 memorial near Shanksville, then to NYC, and back to the Pentagon. 

This group of volunteer riders will pass through our area on June 16.  Their ride that day goes from Reading to Easton.  The entire 1070 miles is a "test route" with hopes of organizing a real 911 Memorial Ride a few years from now.

The organizer reached out to the LWA seeking guidance and support for this effort.  Our most valuable contribution is likely our knowledge of the roads.  Their initial route through our area was not on roads that are good, or even safe, for cyclists.  Several LWA members contributed their knowledge to plot a great route from Fleetwood to the Velodrome.  The board also voted to support their ride that day by providing food and beverages at their 2nd rest stop at the Velodrome.  

We have received 1 Sizing/Sample Kit from Ascend Sportswear that will be available during the March 23 club meeting.  The kit consists of the following items.

KK Men's Volare Elite Cycling Jersey - Sport Cut - Large

Women's Volare Elite Cycling Jersey- Sport Cut  Large

Unisex Apex Elite Cycling Jersey - Race Cut  X-Large

At the March 23rd club meeting  there will be two presentations prior to the business meeting.

First will be by McCall Collective Brewing Co CEO Craig Phillips. His family's brewery is opening a 2nd taproom right next to the Exxon behind the Velodrome. He will be presenting ideas for ways his company can support the LWA and welcome all members to the new location.

The second presentation will be by Patrick Rizzieri of Ascend Sportswear who will be joining via Zoom. Patrick reached out to the club and spoke to the board during our Zoom board meeting in January.

Ascend Sportswear has as line of cycling clothing and is sending a "fit kit" with samples of the various products, sizes and cuts. This is your chance to see the clothing and evaluate quality, cut, fit etc. If there is interest in offering a second vendor for cub apparel (with a similar but unique design) we may do so.

We will be holding his meeting in person at Asbury and via Zoom. The church has removed the mask mandate.

There is an exciting ride coming to the Lehigh Valley on June 4 – The Gran Fondo Hincapie – Lehigh Valley.  This is a cycling celebration set on the beautiful roads of the Lehigh Valley with the proceeds  benefiting the Youth Programs at the Velodrome.  There are several course options ranging from 15-80 miles.  The organizers are  looking for volunteers to help out.  Perhaps some of you will be interested.  Here are the things that they need help with

1. Manning the first rest stop in Lenhartsville

2. Driving SAG support and offering minor medical and mechanical support to riders (cars will be provided)

3. Cycling road marshals to provide directions and minor medical and mechanical support to riders (volunteers for this are anticipated to ride anywhere between 30-100 miles along the route)

Cyclists;

Based on the decline of COVID cases locally,  the club has decided to hold the February club meeting in person at Asbury.  We will also be using Zoom.  There will be a presentation by Fitness Central on the pros and cons of tubeless tires, followed by the business meeting.  Details are on the Meetup posting.  The meeting will be held in room 217.  Enter the building on the lower level from the big parking lot.  Asbury is requiring mask in the building, so please come prepared and respect their rules. 

Meetup Post is here:

https://www.meetup.com/Lehigh-Wheelmen-Association/events/mvhjrsydcdbfc/

I Want YOU to do Publicity

During WW II the iconic posters of Uncle Sam pointing and saying “I Want You” were an incentive to participate in some important job supporting the war effort   The Lehigh Wheelman could now certainly produce such a poster to encourage someone to handle publicity. 

For many years Dick McCreight helped disseminate information about LWA special events, promoting these events and thereby increasing participation.  Dick has decided to step away from this role.  The club is therefore seeking one or two (or more) members to step up and handle publicity for the club's special events.  The publicity tasks can certainly be divided among several members.

Please take a look at the summary of the things Dick did and consider volunteering to handle some or all of these jobs.  I know Dick will assist you in every possible way. 

At the January LWA Board meeting, the Board decided to create a Technology Committer in order to help manage the club’s existing technology platforms as well as to facilitate improvements. Bruce Kantor has volunteered to lead the committee, and we are soliciting club members to sit on the committee.

The goals and objectives for the committee are –

• Provide an easy to use set of tools and platforms for the club general club membership and leadership in support of club activities.
• Facilitate integration between disparate systems (e.g., Club Web Platform, Meetup, Ride With GPS, BikeReg).
• Facilitate communication between officers, board members, committees and the general club membership.
• Provide a mechanism for committees, board members and officers to securely collaborate on and share documents.

If you are interested in participating on the Technology Committee, please email Paul Smith (pocono723@yahoo.com) or Bruce Kantor (bmkantor@gmail.com) expressing your interest and qualifications. Thank you.

Paul Smith
LWA President

The monthly LWA club meeting will be held virtually this Jan 26 due to the status of COVID locally.  The event details and link to join the Zoom can be found here. 

The original posting indicated there would be no presentation prior to the business meeting.  That has changed and I will be sharing information about the LWA Ride With GPS Club. 

The LWA has a special members only benefit that gives you Premium level access to the routes in our extensive route library.  The presentaion will cover what the LWA RWGPS club is, how to be included in that club, and how to use the features to find and navigate routes from our route library.  I hope you will decide to join us.  The regular club business meeting will folow the presentation.

Paul Smith 

LWA President

LWA Menbers and friends,

I'd like to thank the LWA membership for allowing me to serve as the President of the club.  At the holiday, party Rich gave me the opportunuity to offer a few remarks.  I'd like to share what I said with those who could not attend (remarks in italics).

On June 2 there was a ride from Bowers to Daniel Boone Homestead (https://www.thedanielboonehomestead.org/)  that most riders agreed was very nice.  This route is now included in the LWA RWGPS route library.  It is called Bowers to Daniel Boone. The route is 37.6 miles with 1841 feet of climbing based on the RWGPS map and data.  Be aware that there are no services at Daniel Boone so be sure to have food and fluids if you ride this route.  The visitor center was closed the day we rode (Wednesday June 2) and the restrooms were locked as well.

The importance of the policy requiring riders to sign the waiver (sign in sheet) was demonstrated recently. It is also important that the information written is legible! 

After a recent ride there was a non-emergency need to contact one of the participants for a reason that will remain known only to those present.  The ride leader got out the ride sign in sheet, which has places for both an emergency contact number and the riders cell number.  Both these were completed.  Unfortunately the last digit of the rider's cell number was open for debate, was it a 4? , a 9?  maybe a 5? or some other digit?   So the leader tried the numbers that seemed most likely, eventually connecting to a voice mail which did not identify the recipient, just repeated the number dialed.  Was this the rider we needed to contact?  The leader then called the emergency contact number and got a recording again not identifying the person.  A message was left, but everyone was concerned because the rider would certainly need to know the reason for the call.  Fortunately the situtation resolved itself soon after as the rider returned to the start.

Riders, when you sign the waiver, please take the few extra seconds to make certain what you write is clear.  

Hello Cyclists

Our LWA Club Route Library has 182 GPS routes that are availabe to all LWA members who have joined the LWA-Ride With GPS club account.  If you are an LWA member and want to be in the LWA-RWGPS Club Account,  directions on how to join are under the For Members Only / Documents section of the web site.  Scroll down to the Rides section and click on Ride With GPS Club Account. Access to the GPS Club Account is a member benefit that I hope you will find useful.

During this time of enforced solo riding without the benefit of organized rides with the LWA you may be getting a bit tired of riding just the routes you are familiar with but have no other options because you just don’t know where else to go.   The LWA can help you with that!  Several years ago the club established a club account with Ride With GPS.  As an LWA club member you can join the LWA Ride With GPS Club Account. --->   How to join

The RWGPS club account provides the LWA with a way to store and make available to all our members RWGPS routes through our club Route Library.  There are hundreds of GPS routes currently in the library.  The following article explains the benefits to you as a LWA member, and how to take advantage of them.   ---->    Read about it

I hope you find this useful.  More importantly, I hope we will all be able to get back to groups rides safely in the not too distant future.  In the meantime, be safe and enjoy staying fit and getting out on your bicycle.

Paul Smith