LWA Board member Rev. Larry Pickens perfomed a Blessing of the Bikes at Ziegels Church on May 1, 2021. God was asked to hear our prayers covering all aspects of cycling -- for the bikes and their many parts, for the safety and fitness of the humans that ride them, for protection from the winds and sunrays that all encounter, and more. 

At our LWA Monthly meeting on April 28, we presented some important information on LWA Rides and Events and other benefits of membership.

Here is a summary of what we presented:

At our LWA Monthly meeting on April 28, we will present some important topics on LWA Rides and Events.

As we begin the busy ride season, please join us to learn more about these important topics as follows:

1.     LWA Rides/Events vs. Non LWA Events – Rich Ferrera

2.     Posting on Meetup & Ride Leader Credit – Kathy Crampton

3.     USAC SafeSport – Roberta Kates

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.  

Community Bike Works is open for bike donations! Have you found a bike during your spring cleaning that you don't use anymore? We'd be happy to repurpose that bike for our programs! Bike donations are accepted by appointment only, M-F 12-4 PM.   Donate a bike: Downtown Allentown:  Adonis Cannon, 610.434.1140 East Allentown: Hana Cannon, 610.820.9927   More information at CBW website.

On June 1, 2021, the state of Pennsylvania will begin to enforce a new law requiring all bicycles used on public property to be licensed according to type.  Each bicycle must have a 4X6" license plate mounted behind the seat.  These plates will be color-coded according to the type of bicycle.

Focus road bike, SOLD

Many of our members enjoy riding the D&L Trail and at our March meeting, a record setting 34 attendees enjoyed a presentation by special speakers from the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (Delaware & Lehigh - National Heritage Corridor (delawareandlehigh.org)

Many of our members enjoy riding the D&L Trail and I am happy to announce that at our March meeting we will have special speakers from the The Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (Delaware & Lehigh - National Heritage Corridor (delawareandlehigh.org)

Miranda Alvarez, Community Engagement Manager and Brian Greene, Outgoing Director of Trails & Conservation will present an overview of the D&L, future plans, the D&L Trail Friendly Business Program and opportunities for volunteers.

Our regular LWA Monthly meeting agenda items will follow our guest speakers.

Hello Riders!

The snow is melting, the days are getting warmer, the sun is staying up longer. A busy ride season is just around the corner.

At our Zoom member meeting on February 24, our guest speaker, Earl Ostrander, presented us with a review of First Aid. Covered situations included head injury, bleeding, sprain and fracture, heat exhaustion and stroke, loss of tooth, frostbite, and when to call the ambulance. If you were unable to attend, it might be a good time to review this matter in any way you can on your own.

I am happy to announce that Earl Ostrander will join us for another session on First Aid.   Please join us for this important topic.  After Earl's session, we will hold our regular business meeting.

Due to PA COVID Guidelines, LWA Monthly meeting will be remote via Zoom.

See the Meetup for Zoom details.

Check out this recent article about Community Bike Works in Bicycling Magazine:

 https://www.bicycling.com/repair/a35235930/student-bike-repairs/ 

I am happy to announce that Rose Hulbert of "Rosie's Boot Camp" will join us to kick off our first LWA Monthly Meeting of 2021.  You can learn more about Rosie on her website: https://www.rosiesbootcamp.com/

I know that some LWA members know Rosie from her work at local fitness centers and boot camps and she will be leading us in an online fitness routine meant to help us stay in shape for cycling.  So join online and be prepared for some physical activities and what I promise will be a fun time.

Tom Smull was a LWA member and joined many of us on LWA rides. 

Please keep Tom and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?pid=197463405

The LWA officers and board members have discussed this week’s announcement by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that the additional COVID-19 restrictions, in effect since early December, will be lifted as of January 4.

The LWA Board decided that with the lifting of these restrictions, LWA should now permit group rides starting Monday, January 4 with a limit of 6 riders with these conditions followed by all riders:

All riders must be free of any COVID related symptoms for the past 14 days. If you are feeling sick, please do not ride!

* No more than 6 riders per group. Day-of ride walk-ons will not be permitted - you must RSVP through MeetUp to reserve your spot.

* Social Distancing is required. Masks/face coverings must be carried with you at all times and used when within 6 feet of other people. (e.g., in the parking lot, at rest stops, if stopped to help with repairs.)

As Jack Helfrich reported in a LWA BLOG and email earlier this week, we delivered gift cards totaling $1625, which were donated by 22 different Lehigh Wheelmen Association members and families, for the Sixth Street Shelter and Turning Point Lehigh Valley.

Two letters of thanks that we recently received.

The LWA officers and board members discussed today the COVID-19 situation faced by our country, state, and local communities.

The LWA Board, which is comprised of the elected officers and board members, met tonight, and decided that all LWA rides are suspended from December 12 until 8:00 AM on January 4, which coincides with the increased PA COVID-19 restriction announced by PA Governor Wolf on December 10.

We think this suspension of LWA rides will protect our members and aligns with our overall communities’ need to take actions that can help stop the spread of this terrible virus.

The LWA Leadership Team will continue to monitor the situation and update you as we approach January 4.

On December 6, we remotely held our LWA Holiday party and December meeting with about 20 members in attendance. 

Holding this event online instead of in person, was disappointing because for many of us this event is the ending highlight of a great cycling year but given the current COVID situation, we had no other choice.