Latest News

This is our online newsletter area, where you will find news articles, classified ads, club announcements, and other items of interest to LWA members. Instructions on how to subscribe and how to submit an article can be found on the LWA documents page.

Last Day to Enter 2022 LWA Photo Contest

 

There are so many exceptional photographers among our LWA members. Each of you demonstrate an ability to capture unique content with some amazing compositions. This is your chance to share LWA rides and the beauty of the greater Lehigh Valley through your photographs. Friday September 9th at midnight is the deadline for submitting images for the 2022 LWA Photo Contest. Here are the details.

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Garmin 920XT for sale $100

Garmin 920XT for sale $100. Battery is dead but can be replaced

dan_elias@yahoo.com

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2022 LWA Photo Contest Deadline

 

Remember to submit you images for the 2022 LWA Photo Contest by September 9th!

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FOR SALE: Santana Tandem $400

Santana Visa model tandem in Medium frame size, 3 x 9 speed. Mostly Shimano components: Deore XT rear derailleur for high capacity cassette range, S105 front derailleur, Shimano cantilever calipers, Ultegra brake levers and shifters, SPD pedals with campus style on front for improved stability getting started. Passenger controlled drum brake for greater safety descending hills. Low miles. Paint is in good condition with just a few chips.   Contact Fritz Walker, 

walkrfh@gmail.com

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Community Bike Works 2022 Cycle Challenge 

Once again this year LWA has a team in the CBW Cyclle Challenge (formerly the Spinathon).  Members are Dave Sheffield, Paul Champagne, Raine and Jeff Fussner, Jack Helfrich, Clyde Odom, Jane Derby and Carl Zvanut.   We'll be cycling and logging our miles while raising money for this most worthy charity.  If you'd like to donate to team LWA go to: https://www.pledgereg.com/Users/Donor/Default.aspx?tid=20147&amt=0

If you would like to participate on your own or form another team go to www.pledgereg.com/communitybikeworks.  This year's 12-day challenge will take place from Thursday September 22 to Monday October 3.  Earn miles by cycling, spinning, walking, running wherever you please while raising money for Community Bike Works’ bike mentoring programs.  Any exercise which tracks distance is acceptable as long as you are self-propelled. 

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Monthly Club Meeting: Nova Scotia

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

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LWA Club Picnic returns this coming Saturday

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Hello Lehigh Wheelmen,

A reminder that this year the annual picnic returns to its historic home at Covered Bridge Park in South Whitehall. So mark Saturday Aug. 6 on your calendars, with a rain date of Sunday Aug. 7. We'll have rides (hopefully at all levels) leaving from the park in the morning at times, depending on the ride speed and distance, timed to get back to the park in time for the 12:00 pm picnic. The club will provide some standard picnic fare like hamburgers, hot dogs and plant-based burgers and cold drinks. Please bring a covered dish (salad, side dish or desert) to share with club members.

We'll need volunteers to lead some rides, so post if you're willing to lead a ride. Please sure you can be available for the rain date if necessary. We'd like to have A, B, C and D ride leaders. 

Also we'll need a few of people to help with setting up the pavilion, manning the grills, and cleanup. So reply for that below if you're willing to help out!

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LWA Annual Picnic - Save the Date and Help Needed

Hey Wheelmen,

Our annual picnic at Covered Bridge Park in South Whitehall is coming soon - Aug. 6 with rain date of Aug. 7. Usually we have several rides leaving from the park that morning, timed to return in time for the picnic which starts at noon. A metric century A/B ride and half century C ride (the Fritzinger Frolic is often the route for this one) are traditional options, but a mountain bike/trail ride, a D ride, and anything else you'd like are all welcome.

We need ride leaders! If you're a ride leader and willling to lead a ride please post it on Meetup and label it as a Annual Picnic Ride along with the ride level. It would be good to check on Meetup that no one has posted a ride for that route and level before you post. Ideally you should be available to lead this same ride on the rain date.

Also, I need a few volunteers to finalize the menu, shop for food and drinks, and help with setup the morning of the picnic. If you're willing to help me out, contact Fritz Walker at walkrfh@gmail.com

I'm looking forward to a good time for all on the 6th!

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For Sale - Giant Revolt

For Sale:  Giant Revolt (Small- I would normally ride a 54), 2018 model, Shimano 105 shifters, 32-48 chainrings, 11 speed 11-28 cassette, hydraulic disc brakes, 12 stem, 2 sets of wheels (Giant wheels with Donnolly MSO tubeless 36mm gravel tires, Hunt CF wheels with Victoria Rubino Pros 28mm tires, extra tires Giant Crosscut 50s). Excellent Condition. $1800 firm. Contact Chuck, ispin360@aol.com

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Big Raffle Prize for Donut Derby 2022!

What a great prize for our Donut Derby Raffle! 
 
Gran Fondo Hincapie has donated one GOLD VIP 2023 Lehigh Valley Registration, valued at $1000! Package includes registration, jersey, bib shorts, vest, socks, arm and knee warmers and gloves, Saturday VIP parking and breakfast, priority staging at the Start, post ride massage, and lunch!
Link to the Gran Fondo event:
Link to the 2022 LWA Donut Derby, to register and to purchase tickets: https://www.bikereg.com/lwa-donut-derby

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Donut Derby 2022 Raffle Prizes

The 2022 Donut Derby is just around the corner, September 5 Labor Day!
 
Your host, the Lehigh Wheemen will once again be raffling some amazing prizes. Tickets can be purchased with your registration to ride, https://www.bikereg.com/lwa-donut-derby. You may also purchase raffle tickets alone if you choose not to ride.
It is best to stay on site day of the Donut Derby to collect your prize, as they will not be shipped.
Here is a peek at just some of the exciting donations we have received for the raffle so far. If you would like to contribute a raffle item, please contact Kathy Crampton at kath.crampton@gmail.com or Bert Mukkulainen at bmukku@ptd.net . 
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Monthly Club Meeting Special Location

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

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Message from the 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.  

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June Reminders

There are two fun days planned for Lehigh Wheelmen this month of June.

On June16, we have been invited to meet up with and welcome a group of true adventurers passing through the Lehigh Valley. Overall, these cyclists will ride a 23-day, 1,070 mile triangle tour of the 9/11 Memorials in each of the three cities directly impacted by events that September 11. Their journey will start at the Pentagon, ride to Flight 93 memorial near Shanksville, then over to NYC, then back to the Pentagon. They will pass through our area mid-tour, on June 16, as they ride from Reading to Easton, and they would appreciate support from the Lehigh Wheelmen. We will also host lunch for these riders as they make a rest stop at the Velodrome.

This is a "guinea pig" route for the volunteers, with hopes to shift the Tour to encompass the 9/11 week itself a few years from now.

A few days later, on Saturday June 18, we have the rescheduled Blessing of the Bikes. LWA member Pastor Larry Pickens will once again perform a “Blessing of the Bikes” at Ziegel Church at 9:00am. Afterwards, rides of various level will depart. 

We hope that you can attend one or both of these events! See Meetup postings for details.

 

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LWA Bike Virginia 23-26 June 2022

Just a reminder, the LWA is sponsoring a 4-day cycling adventure in the Harrisonburg, VA area from 23-26 June 2022.  This event is open to all "paid club members" and is free.  However, you will need to pay for your own transportation, food and lodging.

In the past, we have really enjoyed cycling in VA and have often had 25-30 LWA members joining in the festivities. If you are planning to join us, please register via the following Meetup Link.

https://www.meetup.com/Lehigh-Wheelmen-Association/events/283441611

Rich Ferrera has negotiated a discount hotel rate of $124/night at the Hampton Inn.  You must reserve your room by 3 June to get this rate. Otherwise, the rate will be ~$165/night.  There's also a camping option.  Please see the Meetup link.

The routes can be found at the following RidewithGPS link:

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PA Hope Ride looking for more riders!

I am participating in the 10th annual Pennsylvania Hope Ride on Sunday June 26th benefiting the American Cancer Society.   This is an important event to me as a 2 time cancer survivor - I am forever grateful for the progress made to date, yet there is so much more progress to be made.   

I am riding the 65 mile route with several LWA riders on team TAGD ("Today's A Good Day") led by team captain Carl Cramer.

Enjoy a 15, 35, 65 or 100 mile route on beautiful Amish country roads with covered bridges.  The ride starts and finishes at Our Town Brewery in Lancaster, PA.  There also is virtual ride option for June 10-26, the Hope Lodge Challenge. 

For more information and to sign up visit pahoperide.org 
or email me at varney75@ptd.net.

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Hincapie Gran Fondo in need of SAG drivers

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 drivie SAG support, offering minor medical and mechanical support to riders (cars will be provided.  All volunteers will be compensated with an event T-Shirt and a food and beverage pass back at the velo.

Here  is a link to the event with some additional info. https://hincapie.com/granfondo/lehigh-valley/

If you are interested in helping out, please go to   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084faca729a4fd0-gran4

NOTE:  The Gran Fondo Hincapie – Lehigh Valley is a non-LWA event.  If you decide to volunteer you are doing so as an individual and not as a representative of the LWA.  The only affiliation the LWA has with this event is to pass the above information along.

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Third Annual LWA Photo Contest

 
 
Remember to submit your images for the third annual LWA Photo Contest. We've seen some amazing photos taken by Lehigh Wheelmen Association Members on their solo and small group social-distanced rides. The LWA Photo Contest offers a way to share those images with awards given for the best shots. The rules are simple:
•Photos must have been taken in 2022
•Photos must have been taken on a greater Lehigh Valley bike ride or during an LWA-sanctioned event (e.g. Eastern Shore Weekend)
•Those entering the contest must be LWA members (not a member; not a problem--join LWA at lehighwheelmen.org)
•This year we’ll have two categories:
o Cycling Photos—must include bike or bike and rider
o Scenics—highlighting the beauty of the Lehigh Valley
•Riders/Photographers may submit up to 5 of their favorite images in each category via email to lwarideleader@ptd.net
•Images must be submitted by 5/31/22.

Images will be judged by Dan's Camera, last year’s winner Bert Mukkulainen and Morning Call Photographer Rick Kintzel. A $50 Dan's gift card will be given for the 1st place image in each category, $30 for 2nd place and $20 for third. Winners and honorable-mention photos will be posted for viewing.

Take a look at this video of past winners for inspiration!  

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CPR and First Aid

At our recent Members meeting on April 27, our guest speaker, First Aid and CPR Instructor Earl Ostrander, updated attendees on current CPR guidelines. 

First Aid was only briefly touched upon and will be the topic of a future Member meeting. However, Earl did review the need for cyclists -- and Ride Leaders in particular -- to assemble a small pack of supplies in case of treatable injury, i.e a fall and bleed situation. 

This "Crash Pack" would be a small stock of supples you could carry in either a back pocket or bar bag. A pre-packaged kit was given to some Ride Leaders a few years ago as a recognition gift. It is certainly time to refresh those dried-up supplies inside! You may assemble your own pack using a zip-lock baggie. Here are some items to include:

  • latex-free gloves--size L to fit over your cycling gloves
  • assorted bandages
  • gauze
  • antiseptic wipes and/or iodine pads
  • adhesive tape
  • extra zip bag for used supplies
  • individually packaged acetaminophen.

This list of items is a good idea for any rider to have on hand.

REMEMBER: Assess the situation before treating anyone. If needed, e.g. head injury or loss of consciousness or breathing -- call 911.

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A tale of two chains

Your bike chain probably isn't something you think about much except when it is time to lube or clean it.  However, a chain problem can derail a bike ride pretty quickly, leaving you miles from home unless you are prepared to deal with it.

 

Last summer, I was on a LWA ride when one of the other riders broke her chain.  It broke a few links away from the quick link, probably because it had been lengthened by adding some links from a second chain, but that is another story.  Fortunately, I had a multitool that included a chain breaker, so we were able to remove the damaged part, and another rider had a quick link, so we were back on our way pretty quickly.  Though I'd been riding for more than 30 years, I had never thought to carry a quick link with me, but. since that ride, I won't leave home without one.

 

Fast forward to a few weeks ago,  another LWA ride.  I dropped my chain to the outside of the large chainring, and somehow managed to force the chain between the crankarm and the ring, right past the metal pin that is supposed to prevent that.  The crankset is of a type that doesn't have chainring bolts that can be removed out on the road, so the only obvious solution was to take the chain apart at the quick link.  This is pretty easy if you have a chain link pliers or, in a pinch, some narrow needle nose pliers, but I was forced to remove the link with my hands, which were quickly greasy and slippery.  Fortunately, I was finally able to get it done and remove the chain, but it was not an experience I wanted to repeat.

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Our 2023 Flagship Events

 

LWA Eastern Shore Weekend 2023

Rides Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 5-7

 

Donut Derby 

 The Donut Derby for 2023 is on for Labor Day, September 4th, 2023

Registration opens May 15th!

 

 

 

LWA Apparel

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The LWA clothing store is currently closed.  It will re-open periodically.  Club members will be emailed when this happens.