BTCNJ MasterLink/April 2014

masterlink / APRIL 2014

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Contents4 President’s Message

Respect Goes Both Ways

6 HealthConcussions in Cyclists

8 Volunteer of the MonthOliver Zong

9 CyclingStop and Smell the Roses in Historic Fort Lee

10 Ride Captain’s CornerAdvice for Ride Leaders

11 Gadgets and GearComfort and Power

13 ReviewsThe History of Cycling in Fifty Bikes: From the Velocipede to the Pinarello:The Bicycles that Have Shaped the World

16 Tour AnnouncementsPannier Tour of Great AlleghenyFrench Creek Iron TourSea Gull Century

This Month5 Defensive Biking Skills Workshop

Saturday, April 5, 2014, 9:00am–4:30pm

8 April Membership MeetingThursday, April 10, 2014, 7:30pm

12 Maintenance ClinicSaturday, April 12, 2014, 9:30am–2:30pm

6

11

9

On The Cover:Marc Soloff and Oliver Zong led a 42-mile B ride called“Pie Ride” on March 15, 2014, from the Fort Lee Historical Parkto the Pie Lady & Son in Nyack.Photograph by Oliver Zong


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PRESIDENTRalph Monti

[email protected]

VICE PRESIDENTAlan Scherl

[email protected]

SECRETARYRhonda Pekow

[email protected]

RIDES CAPTAINAndres [email protected]

WEBMASTERLarry [email protected]

SPCL. EVENTS/VOL. DEVELOPMENTLeslie Felsen

[email protected]

TREASURERFranklin Wimer

[email protected]

MEMBERSHIPHarold [email protected]

RALLY CHAIRPERSONStephen [email protected]

MASTERLINKMarc Soloff

[email protected]

PUBLICITYBarbara Augenblick

[email protected]

TOURSBill Telgheder

[email protected]

PAST PRESIDENTEthan Brook

[email protected]

April 2014, Volume 37, Number 04. Circulation: approx. 1,500 via electronic download.The 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.

©2014 by the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey, all rights reserved.

MasterLink Submissions:Materials for the 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 [email protected]. 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 the MasterLink without written consent of the copyright holder.

Photos in the 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 intellectualproperty, which embody the “goodwill” of the Club as developed over the yearsthrough 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 merchandisewithout authorization from our Merchandise Chair, Harold Todman.

Did YouKnow...

• That your club has an OUTREACH program?

• That there’s a dedicated group ofclub members who’ve offered tolend a hand, an ear, a shoulder, to visit or other assistance tomembers in need?

• That you can volunteer to join thisterrific group of people and feelreally good about doing so?

• That you too might be in need of OUTREACH one day?(We hope not, but you neverknow.)

• That offering your services is as easy as contacting one of us below.

If you become aware of any members who are ill, have had anaccident or a death in the family,please let us know by getting intouch with our contact for themonth listed below.

If you would like to joinour Outreach committee, please contact:Barbara [email protected]

Sometimes when things goawry on a posted ride, RidesCaptain Andres Tiribocchi and

I often receive email letters. Usuallythey contain frustrated commentson the pace of the ride or other un-pleasant elements. They’re sent byeither a ride leader or someone inthe group. Given the amount of rideswe post, the letters we receive, ad-mittedly, are few. Nevertheless, theyare instructive to me, Andres and therest of the BTCNJ board. They helpus address areas we need to im-prove upon. I also believe that bypublishing these letters they can beinstructive to all our members too.

The following is a letter I receivedrecently. It’s written by John Daugh-erty. John is a very strong rider, along-time member of BTCNJ and awell-respected ride leader. His letteris different than most. It expresseshis frustration both as a ride leaderand as someone who rode on a rideat a pace that was well above whatwas advertised:

Hi Ralph,

I was undecided about sending this for sev-eral days, but decided that if I were Presi-dent of the club I would want to know aboutwhat occurred on the Saturday ride led byJim Grady and myself. This is not intendedto be a complaint letter, but hopefully will beinformative and lead to making improve-ments in the club rides.

My ride had the option of starting in GlenRock or Pompton Lakes where we would jointhe B ride for a few miles and then pick upthe pace to the advertised speed of 15-15.5. Imade an announcement before we left, thatdue to the fact that it was early in the seasonand many people were not able to ride thiswinter due to weather, the advertised pacewas going to be maintained. In additionthere were intentionally no cue sheets inorder to keep the group together, and if rid-

ers went ahead of the leader I would notchase them down and they were on their own(as you know this is part of the rider’s re-sponsibilities as listed by the club). The por-tion of the ride to Pompton went well and wethen joined other B* riders and the B group.

After approximately 3-4 miles about eightriders went off the front and continued to gofurther off the front as we rode. When wemade a right turn onto Sunset Rd, these rid-ers were too far off the front to hear my in-structions for the turn, despite the fact Ishouted at the top of my lungs until I had asore throat. Unfortunately these riders neverlooked back and were off the ride never to beseen again that day. The exact same thinghappened with the B group (at the same turnonto Sunset), and Jim lost approximately halfof his riders. As you know Jim and I havebeen leading club riders for many, manyyears, and we do recall having this problemyears ago. It is disappointing that club ridersdisregard the club policy even when it is de-livered verbally before the ride. Jim and Ienjoyed our rides, but the lost riders missedout on a great route/ride.

As a side item, the previous weekend I wenton a B* ride that was listed to be a “lowerB*, upper B paced” ride. The ride went offimmediately at 18-19 mph and I had to con-stantly chase the group occasionally catch-ing up at red lights (there was no attempt bythe leader to re-group). One woman wentback home due to the faster than advertisedpace. After approximately 20 miles I caughta red light after the rest of the group made itthrough the intersection. I was approxi-mately 200-300 yards back and I shoutedout, but they continued and I was droppedfrom the ride. I decided at that point to justdo my own ride rather than chasing theother riders all day.

Best regards.John Daugherty

So let’s discuss John’s last pointfirst. As we all know there’s nothing

more frustrating than going out on aride and being dropped, especiallywhen you’re an experienced riderand you know full well you can staywith the advertised pace. John issuch a rider. I make this distinctionbecause there are times when ridersget dropped because, frankly, theyhad no business joining the ride inthe first place. This usually occurswhen an inexperienced rider bitesoff more than he can chew in termsof maintaining the pace, navigatinghilly terrain or enduring the miles.

But the overarching point here iswhat John’s letter addresses: Whena ride leader deliberately goes wellbeyond the advertised pace ordrops riders with scant concern.When that happens they’re doing agreat disservice to the club, and notliving up to the philosophy of a ledride. Indeed, leading a ride is morethan just knowing the route. It en-compasses a skill set and a list of re-sponsibilities that include a pre-ridetalk/discussion on safety, pace andterrain; quickly assessing the capa-bilities of everyone in the group andperhaps advising an unqualifiedrider to turn back before or early inthe ride; riding the route at the ad-vertised pace making allowances forflats and hills; a commitment to re-solving a conflict if one arises; beingready to advise and perhaps assist ina mechanical issue; and being readyto assist and take charge in a med-ical emergency.

By committing to all of these responsibilities, the ride leader is

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

Respect Goes Both WaysBy Ralph Monti

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respecting every rider under his orher charge.

On the other hand, and as John’sletter illustrates, there are instanceswhen the opposite happens: Whenriders take it upon themselves tocontrol a ride. As John outlines in hisletter, once they get out in front ofthe ride leader, he, like other leaders,considers them to be on their own.And rightly so, as they are followingthe policy of the club.

But the bigger question John andother ride leaders ask is why join aride with the intention of breakingaway in the first place? What is themotivation here? Cycling hubris?Machismo? Why not simply join orpost a faster ride? By breaking up aride aren’t these riders they’re show-ing a lack of respect for the rideleader?

Have they forgotten the rideleader is someone who’s taken thetime to scout, post and lead a ride?If we look at the dynamics betweena ride leader and his group as a rela-tionship for 20, 35 or 70 miles, thenthat relationship must be respectfulboth ways. When that happens theride flourishes and everyone has agreat day.

If sharing the road with motorized traffic makesyou nervous, or if you want to improve your cycling handling skills, the Defensive Biking SkillsWorkshop will give you renewed confidence on the road.

Offered at a special rate to BTCNJ members, thisday-long course will give you the skills you need tostay safe on our busy roads and streets. Writing inhis landmark safety handbook “Effective Cycling,”John Forester wrote: “Cyclists fare best when theyact and are treated as drivers of vehicles.” Or moreto the point, “Bike it like you drive it!”

The course will be run by Bill Feeney from Trans-Options, who is a League of American BicyclistsCertified bike coach. A lively mix of both classroom learning and on-the-bike activities is funas well as educational. Here are some of thecourse’s highlights:

ClassroomCrashes: Why they occur, who is at fault, and whatyou can do to reduce themLayers of Protection: Active measures you can take

to protect yourself on the roadPrinciples of Traffic Law: Your rights and responsibilities on the road:1. First come – first served2. Riding on the right3. Yielding when crossing traffic or changing lanes4. Speed, lane, and intersection positioning

On the BikeYou and your bike: Bike selection and fit, helmet fit,cycling gearABC quick check: Stop small problems from becoming big onesGear selection and pedaling cadence: Riding efficiently, in practiceRiding conditions: Group riding, riding at night and in the rainSkills drills: Handling and avoidance drills1. Starting and stopping2. Maintaining a straight line and shifting3. Scanning and signaling4. Avoidance weave5. Quick stop6. Rock dodge7. Instant turn

Putting it all together: a short group road ride todemonstrate what you’ve learned, with after-ridefeedback

All students must bring helmets and bikes in working condition. Be prepared to be in the classfrom 9 am through 4:30 pm. The morning segmentwill be classroom work and the afternoon will bethe parking lot drills and a short ride; therefore,students should bring riding clothing. Students can change at lunchtime.

At the end of the class, you can test yourself bytaking an optional quiz, and you will have the op-portunity to evaluate both the course and the in-structor. The class is fun, instructional, and helpsyou become a more confident, competent cyclist!

There is a special fee of $25 for this course.To sign up, send your check payable to BTCNJ, to: Leslie Felsen, 69 Monmouth Road, Glen Rock, New Jersey 07452-3412. Questions? Contact Leslie at [email protected].

-Leslie Felsen, Special Events Coordinator

DEFENSIVE BIKING SKILLS WORKSHOPSIGN UP TODAY… Just a few seats left! Saturday, April 5, 2014 9:00am – 4:30pm

Location: Ridgewood Library, Ridgewood NJ / Fee $25

The time has come to pass thetorch and allow one of our very talented member’s star to shine. I am, of course, talking about thetransition to a new editor of ourMasterLink.

I can think of no better hands toplace this treasure into than thoseof Marc Soloff, whose wit, humor,and creative talent are boundless.

Marc is a profes-sional who will bringhis full guns to bearas he takes on thischallenge. This Aprilissue will mark hisfirst redesign andconceptualization ofthe MasterLink underhis editorial eye.Knowing the quality of work thatMarc puts out, I look forward to thisissue with great anticipation. Let usall welcome Marc and wish him wellas he takes on the new task as MasterLink editor.

I would like to take this opportu-nity to thank all of the photogra-phers, proof readers, authors and

designers who have helped me inthe three years that I have been editor of the MasterLink.

A special shout out goes to JoelRinger, whose art direction andstunning covers helped spearheadthe transformation of the MasterLink from classic newsletterinto its current twenty first centuryeMagazine design.

I also want to men-tion with thanks thehelp I received fromBarbara Augenblick,whose tireless effortsproofreading issueafter issue have beenso helpful to me.It has been both a

pleasure and a re-warding experience working withall of the MasterLink writers andcontributors whose talents, hardwork, and interesting stories I haveso much enjoyed bringing to light ineach issue.

Thank you all, and may all yourstars shine on.

-Larry Schwartz

Masterlink Gets a New Editor

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There has been much in themedia about the frequencyand long-term effects of con-

cussions in the National FootballLeague. But did you know the sportwith the largest number of concus-sion-related emergency room visitsis cycling?

There were 46,948 emergencyroom visits due to concussions fromfootball--and 85,389 visits by con-cussed bicyclists, according to a2009 study by the American Asso-ciation of Neurological Surgeons.Actually, the frequency of concus-sions is even higher since many vic-tims never go to an emergencyroom or seek treatment.

A concussion is a type of trau-matic brain injury caused by a bump,blow or jolt to the head that canchange the way the brain normallyfunctions. A helmet absorbs some ofthe impact and helps to protect theskull, but the brain is still trauma-tized by being slammed into theskull.

The three most common symp-

toms reported by people sufferingconcussions are headache, balanceproblems or dizziness, and double/blurred vision.

Symptoms of a concussion can fallunder four categories: cognitive,physical, emotional and sleep. Cog-nitive symptoms include difficultythinking clearly, feeling sloweddown, difficulty concentrating, anddifficulty remembering new informa-tion. Physical symptoms includeheadache, fuzzy/blurred vision, nau-sea, vomiting, dizziness, sensitivityto noise or light, balance problems,and feeling tired or having no en-ergy. Emotional symptoms includeirritability, sadness, being more emo-tional than usual, nervousness oranxiety. Sleep symptoms includesleeping more or less than usual anddifficulty falling asleep.

Symptoms may not occur immedi-ately after the concussion. They canbe delayed until hours or days afterthe injury. Some people who havesuffered concussions are unawarethat the symptoms they are experi-

encing are related to the concussion.Concussions are diagnosed by a

neurological examination that in-cludes assessing memory and con-centration, vision, hearing, balance,reflexes, coordination, and strength.A CAT scan can determine if there isintracranial bleeding, but not all con-cussions include intracranial bleed-ing.

If cyclists fall on a ride and hit theirhead, signs of a concussion can in-

HEALTH:

Concussions in CyclistsBy Patty Menz

Physical therapist

Patty Menz has been a

member of BTCNJ since 1990.

She treats orthopedic and

concussion patients at

Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy

in Franklin Lakes.


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clude appearing dazed or stunned.They may be confused, unsure ofwhere they are riding, moving clum-sily, answering questions slowly, ordemonstrating mood or behaviorchanges. They may show signs in-cluding amnesia, not being able torecall events prior to or after the fall.Loss of consciousness may occur,but this is not necessary to be diag-nosed with a concussion. In fact,some of the worst concussions donot involve any loss of conscious-ness.

Cyclists should not resume ridingafter hitting their head. Medical as-sessment should be performed. Im-mediate attention is needed if theheadache worsens or does not goaway, or if there is any weakness,numbness, decreased coordination,vomiting, nausea, slurred speech,drowsiness, seizures, worsening ofconfusion, agitation, unusual behav-ior, or loss of consciousness.

If cyclists return to riding while stillhaving concussive symptoms andfall again, suffering a second impact,they risk severe injury, even death.They could also be dangerous toother riders as vision, concentration,reflexes and coordination might becompromised.

Treatment for a concussion in-volves rest and removal from stimu-lation such as loud noises, bright

lights, reading, computers and gam-ing. Most patients with sports-related concussions recover within7 to 10 days. However, about 10 per-cent of people with concussionscontinue to experience symptomsbeyond this period and are diag-nosed with post-concussion syn-drome.

Physical therapists are involved inthe treatment of these patients, whooften respond to a program ofsymptom-monitored, progressed ex-ercises. Balance activities as well aseye exercises (for tracking, coordi-nating the movement of both eyesto a single point, and focusing onobjects while the head is moving)are often included in treatment.

Concussed athletes often have ex-aggerated increased heart ratesand/or blood pressure in responseto exercise, so aerobic activity isgradually incorporated and closelymonitored.

When the concussion symptomshave resolved, returning to cyclingshould be done in a step-by-step,symptom limited program. It wouldnot be good for recovering con-cussed cyclists to take their first rideon a beautiful day from meeting site#1! There should be approximately24 hours (or longer) for each stageand cyclists should return to the pre-vious stage if symptoms recur.

Myths AboutConcussions:A concussion is just a “bump on the head.”False! A concussion is actually a trau-matic brain injury. The severity of aconcussion cannot be determined atthe time of injury. Symptoms canrange from mild to severe and maynot occur for hours or days after theinjury.

A concussion can be diagnosed by CAT scan or MRI.False! Concussions cannot be diag-nosed by an imaging test. Thesetests are often done to rule out moreserious bleeding in the brain. Con-cussion is diagnosed through exam-ining the signs and symptoms ofconcussion, which occur due to an“energy crisis” of the cells within thebrain because of cell structural dam-age.

Loss of consciousness is necessaryfor a concussion to be diagnosed.False! According to the AmericanAcademy of Neurology, a concussionis a “traumatically induced alterationin mental status that may or may notinvolve a loss of consciousness.”Ninety percent of concussion victimsdo not lose consciousness.

It is dangerous for a person to fall asleep after they have sustaineda concussion.False! Once medically evaluated andcleared, current belief is that sleepand rest is important after a concus-sion. It is important that someone ispresent to monitor the patient andmake sure he can be awakened. Avictim may be admitted to a hospitalovernight to be monitored, especiallywith patients who live alone.

A cyclist should not resume ridingafter falling and hitting his head. True! Returning to activity while hav-ing concussive symptoms can in-crease the possibility of suffering asecond impact which would result insevere injury and possibly death. It ispossible for the cyclist to injure oth-ers due to diminished vision, focus,balance, and coordination.

STAGES ACTIVITY

Stage 1 Begin with cycling on a stationary bike, 10-15 minutes with light resistance

Stage 2 Progress stationary cycling by increasing resistanceand increasing duration of exercise

Stage 3 Progress to cycling outdoors for a short period on aquiet road or path with one friend for support

Stage 4 Gradually increase duration and difficulty andprogress to conditions involving more stimuli andmore concentration, such as poorer road conditions,busier roads, and rides involving more cyclists

Stage 5 Return to a club ride involving many cyclists andmuch stimulation. This should be attempted onlyafter successful completion of the preceding fourstages without any return of symptoms


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Oliver Zong joined us in BTCNJexactly one year ago with hispocket rocket blue folding

bike as a C rider. He loved learningabout cycling and group riding andmaking new friends on a weeklybasis.

As Oliver felt welcomed by theclub with “open arms,” he grew as arider and started leading C* rides bythe end of the summer and B ridesby the end of the year. He feels he isin a unique position in that he hasridden with C, C*, B and B* riders inthe past year and counts many ofthem as his friends whom he looks

forward to riding with again soon.Oliver said “As I look back I realize

how important those first few rideswith the club were and that the rideleaders make a huge impact on anew rider’s impressions on joiningthe club. A bad experience on a firstride can easily sour you to cycling orriding with a group.” He feels luckythat as a novice rider, the initial rideshe went on had great leaders. He isappreciative to the club for the ben-efits socially, healthwise (lost 30 lbssince last March) and that there ismuch to look forward to in his ridingprogression!

Giving back to the club in his ownway, Oliver is a ride leader whostrives to make his rides enjoyable,and to make any new members feelwelcome and comfortable.

You may recognize Oliver as hissignature appearance is the Skeletonguy. This comes in handy in club pic-tures when you can’t recognizemany people in the pictureswrapped up in clothes and helmets!Oliver is a podiatrist in Manhattanand his medical skills may come inhandy on some of the rides. Recently he was on a ride when amember had an unfortunate mishapand suffered a very bad ankle sprain.They were able to get him patchedup enough to finish the ride and re-turn home.

We look forward to seeing Oliver’spresentation at the May membersmeeting when we can ask him somefoot questions at the Q & A. Wethank you in advance for this and arerecognizing you as Volunteer of theMonth for March. We appreciateyour jumping in within your first yearand leading rides, but most espe-cially for leading rides throughoutthis difficult winter season!

Congratulations Oliver on beingthe BTCNJ March volunteer of the Month!

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH:

March 2014 – Oliver ZongBy Leslie Felsen

April Membership Meeting:Law and Order

Thursday, April 10, 20147:30 p.m.Ridgewood Public LibraryRidgewood, NJ

“In the vehicular justice system,the people are divided into twoseparate yet equally importantgroups: the cyclists who claim aportion of the highway and themotorists who see them as offenders. These are their stories.” Cue the music...

Well, it’s not exactly like that, butwe cyclists do on occasion battlefor our share of the roads. And as vehicles, we have certainrights and responsibilities when it comes to riding in the streets.

On Thursday, April 10th at 7:30 PM, Steve Vaccaro of thelaw firm of Vaccaro and Whitewill be the guest speaker at the BTCNJ April MembershipMeeting.

A daily cyclist and committed cyclists’ advocate, Mr. Vaccaroserves on the Transportation Alternatives Advisory Council, is the elected Chair of TA’s EastSide Volunteer Committee, andwas named TA 2010 Volunteer of the Year for his work to bringbike lanes to East Harlem.

Amongst the topics to be discussed will be what we needto know about crashes and insurance. Bring questions for the question and answer sessionbecause...

These are our stories.

Ridgewood Public Library125 North Maple AvenueRidgewood, NJ 07450Phone: 201-670-5600Directions:http://www.ridgewoodlibrary.org/directions.htm


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There is more to Fort Lee thenjust being a cycling gatewayto and from towns north of

the George Washington Bridge. Thecue sheet on the 14-mile loop ridewill take you to some beautiful areasthat are often missed, or simply un-

known by cyclists. It will also includeparts of Englewood Cliffs, Engle-wood, and a bit of Tenafly. The ridebegins at the three-hour meteredparking area at the corner of Colum-bia Avenue and Abbott Boulevard inFort Lee. Within minutes you willfind yourself in a quiet neighborhood on beautiful narrowwinding streets filled with magnifi-cent homes and spectacular viewsof the Hudson River, the Palisades,the skyline of New York, and theGeorge Washington Bridge. The cuesheet can be accessed at:http://www.btcnj.com/cuesheets/337.html (For the nostalgia buffs, lookto your right and across the streetwhen you reach Palisade Avenue atmile 0.2. You are looking at what wasonce the Palisades AmusementPark. Sad but true.)

At mile 1.6 turn left from PalisadeAvenue onto Bridle Way and head toAbbott Boulevard, a tree-lined streetwith a wide grassy median thatlooks more like a boulevard youwould find in Paris. On any given dayyou will find cyclists, joggers, andcars sharing the road. At the end ofthe road, just past Riverdale Drive,follow the path thru the playground(walk your bike in the playground)to Whiteman Street.

If you haven’t been to the Fort Lee

Historic Park, you will see it in frontof you at mile 3.5 on your cue sheet,and only a few hundred feet fromthe entrance to the George Washington bridge bike path. Check out the museum’s website formore information http://www.njpal-

isades.org/fortlee.html. Very inter-esting and scenic. However, youcannot bring your bikes on the walk-ing paths. There are bike racks at themuseum.

Next stop, Allison Park. Stay onHudson Terrace for about 1.6 miles.On the right side there is sign, 399 Hudson Terrace, and St. PetersCollege. The entrance takes youunder the Palisade Parkway. Makeanother right and cycle to the park. More spectacular views.

For more information:h t t p : //www. n j p a l i s a d e s .o rg /allison.html.

Return to Hudson Terrace and ride

through Englewood Cliffs andTenafly along lightly traveled roads.Turn around at Churchill Avenue andhead for Johnson Avenue and abeautiful downhill. Be careful here.Follow the cue sheet to Jones Road.Look to your left about a half-miledown the road. You will be passing

Flat Rock Brook Nature Center. This150-acre nature reserve seems to behiding in plain sight as it sits in themiddle of a well-developed neigh-borhood in Englewood. You cannotcycle through here, but it deserves avisit. Make a left turn off of JonesRoad when you reach Van NostrandAvenue, and cycle to the entrance.For more information:http://www.flatrockbrook.org/about/history.html.

Return to Jones Road and followthe cue sheet to Abbott Boulevard.When you reach Central Boule-vard/Rte. 5 look for the Korean WarMemorial. Continue straight to Co-lumbia Avenue and the end of theride. Enjoy!

CYCLING:

Stop and Smell the Rosesin Historic Fort LeeBy Ethan Brook

Ethan Brook is the

Past President of

The Bicycle Touring Club

of North Jersey.

“Within minutes you will find yourself in a quiet neighborhood on beautiful narrow

winding streets filled with magnificent homes and spectacular views of the Hudson River”


PAGE 10

It may need a Zen-like exercise ofstaring at your calendar longenough that you forget about the

chunks of grey ice adorning subur-ban gardens and street curbs andrealize that spring has arrived. Afterall these months checking theweather forecast and hoping for apromising day to spin our legs andadd some miles to our personal ac-count, April is the official beginningof the season to go back to our fa-vorite routes.

For more than 300 BTCNJ mem-bers this is the time to look at theschedule and pick the best date topost those wonderful rides that weall enjoy on the road and the trails.Leading rides requires much morethan showing up and riding your bicycle on the selected day, and it isalways important for every experi-enced and new Ride Leader to re-member some basic guidelines toassure the success for any organizedClub ride.

The first step is to carefully planthe ride. This winter has been partic-ularly hard and snow removal hastaken a toll on many roads; try toverify the conditions of the road inadvance and for that, your own fa-miliarity with the area is essential.You can always rely on online mapsto design your route, look at picturesor use satellite images of the area tochoose a course, but there is no sub-stitute to effectively ride or driveand see for yourself the place andevaluate the conditions.

BTCNJ has an extensive databaseof cue sheets with plenty of options;however, you should check the dateof posting of those cue sheets andthe last time they were effectivelyused. Members have been addingcue sheets for many years but theClub does not have the possibility torevise every one of them forchanges and/or updates. Westrongly recommend verifying the

routes in advance by using tradi-tional maps, online maps, or GPSbased routes that are now abundantin popular websites for cycling.

If you are a Ride Leader, when you open the page Ride LeaderFunctions on our BTCNJ websiteyou will find the most importantguidelines to successfully lead a ride.You also have there the instructionsto add and close rides and the Accident Report: in any case of anaccident it is mandatory to completethis document and send it to [email protected].

Remember that on our organizedrides safety should remain our maingoal, because unsafe rides are notenjoyable. Group riding techniquesshould be quite easy to understand:if you are the leader, follow the rulesof traffic and the safety guidelines; ifyou are not the leader of the ride,follow the leader. If you are pre-dictable, use the road wisely, andsignal your intentions with yourhands, you will be in the secure sideof the traffic game.

According to the laws of the Stateof New Jersey, riding two abreast islegal in New Jersey providing thatyou do not impede traffic; however,with the possibility of damagedroads, keeping a single file is saferand more practical. Another rulethat many cyclist forget is that wav-ing drivers to pass or shouting clearto other cyclists may be polite, but ifan accident happens on that mo-ment, a judge may find you liable forproviding wrong instructions. Whatis safe and clear for you may notnecessarily be safe and clear for

everybody else on the ride.And for those members planning

to join the Ride Leader group, theseare important tips: 1. Try to co-lead with some familiar

leaders to become used to thetask; the co-leader is a positionthat allows you to observe theleader and ask direct questionsabout the issues on the road. Also,you will not have the pressure ofbeing in full control of the ride andtaking care of any potential problem.

2. Plan your rides ahead and start onroutes you know; use a familiarcue sheet and stick to it. If youchange your route for any reason,be sure that every rider is in-formed in advance.

3. Plan rest stops and choose rea-sonable distances between thosestops; a restroom near the startingplace is quite convenient, and youmay have at least one place as abackup in case of an emergencystop.

4. Describe your ride as completelyas possible; you must advertisethe expected pace and the typeof terrain (flat, hilly, etc.), reststops, and regrouping policy toavoid members who may findyour ride too hard or too easy.Good information posted resultsin low rate of disappointment.

5. Stick to your ride description; youshould not modify your plans be-cause one or two riders want togo faster than what you de-scribed. For the slower riders, youstick to your regrouping policy.

6. Cue sheets are the best resourcefor groups with different paces; ifthe group splits because thespeeds are not the same, havingcue sheets and regrouping pointssolves the problem of lost riders.

7. Be prepared for any mechanical; aquick visual check at the begin-ning of the ride for helmets (noheadphones), wheels well at-tached, and flat kits is a good pre-ventive measure, Flats happen!Finally my best personal advice:

enjoy the ride; if you do it, everyoneelse will.

RIDES CAPTAIN’S CORNER:

Advice for Ride LeadersBy Andres Tiribocchi

“Leading rides requiresmuch more than showing upand riding your bicycle on

the selected day”


PAGE 11

When I had my recent bikefitting by Tim Dougherty,he noticed that I had a lot

of trouble stemming from my lowarches and poor leg alignment. Timrecommended that I pay a visit toGreg Pier, owner of Heino’s Ski andSport, to look into custom foot beds.

Heino’s is primarily a ski shop.Skiers have adopted custom footbeds quite a bit more rapidly thanhave cyclists. But according toD o u g h e r t y,100% of thepro pelotonuse customfoot beds intheir cyclingshoes. When Iasked GregPier what ad-vantages cus-tom foot bedsprovide, hea n s w e r e dquickly andc o n c i s e l y“comfort andpower.”

According to Greg, feet that aren’tproperly supported cramp up onlong rides. If the feet are properlysupported then they can relax, re-sulting in less muscle fatigue. Footbeds also help to align the foot andlower leg shaft for a more precisepedal stroke. Using the right footbeds, the technicians at Heino’s cantake people who are bow-legged,knock-kneed or anywhere in between to straight legged by prop-erly molding and shaping the rightfoot beds.

Before making your foot beds,they watch you walk and stand, andclosely examine your feet. As Pierput it “You get sized for a bike. Youcan get the right frame. Or you canget fitted properly and every specon the bike is fitted to you. Your foot

is a vital part of the bike fit.”Heino’s is an InstaPrint foot bed

dealer. InstaPrint is a system formolding foot beds to your foot.There are two types of InstaPrintfoot beds, one is for weight-bearinguses such as running and skiing;these are blue and have a hard sole.The ones made for cycling are redand have a flexible sole because cy-cling is non-weight bearing. Thesoles are heated up in a convection

oven and thenplaced in amolding tray.You thenstand on themolding traywhile thet e c h n i c i a naligns yourleg. You dothis one footat a time.Once your im-pressions aremade and thesoles cool,

Heino’s needs about a half hour toproperly shape the foot beds to yourshoe. So feel free to go get somelunch or look at the latest in ski tech-nology.

When I picked up my foot beds it was a cold, rainy day in February.But if you get foot beds made, I recommend that you bring yourbike and at least ride a bit in theparking lot to see how they feel be-fore you leave. (They’re located onRoute 23, so not an ideal place for atest ride. Maybe they have a trainer;I didn’t think to ask.) One thing tonote; any pressure that you feel inyour heel when you’re standing inyour shoes will disappear onceyou’re on the bike.

While cycling has been slower toadopt foot beds than skiing, thenumber of cyclists being fitted at

Heino’s has tripled in the past twoyears. There are some off-the-shelffoot beds as well; I was using Dr.Scholl’s myself until recently. Themore customized the fit; the morelikely you are to correct whatevershortcomings you have in your phys-iology.

At this point, it’s hard to separatethe benefits I’ve gained from mybike fit from the foot beds or thebike upgrades. But I definitely amputting out more power than earlierthis winter. On a recent segment that I rode last week, I was two MPH faster than I was last June. Sofar, I’m quite pleased by myfootbeds. Pretty soon I’ll haveenough miles under my belt for myfollow-up visit to Tim and I can tieeverything together.

GADGETS AND GEAR:

Comfort and PowerBy Geoffrey Siverstein


PAGE 12

It’s picnic season time! The annual BTCNJ picnic atbeautiful Campgaw Mountain Reservation will takeplace on Sunday, May 18th. This is a great time for clubmembers to ride, eat and socialize together with oldfriends. It’s also a great time and place for new members to experience a friendly introduction to theBTCNJ group.

Rides of all levels, A through D, depart from Campgaw in the morning before the picnic. The parkgates open at 7:30 for the ride starts. Check the website for the ride listings and departure times.

The picnic begins when members return from themorning rides—it begins around 12:00 noon or so andruns through the mid-afternoon.

Rides will meet in the large gravel parking area nearthe picnic site on the Campgaw road parking area andride meeting site. This is on the left just past the Campgaw ski slope access road. The roads aroundCampgaw are lovely for riding without heavy traffic.

The cost of participation? FOOD! Please bring onepotluck dish that will feed 6-8 people. Bring two if youlike! There is usually no shortage of appetites. Pleasereview the categories, find the letter your name beginswith and the food recommended to bring: A – E:Snacks, Chips, Dips; F – K: Main dishes/Vegetarian al-ways welcome; L – O: Salads, Veggies, Pasta; P – R:Fruit; S – Z: Desserts

The best wayto keep foodfresh for thepicnic whileyou are ridingin the morningis to bring acooler or other container with ice and leave it in yourcar. Please don’t drop off food at the picnic site beforeyou leave for your ride.

The club provides hot charcoal-broiled hamburgers,cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and non-alcoholic colddrinks. Members bring their favorite salads, side dishes,and lots of desserts to share with everyone.

Volunteers! We need volunteers to help with thesetup, cleanup, marshaling the food tables, and helpingout in the grill area. All help will be appreciated. Any “Foodies” out there with some good ideas? Please contact Claudia Dukeshire at 201-818-0480 [email protected]

Directions: the picnic is in the same area as theRamapo Rally. The only variation is to bear left at the gate that leads to the ski area and you will see thepicnic area on your left. Lots of parking available. You can also find directions at:www.skicampgaw.com/directions.

-Claudia Dukeshire, Picnic Coordinator

BTCNJ Annual Picnic May 18thCampgaw Mountain Reservation, Mahwah, NJ

Need to overcome a fear riding alonebecause a tire may go flat? Do youworry about STUFF HAPPENING ona ride? Such as breaking a spoke, a rubbing brake pad, or dealing with uncooperative shifters and derailleurs. Ever touch a bottombracket, or look at the guts of aheadset?

Come to the maintenance clinic andlearn more about your bicycle, learn howit works, and how to keep it going. Learn about what to check before you ride, and what to carry when youride. The clinic covers repairs, maintenance, and demon-strations of the tools needed to do the work. You willlearn how to make simple and routine adjustments toyou bicycle.

Topics include what to do if you wheel develops a pro-nounced wobble, or if your rear derailleur should jam

and twist into a piece of uselessjunk during a ride, and more. And,of course, we will train you on howto fix flat tires. This clinic is de-signed to benefit both those whoare mechanically challenged andthose who are gifted.The clinic will be take place onSaturday, April 12, between 9:30and 2:30 at the Ridgewood Public

Library. Registration fee is $15.00payable on arrival. During the clinic, light refreshmentswill be served. A confirmed reservation is required. Seating is limited to those with reservations. This eventis waitlisted every year. To guarantee a spot, do notdelay to make your reservation.

To reserve your place you must call Bob Reich at 973-633-0493, after 7:00 PM in the evening, calls accepted until 10:00 PM.

Maintenance Clinic - Saturday, April 12, 2014You Can’t Call The AAA For Your Bike


PAGE 13

The History of Cycling in FiftyBikes covers the 200-yearstory of the bicycle through

50 of its most important and interesting models. It’s a celebrationof important bikes that is at once aretrospective and a peek into the future of bicycle technology.

Written by Tom Ambrose, a London-based historian, The Historyof Cycling in Fifty Bikes pays homage to the bicycle within thecontext of its impact on social history, sporting history and the history of bicycle technology. IndeedAmbrose covers the impact bicycleshave had on women and how it provided them with a newfoundfreedom. And there’s also quite anin-depth chapter on the importantrole bicycles played in wars.

Of course, the bicycleplayed and continuesto play, a huge role insporting history. Am-brose traces the evolu-tion of the bicyclefrom the origins ofmany worldclass racing cir-cuits, includ-ing, ofcourse, theTour deFrance. Itcelebratesmany ofthe world-class bikespast andpresent TourDe Francec h a m p i o n srode to win thetop spot on thewinner’s podium.There’s also a very in-teresting chapter on rac-

ing tandems, specifically how theybegan and where they evolved to inthe present racing schedule. Andthere are many non-sporting bicycles highlighted too, includingfoldable bikes, commuter and citybike models.

Staying true to its title, The Historyof Cycling in Fifty Bikes spans thefull timeline of bicycling history, fromits late 19th century beginnings tothe present day, and takes a lookinto new bicycling technologies onthe horizon. The book is illustratedthroughout with more than 150 photographs, many wonderful andevocative. If you’re an avid bicyclebook collector, The History of Cycling in Fifty Bikes will be a greataddition to your library.

Cyclo FemmeGlobal Women’s Ride

Saturday, May 10th at 9:30amRamsey Municipal Parking Lot

BTCNJ women, join us in the FirstBTCNJ Annual CycloFemme Ride!

CycloFemme, a global women’sbiking movement, honors the past,celebrates the present, and em-powers the future of women in cy-cling!

We cycle for health, fitness and fun!Sign up today for these led rides onthe BTCNJ website: Check out ourgreat ride leaders!

There are rides for level B*(A) to Driders at varying distances. TheB*(A) will leave around 7:30am asthe goals are to all finish at12:30pm, enjoy some homemadesnacks via tailgate, and anyonewishing to join us can walk over tothe local Italian deli for some lunchand socializing.

All riders willreceive coolofficial CycloFemmetemporarytattoos to showsolidarity! Decide whereyou will wear it!There is an official CycloFemme jersey available at primalwear.com.

Women only please-This ride is for us!Barbara AugenblickMargaret MontiLeslie Felsen

REVIEWS:

The History of Cycling in Fifty Bikes:

From the Velocipede to the Pinarello:

The Bicycles that Have Shaped the WorldReviewed By Ralph Monti

Allendale Bike Shop.........................Allendale 201-825-0952

D.J.s’ Cycles .............................................Belmar 732-681-8228

Brookdale Cycle .............................Bloomfield 973-338-8908

Get-a-way Cycle Center........Bloomingdale 973-291-4163

Bikeland..................................................Caldwell 973-403-3330

Bikeland II.............................................Chatham 973-635-8066

All Body Training...................................Closter 201-768-3086

Congers Bike Shop ....................Congers, NY 845-268-3315

Steve’s Moped & Bicycle ..................Dumont 201-384-7777

Sam’s Bicycle Repair.............Elmwood Park 201-797-5819

Bike Master......................................Englewood 201-569-3773

Strictly Bicycles...................................Fort Lee 201-944-7074

Carrera Cycles ..................................Glen Rock 201-857-0106

Marty’s Reliable ........................Hackettstown 908-852-1650

Bike Pad ............................................Hawthorne 973-427-9400

Grove Street Bicycles ..................Jersey City 201-451-2453

James Vincent................................Jersey City 201-420-5151

Ramsey Outdoor..........................Ledgewood 973-584-7798

Bicycle Tech ..................................Lincoln Park 973-694-6775

D.J.’s Cycles..................................Long Branch 732-870-2277

Peddler ..........................................Long Branch 732-229-6623

Cycle Craft ......................................Long Valley 908-876-5600

Madison Bicycle Shop.......................Madison 973-377-6616

High Gear Cyclery ...............................Millburn 973-376-0001

Diamond Cycle...................................Montclair 973-509-0233

The Bikery............................................Montclair 973-744-7252

Marty’s Reliable .............................Morristown 973-538-7773

Cycle World.................................New City, NY 845-364-2384

James Vincent...........................North Bergen 201-869-1901

Chelsea Bikes.......................................NYC, NY 646-230-7715

Gotham Bike.........................................NYC, NY 212-732-2453

Toga Bike...............................................NYC, NY 212-759-0002

Nyack Bicycle Outfitters ..............Nyack, NY 845-353-0268

Pedal Sports .........................................Oakland 201-337-9380

CampMor...............................................Paramus 201-445-5000

The Bicycle II........................................Paramus 201-632-0200

Cycle Sport Cyclery......................Park Ridge 201-391-5269

Cycle Craft .......................................Parsippany 973-227-4462

Bicycle Depot..................................Pearl River 845-735-8686

Heino’s Ski and Cycle................Pequannock 973-696-3044

Piermont Bicycle.......................Piermont, NY 845-365-0900

Cycle Center...........................Pompton Lakes 973-835-6339

Bicycle Source.......................Pompton Plains 973-835-7595

Bike & Ski Shop ....................................Ramsey 201-327-9480

Ramsey Outdoor..................................Ramsey 201-327-8141

Marty’s Reliable ....................................Randolf 973-584-7773

Cosmic Wheel ........................Ridgefield Park 201-440-6655

Ridgewood Cycle .........................Ridgewood 201-444-2553

Bikeworks....................................Rochelle Park 201-843-6409

Original Bike Shop ...................Saddle Brook 973-478-6555

Valley Cycle .........................Spring Valley, NY 845-356-3179

High Gear Cyclery................................Stiriling 908-647-2010

Bicycle Workshop .................................Tenafly 201-568-9372

Toga Bike..............................Upper Nyack, NY 845-358-3455

Town Cycle............................West Milford, NJ 973-728-8878

Albert’s Westwood Cycle ...........Westwood 201-664-1688

Whippany Cycle ..............................Whippany 973-887-8150

Wyckoff Cycle......................................Wyckoff 201-891-5500


PAGE 14

The owners of all these shops support BTCNJ. Please tell them you saw their shop in the MasterLink. Show them your BTCNJ membership card for a 10% discount off accessories and parts. They are skilled bicyclepros, 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.

SUPPORT YOURLOCAL BIKE SHOP

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 15

BTCNJ RIDE CATEGORIES

TERRAIN DESCRIPTIONSHilly: Numerous long and steep climbsModerately Hilly: Numerous climbs, with no “killer” hillsRolling: Some small hills, farmland ups and downsFlat: Minimal gear shifting required

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LEADERSBring maps and/or cue sheets. Discourage riders with unsound bikes from joining the ride. Within thefirst few miles, urge riders who are unable to maintainthe advertised pace to leave the ride. Adhere to theadvertised speed of the ride. Advise riders exceedingyour intended pace that they will be considered to beon their own.

RIDE LEADERS MUST SUBMIT THEIR SIGN-IN SHEETSTO EARN RIDE LEADER POINTS.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RIDERSRiders must obey NJ motor vehicle laws. Bring tools:tire irons, pump, and spare tube. Bicycle must be ingood working order. Don’t ride in a category that istoo difficult for you. Advise leader if you are making anunscheduled stop or leaving the group. Rides will notgo in the following conditions (unless otherwise notedin the rides description): rain, snow, wet or icy roads,or temperatures under 32°. Rides will leave 15 minutesafter the published meeting time (unless otherwisenoted.) For rides longer than 15 miles, bring snacks, for rides over 30 miles, bring lunch (unless a deli stopis indicated). Note: anyone under 18 years of age mustbe accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on allrides. Every rider is required to wear a helmet thatmeets CPSC Performance Standards on all club rides.Headphones are not permitted on rides.

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 havingmechanical difficulty. MTB rides: the slowest participant dictates ride pace; no rider is ever left behind.

Pannier Tour of Great AlleghenyPassage, Western PennsylvaniaMay 31 to June 4, 2014

Looking to do something morechallenging and different on thebike? Join us as we ride parts of theGreat Allegheny Passage and PABike Route “S” on rolling roads ofWestern PA. We will carpool 275miles to Breezewood, Pa and leaveour cars at the motel while we ridewest and return four days laterafter riding about 300 miles.

Cue sheets and a list of essentialswill be provided. This five-day tourfollows the Western Maryland RRtrail (GAP) in Western Pennsylva-nia. Highlights include crossingmassive steel RR bridges, viaducts,tunnels, the Mason Dixon Line andEastern Continental Divide alongthe rail trail. We will visit Flight 93memorial and ride through aban-doned PA Turnpike tunnels alongBike Route “S.” This is a self-con-tained pannier tour. Daily mileagewill be 75 miles at a comfortable Bpace allowing plenty of time for

pictures and rest stops. The rail trailis a crushed stone base, so 28-32CC tires are recommended. We’llstay in motels or B&B’s every night.Cost will be approximately $250 formotels, meals will be additional.

We carry all our own gear on thebike in panniers, and there is nosupport vehicle planned.We drive to Breezewood PA onSaturday May 31 and return on WedJune 4. Hope you can join us forthe whole (or any part) of the tour.

Jim Grady or Steve Felmeisteririshbiker@ [email protected]

French Creek Iron TourPhoenixville, PAJune 7-8, 2014

The French Creek Tour sponsoredby the French & Pickering CreeksConservation Trust has been rec-ommended as a great cycling tour.Join over 1,500 riders for scenic cy-cling through Iron Furnace country.The Trust preserves open space

whereiron blastfurnacesand forgesserved as corner-stones of industry incolonial Pennsylvania – hence “Iron Tour.”

The event takes place on Sunday,June 8th in Phoenixville, PA, about2 1⁄2 hours from Bergen County. We plan to stay over Saturdayevening for early riding on Sundaymorning. A Saturday bike ride at1:00 PM and an evening group dinner will be planned. You are responsible for booking your own


PAGE 16

Last year we posted “Leaderless Rides” on theBTCNJ Ride Schedule for local cycling events such asthe Revolutionary Ramble, Flattest Century, BloomingMetric, etc. We did this so that BTCNJ members whoattended these events could ride together. SeveralBTCNJ volunteers came forth after we posted these“Leaderless Rides” and assumed the role of RideLeader which was greatly appreciated by those whoattended the ride.

This year we encourage you to post rides on theBTCNJ Ride Schedule for cycling events that you planto attend. We can also list your ride in the BTCNJ elet-ter. Below are some of the local cycling events.

May 3: Farmlands Flat Tour, http://www.cjbc.org/, Lincroft, NJ

June 1: Blooming Metric, www.soundcyclists.com, Westport, CT

June 14: Revolutionary Ramble, www.rambleride.org, Madison, NJ

September 7: Flattest Century, www.nbwclub.org, Dartmouth, MA

September 27: Sea Gull Century, www.seagullcentury.org, Salisbury, MD

TBD: Pumpkin Patch Pedal, http://sibike.org/, Jamesburg, NJ

Some events which are farther away from New Jer-sey may require an overnight stay, and I encourage youto become the Event Coordinator and organize agroup event. I will gladly help you out. Please contactme if you have any questions.

-Bill Telgheder, Tours

Local Cycling Event Rides


VolunteersNeeded for theRamapo Rally!

TEAM LEADERS:• Signage Placement and Pick-up• Site Clean-up

PRIOR TO RALLY DAYTEAM MEMBERS:• Arrow painting• Food pick up• Friday water pick up• Friday storage room

supply pick up• Saturday site set up

DAY OF RALLY TEAM MEMBERS:• Manning rest stops• Leading rides• Assisting at start site• Breakfast• Registration check-in• Lunch, set up and

clean up

• Volunteer party• Merchandise table• Signage placement

and pick up• Parking• SAG• Site clean up

The Ramapo Rally will be held Sunday, August 17, 2014. It takes about 200 volunteers to have a successful Rally. These are some of the volunteering opportunities that we need to fill.

PLEASE DO IT NOW!This is a great opportunity to give back to the club. For more information or to volunteer, contactSteve Greenberg, Ramapo Rally Coordinator [email protected] or Leslie Felsen, Volunteer Development at [email protected].

hotel reservation and registeringfor the tour ($40 if registered byMay 23rd). The tour can be foundat http://www.irontour.org/ whereall the details concerning the tourare available. Rides are available for all levels with distances from 12 miles to 100 miles and startingtimes from 7:15 to 10:30 dependingon ride distance.

Recommended hotels are listedbelow. The hotels are next to eachother and fill up fast so book early.

Hilton Garden Inn ValleyForge/Oaks500 Cresson Boulevard,Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, 19460http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/pennsylvania/hilton-garden-inn-valley-forge-oaks-PHLPOGI/index.html

Hampton Inn & Suites ValleyForge/Oaks100 Cresson Boulevard,Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, 19460http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/pennsylvania/hampton-inn-and-suites-valley-forge-oaks-PHLVYHX/index.html

Information concerning the Saturday afternoon bike ride,evening dinner and other detailswill be available before the event. Please let Cynthia Macvicker or Bill Telgheder know if you have any questions or plan to attend.

Cynthia Macvicker or Bill [email protected]@aol.com

Sea Gull CenturySalisbury, MDSeptember 26-28, 2014

COME AND RIDE THE 26TH AN-NUAL SEAGULL CENTURY RIDEWITH US, RAIN OR SHINE. It’s abeautiful scenic century bicycleride along the Chesapeake on Sat-urday, September 27, 2014, a flatride with five rest stops. (Rides ofshorter lengths will be offered.)This century has great reviews andis fun. Registration begins May 15,2014 at http://www.seagullcen-tury.org/. Last year’s fee was $75.

There will be organized bike rideseach day and group dinners on Fri-day and Saturday. Participants willarrange their own lodging reserva-tions.

Contact Helene Blaustein for lodging and other information at(862)251-3152 or [email protected].


PAGE 18

BTCNJ TOURS

April10-13

DATE

ClosedSecond Time’s a CharmWashington D.C.Cherry Blossom Time

Flat toRolling

25-40 Miles Pay your own lodgingand meals

Peggy Telgheder or Margaret [email protected]@mediaconsults.com

May 2-4

OpenHanover-Gettysburg, PASpring Fling

Varied 20-60 Miles $195/personbased on dbl occupancy

Don Schlenger or Dennis [email protected]@msn.com

May 23-26

Wait List Only

Southern Vermont Varied Varied $310/personbased on dbl occupancy

Linda [email protected]

May 30-June 1

ClosedNarragansett, RI Varied 25-75 Miles $180-$190 plus Dinner

Peter Cafaro or Rosemary [email protected]@aol.com

June 27-July 13

ClosedFrance or Germany?Why Choose, Let’s Do Both!

Varied 500 Miles $2,900, including flights,lodging, some meals,based on dbl occupancy

Ethan Brook or Barbara [email protected]@gmail.com

July 20-26

OpenRAGBRAI Varied Across Iowa $500 plustransportation

Matt [email protected]

July 25-27

OpenAvon, CTJoint with MAF

Varied 16-60 Miles $250/personbased on dbl occupancy

Harriet [email protected]

August 1-3

OpenLake George, NY Varied 16-65 Miles $210/personbased on dbl occupancy

Barbara [email protected]

August22-24

OpenRhinebeck, NY Varied 30-55 Miles $190/personbased on dbl occupancy

Richard Fine or Amy [email protected]@amyhass.com

Sept.19-21

OpenAmagansett, NY Varied 12-107 Miles $225/personbased on dbl occupancy

Bob [email protected]

May 31-June 4

OpenPannier TourGreat Allegheny Passage

Varied 75 Miles/Day $250 plus Meals

Jim Grady or Steve [email protected]@gmail.com

June 7-8

OpenFrench Creek TourPhoenixville, PA

Varied 12-100 Miles Self Pay Cynthia MacVicker or Bill [email protected]@aol.com

Sept.26-28

OpenSea Gull Century Flat toRolling

Varied Self Pay Helene [email protected]

CAPACITYTOUR TERRAIN DISTANCE PRICE CONTACT

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.


PAGE 19

Present: Ralph Monti, PresidentAlan Scherl, Vice PresidentFrank Wimer, TreasurerRhonda Pekow, SecretaryHarold Todman, MembershipLarry Schwartz, MasterLink & WebmasterSteve Greenberg, Ramapo RallyBarbara Augenblick, Public RelationsEthan Brook, Past President Bill Telgheder, ToursBob Miller, Legislative Action

Not Present: Andres Tiribocchi, Rides Captain

Call to Order

President Ralph Monti opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting

Guest Speaker:• BTCNJ member Keith Danish, Intellectual Property attorney, spoke to the executive board about formally

trade marking BTCNJ’s name and all other intellectual property extensions. Keith suggested registering ourdomain names BTCNJ and RAMAPO RALLY. Keith also discussed trademarks and what that entails. He ex-plained that trademark rights are not dependent upon registration, but a federal trademark registration af-fords a number of benefits, which Keith discussed with the board. A “TM” notice can be used with anunregistered trademark. The letter “R” in a circle is for use only with federally-registered trade or servicemarks. Keith said that he can advise us on trademarks appropriate for our club.

• Ralph brought up our ride leader jersey contest and BTCNJ members’ rights to their design submissions.Keith Danish said he can create an assignment form that contestants would submit with their design submis-sions to sign their rights to that jersey design to BTCNJ.

• Ralph inquired about the use of “MasterLink”, a term our club has been using for 37 years. Keith Danish dis-cussed scenarios that we can respond to if someone outside of BTCNJ established a MasterLink publication.

President• Training sessions for ride leaders in conjunction with NYCC: Ralph Monti explained to the board that he

spoke at the NYCC membership meeting last month, which gave him the opportunity to meet some of theirmembers who have put together a ride leader training manual. We’re currently in collaboration with NYCC tocreate training opportunities for potential ride leaders.

• Ralph gave the executive board an update on a bylaw for regulating gratuities and gifts to tour leaders,board members and MasterLink contributors. Bill Telgheder is helping Ralph with writing this bylaw.

• Ralph discussed the large number of responses from our members as a result of his recent articles regardingunsafe riders. A discussion was initiated on creating a policy for chronically unsafe riders. The discussion willbe continued at a later date when our rides captain, Andres Tiribocchi can be present.

• Ralph did research on single and dual memberships and gave the board an update. Larry Schwartz will helpwith the implementation on the website and said implementation should be straight forward.

BTCNJ EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

Executive Summary of Meeting MinutesMarch 4, 2014

• Ralph mentioned that Andres advised that the 2013 ride leader jersey distribution has been postponed fromthe April 2014 membership meeting to the May 2014 membership meeting.

Vice President: • Alan Scherl explained to the board the plans he has made for the next few membership meetings.

March 2014 – Vanessa O’Connell, the author of “Wheelmen” will be discussing her book. She will also have abook signing in conjunction with Bookends in Ridgewood book store. Additionally, Vanessa is promoting herbook on her Facebook page.

Membership / Merchandise:• Harold Todman explained that several members allowed their trial membership (from the 2013 Ramapo Rally

registration) to expire and now are having difficulty renewing their membership. Harold has worked witheach of these people individually to resolve the issue.

• Harold is sending an e-blast to trial members (from the 2013 Ramapo Rally registration) who have not yetjoined BTCNJ for possible membership. The date of the blast is March 27, 2014.

Treasurer:• Frank Wimer distributed a hand-out with updated financials for the club. Frank said this was the format he

will use for the remainder of the year. Year to date Income and expense highlights are:• The final net cost to the club of the 2014 anniversary party was $620, in line with the budget.• The largest membership expenses year to date are annual insurance costs of $4500 and annual rent for

Board Meetings of $650. Most of these expenses were offset by dues received.• We have incurred $1300 in Rally expenses, primarily to secure the Campgaw site for the rally.• Merchandise revenue was $350 with no expenses

MasterLink and Web Master:• Larry explained some of the upcoming changes to the BTCNJ website that are slowly being put into place.

Upcoming events will be listed in chronological order. The menu we currently have on left hand column willeventually be replaced with a horizontal menu so members will have an easier time finding information onthe website.

• Larry said he is interested to see how BTCNJ members have responded to the Ramapo Rally website. Lastmonth Larry explained that we have two web servers and that the Windows server houses the Ramapo rallysite. Larry has transferred that website to Ramaporally.btcnj.com which is written in Wordpress. Accordinglythe Windows server will be shut down. Both the Ramapo Rally and our regular club websites are now hostedon the same server.

• Last month Larry Schwartz explained the rationale behind purchasing the CloudFare service to update secu-rity for the BTCNJ web site. This service is providing a higher level of security for the BTCNJ site than wepreviously had. Larry reported that CloudFare is working well.

• Larry told the board that he is still looking for a MasterLink editor to replace him.

Volunteer Development and Special Events: • The executive board discussed the volunteers-of the-month for March and April 2014.• The safety clinic is being planned and is to be held on April 5, 2014 at the Ridgewood Library. • The maintenance clinic is scheduled for April 12th at the Ridgewood Library.• The date for the annual picnic is Sunday, May 18th . • A CycloFemme bike ride in honor of the global women’s biking movement is being organized by Margaret

Monti, Barbara Augenblick and Leslie Felsen. The event will take place on Saturday, May 10th • The executive board discussed that the Indian Trail Club is not available for next year’s annual anniversary

party. Possible venues discussed included Biagios Ristorante and banquet hall in Paramus, Seasons catering,and hotels in the local area. The board will continue to search for places to hold this annual event.

Past President:• A discussion was initiated regarding planning for the 2014 Year-In-Review presentation. Marc Soloff created

this year’s presentation and Ethan Brook volunteered to speak with Marc about what we will need for nextyear’s event.

• Ethan Brook talked about TD bank’s representation at the Ramapo Rally. It was proposed that if someone atRamapo Rally signs up with TD bank, that person may receive a gift. It was suggested that TD bank partnerwith a local retailer such as Campmor in regards to the gift.

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Public Relations:• Barbara Augenblick is preparing this month’s e-letter and is requesting topics from board members no later

than March10th or 11th. The board discussed some of the topics discussed at this meeting that should be inthe e-letter (i.e.; maintenance clinic, safety clinic, volunteer-of-the-month, membership meeting speakers,Ramapo Rally, tours, etc.)

• Barbara contacted local bike shops for reciprocal website links and shared with the board responses she re-ceived. A hand-out was distributed with local bike shops, their websites, and the response Barbara receivedfrom each shop.

• AAA is planning to publish an article in their newsletter in the spring related to bicycle riding and BTCNJ.

Ramapo Rally• Steve told the board that he is looking for someone to take over the position of Ramapo Rally coordinator. It

was suggested that we put an article in the e-letter about the position.

Tours• Bill Telgheder announced just a few of the new tours that are listed in the March MasterLink: Hanover-Gettys-

burg, Southern Vermont, RAGBRAI, and Lake George, NY, Rhinebeck, NY, and Amagansett, NY. • Bill is going to send tour guidelines to the leaders of the weekend tours scheduled for this year.

Legislative Action• Bob Miller, Rhonda Pekow, Frank Wimer, Lou Wassong and Steve Greenberg attended the New Jersey Bike

and Walk Summit in February 2014. Steve Greenberg spoke at the conference about the Ramapo Rally. • Bob discussed the plans for the LG tower in Englewood Cliffs. The 143 foot height of the new headquarters

that LG is building in Englewood Cliffs on Sylvan Avenue will be visible above the tree line and thus ruin thelook of the Palisades north of Fort Lee – and will ultimately affect bicycle riding on route 9W. Members ofProtect the Palisades have boycotted plans for the LG tower. It was suggested that we place an article aboutthis issue in our e-letter and/or MasterLink.

• Bob Miller suggested establishing a connection with the local Gran Fondo events by placing reciprocal linkson the Gran Fondo and BTCNJ websites.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rhonda L PekowRhonda L PekowBTCNJ Board Secretary

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BTCNJ MasterLink/April 2014

Documents

Transcript of BTCNJ MasterLink/April 2014