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BCP Ride List for April 2004
Thursday, April 1 - Italian Fountain Century. Class C, 1-20 mph. Annual classic, 1/10 mile course, no one dropped; mileage options from 1/10 to 200. All counterclockwise this year! Start 7:00, finish 7:01 or anytime thereafter. Leader: Tom Witt, 215-977- 2164, 73502.636@compuserve.com.
Saturday, April 3 - Meet the Train: Ridley to Ridley Creek S.P. Class C, 12-14 mph, 35-40 miles. We will meet the train from Philadelphia and ride out to and through Ridley Creek State Park. The ride starts in the parking lot of the Pathmark on MacDade Blvd in Folsom, Ridley Township and leaves at 8:30 sharp to get to the Ridley Park train station to meet the 8:58 train from the city. Riders from Philadelphia can take the R-2 train (#4207) that leaves Suburban Station at 8:34. Bring money for a food stop. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dmtrout@usa.net.
Saturday April 3 - Take to the Woods. Class C, about 18 miles. Meet at 9 at the Heinz Wildlife Reserve side lot on the north (Philly) side of Rt 420, Prospect Park. We ride the pathways observing abundance of nature. Trail is tame - MTB or hybrid. Wet conditions cancel. Call ahead. Leader: Frank Jackson, 610-534- 3978, 215-537-4299, fjackson@rohmhaas.com.
Saturday April 3 - Bryn Athyn Cathedral. Class C+, 42 miles. A 13-14 mph pace is planned, but no one will be dropped involuntarily. A few hills, and a lot of surprising scenery, are between the Italian Fountain and this historic cathedral. If the choir is practicing for Easter, we'll listen for a few minutes before going on to the lunch stop at Baederwood Plaza. We'll pass 3 SEPTA stations on the way back, for those that want to stop at 25, 28, or 31 miles. Cue sheets provided. Meet at the Italian Fountain at 8:45 for a 9:00 sharp departure. Leaders: Vikki & Gary Morris, 215-557-0410, gmorris@vzavenue.net.
Saturday, April 3 - Narberth to Malvern. Class B-, 13-14 mph, 45 miles, some hills. Leaving from Narberth Park Playground parking lot off Haverford Ave. in Narberth. Meet at 9:15 for a 9:30 sharp departure. Bring money for lunch at Wawa, pizza shop, or bakery. Ride cancels if below 30 degrees at 8:30 or precipitating. Leaders: Bob Silverman, 215-977-2282, rsilverman@wolfblock.com, and Henry Miller, 215-977-2182, hmiller@wolflblock.com.
Saturday, April 3 - Final Four Weekend. Class C+, 12-15 mph, 25- 30 miles. Hopefully the St. Joe Hawks will be in San Antonio this weekend so we can talk about their run to the national championship while we ride through the towns in southern Camden County. Meet at the parking area in Berlin Park, just off the White Horse Pike & Park Drive in Berlin, N.J. for a 10:00 start. Rain cancels. Leader: Dave Wender, 856-809-9194, dwender1@comcast.net.
Sunday, April 4 - Musconetcong Valley. Class B, 55 miles, 15 mph, rolling to moderately hilly. From upper Bucks County, we'll head towards Warren County, NJ to ride along the roads of this pretty valley. Although we'll be back to this area next month for the mountains, well have plenty of climbing on the way back from the Delaware River this time. Starts at 9 from Nockamixon State Park, Haycock Boat Access parking lot on S.R. 563. Take S.R. 611 north, left on S.R. 412, go for about a mile and turn left onto S.R. 563 to first small road on the left (look for the sign on your right). Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, April 4 - B Ramble. Class B. 50 miles at 14-15 mph through Ridley Creek State Park, Sugartown, and Malvern. Cue sheet provided. Snack stop at a gas station convenience store. Terrain is rolling with one big hill. Meet at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon. Call if weather is questionable. Leader: Jack Echols, 215-382-6730.
Sunday April 4 - Fairmount Park Ramble. Class D, 12 miles. Inaugural 2004 Sunny Sunday D ride with NEW START LOCATION. Leaving from the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon, cruising through the park to the Mann Music Center. Cue sheets will be provided. Bring food and water. Leader: Len Langsdorf, home 610-278-7779.
Sunday April 4 - Intimate Bike Tour of Philadelphia. Class D, 12-15 miles through Center City and University City with stops here and there at some of Philadelphia's interesting sights to introduce a new book of bike routes. Starts 3 PM at Trophy Bikes at 3131 Walnut Street. End with refreshments and friendly chat at Trophy around 5. Leader: Pat Vance, 215-438-9091, vancep@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Wednesday April 7 - BCP Monthly Meeting. Class ALL, 6:30 PM at Buca Di Beppo, 258 S. 15th St, 215-545-2818. All BCP members are encouraged to attend. To get something on the agenda: David Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu.
Friday, April 9 - Good Friday Ride. Class B, 15-16 mph, 45 miles. Leaving from the Italian Fountain at 9, we will head for Delaware County, with a convenience store food stop in Media. Expect some hills, but nothing too severe. Leader: Rich Wagner, 610-964-1484, roadrich@hotmail.com.
Friday, April 9 - Cast Your Vote Ride. Class C, 25 miles more or less, your choice. Election day is coming so warm up with a pre- election Wissahickon Ride. We meet 10:00 at the top of Forbidden Drive off Northwestern Ave and then fly down to the bottom to Ridge Ave. There we will debate and cast our first vote. The choices are clear, left or right, there is no middle ground, democracy reins and we don't ride in the rain. Left, we go to the Art Museum, cruise the drives, encounter a little voting fraud, and then back up Forbidden Drive. Right, we go through Manayunk, Spring Mill, and then find our way back, always cautious of campaign promises. Unfortunately there is no way to avoid getting back to were we started so some effort will be exerted (hills). Wide tires a must. Bring money, food, water, and voter registration card. Leader: Len Langsdorf, 610-278-7779 home, 215- 826-6998 work, lnl@jny.com..
Saturday, April 10 - Doylestown for Bagels or Other Food of Your Choice. Class B, 40 or 50 miles depending on how warm it is. Terrain is rolling. The 50-mile version has a couple of short climbs. Meet at 9:15 at Bruno's. Leader: Jeff Bakely, 215-843-1093, jbake@snip.net.
Sunday, April 11 - Red, White, or Brandywine? Class B, 62 miles at 15 mph, rolling to moderately hilly. There will be plenty of all of them and you can taste them all! Stops in Landenberg and near Coatesville. Brandywine scenery at its best. Starts 9:00 from Shaw's Bridge Park near Pocopson. U.S. 202 south to S.R. 926 west. After expressway ends, turn right onto S.R. 926 and continue for 2.5 miles. At T, bear right onto S.R. 100 north (unmarked). Do not follow S.R. 926 any longer, and continue on S.R. 100 (unmarked) for 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Creek Rd where S.R. 52 bears right. Go on Creek Rd for 0.5 mile and turn left onto Shaw's Creek Park. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572- 0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, April 11 - Easter/Passover Sunrise Ride. Class B, 15-16 mph, 50 miles. Meet at 8:45, Valley Forge National Park visitor center lower lot, for a 9:00 start. We'll travel through bucolic Chester County, with a rest stop in or near Birchrunville. This ride is mostly rolling hills, with one toughy, Yellow Springs Rd, about ten miles in. Call/e-mail for directions to start. Leader: Rich Wagner, 610-964-1484, roadrich@hotmail.com.
Sunday, April 11 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph for about 45 miles, to Devon Whole Foods. Moderately hilly on the way out. Gently rolling and flat on the return with two great descents. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon. Leader: Jeff Bakely, 215-843-1093, jbake@snip.net.
Saturday, April 17 - Spring Starting at the Ritz. Class B, 16-18 mph, 50 miles. Tour Camden/Gloucester County roads with Joe's first BCP road ride. One rest top, pace will be held, with plenty of breakaways for those that like to break things. Meet at 9 at the Ritz Theatre parking lot near the Coffee Works, Ritz Center, 910 Berlin Rd, Voorhees, N.J. Leader: Joe 'Parts' Barolin, 856- 265-1051, joepartsb@yahoo.com.
Saturday, April 17 - Hawk Mountain after the Swap Meet. Class B, 14-16 mph, 55 or 63 miles. Rolling with a few short hills and optional climb to the Hawk. After replenishing our equipment with treasures we find at the Trexlertown Swap Meet, which starts at 9, we'll head out to explore the spring foliage and bucolic back roads leading up to Hawk Mountain. Those who enjoy the challenge can climb the mountain (63 miles), then come back down (much, much faster) to meet up with the rest of the group (55 miles). Meet fed and hydrated outside the velodrome track entrance at noon. Leader: David L. Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu.
Sunday, April 18 - Too Warm for Coffee? Class B, 56 miles at 15 mph, hilly. Some of the nicest roads in central Bucks, over some of the not so gentle hills may make us too hot for coffee. You will still enjoy this classic winter ride in spring. Starts at 9 from Central Park, just south of Doylestown, on Wells Rd between Lower State and Turk Rds. Take S.R. 309 north, at end of expressway take the S.R. 63 exit and go straight onto Lower State Rd. at the light. At Limekiln Pk, S.R. 152, turn left and then right at the first light to continue on Lower State Rd for 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Wells Rd. Park is 1 mile on your left. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, April 18 - Back on the Road Again. Class B+/B, 15-17 mph, 35-45 miles. Leaves 9:00 from the Glenside Library at Keswick Ave & Waverly Rd. We leave behind the rolling terrain of Pennypack and take on the rolling roads of Montgomery County and vicinity. Exact destination to be determined, but count on a nice, moderately hilly route. Call or e-mail with questions. Rain cancels. Leader: Chris Beetham, 215-740-4637, ride_with_cb@verizon.net.
Sunday, April 18 - Hill Ride. Class C+, about 35 miles. Departs 9 o'clock from the Italian Fountain. We will climb several of the hills on the Manayunk side of the river including the WALL for those up for it. Leader: Ginny Durham, 215-440-7093, vedurham@comcast.net.
Sunday, April 18 - Brandywine. Class C, 28 miles. Starts at 9 from the parking lot across from Chadds Ford Elementary School. South on Baltimore Pike (U.S. 1), turn left at the first traffic light past Rt 100 in Chadds Ford. Rain cancels. Leader: Jim "Chip" Connor, 610-668-1840.
Sunday, April 18 - Small Ellipse from Chesterbrook. Class C, 11 mph average, about 40 miles. We will take an elliptical route, going through parts of Upper/Lower Merion Townships and continue thru Radnor, Newtown, Easttown, and finally back to Tredyffrin Township. It would not be Arnie's ride without a couple of challenging hills plus a few less cumbersome climbs. No one left behind. We will stop to regroup as required. Cue sheets available. Food stop, but bring a snack, beverage, and money. Meet at Manhattan Bagel in the Chesterbrook Center to start the ride at 9:15. Call for directions or weather concerns. A joint ride with the BBC. Leader: Arnie Roseman, 610-640-4529, biker73pa@msn.com.
Sunday, April 18 - B Ramble. Class B, 40-45 miles at 14-15 mph. Ride through Andorra and then eastern Montgomery County. Snack stop at a shopping center in Dreshertown. Terrain is rolling. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon. Call if weather is questionable. Leader: Dave Phillips, 215-487-1505.
Sunday, April 18 - A World in a Park. Class D, 12 miles. Starts at noon at the Italian Fountain, off Kelly Drive. A riding tour of 11 grand mansions of Fairmount Park, plus a visit to the Water Works museum. Cue sheets and historical handouts provided. Bring water and snacks. Leaders: Steve Trobovic, 610-687-9229, srtrobovic@juno.com and Pat Haggar, 610-896-1987, phaggar@comcast.net.
Fri-Sun, April 23-25 - Spring Event. Class ALL. Historic Annapolis and beautiful Anne Arundel County, in Maryland. Contact ASAP Coordinator: Linda McGrane, 215-663-5291, adnilminussix@yahoo.com.
Saturday, April 24 - Fortescue on the Bay. Class B, approx 97 miles, 15+ mph, totally flat ride through the farm country of south Jersey. Leaving from the school at High Hill Road and Rt 551 in Swedesboro, NJ at 8 sharp. Cross the Commodore Barry Bridge, turn right onto Rt 130 south (first turn off the bridge). Go one mile, turn left onto High Hill Road and go 4.8 miles to the school. Bring or buy food for lunch on the beach at the Delaware Bay; we will also do food stops at Rosenhayn and Pole Tavern. Leaders: Doug Kennedy, 610-543-4664, dougkennedy7@yahoo.ca, and Debbie Wilson, 302-798-1243, djwbike@aol.com.
Saturday, April 24 - Tour de Delaware (County). Class B, 15-16 mph, 62 miles. Leaving from Valley Forge Park (visitor center lower parking lot) at 8, we will climb the Wayne hill, zip through Delco, and take a break at the Chadds Ford Wawa. Then, on full stomachs and peaked adrenaline, we head for home (Valley Forge). Please join me for our first "century" of 2004. Call/e-mail for directions to start. Leader: Rich Wagner, 610-964-1484, roadrich@hotmail.com.
Saturday, April 24 - Old City. Class C, 12-14 mph, 35+ miles. At 8:30 we'll meet at the Pathmark parking lot in Folsom, Delaware County, and ride into Philly to the Art Museum. Then we will head across the city, through the old parts of town and end up in the Queen Village area. Brunch at the Famous Deli on Bainbridge Street and then return. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dmtrout@usa.net.
Sunday, April 25 - Pumpkin Hill to Yellow Hill. Class B, 62 miles at 15 mph, rolling to hilly. Once we go over Pumpkin Hill in the outskirts of this beautiful corner of Chester County, Welsh Mt in Lancaster county and Yellow Hill in Berks County will be waiting for us. Very scenic roads, certainly worth the effort. Starts at 9 from Warwick County Park. Turnpike to Exit 312 (Downingtown); S.R. 100 north; left on S.R. 23 West for about 3 miles; left on Park Road, then left into park (last time it was unmarked, so it's easy to miss. If you go as far as St. Peter's Rd, you just missed it). Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want like a cue sheet for the ride. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, April 25 - Wissahickon. Class C, 20 miles. Starts at 9 from the shopping center on Main Street, just west of the Main St./Ridge Ave split. Look for street parking across from shopping center. The ride will follow Forbidden Drive to Barren Hill, down to Spring Mill, and return to Manayunk via the towpath. Leader: Jim "Chip" Connor, 610-668-1840.
Sunday, April 25 - B Ramble To Fort Washington. Class B, 14 - 15 mph, 40 miles. The cold weather is just a memory. Spring is in the air as we journey to Fort Washington. Meet at the Italian Fountain at noon. Leader: Werner Carrieri, 215-680-2618, wernerman@aol.com.
Tuesday, April 27 - Mailing the May Newsletter. Class ALL. Meet 6:30 at Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP, 1650 Arch Street, southeast corner 17th & Arch Sts. Coordinator: Tom Witt, 215-977-2164.
Saturday, May 1 - Bike Bazaar/Swap Meet. Class ALL. Lloyd Hall, #1 Boathouse Row, on Kelly Drive. All welcome to browse/buy, fee to sell (waived for BCP members). Coordinator: Doug Tedeschi, (215) 635-4146, douglas@craftech.com.
