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BCP Ride List for March 2003
Saturday, March 1 - Northwest. Class C+, 30 miles. Starts from the Italian fountain at 9:30. Ride towards the northwest. Food stop toward end. Leader: Ginny Durham, 215-440-7093, vedurham@comcast.net.
Saturday, March 1- Historic Greenwich. Classes B (15 mph) and C (13 mph), 53 miles, flat. Winter is almost over, and you'd better start thinking of getting back in shape. This is a nice easy loop in Salem and Cumberland Counties, NJ, where we'll enjoy scenic, traffic-free and flat roads as we travel through some of the oldest towns and villages of the Garden State. This is the first of the March Diner Fever cycling tours. Starts 10:00 from the Salem Oak Diner on Broadway & Oak Streets in Salem, NJ, across from the 500 year-old Salem Oak, of course. If interested in having breakfast at the diner prior to the ride, call or email. If interested in losing weight, show up at 10:00. I-95 south to I-495 to Delaware Memorial Bridge (I- 295). Take first exit at the end of the bridge, Route 49, and follow it for 9 miles into Salem where Route 49 becomes Broadway. Diner is on right-hand side. Please park on the street so we don't clog up the diner's parking lot. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leaders: Peggy Gertz, 215-844-2669, gertz@email.chop.edu, and Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, March 2 - Kountry Kitchen. Multilevel ride. Class B, 15-16 mph, ~50 miles, and Class C, 12-14 mph, ~30 miles. Starts 9:00 from Kingsway High School, routes 322 & 551, just across the Commodore Barry Bridge in New Jersey. Ride to the Kountry Kitchen in Elmer for breakfast. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dm_trout@hotmail.com.
Sunday, March 2 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, up to 50 miles. Help me break in my new set of wheels on this late winter jaunt through Delaware County, on our way to Media, Pa. One food stop at the usual (Wawa). Ride will be shortened if weather doesn't cooperate. Meet at noon at the Italian Fountain, behind the Art Museum. Leader: Rich Wagner, 610-521-4570, roadrich@hotmail.com.
Monday, March 3 - BCP Monthly Meeting. 6:30 PM at the Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant, 4120 Main Street, Philadelphia. All BCP members are encouraged to attend. For information or to get something on the agenda: David Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu. The restaurant's Monday special is a full lobster dinner for $13. Now you have TWO good reasons to attend!
Friday, March 7 - Friday with TerryK. Class D. Starts 9:00. A leisurely, social ride. Call the leader by the Wednesday before to confirm that you are going and for start location, destination, and distance. Leader: Terry Kieserman, 610-277-7810.
Saturday, March 8 - The Original Little Chef. Class B, 14 mph, approx. 45 miles, rolling. Easy route through the heart of the Brandywine valley to the stomach of the Little Chef in Coatesville where we'll join Mario Nappa's group for a late breakfast. Starts 9:00 from Pocopson Elementary School lower parking lot near Chadds Ford. From U.S. 1, take Route 100 north for about 3 miles and continue straight onto Route 926 west over the bridge and RR tracks. At the first light (Pocopson Rd), turn right and then left onto the school's driveway to the first small parking lot, way before the top of the hill. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, March 9 - Sunday Morning Romp in the Woods. MTB, 2 hours. Starts 9:00 at Pine Road entrance, Pennypack Park. On this ride, we get to do all the fun and different trails that we have to avoid on the night rides. A little snow, mud, and ice never hurt anyone (not too badly, at least). Come out and play! Pace and technical difficulty determined by ride participants. May be canceled if weather or trail conditions are going to be poor. E-mail or call to confirm. No e-mails or calls, no ride. Leader: Chris Beetham, 215-576-6514, beetham@snip.net.
Sunday, March 9 - Pre-Spring Break. Class C, 32 + miles. Starts from Manhattan Bagel in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center at 10:00. Start with a challenging hill to warm us up. The rest of the ride is flat or rolling terrain. Travels through Tredyffrin, Upper Merion, Gulph Mills, W. Conshohocken, Swedeland, Bridgeport and Valley Forge National Historic Park. No one left behind. Cue sheets provided. Bring snacks, liquids and money. Call for directions and to confirm our plans. A joint ride with BBC. Leaders: Arnie Roseman, 610-640-4529, asr3pa@msn.com, and Steve Trobovic, 610-687-9229, srtrobovic@juno.com.
Saturday, March 15 - South Jersey Ramble. Class C, 12-14 mph, +/-35 miles. Starts 9:00 from Kingsway High School, routes 322 & 551, just across the Commodore Barry Bridge in New Jersey. We will ramble through the farmlands of south Jersey. Bring money for a snack. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dm_trout@hotmail.com.
Saturday, March 15 - Ides of March. Class B, 15-16 mph, 60 miles. Beware the Ides of March. The ride leaves from Washington's Crossing Park on the New Jersey side. The route will be the Delaware and Raritan Canal Ride - a pleasant ride over lightly traveled roads with mostly rolling terrain. Plan to arrive at 9:15 for a 9:30 start. Let's hope for light winds and sunny skies. Rain or snow cancels. Leader: George Koefler, 215-657-4531, george.koefler@verizon.net.
Saturday, March 15 - Northeast Ramble. Class C-, 10 mph, 30-40 miles. Route is all west of the Delaware river. Brunch/lunch stop along the way. All ride together. PLEASE NOTE: The pace will be C MINUS, and no cue sheets will be provided. So you will have to ride at the leaders' pace. Leaves at 9:30 SHARP from the Burger King, north of Oxford Circle on Castor Ave. Call in case of inclement or doubtful weather. Leaders: Madge and Dick Trickey, 215-288-5907.
Sunday, March 16 - Pepper Mill: Season Finale. Class B, 14 mph, approx. 55 miles, hilly. Last chance to warm up with blueberry pancakes or a good omelette before winter is over. One more variation of our classic ride to Goshen. Will we climb The Wall on our way back? It's never too early to try something new and we need to burn some calories after all too. Starts 9:00 from the Market Square of Chestnut Hill, next to the post office on Crittenden St (between Willow Grove Ave and Mermaid Ln), 2 blocks north of Germantown Ave. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572- 0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, March 16 - St. Patty's Day Fun Ride. Class B, 15-16 mph, 40 miles. It's the third annual ride. This year we will ride past the green fields of Limerick in Western Montgomery County. Meet 11:00 at the Betzwood picnic area (directly off the bike path) in Valley Forge. No cue sheet, but we'll keep the group together. Ride will be canceled if the forecast calls for rain or temperatures below 40 degrees at start time. Leaders: George Sexton, 215-247-7035, cjainc@voicenet.com, and Sally Poliwoda, 215-753-2468, poliwoda@email.chop.edu.
Sunday, March 16 - 5th Annual Leprechaun Breakfast. All classes, 30 to 40 miles. Starts 10:00 from the Betzwood picnic area of Valley Forge Park, directly off the bike path. Rather than riding in Bucks County, this year the venue changes to Montgomery County. We will be looking for the pot of gold and a fire house as friendly as Upper Black Eddy. Cue sheets will be provided. From center city, take the SEPTA R-6 train to the Norristown Transportation Center next to the Schuylkill River trail and bike 4 miles to the start. Leader: Steve Trobovic, 610-687-9229, srtrobovic@juno.com.
Saturday March 22 - Tour of the Octoraro River Valley. Class B, 52 miles, approx 14 mph. Leaves 8:30 from the Unionville Elementary School on Rt 82, approx 2.7 miles north of US Rt 1. We will tour the Octoraro River area in late winter as a warmup for the WCBC's Icicle Metric next Saturday. Lunch will be 40 miles out at the Mexican restaurant in Cochranville. Leaders: Doug Kennedy, 610-543-4664, dougkennedy7@yahoo.ca, and Debbie Wilson, 302-798-1243, djwbike@aol.com.
Saturday, March 22 - Old City. Class C, 12-14 mph, 35+ miles. Starts 9:00 from the Pathmark parking lot in Folsom, Delaware County. We ride into Philly to the Art Museum, then across the city, through the old parts of town and end up in the Queen Village area. We will have a brunch at the Famous Deli on Bainbridge Street and then return home. Please call beforehand so I can give the deli an estimate of the number of people. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dm_trout@hotmail.com.
Sunday, March 23 - Sunday Morning Romp in the Woods. MTB, 2 hours. Starts 9:00 at Pine Road entrance, Pennypack Park. See March 9. No e-mails or calls, no ride. Leader: Chris Beetham, 215-576-6514, beetham@snip.net.
Sunday, March 23 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, 40-45 miles. Ambler Ramble. We'll end up in Ambler for coffee and snaps. Meet at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum at noon. Call if weather is questionable. Noon temperature forecast below 40 cancels. Leader: Jeff Bakely, 215-843-1093, jbake@snip.net.
Sunday, March 23 - Sunday Ramble. Class D, about 15 miles. Leaves at 12:30 SHARP from the Burger King, north of Oxford Circle on Caster Ave. This ride will take about 2 hours plus a stop for a snack. Call in case of inclement or doubtful weather. Leaders: Madge and Dick Trickey, 215-288-5907.
Tuesday, March 25 - Mailing the April Newsletter. 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, March 29 - Fixed-Gear Excursion. Class B, 14 -16 mph, 40 miles. Departs 9:00 from Bruno's. We don't need no stinking derailleurs! Come with us on a jaunt like in the good old days, when bikes didn't have all those newfangled contraptions. No derailleurs allowed. Single-speed free cogs OK. The only concession to modern sensibilities is that all bikes must have at least one brake (in those old days, so they tell me, all they used was their legs, and maybe a glove to rub against the front tire); freehub bikes should have 2 brakes. There will be some hills. I would recommend a 70" gear or thereabouts. Wawa or lunch stop. Leader: David L. Johnson, 610-828-3708, david.johnson@lehigh.edu.
Saturday, March 29 - Cheltenham to the New Ikea. Class C, 35 miles. Starts 10:00 in East Cheltenham at Tookany Park. Parking is on the west side of Tookany Parkway north of Central Ave. Travel through Montgomery County, via Glenside, Oreland, Erdenheim, Conshohocken, and the completed section of the Conshohocken-to-Fort-Washington bike path, to the new Ikea in Plymouth Meeting for lunch. Ikea has a restaurant, coffee bar and snack bar. Leader: Bill Cotton, 215-559-2910 (cell), 215-663-8364 (home), billcotton@comcast.net.
Sunday, March 30 - The Vale Rio Experience. Class B, 14 mph, approx 55 miles, rolling with a few hills. Tired of winter? Feel like being in Rio? Well, Phoenixville may not be like Rio, but you should try the Vale Rio. This is the last of our Diner Fever tours during the month of March and I am sure you'll enjoy the breakfast (maybe the ride too). Starts 9:00 from Springfield High School at Paper Mill Rd and Route 309 in Erdenheim, near Chestnut Hill. Call if weather is questionable. Email if you want a cue sheet. Leader: Eduardo Ruchelli, 215-572-0753, edr@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Sunday, March 30 - Kountry Kitchen. Class B: 15-16 mph, ~50 miles, and class C: 12-14 mph, ~30 miles. Starts 9:00 from Kingsway High School, routes 322 & 551 in New Jersey. Ride to the Kountry Kitchen in Elmer for breakfast. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dm_trout@hotmail.com.
Sunday, March 30 - Sunday with Kolman. Class C, 12-14 mph cruising pace, about 30 miles. Starts 9:00 from Lenape High School, Hartford & Church Roads, Medford, NJ. Tour some new and some old familiar spots in Burlington County. No one gets dropped or lost. Rain, snow or temps. <35F or windy and ~40F cancels. Leader: Kolman Kleinbord, 856-787-9677, kolman39@hotmail.com.
Sunday, March 30 - B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, about 50 miles. Ride to Ridley Creek State Park on this "Icicle cool-down". Meet at noon at the Italian Fountain, behind the Art Museum. Leader: Rich Wagner, 610-521-4570. roadrich@hotmail.com.
Sundays
Sunday Morning Breakfast Ride. Class C, up to 30 miles. Meet 8:45 at the SE corner of 22nd & Spring Garden for a delightful ride to a delightful place to have a delightful breakfast. Bring locks and money for brunch in the middle of the ride. We always need volunteers to lead us to delightful eating spots and pretty biking areas. Ride may be canceled at temps below 32 degrees or when there is ice or snow on the road. Leaders: March 2 - Tom Stewart, 215-455-9168, stewart.tom@verizon.net; 9th - Peggy Gertz, gertz@email.chop.edu; 16th - Ann Martha, 215-335-5662, achristinemartha@yahoo.com: Irish Breakfast -- looking for kippers, but Nova or sausage paddies will do. 23rd - Ben Sears, bikerbenn@aol.com; 30th - Henry Lazarus, 267-259-6275 (cell phone), hlazar@netaxs.com.
Bulldog Ride. Class A-/B+, 45-65 miles, average speed 16-18 mph depending on the terrain. Meets most Sundays at the Bulldog statue, in the triangular park at 25th St, Fairmount & Pennsylvania Aves. Leaves noon sharp. No cue sheet provided, follow the leader. Leader: Bruce Taubman, 215-735-7935, Taubman1@aol.com.
B Ramble. Class B, 14-15 mph, approx. 40 miles. Meet noon at the Italian Fountain behind the Art Museum. Check the Monthly Calendar for leaders and ride descriptions.
Sunny Sunday Afternoon Ride. Class D, usually 12-22 miles. Meets every Sunday at noon in front of Lloyd Hall, #1 Boathouse Row, on Kelly Drive. For the beginner who wishes to improve his/her cycling skills, for those new to Philadelphia who want to explore the little-known, out-of-the-way places in the city and near suburbs. All March rides are Show and Go.
Sunny Sunday Spin-Off Ride. Class C, usually 25-30 miles. A true C ride which cheerfully waits to regroup. All welcome. Meets 12:15 at the rock near the Italian Fountain, behind the Art Museum. Leaders: March 2 - Linda McGrane, 215-663-5291; 9th - Roy Blanchard, 215-985-1110; 16th - Lyn Hedrick (no Sunday calls please), 215-483-3618; 23rd - Tom Witt, 215-977-2164; 30th -Patrick O'Neill, 215-724-1847.
Tuesdays
NightRiders. Class C, 10-20 miles. We spin around Southern DelCo well into the dark. Bike lights front and rear are a must. You must call or e-mail the leader to confirm the start time and location. Most rides start at 6 PM. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dm_trout@hotmail.com.
Wednesdays
Pennypack Trails. MTB, all classes, 1-1/2 hours. Starts 6:30 PM at Pine Road entrance, Pennypack Park. Lights are required. Come enjoy the great outdoors after dark! Depending on weather or trail conditions, the day may change. Contact Chris Beetham to confirm, 215-576-6514, beetham@snip.net.
Thursdays
NightRiders. Class C, 10-20 miles. See Tuesday ride description. Leader: Dave Trout, 610-368-0760, dm_trout@hotmail.com.
Fridays
Wallyball. February 28 and March 14 and 28. Come to the Aquatic & Fitness Center at Riverside Racquet at 600 Righters Ferry Road in Bala Cynwyd at 7 pm for a fun and invigorating game of Wallyball. What is it? Volleyball in a racquetball court. We play until at least 9:00. Cost is $7.50 per person. Bring your own lock for a locker. Call the club at 610-664-6464 for directions. Call coordinator Nikki Marx, 215-963-9377, bcpwallyball@hotmail.com to let her know you are coming or there may not be a game.
