Table of Contents
- President's Message
- IT'S TIME TO REGISTER! - 2026 SCU Best of Bucks Metric!
Saturday, May 9, 2026
- April Safe Cycling Tip - Riding on Rough Roads
- SCU Interview - Life Member Rich Terry
- Recap - Spring Cycling Seminar at TREK Springhouse
- Welcome Our New Members!
- General Club Reference & Resources
- The SCU Ride Guide (and Safety Reminders)
- Member Benefits
- Online Club Resources
- Regional Events Calendar & Mileage Log
- SCU Executive Committee
- Connect with SCU on Social Media!
|  | President's Message
April 2026
This is the month where weeknight rides blossom like the bulbs we planted in the Fall. The daylight is now long enough to get in some meaningful miles before sunset. A good set of headlights and tail lights can extend your ride into darkness. An evening ride is a great way to decompress from work stresses and boost your health and fitness. Please be sure to thank the ride leaders and site organizers that make these rides happen. Their commitment is what makes this club a reliable and welcoming place to ride together.
Planning and publicity for the Best of Bucks Metric is in full swing. The routes are finalized (but not yet published because of the chance of last minute road closures). Sign up today to ride or volunteer and be part of the most scenic and exciting cycling event of the year. You can enjoy the charming backroads of Bucks or enjoy the camaraderie of working with friends to make this event a success. Hope to see you there!
If you haven't already, this is also the time to plan any trips or events you've been considering. Perhaps your first century, or a bike tour overseas. Or maybe you have a goal of upping your game to ride in the next faster pace group. Now is the time to make plans and set them in motion. Remember that old proverb, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. There is no better time than Spring to take that first step of planning your riding season.
Whether you are riding on a weeknight ride, the Best of Bucks, or any other ride, please remember to watch out for traffic and road hazards. We had a 'rash' of accidents this past Fall (no pun intended) and all of us on the EC are trying to keep this from repeating this season. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of friendly competition with your riding buddies and lose your sense of caution. There are no trophies at stake that are worth risking a life-changing crash. If you are leading or at the front of a group, please allow stragglers to catch up now and then so they don't feel the need to take risks to stay with your group. While everyone is responsible for their own safety, looking out for each other is a good thing too.
Steve "Spring is the time of plans and projects"* Muth
SCU President
*Leo Tolstoy
|  | IT'S TIME TO REGISTER - 2026 SCU BEST OF BUCKS METRIC!
Saturday, May 9, 2026
The Early Registration cutoff was extended but closes on April 15! The 2026 Best of Bucks Metric will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026 starting from Delaware Valley University! Please support SCU's signature annual event by volunteering and/or riding! Many volunteer tasks will allow you the flexibility to also ride in the event, and we also have a volunteers ride the week prior to the ride on the same route. Links to register and volunteer are below. We can't wait!!!!
| April Safe Cycling Tip
Riding on Rough Roads
This time of year many local roads are in poor condition. Months of freeze-thaw cycles during the winter create potholes, cracks and craters of various sizes that require extra attention and caution while riding. The following are tips to help reduce the risk of crashes and injuries while riding in the springtime:
To safely navigate potholes and other road conditions, scan the road 10–15 seconds ahead, avoid sudden braking or swerving, and maintain a "light" posture by hovering off the saddle with slightly bent knees and elbows. If a pothole is unavoidable, maintain a straight line, keep pedals level, and grip the bars firmly to absorb the impact.
Pothole Safety Techniques
Scan Ahead: Look down the road, not just at your front wheel, to spot hazards early while you still have time to react.
Avoid Swerving: Check traffic behind you, then steer around potholes confidently. Do not hug the gutter where debris and more holes accumulate.
Unweight the Bike: If you cannot avoid a hole, stand on your pedals, keep them at 3 and 9 o'clock, and move your weight back slightly to let the front wheel skip over it.
Do Not Brake: Avoid braking inside a pothole, as this can cause you to lose control or go over the handlebars.
Hit Squarely: If you can't go around, ride directly into the hole straight-on rather than at an angle, which can cause a sideways slip.
Avoid Puddles: Treat puddles as deep holes, as they often hide damage.
Preventive Maintenance
Tire Pressure: Check regularly. Properly inflated tires are less likely to pinch-flat when they impact hard edges.
Gear Check: Consider wider, more durable tires for, particularly bad roads.
Reporting and Hazards
Report Them: Contact local townships or PennDOT to report dangerous potholes to ensure they are fixed.
Group Riding: Call out or use hand signals to inform cyclists behind you of road hazards.
Post-Incident: If you crash, take photos of the hole and report the incident to the local police immediately.
This brief video from Global Cycling Network also provides useful information and tips for riding on rough roads:
|  | SCU Interview - Life Member Rich Terry
Life member Rich Terry joined Suburban Cyclists Unlimited during its early years. For many years he was a regular ride leader and very active in our club’s leadership. Recently we asked him to share his experiences in these roles. As you will see from his responses, SCU has evolved considerably over the years!
[SCU:] When did you join SCU? How did you find out about it? How many members were there at that time?
[Rich Terry:] I joined in August of 1992. I learned about SCU from my son-in-law who already belonged. There were about 200 members at the time.
Where did the rides start? Who were some of the ride leaders?
The rides began at the Hatboro Horsham High School. Ed Hein led the 19+ group; Ken Gorman, Bill McCoach, and Grace Glowka led 16-18; Joe Serratore, Al Herman, Dave Lawson, Tom Madle led 14-16; and Nick and Sid Levine were the 12-14 leaders. Sorry, I can’t remember Nick’s last name.
What organized rides did SCU hold when you first joined? Where were they held? Which events follow these?
SCU: We actually supported four events. In the Spring we had the River to River Ride that went from College Settlement Camp to the Schuylkill River. This was held until the late ‘90’s. This was followed by the Mexican Metric in Oaks, which was eventually replaced with the Quad County Metric in 2000. The Quad lasted many years until it was discontinued during the Covid pandemic. In the Summer we held the Lake Nockamixon Century that also started at College Settlement Camp and went up to the Lake. This was discontinued in 2012. Our Fall ride was the Deer and Dog that started in Tinicum Park in Bucks County and went into New Jersey. The year I joined, 1992, was the last year of this event. Of course, later we had the Summer Century and now the Best of Bucks Metric.
Who were the club officers when you first joined? Who held the President’s position in the following years?
When I joined Ed Hein was President, and Grace Glowka was Secretary. As I recall, Bill McCoach was either Treasurer or Vice President, and Debbie Hollein was Safety and Legislation. I don’t recall the others. During my most active years with SCU, the other Presidents were Grace Glowka, Joanne Renaud, myself, Doug Mueller, Al Herman, Sharon Sizgorich [now Stauts], and Steve Muth.
In what roles on the EC did you serve over the years?
I served as Safety and Legislation, as Treasurer, and as President three times.
How has the club changed since you first joined?
When I first joined you needed to post a ride several weeks in advance in the paper Chainletter. All rides were open to everyone regardless of pace. There were very few ‘private rides’ of members riding together that were not posted. You either rode in a large club group or just with a friend or two.
Is it true the club almost went bankrupt at one point?
I would not phrase it that way. In the Spring one year funds were going out to prepare for the Mexican Metric, but no registration fees were coming in yet. We were still just barely in the black. We would have been in the red if Al Herman hadn’t held off seeking reimbursement for printing the newsletter that month.
How did the club come to be associated with College Settlement Camp?
The Executive Director of College Settlement Camp was Frank Gerome who rode with SCU. Cindy Richardson was a Camp employee and active with SCU. The Camp let us store our equipment in the attic of the Nature Center [now the Environmental Center]. We would buy bikes for the kids to ride in the Summer. At some point we also started buying a bike for their annual Spring fund raising raffle.
How has club riding changed since you began riding with SCU?
We now have rides that start at many locations. Rides can now be posted online anytime instead waiting for a newsletter to be printed and posted monthly.
You ride with SCU less than in the past. What other activities are you involved with these days?
I retired a few years ago. I exercise and socialize six days a week at the Willow Grove YMCA. I am President of the local chapter of Trout Unlimited. Through them I am active with the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust in Huntingdon Valley. Each year I get to teach 350 plus kids about trout, their life cycle, and the macroinvertebrates [insects] they feed on as part of the Trout in the Classroom program. At Pennypack Farm on Pine Road I also have the opportunity to teach about one hundred kids in grades one through 12 how to fish. I am very happy to be able to pass on my love for this sport.
Editor’s Note: Rich continues to help SCU with our organized rides. We use his Sam’s Club membership to go shopping for food and supplies for the rest stops.
| Recap - Spring Cycling Seminar at TREK Springhouse
On Thursday, April 2, Trek Springhouse hosted over a dozen SCU members for a free seminar on preparing your bike for the coming riding season as well as a demonstration on repairing a flat tire.
| | Linda McGrane looks on while Brad demonstrates how to fix a rear flat tire | | SCU's Linda McGrane (SCU jersey), Store Manager Brad Transue (second from right) and the staff at Trek Springhouse | | | |
Rich Borow - North Wales, PA
Douglas Maier - Lansdale, PA
Finn McGovern - Ambler, PA
Karen L Reid - Wyncote, PA
Jesse Rudgunas - Ambler, PA
Richard Senker - Pipersville, PA
Sandy Sherman - Philadelphia, PA
Jo Vlastaris - Newtown, PA
| | |  | | | | |  | The SCU Ride Guide (and Safety Reminders)
- Arrive ten to 15 minutes early and Be Prepared To Leave On Time! The starting times are actual departure times
- Make sure your bike is in proper working order Before you arrive
- Carry a spare tube, patch kit, pump, water bottle, and some form of I.D. (emergency information)
- Ride in a safe manner and obey all traffic laws
- The wearing of a helmet (ANSI and/or Snell approved) is Required on all club rides
- Do not "Bike off" more than you can do. Go on rides within your ability, interest and experience
- Each rider assumes his or her own risk on all rides
- Those who ride ahead of the group are on their own ride
- Always notify the ride leader when leaving the group
- Riders should adhere to the advertised speed of the ride
- Ride leaders are not expected to be bike mechanics
- During Winter months or questionable weather conditions, please contact the ride leader
- If it is raining at the start time, then the ride is canceled unless otherwise noted by the ride leader
- Have fun riding your bike.
**************************************
Hello SCU Riders !!!
Passing along a few safety reminders and points we all need to be aware of on our group rides...
- Please always use a red tail light - even during the day - for visibility since it does make you more visible. You need to be visible and conspicuous on the road. Especially if you have a bright red tail light of close to 100 lumens. Please see what you have and make changes if necessary. If you do not have a rear red tail light, please get one. Using a front white light helps even more with being seen.
- While passing another rider, ALW\AYS pass on their left side and ALWAYS announce that you are passing them on their left. If - for a very rare reason - you are on a riders right side need or need to pass a rider on their right, ALWAYS announce that also. Otherwise it is not a good idea to ever pass or even ride directly on the right side of a rider in front of you. If you are on a riders' right side, stay well behind them and still let them know you are there.
- And while we are talking about trailing a rider, please avoid "half-wheeling" the rider in front of you for any reason. Either on their left or right if they are in front of you.. This occurs when your front wheel overlaps the rear wheel of the rider in front of you. Sometimes the shoulders of roads are narrow and this will make for a dangerous situation when cars are passing.
- When someone yells out "CAR BACK" we should all be looking to immediately form a SINGLE LINE of cyclists as quickly and as safely as possible and NOT ride two abreast in the lane the cars are in. This should be the case regardless of the width of the shoulder. The narrower the shoulder, the more we should be aware of this condition. A safe way of doing this is, if you are the rider on the right of the two-abreast, allow the rider on your left to get in front of you. that way the left side rider is not drifting back toward the oncoming and approaching car and gtets out of the way quicker..
- When coming to a light and there is a right-hand turning lane and you are going straight, stay to the right in the lane in the direction you are travelling. Do not veer right into that lane and then jump back into the lane where you are going straight. One of the best ways to be safe it to be "Predictable" and "Conspicuous".
- At intersections, do not call "Clear" for other riders. Conditions can change quickly with incorrect and potentially dangerous assumptions by other riders. Each rider should satisfy themself that it is safe to proceed. Do always call out approaching vehicles and other hazards, though.
Thank you Thom McAdams for the reminders!
|  | Interested in Leading Rides?
Our ride leaders truly make it happen for SCU! They are the reason we have such a vibrant club with so many choices of rides across all levels.
If you would like to try leading rides for SCU, please contact the Ride Leader Coordinator, Steve Baxter, at rides@suburbancyclists.org and he can provide more information to start you on your way!
| SCU eBike Policy
More information will be explained and distributed at SCU club rides by the ride leaders, but below describes the 3 categories of e-bikes and what is allowed on club rides. As the popularity of eBikes increases both in general and in SCU, we welcome the use of them on club rides but need to be aware of limitations and what is allowed.
Summary:
Electric bikes shall be permitted on club rides only as covered by the club's insurance policy and as consistent with local, state and Federal laws. The Treasurer shall determine the club's insurance coverage regarding electric bikes. A summary of this coverage and any changes to it shall be communicated to membership by the Digital Communications Director and directly communicated to ride leaders by the Ride Director. The ride sign-in sheet shall be revised and updated as needed to indicate this coverage.
- Only pedal assist eBikes (Classes 1 and 3) will be allowed on club rides.
- As SCU club rides cross into multiple states (PA, NJ, DE), it is critical we adhere to the regulations of all 3.
- If you have questions, please contact the SCU executive team or talk to your ride leader.
3 Classifications - eBikes
- Allowed: A “class 1 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Not Allowed: A “class 2 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Allowed: A “class 3 electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and is equipped with a speedometer.
When considering purchasing an eBike, it is important to understand the laws in your state and the type riding you want to do, including if bringing it on a SCU club ride (which again, we enjoy having them).
Thank you,
SCU Executive Committee |  | As membership director, I want to welcome back all of our SCU members who have renewed their memberships and I am encouraging our non-members to join our ranks! We are excited to have over 1,800 cyclists in our Meetup Group but we would be even more excited to have more of the group become dues-paying SCU members. Our membership fee is one of the best bargains around!! So what are the benefits you will receive with your SCU membership you may ask?
Here are just a few:
- Insurance coverage if an accident occurs while participating in a SCU ride
- Access to all SCU events including the SCU picnic, awards banquet, tailgate parties and many more events that occur throughout the year
- Discounts at designated local bike shops and SCU Century / Summer Event rides
- Monthly newsletter
And most importantly...supporting our cycling community especially our experienced and dedicated ride leaders who work hard at providing our club members with the best and safest routes throughout the region that accommodates various rider abilities.
The SCU membership fees help to sustain our club so please consider becoming a member today! To join our club, click https://suburbancyclists.org/. Please feel free to reach out to me at membership@suburbancyclists.org or any of our Executive Committee if you have any questions or comments.
Hope to see you on the road!
Pat Butcher
Membership Director | Online Club Resources
As a reminder, there are other online resources available to you to fully enjoy your club membership:
- Meetup.com: Look for the Suburban Cyclists Unlimited (SCU) Meetup page to learn about and sign up for group rides.
- Facebook: Visit the Suburban Cyclists Unlimited page to hear about the latest club news or pictures and adventures from club rides.
- Instagram: Check SCU on Instagram for images and news from the club and our cycling community.
| Regional Events Calendar & Mileage Log | | Regional Events Update
Be sure check Jack Elias' famous Calendar of Regional Events for an updated, chronological list of regional events. Jack is updating the list as information is provided.
This calendar is presented by Suburban Cyclists Unlimited and lists recreational bicycle events that take place in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and start within approximately 150 miles of Horsham, Montgomery County, PA.
| | Mileage Tracker and
Universal Mileage Logs are available
The universal mileage log features include:
- A universal log that is good for any year.
- An automatic summation of mileage and number of rides and computation of the average ride distance.
- Displays six charts of mileage, number of rides and average distance.
- The mileage logs can be found in the Documents Library on the SCU website.
- Go to SCU's Documents Library and scroll down to "Ride Documents" and “Mileage Log”.
| | | All Members Welcome at Executive Committee Meetings!
For 2025, Executive Committee meetings are held every third Thursday (normally) of the month and are posted to the Meetup ride calendar. All members are invited to participate in the discussions or share thoughts and ideas. Meetings are held via Zoom. If you RSVP to the Meetup or send an email to president@suburbancyclists.org, a Zoom link and an agenda will be sent to you shortly before the meeting. If you have something specific to share, you will be put at the top of the agenda so you can be heard without waiting through the routine business. Meetings are posted in MeetUp.
Hope to see you there! | President
Steve Muth
Secretary
Larry Kohout
Treasurer
Savannah Lee
Digital Communications Director
Kevin Olsavsky
Membership Director
Pat Butcher
Public Relations Director
Linda A. McGrane
Ride Leader Director
Steve Baxter
**************************************************
Regional Calendar Editor
Jack Elias
Merchandise Manager
Open | CONNECT WITH SCU ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow SCU on Facebook and Instagram for news and images from the club and our growing cycling community!
| |