beginner's corner - the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey

CLUB MEETING - SEPTEMBER 13th: POTLUCK FOODFEST
BEGINNER’S CORNER:
RIDING ACROSS
AMERICA
BOOK REVIEW:
BICYCLE: THE HISTORY
RAMAPO RALLY WAS FANTASTIC
BTCNJ TOURS
SPACE STILL AVAILABLE
SEPTEMBER 2012

2
It’s Getting Ugly Out There!!
A few weeks ago I received a phone call, and
a series of e-mails from Jay Marowitz, the
President of the Morris Area Free Wheelers.
In a nutshell it had to do with an altercation
between a driver and a large group of
cyclists in Tewksbury Township. The details
Ethan Brook are still a bit fuzzy. It was alleged that about
30 cyclists blocked the car and intimidated the driver who honked
the horn several times trying to get through. The Tewksbury police
reported that some of the riders have been identified, but no
charges were filed. The incident is still under investigation. Sadly,
there has already been a local backlash aimed at bike riders. Check
out this URL:
www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/08/bicyclists_behaving_badly_what.html
As a result I received the following article written by Jay Marowitz:
“Tensions between bicyclist and motorists are in the spotlight this
summer and we believe it’s time we all took more responsibility for
cooling the confrontation and sharing the road. “
We represent bicycle clubs and organizations with well over two
thousand members in NW and Central NJ. Each of us is also a motorist.
We understand sharing the road from behind the wheel of a
car as well as on a bicycle.
We are as upset as anyone when a bicyclist does not ride safely or a
group of cyclists block the road and surround a car as happened in
Tewksbury this summer. Our organizations train riders on safe road
sharing, criticize riders who do not, and are ready to work with police
and town officials to make the roads safe for all.
We also know, first-hand, the consequences when a car or truck
weighing two tons or more collides with a rider on a bicycle that
weighs about 25 pounds. Our hearts go out to the families of the
four cyclists alleged to have been hit from behind, sending two to
the hospital as happened in Sussex County this spring.
To the motorist the consequence of driving safely and sharing the
BTCNJ 2012 OFFICERS
PRESIDENT • Ethan Brook ethanbrook@gmail.com
VICE-PRESIDENT • Ralph Monti ralphm@mediaconsults.com
SECRETARY • Diane McNally dmmcnally@optonline.net
RIDES CAPTAIN • Wade Wegner w.a.wegner@gmail.com
MEMBERSHIP • Terry Griffin info@btcnj.com
LEGISLATIVE ACTION • Ted Semegran ted_semegran@hotmail.com
MASTERLINK • Larry Schwartz btcnj.masterlink@gmail.com
WEBMASTER • Thomas Hobbick webmaster@btcnj.com
TOURS • Barbara Augenblick beejayaug@gmail.com
VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT Steve Greenberg steve551@optonline.net
SPECIAL EVENTS • Linda Krauss krauski@gmail.com and
Diana Shikiar dianashikiar@gmail.com
PUBLICITY • Joel Ringer ringer@teammarketingsvc.com
TREASURER • Joe Montigelli josephmonti@yahoo.com
President’s Message
road may be a short delay. The consequence to the bicyclist could be
his or her life.
Our plea to both bicyclists and motorists is simple: When we share
the road, we share the responsibility.
For bicyclists, that means riding single file as safely to the right as is
safe and never more than two, side-by-side even in the absence of
traffic. It means being alert to traffic conditions and observing traffic
signage. It means learning and following the laws that govern us,
participating in safe riding clinics, and keeping our cool when drivers
do not.
For drivers, it means understanding bicyclists have a right to be on
the road, that one of them could be your neighbor or a relative, and
that passing safely does sometimes mean slowing down and giving
the bicyclist three feet or more of clearance. Please don’t honk,
tailgate, or floor it to pass. And please keep your cool even when the
bicyclist does not.
We all can benefit from more dialogue and less road rage. There’s
room for all of us on the roads we all pay for – and have a right to
share. We’re sure that there’s not a single bicyclist or a single driver
who gets out of bed in the morning with the idea of creating a dangerous
situation. Let’s all work together to make our roads safer for
all. Share the road. Share the responsibility. There’s room for everyone.”
This article was intended to draw attention to the problems that
exist. Hopefully, by joining forces with other bike clubs and advocacy
organizations in the area, we can get a useful dialogue going that
will make our roads safer for everyone. Thank you Jay. In the meantime.
Ride smart and ride safe. See you on the road.
Ethan Brook, President
Photo by Ray Nutkis
On the Cover:
The Ramapo Rally was a huge success this year, and the weather
was picture perfect. On the cover is a photo of cyclists at this year’s
Ramapo Rally taken by Ray Nutkis.
Sept 2012, Volume 35, Number 9. Circulation: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, P.O. Box
839, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Our website is www.btcnj. com.
©2012 by the Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey, all rights reserved.

3
Beginner’s COrner
By kevin gately
It seems that every time someone new shows up in my circle of
bicyclists (which is open to anyone who doesn’t have anything
else to do on Wednesday mornings) it’s only a matter of time until
someone says,” You know, Kevin’s ridden across the country. Twice!”
This usually leads to someone being very impressed, which is a reaction
I often get from people who don’t know me very well, and often
evokes the inevitable response, “I’d like to do that someday.”
Yes, I know you would. Everyone who starts seriously riding a bike
on Monday starts making plans to ride across the country sometime
Thursday afternoon, at least in the form of “maybe, someday.”
I certainly did. Therefore this is not such an off-the-wall topic for a
beginner as you might think. If you really want to set your sights on
it, now is as good a time as any to start imagining. If nothing else, it
provides a good insight into what the long-distance cycling thing is
really about.
First of all, let me not hog the stage. There are many people in our
club who have done The Great Crossing. I can’t rattle them all off,
but names that come to mind right away are Joe Stun, Cliff and Dot
Mortensen, Alan Horwitz, and of course Brian Zino who just got off
the bike after crossing the country fully loaded. (That is to say, the
bike was fully loaded, not Brian.) If I missed you I apologize. In any
case, there are plenty of us you can talk to, but here are my personal
top tips.
First of all, it is not a beginner’s ride. Sorry. If you came over to bicycling
after an athletic lifetime in other sports, that’s one thing, but
most people need a few years to develop the bike endurance one
needs to ride all day every day for two or three months. Don’t send in
your deposit just yet.
The next thing you need is time. The fastest trans-continental ride
available (short of riding the Panama Canal) is from San Diego to
northern Florida, about 2,300 miles. More northerly routes go up to
3,500 miles. This means at least six to eight weeks on the road, so it
helps to be in teaching, retired, or between jobs.
Everything else divides into two totally different approaches, each
with its own big advantages and disadvantages.
The first is the professional tour company. America By Bicycle is the
big brand name here, but there are others. I did both of my crossings
this way. The big advantage here is that they organize the group and
provide the routes, SAG support, standard chain hotels, meals, and
mechanics. Above all, they carry your luggage. Some companies
have you camping out instead, sometimes in tents they provide. In
either case, all you do is show up. It’s the Ride Across America in a
can, but with disadvantages.
The first disadvantage is that tour companies plan bike tours based
on their requirements, not yours. (To Doug at America By Bicycle:
Sorry, man, sometimes the truth hurts. Get over it.) You end up riding
a lot of bad roads, eating a lot of bad meals, and putting up with a lot
of ridiculous over-supervision. (You can tell which side I’m on.) You
also ride through a lot of fascinating places that you don’t have time
to visit. You see as much of America as is visible from the main road
Coming
Across
at fifteen miles an hour.
It’s also more expensive. You can expect to pay around $200 per day,
double occupancy, for an ordinary tour staying in Best Westerns and
dining at low cost buffets.
Still, if you’re willing to put up with a lot of commercial nonsense
and Golden Corrals, a commercial company might suit your needs.
I strongly recommend that you do a lot of research, and try to take
a shorter tour with the proposed touring company a year or so in
advance to see how you like them.
The alternative is the self-supported tour, which can involve either
camping or hotels. This approach is cheaper, and allows you to stop
and smell the roses, but requires you to do your own planning and
schlepping. As I’ve said elsewhere, the schlepping is no big deal,
but some people just aren’t temperamentally suited to climbing a
mountain at four miles an hour, so it might not be your thing. Also, a
touring bike is an absolute must in this approach, so if you’re married
to your Cervelo (which is disgusting), give Doug a call.
Planning your own tour is a big deal, but there are short cuts. An excellent
resource for this is good old Adventure Cycling (http://www.
adventurecycling.org/). They have a huge library of maps for sale
that lay out good cross-country bicycle routes, but they tend to seek
out good bike roads rather than good hotels, so if you’re not camping,
you might have to make some compromises. Knowing where
the hotels or campsites are located is important, though reservations
usually are not.
Still, the most vital planning decision you will make for your trip is to
choose the people you do it with. Touring is full of challenges, so not
only your bike but your fellow riders should be low-maintenance.
Here’s a secret method known only to about fifty thousand touring
cyclists: choose your most preferred riding companion. Then the two
of you choose the third, then the three of you choose the fourth, and
so on. It takes a little extra time, but it doesn’t take as long or hurt as
much as regretting the alternative for three thousand miles.
Kevin Gately is a 14-year member of BTCNJ who is low maintenance
on a bike tour if you are. His opinions are his own.

4
Thank You Volunteers
Once again approximately 190 volunteers came together to make the 2012 Ramapo Rally a success. Thank you all! This year we had the largest
number of riders ever, a total of 1346 enthusiastic riders registered and rode on a perfect day. It is very difficult to keep up with all of you
especially the many who volunteered on the day of the Rally. So if your name is not on this list, please do not take it personally. Just let me
know and we will cover it in next month’s MasterLink.
Aaron Winograd
Al Fugazy
Alain Chahine
Alan Felsen
Alan Scherl
Alex Baron
Alex Polner
Allen Baer
Amado Cabaero
Amy Hass
Amy Rabinowitz
Andi Augenblick
Andrea Mangino
Andres Tiribocchi
Anne Gorman
Anne McKiernan
Annette Baron
Anthony Fatuzzo
Antonio
Antonio’s son
Barbara Augenblick
Barbara Infeld
Barbara Klein
Barbara Mallach
Barry Wallach
Bev Mayser
Bill Brown
Bill Mayser
Bill Telgheder
Bob Eaches
Bob DeMair
Carl Beckwith
Carol Oxley
Cathy Chambers
Charles Cino
Charles Melamut
Cheryl Baer
Chet White
Claudia Dukeshire
Craig Johnson
Dave Pawlick
Deb Barry
Diana Bitritto
Diana Shikiar
Don Kaplan
Don Schlenger
Doug Chucka
Elaine Manhken
Eileen Gavin
Eric Boehm
Ethan Brook
Frank Polednik
Frida Garcia
Gail Gelman
Garry Song
Gary Chapman
Gary Oppenheimer
Gene Marsh
Geoffrey Silverstein
Gerald McBride
Ginger Provost
Gideon Frydman
Glen Barnes
Gordon Beattie
Greg Gelman
Harriet Einschlag
Helen Wallach
Helene Blaustein
Ilene Greenfield
Jacquie Frydman
Jane Giordano
Jeff Kelley
Jeff Martz
Jeff Miller
Jeff Schrek
Jennifer Clark
Jess Rindge
Jim Gattusso
Jim Grady
Jim Kelly
Jim Murray
Jim Vancio
Joannie Brickman
Joe Gambino
Joe Manicone
Joe Montigelli
Joe Severs
John Severs (Joe’s Son)
Joel Ringer
John Gotthardt
John Redin
John Severs
John Wilkes
Justin Derman
Karen Ribaudo
Kathy Davenport
Kathy Friedman
Kathy Lloyd Boehm
Keith Danish
Keith Schlanger
Ken Stahl
Kimberly German
Larry Borowsky
Larry Grogin
Larry Schwartz
Larry Selby
Larry Silverman
Laura Van Riper
Lauren Seavy
Lenore Cino
Leo Chao
Leslie Felsen
Linda Krauss
Loren Casale
Lorraine Henderson
Lynn Avery
Lynn Ronan
Madeline Coronato
Marcia Kaye
Margaret Monti
Maria Mazzara
Mariann Mann
Marilyn Oppenheimer
Mark Selz
Mark Simendinger
Mark Swanek
Mary Ann Brand
Mary Maki
Meg Burns
Michele Morgenstern
Michelle Nguyen
Mike Optekar
Mike Scugoza
Mona Haas
Monique Sandreuter
Nancy Fezell
Nick Mangino
Noreen Rochford
Patricia Kelley
Patricia Mayer
Patti Rindge
Paul Baldasare
Paul McEvoy
Paul Mickiewicz
Paul Sisko
Peggy Telgheder
Ralph Monti
Randy Sapiro
Ray Kalafsky
Ray Morro
Ray Nutkis
Renate Kulnik
Rene Mandell
Rhonda Pekow
Rich Fromholtz
Rich Price
Richard Brookler
Richard Fine
Rita Tesar
Roberta Ducci
Rosemary Lynch
Ruth Yung = 2 Children
Sharon Carollo
Sharon Schmidt
Sheila Keane
Shirley Ripullone
Steve Felmeister
Steve Firth
Steve Greenberg
Sue Chao
Sue Flaxman
Susan Witney
Ted Semegran
Terry Griffin
Tess Antonsson
Tim Nestler
Tom Rochford
Tom Schuler
Tracy Cicatelli
Wade Wegner
Alan Machbitz
Andriette Mathews
Barbara LeBow
Bob Halpin
David Cook
George Halpin
George Sabbi
Gordon Beattie
Gregory Ameres
James Beattie
James Jackson
Jeremy Beattie
Jim Cooper
Joe Dunphy
Joe Kirsch
John Beattie
Joyce Birmingham
Ken Hansen
Kevin Dunphy
Kiran Dasgupta
Lou Janicek
Nancy Beattie
Paul Mathews
Robert Merritt
Dave Henniger
Massage Therapist - Adriana
Massage Therapist - Robert

5
Next Meeting is Thur, Sept 13, 2012 7:30 pm
Join in on the 1st Annual BTCNJ Potluck FoodFest
Ridgewood Library, Ridgewood, NJ
Since our club motto is “Eat to Ride! Ride to Eat!”, isn’t it high time we
put our recipes where our beloved slogan lies?
To kick off this gala eating event, we’re asking all BTCNJ members to
whip up and bring in their favorite dish for all fellow BTCNJ dining
compadres to sample, delight in, and ooh and aah over.
What to bring? Any culinary creation will suffice! Your dish can
include an appetizer, salad, side, cold soup, main, and of course, dessert—to
wit, any gastronomic goodie that tickles the palate while
possibly adding more heft to the saddle. Also welcomed and encouraged
are samples of ethnic cuisine from any point on the globe,
and really, really healthy food that tastes really, really great.
August Meeting Wrap-up:
Why Bicycling Advocacy Matters
During our August meeting, Cyndi Steiner, a long-time BTCNJ club
member and newly appointed to the Executive Director position of
the New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition, offered an insightful presentation
on why all of us should be pro-active in bicycle advocacy.
Cyndi offered data showing bicycle use at the national level, and
how cycling is shaping the future of our country by its impact on
obesity rates, climate change, our dependence on foreign fuel, and
how state and municipal governments are planning our future cities
and suburbs. Cyndi presented data that showed only 1.6% of federal
transportation dollars are being spent on bicycling and pedestrian
projects, while 10% of all trips taken by Americans are either walked
or biked. Without question, as bicycling enthusiasts, it’s incumbent
on us to become more involved and help influence transportation
decisions in the US and NJ legislatures.
Donations to Two Charities from
Bergen County Bicycle Tour funds
CluB Meeting news
- Ralph Monti
We are excited to report we will be donating $2,750 each to two
charities, Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon and general scholarships at Bergen
Community College. Checks will be presented to the recipients at
the upcoming General Meeting on September 13th. The monies
came from cyclists registrations net of expenses at the recent June
3rd Bergen County Bicycle Tour. This is the largest total sum we have
donated over the history of the event. We had over 670 people at the
2012 Tour. Notably it is the first time we are making a donation to
Bergen Community College (where the event is held).
We are planning our 9th Annual Bergen County Bicycle Tour for Sunday
June 2, 2013. Thanks to all the BTCNJ volunteers for making the
2012 Tour a great event again.
- Coordinators of the BCBT: Bill Mayser & Ted Semegran
All beverage concoctions must be non-alcoholic.
Please note: The Library and BTCNJ cannot provide on-site stoves,
hot-plates, or any other kitchen accessories to warm food, etc. Please
plan your cooking and dishes accordingly. Bring your dish readyto-serve
with a serving utensil and plan your dish to serve 8 to 10
sample-size portions.
So grab your aprons and fire up your stovetop. Let’s bid goodbye to
the 2012 summer in grand fashion with a memorable BTCNJ food
bacchanal.
For more information, contact Margaret Monti at
margaretmonti@mediaconsults.com.
See you and your dish soon!
And the 2012 Ramapo Rally Survey Winners Are…
Our post-Ramapo Rally Survey generated a record number of
responses from cyclists riding the rally. As an incentive to taking the
survey, BTCNJ offered 2 RoadID Gift Certificates. By random selection,
the winners of the RoadID Certificates are Freddie Sufian and
Mary Saavedra. Congratulations to Freddie and Mary and thanks for
taking our survey!
- Ralph Monti
2012 Year in Review Pictures Needed
Jeff Martz's preparations for The 2012 Year in Review is well under
way, but he is still in need of the many pictures taken by BTCNJ
members on their weekly and weekend rides, etc.
Have you or anyone else you know taken any pictures on your
rides and haven't yet submitted them to Jeff? If so please remind
them to forward their photos to Jeff Martz, 3-4 at a time to BTC-
NJYIR@gmail.com.
If you want to be able to send more than 4 at a time contact Jeff
Martz at: jmartz@gmail.com and let him know. He will advise you
how to do so.
- Charles Cino, 2012 Year in Review Committee

6
And Now, a Word from our Rally Sponsors
Well, not exactly from them…but about them.
We’ve developed a great line of sponsors whose support is vital to
the success of the Rally. Between donations of cash and goods, they
cover roughly half the cost of putting on the Rally. So please support
them in return, or, at least, when you’re in the market for their product
or service, visit them, tell them you’re a member of BTCNJ, and
consider them seriously. That way they know their investment has a
return. Here are a few specifics…
• Park Ave Acura…if you’re in the market for a car, see Moreno
there, he’ll give you dealer invoice pricing (you can get the
dealer invoice price either at Park Ave Acura or Park Ave
BMW), and match any deal out there. He’s a serious cyclist so
he’ll understand your needs. Their service department also picks
up & delivers with loaners.
• TD Bank….has many great products, incredible hours, numerous
branches, PLUS if you “affiliate” your account with BTCNJ, at
no cost to you this will give the club benefits including a small
but non-trivial contribution based on the average balance of all
“affiliated” BTCNJ members.
• Powerbar…..many great products for active people.
• The Record…our local newspaper, which publicizes many of
our club activities and rides, as well as other North Jersey events
of all sorts.
MOre CluB news...
• Campmor….a long-time Rally supporter with fine bike shop
and a huge choice of gear for cycling, hiking, camping, kayaking,
and all sorts of outdoors activities (but not golf).
• VBT….for active vacations to many more areas than the club
can possibly offer, at very competitive prices.
• Giant bicycles….one of the largest manufacturers in the world
with a huge range of choices.
• Other major sponsors include Belmar Spring Water (home
water deliveries), Bestway Vending (vending machine support),
Rubin Opticians (eyeglasses), Mavic (wheelsets, helmets),
FRS (recovery drinks), Shop Rite (food plus energy bar donor),
Peapod/Stop & Shop (food delivery, Rally sandwiches), Kayal
Orthopedics (expert sports orthopedics), Mariner’s Bank
(banking services), Muscle Milk (recovery drink), Road ID (ID
bracelets).
• More sponsors are Bacon & Graham, Bank of New Jersey, Clif
Bar, Columbia Bank, Costco, Market Basket, Nike, North
Jersey Community Bank, REI, Trader Joe’s, Udderly Smooth,
Westy Storage, Valley Health Systems, Zerust.
• Let’s not forget the bike shops which provided tech support:
Campmor (start site), Pedal Sports (Kinnelon), Ridgewood
Cycle (Ramsey), Bicycle II (Denville), Marty’s Reliable (Montville),
and Gateway Ski (Pompton Lakes)
• Most of these sponsors have web sites accessible by links from
the BTCNJ or Rally sites.
this year’s raMaPO rally was fantastiC!
How lucky are we? That is the thought that goes through my head
every time I ride my bike, more so when we have the opportunity to
participate in rides like the Ramapo Rally, sponsored by BTCNJ.
I have been riding in the Ramapo Rally since 2007, although somehow
I managed to miss last year's ride. In my opinion, this year's
route was the best one yet. Beautiful scenery, quiet roads, and
enough climbing in the 62-mile course to challenge us. (I promised
that in honor of Captain Wade Wegner I would do the entire ride
in the big chain ring, and kept my promise!). There were also great
directions and arrows, and really kind and helpful volunteers at the
rest stops. And most of all, there were great people on the ride. The
Bergen County Tour, another BTCNJ ride that I have done for several
years, also had a phenomenal route this year. What are we serving in
the BTCNJ cafe to inspire the route developers?
Those of us from Aurora Womens Fitness that participated in this
- Ken Stahl
year's Gran Fondo NY wore our black and green Gran Fondo jerseys,
as did my GFNY teammates and training partners. We looked and
felt like a professional cycling team! By the way that young woman
in the front row with the white jersey is Elizabeth Burns, AKA "Little
Sprinter" - don't let the smile fool you!
- Vito Valentini

7
Bicycle: The History
By David Herlihy
$21.30
Paper
Yale University Press
470 pages
By Ralph Monti
There are many books that have traced
the history and the evolution of the
bicycle, but none do so with the eloquent
prose and meticulous history of David
Herlihy’s The Bicycle: The History. Illustrated
with evocative cycling photos dating
from the early 1800s, Herlihy’s book recounts
in rich detail how the bicycle came
to be the preeminent mode of transportation
through the 19th century, and how
its popularity wildly exploded and fully
captured the imagination of the world in
the late 1800s.
A conscientious historian, Herlihy starts
his book with a pre-history of the bicycle
when society was still grappling with the
reins of the horse and buggy. To wit, the
book details the invention of the Draisine,
a “running machine” invented by a German
baron named Karl von Drais. In 1818 Drais coined his contraption
a “velocipede” to designate his kick-propelled two-wheeler as a
mechanical horse. It was from this invention that the evolution of the
Did You Know
BOOk review - BiCyCle:the histOry
• that your club has an OUTREACH program?
• that there’s a dedicated group of club members who’ve offered
to lend a hand, an ear, a shoulder, to visit or other assistance to
members in need?
• that you can volunteer to join this terrific group of people and feel
really good about doing so?
• that you too might be in need of OUTREACH one day? (We hope
not, but you never know.)
• 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 an
accident or a death in the family, please let us
know by getting in touch with our contact for
the month.
Diana Shikiar 201.995.9101
dianashikiar@gmail.com
Henry Gozdz 201.892.4059
hgozdz@hotmail.com
bicycle as we know it was off and rolling.
Building upon the velocipede, inventors
mainly in France and in Great Britain
with its strong metal- working tradition,
brought to market a variety of “bicycles”
that started with the Boneshaker, ran
through the High Wheel and culminated
with the Safety. It is from the Safety
bicycle that further refinements like the
clincher tire, etc. brought the bicycle
into the 20th century. In addition to celebrating
the fascinating evolution of the
bicycle, Bicycle: The History also explores
the impact the bicycle made on the
fabric of society, from women’s rights to
police patrols.
Herlihy closes his book with a quote
from an editor of Brooklyn Life, written
in 1895. In many ways its sentiments
can still be applied today: “Many call
the interest in cycling a fad. But they
are wrong. A fad has no substance; it is
ephemeral and had no real foundation.
On the other hand, bicycling is very
real…it has brought a degree of perfection
never before reached in vehicular
construction. It is hard to imagine
wherein the safety of to-day (sic) can be improved. A ride in the
saddle is the perfection of motion and the acme of gentle exercise.
Once there, a man or woman wants to be there most of the time.
The desire grows. And this is the reason why bicycling is not a fad,
but something that is going to last so long as men and women have
legs.”
Note: Outside Magazine recently listed Bicycle: The History at the top
of its Best Books on the Bicycle list. David Herlihy will be the BTCNJ
featured speaker at our member meeting in October.
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8
BtCnJ tOurs
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. If you are interested, don’t delay. Sign up today!
DATE TOUR TERRAIN DISTANCE PRICE CONTACT AVAILABILITY
Sept 7 - 9
2012
Sept 21-23
2012
Bike the Amish
Country
Rhinebeck, NY
Sept. 28-30 Amagansett, LI
Oct 5-8
2012
Oct 12-14
2012
3rd Annual
Saratoga Springs
(Fall Foliage)
Cape May
Weekend
Rolling Varied
Varried
rolling
Mostly flat
to rolling
Varied, flat
to rolling
mostly
30-55 miles/ day
Varied 25 miles
to 100
Varied
Flat Varied
There’s Still Time for BTCNJ Weekend Tours
Even though the summer is drawing to a close, the BTCNJ
touring season is not! Our tour leaders are working hard to put
together weekends filled with fabulous cycling and lots of fun.
Touring with BTCNJ is a great way to meet members and make
new friends. The following tours still have some availability, so
Space is still available!
3rdAnnual Saratoga Bike Weekend:
October 5-8 (Columbus Day Weekend)
Cycle this beautiful area in the foothills of the Adirondacks…
The horse races are over, the crowds are gone, Fall foliage should be
at its peak. This is a perfect time to bike and tour the historic city
and surrounding area of Saratoga Springs NY, located at the foothills
of the Adirondacks. Take advantage of the long (for some) Columbus
Day weekend. Bike routes will be varied with ride lengths and
terrain for cyclists of all levels. Our motel is located right in the heart
of downtown Saratoga. Cost is $210 per person (3 nights lodging,
$150/person (based
on double occupancy)
$190/person, based
on double occupancy
$210/person (based
on double occupancy)
$210/person (double
occupancy, 3 nights)
$200/person (double
occupancy)
Alan Horwitz
ajh973@gmail.com
Richard Fine
richardfine42@hotmail.com
Amy Hass
amyhass@amyhass.com
Robert DeMair
rdemair@optonline.net
Linda Krauss
krauski@gmail.com
Tina Boyer tinarb67@aol.com,
or Bob Reich
Bob1200trek@aol.com.
don't delay -- sign up today:
• Rhinebeck Tour -- September 21-23
• Saratoga -- October 5-8
• Cape May -- October 12-14
Wait list only
Space available
Wait list only
Space available
Space available
- Barbara Augenblick, Tours
3 breakfasts, cocktail hour, group dinner Saturday night. Additional
dinner arrangements may be made for Friday and/or Sunday depending
on interest. Join the tour even if you don’t have Monday off
(price will be adjusted). Full details are in the February MasterLink
(archived at btcnj.com).
To reserve, send check for $210 made payable to: Linda Krauss, 6
Horizon Road, #1108, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. No refunds after September
17, unless we are able to fill your space. For more information, contact
your tour leaders: Linda Krauss (201-224-9551, Lkrauss@att.net),
and Jennifer Clark (845-357-1021, jenniferclark414@gmail.com).
- Linda Krauss

9
RIDE CATEGORIES
Category Average Speed
(mph)
Description
A 17+ For strong/experienced cyclists. Stops every 30+ miles.
B* 15 - 16.9 Average speed on flats 17.0 - 18.0 mph. For Strong cyclists.
Stops every 20 - 25 miles
B 13 - 14.9 Average speed on flats 15.0 - 16.0 mph. For solid cyclists.
Stops every 15 - 20 miles.
C* 11 - 12.9 Average speed on flats 13.0 - 14.0 mph. For solid cyclists.
Stops every 15 - 20 miles.
C 9 - 10.9 Average speed on flats 11.0 - 12.0 mph. For average cyclists.
Stops as needed.
D Under 9 Average speed on flats 10.0 mph. For new, inexperienced cyclists.
Frequent stops.
F Varies For families, frequent stops, child friendly.
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 having mechanical difficulty. MTB rides: the slowest participant dictates ride pace;
no rider is ever left behind.
MTB - B Challenging, commonly rocky, trail surfaces. Primarily single track with many and varied
obstacles. Extended ascents/descents.
MTB - C Uneven trail surface with minimal obstacles and gradual, moderate climbing. Some single
track.
MTB - D Wide trails with a flat, obstruction-free riding surface and little change in elevation.
TERRAIN DESCRIPTIONS
Hilly: Numerous long and steep climbs
Moderately Hilly: Numerous climbs, with no “killer” hills
Rolling: Some small hills, farmland ups and downs
Flat: Minimal gear shifting required
RESPONSIbIlITIES FOR lEADERS
Bring maps and/or cue sheets. Discourage riders with unsound
bikes from joining the ride. Within the first few miles, urge riders
who are unable to maintain the advertised pace to leave the ride.
Adhere to the advertised speed of the ride. Advise riders exceeding
your intended pace that they will be considered to be on their
own. RIDE LEADERS MUST SUBMIT THEIR SIGN-IN SHEETS TO EARN
RIDE LEADER POINTS.
RESPONSIbIlITIES FOR RIDERS
Riders must obey NJ motor vehicle laws. Bring tools: tire irons,
pump, and spare tube. Bicycle must be in good working order.
Don’t ride in a category that is too difficult for you. Advise leader if
you are making an unscheduled stop or leaving the group. Rides
will not go in the following conditions (unless otherwise noted in
the rides description): rain, snow, wet or icy roads, or temperatures
under 32°. Rides will leave 15 minutes after the published meeting
time (unless otherwise noted.) For rides longer than 15 miles,
bring snacks, for rides over 30 miles, bring lunch (unless a deli
stop is indicated). Note: anyone under 18 years of age must be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian on all rides.
Every rider is required to wear a helmet that meets CPSC
Performance Standards on all club rides. Headphones are not
permitted on rides.
BtCnJ ride CategOries
Rides Captain Update
I hope this finds you well and enjoying some great rides. Thanks to
everyone who helped make this year’s Ramapo Rally another fine
event. Without the countless volunteers (from registration, to rest
stops, to ride leaders and more), it would not be possible to make this
an annual event for so many riders. I’d also like to thank Leo Chao
and Gary Chapman for co-leading the century A ride at the Rally, it
was a fun day of riding with an exceptional group of riders.
Thanks to BTCNJ club members, we have a wide range of rides for all
levels and from many locations across northern NJ. It has also been
so nice to see new ride leaders adding interesting rides to the schedule.
We look forward to seeing even more rides added to the schedule
so there are numerous ride options. And finally, don’t forget to
send me your vote for your favorite ride of the summer by September
30th.
Thanks and enjoy the ride,
-Wade Wegner, BTCNJ Rides Captain

10
suPPOrt yOur lOCal Bike shOP
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 bicycle pros, 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. Bike shops listed in bold are advertisers in this issue, look for
their ads. 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.
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
The Bike Path Clifton 973-574-9001
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
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 NY, NY 646-230-7715
Gotham Bike NY, NY 212-732-2453
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
btcnj.masterlink@gmail.com. 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.
Issues related to MasterLink advertising should be addressed to the
Advertising Coordinator and sent to our email address btcnj.masterlink@gmail.com.
Rides are listed online only, and are no longer
printed in the MasterLink.
Toga Bike NY, NY 212-759-0002
Nyack Bicycle Outfitters Nyack, NY 845-353-0268
Pedal Sports Oakland 201-337-9380
CampMor Paramus 201-445-5000
Ramsey Outdoor Paramus 201-261-5000
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
Cury's Sport Shop Ramsey 201-327-4561
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
The Bike Path Rutherford 201-636-2355
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
Due to copyright laws, articles, photos, cartoons, art, etc., that have
appeared in other publications may not be published in the Master-
Link without written consent of the copyright holder. Photos in the
MasterLink may not be reused or republished.
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.