I have read with interest in the December News letter the new ride
categories. I note this is an idea and not a change. I believe any
change should be discussed and voted on by the membership and not
dictated. Concerning the ratings, all clubs I know and I belong to
several use the letter system. The letter system is something everyone
knows. The proposal seems to be a change and seems to be an excuse for
not enforcing the categories. This can be further emphasized by the
statements the ride leader should decide if the ride stays together.
Isn't that the purpose of a ride? It is a joke to say the ride leader
has this discretion and defeats the purpose of having a group ride.
In the same paragraph it states no one should be dropped, which is it?
How can a statement be made the club has no position if the ride
should stay together? Isn't what a club does? Perhaps the New York
City Cycle Club system should be utilized with the letter and then
indicating the speed. After being on several NYCC rides, they do not
seem to have the type of problems this change seems to allude to. In
summary it seems you are attempting to change an entire system for one
problem instead of addressing the problem directly and disciplining
the rides. When will this be formally presented to the membership for
discussion and vote?

Fellow WCCChatters:

I was contacted by a group who gives holiday presents to children
whose families cannot afford them. They have asked for our help in
contributing money toward new bikes and helmets for the children.
The bike purchases have been prearranged and cost $60 which includes
the helmet. The group could really use15 more sponsors, and if at
all possible, they need the sponsors no later than December 8th.

A little background... The drive is for children who go to CES 73
School on Anderson Avenue in the Bronx. These are underpriviliged
kids, including 25 sheltered families. Last year, presents were
delivered to 1154 children. Often, these are the only holiday gifts
the children receive.

If you're interested in this wonderful cause, email or call me - 914-
217-6461.

Thanks for helping out with this.

Robin Winter

$20 off an order of $50 or more.
Use code 6001727
Good on any in stock merchandise.
Performance said to share this with my friends, enjoy!!!

Bill

Does anyone have suggestions about good spinning or cycling DVDs for
indoor winter training? I have 3 Spinervals DVDs and I'm looking to
expand my collection (I'm getting bored doing the same ones all the time.
Jack

anybody have a crate I could borrow for upcoming trip?
~ dave wilson

Only 1 month to go for the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party.
All is set at Coromandel in New Rochelle for Sunday,December 10th at
5:30. The restaurant will provide an abundant buffet of excitingly
tasty food along with specialty cocktails. We will have some live
music this year to go along with our traditional slide show of 2006.
Anyone with some digital pictures of riding is most welcome to submit
them for the show. Please contact me and I will tell you more about it
at jmilano777@....
We have an excellent party program in place with door prizes and club
awards. We will also hold our annual meeting with balloting for the
2007 board.
Make your plans to attend, the cost is a mere $25 per person and your
most welcome to bring along a spouse or friend.
Sign up and use PayPal on the website www.mywcc.com to RSVP or email
me at jmilano777@... or send a check payable to Westchester
Cycle Club to John Milano, 7 Fawn Run, Putnam Valley, NY 10579.
The Club is looking forward to seeing you at the party!!!
Eat, Drink, and be Merry, yes...

I have been using Julio's in Chappaqua for many years
and I am very happy with the expertise and service I
receive. They also own Sierra Cycles in Scarsdale. I
have sent many, many people to them over the years and
everyone has been very satisfied. I have had very
unpleasant experiences at Bicycle World in Mount
Kisco. I have also used Yorktown Bicycles if I need
specific parts for my bike as they carry the
manufacturer of my bike. They have been very
helpful and their parking is much better than most
shops.

Hello Steve:
Andrew from Metro Bicycles here...

All excellent service shops in Westchester, but....

We have a store in New Rochelle and am certain you will spend less gas and
time will leave with a smile if you visit.

andrew

ps...we have six locations in Manhattan and are currently scheduled to open
the largest bicycles store in the City this winter!

-----Original Message-----
From: WCCChat@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WCCChat@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf
Of stevhouse
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 5:23 PM
To: WCCChat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WCCChat] Re: New member... New to the area


Thanks to all who responded so quickly. Look forward to more
responses.  It's really helpful.  I take care of my bike like I take
care of my kid... After all they're both custom made. lol   Awesome
help.  Awesome.

Steve


--- In WCCChat@yahoogroups.com, bike2me@... wrote:
>
> Steve, I live in the Bronx and use the southern Westchester
shops.  If  you
> live in Larchmont try Danny's Cycles on Central Avenue, I have
recently
> switched to them from Pelham Bike Shop because I meet Steve, one
of the owner's,  on
> a charity ride we did for our friend Lorraine who's a
quadriplegic.  He  was
> so helpful and kind I have decided to give them a shot and can't
say I have
> been disappointed yet with their service and can do attitude, plus
great
> selection of clothes and accessories.
>
> My previous shop, Pelham, recently lost it's Manager/head mechanic
and the
> service has really gone downhill with the new people working
there.  I had
> been very loyal for a long time but my frustration has just
mounted  recently.
>
> Just some inside info...of course we list the local shops on the
> website/newsletter and as a member you can get a discount at some
of these shops  as well.
>
> Good Luck!
>
> Rachel
>






Yahoo! Groups Links

Thanks to all who responded so quickly. Look forward to more
responses.  It's really helpful.  I take care of my bike like I take
care of my kid... After all they're both custom made. lol   Awesome
help.  Awesome.

Steve


--- In WCCChat@yahoogroups.com, bike2me@... wrote:
>
> Steve, I live in the Bronx and use the southern Westchester
shops.  If  you
> live in Larchmont try Danny's Cycles on Central Avenue, I have
recently
> switched to them from Pelham Bike Shop because I meet Steve, one
of the owner's,  on
> a charity ride we did for our friend Lorraine who's a
quadriplegic.  He  was
> so helpful and kind I have decided to give them a shot and can't
say I have
> been disappointed yet with their service and can do attitude, plus
great
> selection of clothes and accessories.
>
> My previous shop, Pelham, recently lost it's Manager/head mechanic
and the
> service has really gone downhill with the new people working
there.  I had
> been very loyal for a long time but my frustration has just
mounted  recently.
>
> Just some inside info...of course we list the local shops on the
> website/newsletter and as a member you can get a discount at some
of these shops  as well.
>
> Good Luck!
>
> Rachel
>

Steve,
I've had very good service at bicycle world as well.
= Dave =
_
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "stevhouse" <stevhouse@...>
Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 15:09:44
To:WCCChat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WCCChat] Re: New member... New to the area

Hey thanks Bruce. I live in Larchmont but driving 1/2 hour isn't a
  big deal.

  thanks

  --- In WCCChat@yahoogroups: <mailto:WCCChat%40yahoogroups.com> .com,
"brucekwells" <bkwells@...> wrote:
  >
  > --- In WCCChat@yahoogroups: <mailto:WCCChat%40yahoogroups.com> .com,
"stevhouse" <stevhouse@> wrote:
  > > Hey everybody. I'm new to the area and was hoping to get some
  input
  > > on good high bike shops.
  > Steve,
  >
  > Depends on where you live. One of the best shops around is Bicycle
  > World in Mt Kisco. I use them, but since they are 1/2 hour away
  from
  > me, I tend to only buy bikes from them, and get the smaller stuff
  else
  > where.
  >
  > The owner Eric is very knowledgeable and is great in bike fit.
  >
  > Let people know where you live and you will get some better local
  > recommendations.
  >
  > Bruce
  >

Hey thanks Bruce. I live in Larchmont but driving 1/2 hour isn't a
big deal.

              thanks


--- In WCCChat@yahoogroups.com, "brucekwells" <bkwells@...> wrote:
>
> --- In WCCChat@yahoogroups.com, "stevhouse" <stevhouse@> wrote:
> > Hey everybody.  I'm new to the area and was hoping to get some
input
> > on good high bike shops.
> Steve,
>
> Depends on where you live.  One of the best shops around is Bicycle
> World in Mt Kisco. I use them, but since they are 1/2 hour away
from
> me, I tend to only buy bikes from them, and get the smaller stuff
else
> where.
>
> The owner Eric is very knowledgeable and is great in bike fit.
>
> Let people know where you live and you will get some better local
> recommendations.
>
> Bruce
>

--- In WCCChat@yahoogroups.com, "stevhouse" <stevhouse@...> wrote:
> Hey everybody.  I'm new to the area and was hoping to get some input
> on good high bike shops.
Steve,

Depends on where you live.  One of the best shops around is Bicycle
World in Mt Kisco. I use them, but since they are 1/2 hour away from
me, I tend to only buy bikes from them, and get the smaller stuff else
where.

The owner Eric is very knowledgeable and is great in bike fit.

Let people know where you live and you will get some better local
recommendations.

Bruce

Hey everybody.  I'm new to the area and was hoping to get some input
on good high bike shops.  I have left my beloved shop in Manhattan and
was just looking for some input.  Also wanted to say hello and thanks
for all the good local ride postings.  Great message board. Glad to be
a member.

Josh,
Getting up to Purchase is your best bet to get out if the congestion. If you
want to make it a little longer, you'll want to get up into Greenwich where the
traffic is fairly light, the homes are baronial, and the roads a little hilly
but not too bad. To get there, take Anderson Hill all the way to the end. Left
on King, then right on Sherwood at the church. Down the hill to Riversville.
Here the possibilities abound. You could loop up the hill by going left, and
come back where it hits Bedford Road.
Or you could go right on Riversvilleto Pecksland. Left on Pecksland to Round
hill. A left on Round hill takes you up the hill, and a left on North porchuck
will bring you. Back to riversville.
Or go right on Round hill to Lake. A left on Lake takes you on a wider loop.

Have fun!

- dave
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "Josh" <jsalit@...>
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 01:19:09
To:WCCChat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WCCChat] Re: Looking for relatively flat route

Thanks Dave, that sounds like a good idea. Lake street going up to
  120 makes me a little nervous, but it's probably as good a road as any
  to learn to handle the traffic.

  I may try this tomorrow!

  --- In WCCChat@yahoogroups: <mailto:WCCChat%40yahoogroups.com> .com, "David
McKay Wilson"
  <davidmckaywilson@...> wrote:
  >
  >
  > You might try this +
  >
  > I'd go out Lake, which brings you up to 120 at Purchase St. Go right
  on Purchase. Take down to Anderson :Hill. And turn left. You could do
  a loop around SUNY, get back on Anderson Hill. Take out to King. Left
  on King past the airport. Loop back onto 120 and head back down Lake.
  >
  > - dave
  > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

I actually did my first few rides on the north county trailway, which
was great when I was basically just getting used to the clipless
pedals, and the handling of the bike.  But, as you said it gets a bit
iffy...I'm still pretty slow, but I'd rather suck it up and learn to
get used to the traffic than worry about a tricycle suddenly darting
towards my wheel...

Thanks for the response Rick!

--- In WCCChat@yahoogroups.com, Rick Schott <ricksvx@...> wrote:
>
> Hopefully I won't need a flame suit for saying so, but there's
always the
> bikepath...
>
> If you're serious and fast it's probably not the place for you though.
> Pedestrians and others who don't know what "on your left" means can be a
> real problem...
>
> Rick S.

Thanks Dave, that sounds like a good idea.  Lake street going up to
120 makes me a little nervous, but it's probably as good a road as any
to learn to handle the traffic.

I may try this tomorrow!

--- In WCCChat@yahoogroups.com, "David McKay Wilson"
<davidmckaywilson@...> wrote:
>
>
> You might try this +
>
> I'd go out Lake, which brings you up to 120 at Purchase St. Go right
on Purchase. Take down to Anderson :Hill. And turn left. You could do
a loop around SUNY, get back on Anderson Hill. Take out to King. Left
on King past the airport. Loop back onto 120 and head back down Lake.
>
> - dave
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thanks Rachel, this sounds like a promising route as well.  Between
these suggestions I'm realizing there's plenty of good riding, I just
need to find the right starting roads.  I live right off the top of
Lake street so this could work very well...

Thanks again!

--- In WCCChat@yahoogroups.com, bike2me@... wrote:
>
> Josh,
>
> You have discovered one of the paradoxes of Westchester County.
Flatter
> roads tend to be higher traffic, and our club's shorter rides tend
to be  on
> flatter roads therefore higher traffic.
>
> A couple of roads you can try from White Plains would include
Rosedale (off
> of Mamaroneck Road (it's almost at the Harrison boarder) and
Kennelworth.  I
> have ridden Rosedale North, make a right on 127 and the  first left
after
> crossing the Hutch is Kennelworth (there's a bit of traffic on  127
but you're
> not on it long.  You can take Kennelworth all the way up  across 287
and go left
> on Purchase street (120) and you will be right by  SUNY.  At the end
of 120
> you can try going left and I believe it becomes  Lake which takes
you back into
> downtown White Plains.
>
> Unfortunately WP is a busy town and the further north you go the
quieter  the
> traffic tends to get.  As you gain experience and strength, perhaps
you  will
> discover some of the less traveled, albeit more hilly, roads.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Rachel
>

Hopefully I won't need a flame suit for saying so, but there's always the
bikepath...

If you're serious and fast it's probably not the place for you though.
Pedestrians and others who don't know what "on your left" means can be a
real problem...

Rick S.

----- Original Message -----
From: Josh
Subject: [WCCChat] Looking for relatively flat route


Hi,
I'm in White Plains and I'm looking for a relatively flat training
route for solo riding, something around 20 miles to start with. I'm a
new cyclist, and I've only done one WCC ride (The new member ride in
late August).

I've tried going up route-22, to 120, and back into the city on
Anderson road, which was a great ride (~17miles), but I wasn't too
comfortable with the traffic on route-22 closer to the city, as well
as on anderson road.

I've also tried going south, Fisher Ave -> Walworth -> Etc ->
Scarsdale road, and that was nice too, much less traffic, but the stop
signs broke me up more than i'd prefer.

Any recommendations? I've looked in the cue sheet database, too, but
many of them seemed to cover higher-traffic roads...

Thanks,
Josh

p.s. - looking forward to doing more WCC rides in the spring!

You might try this +

I'd go out Lake, which brings you up to 120 at Purchase St. Go right on
Purchase. Take down to Anderson :Hill. And turn left. You could do a loop around
SUNY, get back on Anderson Hill. Take out to King. Left on King past the
airport. Loop back onto 120 and head back down Lake.

- dave
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "Josh" <jsalit@...>
Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 19:10:48
To:WCCChat@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WCCChat] Looking for relatively flat route

Hi,
  I'm in White Plains and I'm looking for a relatively flat training
  route for solo riding, something around 20 miles to start with. I'm a
  new cyclist, and I've only done one WCC ride (The new member ride in
  late August).

  I've tried going up route-22, to 120, and back into the city on
  Anderson road, which was a great ride (~17miles), but I wasn't too
  comfortable with the traffic on route-22 closer to the city, as well
  as on anderson road.

  I've also tried going south, Fisher Ave -> Walworth -> Etc ->
  Scarsdale road, and that was nice too, much less traffic, but the stop
  signs broke me up more than i'd prefer.

  Any recommendations? I've looked in the cue sheet database, too, but
  many of them seemed to cover higher-traffic roads...

  Thanks,
  Josh

  p.s. - looking forward to doing more WCC rides in the spring!

Hi,
I'm in White Plains and I'm looking for a relatively flat training
route for solo riding, something around 20 miles to start with.  I'm a
new cyclist, and I've only done one WCC ride (The new member ride in
late August).

I've tried going up route-22, to 120, and back into the city on
Anderson road, which was a great ride (~17miles), but I wasn't too
comfortable with the traffic on route-22 closer to the city, as well
as on anderson road.

I've also tried going south, Fisher Ave -> Walworth -> Etc ->
Scarsdale road, and that was nice too, much less traffic, but the stop
signs broke me up more than i'd prefer.

Any recommendations?  I've looked in the cue sheet database, too, but
many of them seemed to cover higher-traffic roads...

Thanks,
Josh

p.s. - looking forward to doing more WCC rides in the spring!

Hello all- since I got up this morning it had not started raining
yet...was windy and cool.  I managed to find a good rainjacket and
pants set to match with clasps to keep the rain of my clothes- I
wore a swim cap under my helmet and went off for the MS TZ ride for
2006-----there were alot of people there- some with rain gear and
wearing shorts, some combo shorts/long pants, some just with rain
jackets.  The beginning of the ride was damp- just a sprinkle as we
got to mid span on the bridge the rain picked up.....it hard to see
in front of you in the down-pour and the hills on the thruway and
that 1st exit we got off were still trecherous for me, new bike not
knowing what gear I was in and a series of tough hills....the
biggest and hardset hill got me walking, my foot slipped off the
pedal my rain jacket got caught on the bike seat. The rain was
terrenchal.....got to the top of the hill and it was like a
waterfall downhill....used my brakes to keep me semi-safe, coasted
into Rockland Lake State Park, rested and got a snack. I believe at
this point the weather outlook was not any better so they cancelled
the 60mile portion of the ride....I of course wanted to complete at
least the 20 miles....Ha!!! WHo knew I could be so stubburn, so off
we went...I trekked back up that hill of course by foot, and was
able to ride the rest of the way back to Kraft foods, the hilly part
of the TZ on the way back was a piece of cake- shifted nicely-
though it was still raining cats and dogs.  Made it back to my car
feeling like I lived on a lake.  So now its afternoon----the sun is
out and the roads look dry - but I am exhausted!!!  To all who
posted thanks for the sound advise---hopefully I wont have to make
many more rainy rides but will attempt to get better gear to be
prepared. :)  Judy

Hi- I am new to group- have signed up for MS TZ ride for tomorrow-
forecast looks grim to say the least.  I am new to road fiding - just
purchased a new road bike- about 2 wks ago- only been out 2-3 times
just getting my sea legs.  What would be your adivse to a new rider
considering weather condtions.  Thanks.  Judy

Can anyone recommend a good floor pump for road bike tires that has an
accurate top mounted guage? Thank you in advance.

Hello everyone- just wanted to put in my 2cents- weather was beautiful-
great day for my first road ride- need to get more comfortable- the
narrow, winding roadways with speeding cars were scarey.  My mountain
bike was a bit cumbersome but i actually made the 25mile ride.  Between
the tough hill in the beginning of the ride and not quite knowing where
i was going- was a challenge to say the least.  Hopefully next year I
Overall had a good time, the hills were a great ride on the way down.
Will continue to pursue more road riding to increase my comfort level.
Should also look seriously into a road bike.  Judy