Tonight was the last Bicycle Safety Checkpoint of the season. Thanks to Kathy Zepp Imhoff, John Kurp and Jim Prettyman for volunteering. Thanks to Matt and Andy from DelDot for all you do. Special THANK YOU to Jim Prettyman for volunteering at every checkpoint this year.

We had 12 scheduled Checkpoints, 2 were rained out and 2 cut short due to weather, but the response from our members this year was outstanding, we had plenty of members for each checkpoint, and for that I want to thank everyone. If you have any ideas for next year please let me know.

Thank you!
Denny Shook

HEAT ADVISORY

In excessively hot weather ( “feels like” temperature in excess of 85 degrees), follow these guidelines:

•            Pre-hydrate BEFORE the ride (one full 16-24 ounce bottle).

•            Carry 2 bottles when on your bike- at least one with sport drink containing electrolytes (sodium and potassium (to get more oxygen passed from your blood vessels into your muscle tissue) and muscle cramp easing (magnesium-in liquid or by tablet) and one with water.

•            To keep your liquids cold for your ride, try freezing your half full bottles the night before and top them off before you leave your home or make ice cubes from your sport drink and add to your sport drink bottle.  

•            You may be a "drink when thirsty" cyclist, but try to be a "stay ahead of thirst" cyclist by sipping every 5-15 minutes and try alternating between sport drink and water.

•            Watch yourself and your fellow riders for signs of dehydration - which can lead to heat related illnesses (see last bullet below) such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke - BEFORE a cyclist looses their focus or control of their bike.  Dehydration occurs when the body looses more liquid than it takes in. Each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include (and may lead to heat related illnesses- see last bullet below):

•            Thirst

•            Less-frequent urination

•            Dry skin

•            Fatigue

•            Light-headedness

•            Dizziness

•            Confusion

•            Dry mouth and mucous membranes

•            Increased heart rate and breathing

•            Our Club Group Rides refreshment stops are usually about midway on the route; refill/top off BOTH bottles (share a large container with your fellow riders) to be prepared for what is likely the hottest part of the ride.  Wawa, Royal Farms and many coffee shops don't object to you using their ice, filtered water and bathrooms- so support them by buying something if you do.

•            Drink a full 16-24 ounce bottle after your group ride and  consider additional hydration intake on your way home.

•            Club Group Ride Leaders should consider an earlier start time for their group ride and/or shortening the route and/or modifying the route and ride to include more frequent  rest / refreshment stops.

•            Heat-related illnesses that begin with heat cramps, progresses to heat exhaustion, and finally to heat stroke:

•            Heat cramps consist of painful muscle cramps and spasms that occur during or after intense exercise and sweating without adequate fluid intake in high heat.

•            Heat exhaustion occurs in conditions of extreme heat and excessive sweating without adequate fluid and salt replacement. 

•            Heat stroke occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails. The person develops a change in mental status, becomes confused, lethargic, and may have a seizure, the skin stops sweating, and the body temperature may exceed 106 F (41 C). This is a life-threatening condition and emergency medical attention is needed immediately. 

Individuals over the age of 60 are more susceptible to dehydration and all forms of heat related injuries. For a fuller description of symptoms and treatments, click here

From the Cape Gazette July 29, 2023

Lewes bike committee recommends changes to drawbridge signs

Goal is to improve safety at congested crossing

A cyclist walks her bike across the Savannah Road drawbridge in Lewes. The city’s bike committee wants to remove the signs that tell people to walk their bikes on the sidewalk. BILL SHULL PHOTO

Bill Shull

July 29, 2023

The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is recommending the removal of signs and stencils asking riders to walk their bikes across the Savannah Road drawbridge.

At its July 25 meeting, committee members said the signs are confusing and make getting across more dangerous.

The committee also wants sharrows placed on the bridge in both directions, indicating that bikes are allowed in the travel lanes.

Committee member Mary Roth said the signs lead some residents to believe bikes are not allowed on the bridge. 

“Others have a different opinion and only believe you have to walk your bike if you can’t get across. There’s a vast majority of folks who have their own opinion of what’s permitted on the bridge,” she said.

“I would invite people to use [the full width of the lanes] just so they’re not trying to squeeze right along the edge and invite cars to try and pass them on the bridge,” said committee member Sumner Crosby. “It’s not that long of a bridge, not that big of a deal to get behind a couple of bikes.”

The committee proposed changing the timing of the traffic light at Savannah Road, Front Street and Gills Neck Road to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to be released first, before cars. The committee agreed to submit that idea to the Delaware Department of Transportation for consideration in the bicycle master plan the agency is currently working on for Lewes. The committee said DelDOT is taking public comments online and will hold a public hearing in September. 

The committee is also recommending safety improvements for bicyclists on the Freeman Highway bridge, proposing plastic delineators be placed along the shoulders in both directions to separate bikes from cars.

There was also a discussion on improving the lighting at the crosswalk at Second Street and Savannah Road. Crosby said background lighting in the area makes it hard for drivers to see people crossing the street.

For more information, go to lewes.civicweb.net.

We're delighted to announce that long time Sussex Cyclists member John Eckenrode tied the knot.  John and Kara officially got married on July 25 while in Europe.  What a beautiful couple! We wish them the best!

 

The info below is from a post that was shared to the Sussex County Cyclists Facebook page.

Everyone is warmly welcome to join Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's annual Fall Foliage Weekend in Gettysburg, PA, October 20-22, 2023 (Friday to Sunday). This is a 3-day/2-night weekend getaway package of hotel stay, scenic rides through historic battlefields and picturesque countryside, meals, snacks, parties, live music, and more. Please visit BCPWeekends.org for details and registration.

Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's annual Fall Foliage Weekend in Gettysburg will take place on October 20-22, 2023. We will be staying at a newer, larger hotel this year - the Wyndham, just east of Gettysburg. The Fall Weekend is a 3-day/2-night getaway package of scenic rides in a picturesque region of PA, hotel, meals, snacks, parties, SAG support, group rides with Leaders, etc. Details and registration are posted at: BCPWeekends.org.

Originally posted to Facebook by: Linda McGrane

Sussex Cyclists Ride Leader and talented artist Renata Price ended her month-long solo display at the Camp Rehoboth Gallery with a delightful reception. If you missed it, check out her incredible oil paintings at www.renataprice.com.

We would like to thank David and Laurie Meacham for their generous donation to Sussex Cyclists through the Lowe II Foundation. The donation supports Sussex Cyclists' efforts in Cyclist Safety and Education programs and Bicycle Safety Checkpoints. David is a long time member of Sussex Cyclists and often rides with us when he is at his house in this area.

Thank you!!!!

I have good news to report! This is good news for our cycling community and Sussex County. DelDOT was very recently awarded a $21M grant from the US Department of Transportation to finish the Georgetown Lewes Trail (GLT)! This encompasses adding new trail from Fisher Road to Airport Road! This award comes from the US DOT RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) Grant program. The construction schedule is still TBD. The planning and design has been underway for a while. DelDOT and its contractors have been doing the design work ahead of the grant award. DelDOT has not yet announced the construction start or completion dates. But informally some at DelDOT believe they might be able to start construction sometime next year.  Our Sussex Cyclists president, John Kurpjuweit, sent a letter of support for the DelDOT grant submission application to the Secretary of the US DOT. The letter from John was approved by the officers and directors of the club. (Thank you John!)  Here is a link to the full list of the USDOT RAISE Grants awarded, including one for our sister county to the north, Kent County. That's two grants for trails awarded to DelDOT. https://www.transportation.gov/raisegrants/raise-2023-fact-sheets And here is a link to the DelDOT Project Portal page for the GLT completion project. https://deldot.gov/projects/index.shtml?dc=details&projectNumber=T202230001#project-details1 I hope everyone is having a great summer riding! And that the Lewes-area riders got out and back indoors safely before the early afternoon downpours moved thru today!  Best regards, Bill W

Don't miss the Picnic & Paddle event this year! There will be food, activities, and chances to connect with other members. Check it out!

Thursday, August 17, 2023

$10 per person includes
chicken & soft drinks.

Click here for informtion and registration.