Memberships
Ride Information
BBC Picnic July 20, 2025
This year it wasn't rain or shine; it was rain and shine.
The nine rider 16&Over group took one glance at the sky, agreed rain was likely, and rode off doing the Russell’s Three Taverns 59 mile loop. The rain waned after a wet 30 minutes. The group rolled fast with a tailwind, only to be challenged by the climb over Stone Jug. Return from Biglerville featured some impressive cloudscapes with mountain views. A fine ride followed by a fine picnic!
Ride leaders and riders for the 38 and 27 mile routes were studying the weather app radar to make an informed decision about when to head out. With a high level of confidence that the rain would cease at 9 am, the rides were postponed allowing the riders on the 38 and 27 mile routes to depart under almost sunny skies. The roads dried quickly and the weather turned into a fine day for all.
Spokes, Sunshine, and Smiles in Chestertown
Eager bicyclists gathered in Chestertown, Maryland for a wonderful, long weekend of cycling, entertainment, food, and lots of socializing. Let’s talk about the riding! The level-to-rolling terrain, lightly trafficked roads, wide shoulders, beautiful farmland, picturesque small towns, and lovely water views all made for great cycling.
BBC Season Opener
Breezy - with Bicycles and Bagels
A breezy day, with Northwest winds, didn’t deter the hearty group of BBC cyclists. All were eager to ride on this Spring Sunday in Taneytown. There was a lot to draw people to this annual BBC event to enjoy the quiet country roads of Maryland and southern PA. Two routes of 46 and 41 miles went to Thurmont, and two routes of 38 and 27 miles went to Littlestown.
After the ride, the riders enjoyed a much-welcomed lunch of delicious bagels with many toppings, fruit, and a variety of big cookies for dessert.
Events like this don’t happen without dedicated volunteers! We’d like to extend a big thank you to ride leaders Adriana Pukalski, John McCauley, Bob Rohlfing, and Gene Young. Ellen Hochman and Steve Zeldin also helped to make the event a success. Thanks Volunteers!
Lots of socializing, good food, and wonderful early-season riding add up to a fun day. Hope you can make the most of the warmer days to get out on some club rides. See you at the BBC Picnic on July 20 in Taneytown for more great riding, socializing, and post-ride food!
John & Jane Cole, Gloria Epstein - Event Leaders
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Let Us Not Forget!
Baltimore Bicycling Club
5th ANNUAL SEASON OPENER
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2025
TANEYTOWN MEMORIAL PARK
Mark your calendars for this club event to usher in the 2025 season.
Four scenic, low traffic, mostly rolling terrain rides will be available.
Choice of 27, 38, 41, or 46 mile routes with leaders!
See the BBC Calendar for Ride Details!
RSVP by April 10th for Post-ride social (bagels, matzah, condiments & fruits). FREE for BBC Members. Please let Gloria Epstein know if you plan to stay after the ride: carlglo@verizon.net; (h) 410-665-3012; (c) 410-236-2129.
Posted by: BBC President
Proposed eBike Title/Registration Bill
In case you aren’t aware, there is a Maryland bill that will be heard on January 22nd that will require ebikes have a certificate of title, registration, and insurance.
Please contact your local Maryland State Senator and State Delegate and ask that they oppose this bill. You can also submit written testimony why you oppose the passage of this legislation.
You can read more about the bill here.
Here is a link to the actual text of the bill.
“Requires an electric bicycle to be titled and registered by the Motor Vehicle Administration; requiring an application for a certificate of title and registration for an electric bicycle to be submitted electronically; requiring an owner of an electric bicycle to maintain certain security; authorizing an insurer to exclude certain benefits from a policy for electric bicycles; and generally relating to the titling and registration of, and insurance for, electric bicycles”
Nigel Samaroo, Advocacy Committee Chair
Chestertown Weekend Event Coordinator/Leader Needed!
We need you! Please consider leading the BBC’s 2025 Chestertown Weekend, formerly the Kent County Spring Fling. This fantastic cycling event has taken place at Washington College in Chestertown, MD—every Memorial Day Weekend—for the past 40 years. It has many devoted followers, all of whom love riding on the quiet roads of the Eastern Shore, the wonderful Chestertown Tea Party, and the excellent all-you-can-eat meals! Both 3 and 4-day options have been available and are reasonably priced. It is very hard to find a better cycling weekend!
We need a coordinator/leader to keep the BBC’s signature weekend alive! Last year’s coordinators/leaders are available to help you with the details. Please contact BBC president Nabil Ali at president@baltobikeclub.org as soon as possible.
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Happy Holidays!
The BBC Executive Board
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Celebrating the BBC and Those Who Give Back
A good time was had by all one hundred plus cyclists who attended the Baltimore Bicycling Club’s Annual End of Year Celebration on November 9, 2024 at Oregon Ridge. Some members started the day with a bike ride to Hampstead on a beautiful sunny day. A delicious lunch was catered by Andy Nelson’s. The tasty menu of barbecue, brisket, veggie burgers, and many sides was sufficient to satisfy even the hungriest cyclist.
Nabil Ali, club president, presided over the annual business meeting and election of next year’s Board officers via a voice vote. They include: Nabil Ali, president; Adriana Pukalski, vice-president; Steve Zeldin, secretary; Dave Schallich, treasurer; Frank Blatt, Gloria Epstein, Rich Burns, Marge Ewertz, members at large; Pat Lapensee, past president.
We also heard informative reports from the following current officers: Steve Zeldin, secretary; Dave Schallich, treasurer; Eugene Bayer, membership; Nigel Samaroo, advocacy; Adriana Pukalski, instructional series.
Special awards were presented to the following BBC members: John and Jane Cole, Hall of Fame; Barbara Park Award, Adriana Pukalski; Wayne Rodgers Award, John McCauley. Congratulations to these outstanding members for their service to the club.
Also listed in the program were the number of rides led by members including such super ride leaders as: Eugene Bayer, 101 rides; Steve Zeldin, 78 rides; Gary Kelly, 52 rides; Mark Tabb, 48 rides; Gloria Epstein, 47 rides; Renee Faison, 32 rides, Gene Young, 31 rides; John McCauley, 30 rides and Greg Fromme, 26 rides. A very big thank you to all ride leaders—you are the engine that drives the Baltimore Bicycling Club!!
President Nabil Ali ended with a surprise award—The Human Dynamo Award—to Road Captain, Gloria Epstein, who coordinated this wonderful event and the BBC Opener—among the many things she gives back to the BBC each and every year [Gloria received a standing ovation for her recognition]. Gloria works tirelessly behind the scenes giving her all to make the bike club the best it can be. Thanks Gloria!
Two beautiful and delicious sheet cakes from Graul’s Market topped off the meal. It was a very special Saturday afternoon with much laughter and goodwill among cycling friends, new and old. Having been to every Annual Awards Celebration since 1988, I can indeed say this one ranks among the very best! Get out there and ride and volunteer—see you next year.
Michael Reinsel
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