Join us on White Clay Bicycle Club's 17th trip from Smyrna, DE to Cape May, NJ. It is a 3-day, 142-mile round trip ride at 12-mph average speed, including stops, through flat Delaware farmland. We will ride 71 miles on Friday, have a free day in Victorian Cape May on Saturday and return to Smyrna on Sunday. Highlights of the ride include beautiful fall foliage, two magnificent cruises crossing the Delaware Bay and a whole day exploring and shopping in one of the most unique cities on the East Coast.

Cape May features Victorian architecture, a lighthouse, great restaurants, and of course, the beach (within view of our bed and breakfast). The event is non-profit, costing $104.75/person double occupancy, and is limited to 30 people. We have many repeat riders so it is important to make reservations early. If you have questions, call Sue or Chuck Harris at 302-764-2644 after 6:00 PM or email us at Chucksue10@hotmail.com.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
We stay at the SeaVilla Hotel, 5 Perry Street, Cape May, NJ. It is a three-story, 15 room Victorian Era hotel with an ocean view from some rooms and the veranda. Rooms are decorated with many period furnishings; most have one double bed and a sink. Showers and restrooms are located at the end of each hall with two overflow showers and dressing rooms outside. The outside showers are only needed upon arrival since everyone wants to shower at the same time. On Saturday a 8:00 continental breakfast is served with fresh baked items. Many riders who like to eat early have breakfast at Uncle Bills across the street. Sunday an earlier abbreviated breakfast is served due to our early departure.

ASSEMBLY POINT:
The group meets at 7:00 a.m. Friday at the rear of the Public Works Warehouse, 303 W. Glenwood Ave. adjacent to the Smyrna Police Dept. We depart at 7:30; this leaves us time for introductions, pump tires, load sag, pack bikes, sign waiver sheet, etc. The route is not marked, so if you do not leave with the group at 7:30 you will need to follow the Q-sheet and map which will be sent to you in mid October. Please be early especially if this is your first year, it will make for a much more relaxing start. If you should be late, the sag will remain in the parking lot until 8:00 to give you a ride to the group. The sag drivers will eat breakfast and return to the lot at 9:15 to start sagging the route.

Riders should be able to maintain a steady 12-mph average for extended periods with only a few short breaks. Terrain is flat but open, so potential riders need to consider weather conditions such as head winds. The ride is designed so the sag and all riders will be on the 1:45 ferry. The later ferry would put a rider in Cape May at dusk, and the 5-mile ride from the ferry to the hotel may not be safe in these light conditions. We’d like to keep our group together for safety and so we can all enjoy dinner together. NOTE: The perceived pressure, by some riders, to make the 1:45 ferry can detract from an otherwise beautiful fall ride. This is a frequent comment from some riders.

SAG:
A sag vehicle capable of picking up 5 riders will follow the last rider. The driver will not have spare tubes, tires etc. but will have snacks (fig bars, bananas, and water), a pump and a few tools. If you have mechanical problems and get separated from the group you will need the Q-sheet and maps that are provided. The sag will pick up slow riders if necessary so all riders will be on the 1:45 ferry. Space on the sag is limited, therefore, we want all participants to have a good idea they will be able to maintain the required average speed with limited stops.

BREAKDOWNS:
We assume all riders will have a bike in satisfactory condition and have had a shop go over it. Check the condition of your tires several days before the ride and replace if questionable. Most breakdowns are due to flats and many of these are due to under inflation. Inflate tires using a pump with a built-in gauge the night before the ride so there are no surprises Friday morning. Inflate to the recommended pressure or even a little over if you are a heavy person. Carry two extra tubes, pump and tools on your bike. Please practice changing a tube in case you need to do it yourself.

WINE AND CHEESE PARTY:
Upon arriving at the hotel we have a pot luck dinner/wine and cheese party on the veranda. Please bring a contribution for the dinner party. Some examples are: Hors d'oeuvres: cheeses, dips, crackers, veggies; Dinner: chili, soup, pizza, quiche, sandwiches, salads, meats; Desserts: cake, cookies, fudge. The sag will carry an ice chest to refrigerate items and an oven is available for heating. Use your imagination, new recipes are always exciting.

ACTIVITIES ON SATURDAY:
A "Wetlands" ride map will be available for those who want to ride on Saturday. Donna Johnson is familiar with this ride and she can answer your questions. A bird sanctuary at Cape May Point has many activities this time of year. The Point is a famous stopover for migrating birds along the Atlantic Flyway. Lectures with live hawks are a frequent event. Cape May Zoo, a short ride north on Rt.9, is a wonderful place to visit. Many riders comment favorably about the quality of the exhibits. Shopping is always a favorite activity with Christmas coming and unique shops only a few blocks from the hotel. For dinner the group will split up and try some of the many restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

DEPARTURE FROM CAPE MAY:
In order to be on the 7:30 ferry, we will depart the hotel by 6:30. Bring your luggage down and it will be loaded into the trailer, which is parked across from the hotel. The ride from Lewes to Smyrna is more leisurely since there are no time constraints. I suggest you carry some snacks to keep your energy level up between food stops. The sag will again have fig bars and bananas if you need them. The luggage will be dropped in the parking lot at Smyrna for the faster riders. The sag will then go back and follow the slower riders into the parking lot.

WEATHER:
Please keep track of the weekend weather. Strong head winds, rain etc. will slow us down and may make the ride difficult or impossible for some riders. Since the sag only has room for 5 we want to be prepared if more will need a ride. In the past, heeding bad weather forecasts, a few participants drive instead of ride. This way, we are able to give more people a ride back to the starting point if needed.

COSTS :
$104.75/person double occupancy
Includes sag expenses, lodging and tip for maid service. Payment is nonrefundable within one month of ride unless we find a replacement to occupy room.
Additional expenses: Ferry tickets $8 each way, snacks riding down and back, lunch and dinner on Saturday and activity expenses.

REGISTRATION:
Contact us at 302-764-2644 to confirm space availability before sending check payable to Chuck Harris, 10 Stockwell Rd., Wilmington, DE 19809

AS WITH ALL WCBC RIDES, HELMETS ARE REQUIRED