Please join the CRW Board at the Annual Meeting of the Club on September 14th at 4PM.

This virtual meeting will highlight the following:

You will have time to ask questions and help guide the future of CRW.

Register here.

Longtime CRW member Dr. Richard "Dick" Williamson passed away on August 9, 2025, at age 85. As his daughter Heidi Williamson told us, Dick "loved the Wheelers and continued as long as his body would allow." Dick also made an enormous impact on cycling through his rail trail advocacy.

A Cycling Commuter and Advocate

Dick commuted 25 miles daily by bicycle to MIT Lincoln Laboratory for decades. More importantly for our community, he played an oversized role in developing the Bruce Freeman and Mass Central Rail Trails, both with significant segments in Sudbury where he lived.

For each trail vote, Dick mobilized hundreds of supporters. During his twelve years on Sudbury's Park and Recreation Commission, he tirelessly championed these projects. His lifelong dream for the Sudbury Rail Trail came to fruition in the final year of his life.

A Lasting Legacy

Every cyclist enjoying the Bruce Freeman or Mass Central Rail Trails rides on paths that exist because of Dick's unwavering advocacy. While he may not have joined organized rides, he built the infrastructure that brings us all together.

Memorial Gathering: September 14, 2025, 3:00 PM at Davis Field, Sudbury. All are welcome.

Visit Dick's Obituary Page for more details.

2025 Election is October 4-9

The 2025 CRW Board election is approaching. All club members are encouraged to participate in this process, regardless of their experience level or length of membership. This is great opportunity to get involved and shape the future of our club.

Online voting will be open and available to members in good standing October 4-9, 2025.

Seats available: 

This year, CRW seeks to fill 6 seats of various term lengths:

2025 election timeline (additional details below):

Voting eligibility:

Give Back by Running for the Board!

Board service offers the chance to work alongside fellow club members to tackle challenges and opportunities. You'll help guide strategic decisions that impact our 1,900 members, from planning signature events to developing new programs that welcome cyclists of all skill levels. Joining the board is an opportunity to deepen your connection to the club and the broader cycling community.

We are especially looking for candidates with skills or interests in sustainability, community organization, event management, logistics, finance, communications, technology, regulations, education, or community outreach.

To Become a Candidate:

• Eligibility: You must be a CRW member in good standing at the time that the election closes in early October.
• To learn more: read the CRW Bylaws and join the (optional) virtual Prospective Candidate Info Session on September 9.
• Declare your candidacy: Update your member profile by September 20 to self-declare as an Active Candidate. 
  
  1. Click on your name at the top of our website.
  2. Select Edit Profile.
  3. Scroll down to Board Candidacy, Select Yes.
  4. Type in your Statement of Candidacy explaining why you want to serve on the Board.
  5. Make sure you have a photo in your profile.

• Attend the optional Meet the Candidates online forum on September 25.

Learn about the Candidates:

Candidate Statements will be posted on September 21.

Questions?

For questions about the election process or board service, don't hesitate to reach out to Club Secretary Barbara Jacobs at barbara.jacobs@crw.org or to any current board member.

One of the benefits of CRW membership is the CRW name tag. Attached to your helmet, saddlebag or bike it lets people know who you are.

More importantly, it contains contact information should you be injured on a ride.

The updated Name Tags are now available for order in the CRW Store. The tags will include member first name in large letter format and member last name in small letter format. Each Name Tag will have the member's In Case of Emergency number on them.

Name Tags are free for CRW members!

All members who have joined the club since January 1, 2025 will automatically receive a Name Tag.

Renewing Members who are looking to order or replace their name tag may request an updated tag on the CRW Store on the website. To find the store, click on the Members tab and then click on the Store tab. You can then order your Name Tag. Please give us time to print the Name Tag and mail it to you. 

Please make sure your information is up-to-date in your CRW Profile as this will be used to make your Name Tag.

Information needed is:

• Your First and Last Name.
• Name and phone number of your emergency contact.
• Your current mailing address (Name Tag will be mailed to you).

If you have questions or concerns, contact us at member-benefits@crw.org.

The following charity ride is shared on an informational basis for CRW members. CRW is not affiliated with this event.

Ride 25 mi, 50 mi, or 100 K (or walk 5 K) to raise money for A Place To Turn as part of Three Squares New England’s Ride for Food. The event starts and ends at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham. All funds raised by A Place To Turn team members will directly support pantry operations. 

More information and register here: https://www.aplacetoturn-natick.org/ride-for-food

The following charity ride is shared on an informational basis for CRW members. CRW has no affiliation with this event.

Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Location: Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill, MA

Routes: 

• 100 Mile - 7 a.m.
• 62 Mile - 7:30 a.m. 
• 35 Mile - 9 a.m.
• 15 Mile - 10 a.m. 

Website: https://emmausinc.org/cycle-for-shelter-2/

For the month of August, take $10 off your Cycle for Shelter registration fee when you use code “RIDEWITHUS” at checkout.

Emmaus helps the women, men, and children that are the neediest among us. Many of their clients deal with mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Their clients range across all races, ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds. At Emmaus, everyone matters.

Emmaus’ signature fundraising event, Cycle for Shelter, started in 1989 when their founding Executive Director completed a 1,200-mile bike ride from Georgia to Massachusetts, visiting more than 100 programs serving homeless and impoverished families along the way. Hundreds of Emmaus supporters and cyclists met him when he arrived in Haverhill.

Over the past 37 years, Cycle for Shelter has raised more than $2.4 million for Emmaus. It is an event the community looks forward to each year. Nearly 200 cyclists participate and dozens of local businesses and restaurants sponsor the ride.

Questions? Contact Matthew Vogel at matthew@emmausinc.org or 978-241-3449.

The following was shared by community member David Mark.

A sculpture of a bicycle/bicyclist has been added to the Assabet River Rail Trail in Maynard, across Main Street from Ray & Sons Cyclery. Mention of this and photo could be added to any ride that incorporates that 3.4 mile section of ARRT. See more information from David Mark here. 

CRW is excited to announce a member discount for VIBE cycling tours, including their Spain trips in October, 2025.

Discount details:

• Discount code: CRW
• Amount: $500 off regular tour price
• One discount per member email account
• Valid for tour bookings made before January 1, 2026 

VIBE Tours — Ride Spain with Sepp Kuss

https://www.vibetours.co/

7 Nights, 5 rides, Culture & Tourism

Two October Departures: 10/18/25 & 10/25/25

Regular price: $4,995 / person (Price is inclusive of most food & drink on and off the bike, ground transport, tourism & more. See the trip page for details. Limited private rooms are available for $700 additional.)

VIBE Tours is an adventurous cycling travel company connecting fans with their favorite champions for fun and unforgettable trips in top European destinations.

Their tours in southern Spain this October feature Sepp Kuss of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. Sepp won the 2023 Vuelta a España and is “the chillest guy in the pro peloton,” according to fellow racer Matteo Jorgenson.

Ride through the gorgeous farmland and mountains west of Málaga. Pop into some of Spain's most beautiful villages for lunch and coffee. Go from the hills above the Mediterranean to the lush pine forests and limestone peaks of the Sierra de Grazalema nature preserve. Along the way, stop in some of Spain's most beautiful towns. With good roads, mild climate, epic climbs and flowing descents, this bicycle paradise is a bucket-list destination.

There will be 290 miles and 29,000 feet of climbing spread over five rides with a rest day in the middle, and plenty of stops to refuel, catch your breath, and take in the scene—it's a challenging but rewarding adventure. Sepp will join each group for one full day on and off the bike, making it an intimate way to get inspired by somebody at the top of their game!

For more Info: Rides | Hotels | Itinerary | Included | FAQ

Questions? steve@vibetours.co, evan@vibetours.co

The following charity ride is shared by club member John O'Dowd, on an informational basis for CRW members. CRW is not affiliated with this event.

Come ride the Bike for the Woods on Sunday, August 10, 2025, beginning at Center School in Stow (Hartley Road entrance) at 8:30 AM. All proceeds benefit the Stow Conservation Trust.

Ride one of our routes ranging from a family-friendly 5 mi, to 14 mi, 37 mi, and a metric century of 62 mi.

All routes are well-marked with arrows and GPS routes are available for bike computers and smartphones. Mostly quiet roads with great scenery. The shorter (5 and 14 mi) routes are flat; the longer routes (37 and 64 mi) are hilly enough to be challenging even for experienced cyclists.

Advance registration is $25 per rider over 12 years, $15 per child ($55 family maximum). Day of event registration is $30 per rider over 12, $20 per child, $60 maximum. More information, including routes and registration links, can be found at Bikeforthewoods.org

CRW's Climb to the Clouds will test your biking abilities with lots of climbing including Mt. Wachusett for the Century distance. We hope to see you there!

When: 2025-08-03; 7:00 AM
Location: Lincoln Sudbury HS

Register now!

https://crw.org/event-6202845