If you or someone you know wants to try bike packing, here is the perfect, low cost opportunity!

- A Vermont overnight

- featuring mixed terrain (paved, gravel, bike paths)

- "posh" camping (hot showers, running water)

- and a wonderful pond for the after-ride swim!

See all details at:

https://charlesriverwheelers.wildapricot.org/event-5253289?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=6/6/2023

June President's Message

By Edward Cheng

Salutations, fellow CRW Members.  The good weather is here and CRW kicked off the 2023 riding season with a spectacular North to New Hampshire Century on May 13, 2023.  The weather was perfect and we had over 300 registrants ride the fully supported century -- the first N2NH fully supported century since pre-COVID.  Thanks to the century committee and the volunteers who ran the rest stops, without whom the event could not have happened.  I have to admit when I first heard from the century committee that they wanted to run three centuries this year just like pre-COVID times, I was a little skeptical, but so far so good!

Help keep the momentum going by signing up and riding our weekend rides, followed by the challenging Climb to the Clouds Century on June 10.  John O'Dowd, our VP of Rides is working hard to cajole our Ride Leaders to post rides, so let's make it worth their while by making our weekend rides a success.

Last, if you don't see me on the roads until September, the reason is that I ruptured my left Achilles tendon the day after the N2NH.  So while I can cheer you on from the sidelines, I won't be joining you on the roads for a few months.

Let's make this first COVID free season a great one for the ages.

Ready for 47 miles of wonderfully country roads, a new micro-brewery, and a bit of cycling history?  Then join us for a new CRW ride in Littleton, MA at 11:30am.   Full details here https://www.crw.org/event-5236941?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=5/26/2023 

CRW offers annual Grants to organizations that are bike centric.  This year we are focused on non-profit 501(c) (3) organizations that provide events and activities for young children and organizations that are working on diversity issues in the bike community.

Grant submissions are due by Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

If your organization is interested in applying for a grant.  Please email grants@crw.org and the form will be sent to you.

Register to join us at the Tri-State Trek June 24-25! The Tri-State Trek is a weekend bike ride to benefit ALS research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). 

This inspiring community weekend offers beginner to advanced ride options that travel through the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Our newly designed Trek offers cyclists an unforgettable weekend of athleticism, camaraderie, and dedication to supporting vital ALS research. 

The Tri-State Trek is a fully supported bike ride that provides riders with fundraising tools, meals and snacks at rest stops along the route and at camp, and more! Choose to ride 1 or 2 days with options to cover roughly 30 or 100 miles per day. Ride with a team or as an individual and become part of our #Trekfamily.

Register at https://tst.als.net/

The CRW Gravel Program ride leaders have put together the following intro to gravel/mixed-terrain riding. We hope to see you on a CRW Gravel ride soon!

What is gravel cycling?

• Better to call it “mixed-terrain”: we ride in the woods, on paved and unpaved paths, on single and double track trails, on fire roads and boardwalks, and on the street.
• Riding is usually not as gnarly as mountain biking; mostly steer around larger obstacles, not go over them.
• Routes are longer than MTB routes (hence the comfortable style of a gravel bike) and routes may be stitched together via street riding.
• At least 32 mm tires with some raised tread are recommended; route conditions may dictate wider and knobbier tires.
• You may need to walk your bike over obstacles occasionally.
• Gravel rides can be very FUN and SOCIAL! Slower pace and less traffic means riders are more able to chat. And watch out for beer stops!

Safety/courtesy (follow basic road riding rules, plus a few extra points to keep in mind):

• Follow rules of the road and rules of the trail system/park you are riding in.
• Use hand signals and call out / point out hazards (hole, slowing, car left, etc.).
• Ride single file except on wide dirt roads or double track.
• Very important on trails: give adequate space to the rider in front of you.
• No pacelines on trails.
• Pedestrians (and dogs) have the right of way: call out, give space, dismount if necessary, especially on narrow trails and boardwalks.
• CRW gravel rides are not races. Don’t pass another rider unless it’s very safe to do so; this usually means don’t pass on single track.
• Be smart out in the woods:
• • Always have navigation and cell phone.
  • Let people know your route/time expected in the woods.
  • Bring extra food and water.
  • It's a good idea to have a basic first aid kit; you may be FAR from medical assistance.
  • Know how to repair flats and other mechanical problems.
  • Watch the weather and turn back if necessary.
  • Don’t ride alone; use the buddy system.
• Be friendly out there; we are representing cyclists in general and CRW in particular.

Basic gravel pointers

• Allow extra time: pace is about 2-4 mph slower than on the road; 10 mph is a typical speed.
• Do not follow the rider in front too closely so that you can react to them slowing/stopping; look for what’s coming and choose your own line.
• You usually don’t need to push a big gear in the woods; if you run a 2X, you may find you ride mostly in the small ring.
• Shift EARLY and OFTEN; anticipate what’s coming and shift for what’s ahead.
• Downshift BEFORE you get to an incline, to get your pedals turning over fast enough to power up the hill.
• Adjust your weight a bit forward to get more traction on the uphill.
• Hover over the saddle when going over rocks/roots and use arms as shocks (decreases likelihood of pinch flatting).
• Run lower tire pressure for more grip.
• Steer around obstacles where there is room, rather than going over them
• Take your time on technical downhills, pick your line, shift your weight backwards (hover if necessary), hold your breaks steadily, and let the bike gently descend over roots/rocks.
• Look up and ahead; look at the line you want the bike to take; if you stare at on obstacle, you will likely steer right to it.
• Gravel roads are often steeper than paved roads. If you stand up, the rear wheel spins out. If you sit too far back, the front wheel pops off the trail. Balance your weight.
• You can't bomb the downhills like on a paved road. Control your speed so that you can always stop in the length of road you can see clearly. You can't see what's around that curve or over that lip. Be ready for loose gravel or washboard or a pothole or a car. You won't be able to stop or maneuver as aggressively as on pavement.
• On loose gravel or sand, you mostly need to ride steady. Aggressive braking or turning can cause the bike to wash out.
• Leaves can obscure holes, rocks, and sticks.
• Many puddles are easy and safe to ride through, but sometimes they are much deeper than expected or have hidden rocks or sticks that can send you flying.

Climb to the Clouds will test your biking abilities with lots of climbing and a climb up Mt. Wachusett.  This Devo semi-supported ride will have 2 beautiful rides, 100 miles and 63 miles.  The CTTC hilly rides will climb up Mt. Wachusett for those wanting a challenge. There will be 2 unsupported rest stops including  Berlin Orchards and Mt. Wachusett vistor center. Come climb Massachusetts iconic mountain with views of New England. Register Now!

Join the CRW North to New Hampshire Spring Century for a breathtaking adventure on some of New Hampshire's most scenic roads. Get ready for an unforgettable experience with our skilled ride leaders. Mechanical support will be provided by Trek Cambridge and Gunther at the ride start. This CRW favorite century event is back and better than ever with new 2023 special edition sprockets for all riders. After the ride, celebrate your achievement with a delicious post-ride pizza party at Hearth Pizzeria, which offers vegan and gluten-free options. Don't wait, join the CRW Century Series and register now for the North to New Hampshire Spring Century! Register for $45. But hurry, space is limited and there are NO day of registrations. The last day to register is Friday, May 12th. Click here to register

Can't ride on the day of the event, don't miss your chance to earn the N2NH sprocket for your collection by signing up for the virtual ride option and completing a 50, 63, or 100 mile ride before May 31st.

We were able to resolve the payment issues, so please try again your membership renewals and century registrations.  Thanks for your patience.

The CRW Board just unanimously approved John O'Dowd as the new VP of Rides for the club.  John is a long-time member of the club, one of our most active Ride Leaders, and former Board Member (and Secretary).  He knows how our rides should be run and how they have been run in the past.  The Board has tremendous confidence that John will be able to revive our weekend rides, now that COVID is finally in our rear mirror.   Please join the Board in supporting John and making 2023 the revival year for our weekend rides!

I would like to thank Martin Hayes for being our VP of Rides earlier this year, but he could not make it work with his obligations and he reluctantly tendered his resignation earlier this month.