Saturday April 22 is the 2nd Annual Spring Swap Meet & Rides, running this year at the Lynnfield Middle School.  The 2 morning rides (a 30 and a 40) visit Middleton, North Reading, Andover, and Harold Parker state forrest.   See full details at https://www.crw.org/event-5231934?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=4/11/2023

The Swap Meet runs 1-4pm offering both Free Stuff and For Sale areas, and with Nashoba Valley Pedalers and North Shore Cyclists as our guests, BOTH areas will have more "this is FREE?" finds than ever!

Below are six For Sale gems that will be there, and if you'd like to add items to this list please email jskurla@comcast.net.

1. Brompton folding bike - titanium/steel frame

     2 speed, Brooks saddle, Ergon grips, thousands of dollars new - $950

2. Shimano WH600 10 speed wheel set

     Aluminum, silver, 12-27t cassette - $125

3.  Cyclops Fluid 2 trainer

     Like new, includes special rear wheel skewer & trainer tire - $75

4. Tubus Cosmo rear rack

     Silver, stainless steel, includes mounting hardware - $65

5. Shimano Ultegra RX 11 speed rear deraileur

     Mechanical, built-in clutch - $40

6. WTB Riddler gravel tire pair

    700x37c, NOT tubeless, light fast rolling casing - $20

RIDES are the heart and soul of CRW, and RIDE LEADERS are its backbone. 

Have you ever thought about leading a ride with CRW? Do you have questions about what is involved? We are offering Ride Leader Training on April 25th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM for anyone who wishes to learn more about what it takes to lead a club ride. Our ride leaders are at the core of what makes CRW an outstanding bike club.

CRW leads a huge variety of rides, from our signature weekend road rides to gravel, women’s, multi-day adventures, centuries, weekly recurring rides, and more. It takes volunteers to develop the routes, secure a ride start location, and consider the details that ensure an enjoyable experience for our riders.

There are a lot of reasons to consider leading rides.  For one, you’re the boss!  Leading rides means you get to do the kind of ride you like, including start location, pace, distance, destination, theme, social activities, etc. You can choose to lead a group at a specific pace or have people ride on their own, pick a great spot for lunch, arrange for ice cream or other treats at the finish, and find other creative ways to make your ride interesting. Leading rides is also a great way to give back to the club.  We’ve all benefited from others who are willing to organize, post to the calendar and lead rides for us, so if you’re looking for a way to give back, this is a great opportunity. Plus, leading rides is a fun way to meet and make friends in the club.

Anyone who would like to lead any ride for CRW this season (including weekend road rides, gravel, adventure, recurring, etc.) is required to attend this year’s ride leader training and complete subsequent ride leader training tasks. A recording of the Zoom session will be made available. 

Oh, and did we mention that leading rides comes with benefits? You get to join century rides for free, there are great parties for ride leaders and the seasonal thank you gifts are amazing!

 

Existing ride leaders that would like a refresher are welcome to join, as well, but this training is not required for existing ride leaders. There will be a demo on how to post rides to the new website, so you may want to join us!

Registration is required.

Interested in participating or maybe even leading a CRW Adventure this summer?  Learn more about it with a quick look at the recorded Zoom meeting from April 6th.  Charles River Wheelers - YouTube (wildapricot.org) 

#slack

• Editing existing entry
• Getting Started
• Profile Management
• Registering for an Event
• CRW Website and App

Overview of WildApricot and Why the Bike Club is Adopting It

WildApricot is a comprehensive membership management software designed to help organizations streamline member administration, event planning, and communication. Our bike club has adopted WildApricot to simplify and centralize these tasks, making it easier for members to engage with the club, register for events, and manage their profiles. Event creators will also benefit from a user-friendly platform to create, edit, and manage ride events.

Getting Started

Q: How do I log in to the WildApricot apps if I use Google login for the website?

A: Unfortunately, the WildApricot apps do not support Google login. You will need to set up an email and password for your WildApricot account. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Visit the WildApricot website and click on "Forgot password."
2. Enter the email address associated with your Google login.
3. Check your email for a password reset link and follow the instructions to create a new password.
4. Use your email address and new password to log in to the WildApricot apps.

Profile Management

Q: How do I upload a photo for my profile?

A: To upload a photo, go to your profile and click "Edit profile." In the profile editing view, click on the photo upload button, select a photo from your device, and save your changes.

Q: My photo uploaded sideways. How do I rotate it?

A: Currently, WildApricot does not offer a built-in tool for rotating images. We recommend rotating your photo using an external photo editing tool before uploading it.

Registering for an Event

Q: How can I add a ride to my calendar when registering for it?

A: After registering for a ride, you can manually add the event details to your preferred calendar app.

Q: Why does the registration system ask if I'm a member or a guest even when I'm logged in?

A: The registration system asks this question to provide an option for logged-in users to register additional people (e.g., guests) for the event.

Q: How do I Register for a Ride?

A: Follow these directions.

CRW Website and App

Q: What is the difference between the WildApricot website and the mobile apps?

A: The WildApricot website offers a full range of features, while the mobile apps provide convenient, on-the-go access to essential features. The mobile app is ideal for quick access to event details, registration, and member profiles, while the website is better suited for more extensive administrative tasks.

Q: How can I access the CRW Slack channel?

A: The link to the CRW Slack channel can be found on the club's main website, typically under "Resources" or "Member Communication." If you cannot find it, contact a club administrator for assistance.

• Editing existing entry
• Creating Ride Events
• Managing Ride Events
• CRW Website and App

Creating Ride Events

Q: How can I simplify the process of creating a ride event?

A: We recommend following the steps outlined in our How to Create a Ride Post for creating rides, which involves fewer steps: 1. Select Admin mode, 2. Select Template, 3. Update Ride info, and 4. Change visibility to Public.

Q: How can I edit a RideWithGPS hyperlink when creating a ride?

A: To edit a RideWithGPS hyperlink, update the linked URL directly in the HTML editor.

Q: Can I create a ride using the mobile app?

A: Not at this time. The mobile app currently does not support ride creation. To create a ride, please use the website on a computer or a mobile device's web browser.

Managing Ride Events

Q: Who can edit a ride?

A: Any user with admin permissions can edit a ride.

Q: How can I access the ride catalog and edit a ride?

A: To access the ride catalog, go to the admin view, click on "Events," and find the ride you want to edit. Click on the ride to open it, and then click the "Edit" button to make changes.

CRW Website and App

Q: How can I access the CRW Slack channel?

A: The link to the CRW Slack channel can be found on the club's main website, typically under "Resources" or "Member Communication." If you cannot find it, contact a club administrator for assistance.

Q: How do I insert a hyperlink in the description using the mobile app?

A: To insert a hyperlink in the description, you will need to use the WildApricot website on a computer or mobile device's web browser. The mobile app does not currently support hyperlink insertion.

Q: How do I enable registration for an event using the mobile admin app?

A: To enable registration, go to the event in the mobile admin app, click "Edit," and create a new registration type. Define the details for the registration type, including the ticket type, and save your changes.

Winter in Boston can be a difficult time for bike riders. The cold temperatures and icy roads can make it difficult to stay safe and comfortable. But with the right preparation and gear, winter bike riding in Boston can be an enjoyable experience.

First, make sure you have the right clothing. Layering is key when it comes to winter biking, so make sure you have a base layer, an insulating layer, and a waterproof outer layer. You'll also need a good pair of gloves and a warm hat or balaclava to keep your head and hands warm.

Next, make sure your bike is ready for winter riding. Check your brakes and tires to make sure they're in good condition, and consider investing in studded tires if you plan on riding on icy roads. You should also check your lights to make sure they're working properly, as visibility is especially important during the winter months.

Finally, be aware of the road conditions before you ride. If it's snowing or icy, it's best to avoid riding until conditions improve. If you do decide to ride in snowy or icy conditions, take it slow and be extra cautious when turning or braking.

Winter bike riding in Boston doesn't have to be intimidating. With the right preparation and gear, you can enjoy the cold weather on two wheels!