By David Wean

Recently Cynthia and I took two two-week (guided) cycling tours in India, riding about 700 miles over the month. The first tour was primarily in Rajasthan (in the north-central part of the country), the second mostly in Karnataka and Kerala (the south-west, including the coast almost to the southern tip). Here are some impressions of the cycling aspect of the tours.  Each tour had about 10 participants, plus two guides and a driver. 

Right is Wrong

The first challenge was riding on the “wrong” side of the road.  In a group or when there’s traffic, it’s not too hard to remember, though on my own I sometimes had to catch myself. I use a Take-a-Look eyeglass mirror, and thought I’d switch it to the right side as a reminder, but I found it hard for my eyes (brain?) to adjust, and went back to my normal position which was more comfortable, though less effective.  

Another aspect of left-side driving is turns: at home, turning left has more potential conflicts than turning right, and thus requires a lot more attention; here, it was the opposite. When turning right, I had to think carefully about where to look, and didn’t always get it quite right. 

Traffic 

There is a wide variety of road users, even on the “highways”. In reverse order of priority: people walking (there usually weren’t decent sidewalks), people on bicycles (mostly older men on one-speed bikes and very few “road” cyclists), motor scooters and cycles, tuk-tuks (three-wheeled small taxis), cars, small trucks and buses, and the occasional large bus or truck.  

Oh, and cows.  

Everyone honks before passing. It’s just a brief warning, but with the variation in speed, there’s a lot of passing, and thus a lot of honking. The honking is not hostile or punitive as we hear at home, but it takes some getting used to. Even then, it’s a constant loud background in many places.

When being passed I moved left, to the extent it was safe, or if riding side by side, we singled up and the drivers passed using whatever room was left (This included the oncoming lanes which often were not empty. I’m surprised that I didn’t see any head-on collisions, nor, actually, any collisions at all, though I did see some smashed vehicles here and there.)  

As a recent League Cycling Instructor, I’ve been very conscious of the five “must say” principles, which include “follow the law” and “be predictable”.   

From what I’ve read, there actually are rules of the road similar to what we have at home, but compliance, particularly by folks on two wheels, is not great. An example: on divided roadways, we often encountered motor bikes (and an occasional car) riding the wrong way along the right-hand edge of the road. We were instructed by our guide to pull a little to our right to let them get by. (At home, I’ll typically stay at the edge of the road, and let the offending cyclist worry about oncoming motor traffic.).  We commented on this: “Can you believe it - they’re going the wrong way”. Shortly after this, we approached our hotel, which happened to be on the right side of the road. Ironically, rather than ride a quarter mile to the next break in the divider and then turn back (as we would at home) our guide had us shift to the right (wrong) side of the road at an earlier break and ride against traffic for several hundred meters.

However, after a while, the unpredictable became predictable. For example, crossing the street on foot in the cities took a few days to figure out. At first, we’d walk to one of the infrequent traffic signals, but even there, there weren’t dedicated phases for walkers. Plan B was to find a local who looked like they were crossing in the same direction as we were, and when they went, we went.  We finally understood that they looked for a gap in traffic large enough to be visible, and then walked steadily in a straight line. Traffic made room for us, either crossing in front of us or behind. It never became second nature, but eventually it was more comfortable, and we no longer considered taking a 50 cent tuk-tuk ride to get across the street (no, we never actually did that).

We realized that the principle is that everyone watches everyone else, keeps doing what they’re doing, and we all work around each other. The sense I got was that drivers were way more attentive there than they are at home - even people riding motorbikes with one hand and talking on the phone with the other were looking where they were going. Someone explained that the principle is “don’t hit anyone” rather than “drive defensively”. 

The Road(s) Taken

We encountered a wide variety of riding surfaces on the tours:  we spent a day or so on a newly paved and striped highway, smooth with enough room on the shoulder to feel comfortable. We went over long bridges with narrow lanes and heavy but slow traffic.  Some roads were in bad shape (including many on the day we descended 6500 feet - what a waste of a good downhill) and plenty were dirt or gravel.  The bikes that were provided were suitable though - 29-er hardtail mountain bikes on one of the tours, and aluminum hybrids with 40 mm tires and front shocks on the other.  

Overall, we were happy with the trip, learned to manage our way (with a little help from our friendly guides) and saw a lot of cool and interesting things. The experience provided a window on another way of getting around by bike:  order within apparent chaos.  

We’d recommend this trip for the touristing value, as well as a different way to think about cycling. For yet another view, maybe next time we’ll revisit Amsterdam or Copenhagen…

It is very easy to add your picture to your profile on the CRW Website.

Follow these steps:

1. Log in to the CRW.org website.
2. Click on your name at the top of the page - this brings you to your "My Profile" page.
3. Click on "Edit Profile".
4. Scroll down until you see "Avatar".
5. Click on "Choose File".
6. Find and click on the picture you want to have as your "Avatar".
7. Go back to the top of the page and "Save".

Users of the Wild Apricot Member Phone App will now be able to see your face in your Contact listing. 

***SHARE YOUR RIDE PHOTOS WITH CRW!***
Email them to: media-share@crw.org

Scenes from the Norwellian Ride...

Our Women's/Nonbinary Program kicked off an ambitious 2025 season with two brand-new offerings designed to welcome riders at every level and help them advance their cycling skills.

Season Kickoff Saturday Ride: Building Community

Despite an early morning weather scare that pushed our May 31 start time to noon, our season kickoff ride delivered everything we hoped for! An incredible crew of riders came together for a great day of cycling and connection.

Starting from Contes Bike Shop in Lexington, our groups rolled out at noon after a safety briefing. The 26-mile route through Lexington, Concord, and Carlisle showcased some of the best cycling the area has to offer. The club provided snacks and drinks back at Contes, ending a great social kick-off for the program.

Thank you to ride leaders Katerina Cai, Melissa Quirk, and Amy Juodawlkis, and to Contes Bike Shop for hosting us for the first time.

Looking ahead, a Women's/Nonbinary Program Saturday ride will appear on the calendar 1-2 times per month, spearheaded by Katerina Cai, who is actively seeking additional ride leaders to help out at any pace.

Paceline Clinic: Advancing Skills

Our second initiative launched June 3 with our first-ever Paceline Clinic. This clinic was requested by experienced Praline Croissant riders ready to take their group riding skills to the next level. The early morning session (6:30 AM) focused on safe, effective paceline riding.

The clinic emphasized safety and technique over speed, teaching participants how to ride closely together, share the workload, and smoothly exchange positions. The 70-minute session combined pre-clinic video study, concept introduction, skills practice, and debriefing.

Building on this success, we're excited for the next session scheduled for Monday, June 30 at 6:30 AM. Led by Amy Juodawlkis, MaryLauran Hendrix, and Melissa Quirk, this training serves as a prerequisite for our Speedy Croissant Ride.

Ready to Join Us?

• Saturday Rides: Watch the CRW calendar for upcoming Saturday social rides (1-2 times per month)
• Paceline Clinic: Register for the June 30 session HERE

The Charles River Wheelers Board of Directors met on May 11th to address several key initiatives that will enhance member benefits and club operations.

Financial Health and New Endowment Fund

CRW remains financially strong with $135,000 in investments and $36,000 in operating funds. The Board approved establishing the Ralph Galen Endowment Fund with $60,000 in honor of our club's co-founder. This board-restricted fund will support long-term club initiatives, with spending requiring approval from three-quarters of the Board.

To better manage our growing assets, directors also approved creating an Investment Committee to oversee long-term financial planning and investment strategy.

Member Services Expanding

The new CRW name tags continue to be popular, with 45 already distributed and more requests coming in daily. Members report the tags are helping build connections and community at rides and events.

The Board is also finalizing a comprehensive Partnership Policy that will guide future collaborations with cycling organizations and sponsors, ensuring all partnerships align with CRW's mission and member interests.

Safety and Education Focus

The Ride and Safety Committee is exploring new ways to enhance member safety education. A proposal to provide discounted online cycling safety courses through Cycling Savvy is under review as part of the broader partnership policy framework.

Century Ride Improvements

Planning for the 2025 North to New Hampshire Century is progressing well, with route improvements including strategic use of bike paths for safer navigation. Looking ahead to 2026, organizers are designing a quarter-century option to welcome newer riders to this popular event.

The Board also approved increasing the post-ride celebration budget to $3,000, ensuring all century participants can enjoy enhanced refreshments and festivities after their achievement.

Looking Forward

These initiatives reflect the Board's commitment to enhancing the member experience while maintaining CRW's strong financial foundation. The new endowment fund, investment oversight, and expanded educational opportunities position the club for continued growth and member service excellence.

The next Board meeting will focus on finalizing partnership guidelines and addressing additional member service enhancements.

CRW's beloved North to New Hampshire century ride returned for another successful year, featuring an exciting new addition: rail trail routes that added a fresh dimension to this long-standing CRW favorite. With spring weather and enthusiastic participation, the event delivered on all fronts.

By the Numbers

This year's ride saw impressive participation with 262 registrations and 215 riders who hit the road across three distance options. These events are a primary way CRW services, rides and charitable work are funded throughout the year, and by participating members help support the club while having fun! Most importantly, organizers reported no major incidents, reflecting the excellent planning and execution that has become synonymous with CRW events.

New Rail Trail Integration

The 2025 edition introduced rail trail segments to all three route options, offering riders a unique blend of scenic New Hampshire roads and dedicated cycling paths. Despite some initial concerns about "speed
bumps" on the trails, feedback from ride leaders indicated that participants were particularly happy with this new feature, which added variety and  safety to the traditional route. As always, we will continue to refine and improve routes to provide the best and safest possible experience  

Multi-Pace, Multi-Distance Options

The event accommodated cyclists of all abilities with three distance options and multiple pace groups:

• 100-Mile Century: Three pace groups led by Martin Hayes (16-17 mph), Andre Wolff (20+ mph), and the team of Patria Vandermark and Dave Sobel (15-16 mph)
• 63-Mile Metric Century: Two options with Jerry Skurla (14-16 mph) and Peter Sousounis (13-14 mph)
• 50-Mile Half Century: Led by Ellen Gugel (13-14 mph)

All routes featured three fully-supported rest stops with mechanical support and refreshments at Groveland, Maudslay Park in Newburyport, and American Legion Park in Georgetown.

Volunteer Excellence and Logistics Success

The event's smooth operation was a testament to CRW's dedicated volunteer network. Century Committee Co-leads Mark Nardone and Erik D'Entremont praised the exceptional work of water stop volunteers, ride leaders, and the distribution team. A notable achievement was the early breakdown of rest stops as the last riders completed their routes, allowing the volunteer team to wrap up by 8:30 PM - a new record for efficiency.

The club's onsite digital registration proved particularly effective, enabling early rider departures and contributing to the streamlined event timeline. SAG service was provided by Mark Nardone in his famous "Grendel" vehicle. The club rolled out a new emergency contact number, provided to each rider on wristbands. 

Minor Challenges, Major Solutions

While the event ran smoothly overall, organizers noted a few minor issues. The food vendor arrived without vegan options, prompting organizers to commit to better accommodating vegan riders in future events. Additionally, a last-minute route adjustment for safety caused an unexpected reroute. This led some century riders onto a private gravel road, though this didn't cause any significant problems for participants, and it has been noted and fixed for future rides.

Post-Ride Celebration

The day concluded with a post-ride party beginning at 1:30 PM, where participants could share stories of their New Hampshire adventure while enjoying refreshments and the camaraderie that makes CRW events special. The last rider rolled in just after 5:00 PM, with organizers ensuring everyone was well taken care of.

Looking Forward

VP of Rides John O'Dowd said that early indications show high satisfaction levels across all groups. The success of the rail trail integration suggests this feature will likely become an optional inclusion on future North to New Hampshire centuries.

The organizers emphasized the ongoing need for volunteer recruitment, with plans to discuss volunteer engagement strategies at upcoming RASC and IOC meetings. At least two additional helpers are needed for the Distribution team, so CRW continues to welcome members interested in supporting these signature events.

The North to New Hampshire Century exemplifies CRW's commitment to providing safe, well-organized, and enjoyable cycling experiences for members of all abilities. Special thanks to all volunteers, ride leaders, and participants who made this year's event another memorable success.

Next Century Series Event: Climb to the Clouds

Climb to the Clouds (CTTC) on August 3 will test your cycling abilities with lots of elevation and a climb up Mt. Wachusett.  This semi-supported ride will have 2 beautiful routes, 100 miles and 63 miles.  Come climb Massachusetts iconic mountain with views of New England. Preliminary information available here: CRW's Century Series.

Remember, centuries are exclusively for CRW members. Make sure your membership is up to date! 

For more information about volunteering or leading a century ride, contact century@crw.org.

***SHARE YOUR RIDE PHOTOS WITH CRW!***
Email them to: media-share@crw.org

CRW hosted a Paceline Clinic in May with assistance from our members who are also affiliated with NEBC. Here, instructors are walking through proper technique.

Turnout was excellent for the paceline clinic. Lots of good questions were asked and answered. After talking through the principles of pacelining, attendees were able to practice what they learned in the parking lot, and then out on the road.

As we dust off our bikes and hit the roads for another glorious season of cycling, it's the perfect time to refresh our understanding of standard group riding etiquette and skills. Whether you're a seasoned club member or joining us for the first time, these guidelines will help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience on our group rides.

For more information, please see CRW's Group Riding Guidelines.

Group Riding Essentials

On CRW rides, each rider must take responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. Here are the fundamentals:

Before the Ride:

• Do your homework - Review the ride description thoroughly (distance, difficulty, average speed, route characteristics, and planned stops)
• Come prepared - Bring adequate hydration, snacks, spare tube, tools, weather-appropriate clothing, charged phone, battery pack, ID, and cash or a credit card
• Know the route - Upload the ride map to your phone or bike computer before arriving
• Respect the ride leader - They're volunteering their time and experience to keep the group safe and organized

On the Road:

Communication is Key

Clear signals and calls help everyone stay safe. When you hear these calls, repeat them for riders ahead and/or behind you:

• Directional calls - Signal and call out "Left turn" or "Right turn"
• "Slowing!" - Warning that you're reducing speed
• "Stopping!" - Preparing to come to a complete stop
• "Rolling!" - Moving again after a stop (never call "Clear" - each rider must assess safety)
• "On your left" - When passing another rider (never pass on the right)
• "On your wheel" - Alerting a rider you've caught up behind them
• "Car up" - Vehicle approaching from ahead
• "Car back" - Vehicle approaching from behind
• Obstacle calls - Point out and name specific hazards ("Hole!", "Glass!", "Gravel!", "Crack!")

Proper Positioning

• Maintain your personal space and never overlap wheels with another rider
• Hold your line - be predictable and avoid sudden movements
• Keep adequate following distance (1-2 bike lengths for beginners)
• Adjust spacing based on conditions (increase on descents or wet roads)

Passing Protocol

When being passed:

• Be aware of approaching riders
• Move to single file when safe
• Acknowledge the pass and maintain steady speed
• Hold your line consistently

When passing:

• Check for traffic behind you
• Announce "Passing on your left"
• Allow adequate space as you pass
• Return to line only when safely clear

Be a Cycling Ambassador

Remember that we represent CRW in every community we ride through. Share the road respectfully with drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists. Don't block traffic unnecessarily, and always follow traffic laws.

The Bottom Line

Group riding is about community, enjoyment, and shared experiences. These guidelines have evolved to keep everyone safe while maximizing the fun. By following them, you help create the positive atmosphere that makes CRW rides special.

See you on the roads!

By John Allen

Many CRW members arrive at the ride start in motor vehicles. So… are you expecting a shaming session? Well, I sometimes arrive by car too, and I’m going to take a motorist’s point of view in this article. So there!

My last month’s article was about my bicycle ride through an intersection in Cambridge. On January 31 of this year, my son Jacob and I drove through the same intersection in a car. We haven’t been driving often enough in Cambridge to get used to the traffic there. We had an interesting encounter. Our dashcam captured the video below.

Vulnerable road user = victim?

Our incident with the bus holds a lesson about the meaning of the term “vulnerable road user”.

A vulnerable road user is typically described as someone lacking the protection of a metal shell. Yet motorcyclists are not usually heaped into that category, despite the considerable risks of motorcycling. The usual concept of a “vulnerable road user” is, rather, of victimhood — of smallness and helplessness.

Let’s try a different definition: a vulnerable road user lacks strategies to prevent bad things from happening, regardless of the transportation mode. These strategies prevent crashes and build confidence.

Refining strategies

Now let’s look at my strategies and my son’s.

The usual defensive-driving strategies work wherever the normal rules of movement apply. One of those strategies is to establish a lane position before reaching an intersection, to avoid conflict with other traffic.

That rule does not apply at Mount Auburn Street and Putnam Avenue. When I rode my bicycle through the intersection, it confused me, as I described in the earlier article. I kept myself safe, but I encouraged a motorist to turn right, possibly right hooking another cyclist. Only lucky timing prevented that.

Next time, I’ll know that I have to look behind myself, if I choose to ride in the bus and bike lane — as I might, because traffic backs up in the overloaded left lane.

When Jacob and I drove through in a car, the intersection confused a bus driver, who finally realized what was happening. But then if Jacob and I had waited for the bus to depart, we would have also had to wait till we got the right-turn signal again. Instead, we chose to turn across cautiously in front of the bus. It was an uncomfortable choice. We couldn’t be absolutely sure that the bus driver was waiting specifically for us. We had become the vulnerable road users. In the right-hook situation at Mt. Auburn and Putnam, the one who hooks is more vulnerable, not as usual, the one who is hooked!

When I ride through this intersection again, I’ll probably use the bus and bike lane, because the left lane is overloaded, but I’ll know that I am vulnerable and could be right hooked. When we drive into Cambridge again, we’ll avoid turning right at that intersection. There is no way to do that legally without the risk of right-hooking a bus or bicyclist.

A closer look

The Google Street View image below from October 2020 shows signs, signals and markings at the intersection, in case you didn’t see them long enough in the video. There is a right-turn arrow under the car. The two-stage turn queuing box on the far-right corner, shown in the video, had not yet been painted. No other signs, signals or markings have changed. The unusual special bus signal is in its triangle (yellow light) phase.

I have to wonder at Cambridge’s choices with this intersection, especially when a well-known solution could solve the problem. Placing the bus stop after the intersection would restore the normal rules, relieve congestion in the left lane, and have pedestrians crossing more safely behind rather than ahead of the bus.

The takeaway

The normal rules of the road reduce vulnerability by making maneuvers predictable and keeping road users visible to each other. Designs which violate these rules require special caution.

But as to your practical questions for now, whether on your bicycle or in a car, when a situation overturns the normal rules, take extra care, look behind you (as the bus driver finally did) and maybe next time avoid it entirely!

If you just can’t get enough of this, a more detailed look into the incident in the video may be found at this address.

Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
I grew up in the Bronx, New York and live in Boston now.

How long have you been cycling, and what initially got you interested in the sport?
I enjoyed cycling ever since I was a kid.  My cycling was casual until 1999, when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and I decided to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge.

How long have you been a CRW member?
I joined CRW in 2000, I think.

How many miles do you typically ride per year?
I’ve ridden as many as 7,600 in a year, but now it’s probably closer to 5,000.
 
What is your greatest cycling accomplishment?
I raised more than $375,000 over the course of my PMC career,
 
What is your favorite route to ride?
Other than Italy, the South Shore Coastal Loop (SSCL).
 
What is your favorite post-ride food or drink?
After a long, hot summer ride, I very much enjoy a good beer.

What is your best advice for a new club member?
Try our all the different rides and decide what types of rides you like best.

In what capaciies have you volunteered for the club, and for how long?
I’ve twice been a board member for twice for a total of 12 years.  I’ve led or co-led the SSCL since 2005.

What led to you becoming a Ride Leader?
 I love the South Shore Coastal loop and when the current ride leader announced he was stepping down, I volunteered.

What rides are you planning on leading this year?
I lead the South Short Coastal Loop most Sundays between May and early October. We are looking for ride leader help for the SSCL. Ride Leaders that are interested in helping out can contact our VP of Rides at rides-vp@crw.org to get involved.

Anything else you want to share about yourself or cycling journey?
I will be retiring very soon and am looking to doing lots more riding with the club.