John riding his city bike, a modified Raleigh Twenty folder.

Where you are from?

May father made a career as a Community Chest/United Fund administrator. My family moved every four years as his career advanced. So I didn't really feel that I was from anywhere except where we went on vacation summer after summer in Canada and many relatives were there.

How long have you been cycling, and what initially got you interested in the sport?

I first rode a bicycle in 1953, at age 7. I took up cycling as an adult as a student at Middlebury College, in Vermont, to get around town, and for recreation. Cycling became my main mode of local transportation when I moved to Boston for further studies. My cycling horizons expanded bit by bit as I took up recreational riding.

When did you join CRW?

My first CRW ride was led by Ralph Galen from Cambridge Common in 1975. I joined the club in 1979 and have been a member almost continuously since.

What is your best advice for a new club member?

Get involved and make social connections in the club. Most people who join CRW already are fit and able to ride the distance. But I hope that we have more intro events and skill training to help get people up to that level.

In what capacities have you volunteered for the club, and for how long?

I served on the Safety Committee which was active in the early 20-teens, served on the Board for 6 years, and now serve as Safety Coordinator.

Are you a Ride Leader?

Yes. In the 1980s I organized weekend trips with stays at youth hostels on Cape Cod and the Islands. I more recently took over the East European Ride from its founders. I run a Waltham history ride with cycling historian Larry Finison.

What led to you becoming a Ride Leader?

Wanting to make the pleasures of cycling available to others and maintain the tradition of recreational road riding.

What types of rides are you planning on leading in the future?

Same as before but I also want to lead intro rides. As a CyclingSavvy Instructor, I am keen about helping to build riders' skills and confidence.

How many miles a year do you typically ride?

It was around 5,000 in my heyday and 2,500 in the pandemic year (empty roads, and what else to do!), but otherwise I am down to around 1,500 miles, largely local utility riding but some recreational riding and rides in my courses.

What is your greatest cycling accomplishment?

Building on my cycling experience and engineering background to become an instructor, author, editor, and cycling videographer.

What is your favorite route to ride?

A three-day weekend trip to Cape Cod that can include a stop on Martha's Vineyard and a stay at its youth hostel (cyclists stay young!), then to Hyannis by ferry, next night in Truro, and then take the ferry home -- a tour without the need to carry camping gear. Or you could carry it and stay at campgrounds.

What is your favorite post-ride food or drink?

Oh, I have a story. I took my first ride down to the Cape in 1975, got hungry somewhere around Scituate, stopped at a seafood shack and ordered fried clams. I learned the hard way that they were indigestible while riding and suffered my worst stomach aches ever for the next 50 miles. I quickly turned to fig newtons and, bananas. Drink? Water, with plenty of salt to avoid leg cramps on a hot day.

Anything else you want to share?

I value CRW's fostering joy, exploration, camaraderie and healthy exercise through cycling and that is why I continue to volunteer.