By John O'Dowd

CRW is excited to announce it’s winter Zwift ride series. These virtual rides will mostly take place Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM.

While advertised on the club calendar, these rides will be Zwift meetups, meaning you will receive invitations to the ride on your Zwift Companion phone app. You must follow whoever the ride leader is on Zwift to get the invitations. Contact the ride leader if you did not get an invitation.

You must sign up on Zwift before the ride begins. Registering on the club calendar is optional.

The rides will be no drop, meaning the Zwift “rubber band” feature will be on. This allows everyone to stay together regardless of what pace they are doing.

We will use the club Discord account to talk with each other during the ride. To use Discord you must install it on a device that you will have with you during the ride (a phone, a tablet, etc).

To get onto the CRW Discord account:

1. Go to your Zwift companion app
2. Go to Clubs
3. Select (or search for) Charles River Wheelers
4. Scroll to the bottom and click on Discord

We hope you choose to join us for a challenging and fun ride from the comfort of your Zwift trainer this winter!

By John Allen

What do bicyclists learn from their bicycles?

Yes, the bicycle teaches the rider. And muscle memory does not fade!

A child may develop habits that work less well on a grownup bike and these habits may last a lifetime unless consciously reversed. One very typical example is with children who start out on a BMX bicycle with a low saddle and coaster brake.

Because the pedals can’t turn backwards with a coaster brake, the forward foot (the one which has to initiate pedaling) steps down to keep the bicycle upright at a stop. Both feet must be down to switch feet and restart. Whole nations – Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark -- have traditionally ridden coaster-brake bicycles – though that is changing -- and the resulting awkwardness of stopping and restarting has shaped their style of riding and their infrastructure choices.

Coaster brakes are common on children’s bikes in the USA. These brakes are relatively trouble-free and intuitive to use, but it can take some work to accustom a growing child, or an adult with decades of ingrained habit, to a bicycle with handbrakes.  These cyclists often prefer the saddle low, reducing pedaling efficiency. For the sake of safety – the ability to restart briskly – and to ride longer distances and come back for more CRW rides – it is prudent to learn efficient stopping and restarting. I therefore encourage the club to hold clinics where newcomers can be introduced to the power pedal start.

Here is video of several cyclists being awkward!

When stopping, most CRW members slide forward off the saddle and put one foot down, then bring up the other pedal for a power-pedal start. With clipless pedals, there is no need even to hook a foot under a pedal to pull it up. But a little experiment will show the power of habit: practice restarting with the opposite foot. (This practice can actually be useful if a pedal won’t release, or when tandeming with someone who learned to start with the other foot.)

Habits which the bicycle teaches aren’t only from childhood. The bicycle teaches the rider how to keep the system stable – staying upright and riding straight. But different bicycles provide different forces through the handlebars and react differently to steering.

Switching between bicycles with different frame geometry loading and handlebar shapes is like switching between musical instruments of the same family – soprano, alto, tenor saxophones, or violin and viola. I’m recalling my first time riding my longtail cargo bike, when my reflexes from riding other bicycles led me to overcorrect steering and weave at low speeds. After a few rides, I adapted to the cargo bike’s handling. The lesson here is to be cautious when setting out on a new (to you) bicycle, especially at the extremes of performance – high speeds, very low speeds, hard braking, cornering. You may need to adapt – to “tune in.”

A bicycle can teach the rider efficient pedaling, or not. A bicycle without low gears will teach the rider to stand when accelerating and climbing. Insufficiently low gears for climbing will teach a new rider that bicycling is difficult. I have been happy to spin up Mt. Wachusett on the Climb to the Clouds ride at hardly more than walking speed and to have my legs still feel good for the many miles ahead. OK, I know a CRW member who did the entire Climb to the Clouds on a fixed-gear bicycle. He is extraordinary, most of us are less so! One of the modern pie-plate size sprocket clusters along with double chainrings and a front derailleur should not be out of the question if climbing is an issue!

Brakes again: The hollow steel rims usual on all but high-end bicycles up through the 1960s were slippery against the brake shoes when wet. Pothole damage would push out the sidewalls of these rims, so a bicycle lurched when braking. I switched to aluminum rims in the early 1970s, but their wedge-like cross section taught me not to trust the brakes until I learned some very precise wheelbuilding.  Today’s rims have parallel sidewalls, or your bicycle has disk brakes. Consider yourself fortunate because they do not teach you to avoid braking hard when you might need to!

Overcoming lingering habits may require changing some equipment on the bike, or only a conscious effort to relearn. Efficient stopping and restarting, steering, braking, and use of the gears make for a more pleasant and safer ride.

CRW could not exist without its superb Ride Leaders. At the close of each riding season, the club formally recognizes our Ride Leaders at a Thank You party.

This year, our Century volunteers were also feted at the same occasion. On November 11, approximately 65 ride leaders, volunteers, and their guests attended a dinner celebration at Hearth Pizzeria in Needham.

The venue was bright and just the right size. Attendees mingled and caught up with each other. A band played while some great food and drink was enjoyed.

Amy Juodawlkis, our Executive VP, handed out this year’s Ride Leader gift, a Travel Kuppe insulated water bottle, along with a custom CRW Ride Leader sticker designed by club member Nina Siegel. 

A short presentation was given by our president, Randolph Williams, and VP of Rides John O’Dowd. New Ride Leaders were welcomed and congratulated. Afterwards, prizes were awarded to those who led or co-led the most rides. This new initiative serves to recognize our most dedicated Ride Leaders.

Prizes were awarded in four categories:

• Most led recurring rides
• Most co-led recurring rides
• Most led non-recurring rides
• Most co-led non-recurring rides

The winners were:

Recurring rides:

• Mike Togo: 18
• Alan Cooney: 17
• Andy Brand: 17

Non-recurring rides:

• Gene Ho: 6
• André Wolff: 6
• Melissa Quirk: 5

Most Recurring Co-leads:

• Sylvia Stoddart: 33
• Barb Taylor: 22
• Julie Stephenson: 15

Most Non-Recurring Co-leads:

• Nina Siegel: 5
• Tsachi Avrahami: 3
• Keren Hamel: 3

Finally, Century coordinator Erik D'Entremont presented some statistics regarding the three supported centuries he organized along with Mark Nardone. Erik thanked the volunteers that made these events a success. Volunteers also received special club stickers.

Ride Leaders: Make sure your rides and co-led rides count towards next year’s contest. Remember to use the latest ride template to create your rides, and to register yourself as the ride leader or the co-lead for your rides.

Club Members: Please consider becoming a Ride Leader! Spread your cycling passion and expertise while meeting great people on awesome rides! Contact our VP of Rides at rides-vp@crw.org to learn more.

Thank you, CRW Ride Leaders and Century volunteers for a great 2024 cycling season!

 

 
Where you are from? Rockand, MA.

What is your best advice for a new club member? I joined CRW about 20 years ago. My advice to members is ride, ride, ride. I am retired and ride all 4 seasons (including winter). I don’t ride in rain or snow/icy roads. 

When did you become a Ride Leader? 16 years ago. 

What led to you becoming a Ride Leader? Years ago there was only one recurring Sunday ride from the Rockland Park and Ride parking lot. If you want something, it’s best if you start it yourself. I started a local ride club called the South Shore Mellow Riders, presently 535 members.

What types of rides are you planning on leading? I am currently leading the CRW Hanson Winter Ride, every Saturday through April 2025.

How long have you been cycling, and what initially got you interested in the sport? I have been riding for over 40 years. I retired from the Boston Globe 20 years ago and started riding and running almost every day. I gave up running after two total knee replacements 16 years ago and started riding more and leading rides for CRW.

How many miles a year do you typically ride? I don’t know? Lots, almost every day. I don’t keep records of how many miles I ride each year. I ride a lot. I love group rides. 

What is your greatest cycling accomplishment? My longest ride is an annual 85 mile ride every summer called the P2P, Plymouth to P-Town and a Captain John ferry back to Plymouth. Thanks Mel.

What is your favorite route to ride? I love the south coastal route; it starts in Hingham and goes through several beautiful coastal towns to Scituate Harbor.  A must coffee stop at The Lucky Finn Cafe in Scituate harbor.

What is your favorite post-ride food or drink?The Lucky Finn Cafe in Scituate harbor. My favorite coffee stop food is caramel latte with a cranberry scone.

Anything else you want to share? I have met the greatest people during the many group rides I have done over the years. Cyclists are the best people!

 

The CRW Communications team currently has two volunteer openings. Put your skills to use while contributing to the club’s success!

Monthly WheelPeople Publisher. Collect and route content from contributors; setup, format, edit, and distribute the monthly WheelPeople (WP) email newsletter; attend monthly virtual planning meetings. Optional: Write/create content for the newsletter. Time commitment: ~4 hr/month. You can read more about this role here. 

Weekly ChainLink Email Coordinator. Prepare, edit, and schedule the weekly template-based Chain Link email from auto- and member-generated content. Time commitment: ~2 hr/month. You can read more about this role here.

Our members rely on WheelPeople and ChainLink to stay informed and engaged. If you have any interest in either (or both!) of these roles or have any questions, please email cpec@crw.org. We would love to hear from you!

 

Winter in New England 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 New England can be an enjoyable experience.

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 need a good pair of gloves and a warm hat or balaclava. Don't forget your feet! Wool socks, not too thick, are a good place to start. Shoe covers/booties or even plastic bags inside your shoes can help keep heat in.

Consider some additional gear choices. Some riders choose to use chemical toe and hand warmers and/or winter-specific cycling boots (or move to flat pedals with regular, warm winter boots). Bar mitts/pogies can be installed on your handlebars to augment your gloves. Although potentially expensive, battery-operated socks, shoe liners, gloves, and even vests can really help on the coldest days.

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.

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.

Stay safe. Ride with a buddy, and check in to make sure everyone is staying warm. Make clothing or route adjustments as needed. Stop for a hot drink in a warm place.

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

Share your winter weather riding tips below in the comments. Join the CRW Slack #gear chatroom for more discussions on this popular topic!

 

The CRW 2025 Tri Cycle Ride Winter Challenge has begun and the Leaderboard will be active shortly!

To be eligible, manually enter your time/distance/elevation data from your rides (indoor and outdoor) into your profile on the CRW website.

Data can be entered at whatever frequency is preferred (daily, weekly, monthly).

To enter your data:

1. Log into the website.
2. Click on your name at the top of the web page; this will open your profile. 
3. Click on Edit Profile, and scroll down until you come to your Activity Tracker. 
4. Enter your numbers here. You may enter your numbers daily, weekly, or monthly.
5. Scroll down to the Save button and hit Save. 

NOTE: Your totals will not update right away; give it a day or two.

We can’t wait to see your winter training progress!

 

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

CRW members enjoying late Fall rides/gatherings!

Bike Thursday Annual Ride/Party:

North by True West:

Women's/Nonbinary Program Halloween Ride:

Dear CRW Members,

As we enjoy the peak of our cycling season, we're excited to share the latest standings in our 2024 Ride Leader Incentive Program. Your enthusiasm and dedication continue to make our club vibrant and active!

Reminder of Contest Categories:

• Most Recurring rides led
• Most Non-recurring rides led
• Most Recurring rides co-led
• Most Non-recurring rides co-led

Top performers in each category will receive gift cards and free CRW memberships at the end of the season. Board Members are not eligible for gifts or free membership.

Get Involved!

There's still plenty of time to climb the leaderboard or start your journey as a ride leader. Every ride counts, whether it's your first or fiftieth! Check the CRW calendar for opportunities to lead or co-lead rides.

Remember:

• Rides must be listed on the CRW Ride Calendar to qualify
• Only completed rides count
• We appreciate leaders of all experience levels

Thank you to all our ride leaders for your commitment to CRW. Your efforts make every ride special for our members.

Happy cycling, and we'll see you on the roads!

The CRW Board met on October 20th to discuss several important club initiatives and updates.

Membership & Engagement

Our membership remains strong at 1,886 members. The Integrated Operations Committee is exploring ways to attract younger riders in their 20s and 30s, analyzing ride participation trends, and developing strategies to engage new cyclists. Stay tuned for upcoming "bring a buddy" events!

Celebrating Our Volunteers

Mark your calendars! The annual Volunteer and Ride Leader Appreciation Party will be held Sunday, November 10th, from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Hearth in Needham. Ride leaders will receive special commemorative water bottles, and all volunteers will get CRW stickers. Ride leaders and co-leaders can bring a guest - registration opens October 21st.

Fall Century Success

The Cranberry Harvest Century drew 465 registrants, with 303 riders checking in on event day. This year's three centuries generated over $35,000 in revenue, with the Cranberry Harvest Century contributing $18,000. The Board extends special thanks to all volunteers who made these events possible.

Winter Riding Program

Get ready for winter cycling! From December through March, CRW will offer three exciting challenges focusing on time, distance, and elevation. Winners will be crowned in each category. The popular Hanson Ride will continue through winter, and we're hoping to see the return of seasonal favorites like the Snowflake, Turkey Burner, and Pancake rides.

Looking Ahead

The Board is working on improving the club's contact system and volunteer coordination. We're implementing new tools to make it easier for members to get involved and stay connected with club activities.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for November 3rd, 2024. Members are always welcome to attend Board meetings - check the calendar for details.