By Jerry Skurla

The 4th Annual CRW Spring Swap Meet & Ride will be held on Sunday, May 4. 

Log some early season miles, get rid of your old bike stuff, and find hidden gems on the popular Free Stuff tables - all in a single day!

The location is in Lexington, MA at the Harrington Elementary School, 328 Lowell Street.

Register here.

2 morning rides are offered - 1 at 10 AM and a 2nd at 11 AM:

• 10 AM start: 38 miles, ride leader Lotto Kopecky, https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46575671
• 11 AM start: 25 miles, ride leader Carol Hartigan https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46583386

The Swap Meet runs from 1 PM to 4 PM.

What to bring?

Review the list below to identify your stuff that you no longer need/want:

• Complete bikes, frames, wheels, and tires 
• Components, parts, accessories, and tools
• Car racks, travel cases, bike racks, and bike bags
• Clothing including shoes, jerseys, hats, and jackets

There are two easy ways to participate:

1.  Add your items to the FREE STUFF tables and find some gems for yourself.   

All items remaining at Swap Meet end will be donated to the Bike Connector in Lowell, MA. (https://www.bikeconnector.org/)

2.  Use the For Sale tables to sell your stuff.  

Tag your items with a price and your mobile number, then transact directly with buyers.

PLEASE NOTE - All "For Sale" items remaining at Swap Meet end and not picked up by the seller will be donated to the Bike Connector.

Questions? Contact Jerry Skurla, jskurla@comcast.net with any questions not answered here.

By John Allen

Introduction

In the February issue of Wheelpeople, I gave a basic summary of Massachusetts traffic laws as they apply to bicyclists and to other road users around bicyclists, with links to the underlying statutes. My hope is that the February article will serve as a reference in case of questions or problems.

But the traffic law only tells people what they may not do: it does not teach people how to do what they should. This month, I present a  detailed summary of laws which concern motorists overtaking bicyclists. This is often a sore point for both, no less so on the narrow rural roads which account for much of CRW members' mileage.

The issue becomes more complicated when bicyclists ride in a group, as we often do. But on the other hand, a recent amendment to the law works to the advantage of both bicyclists and motorists.

The new amendments  -- and common courtesy -- require bicyclists and motorists to facilitate passing when it is safe, but also prohibit unsafe passing. You may have to communicate using lane position and a slow signal to discourage unsafe passing. In each specific encounter, communication is key.  Your lane position and hand signals can discourage a driver from overtaking unsafely and encourage a hesitant one to pass when passing is safe. When you are at the rear of a group, you are taking responsibility for the other riders in the group too.

OK, onward to the details of law. Read on...

A quick summary of Massachusetts laws involving motorists passing bicyclists

• A bicyclist must facilitate passing when safe, but may control a travel lane to avoid road edge hazards (bad pavement etc.) and danger zones – pavement defects, car doors which may open, blind entrances etc.
•  Bicyclists may ride two abreast (side by side) in a single lane if passing would still be unsafe if they were riding single file, or if a passing lane is available.
• A motorist may cross the centerline to pass a vulnerable road user, which definition includes bicyclists.

Looking into details

For bicyclists, riding too close to the edge of the road or to parked vehicles poses multiple hazards. The bicyclist may be controlling a travel lane to avoid hazards or to prevent a motorist from passing when it is unsafe, or passing on the wrong side. This is legal defensive driving. If overtaking would be unsafe, there is no requirement to facilitate it, as it would pose a hazard both for the bicyclist and the driver wishing to overtake.

Note also that, as of an amendment enacted in 2023, an overtaking driver is explicitly allowed to cross the centerline. There is no mention of whether it is dashed or not. Chapter 89, section 2 is explicit about this:

[i]f the way is of sufficient width for the two vehicles to pass, the driver of the leading one shall not unnecessarily obstruct the other. If it is not possible to overtake a vulnerable user, as defined in section 1 of Chapter 90, or other vehicle at a safe distance in the same lane, the overtaking vehicle shall use all or part of an adjacent lane, crossing the centerline if necessary, when it is safe to do so and while adhering to the roadway speed limit.

This relates to the provision in Chapter 90, section 14 of the Statutes requiring a 4-foot passing clearance,

In passing a vulnerable user, the operator of a motor vehicle shall pass at a safe distance of not less than 4 feet and at a reasonable and proper speed.

Chapter 85, section 11B specifically states that a cyclist may use any part of the lane, subject only to the rule in Chapter 89, section 2 and Chapter 85, section 11B, to facilitate passing when it is safe.

Who gets to decide when it is safe? That decision must be the bicyclist’s. A following driver – motorist, police officer, even another bicyclist – does not see the situation from the bicyclist’s perspective, cannot read the bicyclist’s mind to know the bicyclist’s intentions, and is unlikely to be aware of hazards which matter to the bicyclist.

Chapter 90, Section 14 also states:

No person operating a vehicle that overtakes and passes a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall make a right turn at an intersection or driveway unless the turn can be made at a safe distance from the bicyclist at a speed that is reasonable and proper.

Facilitating passing isn’t always about moving to the right. Often, a bicyclist waiting for a traffic signal can facilitate a motorists’s legal right turn on red by waiting near the left side of the travel lane. A bicyclist who is alert to motorists’ use of turn signals may motion to the motorist to take that opportunity to pass on the right. This is a nice courtesy which builds good will.

Riding Side by Side

Now, here’s the provision about riding side by side, in MGL Chapter 85, section 11B:

Bicyclists riding together shall not ride more than 2 abreast but, on a roadway with more than 1 lane in the direction of travel, bicyclists shall ride within a single lane. Nothing in this clause shall relieve a bicyclist of the duty to facilitate overtaking as required by section 2 of chapter 89.

Chapter 89, section 2 allows passing only when it is safe, and so singling up is required only when it would allow passing that otherwise would be difficult or unsafe. If another lane is available for overtaking, riding double file does not prevent a driver from passing. Quite the contrary, riding in double file facilitates overtaking, because the group is shorter. The left cyclist of two riding side by side will be as far left as a solo cyclist controlling the travel lane. Single file facilitates overtaking when the driver cannot change lanes, and the lane (or lane plus shoulder or bike lane) is wide enough that overtaking a single row of bicyclists is safe.

Misinterpretations

The rules are easily misinterpreted…some examples:

The following was on the advocacy organization Massbike’s Massachusetts Bike Laws page as of September, 2023:

You may ride two abreast (side by side), but must facilitate passing traffic. This means riding single file when faster traffic needs to pass, or staying in the right-most lane on a multi-lane road.

It has been corrected and updated since then to the following:

You may ride two abreast (side by side), and on multi-lane roads bicyclists must stay in the rightmost lane. MA law states that a bicyclist (and any driver) must permit passing when safe and "not unnecessarily obstruct" a passing vehicle, but a bicyclist may control a travel lane to avoid road edge hazards (bad pavement etc.) and danger zones (door zone, approaching intersection, etc.).

 The “rightmost lane” statement is correct as it applies to a through lane, but a not a right-turn only lane or when passing.

A City of Waltham page abbreviates the September version even further:

You may ride two abreast (side by side) but must move to single file when traffic needs to pass.

Whoever summarized the law for Massbike (until the update) leapt to the conclusion that riding single file is the only way to facilitate overtaking, and whoever further summarized for Waltham ran with that conclusion.

Drivers including bicyclists are required to pull over for an ambulance, fire truck or police car on the way to an emergency. Emergency vehicles are the only ones which, under the law, need to pass to the extent that the leading driver must pull aside when a normal pass would be unsafe. Certainly, it is courteous to make passing easier as long as it is safe – but the older Massbike interpretation and the Waltham one presume that the convenience of the overtaking driver takes precedence over the safety of the bicyclist.

Incidents

I cited this summary of rules in a previous CRW Safety Corner article in connection with an incident in the fall of 2023, when a Waltham police officer pulled over a cyclist riding alone and cited language that conflated riding single file with facilitating passing. I have since then heard of another such incident. Many people misunderstand the rules, and this problem will repeat as long as misunderstandings continue.

Conclusion

My ground rule is that cyclists should be courteous, but assertive when necessary to avoid putting ourselves in danger.  I hope that this summary has helped to clarify where the dividing line is between those two behaviors as it applies to overtaking motorists.

New Helmet Tags are in the works with the current CRW logo and they will be ready for distribution in April. The tags will include member first name in large letter format and member last name in small letter format. Each Helmet Tag will have the member's In Case of Emergency (ICE) number on them.

These are free for CRW members!

All members who have joined the club since January 1, 2025 will automatically receive a Helmet Tag. Others may request an updated tag via the Store on the website (order information coming soon).

Please make sure your information is up-to-date in your CRW Profile as this will be used to make your Helmet Tag. Information needed is:

• First and Last Name
• Phone number of your emergency contact (ICE) 
• Your current mailing address (Helmet Tag will be mailed to you).

If you have questions or concerns, contact us at communications@crw.org.

By Nina Siegel and Harold Hatch

The CRW CLASSICS Ride Series 2025

Welcome to the first edition of The Classics! This ride series is meant to highlight some of the “best of the best” routes that have been created by CRW Route Developers/Ride Leaders over the club’s nearly 60 year history. Familiar to long-time club members, some routes have been running annually since 2010 while others haven’t been offered recently. This season we are focusing on rides that feature 3 or more routes. With beautiful roads and multiple speed and distance options including a welcoming 10-12 mph pace these routes offer something for everyone in CRW.

Be on the lookout for upcoming WheelPeople articles featuring the Route Developer and/or Ride Leader and what it is about their ride that makes it special to the club. You’ll find notifications in Chain Link and club social media channels when the rides are posted on the Events Calendar. Please join us as we celebrate what our Club has to offer in its long history of riding.

AND NOW – OUR FIRST CLASSIC FEATURE!

Meet Lindy King. Lindy is leading her “Hills Are Your Friends” Saturday, April 19, 2025 out of Groton, MA – her home turf. Lindy keeps a busy schedule. Between her road cycling, Zwift training, and her non-biking life including her practice as a Massage Therapist (for which she is still sought out by many of the bigger charitable rides for her healing powers, even after she herself has ridden all day)! We finally had a chance to meet up with Lindy on Zoom March 16, 2025.

Lindy atop Mt. Greylock, Pain in the Mass (Fundraiser)

Could you tell us a little about yourself? How long have you been riding with CRW? What kind of rides do you enjoy the most?

In 1986 I moved to Boston for Grad School; met people who liked to bike; and soon after joined CRW on some rides. My first weekend bike trip with CRW was from Mendon, MA to Mystic, CT. I’d never done that kind of distance.

It was a lovely, hilly ride, with lots of riders. At dinner I met Jamie King – he invited me to sit next to him and it really was love at first sight. Two years after meeting we were married. (CRW Magic: Lindy met her husband on her first CRW trip!!!)

We lived in W. Roxbury for 11 years and did a lot of volunteer work with CRW, including running weekend rides, developing the Wednesday evening rides program and leading weekend trips such as the Tour of New England and Hills & Hollows. I edited the print edition of WheelPeople (there was NO internet remember!) Jamie was President for a while and VP of Rides too. He ran the 325-BIKE answering machine in our basement. People would call and listen to the list of upcoming club rides that Jamie recorded every week

We then moved to Groton and started family life. Two great kids but distance biking takes a back seat to busy kids. I found the Adventurides bike club and I could fit some short rides and learn the backroads in the time I had. I rode every road in Groton and environs. I was so thankful to have found that Club! Eventually the kids started doing their own thing and I was able to return to CRW and do longer rides.

History of "Hills Are Your Friends" route: What makes it special so that you want to continue to lead it?

This ride – all the loops, even this new 4th loop added for the 10-12 mph pace, has a few good hills for everyone! I strung together all the roads I enjoyed riding. I like to have 3 loops to bring many riders together of varying abilities. It’s beautiful to bring together so many friends, and to make new ones on rides! The rest stop in Hollis is perfect for this ride with plenty of space to be social.

The name “Hills Are Your Friends” came from my friend Bill from Adventurides. He always used to say that and I love riding hills!

Pre-pandemic we’d have well over 50+ riders every weekend on a ride. It’s very different now, with smaller groups doing a variety of different rides each weekend. Back in the day I arrowed many rides and centuries and became the infamous queen of the “pink” arrows. Gone are the days of arrowing rides. “Hills Are Your Friends” is not arrowed :-(

Lindy cares about sharing her knowledge. She turned her Groton routes into the Groton Collection in the CRW library. She’ll help you understand what’s important in developing a route, leading a ride, having great road skills, being unfailingly polite, and having many bikes!

Lindy is high energy and low key with a great laugh and didn’t let on until the end of our interview that she has ridden all the big rides: Boston-Montreal-Boston, Paris-Brest-Paris, 24 hour time trials, Brevets and so many more. Her annual mileage now, without a commute, is still a very respectable 10,000 miles. And though she knows this club has many kindred souls, don’t give her any guff when she’s out riding on the road.

We hope you enjoyed learning a little about Lindy and her “Hills Are Your Friends” Route. Come out on April 19th to ride with her and fellow club members for a great day of riding.

************************

Ride a Classic route or two this season and find out exactly why they are such enduring Club rides. Explore new territory, scenic views, and the best snack stops all while riding with great people the way you like to ride.

Some of the exciting routes that we’ve planned so far include:

• Hills are Your Friends – Lindy King – April 19
• Brake for Beavers – Bob Zogg (Route Developer) Harold Hatch (Ride Leader) – June 1
• Blue Moon – Barry and Linda Nelson – July 6
• Northern Lighthouses – Sandy Gray (Route Developer) Nina Siegel (Ride Leader) – September 7
• Bagels and a Witch – Melinda Lyon – October 26

Check out the CRW Ride Calendar and choose your next ride – which will become your Classic?

If you would like to have one of your routes featured as a CRW Classic please reach out to either Nina (ninasiegel7@gmail.com) or Harold (haroldhatch@yahoo.com).

Let’s Ride!

The CRW Century Committee is looking to fill the following critical position:

Century Volunteer Coordinator. Lead person in charge of recruiting and coordinating volunteer activities for the CRW century series. This involves assisting in identifying volunteer opportunities, finding individuals or groups to fulfill those roles, and communication and logistical support.

CRW's three centuries (North to New Hampshire, Climb to the Clouds, and the Cranberry Century) are our premiere events. They cannot happen without volunteers staffing water stops, providing SAG and sweep services, registering riders, etc. Although the centuries typically get a large number of repeat volunteers, we need someone to help fill the slots and coordinate with volunteers so they understand their duties and responsibilities.

It’s a big job, but it’s important. If you’re looking to contribute to the club in a meaningful way, this could be it! You’ll have plenty of support from Erik Dentremont and Mark Nardone, Century Committee Leads, who run a well-organized and professional operation.

If this position interests you, email Jim Salvie, CRW Volunteer Coordinator to get connected with the Century Committee. Thanks for stepping up to help out CRW!

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

A great turnout for the Coffee Haven ride.

Our monthly Happy Hour was at Jack's Abby in March. 

Register early to take advantage of discounted registration for the North to New Hampshire Spring Century.

Date: Sunday, May 18, 7 AM

Start location: Wakefield High School, Wakefield, MA

Highlights:

• Fully-supported

• Flat terrain perfect for early season riding

• Three route options: 100, 62, and 50 miles

• Multiple rest stops with food and drinks

• After-party

• Support from New England Classic Charity Bike Tour Inc.

RIDE LEADERS SOUGHT for all distances/paces! Ride leaders who have led or co-led rides in the past year are eligible for a discount code for FREE registration. Email rides-vp@crw.org to get on the roster!

By Century Committee

The CRW 2025 Centuries will provide a great riding experience to CRW members again this year. We are hoping to include a gravel option and a 30-35 mile route on one or more of our century rides. Stay tuned!

We appreciate all of our volunteers who make centuries possible, and welcome more help. Contact us at century@crw.org to get involved! Thank you, CRW volunteers!

RIDE LEADERS SOUGHT for all distances/paces! Ride leaders who have led or co-led rides in the past year are eligible for a discount code for FREE Century registration. Email rides-vp@crw.org for more information!

Here's the tentative schedule for the 2025 Centuries. Finalized dates and the opening of registration for each century will be announced in ChainLink and WheelPeople.

North to New Hampshire (N2NH): May 18

Registration now open

Start location: Wakefield High School or Technical School, Wakefield MA

This flat spring century will have three routes to get you ready for all your summer century rides. Rest stops at American Legion Park (Georgetown), Shanahan Park (Groveland), and Maudslay State Park (Newbury, MA). 

Highlights:

• Fully-supported
• Flat terrain perfect for early season riding
• Three spectacular route options: 100, 62, and 50 miles
• Multiple rest stops with food and drinks
• After-party at Wakefield High School (2-5 PM)
• Support from New England Classic Charity Bike Tour Inc.

Climb to the Clouds (CTTC): July 27

Start location: Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, Sudbury, MA

Test your biking abilities with lots of climbing and an ascent up Mt. Wachusett. Come climb an iconic Massachusetts mountain with views of New England.  This Devo supported ride is a perfect training ride for big climb events of late summer. Rest stops including Berlin Orchards and at the base of Mt. Wachusett. The Berlin rest stop is donated and supported by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality with water stop support from Stow Bike for the Woods.

Highlights:

• Challenging elevation with Mt. Wachusett climb
• Two route options: 100 and 63 miles
• Strategic rest stops before and after major climbs
• Spectacular New England views from the mountain
• After-party celebration at the high school courtyard

Cranberry Harvest Century (CHC): October 12

Start location: Myles Standish State Park, Plymouth MA

The CHC captures some of the most charming roads in New England. All routes travel through the cranberry bogs in Rochester, Wareham, Carver, and Acushnet. Rest stops will be at Eastover, Tamarak, and on the beautiful wharf in Mattapoisett. Enjoy the after-party at College Pond. We will rock out by the pond with sandwiches, pickles and beverages while enjoying the view. Rest stops supported by Friends of the Mattapoisett Bicycle and Recreational Path Inc., National Multiple Sclerosis Society MS, and Friends of Myles Standish, with SAG support provided by Bikes Not Bombs.

Highlights:

• Fully-supported
• Scenic fall foliage and cranberry bog routes
• Four distance options: 100, 62, 53, and 35 miles
• Relatively flat terrain suitable for all abilities
• Waterfront rest stop at Mattapoisett wharf
• Lakeside after-party at College Pond with food and refreshments

Join Us for an Exciting 2025 Century Season!

The 2025 CRW Century Series offers something for every cyclist, from the flat spring routes of the North to New Hampshire Century in May, to the challenging climbs of Mt. Wachusett in July, culminating with the scenic autumn landscapes of the Cranberry Harvest Century in October. With multiple distance options at each event, fully-supported rest stops, and celebratory after-parties, these centuries showcase the best cycling New England has to offer. Our dedicated volunteers and partner organizations make these memorable experiences possible, and we encourage you to both register and volunteer. Watch our newsletters for registration announcements, and join the CRW community for what promises to be our best century season yet!

Cheers from the Century Committee

Mark Nardone & Erik D'Entremont

CRW is pleased to introduce Jim Salvie, who is our new Club Volunteer Coordinator. Members interested in volunteering with CRW are encouraged to contact Jim at:  volunteering@crw.org.

Thank you, Jim!

Jim finishing his transcontinental tour.

Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?

I live in Stow, MA, not to be confused with Stowe, VT! I grew up on Long Island in New York and in New Jersey, but like a lot of people gave up cycling when I learned how to drive. However, I do remember my first "ten speed" -- a bright yellow Schwinn "LeTour" with frictionless shifters on the headset. I still like frictionless shifters...

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

I gave up running in my early 40s due to knee problems. One day in the summer of 2007 I was on the elliptical machine, indoors, looking out the window at all the cyclists going by and thinking that they had the right idea. Maybe I should try cycling. Somehow, I convinced my wife to let me buy a decent aluminum road bike. I only rode for a few months until the weather got cold, but I was hooked! I did my first century the following year.

How long have you been a CRW member?

For a very long time. My routine for years was to do the Spring Century (now North to NH) and Climb to the Clouds every year. I'd do the occasional metro West ride too, usually the ones beginning in Sudbury.

How many miles do you typically ride per year?

When riding consistently with no health problems? I can do about 5,000 per year not including indoor riding. When I did a transcontinental ride in 2015, I hit almost 9,000.

What is your greatest cycling accomplishment?

In 2015 I did a transcontinental tour with an outfit called Pacific Atlantic Cycling. It was run by a former Race Across America champion, Lon Haldeman, and his wife, Susan. In the early 80s, I think Lon was the first person to do RAAM in less than 10 days. Fortunately, by 2015, he had slowed down a little, though he could still smoke most of us. San Diego to Savannah in 27 days, no rest days (Lon does not believe in rest).

What is your favorite route to ride?

I have several. Metro West is a perfect place to ride. I have a flat 24-mile route that dips into Sudbury and Marlborough that is fun because I feel fast! I have a couple of beautiful rides through the town of Harvard, including a 53-mile one that I call "Every Hill in Harvard." My legs get rubbery just thinking about it. And I love to climb Wachusett Mtn.

What is your favorite post-ride food or drink?

Anything that isn't healthy.

What is your best advice for a new club member?

The easiest bit of advice is: single up! We're engaging in a slightly dangerous activity and the easiest way to stay safe is to ride single file. Save chatting for before the ride and after. During the ride the only communication should be about the ride itself: "Car back," "Hole," etc.

In what capacity do you volunteer for the club, and for how long?

I just started as the club's Volunteer Lead, a coordinator between club leadership and those members who've offered to help out. There are a tremendous number of opportunities in this club, some really involve a lot of work over a long period, others are briefer. But they are all very important and much needed. This club only get things done through volunteers!

I'm taking John O'Dowd's Ride Leader training over the next few weeks and I'm hoping to share some of the routes that I've discovered out here in the Stow-Harvard-Bolton area! Lots of hills, great scenery, a lot of quiet roads.

Folks, spring is coming! That means we’ve entered the final month of our winter ride challenge!

There’s still time to jump in! The challenge runs through March 31, and every mile, hour, and elevation gain counts—whether indoors or outside.

Want to join the challenge or update your ride data? Find detailed instructions for signing up and entering your miles by visiting this guide. It’s easy to track your progress and be part of the action!

Most importantly, we will celebrate our winter training with a get together where we’ll hand out prizes to the winners, which includes a drink on CRW. Appetizers will be provided for all. This bash is for anyone who entered the challenge.

Location: The Mighty Squirrel

Date: Saturday, April 5

Time: 1:00 PM

PRIZES!!

• Highest Elevation - Polka dot CRW sox
• Farthest Distance – regular CRW sox
• Longest Time - CRW short finger gloves

There will be two additional winners for each category chosen at random (raffle winners).

Special winner! The rider with the combined highest elevation, farthest distance, AND longest time will win a bike light!

All winners will be notified by email prior to April 5. A rider may only win one prize (Board members are not eligible, sorry).

So, keep riding! ‍We’re almost to spring!