Board Meeting Summary - June 2, 2024

The CRW Board of Directors met on June 2, 2024. Key highlights from the meeting include:

• Approval of the May meeting minutes and several administrative items.
• Discussion of the club's new Privacy Policy, which will be reviewed by board members and ratified at the July meeting. A new privacy@crw.org email address was created to handle privacy-related matters.
• Updates from committees:
  • The Club Promotion and Events Committee is working on a ride leader incentive program.
  • The Rides and Safety Committee presented a new Ride Leader Status Policy, which was unanimously approved and is being introduced this July.
• A debrief on the recent century ride, which had high turnout despite poor weather. The organizers are working on improving logistics and tracking for future events.
• The planned June member meeting has been postponed to October/November 2024.
• Eli Post's resignation as WheelPeople editor was noted. The board thanks Eli for his dedicated service in this role.

The next board meeting is scheduled for July 7. Members are welcome to contact board@crw.org with any questions or feedback.

Dear CRW Members,

I'm thrilled to share the incredible success of our new Neighborhood Rides initiative, which is already transforming how we ride together in CRW!

Launched on May 4 in Lexington, MA, our first Neighborhood Ride, aptly named "Social Revolutions," has quickly become a local cycling sensation. The program's popularity was evident when I led a ride on June 15, welcoming 41 registered riders.

But the numbers tell an even more exciting story. Let's break down the statistics so far:

• We've had an impressive total of 129 registrations for Neighborhood Rides.
• 87 participants have been one-time riders, exploring what the program has to offer.
• An encouraging 42 are repeat riders, joining us for anywhere from 2 to 5 rides already.
• We're grateful to our 5 dedicated ride leaders and 1 coordinator so far who are making this program possible.

These numbers speak volumes about the program's appeal and the community it's building. We're especially excited to see so many new faces trying out the rides, as well as the growing group of regulars who are making Neighborhood Rides a part of their cycling routine.

The Neighborhood Rides program offers several key benefits:

1. More Ride Locations: We're introducing rides in areas where we have at least 8 potential ride leaders, ensuring a sustainable schedule.
2. Consistency: Each location will have rides starting at the same time and place weekly, making it easy to plan and participate.
3. Less Hassle for Leaders: Routes will be pre-selected, and rides will be pre-posted on the calendar. Ride leaders simply need to opt-in and show up!
4. Club Connections: This format provides a great opportunity to get to know fellow CRW members in your area through reliably scheduled weekly rides.

Ride Leaders: We're actively seeking input from our ride leaders to identify more locations, determine optimal start times, and establish a network of local rides across the Greater Boston area. If you're interested in leading a Neighborhood Ride in your community, please don't hesitate to reach out.

I want to extend a special thank you to Norma Loehr coordinating, and all the ride leaders (Diana Antczak, Melissa Quirk, Robert Sayre, and Tariq Kassum) who have helped put Lexington on the map as our first Neighborhood Rides location. Their dedication and enthusiasm are what make CRW such a vibrant cycling community.

As we continue to develop and expand this program, we welcome members' feedback and suggestions. Together, we can make Neighborhood Rides a cornerstone of CRW's offerings, bringing the joy of group cycling closer to home for all our members.

Are you excited about the possibility of starting a Neighborhood Ride series in your area? We'd love to hear from you! If you're interested in leading rides or helping to establish a new Neighborhood Ride location, please contact John O'Dowd at vp-rides@crw.org. John and our rides team are ready to support you in bringing this fantastic program to your community.

Stay tuned for more Neighborhood Rides coming to a location near you!

Happy cycling,

Randolph Williams
President, Charles River Wheelers

By Mark Nardone and Erik D'Entremont

Join CRW on August 11 at 7 AM for the Climb to the Clouds (CTTC) Century, departing from Lincoln-Sudbury High School. This ride will challenge cyclists with its numerous ascents and a thrilling climb up the iconic Mt. Wachusett. “The Climb to the Clouds is not just about the physical challenge; it's about  pushing yourself, supporting your fellow riders, and creating unforgettable memories. And if you missed out on earning your medallion last year, now is your chance!” said Mark Nardone, a Century Committee lead organizer.

Erik D’Entremont, also Century Committee Lead, adds, "We're thrilled to bring back the Climb to the Clouds for another year. This event showcases the best of New England cycling. We can't wait to see everyone at the start!"

Route Details: The Climb to the Clouds Century will take you on a scenic journey through Lincoln, Princeton and up Mt. Wachusetts. The ride starts at the Lincoln Sudbury HS with the 100 mile ride reaching the top of Mt. Wachusett at mile 38 with a 1995’ climb and 6324’ overall elevation gain.  

A full supported water stop awaits you at the base of the mountain. There is also a great lunch stop at the Mountainside Bakery and Cafe just after the descent on mountain road. The 60 mile route will circle Wachusetts lake with a lunch stop at the Boylston Deli. All riders will enjoy a fast downhill return through Berlin to Lincoln-Sudbury HS for an after party with sandwiches, chips, pickles, and cold sparkling water.

Be Prepared: For riders’ enjoyment and safety, we encourage riders to bring a rain shell and most of their nutrition needs on-board. Water-only rest stops will be available at Dexter Drumlin Reservation and Berlin Orchards, while a full-service stop with food, water, and Gatorade awaits at the Mt. Wachusett Visitor Entrance. All rest stops will have porta johns.

 

Dexter Drumlin Reservation

Berlin Orchards

CTTC is a classic CRW ride and the century ride is one of the more challenging routes, but the views and sense of achievement are unbeatable. Follow this link for registration and more information.

See you on Sunday, August 11!

by John O'Dowd

Dear Valued CRW Ride Leaders,

At the heart of our cycling club are the dedicated individuals who lead our rides and foster our community spirit. Your commitment and enthusiasm make our club thrive, and we're grateful for your continued involvement. To ensure we maintain a vibrant and active leadership roster, we're introducing a new policy on maintaining ride leader status. We believe this update will help us better support our active leaders and encourage increased participation.

Background

Our club currently has 172 registered ride leaders, with 84 leading rides in the past year. A recent analysis showed that many registered leaders haven't led rides in over a decade. While we understand that personal circumstances change, we want to ensure our roster reflects our active leadership accurately.

This policy aims to:

1. Recognize and support active ride leaders

2. Encourage increased ride leadership participation

3. Maintain an up-to-date roster of active leaders 

New Policy Overview

Effective January 1, 2025, to maintain ride leader status, individuals will need to meet the following criteria:

• Lead or co-lead at least three rides within a two-year period (the first evaluation period will be from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2027)

Implementation Details

To receive credit for leading or co-leading a ride:

• Register for the ride you're leading

• Select "Ride Leader" or "Co-leader" ticket type when registering

Exceptions and Support

We understand that life can present unexpected challenges. If you're unable to meet these requirements due to injury, family obligations, work commitments, or other circumstances:

• Contact the VP of Rides to discuss your situation

• We'll work with you to accommodate your circumstances and maintain your status

What Happens If Requirements Aren't Met?

If a ride leader doesn't meet the requirements:

• We'll reach out to discuss your situation and interests

• We'll work with you to find ways to help you maintain your status if desired

• If inactive status is preferred, ride leader benefits (gifts, awards, discounts, events) will be discontinued

How We'll Support You

To help our ride leaders meet these new requirements, we're planning to:

• Offer mentorship programs pairing experienced leaders with new ones

• Provide additional training and resources for ride planning and execution

• Create more opportunities for co-leading rides

Why This Change?

This policy was carefully crafted by our senior leadership team, with input from the Rides and Safety Committee and the CRW Board. The requirements are designed to be achievable while ensuring an active leadership roster. By maintaining an accurate list of active leaders, we can better allocate resources, plan events, and support those who are regularly contributing to our riding community.

We're excited about the positive impact this change will have on our club. If you have any questions or concerns about this new policy, please don't hesitate to reach out to our ride program coordinators or the VP of Rides. Your feedback and involvement are crucial as we work together to strengthen our club.

Thank you for your dedication to CRW. We look forward to many more great rides with you at the helm!

Ride on, 

John O’Dowd
VP of Rides, Charles River Wheelers

By John O'Dowd

Larry and Mary Kernan ran their annual Presidents' Ride and BBQ on Saturday, June 22nd. Thirty-six riders enjoyed the two routes of 39 and 31 miles around the rolling hills and beautiful back roads of Bedford, Lexington, Lincoln, Weston, Wayland, Sudbury, and Concord. The weather started misty and drizzly, but riders were spared any significant rain.

The weather improved later, allowing the Kernan's to hold their post-ride BBQ. Approximately 50 guests enjoyed burgers, chicken wings, and beverages!

In attendance were nine past club presidents and one current president -- see photo! Pictured are presidents in the order that they served:  John Springfield, Jamie King, Susan Grieb, Ken Hablow, Jack Donohue, Barry Nelson, Larry Kernan, and current president Randolph Williams.

Two other past presidents showed up at the BBQ after this photo was taken:  Doug Kline and Mike Hanauer.

The Kernan's wish to thank those who came to the ride and party, and look forward to seeing this illustrious group again in the future!

By Barbara Jacobs and Nina Siegel

Many cyclists/riders use a system called Human Arrows in group riding. This format allows all cyclists on a led ride to easily stay together and no one gets lost. Bike Thursday and Wednesday Wheelers are known to use Humans (cyclists) as Arrows along the route ensuring all riders make all turns and get through tricky intersections. While all cyclists should have the route via RidewithGPS, Garmin, Wahoo, other, or a printed cue sheet, some do not. Human Arrows keep the led ride intact. Other groups within CRW may also use Human Arrows and other area clubs use them.

So how does this work? To keep the group moving and not stopping at every turn to regroup, a cyclist stands at each corner, fork, or intersection and directs other cyclists. Usually, the cyclist directly behind the Leader takes the position of Arrow. This cyclist stays at their post, until the Sweep comes by and relieves them.

Who becomes the Arrow? The rider directly behind the Leader. The Leader will tell the cyclist behind them an Arrow is needed. That person chooses a visible location, safe from vehicles. This could be at the far side of the intersection, and in the direction of the turn. The Arrow stays at this post until the Sweep  arrives and lets them know they are free to ride on.

Usually, the rider behind the Leader does not have to be asked to take the position; the rider will let the Leader know they are prepared to be the Arrow. Riders who do not want to be an Arrow should not ride directly behind the Leader. Sometimes the Leader will say ‘No Arrow’ because they can see the Sweep.

If you have a speedy rider in your group they might Arrow a lot. The rider will be the Arrow, chill at their post, and then catch up to the Leader safely to take a turn as an Arrow again.

Easy, you think! Usually, but not always. What could go wrong:

1. The Arrow leaves their position before the Sweep comes along to relieve them. This usually happens due to miscommunication. The Arrow might think they see the Sweep, so the Sweep must see them. Be sure to have verbal or eye contact with each other. The Sweep may indicate with a wave the Arrow can move along. Acknowledge the Sweep. The Sweep must relieve the Arrow.

2. The Arrow does not know who the Sweep is. It is essential that the Leader let everyone in the group know who the Sweep is (great opportunity to meet other members) and what they are wearing. Remember, many cyclists wear yellow.

3. The Sweep takes off their jacket at a rest stop. Let the group know they are now wearing red, not yellow. 

4. Riders between the Arrow and the Sweep miss the Arrow. This happens when the Arrow leaves their position or is not visible to all riders. Where the Arrow stands is very important. The Arrow must be visible – ideally the Arrow is watching the road, looking for group riders and the Sweep.

5. The Arrow is left standing for a long time with no other riders coming. Sometimes this happens. The Sweep might be handling an issue with another rider and the Arrow is left standing. Ideally, if there is an issue the Sweep will call the Leader (cell numbers are exchanged at the start of the ride). If there is more than one rider with the Leader or Sweep, a rider will be sent ahead or back to alert the Arrow what is happening and send them on their way.

6. Sometimes the route has a lot of turns and the Leader runs out of Arrows. Do not laugh, it happens. This might be a good time to regroup…

Normally, Human Arrowing works perfectly. Riders thank the Arrow as they turn the corner, and everyone has a good time. If you want to become a Human Arrow, watch how it works first, and then by all means, join in the fun!

Where do you live (bonus: add where you are from)?
I live in Arlington MA and I am from Nova Scotia, Canada!

What led to you joining CRW and what do you enjoy most about being a member? I joined CRW to find people to ride with and make friends. 

What is your best advice for a new club member? If at first you get dropped, try, try again. There are people for you in this club!

When did you become a Ride Leader? This is my first year being a ride leader (2024). 

What led to you becoming a ride leader? I had a bit of encouragement from other ride leaders. I wanted to step up to the table to help make cycling more inclusive to women and average speed riders (like myself). It also helps that I can post rides when I am available and at the speeds I want to ride! 

What types of rides are you planning on leading? Womens rides, adventure rides (single-day), and supporting recurring weekend rides. I will also be co-leading various rides throughout the season to support those traveling around my speed group. Check out my Martha’s Vineyard ride scheduled for September!

How long have you been cycling, and what initially got you interested in the sport? I have always ridden a bicycle. I was always on a hybrid bike riding in the neighborhood or on well-traveled trails. My husband (boyfriend at the time) was into road cycling and I guess I was just trying to impress him… 

What is your favorite thing about cycling? I love finding fresh pavement, even if it’s just a short stretch. 

How many miles a year do you typically ride? My current goal is to ride 80 miles per week and 3 rides. This would be much less in the darker and colder months!

What is your greatest cycling accomplishment? I completed the Baie Sainte Marie Gran Fondo (80 miles) which was my longest ride ever. I also ended the ride smiling, so that was an accomplishment!

What is your favorite road or trail to ride on? I miss my roads back home in Nova Scotia. There is something refreshing about less traffic, and being able to ride on one road for an hour or more before having to make a turn. I am very thankful for my Wahoo.

By Jeff Dieffenbach

It's been on the order of a decade since gravel entered my bloodstream. A few years after that, I took possession of a gravel bike, selling my road bike to cover a second set of wheels I'd mount up with road tires on the rare occasions that tarmac beckoned. At about that time, the Unbound Gravel 200 (then called Dirty Kanza) took up full-time residence on my radar screen.

I decided that I'd use the occasion of my 60th birthday to give it a go in 2024. As a planner/overthinker extraordinaire, I wanted an advance peek at the lay of the (Emporia KS) land. That peek back at the end of May/beginning of June also afforded me the opportunity to put in 10+ hours of volunteer time to let me bypass next year's lottery and gain automatic entry. This blog post shares what I learned.

By John Allen

What is a Complete Street? And how well is the concept being applied?  As a cyclist, you need to know.

Complete Street Definition

A Complete Street is described in planning literature as one which is safe and practical, pleasant even, for modes of transportation up to a contextually appropriate limit of speed, traffic volume, and vehicle size. A Complete Street serves pedestrians and bicyclists well, and at least local motor traffic. 

The speed limit is low enough that pedestrians can safely cross the street. There are crosswalks, signalized where that is warranted. Restrictions on motor traffic work down from the largest vehicles to what is appropriate in context. That approach to vehicle types and sizes has been traditional on DCR parkways, quaintly limited to “pleasure vehicles only”, a definition which over the years has been pushed wider to cover passenger cars and small cargo vans.

Hammond Pond Parkway Reconstruction: A Complete Street?

On Thursday, June 13, I joined representatives of Bike Newton and the Central Transportation Planning Staff for a ride to visit special bicycle facilities in Newton. One was DCR’s Hammond Pond Parkway, now under reconstruction.

Hammond Pond Parkway was overbuilt in the mid 20th Century as a 4- lane speedway, reflecting car culture that turned parkways into highways. It would certainly not rate as bicycle-friendly, though I have ridden it, controlling the outside lane (and so demonstrating that the parkway was overbuilt, because motorists could always pass me without delay). The terrain is rolling, with a long, steep slope down to Route 9 at the southern end. 

The DCR is currently taking the mile-long segment of the Parkway between Beacon Street and Route 9 down to two lanes, installing a 12- foot wide shared-use path 15 feet from the roadway on the west side and a 4-foot wide sidewalk on the east side. The current project imagines Hammond Pond Parkway as a pleasant, park-like experience for bicyclists.

The segment: 

Go to the RidewithGPS version of this map, so you can change to Satellite View or Street View and explore more widely.

I commented on this project when it was in the planning stage. At that time, there was a discussion about making the roadway 28 feet wide, marginally wide enough for today’s “pleasure vehicles” to pass bicyclists. A bit wider would be nice, but that is in the nature of political compromise.  

So, what is the problem, then? How well will Hammond Pond Parkway meet the definition of a Complete Street?

Is it Really Complete?

The roadway will, as I found out during the expedition to Newton, have only two narrow travel lanes, with no shoulders – 22 or 24 feet, as you can see in the background of the photo below. The roadway will therefore work well only for someone in a motor vehicle that can hold the speed limit. The parallel path is conceived of as for everyone else. 

The DCR’s Dan Driscoll describes the reconstruction of Hammond Pond Parkway, now underway. A paved path will be in the strip behind the people listening. 

Let me be clear: I like the idea of a path for park access and a park experience. But -- the Parkway is not only a route in a park, it is a transportation route through a park. It connects Newton Center with the large Chestnut Hill shopping malls and residential areas beyond. Bicyclists, e-bike users and motor scooter operators will want to travel this segment end to end.  

Safety Issues

Safety is often raised as a rationale for paths. But faster bicyclists, e-bike and motor scooter users are a poor and unsafe fit on a path shared with pedestrians and family bicyclists. Problems become worse with steep slopes. Nationwide, governments are grappling with the safety issues of faster e-bike traffic on paths. A local example: 15 mph speed limit signs have been installed on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway – which is flat, being a rail trail, and where faster traffic may use parallel Massachusetts Avenue. There is no such convenient alternative to Hammond Pond Parkway.

Proponents of the Hammond Pond Parkway project objected to adding a few feet of roadway width on the grounds that this would reduce spacing to the path and impede storm water infiltration. I contend that a few more feet of roadway width would hardly make a difference in the middle of hundreds of acres of parkland into which water could infiltrate.

Is it Practical for Bicycle Transportation? E-bikes? Motor Scooters? Year-round?

The path will cross parking-lot entrances and roads in crosswalks, adding delay and inconvenience. Traversal of multiple crosswalks will be needed at the Route 9 end of the segment. With such treatments, users become impatient and choose their own times and ways to cross, becoming unpredictable and increasing risk. If bicycles are to be competitive with motor vehicles and public transportation, they must not be subject to unnecessary delays, or held to low speeds.

The narrowed roadway is crowned and has storm drains. The proposed path, on the other hand, will be unusable or unsafe for weeks or months at a time in winter even if plowed, lacking drainage -- unless heavily salted (unhealthy for vegetation and bicycles).

So, the most practical solution in winter is to give up on the idea of bicycling and leave the path unplowed and unsalted for cross- country skiing and snowshoeing.

Years ago, the DCR applied the same configuration (a narrow, shoulderless roadway and parallel path) to Metropolitan Parkway in Waltham, shown in the following video: https://player.vimeo.com/video/117220059?h=71cf9423b4. Metropolitan Parkway is  very lightly traveled, so riding on the roadway is practical. Bicyclists on the roadway of Hammond Pond Parkway would have queues of cars behind them and would invite harassment.

Be Careful What You ask For -- and Just Be Careful

All in all, with Hammond Pond Parkway, the positive environmental and social goal of improving access to parkland has pushed aside the positive environmental and social goal of safe and convenient transportation other than in motor vehicles. The problem is worse for operators of motor scooters, whether electrically or gasoline powered. They are legal on roadways and in bike lanes, but prohibited from using paths. Don’t expect any ban or speed limit to be enforced, though, so be careful…

So much for the idea of a Complete Street.

I have applauded the efforts of the DCR and particularly Dan Driscoll in extending the paths along the Charles River upstream to Waltham. I have supported the reasonable narrowing of Charles River Road and Nonantum Road, as well as construction of the Cochituate Rail Trail, the Mass Central Rail Trail, Bruce Freeman Trail and other trail projects. Those projects all have improved bicycle access without compromising access on roads. The Hammond Pond Parkway project, on the other hand, proposes to forego much of the potential of the Parkway for bicycle, e-bike, and motor scooter transportation, and so is fundamentally different in its impact.

If you are going to ride Hammond Pond Parkway in its new configuration, please make sure that your brakes are in good working order, and be cautious!

If you see plans for a road reconfiguration project in your community, please make your voice heard to see that it is actually a Complete Street, properly accommodating all anticipated uses.

*For Reference:*

I rode the segment of Hammond Pond Parkway under discussion on November 25, 2021. My travel speeds ranged from 6.5 to 30 miles per hour southbound, and 5 to 21 miles per hour northbound.

Video of my ride southbound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AwlL2K4uME

Video of my ride northbound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oau5lQPno8

By Amy Juodawlkis

CRW is excited to announce a partnership with local bike shop Quad Cycles, 1043 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, offering members exclusive benefits:

• 15% discount on all merchandise, including bikes and parts
• Expedited "same day" service on standard repairs (bike must be brought in before noon; excludes extensive repairs or special-order parts)

Rustem Gode, owner of Quad Cycles, said, "We're proud to partner with CRW. By working together, we can promote the growth of cycling and support the passionate individuals in our community."

To enjoy these benefits, simply present your CRW membership card at Quad Cycles. We believe this partnership will enhance your cycling experience and provide more value to your CRW membership. Happy cycling!

Quad Cycles
1043 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476
Email: info@quadcycles.com
Phone: (781) 648-5222
Website: www.quadcycles.com

To present an electronic version of your membership card via the Wild Apricot Member App:

1. Click the My Profile tab.

2. Click the My Card button.

To download a printable PDF version via the CRW Website:

1. Click on your name in the top right corner to go to your profile.

2. Click on Printable PDF below the card image.

Members: We are currently in the process of updating our database of local bike store discounts so that we may present a full list on our website. If  you would like to help with this effort, please complete our Volunteer Interest Form. Thank you!!!