1. Where are you from originally?
I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs. When I went to grad school in Cambridge I fell in love with New England (although I am still a Philly sports fan!). Despite having moved around a bit since, I vowed to return. And that I did! I have lived in Acton, MA for the last twenty some years where my wife and I have raised our kids and I have enjoyed tens of thousands of scenic cycling miles.
2. When did you start cycling, and what got you into it?
I really got into it when I was in high school. It was something I could do on my own (schedule). I loved the euphoria after a good ride. I remember many days almost not being able to wait coming home from school and getting on my bike to ride the twenty or so miles out to Ridley Creek State Park and back.
3. When did you join CRW, and what brought you to the club?
I probably joined in the early 2010’s. I wanted more and more to ride with others. I really like the diversity of the ride types – the locations, the speed groups, the distances. I think my first club ride was a doozy - Cape in a Day - from Boston to Provincetown!
4. Do you volunteer for CRW, and if so, in what way(s)?
I really started getting more involved in CRW after I declared semi-retirement in 2024. I wanted to give back, but also to provide my ideas on how to improve the club. I became a ride leader and I have also introduced a couple of new ride routes since. Cape in a Day Too is my brainchild. And I have just resurrected a metric version of Climb to the Clouds that goes to the Summit. Onward and upward - as I hope to do even more after I declare full-retirement.
5. What type of cycling do you enjoy the most?
I am a chameleon. I love road riding. I love gravel riding, which I really only began a few years ago. I definitely love touring/bikepacking. And I still do some mountain biking. Of course, I have a separate bike for each of those kinds of rides – and then some!
6. What’s your favorite ride or route?
Of what I have done, I probably have several. I will say that I love a good road ride along the coastline so any rides with the word(s) cape or coast work for me! But I also love gravel and adventure rides. A few years back I rode the GAP/C&O from Pittsburgh to DC with a group of friends and had an absolute blast. Last summer I rode cross-country on all kinds of terrain from La Push, WA to Marblehead, MA (WATOMA) and that ride is definitely on my highlights reel. The picture below is of me leaving the beach at La Push. But I hope to add more favorites as I work my way to full retirement!
7. What has been your favorite moment or experience with CRW?
I am not the fastest wheels in the peloton. So, any CRW group ride whether I am leading or not where a small group of us can hang together from start to finish and share stories, food, and drink along the way are my favorite moments. The Cape in a Day Too I just did this year was really nice – six of us (there were a few others but they went on at a faster clip) rode together for most of the way.
8. What advice would you give a new CRW member?
Try a variety of rides. Get to know the members. Share your ideas and stories. You will make some great and long-lasting friends.
9. What’s a fun fact about you (cycling or non-cycling)?
At the ripe old age of 18 (in the ‘70s!) I almost had to give up cycling for good because of damage I did to my knee (chondromalacia) from cleats I mounted improperly. Some may recall the days when we literally had to bolt them to our shoes. And then I went on a multi-hundred-mile, multi-day ride from Philly to upstate New York. Within weeks after I returned it hurt to climb stairs. The best sports medicine doctors in the area prescribed orthotics and told me to get stronger quads but otherwise could not help me. I still did short rides but with the penalty of pain afterwards. Decades later when I moved back to New England, which re-kindled fond childhood riding memories, I made a concerted effort to ride pain-free. With a lot of information I found online, some trial and error, and tons of ice at the beginning I solved my problem! Turns out it had to do with the angle of my foot (right one especially) on the pedal. I now use only cleats that allow my foot to float on pedals with extenders that allow me to have my feet clipped in like a duck.
10. What do you enjoy most about being part of CRW?
Its basically my social life!
11. Anything else you'd like the club to know?
Yes, there are four things. First, I do most of my own repair work – I am constantly building and rebuilding my bikes. As a kid I would also drill out parts to make them several grams lighter! Let me know if you want some advice or how to fix or lighten your bike lol! Second, I am the unofficial CRW Weather Man. I have a PhD in Meteorology and I lend my prognosticating practices to the club on an ad hoc-basis. Third, I am planning another cross-country ride so if you are interested to join, let’s talk. Other than that, I am open to sharing ideas for adventure rides at any time. Lastly and most importantly, thank you for existing! I am truly grateful for the way you have enriched my life so far.
