By John Allen

Many CRW members arrive at the ride start in motor vehicles. So… are you expecting a shaming session? Well, I sometimes arrive by car too, and I’m going to take a motorist’s point of view in this article. So there!

My last month’s article was about my bicycle ride through an intersection in Cambridge. On January 31 of this year, my son Jacob and I drove through the same intersection in a car. We haven’t been driving often enough in Cambridge to get used to the traffic there. We had an interesting encounter. Our dashcam captured the video below.

Vulnerable road user = victim?

Our incident with the bus holds a lesson about the meaning of the term “vulnerable road user”.

A vulnerable road user is typically described as someone lacking the protection of a metal shell. Yet motorcyclists are not usually heaped into that category, despite the considerable risks of motorcycling. The usual concept of a “vulnerable road user” is, rather, of victimhood — of smallness and helplessness.

Let’s try a different definition: a vulnerable road user lacks strategies to prevent bad things from happening, regardless of the transportation mode. These strategies prevent crashes and build confidence.

Refining strategies

Now let’s look at my strategies and my son’s.

The usual defensive-driving strategies work wherever the normal rules of movement apply. One of those strategies is to establish a lane position before reaching an intersection, to avoid conflict with other traffic.

That rule does not apply at Mount Auburn Street and Putnam Avenue. When I rode my bicycle through the intersection, it confused me, as I described in the earlier article. I kept myself safe, but I encouraged a motorist to turn right, possibly right hooking another cyclist. Only lucky timing prevented that.

Next time, I’ll know that I have to look behind myself, if I choose to ride in the bus and bike lane — as I might, because traffic backs up in the overloaded left lane.

When Jacob and I drove through in a car, the intersection confused a bus driver, who finally realized what was happening. But then if Jacob and I had waited for the bus to depart, we would have also had to wait till we got the right-turn signal again. Instead, we chose to turn across cautiously in front of the bus. It was an uncomfortable choice. We couldn’t be absolutely sure that the bus driver was waiting specifically for us. We had become the vulnerable road users. In the right-hook situation at Mt. Auburn and Putnam, the one who hooks is more vulnerable, not as usual, the one who is hooked!

When I ride through this intersection again, I’ll probably use the bus and bike lane, because the left lane is overloaded, but I’ll know that I am vulnerable and could be right hooked. When we drive into Cambridge again, we’ll avoid turning right at that intersection. There is no way to do that legally without the risk of right-hooking a bus or bicyclist.

A closer look

The Google Street View image below from October 2020 shows signs, signals and markings at the intersection, in case you didn’t see them long enough in the video. There is a right-turn arrow under the car. The two-stage turn queuing box on the far-right corner, shown in the video, had not yet been painted. No other signs, signals or markings have changed. The unusual special bus signal is in its triangle (yellow light) phase.

I have to wonder at Cambridge’s choices with this intersection, especially when a well-known solution could solve the problem. Placing the bus stop after the intersection would restore the normal rules, relieve congestion in the left lane, and have pedestrians crossing more safely behind rather than ahead of the bus.

The takeaway

The normal rules of the road reduce vulnerability by making maneuvers predictable and keeping road users visible to each other. Designs which violate these rules require special caution.

But as to your practical questions for now, whether on your bicycle or in a car, when a situation overturns the normal rules, take extra care, look behind you (as the bus driver finally did) and maybe next time avoid it entirely!

If you just can’t get enough of this, a more detailed look into the incident in the video may be found at this address.

Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
I grew up in the Bronx, New York and live in Boston now.

How long have you been cycling, and what initially got you interested in the sport?
I enjoyed cycling ever since I was a kid.  My cycling was casual until 1999, when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and I decided to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge.

How long have you been a CRW member?
I joined CRW in 2000, I think.

How many miles do you typically ride per year?
I’ve ridden as many as 7,600 in a year, but now it’s probably closer to 5,000.
 
What is your greatest cycling accomplishment?
I raised more than $375,000 over the course of my PMC career,
 
What is your favorite route to ride?
Other than Italy, the South Shore Coastal Loop (SSCL).
 
What is your favorite post-ride food or drink?
After a long, hot summer ride, I very much enjoy a good beer.

What is your best advice for a new club member?
Try our all the different rides and decide what types of rides you like best.

In what capaciies have you volunteered for the club, and for how long?
I’ve twice been a board member for twice for a total of 12 years.  I’ve led or co-led the SSCL since 2005.

What led to you becoming a Ride Leader?
 I love the South Shore Coastal loop and when the current ride leader announced he was stepping down, I volunteered.

What rides are you planning on leading this year?
I lead the South Short Coastal Loop most Sundays between May and early October. We are looking for ride leader help for the SSCL. Ride Leaders that are interested in helping out can contact our VP of Rides at rides-vp@crw.org to get involved.

Anything else you want to share about yourself or cycling journey?
I will be retiring very soon and am looking to doing lots more riding with the club.

CRW relies on member volunteers to create the wonderful club we all enjoy. We are looking to fill the following critical volunteer positions. If either of these positions interests you, email Jim Salvie, CRW Volunteer Coordinator to get involved. 

Century Volunteer Coordinator

Help get our signature events staffed and ready to roll!

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.

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.

WheelPeople Editor

Share your passion for cycling and CRW! 

We know no one can really replace Eli Post, the club's long-time, dedicated WheelPeople editor. The club is looking for someone to keep Eli's vision for our monthly newsletter alive and thriving. 

This position involves working with an editorial team and our content creators to plan the monthly newsletter, layout and finalize submissions, and publish in our online format.

This is a great role for someone with writing and editing skills, some computer savvy, and a dedication to keeping our members informed and entertained with cycling-related content and up-to-the-minute club news. 

Thanks for stepping up to help out CRW!

By John Springfield

Why bike on the back roads of Alabama? Well, mainly because I wanted to explore a new area. I expected to see a lot of farms.  But instead, I biked through lots of forests!
 
To avoid extreme heat (and hurricanes) I started in early May. I left Pensacola, Florida, and biked north. The plan was to stop at motels every 45 miles, giving me time to explore small towns.
 
I used my phone's map app to guide me, but would go off route at times.
It soon became clear that the "car" directions took me on highways with rumble strips. The rumble strips were often located to the right of the right line, just where I usually bike. This forced me out into the travel lane, to the left of the right line.
 
So, I quickly changed my map app to "bicycle" directions. This put me on a lot of back roads with hardly any cars! My 28mm touring tires were able to navigate the paved country roads. But sometimes the route abruptly changed to a dirt/gravel mixture that posed a challenge. More on that later.
 
My biggest surprise was how quiet it was. I rode for miles, usually through forests, with no cars, dogs, or houses. The chirping birds were my companions.

Periodically I would some across a country store. When I entered, I'm sure the local folks were taken aback with my bright yellow vest. But I was always welcomed in.  Some folks asked about my funny Michigan accent. We smiled a lot, especially when we couldn't understand the other's dialect.
 
Several of the small towns had interesting histories. De Soto, the Spanish explorer, came through the region and claimed it for Spain. Later the French and English claimed the area.  Of course, the Choctaws were the original inhabitants.
 
Now, back to the roads. As long as the roads were paved, I was okay.
There were more hills than I expected, but I had a very low gear that came in handy. Even on the unpaved roads, I was usually able to stay upright. But after a nightly rain, many of the unpaved roads became soupy. Especially on the uphills, I was forced to push my bike through the slurry. But hey, I wanted an adventure, right?
 
Once, I coasted down a paved road, came around a curve, and the pavement turned to dirt. I had no idea how long the dirt section would go.  But the road ahead looked pretty bad. So I turned around, climbed up the paved road, and found an intersection with another paved road.  I took the turnoff, hoping it would stay paved.  Luckily, it did!  But I then had to join the main highway, complete with the annoying rumble strips.  Ugh.
 
After 6 days of riding I made it to Tuscaloosa. I was going to take a day off.
But the weather forecast showed severe storms approaching from the west.
Previously the same area had been ravaged by tornadoes. Now if this were 60 years ago, my 16-year-old mind would have continued the trip. But my 76-year-old body said not to risk it.
 
It was time to go home, satisfied, with a smile on my face.
 
For a daily journal and more photos:
www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/North2025 

For volunteers looking to pitch in with an important Club event, there are several chances to help out with the upcoming North to NH Century on Sunday, May 18!

The centuries are important events for the Club and require a tremendous amount of organization and help from volunteers.

The Century coordinators have put together this helpful spreadsheet showing the kinds of help that they need.

If you’d prefer to talk to someone about what’s involved before signing up, contact Jim Salvie at volunteering@crw.org and he will put you in touch with the right folks.

And if you’d like to help out with the Century program as a whole (the Club has two more planned for this year), don’t forget that we still need a Volunteer Coordinator for the whole program.

Contact Jim Salvie if you’re interested and you can talk to someone about what’s needed. Rest assured there’s a lot of experience and support that you’ll be able to draw on.

CRW will be hosting both online and on-bike events in May to review the basics of our club's riding and safety culture, and essentials of group riding. 

This event is open to all members, not just newcomers.  Enjoy state-of-the-art coaching online and in person. There is something to learn from these events for any cyclist.

Tuesday May 27, 7 PM: Introductory Webinar

• Review the different types of rides that CRW offers
• Explain individual and group riding styles. 
• Review the CRW Rider Guidelines and Group Road Riding Etiquette. 
• Share free material about individual and group riding techniques from the CyclingSavvy site

Saturday, May 31, 10 AM: In-person event
MBTA parking lot, back end
160 Lincoln Rd, Lincoln, MA

• Review proper individual and group riding techniques
• In-parking lot exercises 
• Short group ride

Event leaders:

• CRW Rides VP John O’Dowd
• League Cycling Instructor David Wean
• CRW Safety Coordinator John Allen 

By Barbara Jacobs

One of the benefits of CRW membership is the CRW name tag. Attached to your helmet, saddlebag or bike it lets people know who you are.

More importantly, it contains contact information should you be injured on a ride.

The updated Name Tags are now available for order in the CRW Store. The tags will include member first name in large letter format and member last name in small letter format. Each Name Tag will have the member's In Case of Emergency number on them.

Name Tags are free for CRW members!

All members who have joined the club since January 1, 2025 will automatically receive a Name Tag.

Members who are looking to replace their name tag may request an updated tag on the CRW Store on the website. To find the store, click on the Members tab and then click on the Store tab. You can then order your Name Tag. Please give us time to print the Name Tag and mail it to you. 

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

Information needed is:

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

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

The Charles River Wheelers launched its 2025 cycling season with an energetic Ride Leader Kickoff event hosted by John O'Dowd, VP of Rides in early April. The evening began with a lively cocktail hour where 30 dedicated ride leaders mingled, shared stories from past rides, and connected with fellow cycling enthusiasts before enjoying a delicious dinner together.

Following the meal, John presented an impressive review of the club's 2024 achievements, highlighting a grand total of 319 rides spread across various categories. These included 204 led/show & go rides, 74 women's/non-binary rides, and specialized offerings such as gravel rides, centuries, and adventure excursions.

John's presentation outlined CRW's organizational structure and introduced the Rides and Safety Committee members who coordinate the club's diverse ride programs. Attendees learned about exciting plans for 2025, including the Women's/Non-Binary Program with its regular rides and special themed events, the challenging DEVO Program featuring intense rides like the Monthly Mighty Squirrel Ride, and the Century Program with three major events scheduled throughout the season.

A special highlight was the introduction by Nina Siegel of the CRW Classics Ride Series, which will showcase historic club routes that represent the "best of the best" from the club's nearly 60-year history.

Important administrative updates included discussion of the club's new policy for maintaining ride leader status (requiring at least three led rides within a two-year period) and a recognition program rewarding the most active leaders. John provided practical tips for posting rides on the CRW website and emphasized the proper use of tags to ensure rides appear correctly on the club calendar.

The kickoff concluded with a focus on three strategic goals for 2025:

1. Enhancing safety through dedicated clinics and educational opportunities, with a special emphasis on pedestrian awareness
2. Fostering greater collaboration between ride leaders to provide more options for members
3. Building community through increased socialization at pre- and post-ride gatherings

The evening ended with an enthusiastic Q&A session and expressions of appreciation for the volunteer ride leaders who form the backbone of the club's activities. With its combination of camaraderie, recognition, and practical information, the kickoff set a positive tone for what promises to be an exciting year of cycling with the Charles River Wheelers.

Club members: Becoming a ride leader is a great way to give back to CRW. Contact John O'Dowd at Rides-VP@crw.org to get started!

Dear Ride Leaders,

Your rides are the heartbeat of CRW — and we want to help you showcase them in WheelPeople! Sharing your upcoming events and ride recaps helps engage our membership, boost participation, and celebrate our vibrant cycling community.

Why Submit Articles?

• Promote your upcoming rides to reach interested members
• Recognize participants and volunteers who make rides successful
• Build excitement around your riding program
• Share memorable moments from special routes and adventures
• Create a lasting record of our club's activities

It's Easier Than You Think!

Articles don't need to be lengthy or complex. A few paragraphs with key information is all we need! To make it even simpler, we've provided outlines for two types of submissions:

Upcoming Event Article

• Event basics (name, date, time, meeting location)
• Calendar link
• Distance and difficulty details
• Brief description of the route or special features
• Who the ride is ideal for
• Volunteer opportunities (e.g., event support, pace group leaders)
• What to bring and logistical information
• Contact details for questions

Event Recap Article

• Basic ride information (name, date, distance)
• Number of participants who joined
• Brief highlights and memorable moments
• A quote from a participant (optional)
• Information about the next similar ride (include link if available)
• A photo or two to capture the experience

Submission is Simple

Send your articles and photos to wheelpeople-editor@crw.org by the 20th of each month to be included in the following month's issue.

Remember, your stories help build our community and inspire others to join in the fun. We look forward to featuring your rides!

The club runs on volunteers and that includes people who will step up for ongoing “management” (using that word very loosely) positions. Here are a couple that are available now:

Merchandise Manager — the person in this position will select, order, and manage CRW-branded products, maintain inventory, process sales, and track financial records to promote club identity. Essentially, this is the “boss” of all the “merch”! A more detailed job description is available here.

60th Anniversary Committee Chair — next year is the club’s 60th Anniversary and we want to make it a special occasion! If you’ve got some leadership and organizing talent, this could be the position for you! This position requires a self-motivated individual who will coordinate all anniversary celebrations including events, merchandise, and promotions that honor our 60-year legacy. You’ll also help put together a team to assist. A more detailed job description can be found here.

Unsure if either of these positions is right for you? Of course you are, and there’s no need to commit based solely on this email! If you’re interested, please reply to Jim Salvie at volunteering@crw.org and he will put you in touch with the right people to discuss it. No need to commit yet. And don’t worry — there’s a very supportive board with lots of experience to get you started in either position and answer your questions as they come up.