WheelPeople is the monthly newsletter of the Charles River Wheelers (CRW), featuring club news, event and program announcements and recaps, and special-interest articles from members, such as cycling travelogues, gear reviews, and in-depth cycling information.

General announcements and informal updates are better suited to other CRW communication channels, including the member blog, Slack, and the weekly ChainLink newsletter.

Publication Schedule

• Submission deadline: The 20th of each month for consideration in the following month's issue.

• Publication: We aim to publish by the end of the first week of each month, but never on Thursday, when ChainLink is distributed.

• Member notification: Members receive an email on publication day with article summaries and links.

• Read WheelPeople: https://crw.org/wp

1. Keep Articles Short and Focused

Aim for 500 words or fewer. This is a recommended target, not a strict word limit. Longer articles are welcome when the subject warrants additional detail, but concise articles are generally more engaging and more likely to be read in full.

Assume readers will spend about 2–4 minutes on an article. To make the most of their attention:

• Lead with the most important information.

• Use bullets or numbered lists when helpful.

• Eliminate conversational phrases, repetition, and unnecessary words.

• Link to background information rather than including lengthy explanations.

• Consider splitting particularly long articles into two.

Editors may shorten or revise articles for clarity and readability.

2. Keep Formatting Simple

Less formatting is better! Editors copy your text into the website and apply standard newsletter formatting.

• Use bold or italic for emphasis.

• Use bold headings and relative font sizes to identify sections and subsections.

• Bulleted and numbered lists are welcome.

• Avoid underlining, highlighting, unusual fonts, and colored text.

• Don't worry about exact font sizes or styles; editors will apply those.

• Include web links as URLs or hyperlinks. Editors will make them active.

3. Images and Photos

Attach images as separate files to your email. Please don't embed them in the article or Word document.

Indicate desired placement with a bracketed note, including the filename and caption:

[Image 1: Jane_on_bike.jpg; Caption: Jane Doe demonstrating a wheelie.]

Important image guidelines:

• Images will not appear above the first three lines of article text. This ensures that article previews and thumbnail text display properly.

• Images are generally centered or left-aligned and separated from the text.

• Text wrapping around images is avoided.

• Editors may adjust image placement and size to accommodate website limitations.

4. Submitting Your Article

Email submissions to: wheelpeople-editor@crw.org

You may submit your article as:

• Text in the body of an email, or

• An attached Word document.

Attach any images as separate files and indicate their intended placement in the article.

5. Editorial Review

Editors may adjust wording, length, formatting, links, and image placement to improve readability and maintain a consistent newsletter appearance. We aim to preserve your message while making it clear, concise, and engaging.

Thank you for contributing to WheelPeople! Your stories and information help keep the CRW community connected.

Submit: wheelpeople-editor@crw.org
Read: https://crw.org/wp

You can declare your candidacy for the CRW Board of Directors through your member profile. Before you begin, check the current election announcement for declaration deadlines and eligibility requirements.

Update your member profile

1. Sign in to the CRW website.
   Use the account associated with your membership.

2. Open your member profile and choose the option to edit it.

3. Update your candidate status.
   Find the Active Candidate field and indicate that you are running for the Board.

4. Complete your Statement of Candidacy.
   Introduce yourself and explain why you want to serve. You might include your involvement with CRW, experience you would bring to the Board, and priorities you would like to help the club address.

5. Add or update your profile photo.
   Choose a clear photo so members can recognize you.

6. Save and review your changes.
   Confirm that your candidate status, statement, and photo appear correctly.

Need help?

If you have trouble signing in, cannot find the candidacy fields, or have questions about serving on the Board, email secretary@crw.org.

By John O’Dowd, VP of Rides (updated 2/17/26)

Parking is generally allowed at Concord public (not private) schools when school is not in session. Please review the guidelines below before planning a ride.

Always Prohibited

• Concord-Carlisle High School – Parking is not permitted at any time.

✅ Permitted (When School Is Not in Session)

Parking is allowed at the following locations when school is not in session:

• School Administration Building, 120 Meriam Rd
• Willard School, 185 Powder Mill Rd

⚠️ Advance Permission Required

Parking at the following schools requires advance approval from the Superintendent:

• Alcott School, 93 Laurel St
• Thoreau School, 29 Prairie St
• Concord Middle School, 923 Old Marlboro Rd

How to Request Permission

Contact CRW member Rich Schoenfeld, who will coordinate with the Assistant Superintendent to obtain clearance.

Number of Cars / Fees

• Fewer than 40 cars: No fee
• 40+ cars: CRW may be charged a fee
  → Contact Rich Schoenfeld in advance

Alternative Option: Keyes Road Public Lot (Concord Center)

• Suitable for smaller rides (up to ~30 parking spaces)
• No advance permission required
• Please use the left-hand lot when entering Keyes Rd from Main Street

Safety Corner Directory contains many of the Safety articles published in WheelPeople pre-2024.

Managing meeting invitations properly ensures all intended participants are informed and can participate in club activities. This guide outlines best practices for creating and managing meeting invitations for Charles River Wheelers committees and working groups.

Current Challenges

The club has encountered issues with meeting invitations when:

• Group email addresses (like ioc@crw.org) are used for meeting invitations
• Committee membership changes, but invitation lists aren't updated
• New members miss meetings and former members receive unnecessary invitations

Best Practices for Meeting Invitations

1. Direct Individual Invitations

• Send Google Calendar invitations directly to individual email addresses rather than group addresses
• Include each participant's personal CRW email (firstname.lastname@crw.org)
• This ensures each person receives a proper calendar invitation with RSVP functionality

2. Use CC for Group Notification

• CC the relevant group email address (e.g., ioc@crw.org) on the invitation
• This provides a record of the meeting in the group's communication history
• Maintains an archive of meetings for historical reference

3. Meeting Update Protocol

• When committee or working group membership changes, promptly update recurring meeting invitations
• Add new members individually to the invitation list
• Remove former members from the invitation list
• Conduct quarterly reviews of all recurring meeting invitations to verify correct participants

4. Calendar Naming Conventions

Use standardized naming for meetings:

• Committee meetings: "[Committee Name] Meeting - [Frequency if recurring]"
• Working groups: "[Working Group Name] - [Meeting Purpose]"
• Special meetings: "[Topic] - [Type of Meeting]"

Examples:

• "Board Meeting - Monthly"
• "Rides Committee - Quarterly Planning"
• "Technology Working Group - Website Update"

Here is a link to the slides for this event which was conducted online on February 18, 2025.

Indoor Trainer Tech Workshop slides

Join the CRW Riding Contests

The Charles River Wheelers (CRW) hold exciting riding contests throughout the year to motivate riders of all levels. Whether you’re taking on the cold months of winter or looking to rack up mileage in warmer seasons, these contests are a great way to push your limits, stay active, and connect with fellow cycling enthusiasts.

Winter Riding Contest

Our Winter Riding Contest is designed to keep you riding through challenging weather. You can log:

• Distance
• Elevation
• Time

Winners are recognized in each category, and there are often raffles that give everyone a chance at prizes—regardless of how far or how often you ride. This contest usually runs during the colder months and is a perfect way to stay motivated when outdoor conditions are less than ideal.

Other Upcoming Contests

CRW may announce additional challenges at various times of the year. Keep an eye on club communications and our website for the latest news on any special events or unique riding contests. Whether it's an altitude-based challenge or a mileage goal, you’ll be able to log all these activities right here in your CRW member profile.

Contest Basics

• Open to CRW Members Only: If you’re not a member, join now to participate.
• Multiple Categories: You may compete in more than one category, but can only claim one prize overall.
• Indoor & Outdoor Rides: All rides count toward your totals, whether you’re braving the elements or spinning indoors.
• Manual Entry: Submit your ride data (time, distance, elevation) via the CRW website.
• Leaderboard: Keep track of your progress and see how you compare with other members.

How to Log Your Rides

All ride data is self-reported on our website. To add your rides:

1. Log in to the CRW website.
2. Click your name at the top of the screen to open your profile.
3. Select Edit Profile, then scroll down to the Activity Tracker.

4. Enter your mileage, elevation, or time in the corresponding fields.
5. Scroll down and click Save.

Note: Your totals may not update immediately. It can take a day or two for changes to appear on the leaderboard.

Viewing the Leaderboard

Want to see how you measure up? Follow these steps:

1. Go to the CRW home page.
2. Select Members > Leaderboards (or another active contest).

You might see two leaderboards:

• Contest Leaderboard: Focused on the current contest timeframe.
• General Leaderboard: Year-round stats for all riders.

Ready to Ride?

Join us and track your progress in our Winter Riding Contest, and stay tuned for announcements on other upcoming challenges. We look forward to seeing you on the roads, trails, and trainer—wherever you choose to ride.

Good luck, and keep riding!

Having trouble logging in? Here’s a step-by-step guide to accessing your CRW profile.

Basic Login Steps

1. Go to crw.org.
2. Click “Login” at the top right.
3. Enter your email address and password.
4. Click the “Login” button.

Once logged in, click on your name or “Profile” to view and update your information, manage your membership, or review your upcoming events.

Common Login Issues & Solutions

Password Issues

• Password Requirements: Ensure your password is at least 12 characters long.
• Forgot Password? Click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page to reset it.
• Check for Extra Spaces: Ensure there are no spaces before or after your email address.
• Turn Off Caps Lock: Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure caps lock is off.

Browser Issues

1. Basic Troubleshooting:

   • Log out completely.
   • Close all browser windows.
   • Reopen the browser and try logging in again.

2. Advanced Troubleshooting:

   • Clear Cache and Cookies: This can resolve stored data conflicts that interfere with login.
   • Try a Different Browser: If you’re having trouble, switch to Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
   • Disable VPN: VPNs can sometimes block access; try turning it off temporarily.
   • Enter Email and Password Manually: Avoid using autofill for your email and password.

Multiple Accounts

• Use Your Original Email: Log in with the email address you used when joining CRW.
• Check for Confirmation Emails: Look for any old CRW membership emails to confirm your registered email.
• Suspect Duplicate Accounts? Contact us if you believe you have multiple accounts.

Accessing Your Profile on the Wild Apricot Mobile App

You can also access your profile via the Wild Apricot Member App, available for Apple and Android devices.

1. Download the Wild Apricot Member App:

   • Wild Apricot for Members on iOS (Apple App Store)
   • Wild Apricot for Members on Android (Google Play Store)

2. Log In to the App:

   • Open the app, search for “Charles River Wheelers”, and select it as your organization.
   • Enter the same login credentials you use on the website.

3. Access Your Profile:

   • Tap on “My Profile” within the app to view and update your information, check membership details, and manage event registrations.

Still Having Issues?

If you’re still experiencing problems, please contact Technical Support through our CRW Contact Form. 

We hope this guide helps you access your CRW profile with ease!

1. Open Your Google Calendar:

   Begin by opening your Google Calendar in a web browser.

2. Find the "Other Calendars" Section:

   On the left side of the screen, locate the "Other calendars" section.

3. Add a New Calendar:

   Click the plus sign (+) next to "Other calendars."

4. Select "From URL":

   In the menu that appears, select the "From URL" option.

5. Enter the Calendar URL:

   Input the following URL into the provided field: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/calendar%40crw.org/public/basic.ics

6. Add the Calendar:

   Click "Add calendar." Google will automatically sync the CRW event calendar to your personal Google Calendar and display the events.

Important Notes:

• Update Frequency: Please note that changes made to the shared calendar may not be instantly visible. Google Calendar updates can take up to 12 hours to reflect new or updated events.

By syncing the CRW event calendar with your personal calendar, you’ll have easy access to all club activities right at your fingertips. This feature will help you stay informed and make the most of your membership with the Charles River Wheelers. Happy cycling!

For further assistance or if you encounter any issues, please contact our support team at support@crw.org.

Introduction: This guide covers managing manual groups in Wild Apricot, their synchronization with Google Groups, and outlines how to add or delete groups. Users must consult with tech support before creating or deleting groups to ensure compliance with organizational standards.

Required Permissions

Administrator or membership manager rights are needed to manage groups and perform synchronization tasks.

Managing Manual Groups in Wild Apricot

Accessing Groups

1. Login to Wild Apricot with the necessary permissions.
2. Go to 'Members' then 'Groups'.

Adding Members to a Group

1. Select the desired group.
2. Click 'Add members'.
3. Choose and confirm members to add.

Removing Members from a Group

1. Select the appropriate group.
2. Identify and remove the member.

Google Groups Synchronization

Schedule: Synchronization takes place every Saturday at 6 AM, updating Google Groups to reflect changes in Wild Apricot.

Naming: Google Groups are named [group name]@crw.org, with spaces replaced by hyphens.

Example: "Bike Enthusiasts" becomes "bike-enthusiasts@crw.org".

Creating or Deleting Groups in Wild Apricot

Note: Prior to creating or deleting groups, consult with techsupport@crw.org to ensure alignment with organizational standards and naming conventions.

Creating a New Group

1. Navigate to the 'Groups' section.
2. Click 'Add group' and fill in the required details.
3. Save the new group.

Deleting a Group

1. Select the group to be deleted.
2. Click on the deletion option and confirm.

For Assistance

For help with creating or deleting groups, or any other inquiries, contact techsupport@crw.org.