By John Allen

Triggering a roadway vehicle detector to get a green light can be difficult for a bicyclist, but it is the safe and cooperative option. Designed to detect metal near their sensors, many traffic light vehicle detectors in Massachusetts have a hard time detecting a bicycle. Ride leaders may wish to check vehicle detectors on their routes, and avoid them if they cannot easily be made to work. But there are ways to try to get them to cooperate, as detailed below.

Scoping out the situation

Inductive loop (highlighted, left). Video camera (top right). "Wait here" marking (lower right)

• If you ride through an intersection repeatedly, you can determine whether, and how, vehicle detection works there.
• Wire cuts in the road surface show where detector loops are, unless the street was repaved after they were installed. Alternatively, there may be a video camera overhead, pointing toward the traffic lane.
• Signs and pavement markings may indicate where to wait.
• Only the more lightly used entrances to an intersection may have vehicle detectors. The more heavily used entrances may always have the green light unless cross traffic triggers a vehicle detector.
• Signals may or may not trigger at opposite entrances to the intersection at the same time. This is especially common with left-turn arrows. On familiar routes, you may get to know whether a vehicle waiting at the opposite entrance will get you a green light.

Vehicle detector types

• A dipole loop -- a plain rectangle, octagon or circle -- is the most troublesome kind. It responds over a wide area outside its perimeter, and so the sensitivity must be low to prevent it from responding to a vehicle in another lane. It is most sensitive directly over the wires.
• A quadrupole loop, a more bike-friendly design, has a wire down the middle, and is one of the few instances of special infrastructure for cyclists which encourage lane control (positioning of the bike in the travel lane to discourage unsafe overtaking). A quadrupole loop usually works for bicyclists who place their wheels on its center line.
• A vehicle detector with diagonal wires inside a polygon or circle is sensitive over its entire area.

Making a vehicle detector work

Turning the front wheel to the right across a dipole loop, and making a “do not pass” hand signal.

• An inductive loop vehicle detector responds to the metal of wheel rims and/or to bead wires in tires. Except with detectors which have diagonal wire cuts, position the bike’s wheels directly over the loop wires and in line with them. Wheels resting merely an inch to the side are less likely to be detected. You may want to lift and reposition the rear wheel.
• Skinny tires and larger wheels bring the rim closer to the ground, and are more likely to trigger the vehicle detector. The metal hoops formed by the rims look like solid discs to the long-wavelength radio signals from the detector.  The thickness, weight or magnetic properties of the rims don’t matter.
• Place your wheels over the wire cut where the filler material in the pavement is continuous. An interrupted wire cut is from an older loop that broke and was replaced.
• To avoid a right hook threat, it is a good idea to place your rear wheel over the wire at the left side of a dipole loop. Ride to the front of the loop and turn the front wheel sideways. This places the wheels over two sides of the loop, and establishes lane control (happily, you need to trigger the signal only if no motor vehicle will trigger it, so controlling the lane is easy).
• Leaning your bike toward the center of a dipole loop may help, so put down the foot that is inside the loop.  You may need to practice putting down either foot.
• If you run carbon-fiber wheels and Kevlar-bead tires, you might try wrapping wire under the rim tape. Note that you must connect the ends so it forms a loop. Magnets that attach to the frame may be available, but do not work.
• A video detector overhead on a signal mast arm usually does not require you to do anything special, except at night. Then you may have to tilt your bicycle and aim the headlight upward at it.

The continuous wire cut is for the newer loop, the one which works.

Strategies

• If one vehicle is already waiting, your best position is second in line, behind it. You might slow and let a vehicle pass before reaching the intersection to set up this situation.
• If you are first in line and a vehicle behind you is hanging back, you might pull ahead slightly and motion to the driver to pull forward to trigger the vehicle detector.
• If the right-turn signal of a vehicle behind you is flashing, you might move left in the lane to encourage the driver to pull forward. But then if the vehicle leaves, the signal may not trigger. You might have to discourage an actual right turn with a right-handed "don't pass" signal. Too bad! But other than that, you are not preventing anyone from advancing -- the light is red.
• Once the signal triggers on a vehicle ahead of you, ride over wire cuts to try to hold the light green longer.
• The more wheels are over the wires, the more likely the signal will trip. A group must work together to make this happen. Ride leaders may wish to explain this strategy beforehand.

The group of cyclists has been waiting...and could have triggered the signal before the car arrived. Right-hook risk too!

Cautions

• If there is another lane to your right, you could get stranded to the left of moving traffic if you don't trigger the vehicle detector. This is one important reason to know the signals on your route.
• If a line of vehicles is waiting, the usual cautions about filtering forward apply. Do not pass large trucks on the right!
• Be prepared to accelerate and cross the intersection quickly. A vehicle detector will extend the green time only for vehicles that it senses.

The above information can help cyclists safely utilize vehicle detectors on our roadways. For more technical details about vehicle detectors, see the article by Steve Goodridge here.

The triple photo is from CyclingSavvy.org.  The author wishes to thank Steve Goodridge for permission to use the illustration of vehicle-detector types.

Sunday, October 13 is fast approaching and we can’t wait to ride this year’s Cranberry Century! This year we have 11 distance/pace group options available for your riding enjoyment. To ride with a group, just check in with the ride leader at registration. Happy riding everyone! 

Which pace group should I join?

100 miles:

• Andre Wolff (andregwolff@gmail.com)  @ 22+ mph average leaving at 8:30a
• Doug Cornelius (Doug.Cornelius@gmail.com)  @ 18-19 mph average leaving at 7:30a
• Sean Mahoney (mahoneyhaus@gmail.com)  @ 17-18 mph average leaving at 7:00a
• John O'Dowd (bikejon@verizon.net)  @ 16-17 mph average leaving at 7:30a
• Clyde Kessel (clydekessel@gmail.com)  @ 14-15 mph average leaving at 7:15a

62 miles

• Melissa Quirk (melissa.e.quirk@gmail.com)  @ 15-16 mph average leaving at 8:00a
• Jerry Skurla (jskurla@comcast.net) @ 15-16 mph average leaving at 8:00a
• Barbara Martin (barbmartin@gmail.com)  @ 12-14 mph average leaving at 8:00a

50 miles:

• Chris Ludwig (cmludwig60@gmail.com) @ 12-14 mph average leaving at 8:00a

35 miles:

• Barbara Jacobs  (barbara.jacobs@crw.org)  @ 11-12 mph average leaving at 9:00a
• Judi Burten  (jburten@aol.com) @ 12-13 mph average leaving at 9:00a

Town you live in (bonus: add where you are from)? I live in Lexington but have lived many places.  I’m from Long Island but have lived in Spain, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Dominica.

What led to you joining CRW and what do you enjoy most about being a member? I was a member of CRW in the late 80’s/early 90’s when I first moved to Boston.  I loved being able to get to know where I was now living.

What is your best advice for a new club member? Try to find a recurring ride that fits into your schedule; you’ll get to know people.

When did you become a Ride Leader? I’ve been a ride leader for a little over a year.

What led to you becoming a ride leader? I was encouraged by other leaders to do it.  I love designing new rides, linking up roads I learn on other rides to create a new ride and testing them out. CRW needs more leaders, too.

What types of rides are you planning on leading? I have been leading what I call “new to group rides” rides. Many people are intimidated by the thought of riding with a group; it’s good to show them the benefits of riding with others.  

How long have you been cycling, and what initially got you interested in the sport? I have been cycling for about 40 years. I was living in Phoenix, at grad school, and it seemed like a fun thing to do with friends.

What is your favorite thing about cycling? There is nothing better than the feeling you get when you are riding a bike.  I have been volunteering at the Bike Connector; we distributed more than 2000 bicycles last year to people for fun, exercise and basic transportation.  It’s a joy to see people get their bike.

How many miles per year do you typically ride? My goal is 1,500 miles per year.

What is your greatest cycling accomplishment? I rode 2,079 miles from San Francisco to St Joseph, Missouri in 29 days. I couldn’t take more than a month off from work, so I didn’t cross the entire US. The real accomplishment was the training - riding as much as I could for 2 months before the ride, including back-to-back centuries.

What is your favorite road or trail to ride on? My favorite road is Monument in Concord/River Road in Carlisle. It feels different every time I ride it.  Late afternoon in the fall is the best - it’s like riding through a painting.

What is your favorite route to ride? Ahhh, too many favorites to name one. I love a hilly start, then a long flat section with few turns, and then a meander thru a neighborhood for the last few miles.

What is your favorite post-ride food or drink? Ice tea and cashews.  On a very hot day, ice cream before heading home.

Hello CRW,

Volunteer opportunities for the "CRW Cranberry Harvest Century" are now open.

Without Volunteers it's impossible to provide these events at such a low cost.
Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the signup sheet:

volunteersignup.org/AMFHW

To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.

Thank you for volunteering! 

Mark Nardone
Erik D'entremont 

By Norma Loehr

Get ready for our annual fall century ride October 13, 2024!

The Cranberry Harvest Century (CHC) is our annual fall classic in Plymouth MA with beautiful routes passing cranberry bogs to Mattapoisett and back. This fully-supported event has four beautiful routes: 100, 62, 53, and 35 miles and all are relatively flat making this ride very manageable for riders of all abilities. 

Register now!

Thanks to everyone who made this year's Climb to the Clouds a success!

Following are a few pictures from the 2024 event. If you have any images to share, please send them to media-share@crw.org. 

We hope to see you at Climb to the Clouds next year!

The 2024 CRW Board election is approaching. All club members in good standing are encouraged to participate in this process, regardless of their experience level or length of membership. This is great opportunity to get involved and shape the future of our club.

Seats available:

• 3 Board seats: 3-year terms from Jan 1, 2025 to Dec 31, 2027.

2024 election timeline (additional details below):

• Sept 19, 7-8 PM: Prospective Candidate Info Session
  
• Sept 20, 4 PM: Candidate statements due/posted
• Sept 29, 7-8 PM: Meet the Candidates online forum
  
• Oct 5, 12:01 AM: Online voting opens
• Oct 10, 11:59 PM: Online voting closes
• Oct 13: Results verified and announced
• Jan 1, 2025: New Board Members take office

Voting eligibility:

• All CRW members in good standing as of Aug 31, 2024 may vote.
• Confidential ballot, vote for up to 3 candidates.

To become a candidate:

1. Eligibility: You must be a CRW member in good standing as of Aug 31, 2024.
2. Learn more:
   a. Read the CRW Bylaws.
   b.  To learn what it is like to serve on the CRW Board, join the (optional) virtual Prospective Candidate Info Session on Thursday, Sept 19, 2024, 7-8 PM.  Register here.
3. Declare your candidacy: Update your member profile to self-declare as an Active Candidate. Submit a Statement of Candidacy by 4 PM, Sept 20, 2024 explaining why you want to serve on the Board. Make sure you have a photo in your profile.
4. Attend the "meet and greet": Come talk with club members about your vision for the future of CRW at the optional Meet the Candidates online forum.
   

Learn about the candidates:

• Candidate statements will be available at this location by Sept 20.
• A virtual "meet and greet" with Board candidates will be held on Sunday, Sept 29, 2024, 7-8 PM. Register here.

Questions?

• Please contact us at election-manager@crw.org

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

Thursdays are for riding!

Bike Thursday:

Tempo Thursday:

By Amy Juodawlkis

Twenty-seven riders gathered on a fabulous late August day for the annual Women's/Nonbinary Program Kimball's Ice Cream ride. All experience levels were welcome on this no-drop signature Program ride. This year, we rolled out in four pace groups, including a new 17-18 mph group! 

This ride has become a perennial favorite, and really, what's not to like?

A lovely route through Carlisle, Concord, Acton, and Chelmsford ...knowledgeable and helpful ride leaders ...enthusiastic and friendly riders ...ice cream!

Thanks to everyone who came out! Thanks especially to our faithful ride leaders, and to CRW for supporting the Women's/Nonbinary Program and hosting this event!

We look forward to seeing you in September for our program's Apple Ride. Date is set for September 22. More details will be posted soon, so watch the event calendar!

Name? Jerry Skurla

Town you live in (bonus: add where you are from)? Bedford, MA since 1992, grew up in Philly suburbs.

What led to you joining CRW and what do you enjoy most about being a member?  The organized rides was the draw, enjoy most is being part of a cycling community, which is why I organize the Spring Swap Meet every first weekend of May.

What is your best advice for a new club member? The best bike is the one you already own, so lube the chain and get out there. Knowing how to fix a flat provides confidence and frees one to explore new roads.

When did you become a Ride Leader? 2019

What led to you becoming a ride leader? Wanting to give back to ride leaders who have done it for me.  And arrowing during Wednesday Wheeler rides.

What types of rides are you planning on leading?  Single day on paved roads, Bikepacking 101 overnight, Willie Hume Pneumatic classic on September 8, 2024.

How long have you been cycling, and what initially got you interested in the sport? Started in 1970s to explore places seen only on maps, rode from Philly to DC and Harpers Ferry, WV during high school using youth hostels.

What is your favorite thing about cycling?  Floating up a hill in the perfect gear for that hill OR zooming down a multi-mile descent in the White Mountains or out West

How many miles a year do you typically ride? 5k to 6k

What is your greatest cycling accomplishment? Tough question: either the supported 1,400 mile ride in 2019 from Astoria, OR to Casper, WY or winning a points race at the Trexlertown, PA velodrome in the 1970s.

What is your favorite road or trail to ride on? Riding up Oak Hill Road to the Carlson Orchards Cider House in Harvard.

What is your favorite route to ride? Too many to narrow down.

What is your favorite post-ride food or drink? A Downeast original blend hard cider and pretzel nuggets with peanut butter/potato chips.