Did you know your GSW membership includes access to the Club Ride with GPS account offering all “Premium Services” worth $80.00 per year? Did you know there are over 200 bike routes in our library for you to view, download, print, or follow with voice and visual navigation using your smartphone or Garmin-type bike computer? Are you wondering how to get started with using this service?

In response to member requests, two free RwGPS training sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays, July 12 and 19 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Each session will be interactive starting with the basics and the sessions will be recorded if anyone misses a night. Both sessions are planned to be one hour in length with a little “chat time” possible before and after the planned hour.

The GSW has been offering this Club RwGPS service to members since April 2017. We know some members will not go on a bike ride if their smartphone or Garmin is not providing turn-by-turn navigation. Other folks are wondering about the routes in our library and maybe want to print paper maps and cue sheets. Use of “gadgets” while cycling may or may not be in their future plans. Whatever the case, all members are welcome to attend the Zoom training sessions.

To sign-up for this free training and receive the Zoom invitation link, please send your name to Dave Topham at office@gswheelers.org. Your sign-up by July 11 will be appreciated to make sure all requests or inquiries are answered in a timely manner.

Take care – “see” you via Zoom for happy cycling navigation via Ride with GPS!

Dave Topham
office@gswheelers.org
603-898-5479

The GSW had 16 very worthy grant applications this year and selecting the “top ten” was difficult.  That said, the following organizations will each receive $2,500.00 to support their listed programs.

— Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail, Friends of
Dero bike FixIt station for portable bike parking unit

— Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail
Dero bike FixIt station in Gorham Town Common

— Derry Rail Trail Alliance
Help fund bike-ped crossing signals (RRFBs) along rail trail

— Gate City Bike Co-op
Bike parts and accessories to service bikes for the underserved community

— Manchester Moves
Add adaptive trike to free gear loan library

— Merrimack River Greenway Trail, Friends of
Wayfinding signs at four road crossings

— Northern Rail Trail, Friends of
Help fund “Cycling Without Age” program with an e-TriShaw bike

— Pathways for Keene
Wayfinding signs along two rail trails

— Queen City Bicycle Collective
Provide lights, lock, and helmet to those receiving refurbished bikes

— Salem Bike-Ped Corridor, Friends of
Dero bike FixIt station at Salem Depot rest area

This grant program, our fifth over the years, is the club’s way of giving back to the NH bike-ped community.  Depending on profits from our 2022 Seacoast Century another grant round may be possible in 2023.

May everyone have a happy and safe year of cycling in 2022!

As a GSW member, you have free access to our premium Ride with GPS Club Account.

This account provides:

• Access to the program via a laptop and/or Android and iPhone devices
• Creation of your own personal space/account
• Ability to create routes and log rides
• View and download routes from the club route library

Setup:

• Go to www.RideWithGPS.com.
• Login or create a new personal account. Click on this link: http://bit.ly/2oEP3Zd to add your name to the GSW account.
• A GSW logo will appear in the lower left corner. Click on the logo to access the Club page.

For more information on Ride with GPS Club Benefits, visit:
https://ridewithgps.com/help/club-benefits.

Rides are open to anyone interested in bicycling. Parental consent is required for those under 18.

Club rides may be on-road, off-road, invitational, charity, or weekend events. Most rides have a leader. In case of rain, rides may be cancelled or rescheduled. Check MeetUp for up-to-date ride information. If in doubt, call the ride leader.

For rides listed as Show-and-Go, leader and riders select a route and pace to accommodate the slowest rider.

Safety: Helmets are required. Riders are expected to follow traffic rules and be courteous to other riders, pedestrians, and drivers.

Member Benefits: Sign-in to have your mileage recorded and to be covered by club insurance in the event of an accident.

Be Prepared: Have your bicycle in good working order. Always carry a spare tube, tire levers, a patch kit, a pump, water, snacks, and an ID that contains medical and emergency information.

Club “Meetup” site: https://www.meetup.com/Granite-State-Wheelmen-bicycling/
Check for new rides or last-minute ride changes. The GSW Meetup site is free to join. Being a GSW Meetup member does not constitute being a paid GSW member for mileage tracking and other benefits.

Volunteer: If you do not find a ride you like, volunteer to become a ride leader. Talk to a ride coordinator on ‘how-to’.

Charity Riders: You are welcome at all GSW rides. Let the ride leader know you are in training for a Charity Ride!

Terrain and Pace Guidelines

Terrain
1   Generally flat, some grades, for beginners
2  Easy grades, challenging for beginners
3  Moderate grades, some challenge for average riders
4  Steep grades with some relief

Pace
L  –  Leisurely with many rest stops (< 12 mph)
M – Moderate with some rest stops (12 – 15 mph)
B –  Brisk with few stops (15-18 mph)
S –  Steady, strenuous, rapid pace (>18 mph)

Charity and Invitational Rides are the sole responsibility of the hosting organization. The GSW has no responsibility and provides no insurance coverage including club and personal liabilities, property damage, or participant accident claims. You may have your mileage recorded for Charity & Invitational rides.

Mileage: If you attended a charity ride and a GSW ride leader was not present, submit your name, the charity ride information (date, time, location), and send to Lindsay Collins.

CHARITY RIDES

September 18th – 34th Annual Cycle for Shelter to benefit Emmaus, at Northern Essex Community College. Haverhill, MA. Ride to defeat homelessness! Cyclists can ride 15, 25, 40, 62, or 100-miles along the Merrimack River up to the New Hampshire seacoast (62 and 100-mile ride). Post-ride cookout and music. Proceeds from this event benefit Emmaus, a non-profit housing and human services organization in Haverhill that helps homeless and formerly homeless families and single adults rebuild their lives through shelter, permanent housing, and comprehensive supportive services.

Join the fun and ride in the longest-running charity rides in Northeastern Massachusetts. Low fundraising minimum!

This year, we invite families with children to sign up for the 15-mile ride. This “Family Fun Ride” features an easier, local route and a family team fundraising minimum.

Please note this ride will be weather-permitting. For those who wish to participate remotely, we invite you to participate in our virtual option which runs from July 1-September 18.

For more information, please call (978) 241-3425 or email cycle@emmausinc.org or visit www.emmausinc.org or http://events.emmausinc.org/cycle22

INVITATIONAL RIDES

There are no Invitational rides scheduled.

Granite State Wheelers Aug. 13, 2022 Lobster F&S and Ride

The 73rd Annual Granite State Wheelers Lobster F&S clambake and bicycle rides are set for Saturday, August 13, for the fourth year under its new name, Granite State Wheelers, celebrating the 40-year effort to reflect that “wheelwomen” also belong to a bicycling club of “wheelmen.”

September 24, 2022 Seacoast Century

The planning for this year’s Seacoast Century is well underway. We have a great team of experienced volunteers who have devoted their time to making this a great success.

The key to that is a solid group of volunteers. Paula and Jim Fine have agreed to take on this responsibility. Please reach out to them at sccvolunteer@gswheelers.org

Download Ride Leader Sign-in Sheet

Download Ride Guidelines

Please be sure that all names on the sign-up sheet are printed legibly with legible mileage recorded for each name.

Submitting a Sign-in Sheet

1.   Scan in pdf format and email to: mileage@gswheelers.org

2.   Or, Mail to:

Lindsay Collins
PO Box 497
Newbury, NH 03255

Photo submissions will NOT be accepted.