E-Mail This Article to a Friend HEAD OF THE CHARLES And the rowers keep on rowing BY ADAM REILLY

It’s one of New England’s great autumn traditions. But for the oarless, the Head of the Charles Regatta — which takes place in Cambridge on October 22 and 23 — can be a bit of a conundrum. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 people are massed along the Charles River, all seemingly having a good time. Down below, armies of sculls knife gracefully through the frigid waters. How can you, as an outsider, join in the magic?

Consider the following options:

• Scan the rowers who’ve finished racing in search of the biggest blister (unpopped).

• Find one of the senior-veteran rowers (that’s age 70 and up). Contrast his or her lean, chiseled body with your own decrepit self. Feel appropriately humble. Renew your commitment to physical fitness.

• Rock out, courtesy of WFNX, to the All American Rejects, who along with 10 other bands will play for free at the foot of Weeks Bridge on Memorial Drive. The shows start both days at 11:30 am. (The Rejects go on at 3:30 pm on Saturday.)

• Observe the ritualistic post-race swapping of T-shirts.

• Shell out $5 for a ticket to Reunion Village, an enclosed space where rowers and spectators get festive, and grab a beer or three (NB: you can’t bring your own). Rent a tent for $600, or get one of the prime viewing spots for $5.

• Remain on the lookout for ill-fitting unisuits.

• Say the word "coxswain." Repeat as necessary.

The Head of the Charles Regatta takes place on Saturday, October 22, and Sunday, October 23 | For more information, go to www.hocr.org