The RAC This Week (Oct. 14th)

Dear Parents


Our healthy looking group (+ volunteer Phil) at the UCSD Sun God. Picture by Lei. More on Facebook.

Please practice Power Pedal and Safety Stop.

  • Riders NEED to be off the saddle for Power Pedal and Safety Stop. 

  • Picture it. The light turns yellow. Someone yells “Stop.” 

  • Your child stops, on the saddle, loses her balance and keels over into traffic. 

  • PP/SS have to become second nature. We will ask everyone to demonstrate on Sunday.


What is an LPI? 

Leading Pedestrian Interval. 

  • The pedestrian light turns green a few seconds before the vehicles receive their green light. 

  • This setup allows pedestrians to step into the road before the cars move. 

  • It’s a fantastic improvement because it makes pedestrians more visible.  

As of recently, cyclists are allowed to make use of LPIs. 

RAC riders do NOT use LPIs. We wait until the main light turns green.

  • Why?
    5th graders should never have to ask themselves “Is this a red light I can cross?”

Their focus needs to be on power pedal and motorists, not ambiguous traffic signals. 

And we are plenty visible. 

Please stop at ALL stop signs and red lights, even the annoying ones. 

  • Even though there is no street going off to the right, we stop anyway. 

  • We want to be predictable for our kids. 



Looking ahead. Please prepare now.  

Saturday, December 6 at 4 pm 

The Night Light Bike Ride 

  • A flat ride around Mission Bay in the dark. 

  • We decorate our bikes with lights

  • Any light works. Battery-operated ones work best. 

  • Hot chocolate will be served upon completion. 

  • This one is tons of fun and we look so pretty. 

Please come to our RAC fundraiser on October 30 at the Kebab Shop in CM. 


If you would like to buy a RAC jersey/jacket/t-shirt, the RAC store is open now. 

Jerseys — The RAC. They are not mandatory, but a lot of fun. They run small. Buy one size up 


From Dr. Bob, Bike Mechanic 

We’re still seeing many tires out there with low pressure.  You should be inflating your tires to the proper pressure before EVERY ride.  You can make your life a whole lot easier by buying a good bike pump.  In this week’s newsletter, we tell you more than you want to know about bike pumps.  Read to end, there’s a bonus cat!

Bicycle Pumps.pdf

drive.google.com

We still have some good options for bikes available.  This week, we have added a Fuji Nevada Comp, a Trek Marlin 5, and a Trek Verve 3.  Check them out.

RAC Adoption Sheets.pdf

drive.google.com

Last week's mechanic clinic on shifting was a big success.  Participants got to watch Bob (accidentally) destroy his shift cable.  This week we will have the last class in the series before cycling back to tires.  This time, we will be covering brakes, brakes and more brakes.  All kinds of brakes, hydraulic, mechanical disc, and linear pull rim brakes.


Date: Sunday, October 19

Time: 3:00 PM

Location: 7163 Sherbourne Lane, 92129

  1. Our next ride 

Sunday, October 19 at 9 am 

The Road to Riches 

Mesa Verde Middle School | 8375 Entreken Way | SD 92129

Please arrive by 8:45 am.  

  • Mile 5.1 begins a steep, ½ mile-long uphill on a dirt road. 

    • Most of us don’t have the gears or tires for this kind of terrain.

    • Feel free to walk up the hill. I know I will.

    • No need to single file as you walk up the hill. 🙂

Mile 5.6 - 6.1 is on gravel. 

  • Mile 6.8: Welcome to Hootersville, Del Mar Mesa’s very own farm 

    • Goats Lenny and Squiggy are friendly and love carrots and apples. 

    • Please bring carrots and apples. 

    • The owners kindly ask that we don’t overfeed their goats. 


Thank you for reading. Have a good week. See you soon 

Christiane 

___________________________________

Our Facebook page 

The Ride Across California calendar. 

Power Pedal 

RAC requirements 

RAC rules 

The RAC This Week (Oct. 7th)

Dear Parents

Thank you for coming to the Gonzales Canyon Ride. It was gorgeous. Thank you, Lei, for the pic. Thank

you, parents, for participating in our parking lot passing drill.

Riding Hills

Our inclines are getting steeper and longer. You have noticed. This coming Saturday we are meeting our first real hill. Please help yourselves and your kids:

Don’t stand up.

Standing up helps for a few seconds. But your legs burn out fast .

Then you collapse. And stop. And block the riders behind you. Now everyone has to stop. And you now have to start on an uphill. And now you are frustrated. We don’t want that.

The Winning Strategy: Shift and Stay Seated.

Shift into a lower gear (low numbers) before you get to the hill. Don’t wait too long

Stay in your seat

Try to make it to the top without stopping.

Ride Slowly and Steadily. (Fast and Furious burn out your legs)

Stay in a low gear and “hamster pedal” .

You might be in your lowest gears all the way up the hill.

If your legs are still burning, slow down.

Slow and Steady is a lot more efficient than Fast and Furious

For more details on shifting , read Dr. Bob.

A Note on Walking up a Hill

We don’t. Ever. (Unless we are injured) It doesn’t teach the skills we need. Our longest

RAC hill is 6 miles long. Just saying.

Scanning and passing

● Yes, we obsess over it.

● Starting now, you may pass any time you consider it safe to do so (unless we specifically identify a road section as a no-passing zone)

● Scan before you pass—every time. Even if you wear a helmet mirror, scan anyway. By doing so, you signal to the person behind you that you are about to make your move.

● Remind other parents to scan and to pass safely.

● Remind your kids to scan.

● Leave spaces so people can pass safely and merge into the single file line.

● Leave at your speed: Don't be the first to leave if you know you are a little slower or the last to leave when you typically ride in the middle of the pack.

From Dr. Bob.

This week, Dr. Bob tries to demystify the topic of shifting.

On the topic of bikes, some of the fifth graders are on 24” bikes which are too small for them. Usually, we find that a fifth grader over 4’6” can fit on a 26” bike as long as they can safely straddle the top tube. If your fifth grader is taller than 4’6” and they are on a 24” bike, consider finding them a bigger bike. They will go a lot faster due to the geometry of the larger frame and crank. That being said, we have several riders who are too small for a 26” bike, but are looking to move up from 20” bikes. If you would like to sell your 24” bike because you are moving your ifth grader up to a 26”, let me know. We can add your bike to the adoption sheets weekly post as a “for sale” item. This week's class on chain cleaning, lubricating and derailleur adjustment ended up taking to long so we amended it to just chain cleaning and lubrication. Great fun was had by all and chains are looking a lot better. Next week’s class (Sunday, October 12, 3PM) will therefore cover derailleur / shifter adjustments. As always, RSVP mechanic@rideacrosscalifornia.com if you are interested. No need to bring your bike this time. We will provide a couple of bikes to practice on so you won’t screw up your own derailleurs.

Our next ride

Saturday, October 11

The UCSD Art Loop

Sorrento Valley Park and Ride. 12791 Sorrento Valley Rd. SD 92121

If the parking lot is full, please park on Pointe Del Mar Way

Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. We start promptly at 9 a.m.

● We climb Torrey Pines via the outside route.

25/26 The RAC this Week. cs

○ Even though there is a double bike path, we single file.

○ Please encourage your child to “hamster.”

○ Stay in your saddle. Use low gears.

○ The goal is to reach the top without having to stop.

○ If you must stop, please move to the right so others can pass you.

● On the UCSD campus, we

■ regroup at the Sun God and take a picture. It’s tradition.

■ ride through the Talking Trees (though they are usually quiet on weekends)

■ pass The Fallen Star

■ and pedal past the Bear.

■ Click on the links. These art installations are fun to visit (on another day)

Thank you for reading. Wishing you a lovely week.

Christiane

The RAC This Week (Sep. 30th)

Every riding parent must read every newsletter. 

_____________________________________________

Dear Parents 

Thank you for coming to our hillclimb clinics. It was fun, and we did well. 

Congrats to Haiden S who rode all 5 September rides. 


  1. Homework. Please practice with your child 

  • Power Pedal and Safety Stop

  • Scanning 

  • Stay in your seat and shift  


From Dr. Bob, Bike Mechanic 

  “This week’s newsletter talks about the three most misadjusted things on your bicycle: seat height, tire pressure and your helmet!

Seat height, tire pressure, and helmets.pdf

drive.google.com

We still have bikes available.  Check back each week as we add new bikes:

RAC Adoption Sheets.pdf

drive.google.com

Last week’s bike clinic on tire changing was a big success.  This week we are going to show you how to clean and lubricate your chain and how to adjust your derailleurs.  Bring your bike and you’ll leave with a clean, lubricated chain.  For the discussion about derailleurs, we will have some bikes available for you to practice on.

Please note, the location where we will be performing the clinics is next to a swimming pool.  Do not bring younger children!!!

For the next two weeks, the clinics will occur on Sundays at 3PM.  This week;s clinic will be on Sunday, October 5 at my house:

7163 Sherbourne Lane, 

San Diego, CA 92129.  

858-774-4081

We will be meeting in the back yard with access through the gate on the left side of the garage.  If you are planning to attend, RSVP Bob at mechanic@rideacrosscalifornia.com. 

Looking forward to seeing you there. Bob.” 

Our Next Training Ride 

Sunday, 5 October 

The Gonzales Canyon Ride 

Mesa Verde Middle School, 8375 Entreken Way, San Diego, CA 92129

Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. We start promptly at 9 a.m.

  • This ride takes us into the canyon. 

  • The path is gravel and rutted at times. 

  • Please leave skinny tires at home. 


Have a great week. See you soon. 

Christiane 

___________________________________

Our Facebook page 

The Ride Across California calendar. 

Power Pedal and Safety Stop 

RAC requirements 

RAC rules 

The RAC This Week (Sep. 23rd)

Dear Parents 

Happy riders on last Saturday's ride. The arm is Dennis. Picture by Lei. More on Facebook

Congratulations to Sarah W and Hayden S who attended all four Safety Funs 

From Dr. Bob, Our very own Bike Mechanic. Please read 

Hello, this week, I want to focus on getting a bike for the RAC and how to get your bike RAC ready.

First, if you are looking for a bike for you or your fifth grader, then take a look at our list of bikes we have available for adoption.  These are bikes that riders are selling or bikes that have been donated to the RAC and have been reconditioned.

RAC Adoption Sheets.pdf

drive.google.com

If you don’t know exactly what you are looking for, we have a guide that tells you what to look for in a RAC bike.

RAC bike purchasing guide.pdf

drive.google.com

If you have a bike and it’s used (either by you or a previous owner), then now is the time to give it a good overhaul to give you the best training experience.  This guide tells you what you need to do if you want your bike serviced by a bike shop or by the RAC.

Making your bike RAC ready.pdf

drive.google.com

One last thing.  This year we are going to offer a weekly bike clinic.  There will be three topics.  We will rotate though topics multiple times and vary the day of the week and time of the clinic in order to give everyone a chance to attend at least one clinic.  These clinics will be targeted to parents.  Fifth graders are welcome to watch, but the goal is to teach parents how to perform these tasks so they can teach their fifth graders.  Please note, the location where we will be performing the clinics is next to a swimming pool.  Do not bring younger children!!!

For the next three weeks, the clinics will occur on Sundays at 3PM.  This weeks clinic (Sunday, Sept 28) will cover tire changing.  Bring the front wheel of your bike to my house at 7163 Sherbourne Lane, San Diego, CA 92129.  We will be meeting in the back yard with access through the gate on the left side of the garage.  If you are planning to attend, RSVP Bob at mechanic@rideacrosscalifornia.com. 

Looking forward to seeing you there.

__________________________________________

If bikes don’t shift well, if kids are struggling, if gears are stuck, please contact Bob. 

Smooth gears make life so much easier on training rides and the RAC. 

A friendly reminder. You need to stay with your child. 

If your child is faster than you, he/she needs to slow down.  


Our Next Training Ride 

Saturday, September 27 

Mesa Verde Middle School, 8375 Entreken Way, San Diego, CA 92129

The Hill Climb Clinic   

  • Please arrive by 8:45 a.m. We start promptly at 9 a.m.

  • Featuring Power Pedal on a hill. 

  • Not required but highly recommended for new cyclists


Questions. 

  • How long do training rides last? I would like to plan ahead 

Answer: 

  • Training ride duration depends on miles ridden, hills climbed, the size of the group. 

  • In other words, we are not sure. 

  • Times posted on the calendar are estimates. 

  • Please don’t plan any other activity until the afternoon.  

Starting now, until the spring, we offer one ride per weekend. 

Have a great week. 

Christiane 

___________________________________

Our Facebook page 

The Ride Across California calendar. 

Power Pedal and Safety Stop 

RAC requirements 

RAC rules 

The RAC This Week (Sep 16th)

Every riding parent must read every newsletter. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Dear Parents 

Thank you to those who came last week. It was great fun meeting you and seeing you again. 

Check out this great picture by volunteer Lei. More pictures are on our Facebook page. 

Please review RAC Requirements and RAC Rules.  

Another RAC Rule. 

Stay Seated. Shift Smart. 

  • Kids love to stand on hills — don’t let them.

  • Teach them to shift, not muscle through in high gear.

  • Most 5th graders can’t climb standing — and our hills are long.

  • Standing = wobbling. That’s tough and unsafe for riders behind them.

  • Shifting keeps things smooth and steady.

  • Parents. Set the example: stay seated yourself.

  • (If your kid stands a lot, the seat’s probably too low — we can help!).

Homework for those who came last weekend.  

Power Pedal and Safety Stop  

  • Please practice with your child. 

  • Power Pedal to get started 

  • Pedal at 2 or 10 o’clock. Push down. Hover. Count to three. Sit. 

  • Do not allow your child to start on the saddle. Too wobbly.

  • Safety Stop:

  • Stand up. Squeeze both brakes gently. Hover. Count to three. Foot down. 

  • Do not allow your child to stop while sitting. Too wobbly.

  • Power Pedal and Safety Stop are a Must 

  • Come early to training rides, and we’ll help your child practice 

  • You’ll both be asked to show Power Pedal and Safety Stop at future rides. Be ready. 



Our Next Training Rides 

Saturday, September 20. 

9 am - 11 am 

Mesa Verde Middle School, 8375 Entreken Way, San Diego, CA 92129

Safety Fun 3 and Park Village 

Sunday, September 21. 

9 am - 12 pm

YMCA Upper Parking Lot. 13339 Salmon River Drive. SD 92129 

Safety Fun 4 and Long Duck Pond

If you picked up your vests last week, please arrive by 8:45 a.m. 

If you need to pick up your vests, arrive by 8:30 am. 

We start promptly at 9 am. 


Questions. 

  • Question: Can my partner attend training rides with our child when I cannot? 

  • Answer: Unfortunately, no. Only registered riders may attend training rides. 

  • The person who rides the RAC with the child needs to train with the child. 


  • Question: Can we leave the ride early because we have soccer? 

  • Answer: Yes, but …  If you do, the ride doesn’t count towards your “once a month with us” ride. 

Looking forward to seeing and meeting you. 

Have a great week. 

Christiane 

___________________________________

Our Facebook page 

The Ride Across California calendar. 

What to Bring on Every Ride 

RAC Requirements

RAC Rules

The RAC This Week (Sep. 9th)

Dear Parent 

Congratulations on winning the lottery! We’re thrilled to have you with us.

This is the first of many weekly newsletters.
They usually arrive on Tuesdays.
Please read each one carefully. You’re responsible for knowing all RAC rules, procedures, announcements, and changes.
Every riding parent must read every newsletter.

1. RAC Requirements

  • Each adult rider + child: 1 Safety Fun Ride (September)

  • Each adult rider + child: 1 monthly ride minimum

  • Each adult rider + child: 2 Escondido Hill Rides (spring)

  • Each adult rider + child: 350 miles total before April 6

  • Record your miles. Mileage submitted in February

  • If parents take turns riding/chasing, both must complete all requirements

2. RAC Rules

  • By signing up, you agreed to our safety rules (we’ll review them as we go).

  • Ride predictably—for motorists and kids.

  • Be a role model: ride safely, ride smart.

  • Always single file. No overlapping tires.

  • Stop at every stop sign. Foot down. At the line.

  • Communicate. Pass left. Scan.

  • Helmets, vests, name tags—always.

  • Stay behind the first volunteer.

  • No Airbuds. No phones on bikes of 5th graders.

  • Stay with your child.

  • Be respectful to all.

  • RAC rules override standard road rules.

3. ABC Bike Check at Home 

  • Air – Tires firm? If not, pump up.

  • Brakes – Squeeze. Working? Great. If not, tell us.

  • Cassette – Rusty? Dirty? Clean it. Not sure how? Ask—we’ll show you.

4. Vests

  • Included in your fee. Distributed before Safety Fun rides.

  • Must add first name front + back (parent + child).

  • Must fit over sweaters or hydration packs.

  • Hydration backpacks required eventually. Water bottle OK early on.

5. Bring on Every Ride

  • Bike(s)

  • Vest with names and helmets

  • Water (kids must carry their own)

  • Small snack

  • Small pump (if you have one)

  • Tubes that fit both bikes

  • Wrench (if no quick release)

7. Waivers

  • Sent via separate email. Sign + return before your first ride.

8. First Training Rides 🚴

Saturday, Sept 13 – Safety Fun 1

  • Mesa Verde Middle School, 8375 Entreken Way, San Diego, CA 92129

  • Arrive 8:30 a.m. (vests, names, unload, check in)

  • Ride starts 9 a.m. sharp

Safety Fun 1  Click here. 

  • Download the ridewithgps app. (Basic features are free). You will see: 

  • Route, miles ridden, and number of feet climbed—the red graph at the bottom shows where the hills are. 

  • Arrive by 8:30 a.m. Pick out vests, write your name, unload the bike, and check in with attendance. 

  • We begin promptly at 9 a.m.

Sunday, Sept 14 – Safety Fun 2 + Bike Path

Safety Fun 2 and Bike Path 

  • Mesa Verde Middle School, 8375 Entreken Way, San Diego, CA 92129

  • Arrive 8:30 (new vests) or 8:45 (if you already have a vest)

  • Ride starts 9 a.m. sharp

  • Safety Fun part 1 & 2 are identical—you may do both

  • Every rider must complete one Safety Fun

  • Full ride calendar:The Ride Across California. Calendar

9. Questions?

Just ask—we’re here to help. 

Congrats again—we’re so glad you’re here. 

Christiane and your friendly volunteer team. 

P.S. Future newsletters will be shorter. I promise 

The RAC This Week (March 31st)

Dear Parents


Congratulations to our new qualifiers. 

Ines - Emery - Aidan - Raven - Xavier - Oscar - Alexander - Kevin - Soha - Ethan - Matthew - Jonathan   

Dear parents of Gabriel, Jonah, Daniel, Eliza, Isaiah, Greyson, Elena, Sarina, Naomi, Toby, Dylan, Lucas. Please update your child’s miles by the end of this week here:  RAC 25 Miles Ridden So Far 

Our t-shirt contest winner is Delphin. Congratulations. 

Second place winner is Lizzie. We will use her design for name plates/tags.

 

Casual Tuesday afternoon rides. 

When? Tomorrow (April 1) at 4:30 pm

Start: My house. 12560 Senda Panacea. Easier Parking

Why? Because we need to ride hills and last week was fun 

Our new goal is eight hill climbs. 

The Route: The Wall x 8  


Bike path to Black Mt. Rd, return to the bottom of the hill, and repeat seven more times. 

This ride does not count towards your minimum ride attendance. 

Not an official RAC ride, no lead, no back, no ride support, no snack. Just me.  



The RAC route. Look for it next week 


E. Our Last Training Ride 

Sunday, April 6 

The Home Stretch 

13339 Salmon River Road. SD 92129 

Please arrive by 8:45 am. We start promptly at 9 am. 

Miles 2.2 - 20.1 of this ride represent the last 18 miles on the actual RAC. 

Not mandatory. We will not take attendance. 

Thank you for reading. Have a good week. See you next weekend or on Tuesday.  

Christiane

_________________________

Our Facebook page 

The Ride Across California calendar. 

Power Pedal 

RAC requirements 

RAC rules 

The 25 RAC | What to bring and what to leave at Home

The 25 RAC | A Typical Day 

The 25 RAC | Sunday through Saturday 

E. Important dates

RAC Reunion 

  • Thursday, May 15 at 7 pm at Design 39 School. Bring the family

The RAC This Week (March 24th)

Dear Parents


  1. Congratulations to our new qualifiers. 

Fiona - Joaquin - Florence - Vihaana -  Ian - Jack. 

All 5th graders completed at least two Escondido Hill Rides. 

Swara, Zachary and Elsa completed 5. Wow. 

Please update your child’s miles here:  RAC 25 Miles Ridden So Far 

  1. In anticipation of Thursday’s meeting, please read the following documents. They will answer many questions. Also available on the website. 

The 25 RAC | What to bring and what to leave at Home

The 25 RAC | A Typical Day 

The 25 RAC | Sunday through Saturday 


  1. Underwear. 

Don’t wear any (when you ride) under your padded bike shorts. 

Underwear has seams and seams chafe during long days of consecutive riding. 

Use chamois cream (a product that reduces friction between your skin and the bike seat and prevents saddle sores (diaper rash). 

Chamois cream is sold under delightful names like “Assos, Chamois Butt’r and Gooch Guard.” 

 

  1. Mandatory Parent Meeting. Bring your child  

    1. Thursday, March 27 at 7 pm at Design 39 School. 

    2. We take attendance. 

    3. On the agenda: 

  • T-shirt design contest winner reveal 

  • A not so serious RAC quiz for 5th graders 

  • Presentation of right (and wrong) luggage

  • Inspirational words from Dennis 

  • Time to ask questions 

  • Tube repair demonstration. Please bring a front tire. 

  • And more 

E. Casual Tuesday afternoon rides. 

When? Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 25) at 4:30 pm

Start: My house. 12560 Senda Panacea. Easier Parking 

Why? Because we need to ride hills and last week was fun 

The Route: The Wall x7 

Bike path to Black Mt. Rd, return to the bottom of the hill, and repeat six more times. 

This ride does not count towards your minimum ride attendance. 

Not an official RAC ride, no lead, no back, no ride support, no snack. Just me.  

G. Our Next Ride

Saturday, March 29 

Tritons, Witches and Coffee

Mesa Verde Middle School. 8375 Entreken. San Diego CA 92129 

Please arrive by 8:45 am. We start promptly at 9 am. 

This ride loops through UCSD, goes up the Three Witches and includes an optional stop at the 4SRanch Starbucks. 

Thank you for reading. Have a good week. See you next weekend or on Tuesday.  

Christiane

________________________

Our Facebook page 

The Ride Across California calendar. 

Power Pedal 

RAC requirements 

RAC rules 

E. Important dates

RAC Reunion 

  • Thursday, May 15 at 7 pm at Design 39 School. Bring the family 

The RAC this Week (March 4th)

Dear Parents


We hope this email finds you well. 


A. Please meet our most recent RAC qualifiers. 

Leysh - Paulo - Kaitlyn - Mila - Mark - Arjun - Ryan - Elsa 

Congratulations. We are so proud of you. 

B. Send me your kids’ miles. 

Please submit miles for the kids on the list below.  RAC 25 Miles Ridden So Far 

Thank you to those parents who added them last week.

 

C. A message from Kate, RAC Board Director 

“It’s great to see everyone in Escondido this year for the hill climbs.  We do want to share a change with the remaining hill climbs for this season. We are finding the downhill to the Mobil station to be a bit deteriorated due to recent weather conditions.  We decided to eliminate the downhill after 1st snack and now turn around at mile 10.5.  You still must complete 2 Escondido Hill Rides, but the ride will now be shorter, only 25 miles. The route has been updated. 

Thank you. Kate.” 

While we can’t change road conditions, we can do the following 

  • Alert your child to ruts and bumps in the road. 

  • Slow down on downhills.

  • Ensure you are right in front of your child on steep downhills. Don’t get ahead. Your child will want to catch up. 

  • Make sure your child keeps his/her hands on the handlebar. No fiddling with hair. No ‘look Ma, no hands.” No switching hands because it’s fun. Consider padded gloves for your child. The only time your child should remove hands from the handlebars is to drink from the Camelback. 

E. The shorter Escondido Hill Ride version we are riding now eliminates 633 feet of steep climbing. While that sounds great, it’s not. Because we need to climb hills to prepare, we are adding casual rides between now and the RAC. They do not count towards your “ride with us once a month” requirement. No attendance. Just a friendly ride with friends. 

When? Every Tuesday at 4:30 pm, starting on 11 March.  

Start: Across from 8331 Merge Avenue in the gravel lot. Near Mesa Verde Middle School 

Why? Because we need to ride hills. 

The Route: The Wall x 4  

We ride up on the bike path to Black Mt. Rd, return to the bottom of the hill, and repeat three more times. 

7.2 miles. 633 feet climbed. Should it get dark, we can ride on the sidewalk. 

There will be no snacks, caboose, or Bob—just Christiane. I'm looking forward to seeing you next week. 


E. Fun stuff 

This is a heat map that RAC parent Bill shared. Bill’s son Paulo likes it a lot. Maybe your child would as well? Bill used the app on his Suunto watch. 

Our Next Rides 

Sunday, March 9. (Daylight savings starts.) 

The Short Escondido Hill Ride # 4

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026 

Please park at the LA Fitness parking lot's south end (green). 

Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am. 

Some Escondido Hill Ride tips 

  • You need to complete 2 with us. We offer 6. 

  • DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST TWO RIDES. 

  • The EHRides include two snack stops. 

  • Try to make it up the hills without stopping. Help your child pace him/herself. 

  • If you must stop on the hills 

    • Stop where it’s flat-ish. 

    • Make sure to move to the right 

    • Stop before a curve, not in or behind a curve 

    • Stop in the shade if it’s hot

    • Make sure your child is off the saddle when he/she stops. 

      • Please practice if that is not yet second nature.

    • Stay right in front of your child on downhills 

    • Instruct your child to keep hands on the handlebar. 

The RAC is next month. Just saying. 

Thank you for reading 

Christiane

_________________________

The RAC this Week (Feb 27th 2025)

Dear Parents. 


  1. Congratulations to all who came out last weekend. It was hot.

A special round of applause to Zach S. He completed two Escondido Hill Rides, trained 350 miles and is therefore our first 5th grader to qualify. Great job, Zach.  


  1. Send me your kids’ miles. 

Please add your kids’ miles if your child’s name is on the list below. If you don’t, we have to run after you, call you, email you, text you, and that is more work for us and we are all volunteers with jobs. Thank you. 

Why do we want to know? We want to help you catch up if you are falling behind. 

Please use the link   RAC 25 Miles Ridden So Far  and update as often as you like. 


E. From Dr. Bob, Bike Mechanic. 

Dr. Bob wants to remind everyone that they must have two tubes for each bike.  This goes especially for training rides where we can only carry a limited number of tubes.  You do not want to be stuck getting driven back to the start because of a tiny piece of glass.

This week Bob discusses how to power your devices during the RAC.

Power on the RAC

Our Next Rides 

Saturday, March 1 

The Escondido Hill Ride  # 3 

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026 

Please park in the south end (green) of the LA Fitness parking lot. 

Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am. 

Some Escondido Hill Ride tips 

  • You need to complete 2 with us. We offer 6. 

  • The EHRides include three snack stops. 

  • Try to make it up the hills without stopping. Help your child pace him/herself. 

  • If you must stop on the hills 

    • stop where it’s flat-ish. 

    • make sure to move to the right 

    • stop before a curve, not in or behind a curve 

    • stop in the shade if it’s hot (won’t be a problem this week)

    • make sure your child is off the saddle when he/she stops. Please practice if that is not yet second nature. 

Thank you for reading 

Christiane