Dear Parents
A Round of Applause for Rex and Marco
who completed six training rides in October.
Way to go! We are impressed.
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Thank you for coming to the Fundraiser at Rubio’s.
30% ($364.50) of all purchase went to benefit the RAC. We appreciate your help, and it was great seeing you.
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About estimate training ride times
On the rideacrosscalifornia.com website under Calendar, you will find a bunch of helpful stuff, including “length of training rides.”
Will 15 miles really take 6 hours? No.
When we estimate training ride duration, we err on the side of caution. We don’t want to suggest a finish time, and then we are wrong and you to have to rush to you next appointment because we said you’d be done by noon and you are not.
Many variables determine training ride duration.
■ The larger the group, the slower our exit from the parking lot
■ The warmer the weather, the slower the riders
■ The steeper the hills, the slower the riders
■ The larger the group, the longer the regroups
● We regroup = the front waits for the back to come in
○ typically early in the ride
○ because we are a community event
○ we encourage you to use this time to meet other parents/kids
■ “I need to leave the group early. My child has soccer at noon.”
Please don’t plan any other event too close to the RAC.
● The RAC is a time commitment
● The RAC is not something you squeeze in
● Your ‘mandatory ride with us” counts for COMPLETED rides only.
Why are we so picky? The more you train with us, the safer we are.
Because you asked
Where do I start a right turn?
You are about to turn right. There is a bike lane going straight. The is a right turn lane turning right. Where do you go???
Do you
A
● stay in the bike lane
● proceed to the intersection
● scan
● make a right turn from the bike lane
● cross the right turn lane?
or B
● scan
● merge into the right lane
● make the right turn from the right lane
The correct answer is …..
B. You knew it.
Cutting across a right turn lane creates confusion for motorists and other cyclists behind you. And our goal is predicability = safety.
Thank you for your questions. They are very helpful.
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Because you asked
Can the kid join a training ride when the parent can’t.
Yes. Please let us know ahead of time so that we have a volunteer ready to ride with your child.
Can the parent join when the kid can’t?
Yes. And we might just put you to work. 🙂
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Our next rides
Friday, November 11 at 9 am
Mesa Verde Middle School | 8375 Entreken Way | SD 92129
● Mile 5.1 is the beginning of 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, so
○ feel free to walk up the hill
○ No need to single file as you walk up the hill. 🙂
● 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.
Sunday, November 13 at 9 am
The UCSD Art Loop is a fun one. But aren’t they all.
Sorrento Valley Park And Ride | 12791 Sorrento Valley Rd | SD 92121
● We climb Torrey Pines via the outside route.
○ 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: to reach the top without having to stop.
■ If you have to stop, please move to the right so others can pass you.
● On UCSDs 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 (currently closed but really fun for the kids when it reopens)
■ and pedal past the Bear.
● Click on the links for more info.
● Mile 9.3: Please stay in front of your child to control his/her speed as we descend Torrey Pines.
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Looking ahead to future rides
Saturday, December 3 at 4 pm
● We decorate our bikes with lights and ride around Mission Bay in the dark.
● Then we drink hot chocolate.
● This ride does not count as a mandatory monthly ride
○ It is too easy at this point.
● Possible light sources:
○ Battery operated holiday lights | Glow sticks | Bike light kits
○ For really cool inspirational pictures from previous years., click here
○ Everyone should carry at least one light source.
■ By the end of the ride, the route will be completely dark
Please bring the family to the Light Night BIke Ride
● We are opening this ride to current RAC members’ families.
● If you think your other children, partner, in laws would enjoy this ride, please bring them. The more, the merrier.
● Non registered attendees will be asked to sign a waiver.
● Riders should be able to ride 5 miles. The one “hill” is a bridge.
● RAC rules apply
● Helmets required
○ we have a few loaner vests available
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Looking forward to seeing you this weekend. Enjoy the rain.
Your friendly RAC volunteer team
Abhi | Ana | Bill | Bob | Christiane | Frans | Hannah | James | Jeff | Joel | Julie | Kate | Kristen | Kumar | Mani | Olav |Robert | Sabine and co-founder Dennis
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You are responsible for knowing RAC rules, procedures and announcements and for sharing all information with your family. Please forward this newsletter.
Future training ride dates are on the calendar on Rideacrosscalifornia.com
● And here RAC 22|23 training rides
Homework: “power pedal” with your child.
○ Pedal at 10 or 2 o’clock.
○ Don’t start on the seat. Don’t stop on the seat
The Monthly Ride: Beginning in October, you need to finish at least one training ride with us.
● We offer at least four month.
● Please plan accordingly.
● We take attendance.
Arrive at t 8:45 am
● You need to unload and check your bike, check helmets, sign in etc.
● You will be asked to read and sign the RAC Agreement Form
○ if you have not done so already
● Always bring
○ helmet
○ water (your child should carry her/his own)
○ a snack
○ a vest with name tag .
Train with your child
● The parent training with the child must be the person accompanying the child on the RAC.
● The parent accompanying the child on the RAC must be the person training with the child.
● A parent may not interrupt training for a few months and send the child with someone else during those months.
● All riding parents and children must complete the requirements.
○ 350 miles trained between September and April 10
○ At least one monthly training ride with us
■ including : One Safety Fun
● Two Escondido Hill Rides (next year)
Splitting riding and chasing: If parents are taking turns riding and chasing, both parents must complete all RAC requirements.