Dear Parents
Thank you for coming to last Saturday’s Bike Cleaning Clinic, and thank you to Bob for teaching us.
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Our next rides
Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12 | Daylight Saving begins March 12
LA Fitness | 362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026
8 am. Please arrive no later than 7:45 am
The EHRides come with their own set of horror stories. But fear not…
● RAC alumni exaggerate terribly. Volunteers are worse.
● You (and the few years before you) are much better trained than previous groups were. In earlier RAC days, two EHrides were the ONLY mandatory rides.
On the Escondido Hill Rides, we get to practice all those great skills we have learned.
● We want to minimize passing because bike lanes are narrow and traffic is fast. Bike lanes are narrow and traffic is fast.
○ That means, start with the heap that rides your speed. If you typically ride in the middle of the pack, start in the middle. If you typically end up in the front, start in the front. Starting with the heap that is your speed minimizes passing.
○ Please do not allow your kids to pass more than two people at a time.
○ If it’s safe to pass, make sure there is room for you and your child to merge back into the line.
○ Avoid passing on steep uphills. Kids underestimate their speed, a car comes up behind them, and there is no space to merge.
○ Scan and tell your kids to scan.
● Do not ride on the white line that divides the road from the bike lane
● A low gear, ‘slow and steady’ is more effective and ultimately faster than “rush and stop.”
● Try to ride hills without stopping. Getting started on a hill takes a lot of energy.
● If you must stop on a hill
○ Stop where the road is flat-ish and not steep-ish.
○ Move to the right so that those behind you can pass easily.
○ Don’t stop in the middle of a curve where the road banks and getting back on is harder.
○ Don’t stop right behind a curve. Cars can’t see you.
○ Stop before a curve, in the shade, if it’s hot.
○ When you stop, don’t climb off your bike; simply straddle it, scoot to the right, catch your breath, then keep going.
○ Make hill stops short (30 seconds)
● Often, kids want to start back up when they see other riders come up behind them. They want to get in front of that group, and they often underestimate the time it takes to get on your bike on a steep hill. Let the group pass. Don’t struggle on your bike as another group is about to pass you.
● Kids may not walk their bikes. “But I can push my bike faster than I can ride it.” Not the point. Walking their bikes will not train their muscles.
● Make sure your child is comfortable drinking without stopping.
● Do not carry your children’s water. If they are not comfortable with a heavy camelback, have them practice carrying it around the house during the week.
● If you typically give your kids a push to get them started on hills, stop that now. Practice quick start during the week. You cannot push start your kid all the way up the Escondido Hills or across the RAC, for that matter.
● Make sure your child stays in his/her seat and shifts.
● Make sure your child sheds clothing that has become too warm BEFORE and not on a hill.
● Volunteers will help you past the tunnel (a freeway offramp near mile 28.) Follow volunteer instructions.
● You must complete two Escondido Hill Rides with us. We offer eight. Plan accordingly.
● Ride two back-to-back!
● Ride all of them!
● Please don’t wait until the last minute. Kids get sick. Rides get rained out.
● Volunteers will provide snacks during two snack breaks.
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Please record the miles your child has ridden so far. It’s great fun to see how the numbers go up.
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Misc. fun stuff.
Please make sure that your bike is tuned up before the RAC.
● Bob's Bike Tune-Up Details | Please contact Bob directly at rjacques888@gmail.com
Bob requests that you deliver your bike to him before you embark on your last Escondido Hill Ride.
Check out Bob’s Bike inspection checklist
● Local bike shops that offer discounts
The RAC’s Venmo account. Olav Schroeder@rideacrosscalifornia.
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Upcoming dates
There is a mandatory RAC meeting on Thursday, March 16 at 7 pm at Design 39
RAC reunion and potluck: Tuesday, May 2nd at Design 39
Food, pictures, certificates. By then, you will have missed us
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Our next fundraisers:
Thursday, March 9 | Panda Express | online orders only at pandaexpress.com
online order code 912973 | Panda Express Flier. This order code can be used nationwide.
Tuesday, April 4 | Fresco Pizzeria | 13350 Camino Del Sur | Time TBA
Tuesday, May 9 | Chipotle Carmel Mountain | 11134 Rancho Carmel Drive | SD 92128 online order code NCL636B | or show this chipotle flier in the restaurant
Thank you for considering us. Thank you for attending our past events.
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Thank you for reading. Remember the tubes.
Your friendly RAC volunteer team
Abhi | Ana | Bill | Bob | Christiane | Frans | Hannah | James | Jeff | Joel | Julie | Kate | Kirsten| 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.
You are responsible for reading all weekly newsletters.