The RAC this Week (Sep 19th)

Dear parents 

Thank you for coming last weekend. It was nice meeting you. 

HOMEWORK

Please practice Power Pedal with your child. 

  • One foot on the ground. One foot on the pedal, at a 2 o’clock or 10 o’clock position 

  • The kids should NOT sit on their seats. 

    • Why not? 

      • Because it slows them down when they get going 

    • Why is it important that they get going fast? 

      • Because we need to get through stop signs quickly 

    • Why is it so important we move quickly? 

      • Because we stop individually, one by one, foot down, all the way at the white or yellow line. That takes a while 

    • Why do we stop individually? 

      • Because if we cross two or three or four at a time, we are not riding predictably to motorists and other riders. They will have to guess the size of the next group crossing the line. They will not focus on traffic. We ride predictably. 

____________________________________

  • Starting in October, one monthly training ride with us is mandatory. We take attendance. A Safety Fun ridden in October counts. 

    • Please plan on coming at least twice a month. 

_________________________________________

updated RULES OF THE RAC (new stuff)

  • We ride in a way to be a good example to all 5th graders. 

  • We support everyone, not just our own kids. 

  • We ride predictably.

  • We single file. We never ride next to each other. Tires never overlap. 

    • If you need to speak to your child, stay behind her/him and raise your voice. 

    • Or pull over. 

  • We stop at stop signs, individually, and put our foot down. Every time. 

  • We wear vests and name tags 

  • We never pass our front volunteer

  • We scan left before we pass other riders. 

  • We say “passing on the left” when we pass other riders. 

  • We never pass on the right. 

  • We never pass more than two people at a time. 

  • We never pass when there is no space for us to merge into after the pass

  • Kids stay with their parents. Parents stay with their kids.

  • We say “slowing” when we slow down and “stopping” when we are about to stop and “going” when we are going again.  

  • We are friendly to all passing motorists. 

  • We follow the advice of volunteers and Youth Support. 

  • We treat everyone with respect. 

  • We share this list with our kids. 

Safety is our 1st priority. (Fun is our 2nd) 

______________________________________________________

MEET THE VOLUNTEERS                  

     Bill Crane

          RAC Board President 

  • Training and RAC ride support

  • Chase support 

  • Site liaison support

  • Everywhere support 

  • Problem solver 

  • Luggage van and water truck driver 

  • Rode the 2015 RAC with daughter Lauren 

  • Rode the 2018 RAC with daughter Kendall 

  • Life-long San Diegan 

  • Married to the lovely Kristen 

  • “Happy to be transitioning to a new position in the organization.”      

____________________________________________

The RAC’s Annual Meeting and Election is this coming Tuesday, September 26, at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Please join us. 

____________________________________________________

RIDES THIS WEEKEND. 

Saturday | 23 September 

Safety Fun 3 + Park Village Escape Route 

9.1 miles | 670 feet 

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

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

Sunday, | 24 September 

Safety Fun 4 + Long Duck Pond 

13.2 miles | 752 feet 

13339 Salmon River Road | SD 92129 

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

We offer two more Safety Fun rides. One is mandatory. We take attendance. 

The Safety Fun portion of these rides is identical. 

If you are new to cycling, come to as many Safety Fun Rides as you can. 

____________________________________________


Please let us know if you have any questions. 

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Your friendly RAC volunteer team 

Adults: Abhi | Ana | Bill | Bob | Christiane | Frans | Hannah | James | Jeff | Joe | Julie | Kate | Kristen | Kumar | Olav |  Phil | Robert | Sabine and co-founder Dennis Bueker 

Youth Support: Annika | Bryce | Caroline | Evan | Grace | Jadon | Kendall | Kiki | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sophie | Vishnu | 

____________________________________________________

The riding parent is required to read every Tuesday Newsletter. 

You are responsible for knowing RAC rules, procedures, and announcements

Repeated failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program. Future training rides can be found here: http://www.rideacrosscalifornia.com/calendar

WHAT TO BRING ON TRAINING RIDES AND WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME. 

Every participant every time 

  • wears a helmet. Chin straps should fit snugly 

  • wears a safety neon yellow vest (or another approved safety garment), large enough to fit over sweaters 

  • wears name tags. Front and back. Large. 

  • brings water and a small snack. (Your child needs to carry his/her own water) 

  • brings bike tubes that fit your bike and your child’s bike. (Not sure what to buy? Ask us)  

  • arrives by 8:45 a.m. to unload the bikes, sign in with attendance, etc. 

Not allowed 

  • anything in your ears (but wax and hearing aids) 

  • any electronic device on your child’s handlebars 

  • unregistered family members or family members that are registered as chase (rider support).