The RAC This Week (Feb 22nd)

________________________

DEAR PARENTS 

Friendly Reminders 

  • We still see kids without the mandatory hydration (a hydration pack for water and a water bottle on the child’s bike for Gatorade). 

  • Your child needs to drink water while riding. Your child needs Gatorade.

  • Conditions on the RAC are nothing like riding around San Diego 

    • It’s hot and dry. 

    • If it’s windy, you’ll be dehydrated before you even get on your bike. 

    • If it’s hot and windy, your child needs to drink every few minutes. 

    • If your child stops each time he/she needs to drink, you will not finish before it gets dark - at which point we have to pull you off the road. 

    • Kids don’t want to stop to drink and won’t drink enough. 

________________________

  • We had to change this year’s RAC route because one of our overnight stays has asked that we not return.  Why? 

    • The campsite was left in unsatisfactory condition. 

      • Rooms were used that we had no permission to use. 

      • Equipment was moved and used that we had no permission to use.  

      • Areas were disturbed that we should not have entered. 

  •  Volunteers worked very hard to secure another campsite for us, and we don’t want to lose that, too. Therefore, we ask that you supervise your children at all times. 

    • Don’t let them run amok on campsites. 

    • Don’t let them climb on fences and jump on furniture. 

    • Keep an eye on them, even if you are tired at the end of the day and they are not. 

  • The RAC 24  route will be available to you in early April. 

_________________________

Because we changed the route, Day 2 has become longer, and we have added some longer training rides. Please take advantage of them 

____________________

Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants 

____________________

From Dr. Bob 

Keeping your Bike Running 

____________________                                                                   

OUR NEXT RIDE

Sunday, February 25

The Five Cities Ride #2 

1910 Harbor Island Dr. San Diego 92101

Please arrive by 7:15 am. We start promptly at 7:30 am. 

  • This ride circumnavigates the San Diego harbor and includes a fun ferry trip. 

  • You can buy ferry tickets at the Coronado landing site at the machine (which doesn’t always work) or buy your tickets in advance here.

  • Ferry tickets are $8 a person and include your bike. 

  • The ferry we want (Coronado to Broadway Pier) leaves every hour on the half hour. 

  • We do not all have to catch the same ferry. 

_______________________

  • Please thank your children for participating in the t-shirt contest. 

    • The winner will be announced at the March 26 meeting. 

  • We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

  • Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie |

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Bob's Bike Clinic on Sunday, Feb 4 

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, March 26 

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

The RAC This Week (Feb 13th)

DEAR PARENTS 

Good morning and happy Tuesday. 

___________________

DATES 

Monday, Feb 19. Your child’s t-shirt design is due to Christiane. More information here

Please encourage your child to participate.. 

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants 

____________________

A few friendly reminders 

  • Hydration packs are a requirement for all RAC 5th graders. 

  • It’s best to start teaching your child to use the pack now. 

  • Don’t wait until April. 

  • We highly recommend adults also use a hydration pack.

  • 5th graders must carry their own hydration. 

  • Water in the hydration pack and Gatorade in a bottle on their bike 

  • Stay with your child. 

  • Remind your child not to ride too far away from you. 

  • If you agree to take responsibility for someone else’s children, please be sure they stay with you.

  • Please be sure you and your child are communicating loudly to other riders. 

  • “Passing On your left”, “Car Back”, Rider Back”

  • Practice proper scanning while passing. 

  • We’re still seeing some risky maneuvers.

_________________________

From Dr. Bob (rjacques888@gmail.com)

  1. It’s time to get your bikes ready for their trek across California.  

Dr. Bob takes you through some of the important things to think about in this week's newsletter.

Making your bike RAC-ready 

  1. During our first Escondido Hill Ride, we saw a lot of flat tires.  In case you missed it last time, here is a repost of Dr. Bob’s article on tires.  Pay close attention to the section on puncture resistance.

The RAC and tires 

_____________________________               

OUR NEXT RIDE

Saturday, February 17 

The Escondido Hill Ride #2 

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 7. 

  • Try to ride two back to back. 

  • The last two Escondido Hill Rides are longer. 

  • 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)

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie |

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

The RAC This Week (Feb 8th)

DEAR PARENTS 

We hope this email finds you well and dry. 

___________________

DATES 

Monday, Feb 19. Your child’s t-shirt design is due to Christiane. More information here. 

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants 

____________________

Meet the Volunteers: Michael He 

Did RAC twice, the first time in 2022 and then in 2023.

Currently at Del Norte High as a freshman.

I got into biking because of my brother and have loved it ever since 

⁠I love helping riders because it makes me happy to see them smile.

I love sports, especially soccer.

_____________________________            

            

OUR NEXT RIDE

Sunday, February 11 

The Escondido Hill Ride #1 

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 7. 

  • Try to ride two back to back. 

  • The last two Escondido Hill Rides are longer. 

  • 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)

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie |

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

The RAC This Week (Jan 31st)

_________________

DEAR PARENTS 

Congratulations to 

Siyona A. - Indira B. - Julia C. - Vincent H. - Abel L. - Cormac M. - Grace M. - Kara P. - Blake S. 

for attending all three January rides. 

_____________________

Friendly Reminders 

  • If you leave the group during a training ride and ride ahead of our lead volunteer, you will not receive credit for that ride. You need to complete one ride with us per month. 

  • Please do your best to ride early in the month.  Sometimes, we have to cancel rides.  

  • You must complete two Escondido Hill Rides (EHR) with us. We offer many. Please check the calendar for dates. 

___________________

DATES 

Sunday, Feb 4. Bob’s Bike Clinic. 

Bring your kids and your dirty bikes. We will teach you how to clean the bikes. 

Monday, Feb 19. Your child’s t-shirt design is due to Christiane. More information here. 

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants 

____________________                                                                    

OUR NEXT RIDE

Saturday, February 3 

The Five Cities Ride #1 

1910 Harbor Island Dr. San Diego 92101

Please arrive by 7:15 am. We start promptly at 7:30 am. 

  • This ride circumnavigates the San Diego harbor and includes a fun ferry trip. 

  • You can buy ferry tickets at the Coronado landing site at the machine (which doesn’t always work) or buy your tickets in advance here.

  • Ferry tickets are $8 a person and include your bike. 

  • The ferry we want (Coronado to Broadway Pier) leaves every hour on the half hour. 

  • We do not all have to catch the same ferry. 

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOU FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie |

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Bob's Bike Clinic on Sunday, Feb 4 

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

The RAC This Week (Jan 25th)

_________________

DEAR PARENTS 

Congratulations to all who came to last week’s ride. 

  • Those hills were steep. And nobody walked them.

  • You are awesome. Kudos to all, especially Alex. 

  • Thank you, Sabine and Kate, for the pastries. 

There will be no newsletter during the weeks of January 14 and January 21. 

The next one will arrive on January 30. 

______________________________

BIKE NEWS WITH DR. BOB 

Carrying Cargo 

_______________________ 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BUY A JERSEY?

  • And would you like it to arrive before the RAC?

  • Then this is the time to buy.

  • The RAC Store closes on Friday, January 18th. 

  • We suggest you buy your items a size or two larger than usual. 

  • RAC jerseys, t-shirts, and jackets  count as your ‘yellow vests.” 

  • The RAC does profit from the sale of RAC jerseys. 

  • The RAC jerseys are not required. 

_________________________

CALLING ALL 5TH GRADERS. THE GREAT 2024 RAC T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST 

  • Included in the RAC fee is your official 2024 RAC t-shirt. 

  • Every rider, chase, chase child, and volunteer receives on

  • Please encourage your 5th grader to submit a design.  

  • We wear these shirts for our group pictures. See below. 

  • Your child will love to see his/her design on 150 t-shirts. 

  • These T-shirts become treasured souvenirs of a fabulous week

  •  And will only increase in value in years to come. 

 RAC T-Shirt Design Contest Rules 

  1. The design is due by Feb 19 to Christiane, in person or via email.

  2. Limit your colors to three. (Grey, white, and black count as colors)  

  3. Include “RAC” or“Ride Across California” and “2024 ” 

  4. Put your name on the back of the drawing

  5. We will decide on the t-shirt color once we have the winning design. 

  6. The RAC route is always printed on the back of the t-shirt. 

    1. Please consider this when you create your design. 

  7. Volunteers will select the winner in an anonymous vote. 

  8. Traditionally, volunteers have voted for 

  • designs that looked like they came from a 5th grader (and not a parent)

  • hand-drawn designs (vs computer generated) 

  • bold and large designs (vs small and intricate)

                  9. The winner will be announced at the March 26 meeting. 


______________________

DATES 

Sunday, Feb 4. Bob’s Bike Clinic 

Monday, Feb 19. T-shirt design is due to Christiane 

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants 

________________

MEET THE VOLUNTEERS: JADON LEE. Youth Support  

  • Completed the  RAC in 2018 as a 5th grader 

  • Youth Support starting this year

  • Junior at Del Norte High School

  • Enjoys rockets, hiking, biking

  • Plays the cello

  • Play lacrosse

  • “I volunteer to motivate 5th graders like how I was motivated by Youth Support when I did the RAC.” 

____________________                                                                    

OUR NEXT RIDEs 

Sunday, Jan 14 

The In-n-Out Ride 

  • 22.1 miles. 1092 feet climbed 

  • 12791 Sorrento Valley Rd. SD 92121

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

  • If parking is limited, please park on Caminito Pointe Del Mar. 

This ride 

  • passes the construction site for the soon-to-be-completed and much-awaited underpath that will connect the 56 bike path to Sorrento Valley Rd. This is exciting. 

  • utilizes the new-ish bike path adjacent to the I-5

  • and the new Rose Canyon Bike Path. 

  • includes a stop and an optional burger purchase at In-n-Out in Pacific Beach 

  • Please walk your bikes across the Coaster tracks 

  • Please walk across Genesee 

  • Please ride in front of your child on the Torrey Pines downhill. 

____________________________________

Saturday, January 20 

The Del Mar Dirt Ride 

  • 22.6 miles. 1349 feet climbed 

  • Mesa Verde Middle School. 8375 Entreken Way. SD 92129 

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

This ride 

  • is pretty. But then they all are. 

  • takes us to a packed dirt path (hence the name) near the San Dieguito Lagoon. 

    • Please leave skinny road bike tires at home. 

  • includes our old friends, the Three Witches. 

____________________________________

Sunday, January 28 

The Long Mt Soledad Ride 

  • 24.4 miles. 962 feet climbed 

  • 3000 Mission Bay Drive. SD 92109 

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

  • This ride is identical to the short Mt Soledad Ride except for a longer Fiesta Island Loop. 

  • Mission Bay pedestrians have the right of way. 

  • Try to make it to the top without stopping. 

    • Kids who want to stop are often not in their lowest gear. 

    • If you must stop, stop where it’s flat. 

  • Another epic picture at the top. 

  • Parents ride in front of their children on the downhill. 

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie |

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Bob's Bike Clinic on Sunday, Feb 4 

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

The RAC this Week (12/26)

DEAR PARENTS 


Congratulations to all who made it up Mt Soledad. 

____________________________

BIKE NEWS WITH DR. BOB will return next week 

______________________________

MEET THE VOLUNTEERS:  Julie Wetherell 

Our family first did the RAC in 2015, when PJ (pictures) was in 5th grade. I chased with his younger brother while my husband rode. In 2016, when brother Kevin did the ride, we split riding and chasing (he got Banner Grade, I got Plaster City). PJ continued to volunteer as a Youth Support while I did attendance. In 2022, in addition to attendance, I did snacks on the RAC while PJ rode for the last time before heading to college. I continue to do both attendance and snacks. Outside of the RAC, I am a geropsychologist in the San Diego VA, a faculty member in the Psychiatry Department at UCSD, and a proud guinea pig lover! 

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To stay balanced, you must keep moving."

_______________________________

Dates 

  • Sunday, February 4. Bob’s Bike Clinic 

  • Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory meeting for all participants. 

__________________________________

OUR NEXT RIDEs

Wednesday, December  27 

The Three Witches 

  • 20.6 miles. 1159 feet climbed 

  • Mesa Verde Middle School. 8375 Entreken Way. SD 92120 

  • Arrive by 8:45 am. We start promptly at 9 am. 

  • Arrive earlier to practice Power Pedal and Power Stop 

Sunday, December 31 

Sorrento Slopes 

  • 20.9 miles. 1130 feet climbed 

  • Upper YMCA parking lot. 13339 Salmon River Rd. SD 92129 

  • Arrive by 8:45 am. We start promptly at 9 am. 

  • Arrive earlier to practice Power Pedal and Power Stop 

________________________________

We hope you had a lovely holiday and are looking forward to seeing you. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie | Vishnu | 

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Bob's Bike Clinic on Sunday, Feb 4 

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 

Send pictures for the RAC reunion to pictures@rideacrosscalifornia.com

Power Pedal and Power Stops 

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

The RAC This Week (Dec. 20th)

DEAR PARENTS 


We hope you are having another lovely week. 

____________________________

BIKE NEWS WITH DR. BOB 

Power on the RAC 

______________________________

MEET THE VOLUNTEERS:  also Bob 

  • RAC Mechanic

  • RAC Board member

  • Rode the 2013 RAC with son, Tim (who went on to ride as youth support for five years)

  • Rode the 2015 RAC with daughter, Kate

  • RAC volunteer for eight years

  • Occasionally seen accompanied by little green troublemaker.

_______________________________

MORE BOB 

Sunday, February 4 

Bob’s Bike Clinic 

  • Bob will teach you how to clean your bike and how to make minor adjustments. 

    • If your chain crunches and throws off black chunks, you need to be there.

    • 9 - 11 am

  • 12560 Senda Panacea. SD 92129 

  • Bring your bikes, bring your kids. 

  • This shall be fun 

________________________________

RIDE PREDICTABLY 

Four Way Stop Signs 

  • You are a car 

  • We stop individually at stop signs 

    • We take turns. Rider - car - rider - car- rider- car 

    • We take turns one rider at a time. 

    • Your child needs to cross the street by him/herself 

  • We ride predictably 

    • Do not cross in groups of two

    • Do not allow cars to waive you through when it’s their turn. 

  • Take your child for a spin, find a four-way stop sign, explain how it’s done and practice.

_________________________________

OUR NEXT RIDE

Saturday, December 23 

The Short Mt Soledad Ride 

  • 22.8 miles. 927 feet climbed 

  • 3000 Mission Bay Drive, San Diego 92109 

  • Arrive by 8:45 am. We start promptly at 9 am. 


  • Mission Bay 

    • Pedestrians have the right of way

    • There will be many 

    • Don’t yell “on your left” at pedestrians. It scares them

      • Alert them to your presence. “Good morning.” 

      • We might have to slow down or stop for pedestrians. 

  • Mt Soledad 

    • You will be asked to walk across two bridges. 

    • Try to make it to the top without stopping 

      • Lower gears and ‘slow and steady” are more efficient and more rewarding than ‘going fast and stopping.” 

      • If your child must stop, please stop where it’s flat-ish (near a side road or where the road levels off) 

      • Regroup and epic picture on top of the hill. 

      • The downhill 

        • Is much too short 

        • Please make sure to ride in front of your child. 

  • Today's ride ends at the exact location that the RAC ends in April. 

________________________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie | Vishnu | 

____________________________________________________


All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Mandatory RAC Meeting on May 26 

Send pictures for the RAC reunion to pictures@rideacrosscalifornia.com

Power Pedal and Power Stops 

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

The RAC This Week (Nov 21)

DEAR PARENTS 


We hope you are having an enjoyable Thanksgiving week. 

____________________________

BIKE NEWS WITH DR. BOB 

Bike Lights 

___________________________

NAME TAGS 

Front and back. Large. First name only. This one is fabulous. Thank you  

_______________________________

MEET THE VOLUNTEERS:  will continue next week.

_____________________________                                                           

OUR NEXT RIDE 

Saturday, November 25 

Coastal Fun 

  • 17.1 miles | 821 feet climbed 

  • 12791 Sorrento Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92121

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

  • Parking might be limited. Consider parking on nearby Caminito Pointe Del Mar 

  • This ride takes us along the coast and on a newish bike path in Cardiff 

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie | Vishnu | 

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Repeated failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

The RAC This Week (Nov 14)

Every riding adult is expected to read every Tuesday newsletter 

________________________

Dear Parent 

We would like to introduce you to a special RAC rider. Meet John. 

  • John is training with his grandkids Jane and Peter. 

  • Like all of you, he is riding with us at least once a month. 

  • Except that John flies in from Salt Lake City once a month to fulfill his riding requirement 

  • We applaud John’s dedication to his family and we are so impressed 

____________________________

BIKE NEWS WITH DR. BOB 

Bike Navigation 

____________________________

NAME TAGS 

  • Are mandatory 

  • Need to be large 

  • On the front and the back 

  • Permanent (tape falls off eventually) 

  • At least one volunteer is getting tired of reminding you.

            Help her out, people. Seriously. 

_______________________________

FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT. Kate’s Notes 

  • RAC Riders can only pass two riders at a time.  Volunteers are the only riders allowed to pass more than two riders.

  • Do not use your phone while you are riding.  This is dangerous for you and others around you.

  • When SAFETY comes first, Fun will follow.

__________________________________

MEET THE VOLUNTEERS:  Joe Leventhal 

  • 2019: Rode his first RAC with oldest daughter Grace (far right) who is now Youth Support co-leader 

  • 2020: Trained for the RAC with second oldest daughter Laurel (holding the dog) but that RAC was canceled. 

  • 2022: Rode this third RAC with youngest child Jake and because Laurel (the Covid Generation) was allowed to ride that year and because Grace was Youth Support, Joe got to ride with all of his three kids. 

  • Also pictured: Joe’s spouse Erin 

  • Joe is Youth Support leader. 

  • In his other life, he is a lawyer and also volunteers with a number of other non-profits. 

____________________________________

PLANNING AHEAD 

Sunday, December 3 

The Night Light Bike Ride 

15 miles | 224 feet 

2688 E Mission Bay Drive 

3:15 pm. We begin promptly at 3:30 pm 

  • Decorate your bikes with lights and join us for a glittering ride around Mission Bay 

  • Lights can be fancy (Amazon sells kits) or a simple battery-operated string of lights around your handlebars. 

  • Please make sure that every rider carries some form of light. 

    • By the time we get back to the parking lot, it will be dark. 

  • In past years, this ride has not counted towards your “one monthly ride with us” because it was too short. 

    • This year it counts because we made the ride longer. 

  • This ride is gorgeous. We will be gorgeous. Take many pictures (but not while riding). Below are some pics from previous years.  

_________________________________

OUR NEXT RIDE 

Sunday, November 19

The 56 Bike Path 

17.5 miles | 861 feet climbed 

13339 Salmon River Rd. San Diego, 92129 

8:45 a.m. We start promptly at 9 a.m. 

________________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM 

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 | Malachi | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sienna | Sophie | Vishnu | 

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All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Repeated failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar 

Rules of the RAC 

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

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The RAC this Week (October 10th)

Every riding adult is required to read every Tuesday Newsletter. 

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Dear Parent 

Good to see so many of you on Sunday. A special welcome to Odin, Ryan, Sam, and their families. Your first ride was a warm one!

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DATES AND TIMES 

Tuesday, November 7. 7 pm. Parent meeting. Bring the kids. 

Design 39 School. MP room. Not mandatory 


Tuesday, March 26. 7 pm. Parent Meeting. Bring the kids 

Design 39 School. MP room. Mandatory 

The Escondido Hill Rides 

Sun Feb 11 | Sat Feb 17 | Sun March 3 | Sat March 9 | Sat March 16 | Sun Mar 17 | Sat Mar 23 

Two are mandatory for each rider. We offer seven. Please plan on coming more often than twice 

The RAC Calendar is now updated and final. 

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BIKE MAINTENANCE 

Don't Ignore Frayed Cables by our very own Dr. Bob. Enjoy! 

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HOMEWORK. 

  1. Stay in your seat 

  • Please encourage your kids to stay in their seats 

  • Standing up and sitting down (and standing up and sitting down) makes for an uneven experience for the riders behind you

  • Encourage your child to shift instead of standing and powering through. 

  • Our hills are long. This is a marathon and not a sprint, and it’s the rare 5th grader who can stand for the entire uphill. 

  • If your child stands up for momentum, check the saddle. It might be too low. 

  • The occasional standing stretch to rearrange one’s shorts is appropriate. 

  1. Power Pedal Homework 

Keep at it. What we saw last weekend was very good. 

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RULES OF THE RAC | New 

  • 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, at the white line, and put our foot down. Every time. 

  • We wear vests and name tags. Front and back. Large enough for us to read 

  • We wear vests over camelbacks. Unless it's neon yellow. Then we don’t care. 

  • 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 stop on uphills only when we have to 

    • If we have to stop, we look for a shady and flat-ish spot 

    • If we have to stop, we move to the right to let others pass us 

  • We try to make it to the top of the hill

    • By using smaller gears, smaller numbers 

    • By hamstering (spinning)

  • We never pass when there is no space ahead of us. 

  • 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) 

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MEET THE VOLUNTEERS: ANNIKA TROM - YOUTH SUPPORT 

   

  • 5th grade RAC rider in 2018 

  • Youth Support volunteer since 2022 

  • Junior at Poway High 

  • On the swim team and in the Marching Band 

  • Owns a calligraphy and a baking business 

  • Rode RAGBRAI (the ride across Iowa)

  • “The RAC completely changed my life. I know that sounds totally cheesy, but it really did. It got me into the amazing lifelong sport of biking, which led me to do rides in Mexico and across Iowa 5 years later. It taught me the value of working hard to achieve my goals, and how months and months of training really pay off. I made so many friends on that trip that I’ll never forget. Life is a journey. Enjoy the bike ride.”

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OUR NEXT RIDE

Saturday, October 14 

Gonzales Canyon 

13.5 miles. 752 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.

Sections of Saturday’s route are on canyon trails. This ride is not a good one for skinny tires. ____________________________________________

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend. 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Your friendly RAC volunteer team 

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 | Grant | Jadon | Kendall | Kiki | Michael | Nikhil | Nolan | Olive | Ryan | Sadhika | Sawyer | Sophie | Vishnu | 

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All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Repeated failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

___________________________________________________

IF YOU HAVE DECIDED THAT THE RAC IS NOT FOR YOU, 

  • please inform us immediately. 

  • families on the waitlist are eager and anxious to join us on training rides.  

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