The RAC This Week (3/7/24)

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

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Olav Schroeder

February 28, 2024

The RAC This Week (Feb 27th)

Olav Schroeder

February 28, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

Welcome back from vacation. We hope you had a good time.

Congratulations to Julia for attending all February rides.

______________________

Maybe you saw it!

Date: Last Sunday
Time: About 7:45 am.
Place: Downtown San Diego
Offense: Red Light Violation

A group of about 15 riders was seen running a red light.

That cannot have been us because:

We stop at every red light.

A standard red light
A blinking red light
A red light on a right turn. (You may proceed when it’s safe.)

The group that ran the red light because the riders in front of them did and they followed blindly set a bad example for our kids.
Please remind one another to stop at all red lights.

____________________

Please send us your kids' miles in the link below.

Please record your child’s miles.

Update as often as you like.
We are not recording parents’ miles.

Include all miles your child has ridden since RAC training started

Miles ridden with us (including Escondido Hill Rides)
Miles ridden without us.
Round up to the next mile.
Escondido Hil Ride completion will be added at a later date

Let Christiane know if you find this sheet to be incorrect.

Miles ridden so far.

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Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

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OUR NEXT RIDEs

Saturday, March 2

Tritons and Witches

Mesa Verde Middle School. Entreken. SD 9219

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

This ride combines the UCSD loop with the Fairbanks Ranch Loop

Sunday, March 3

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 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

____________________________________________________

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, March 26

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

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

February 26, 2024

The RAC This Week (Feb 22nd)

Olav Schroeder

February 26, 2024

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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.

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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.

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

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Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

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From Dr. Bob

Keeping your Bike Running

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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.

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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

____________________________________________________

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

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

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

February 13, 2024

The RAC This Week (Feb 13th)

Olav Schroeder

February 13, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

Good morning and happy Tuesday.

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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.

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From Dr. Bob (rjacques888@gmail.com)

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

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

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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

____________________________________________________

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.

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

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

February 12, 2024

The RAC This Week (Feb 8th)

Olav Schroeder

February 12, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

We hope this email finds you well and dry.

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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.

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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

____________________________________________________

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.

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

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

January 31, 2024

The RAC This Week (Jan 31st)

Olav Schroeder

January 31, 2024

_________________

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.

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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.

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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

____________________________________________________

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

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

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

January 27, 2024

The RAC This Week (Jan 25th)

Olav Schroeder

January 27, 2024

_________________

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.

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BIKE NEWS WITH DR. BOB

Carrying Cargo

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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.

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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

The design is due by Feb 19 to Christiane, in person or via email.
Limit your colors to three. (Grey, white, and black count as colors)
Include “RAC” or“Ride Across California” and “2024 ”
Put your name on the back of the drawing
We will decide on the t-shirt color once we have the winning design.
The RAC route is always printed on the back of the t-shirt.

Please consider this when you create your design.

Volunteers will select the winner in an anonymous vote.
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.

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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

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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

____________________________________________________

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