Standing and sitting waste energy. The RAC is a marathon and not a spring.
Riding behind someone who stands and sits and stands and sits is difficult and unsafe. Every time your child stands up, he/she lurches forward. Every time she/he sits down, she falls back. The rider behind has to watch your child and can’t focus on all she/he has to focus on.
A child that keeps standing up might need a raised saddle. We will help you.
Parents, please be a good example, stay in your seat, and shift.

2. Homework. Power Pedal

3. RAC Fundraiser this coming Saturday and Sunday

Bobapop in the Vons Center

Thank you for considering us.

5. From Dr. Bob, bike mechanic

This week, Bob talks about two important adjustments for your bike: tire pressure and seat height. These are easy to adjust, but they can make a big difference:

Seat height and tire pressure - Google Docs

Don’t forget, we still have donated bikes and bikes for sale. Worth a look if you are still trying to find the right ride for the RAC.

Bikes Available - Google Docs

6. Our Next Training Rides

Saturday, 21 September

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

The Hill Climb Clinic #1

Sunday, 22 September

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

The Hill Climb Clinic #2

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

We will practice Power Pedal on a hill. Not required but highly recommended.

This ride includes an optional stop at Starbucks
7. Questions.

Question: How long do training rides last?

Answer: The duration of the training ride depends on miles, hills climbed, the size of the group, and the weather. In other words, we are not sure. Please don’t plan any other activity until the afternoon.

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Christiane

___________________________________

Our Facebook page

The Ride Across California calendar.

Power Pedal

RAC requirements

RAC rules

Olav Schroeder

September 13, 2024

The RAC This Week (Sep 10th)

Olav Schroeder

September 13, 2024

Dear Parents

Thank you for coming to last weekend’s hot rides. It was a pleasure to meet you and see you again.

A special welcome to the families of Xavier, Jack, Paulo, and Annabelle, who made it off the waitlist.

1. RAC Requirements. Correction from last week.

Each adult rider and each child must complete two Escondido Hill Rides (not one) in the spring.

2. More RAC Rules.

A yellow light means ‘stop’.

Don’t run yellow lights. The 5th grader behind you might follow you blindly.

3. Homework. Power Pedal

Please practice with your child.
Starting: pedal at 2 or 10 o’clock. Push down. Hover. Count to three. Sit.
Do not allow your child to sit on the saddle when starting.
Stopping: Stand up. Squeeze both brakes gently. Hover. Count to three. Put foot down.
Power Pedal is not optional.
It’s essential for quick starts to get a long line of riders across the street.
It’s essential to make it up steep hills.
Come early to training rides, and we’ll practice with your child.
You and your child will be asked to demonstrate Power Pedal during future training rides.

4. RAC Fundraiser this coming Saturday and Sunday

Bobapop in the Vons Center

Thank you for considering us.

5. From Dr. Bob, bike mechanic

“This week, Dr. Bob discusses bike seats and other issues. Give it a read if you are noticing that your rides are a literal pain in the butt.

Bike Saddles

Also, we currently have seven children's bikes and two adult bikes available. Take a look:

Bikes Availability “

6. Our Next Training Rides

Saturday, 14 September

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

Safety Fun 3 + Bike Path

Sunday, 15 September

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

Safety Fun 4 + Park Village

If you picked up your vests last week, please arrive by 8:45 a.m. We start promptly at 9 a.m.

If you need to pick up your vests, arrive by 8:30 am.

Safety Fun 3 & 4 include mini lessons on passing and scanning.

7. Questions.

Question: Can I make a right turn on a red light?

Answer: Yes. If you stop first. And check for traffic. You are a car.

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Christiane

___________________________________

Our Facebook page

The Ride Across California calendar.

RAC requirements

RAC rules

Olav Schroeder

September 6, 2024

The RAC this week (Sept. 5th) - Safety Fun 1 & 2

Olav Schroeder

September 6, 2024

Dear Parents,

This is the first of many weekly newsletters. They typically arrive on Tuesday. Not this one.

Please read each one carefully. You are responsible for knowing RAC rules, procedures, announcements, and changes.

1. RAC requirements

Each adult rider and each child must complete one Safety Fun Ride (September)
Each adult rider and each child must complete at least one monthly ride with us.
Each adult rider and each child must complete two Escondido Hill Rides (spring)
Each adult rider and each child must complete a total of 350 miles before April 13.

We will ask you to submit miles in February.
If you and your partner take turns riding and chasing (car support), both of you must complete all requirements.

2. RAC Rules

You have agreed to adhere to our safety requirements by signing up for the RAC.

We will explain these rules as the season progresses.

We ride predictably.

For the benefit of cyclists and motorists.

We ride as a good example for all kids, not just your own
We single file. At all times. Tires never overlap.

Do you need to speak to your child? Get behind and raise your voice, or pull over and stop.

We stop at stop signs. Individually. Foot down. At the line
We communicate with other riders.
We always pass on the left.
We scan.
We wear helmets, vests, name tags.
We stay behind the first volunteer.
We ride with our child.

You are faster than he is? You stay with him
She is faster than you are. She stays with you.

We are polite and respectful to all volunteers, riders, and motorists.
We arrive early for training rides

Unload your bikes, unload your child, and check in with attendance.

RAC rules override Rules of the Road.

3. ABC

Air. Brakes. Cassette. Check these at home.

Air. Do your tires have enough air? Squeeze them. Can you make an impression? If yes, chances are you need air. If you don't have a pump, we will have one at the training rides.
Brakes. Squeeze them. Do they engage? They do? Great. If not, let us know
Cassette. (The round thing with teeth.) Rusty? Crunchy? Full of dirt? Clean your cassette. (Not sure how? Please ask. We will show you)

4. Vests

Are included in the price this year and will be distributed before Saftey Fun rides.
Please arrive extra early to pick out your vest.
Add your first name: front and back. We will provide Sharpies.
Your vest

must fit over any sweater you wear when the weather gets colder.
must fit over any hydration backpack (Camelback)

Unless your hydration backpack is neon yellow
Eventually, all kids will need to carry a hydration backpack
For early training rides, a water bottle is fine.

5. What to bring on all training rides.

Your bikes
Your vest with names
Water. Your child must carry her/his water bottle.
A small snack
A small bike pump, if you have one
Tubes that fit your bike and your child’s bike.

A wrench if your bikes don’t have a quick release.

6. From Dr. Bob, bike mechanic

“Every week, Dr. Bob will try to bring you some bike related content. This week, he sends the “RAC bike purchasing” guide. Take a look before you buy that new bicycle for you or your fifth grader.

RAC bike purchasing guide

Speaking of acquiring bikes, we are going to try something new this year. We are reaching out to Alumni and other people to help locate used bikes that are suitable for the RAC. We will maintain a list of bikes for sale / borrow / donation. Contact Bob at mechanic@rideacrosscalifornia.com if you are interested. Here's a link the currently available bikes. Since we just started, it's rather short. It will grow as we locate more bikes.

Bikes available

If you already have your bike, then it’s not too early to think about getting it RAC ready. The attached document gives lots of good information about how to do that:

Making your bike RAC ready “

7. Waivers

You will receive RAC waivers in a separate email. Please sign and return them before your first training ride with us.

8. Our first training rides. Yay

Saturday, 7 September

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

Safety Fun 1

Click on the link. You will see:

Route, miles ridden, and number of feet climbed—the red graph at the bottom shows where the hills are.

Arrive by 8:30 a.m. Pick out vests, write your name, unload the bike, and check in with attendance.

We begin promptly at 9 a.m.

Sunday, September 8

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

Safety Fun 2 and Bike Path

Arrive by 8:30 a.m. Pick out vests, unload the bike, and check in with attendance.

If you already have your vest, please arrive by 8:45 am. We begin promptly at 9 a.m.

The Safety Fun portions of Safety Fun 1 and 2 are identical.

9. Questions.

Please ask them if you have them. We are happy to answer.

We are excited to embark on our safe and fun RAC 24/25

Your friendly volunteer team:

Albert. Abhi. Ana. Bill. Bob. Clement. Christiane. Frans. Hannah. James. Jeff. Joe. Joel. Julie. Kate. Kirsten. Kumar. Lei. Olav. Phil. Robert. Sabine. Sameer. Shelley. Son and co-founder Dennis Bueker.

Olav Schroeder

April 4, 2024

The RAC This Week - The RAC Next Week

Olav Schroeder

April 4, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

Our last newsletter before the big day.

________________________

Congratulations to more qualified kids

Aron - Abel - Adrian - Aidan - Abigail - Adreesh - Andy - Blake - Candice - Cormac - Elle - Gavin - Grady - Hallie - Harrison - Indira - Jack - Jackson - James - Jameson - Jane - Julia - Julian - Kade - Kara - Landon - Levi - Lucas - Luke - Maya - Cinco - Nathan L - Noah - Odin - Ollin - Owen - Peter - Reeve - Ryan L - Ryan N - Samia - Samuel - Selena - Siyona - Sofia - Vibhi - Vincent - Wyatt

___________________

Keep uploading your kids’ miles. This is the home stretch.

Miles your child has ridden so far.

______________________

Meet the Volunteers: Dennis Bueker, co-founder

From Chicago
Studied at SDSU
Married to the lovely Gwen
Father of two, grandfather of four, great-grandfather of one
Retired 5th-grade teacher at PUSD
1971 - 1993 Cofounder and leader

Poway Backpackers
A hiking group for high school students. They are still going strong. Check them out

Rides RAGBRAI every summer. This will be his 29th year.

The Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa

1990 - present | Co-founder and leader

The Ride Across California

Organizes touring rides to Idaho, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Dakota …

Teaches watermelon helmet safety classes to elementary school students

Can fix a tire on the side of any freeway

Has cycled across the US three times

Tells ghost stories

Dennis, thank you, for everything

______________________________

Our last rides. Long awaited. Here they are

Sunday, April 7

24 RAC | Day 1 | River to Gold Rock Ranch

Monday, April 8

24 RAC | Day 2 | Gold Rock Ranch to Cattle Call Park

Tuesday, April 9

RAC 24 | Day 3 | Cattle Call Park to Ocotillo

Wednesday, April 10

24 RAC | Day 4 | Ocotillo to Vallecito

Thursday, April 11

24 RAC | Day 5 | Vallecito to Wynola

Friday, April 12

24 RAC | Day 6 | Wynola to Escondido

Saturday, April 13

24 RAC | Day 7 | Escondido to Mission Bay

_______________________

Thank you for coming to Rubio’s Fundraiser.
We are looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Next week will be so much fun!!!

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.

RAC 24 | A Typical Day

RAC 24 | Sunday - Saturday

RAC 24 | What to Bring and What to Leave at Home

Donate — The RAC

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

Riding Requirements

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

March 26, 2024

The RAC This Week (March 26th)

Olav Schroeder

March 26, 2024

We expect every riding adult to read every weekly newsletter.

________________________

DEAR PARENTS

Ta-da! Our qualified kids. We are so proud.

Aron - Abel - Aidan - Abigail - Adreesh - Andy - Blake - Candice - Cormac - Elle - Gavin - Grady - Hallie - Harrison - Indira - Jack - Jackson - James - Jameson - Jane - Julia - Julian - Kade - Kara - Landon - Levi - Luke - Maya - Cinco - Nathan L - Noah - Odin - Ollin - Owen - Peter - Reeve - Ryan L - Ryan N - Samia - Samuel - Selena - Siyona - Sofia - Vibhi - Vincent - Wyatt

___________________

Keep uploading your kids’ miles. Thank you

Miles your child has ridden so far.

______________________

Rain on the RAC

The last three training rides have been rained out. You noticed.
What happens if it rains on the RAC?

If rain makes road conditions unsafe,

we pack up, climb in chase cars, and get ourselves back to San Diego.

We spend the night at home.
Rain usually happens in or west of Julian, so we are fairly close to home.

The next day, we return to the designated starting point
Two weeks after the RAC, we ride the stretch we missed.
This makeup is completely voluntary.

______________________

Tuesday, March 26. Tomorrow. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants, including kids

7 pm. Design 39 School. MP room. 17050 Del Sur Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92127

Please sign in with Julie

Demonstrations of luggage schlepping with audience participation.
Demonstration of acceptable and unacceptable luggage
The T-shirt contest winner reveal
Lots of time for Q&A
Optional tire changing session with Bob (bring a front tire)
Inspirational words from Dennis.
And more

In anticipation of Tuesday’s mandatory meeting, please read the updated 24 RAC packing list :

RAC 24 | What to Bring and What to Leave at Home

____________________

Thursday, March 28 | Rubios’s RAC Fundraiser | Highland Village | All day

Rubio's RAC Fundraising Info

_______________________

Our next ride

Saturday, April 30

The Escondido Hill Ride (long) #7

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026
Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am.

_______________________

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.

RAC 24 | A Typical Day

RAC 24 | Sunday - Saturday

Donate — The RAC

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

Riding Requirements

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

March 23, 2024

The RAC This Week (March 19th)

Olav Schroeder

March 23, 2024

We expect every riding adult to read every weekly newsletter.

________________________

DEAR PARENTS

Congratulations. Please take a look at all the kids who have qualified:

Abigail - Adreesh - Andy - Blake - Candice - Cormac - Elle - Gavin - Grady - Hallie - Harrison - Indira - Jack - Jackson - James - Jameson - Jane - Julia - Julian - Kade - Kara - Landon - Luke - Maya - Cinco - Nathan L - Odin - Ollin - Peter - Reeve - Ryan L - Ryan N - Samia - Selena - Siyona - Sofia - Vibhi - Vincent - Wyatt

Julian has attended all 5 Escondido Hill Rides. Amazing.

___________________

Update your kids’ miles as often as you like.

Miles your child has ridden so far.

______________________

Please read

RAC 24 | A Typical Day

RAC 24 | Sunday - Saturday

_______________________

From Dr. Bob, Bike Mechanic

Bicycle tune-ups are now closed. The queue is full for this week and after that, there are only two weeks left until the RAC. The two weeks before the RAC are reserved for last-minute repairs. If there is something wrong with your bike (e.g. it won't shift right or the chain keeps falling off), contact me so we can get it fixed.

_____________________

Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

7 pm. Design 39 School. MP room. 17050 Del Sur Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92127

Topics include:

What to bring on the RAC.

We will bring samples of acceptable and unacceptable luggage

“The Not-So-Very-Serious RAC Quiz” for 5th graders.

Please encourage your kids to participate

The T-shirt contest winner reveal
Lots of time for Q&A
Optional tire changing session with Bob (bring a front tire)
Inspirational words from Dennis.
And more

Thursday, March 28 | Rubios’s RAC Fundraiser | Highland Village | All day

Rubio's RAC Fundraising Info

_______________________

OUR NEXT RIDEs

Saturday, March 23

The Escondido Hill Ride (long) #7

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.

This is our last EHRide.
All kids and all riding parents need to complete two EHRides.
Currently, the weather for Saturday is good.

Should Saturday’s ride be rained out, we will replace the March 30 ride with a final Escondido Hill Ride.
If Saturday is canceled, you will hear from us by Friday night.

Sunday, March 24

The Nine Cities Ride

1910 Harbor Island Drive

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

The Nine Cities Ride turns around at the ferry landing in Coronado and is - for the most part- an ‘out and back’ ride.
There will be no ferry ride.
Instead, we get to ride through nine cities: San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego. That is fantastic.
Prepare for heavy pedestrian traffic at the Embarcadero on the return trip.

Be prepared to walk. Pedestrians have the right of way.
The Port Authorities are cracking down on and limiting bike access to his area.

E-bikes are already banned.
Please do what you can to keep this route open for cyclists.

_______________________

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

Donate — The RAC

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

Riding Requirements

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

March 15, 2024

The RAC This Week (3/15/24)

Olav Schroeder

March 15, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

Congrats to all who came out last Saturday and Sunday.

If you attended both days, who rode 70 miles and climbed 5000+ feet.

Very impressive

____________________

Here are our RAC-qualified 5th graders

Adreesh - Andy - Blake - Julia - Julian - Kara - Landon - Cinco - Nathan L - Ollin - Selena - Wyatt

who completed 350+ miles and finished two Escondido Hill Rides. Congratulations.

___________________

Please update your kids’ miles in the link below.

If you don’t, we have to email you or call you and that’s extra work for us.

Miles your child has ridden so far.

______________________

Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

Thursday, March 28. Rubio's RAC fundraiser

_______________________

Donations to the RAC

If you would like to donate to the RAC, please do so here.

Thank you for your support.

________________________

OUR NEXT RIDEs

Saturday, March 16

The Escondido Hill Ride #5.

Sunday, Mary 17

The Escondido Hill Ride (long) #6

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.

You need to complete 2 EHRides with us. We offer 7.
Please plan on attending more than 2. They get rained out.
Try to ride two back to back.
The EHRide on Sunday is longer

_______________________

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

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

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

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

March 9, 2024

The RAC This Week (3/7/24)

Olav Schroeder

March 9, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

The RAC begins one month from today. Let that sink in. We are all so excited.

____________________

We have our first qualified 5th graders.

Andy - Julia - Julian - Selena

completed 350+ miles and finished two Escondido Hill Rides. Congratulations.

____________________

Please submit your kids’ miles in the link below.

If you don’t, we have to email you or call you and that’s extra work for us.

Miles ridden so far.

______________________

Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

____________________

Support the RAC by Eating Out.

Panda Express | Carmel Mt Road | 12 March

Rubios | Highlands Village Place | 28 March

Thank you for supporting us

_______________________

Thank you

to our anonymous RAC parent for his generous donation.

We appreciate his thoughtfulness and this and any other possible donation.

________________________

OUR NEXT RIDEs

Saturday, March 9

The Escondido Hill Ride #4. Let’s try again.

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.

You need to complete 2 EHRides with us. We offer 7.
Please plan on attending more than 2. They get rained out.
Try to ride two back to back.
The last two Escondido Hill Rides are longer.

Sunday, March 10

Tritons, Witches, and Coffee

Mesa Verde Middle School. 8375 Entreken. SD 92119

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

This ride features the UCSD loop, the Three Witches, and an optional stop at the 4SRanch Starbucks.

_______________________

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

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

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

___________________________________________________

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.