This ride was a total success! We did have a few hiccups, but Alyson Fox handled each situation quickly and efficiently. When we did our personal safety check, we discovered Louis’ helmet was not functional and we had no spare; sadly he couldn’t ride with us. Entering the roadway from the yogurt shop, climbing the short hill, making the left turn, and entering the trail all went perfectly. Here’s our whole group except for Alyson who rode “sweep” – the last rider.

We had three volunteer parent riders who came with us.

After another short climb it was time for a water break.

The train trestle was our turn-around point.

Time to head back.

Thank you to all the supportive parents!

The ride ended at 4:30, I loaded my bike and drove to Auburn on Hwy 49 to Auburn: see next post.

Next Thursday will be the last club meeting for this school year and we’re going on an off-campus bike ride. Hurray! Sometimes it’s difficult to get permission from the school to do an event like this – insurance, liability, and safety concerns. It’s very important that I do a pre-ride to understand what challenges may occur and which teachable moments are best.

We will meet at Whistle Stop Yogurt Shop,

carefully cross a busy road in individual drivers of our own vehicles (with parent help on both sides of the street but letting students make their own decisions about the right time to enter the roadway).

Then a short uphill, which will may be a challenge for some bicycle drivers,

followed by: scan, signal, scan, and merge to a left turn lane and the beginning of the El Dorado Trail.


And then my plan fell apart when a creepy-looking man began walking the trail ahead of me. Nope, not going to do it. The end of the pre-ride.