We practiced the difference between riding in a group like a train versus riding as individual drivers of vehicles.
We also practiced arriving at a stop sign individually, doubling up at the limit line, then taking off together and stringing back out to single file. On our first club ride, we must negotiate a lighted intersection across Hwy 49 with a relatively short straight-across lane. I want our group to get through the light quickly and efficiently. Practicing ahead of time is essential.

There was also a figure eight to practice yielding and bicycle control.

An exciting day, there were many more students who came to this club meeting!
We are creating a Bicycle Garden. At the next club meeting, there will be 7 more bicycles ready for planting.



Outside, students learned how to make a proper left turn and began practicing. Staff advisor Luke Brownell is great about helping kids with inflating tires, checking on mechanical difficulties, and helping at all the skill stations. Today Calf Roping was an extra activity. Our parent volunteers were also a big help. Brian took pictures of all students who needed a Bicycle Garden picture. Here Cindy organizes the start line

while I provided feedback at the other end.

I gave my camera to Brian, one of the parents who comes to our bike club meetings. Therefore you are about to see more of me in a blog post than ever before. Below, at the far left, is Cindy who works at Auburn Elementary and is the grandmother of one of the club members. It’s great to have TWO involved parents to support our club.

As we got ready to go the playground for blacktop drills,

Brian took a picture for another Bicycle Garden planting.

Club members are working through a series of skills which must be mastered before we can even consider going for a street ride: starting in power pedal, controlled stop using both brakes, hand signals, lane positioning.

Today, we moved on to scanning over the left shoulder and deciding if it was safe to leave the right lane position to avoid a hazard.

What a great group of kids. Four girls today and quite eager to learn the parts of a bicycle, especially since it was raining and we couldn’t go outside.

Students used address labels to write the names of the parts and stuck them to one side of the bike.

This is the beginning of a photo project.

Meanwhile Mr Brownell had to deal with a small flood in the workroom for 3 classrooms.