at Regency Park Elementary. On Friday morning, I had so much fun riding with the first Red group. They improved so quickly, we were able to leave the park trail and practice signaling and right turns on the street.
On Monday morning, I got to ride with two Yellow groups. Great kids and it’s clear they learned a lot. Special thanks to the parent who rode sweep for us. She was so good, I soon had her monitoring an intersection while I coached from the opposite side of the intersection.
at H Allen Hight. The first thing students do after they get their bike is the ABCQuick Check.
I had the red group for street rides. One class out of five:
Huge thanks for Rachel, Maria, and Paul who volunteered as sweeps for street rides:
When a student needs to go back to campus, one LCI goes along while two groups are temporarily merged. A “bicycle sandwich” – useful for teaching purposes:
Friday was the final day with three fun bicycle activities. I did the slow race but also tried out a running race where the student only holds onto the saddle.
I worked every day this past week teaching PRS at H Allen Hight School – 38 hours. The fifth grade classes are on the second floor at HAH – 26 steps. Admittedly, I haven’t worked this hard in a long time.
at H Allen Hight Elementary School. Five 5th grade classes with just 5 minutes between classes. Wednesday a day of indoor teaching because of rainstorms. I worked with Deanna:
Thursday and Friday: blacktop drills plus one hour after school to coach beginning riders. Long day of physical work. Before school we take 40 bicycles out of a shipping container plus set out about 100 cones for the course. At the end of the day the bikes are repacked and we get the kids in the final class to pick up the cones. The one hour after-school coaching sessions were quite rewarding.
There were probably 15 kids each day. Some just needed riding time to refresh their skills. Others needed to learn from scratch. Our final success story on Friday: Vincent. We talked about a strong power pedal, eyes on the horizon. I ran alongside, barely holding him upright. After a few passes I told him, “I haven’t been holding you up. You’re actually riding on your own.” Vincent: “I am?” That was all he needed to know. Everyone who came to coaching is now riding a bike. LCIs Gina and Pierson were also there to coach and encourage.
And I’m one tired person. Three days of physical labor.
The last class!
Mellissa came at the end of class to thank everyone and deliver goodie bags to everyone. At far left, is LCI Becky Garrow who assisted today – always great to work with her.
Meeting #3. Today we rode to Jackrabbit Trail and rode south toward Elkhorn Blvd.
Meeting #2.
The second session of Pedal Up Natomas began today. Ten new participants, volunteers Lennore and Kathy, and fellow LCI Deanna. We stayed in the Inderkum HS parking lot today.
So cool. Kathy expertly taught Siri how to ride a bike!
Today was our fourth and final class. This group of 10 women was so fantastic to work with. And 9 of them joined Arlete’s BIG – they want to continue riding!!
Meeting #3. We focused on Jackrabbit Trail north toward Elkhorn Blvd and rode through Regency Park and N Natomas Community Park, stopping along the way for teaching moments.
Better on Bikes (BoB) evolved over the past few months to an in-person class called Pedal Up Natomas. Our first meeting was Saturday September 17 and I didn’t take a single picture. But Mellissa Meng did!
I am co-teaching with Deanna, a great LCI who frequently works for Jibe teaching Project Ride Smart and many other programs. (Aside: Deanna’s oldest daughter, of 3, just left for college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo – the same college Thais attended 20+ years ago.) We have 12 participants – two of them, Brenda and Tracy, took BoB 4, which is great because they already have a lot of knowledge and can help others. Plus, two people from BoB1-Leo, and BoB2-Lennore volunteered. The first class focused on becoming ride ready. Our second meeting on September 24 included a 7-mile street ride with stops for teaching opportunities. Cheryl from BoB1 volunteered this meeting.
arletelouise 