Each year, there are several students who have never ridden a bike before. And, after the first day of blacktop drills, many more are discovered who have forgotten HOW to ride a bike in a controlled and predictable way. Therefore, we offer two one-hour after-school coaching sessions. Some students sign up early and others are “invited” to participate.
A near-miss as they whizzed by:
Of the ten students who had never ridden, all learned how to ride. Only two did not reach a sufficient skill level to go the the street rides. 
Tag Archives: NNTMA
Velo Ball
This is a major fundraiser for Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates.
It took place at Beatnik Studios in downtown Sacramento.
At left, Abbey Stumpf – she organizes 50 Bikes 50 Kids, a NNTMA January event. Then local LCIs who work together at various times to teach bicycle-driving: Doug Williams, Jeff Sawyer, Elle Steele, me (wearing the pleather dress by the way).
Valet bicycle parking:
Project Ride Smart begins
First day for Project Ride Smart at Natomas Elementary School.
This job lasts until November 4, M-F. However I leave at noon on Tu (Auburn Bike Club) and Th (Sierra Bike Club). Hectic schedule for a few weeks! 
My LCI partner is Doug Williams. Five classes of 5th graders, about 150 students. About 10 had never ridden a bike before and were taught in two after-school coaching sessions. Three lessons in the classroom, two days of blacktop drills, and 2 days of riding in the community if minimum skill level was achieved.
Walk to School Day at Regency Park
Our CELDT-testing team got a slow start today because of a big event sponsored by North Natomas Transportation Management Association (the same organization that hires me to teach Project Ride Smart). 
Students checked in and breakfast was served.
There was a DJ, music and dancing.
Hundreds of students, parents, and staff participated.
Abbey Stumpf of NNTMA taking photos.
Emigrant Trails Bike Trek: to an early end
Saturday afternoon was very relaxing. After lunch, I walked a few blocks to downtown Calistoga for a good cup of coffee.
There were great snacks at the Cantina,
opportunities for selfies,
and time to visit other camps. Kaiser offered their own snacks and drinks to passersby,
a Mardi Gras parade made from shoeboxes,
and a surprise for me, Ronnie and Stanley Abacherli. I taught their daughters at Westside School long ago.
Everyone was having a great time,
but overhead,
The Valley Fire was burning was burning about 25 miles north of Calistoga. By early evening, the fire had spread rapidly, the Red Cross needed the Napa County Fairgrounds as an evacuation center. 100 families were expected and Trekkers were asked to pack up and leave. And we happily cooperated.
I got home after midnight. Despite its early end, I had a fantastic time and look forward to doing it again next year.
Emigrant Trails Bike Trek: Saturday morning ride
To backtrack a bit, I’m pretty sure I strained my back loading the car getting ready for this weekend. By this morning, my lower back really ACHED! Yesterday I was one of the first riders on the course, this morning I was one of the last, but that was ok, I planned on doing the shortest route, about 17 miles.
The uphills on Franz Valley Road and Franz Valley School Road were really hard and I had to walk some of the hills. Yes, I was whining and feeling sorry for myself
until I caught up with this guy at the rest stop.
I remembered him from last night, he was the first to be called up to the Winner’s Circle because he’d raised $5898 for Breathe CA. At one point he took the microphone from the MC and told the crowd, “If only I had $102 more, I’d have broken the $6000 mark,” and people started getting up and bringing him dollars, “$101, $98, …” He came back to the podium 20 minutes later to announce he’d made it! Back to my encounter at the rest stop: he could barely walk and was telling a couple of other riders about his arthritis and a list of other ailments. He hobbled back to his bike. One woman commented at how amazing he was to be doing this ride at age 87. Time for me to stop complaining. In the next 5 miles or so, we passed each other back and forth, sometimes riding, sometimes walking. Finally I passed him for good, but when I got to the top
there he was! He laughed and said, “Didn’t you see me pass you?” And then told me the SAG vehicle brought him to the top, but it was a secret and I couldn’t tell anyone. The downhill back into town was great and I rode right up to the massage table.
Yes, there was someone available. Oh my, that 20-minute massage was heavenly and the true beginning of my backache going away.
Emigrant Trails Bike Trek: around camp on Friday afternoon
The cantina including selling raffle tickets,
raffle prize area,
mechanics area,
mobile showers (a pleasant experience),
and excellent meals by Feast Catering.
Our camp, also stocked with lots of goodies including excellent margaritas by mixologist Mellissa, a wading pool of cool water for hot feet, and the Jimmy Buffett channel playing in the background. It was all good.
Emigrant Trails Bike Trek: Natomas Flyers Team
This is my team. I teach Project Ride Smart, sponsored by NNTMA (North Natomas Transportation Management District), twice each year. I was invited to join their team to ride this year. I’ve never done anything like this before. Good decision, great fun. L-R. Front row: Sherrie, Mike, Bruce. Middle row: Team Captain Julie, John, Mellissa. Back row: MJ, Abbey, Arlete, Matt, Shawn.
Emigrant Trails Bike Trek: Friday morning
6:30 am: up and ready to ride as soon as the required safety meeting is over. Since I know I’m a slower-than-average rider, I wanted to get an early start. 
We’re in wine country, grapes grow everywhere!
Hennessy Lake: the rest stop was at the boat launch.
It was a bit of a climb to get to the rest stop, the turn around point for the 31-mile Middle A route. There were 4 routes this morning, from 10-50 miles.
Dutch Henry was a partner-winery for this year’s Trek. 
Wine tasting (at 10 am? yes, it’s possible) and all purchases were picked up by the SAG vehicle and brought back to camp.
Project Ride Smart: last day
After three days of classroom instruction and three days of blacktop drills, the final three days are street rides in the neighborhood which are still teaching opportunities. For the street rides, extra LCIs are hired and each leads a group along with volunteer riders from the school community and local bike clubs.
Today we were one volunteer short, so Elle handled the red group on her own and stayed on the bike trail in the park which begins right outside the back gate of the school. I got to ride with Jeff’s yellow group. Yay!
I must add how freaking hot it was. The blacktop drills were the worst. On the street riding days, at least you were moving through the air – somewhat of a relief.
arletelouise 