The last two street ride days were Monday and Tuesday. Rockmont Circle is one of the best streets to visit at Halloween (also Christmas and 4th of July). These cyclists learned about the 1963 Hitchcock film The Birds – they had never heard of it – how the students at Bodega Bay School were attacked. Eek!!

The end of Project Ride Smart for 2023. The program starts up again at 3 different schools in March.

at Westlake Charter School, Monday-Friday mornings. Blacktop drills on Monday and Tuesday. After-school coaching on Wednesday afternoon – a rather large group.

Such joy when a student knows he/she can ride a bike. And a few grateful parents on the sidelines.

Thursday was the first street ride. I had the blue group.

Friday was “spooky day” in one classroom.

And two of my favorite co-workers, Deanna and Gina:

On Wednesday and Thursday mornings, I left at 7:30 am (just after sunrise!) and rode 4 miles to Westlake Charter School to help Deanna and Gina with the first day of blacktop drills.

ABCQuick Check:

After-school coaching on Wednesday. Only about 4 out of 15 need to come back for next week’s after-school coaching.

At Natomas Park Elementary. I volunteered to ride sweep for the street rides on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning. I rode with the Yellow group, Pierson was the lead LCI. Good idea: teach “bicycle sandwich” soon after leaving campus.

I volunteered on Tuesday for the first day of street rides. Deanna and Becky were the leads.

LCI Doug, volunteer Rachel, LCI Gina:

ABCQuick Check before every ride. I was the sweep for the Yellow group led by Doug:

Wednesday, I was the ride leader for the Blue group:

Wednesday. Part of Four Seasons Westshore backs up to Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, better known as NP3. It was a 5-minute bike ride to work this morning (big smile). Everything is new, a 2-story building, beautiful facilities and classrooms:

A very different view of Blackbird Park, which we ride by ALL the time on the street in the distance.

First day on bikes, first day of blacktop drills. In class instruction by Becky and Deanna:

Thursday. Oh my, it was hot this afternoon for after-school coaching. By the end of the 1-hour session, 3/4 of these students do not need to come back for the second session:

Friday. I admit, I was relieved when Deanna and Gina said I didn’t need to come for after-school coaching this hot afternoon.

Tuesday at Witter Ranch, I volunteered with Jane to sweep the street rides. At the end of the day for one class, I subbed for Deanna who needed to leave early. With LCI Doug, I rode with the yellow group:

Wednesday, I subbed for Deanna for the first two classes. Hurray! Emiliano learned to ride.

Thursday, the last day of street rides. I rode sweep for Doug.

at Witter Ranch. Deanna and Gina needed a bit of help when 18 fifth-graders signed up for session one.

Only four will be invited back for session two. Many just needed to refresh their skills.

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.