We met in Placerville at
in library parking lot.

Staff advisor Alyson Fox arranged for an engraved lock which will go on the train trestle bridge, our turn-around point.


(Check back here to see our group picture. None of mine turned out. I hope Alyson has a good one she can share.)
On the ride back there was some dirt-trail riding – harder than it looks, but enjoyed by everyone who tried it – and totem building.

Alyson and Tristan enjoyed a post-ride ice cream.

As of this afternoon, ALL my jobs are done and there is nothing on the horizon for employment. It’s been a hectic two months so the upcoming break is quite welcome.

I went early today so I could ride the route we will be using for our final club ride. The road crossing to the bike trail is somewhat tricky – because of the curving road, I don’t think a left turn from the left lane position is a good idea, so students will ride on the right side, stop, then cross when it’s safe.

I made an old-fashioned (ha! from the 50s-70s) newspaper delivery bag for a new bicycling fun activity that looked something like this:

Because the asphalt part of the playground was in use, I set up 5 boxes among the trees. It was HARD to ride on soggy dirt and attempt to throw newpapers at the target. Almost everyone had to stop, throw the paper, then ride on. Attempting to catch the newspapers was almost as much fun.
This is our last on-campus club meeting. Tomorrow is the street ride.

This bike club has grown in numbers this year. About 15 kids show up consistently! One of the students is holding Eddie’s Bakery – a large yellow truck, laminated and attached to foam-core board with two handles on the back. Everyone wants to “drive” Eddie’s Bakery truck to simulate approaching traffic to practice making good decisions going through an intersection. Eddie is notoriously irresponsible and unpredictable – some have even suggested he should get a DUI. So glad I only made one of him.

Josh, the adult in the picture, is one of our parents who frequently helps out at bike club meetings. All help is greatly appreciated!

I CELDT-tested in the morning, then drove to Placerville for Bike Club. This was our first meeting and a big group showed up!

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.