The RAC 24 | Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the RAC
A: The Ride Across California is a week-long bike ride from the Arizona border to the Pacific Ocean. It is a camping trip. It’s a touring ride. It is not a race.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: 5th graders and their parents.
Q: Does my child have to attend a Poway Unified School?
A: No
Q: My child’s spring break doesn’t match the RAC’s schedule. What should I do?
A: Contact your child’s principal and make arrangements for your child to miss a week.
Q: My child is a beginner bike rider. Is that okay?
A: Yes! The RAC was invented for beginning riders.
Q: What’s the time commitment?
A: We require attendance at a few mandatory meetings. We require attendance at one training ride a month with us. We strongly suggest that you ride every weekend with your child (or with us).
Q: We are good athletes already. Can we skip mandatory training rides?
A: No. You need to learn to ride according to our rules and with 100+ other people, half of them kids.
Q: What are RAC Rules of the Road?
A: A set of very specific rules that we have found to make the RAC safer. These are rules geared toward 5th graders. We will teach you.
Q: What if I don’t agree with RAC Rules?
A: Then please don’t sign up.
Q: Will there be a lottery?
A: If we have more applications than we have spots, we will have a lottery. And a waitlist.
Q: How do I get myself into the lottery?
A: The lottery link will be sent to those (and only those) who attend the mandatory meeting.
Q: Can my spouse and my other children attend the RAC?
A: Yes. They would attend as support. They would help with water along the way. They cannot ride.
Q: Can my spouse train and I ride with my child on the RAC?
A: No. The parent who is training must ride on the RAC. The parent who is riding on the RAC must train with the child.
Q: My spouse is coming as support. Can we do alternative riding and supporting?
A: Yes. But you and your spouse must both meet the requirements.
Q: I am not sure I can ride that many miles.
A: Attend as many training rides as you can. We will help you. We will teach you how to manage the longer rides. You will be amazed.
Q: Can my whole family come to training rides?
A: No. Only registered kids and their parents may join