April 4, 2024

The RAC This Week - The RAC Next Week

April 4, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

Our last newsletter before the big day.

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Congratulations to more qualified kids

Aron - Abel - Adrian - Aidan - Abigail - Adreesh - Andy - Blake - Candice - Cormac - Elle - Gavin - Grady - Hallie - Harrison - Indira - Jack - Jackson - James - Jameson - Jane - Julia - Julian - Kade - Kara - Landon - Levi - Lucas - Luke - Maya - Cinco - Nathan L - Noah - Odin - Ollin - Owen - Peter - Reeve - Ryan L - Ryan N - Samia - Samuel - Selena - Siyona - Sofia - Vibhi - Vincent - Wyatt

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Keep uploading your kids’ miles. This is the home stretch.

Miles your child has ridden so far.

______________________

Meet the Volunteers: Dennis Bueker, co-founder

From Chicago
Studied at SDSU
Married to the lovely Gwen
Father of two, grandfather of four, great-grandfather of one
Retired 5th-grade teacher at PUSD
1971 - 1993 Cofounder and leader

Poway Backpackers
A hiking group for high school students. They are still going strong. Check them out

Rides RAGBRAI every summer. This will be his 29th year.

The Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa

1990 - present | Co-founder and leader

The Ride Across California

Organizes touring rides to Idaho, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Dakota …

Teaches watermelon helmet safety classes to elementary school students

Can fix a tire on the side of any freeway

Has cycled across the US three times

Tells ghost stories

Dennis, thank you, for everything

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Our last rides. Long awaited. Here they are

Sunday, April 7

24 RAC | Day 1 | River to Gold Rock Ranch

Monday, April 8

24 RAC | Day 2 | Gold Rock Ranch to Cattle Call Park

Tuesday, April 9

RAC 24 | Day 3 | Cattle Call Park to Ocotillo

Wednesday, April 10

24 RAC | Day 4 | Ocotillo to Vallecito

Thursday, April 11

24 RAC | Day 5 | Vallecito to Wynola

Friday, April 12

24 RAC | Day 6 | Wynola to Escondido

Saturday, April 13

24 RAC | Day 7 | Escondido to Mission Bay

_______________________

Thank you for coming to Rubio’s Fundraiser.
We are looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Next week will be so much fun!!!

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

RAC 24 | A Typical Day

RAC 24 | Sunday - Saturday

RAC 24 | What to Bring and What to Leave at Home

Donate — The RAC

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

Riding Requirements

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

March 26, 2024

The RAC This Week (March 26th)

Olav Schroeder

March 26, 2024

We expect every riding adult to read every weekly newsletter.

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DEAR PARENTS

Ta-da! Our qualified kids. We are so proud.

Aron - Abel - Aidan - Abigail - Adreesh - Andy - Blake - Candice - Cormac - Elle - Gavin - Grady - Hallie - Harrison - Indira - Jack - Jackson - James - Jameson - Jane - Julia - Julian - Kade - Kara - Landon - Levi - Luke - Maya - Cinco - Nathan L - Noah - Odin - Ollin - Owen - Peter - Reeve - Ryan L - Ryan N - Samia - Samuel - Selena - Siyona - Sofia - Vibhi - Vincent - Wyatt

___________________

Keep uploading your kids’ miles. Thank you

Miles your child has ridden so far.

______________________

Rain on the RAC

The last three training rides have been rained out. You noticed.
What happens if it rains on the RAC?

If rain makes road conditions unsafe,

we pack up, climb in chase cars, and get ourselves back to San Diego.

We spend the night at home.
Rain usually happens in or west of Julian, so we are fairly close to home.

The next day, we return to the designated starting point
Two weeks after the RAC, we ride the stretch we missed.
This makeup is completely voluntary.

______________________

Tuesday, March 26. Tomorrow. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants, including kids

7 pm. Design 39 School. MP room. 17050 Del Sur Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92127

Please sign in with Julie

Demonstrations of luggage schlepping with audience participation.
Demonstration of acceptable and unacceptable luggage
The T-shirt contest winner reveal
Lots of time for Q&A
Optional tire changing session with Bob (bring a front tire)
Inspirational words from Dennis.
And more

In anticipation of Tuesday’s mandatory meeting, please read the updated 24 RAC packing list :

RAC 24 | What to Bring and What to Leave at Home

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Thursday, March 28 | Rubios’s RAC Fundraiser | Highland Village | All day

Rubio's RAC Fundraising Info

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Our next ride

Saturday, April 30

The Escondido Hill Ride (long) #7

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026
Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am.

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

RAC 24 | A Typical Day

RAC 24 | Sunday - Saturday

Donate — The RAC

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

Riding Requirements

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

March 23, 2024

The RAC This Week (March 19th)

Olav Schroeder

March 23, 2024

We expect every riding adult to read every weekly newsletter.

________________________

DEAR PARENTS

Congratulations. Please take a look at all the kids who have qualified:

Abigail - Adreesh - Andy - Blake - Candice - Cormac - Elle - Gavin - Grady - Hallie - Harrison - Indira - Jack - Jackson - James - Jameson - Jane - Julia - Julian - Kade - Kara - Landon - Luke - Maya - Cinco - Nathan L - Odin - Ollin - Peter - Reeve - Ryan L - Ryan N - Samia - Selena - Siyona - Sofia - Vibhi - Vincent - Wyatt

Julian has attended all 5 Escondido Hill Rides. Amazing.

___________________

Update your kids’ miles as often as you like.

Miles your child has ridden so far.

______________________

Please read

RAC 24 | A Typical Day

RAC 24 | Sunday - Saturday

_______________________

From Dr. Bob, Bike Mechanic

Bicycle tune-ups are now closed. The queue is full for this week and after that, there are only two weeks left until the RAC. The two weeks before the RAC are reserved for last-minute repairs. If there is something wrong with your bike (e.g. it won't shift right or the chain keeps falling off), contact me so we can get it fixed.

_____________________

Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

7 pm. Design 39 School. MP room. 17050 Del Sur Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92127

Topics include:

What to bring on the RAC.

We will bring samples of acceptable and unacceptable luggage

“The Not-So-Very-Serious RAC Quiz” for 5th graders.

Please encourage your kids to participate

The T-shirt contest winner reveal
Lots of time for Q&A
Optional tire changing session with Bob (bring a front tire)
Inspirational words from Dennis.
And more

Thursday, March 28 | Rubios’s RAC Fundraiser | Highland Village | All day

Rubio's RAC Fundraising Info

_______________________

OUR NEXT RIDEs

Saturday, March 23

The Escondido Hill Ride (long) #7

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026
Please park in the south end (green) of the LA Fitness parking lot.

Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am.

This is our last EHRide.
All kids and all riding parents need to complete two EHRides.
Currently, the weather for Saturday is good.

Should Saturday’s ride be rained out, we will replace the March 30 ride with a final Escondido Hill Ride.
If Saturday is canceled, you will hear from us by Friday night.

Sunday, March 24

The Nine Cities Ride

1910 Harbor Island Drive

Please arrive by 7:15 am. We start promptly at 7:30 am.

The Nine Cities Ride turns around at the ferry landing in Coronado and is - for the most part- an ‘out and back’ ride.
There will be no ferry ride.
Instead, we get to ride through nine cities: San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego. That is fantastic.
Prepare for heavy pedestrian traffic at the Embarcadero on the return trip.

Be prepared to walk. Pedestrians have the right of way.
The Port Authorities are cracking down on and limiting bike access to his area.

E-bikes are already banned.
Please do what you can to keep this route open for cyclists.

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, March 26

Donate — The RAC

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

Riding Requirements

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

March 15, 2024

The RAC This Week (3/15/24)

Olav Schroeder

March 15, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

Congrats to all who came out last Saturday and Sunday.

If you attended both days, who rode 70 miles and climbed 5000+ feet.

Very impressive

____________________

Here are our RAC-qualified 5th graders

Adreesh - Andy - Blake - Julia - Julian - Kara - Landon - Cinco - Nathan L - Ollin - Selena - Wyatt

who completed 350+ miles and finished two Escondido Hill Rides. Congratulations.

___________________

Please update your kids’ miles in the link below.

If you don’t, we have to email you or call you and that’s extra work for us.

Miles your child has ridden so far.

______________________

Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

Thursday, March 28. Rubio's RAC fundraiser

_______________________

Donations to the RAC

If you would like to donate to the RAC, please do so here.

Thank you for your support.

________________________

OUR NEXT RIDEs

Saturday, March 16

The Escondido Hill Ride #5.

Sunday, Mary 17

The Escondido Hill Ride (long) #6

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026
Please park in the south end (green) of the LA Fitness parking lot.

Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am.

You need to complete 2 EHRides with us. We offer 7.
Please plan on attending more than 2. They get rained out.
Try to ride two back to back.
The EHRide on Sunday is longer

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, March 26

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

March 9, 2024

The RAC This Week (3/7/24)

Olav Schroeder

March 9, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

The RAC begins one month from today. Let that sink in. We are all so excited.

____________________

We have our first qualified 5th graders.

Andy - Julia - Julian - Selena

completed 350+ miles and finished two Escondido Hill Rides. Congratulations.

____________________

Please submit your kids’ miles in the link below.

If you don’t, we have to email you or call you and that’s extra work for us.

Miles ridden so far.

______________________

Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

____________________

Support the RAC by Eating Out.

Panda Express | Carmel Mt Road | 12 March

Rubios | Highlands Village Place | 28 March

Thank you for supporting us

_______________________

Thank you

to our anonymous RAC parent for his generous donation.

We appreciate his thoughtfulness and this and any other possible donation.

________________________

OUR NEXT RIDEs

Saturday, March 9

The Escondido Hill Ride #4. Let’s try again.

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026

Please park in the south end (green) of the LA Fitness parking lot.

Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am.

You need to complete 2 EHRides with us. We offer 7.
Please plan on attending more than 2. They get rained out.
Try to ride two back to back.
The last two Escondido Hill Rides are longer.

Sunday, March 10

Tritons, Witches, and Coffee

Mesa Verde Middle School. 8375 Entreken. SD 92119

Please arrive by 8:45 am. We start promptly at 9 am.

This ride features the UCSD loop, the Three Witches, and an optional stop at the 4SRanch Starbucks.

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

___________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, March 26

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

February 28, 2024

The RAC This Week (Feb 27th)

Olav Schroeder

February 28, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

Welcome back from vacation. We hope you had a good time.

Congratulations to Julia for attending all February rides.

______________________

Maybe you saw it!

Date: Last Sunday
Time: About 7:45 am.
Place: Downtown San Diego
Offense: Red Light Violation

A group of about 15 riders was seen running a red light.

That cannot have been us because:

We stop at every red light.

A standard red light
A blinking red light
A red light on a right turn. (You may proceed when it’s safe.)

The group that ran the red light because the riders in front of them did and they followed blindly set a bad example for our kids.
Please remind one another to stop at all red lights.

____________________

Please send us your kids' miles in the link below.

Please record your child’s miles.

Update as often as you like.
We are not recording parents’ miles.

Include all miles your child has ridden since RAC training started

Miles ridden with us (including Escondido Hill Rides)
Miles ridden without us.
Round up to the next mile.
Escondido Hil Ride completion will be added at a later date

Let Christiane know if you find this sheet to be incorrect.

Miles ridden so far.

______________________________

Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

____________________

OUR NEXT RIDEs

Saturday, March 2

Tritons and Witches

Mesa Verde Middle School. Entreken. SD 9219

Please arrive by 8:45 am. We start promptly at 9 am.

This ride combines the UCSD loop with the Fairbanks Ranch Loop

Sunday, March 3

The Escondido Hill Ride #3

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026

Please park in the south end (green) of the LA Fitness parking lot.

Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am.

Some Escondido Hill Ride tips

You need to complete 2 with us. We offer 7.
Try to ride two back to back.
The last two Escondido Hill Rides are longer.
If you must stop on the hills

stop where it’s flat-ish.
make sure to move to the right
stop before a curve, not in or behind a curve
stop in the shade if it’s hot (won’t be a problem this week)

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, March 26

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

February 26, 2024

The RAC This Week (Feb 22nd)

Olav Schroeder

February 26, 2024

________________________

DEAR PARENTS

Friendly Reminders

We still see kids without the mandatory hydration (a hydration pack for water and a water bottle on the child’s bike for Gatorade).
Your child needs to drink water while riding. Your child needs Gatorade.
Conditions on the RAC are nothing like riding around San Diego

It’s hot and dry.
If it’s windy, you’ll be dehydrated before you even get on your bike.
If it’s hot and windy, your child needs to drink every few minutes.
If your child stops each time he/she needs to drink, you will not finish before it gets dark - at which point we have to pull you off the road.
Kids don’t want to stop to drink and won’t drink enough.

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We had to change this year’s RAC route because one of our overnight stays has asked that we not return. Why?

The campsite was left in unsatisfactory condition.

Rooms were used that we had no permission to use.
Equipment was moved and used that we had no permission to use.
Areas were disturbed that we should not have entered.

Volunteers worked very hard to secure another campsite for us, and we don’t want to lose that, too. Therefore, we ask that you supervise your children at all times.

Don’t let them run amok on campsites.
Don’t let them climb on fences and jump on furniture.
Keep an eye on them, even if you are tired at the end of the day and they are not.

The RAC 24 route will be available to you in early April.

_________________________

Because we changed the route, Day 2 has become longer, and we have added some longer training rides. Please take advantage of them

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Dates

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

____________________

From Dr. Bob

Keeping your Bike Running

____________________

OUR NEXT RIDE

Sunday, February 25

The Five Cities Ride #2

1910 Harbor Island Dr. San Diego 92101

Please arrive by 7:15 am. We start promptly at 7:30 am.

This ride circumnavigates the San Diego harbor and includes a fun ferry trip.
You can buy ferry tickets at the Coronado landing site at the machine (which doesn’t always work) or buy your tickets in advance here.
Ferry tickets are $8 a person and include your bike.
The ferry we want (Coronado to Broadway Pier) leaves every hour on the half hour.
We do not all have to catch the same ferry.

_______________________

Please thank your children for participating in the t-shirt contest.

The winner will be announced at the March 26 meeting.

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Bob's Bike Clinic on Sunday, Feb 4

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, March 26

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

February 13, 2024

The RAC This Week (Feb 13th)

Olav Schroeder

February 13, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

Good morning and happy Tuesday.

___________________

DATES

Monday, Feb 19. Your child’s t-shirt design is due to Christiane. More information here

Please encourage your child to participate..

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

____________________

A few friendly reminders

Hydration packs are a requirement for all RAC 5th graders.
It’s best to start teaching your child to use the pack now.
Don’t wait until April.
We highly recommend adults also use a hydration pack.

5th graders must carry their own hydration.
Water in the hydration pack and Gatorade in a bottle on their bike

Stay with your child.
Remind your child not to ride too far away from you.
If you agree to take responsibility for someone else’s children, please be sure they stay with you.

Please be sure you and your child are communicating loudly to other riders.
“Passing On your left”, “Car Back”, Rider Back”

Practice proper scanning while passing.
We’re still seeing some risky maneuvers.

_________________________

From Dr. Bob (rjacques888@gmail.com)

It’s time to get your bikes ready for their trek across California.

Dr. Bob takes you through some of the important things to think about in this week's newsletter.

Making your bike RAC-ready

During our first Escondido Hill Ride, we saw a lot of flat tires. In case you missed it last time, here is a repost of Dr. Bob’s article on tires. Pay close attention to the section on puncture resistance.

The RAC and tires

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OUR NEXT RIDE

Saturday, February 17

The Escondido Hill Ride #2

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026

Please park in the south end (green) of the LA Fitness parking lot.

Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am.

Some Escondido Hill Ride tips

You need to complete 2 with us. We offer 7.
Try to ride two back to back.
The last two Escondido Hill Rides are longer.
If you must stop on the hills

stop where it’s flat-ish.
make sure to move to the right
stop before a curve, not in or behind a curve
stop in the shade if it’s hot (won’t be a problem this week)

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, May 26

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

February 12, 2024

The RAC This Week (Feb 8th)

Olav Schroeder

February 12, 2024

DEAR PARENTS

We hope this email finds you well and dry.

___________________

DATES

Monday, Feb 19. Your child’s t-shirt design is due to Christiane. More information here.

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

____________________

Meet the Volunteers: Michael He

Did RAC twice, the first time in 2022 and then in 2023.

Currently at Del Norte High as a freshman.

I got into biking because of my brother and have loved it ever since

⁠I love helping riders because it makes me happy to see them smile.

I love sports, especially soccer.

_____________________________

OUR NEXT RIDE

Sunday, February 11

The Escondido Hill Ride #1

362 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026

Please park in the south end (green) of the LA Fitness parking lot.

Please arrive by 7:45 am. We start promptly at 8 am.

Some Escondido Hill Ride tips

You need to complete 2 with us. We offer 7.
Try to ride two back to back.
The last two Escondido Hill Rides are longer.
If you must stop on the hills

stop where it’s flat-ish.
make sure to move to the right
stop before a curve, not in or behind a curve
stop in the shade if it’s hot (won’t be a problem this week)

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, May 26

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC

What to bring on training rides and what to leave at home

___________________________________________________

Olav Schroeder

January 31, 2024

The RAC This Week (Jan 31st)

Olav Schroeder

January 31, 2024

_________________

DEAR PARENTS

Congratulations to

Siyona A. - Indira B. - Julia C. - Vincent H. - Abel L. - Cormac M. - Grace M. - Kara P. - Blake S.

for attending all three January rides.

_____________________

Friendly Reminders

If you leave the group during a training ride and ride ahead of our lead volunteer, you will not receive credit for that ride. You need to complete one ride with us per month.
Please do your best to ride early in the month. Sometimes, we have to cancel rides.
You must complete two Escondido Hill Rides (EHR) with us. We offer many. Please check the calendar for dates.

___________________

DATES

Sunday, Feb 4. Bob’s Bike Clinic.

Bring your kids and your dirty bikes. We will teach you how to clean the bikes.

Monday, Feb 19. Your child’s t-shirt design is due to Christiane. More information here.

Tuesday, March 26. Mandatory RAC meeting for all participants

____________________

OUR NEXT RIDE

Saturday, February 3

The Five Cities Ride #1

1910 Harbor Island Dr. San Diego 92101

Please arrive by 7:15 am. We start promptly at 7:30 am.

This ride circumnavigates the San Diego harbor and includes a fun ferry trip.
You can buy ferry tickets at the Coronado landing site at the machine (which doesn’t always work) or buy your tickets in advance here.
Ferry tickets are $8 a person and include your bike.
The ferry we want (Coronado to Broadway Pier) leaves every hour on the half hour.
We do not all have to catch the same ferry.

_______________________

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

YOU FRIENDLY VOLUNTEER TEAM

____________________________________________________

All participants are responsible for being familiar with RAC rules, regulations

Failure to follow RAC rules will result in your family's removal from the program.

Bob's Bike Clinic on Sunday, Feb 4

Mandatory RAC Meeting on Tuesday, May 26

Previous newsletters

RAC Calendar

Rules of the RAC