[SDCBC] urban ride a holiday treat

[Serge Issakov]

Now that we have the official number from the Salvation Army -- *190
toys*for needy children,
*a Toy Ride record*! -- I would like to thank Todd, Ralph and everyone who
attended, especially all the riders who came from other clubs.  That really
helps make it the wonderful experience that it is.

On a personal note, this year I decided to try to do it with my 50 lbs/7
year old daughter Anya riding on her Burley Piccolo trailercycle attached to
the back of my bike.  The most she had ridden before was about 20 miles, so
the plan was to have Mom drop us off and be "on call" to pick us up.  To my
surprise, we did not have any trouble keeping up, well except for the
Fairmount climb where we dropped from near the front of the 200-rider group
to the very back, and Anya was happy and energetic when we got to the Joan
Croc center.  The breakfast burritos and hot chocolate hit the spot, and she
was fine when we got home, with 42 miles on the odometer.  I, however, was
beat!  So kudos to Santa Ralph for setting an excellent holiday/family pace,
including waiting through a traffic signal cycle at the top of Fairmount to
give everyone a chance to regroup.

To all of you on this list who were not able to make it this year, we look
forward to having you join us next year!

Serge

P.S.

Check out what I found in the vehicle code.

CVC 1225
Christmas Red Light Rule

1225.  (a) A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at
a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near
side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection,
and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown, except as
provided in subdivision (b).

(b) A bicyclist facing a steady circular red signal shall not enter the
intersection, unless entering the intersection as part of the annual
SDBC/Salvation Army Toy Ride when the rider in front of him has entered the
intersection legally and is no more than one bike length in front of him,
and is cheerfully smiling and waving at the motorists waiting, which may
include law enforcement officers.

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc1225-onlyhalfkidding.htm


On Dec 15, 2007 2:48 PM, Dave White <dwhite7 at san.rr.com> wrote:

> How often do you have a chance to ride through urban and surrounding
> areas in a tight peloton of 150 cyclists - AND put a smile on a child?
> The SDBC Holiday Toy Ride (the club's 20th, our first) today was a real
> treat.  http://www.sdbc.org/core/includes/docs/ToyRide2007.pdf
> The spontaneous response from motorists and
> pedestrians-turned-spectators was overwhelmingly positive and in the
> spirit of the season, especially in response to the obvious mission of
> the decorated holiday entourage.  Hoots and toots and cheery exchanges
> were plentiful, and lots of ringing bells.
> The gifts of toys and food were delivered at the Salvation Army, which
> provided a hearty snack table for cyclists.
> A special thanks to Santa (aka Ralph Elliot), who really knows how to
> lead and pace a parade peloton.  The event demonstrates, to cyclists
> and motorists, one of the most effective uses of the take-a-lane
> technique.  The 4-6 wide peloton took the lane (where appropriate) and
> made effective urban transit.
> This was sharing the road at its best - at a time and place where there
> was plenty of road to share, and bicycles outnumbered motor vehicles.
> Thanks to SDBC for the ride, and to participants for all the fun.
> Happy Holidays
> Dave & Nancy 'Stoker' White (and Hairy, the orangatang)
>
>


-- 
NOTE: Any opinions expressed above are mine and not necessarily shared by
any organization in which I am involved.
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