I've got some events coming up that have been long awaited. They are regarding the Cycling MB. This is an Eagle required substitute merit badge. A scout going for eagle could earn this one, Swimming or Hiking for eagle. Obviously, they could earn more than one, but they do have to earn at least one for Eagle Scout.
Anyway, we started the badge a few months ago, so if your scout would like to start the badge with me, the only thing they would have to do first is get a blue card from Mr. Gedde and have the scout bring it to me. If your scout doesn't remember if they already started it and gave me their blue card, I will put the list of blue cards I have from people for the Cycling MB at the bottom of this email.
Saturday, October 18th 5-6:30pm Rocklin Community Center: Maintenance Requirements
There are a few requirements for this badge that are a bit technical regarding bike maintenance. I'd like to cover this before any bike rides so that if we have an incident mid-ride, I'm not the only one that knows what to do. Also, it's good practice for the boys. NOTE: For every scout planning on attending, please bring a parent along to stay if possible. The reason for this is because one of the requirements has the boys complete a safety checklist at home. I will go over this checklist when we meet, but when the scouts do it at home, it would definitely help if they had a parent with them when they learn it because there are a few complex and technical things. Also, go ahead and bring your bike. Having your own bike there as we go over maintenance will be great practice.
Saturday, November 1st 9:00am - approx. 1:30pm Rocklin Community Center: 10 mile bike rides
For the merit badge there are 7 total rides to be completed: 2, 10 mile rides, 2, 15 mile rides, 2, 25 mile rides, and 1, 50 mile ride (this cannot count for completion until the other 6 have been completed first). I'd like to start from the bottom and work our way up because I know there are scouts who will not be able to go 25 miles in the beginning. We will meet up at the community center at 9:30 and do a few quick and easy riding requirements before heading off on the first 10 miler. Then we will ride 10 miles to Whitney Ranch Community Park. From here, we will have lunch and play some games. Probably around noon, we will leave and ride 10 miles back to the community center but on a different route in order to finish both 10 mile bike rides. IF there are any parents or family members that want to attend, that is totally fine. Make sure everyone has the right equipment. I will send out a list as we get closer to the ride.
Lastly, if you would like to complete any of the 7 rides with your scout on your own instead of with the troop, that's totally fine, but I will only count it if....
- the scout has given me their blue card
- the scout calls me our talks to me in person (no emails please) about when and where they will be riding so I can know in advance. This is why I won't allow them to email me about the ride, since I might not see the email until after the ride is over. After the ride is over, the scout will have to either show me on a map where they rode or describe to me where and how far they rode.
Sorry for the lengthy email, but it had to be written. I will put the list of scouts that I already have blue cards for below.
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask me at the meetings or send me an email.
Alex Didier
ASM Troop 29
