Requirement 6 (A2)
Road, Trail, and Mixed Surface Biking
Road, Trail, and Mixed Surface Biking
Using the Scouting America buddy system, complete all of the requirements for ONE of the following options: Road Biking OR Trail or Mixed Surface Biking.
Option A: Do the following:
Requirement 6(A2)
Avoiding main highways, take two rides of 10 miles each, two rides of 15 miles each, and two rides of 25 miles each. You must make a report of the rides taken. List dates for the routes traveled, and interesting things seen on the ride.
Planning the Trip
You can ride alone or with a group of other cyclists. Individual riders have more freedom in selecting the distance, pace, time, and route for a ride. However, solo riders must be self-sufficient and have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to take care of themselves on rides. Riding solo also requires extra effort to be visible to other vehicular traffic; brightly colored, conspicuous clothing helps.
Always Plan Your Trip Ahead of Time
Research your routes and always inspect your bike before you take off.
Use your safety checklist.
Check out this resource to help you map out your ride.
Helpful tip:
Check out these great tools to help keep a log of your time spent on the road.
Essential Items for Safe Road Cycling
Identification
Every rider should carry easy‑to‑find identification in case of an accident so authorities can contact the right people. You can place ID information inside your helmet or wear it on a tag or bracelet. Keep it on your person—not on your bike—since you and your bike may become separated in a crash.
Roadside and Repair Kit
Be prepared for roadside emergencies by carrying a kit containing the items shown here.
Include the following:
- First-aid kit, including any medications for potential allergic reactions
- Spare batteries
- Emergency cash
- Bike tool kit
- Tool bag
- Spare tire tubes
- Tire patch kit
- Pumps
Helpful tip:
A pump is a necessity when you have a flat tire. The long pumps available for road use are mounted directly under the bike’s top tube. Mini pumps and tire inflators are stored on the bike in their own plastic or metal bracket that is bolted onto your bike’s water-bottle cage. The mini pump can also be carried in a seat bag.
Clothing
You can ride in just about any clothing that is comfortable and doesn’t restrict your range of motion. However, many garments have been designed specifically for cycling.
Note: When riding at night, wearing neon or bright colors helps you be visible to others.
- Helmet
- Jersey: A cycling jersey is a snug, moisture‑wicking shirt with short or long sleeves.
- Shorts: Cycling shorts protect your skin where it contacts the saddle.
- Jackets: Like jerseys, cycling jackets have long tails and usually have back pockets.
- Cell Phone: If you have one, and depending on where you are, it is a good idea to carry a cell phone to use in case of an emergency.
Helpful tip:
Stay Safe in the Outdoors
Wear Weather-Appropriate Clothing
All clothing works better when you can prevent wind from penetrating it and carrying off the body heat you are trying to conserve. Depending on the weather and how long you will be riding, you can windproof yourself by wearing a synthetic or wool base layer, windproof warm-up pants, and wind-resistant gloves and shoe covers. Some days, for a casual ride, all you may need is a light windbreaker.
Do not rely on cotton clothing to keep you warm while cycling. Cotton absorbs and retains moisture, actually making you colder as you ride.
Water Bottles and Cages
You can conveniently carry plastic bottles of fluids on the bicycle in water-bottle cages that hold 20- to 25-ounce bottles of liquid. The cages are usually clamped to the seat tube or down tube or attached with screws to special threaded sections of the frame. Backpack-style hydration packs are popular for mountain biking and can hold as much as 100 ounces of liquid.
Locking Devices
All riders should have some means of preventing bicycle theft. A padlock on a coiled cable is one of the simplest solutions. Locks specifically designed for bicycles are also available. The cable should be long enough to pass through both the front and rear wheels. Always secure your bike to a sturdy parking rack or some other immovable object like a tree, pole, or lamppost in a way that doesn’t interfere with other people’s movements around your bike.
Lights and Reflectors
Common sense tells us not to ride at night. If you must ride in the dark, you need lights and reflectors for people to see you—and for you to see the roadway. Even if you are cycling in an area with streetlights, you still need lights to ride in the dark. Lights and reflectors should be aimed in at the ground some distance in front of you to be most effective. Remember to carry spare lightbulbs and batteries in your gear bag.
Mirrors
The cyclist’s rearview mirror alerts the rider to vehicles approaching from behind. Remember, however, that using a mirror is no substitute for scanning by turning your head and making visual contact with everything around you.
Did You Know:
Cycle computers are not essential to your trip but are great for tracking your progress!
Cycle computers, also known as cyclometers or cyclocomputers, are handlebar-mounted devices that track your speed (current, average, and maximum), distance traveled (per trip and cumulative), riding time, and current time. Some models measure cadence (pedal speed), altitude, elevation gain, and heart rate; high-end models work like the GPS units found in some cars.
Suggested Activity: Boost Your Stamina With a Simple Plan
Suggested Activity: Boost Your Stamina With a Simple Plan
Remember when planning your trips that it is always safer to go with a group.
Weekend 1:
Commit to a 10-mile ride .
Time Goal: Complete a 10-mile ride in one to two hours, including breaks.
Weekend 2:
Commit to a 20-mile ride.
Time Goal: Complete a 20-mile ride in two hours, including breaks.
Weekend 3:
Commit to a 30-mile ride.
Time Goal: Complete a 30-mile ride in three hours, including breaks.
Weekend 4:
Commit to a 40-mile ride.
Time Goal: Complete a 40-mile ride in four hours, including breaks.
Weekend 5:
Commit to a 50-mile ride.
Time Goal: Complete a 50-mile ride in four and a half hours, including breaks.
Learn more about cycling advancement and helpful recommendations by visiting the link below.
Now that you have experienced 10-mile, 15-mile, and 25-mile bike rides,
let’s plan and prepare for a 50-mile bike ride.
