College of
Wilderness Knowledge
Course in Cycling
COURSE ORGANIZATION
Prior to the course, students will be provided a course agenda, course goals and objectives, and a list of required items to bring.
This course will be taught primarily on Saturday. Safety & maintenance lessons will be taught starting at 9:15 am. Late morning the group will load the bikes and drive to the Paul Bunyan Trail (a 30-45 minute trip) for a 10-15 mile bike ride depending on the age of the participants and the desires of the group. The group could split into two groups if some participants want to travel further than others.
The group should plan a trail lunch that will be eaten at a park or picnic area near the trail, just prior to the ride. After the ride the group will return to Birch Bend for general camping.
The groups should also abide by the Outdoor Code: As an American, I will do my best to – Be
Clean in my outdoor manners, Be Careful with fire, Be
Considerate in the outdoors, and Be conservation-minded.
Participants are given worksheets on which to record answers and write reports on activities in which they participate.
The following lessons
are included in the course:
1) The instructor has the students identify injuries or illnesses that could occur while cycling. This should include hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, snakebites, blisters and hyperventilation. The students also explain the first aid for each of these illnesses or injuries. All answers are recorded on their course worksheets.
2) The instructor picks one or more bicycles as examples. The students work in teams of 2-3 to clean and adjust a bicycle. The students then inspect the bicycle using a bicycle safety checklist and make sure that the bicycle meets local laws.
3) The students show their bicycle to the instructor for inspection. The student then shows what adjustments or repairs he/she has made. The student then demonstrates their knowledge of bicycle maintenance by:
A) Showing all points that need oiling regularly.
B) Showing points that should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
C) Showing how to adjust brakes, seat level and height, and steering tube.
4) The students describe how to brake safely with foot brakes and with hand brakes.
5) Describe your state’s traffic laws for bicycles. Compare them with motor-vehicle laws. Know the bicycle-safety guidelines.The instructor provides some old tires and patching kits. The students show how to repair a flat.
6) The instructor provides some old tires and patching kits. The students show how to repair a flat.
7) Pack up bicycles and lunch. Travel to Paul Bunyan Trail site.
8) Take a road test with your counselor and demonstrate the following:
A) Properly mount, pedal, and brake including emergency stops.
B) On an urban street with light traffic, properly execute a left turn from the center of the street; also demonstrate an alternate left turn technique used during periods of heavy traffic.
C) Properly execute a right turn.
D) Demonstrate appropriate actions at a right-turn-only lane when you are continuing straight
E) Show proper curbside and road-edge riding. Show how to ride safely along a row of parked cars.
F) Cross railroad tracks properly
9) Using the Paul Bunyan Trail in order to avoid riding on main highways, the students will complete a ride of 10 or 15 miles. At the completion of the ride, the student writes a report of the rides taken using the worksheet provided. List date, the route traveled, and the most interesting things seen.
The College of Wilderness
Knowledge Cycling course completes many of the requirements of the Boy Scout
merit badge. However, the scout will
still need to complete another six (6) bike rides of varying lengths (10, 15,
25 & 50 miles).
CYCLING
Merit Badge
Requirements
1) Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while cycling, including hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, snakebites, blisters and hyperventilation.
2) Clean and adjust a bicycle. Prepare it for inspection using a bicycle safety checklist. Be sure the bicycle meets local laws.
3) Show your bicycle to your counselor for inspection. Point out the adjustments for repairs you have made. Do the following:
A) Show all points that need oiling regularly.
B) Show points that should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
C) Show how to adjust brakes, seat level and height, and steering tube.
4) Describe how to brake safely with foot breaks and with hand brakes.
5) Show how to repair a flat. Use an old bicycle tire.
6) Take a road test with your counselor and demonstrate the following:
A) Properly mount, pedal, and brake including emergency stops.
B) On an urban street with light traffic, properly execute a left turn from the center of the street; also demonstrate an alternate left turn technique used during periods of heavy traffic.
C) Properly execute a right turn.
D) Demonstrate appropriate actions at a right-turn-only lane when you are continuing straight
E) Show proper curbside and road-edge riding. Show how to ride safely along a row of parked cars.
F) Cross railroad tracks properly
7) Describe your state’s traffic laws for bicycles. Compare them with motor-vehicle laws. Know the bicycle-safety guidelines.
8) 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, routes traveled, and most interesting things seen. *
9) After fulfilling requirement 8, lay out on a road map a 50-mile trip. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, make this ride in 8 hours.
* The bicycle must have all required safety features. It must be registered as required by your local traffic laws.
Bicycle Safety Checklist
_____ Frame (1) - Clean and not bent out of shape. No cracks at Frame Joints (2).
_____ Front Fork (3) - Clean and not bent out of shape. No cracks at Fork Joints (4).
_____ Headset Bearing (5) - Well lubricated; turns freely with no binding. No perceptible play in the assembly.
_____ Bottom-Bracket Bearing (6) - Turns freely with not more than barely perceptible play in the bearing.
_____ Crank Arms (7) - Clean and not bent out of shape. Tightened securely on the Crankset Axle (8).
_____ Chainrings (9) - Clean, not worn, and not bent out of shape. Chainring Bolts (10) tightened securely to hold Chainrings to
Crankarms.
_____ Pedals (11) - Bearings well lubricated; turn freely with no perceptible play in the bearing. Pedals tightly screwed into
Crankarm. Toe Clips (12) functional.
_____ Fenders (13) - Clean; tightly attached without rattling or rubbing against the Tires (14).
_____ Wheels (15) - Run true and round. Wheel nuts tight. Closed and tight quick-releases (16). Centered in form or frame
members.
_____ Wheel Bearings (17) in hubs - Well lubricated and properly adjusted to move freely with no more than barely perceptible play.
_____ Spokes (18) - None broken or bent. Tightened to a uniform tension.
_____ Tires - Good Tread (19). Valves (20) completely airtight. Properly inflated to recommended pressure.
_____ Rims (21) - Clean of all oil and grime. Free of dents or kinks.
_____ Chain (22) - Proper tension, allowing 1/2 inch of play. No stiff links. Clean, lubricated, and wiped of excess lubrication.
_____ Gearing (23) - Clean and oiled. Three-speed gears adjusted to eliminate all slipping. Front (42a) and Rear (24b) derailleurs
adjusted for proper shifting with Shifters (24c).
_____ Brakes (25)
Coaster - Even braking. Operate within a 20-degree back-pedaling
motion.
Hand - Even braking. All nuts tight. Front and rear brakes work without binding. Minimum of 3/16 inch of rubber on Brake Pads (26). Brake pads aligned with rims and contact rims with a minimum of movement of Hand Controls (27). No squeal when brakes are used.
_____ Cables (28) - No frayed ends. No broken strands. All taut.
_____ Handlebars (29) - Tightened securely. Grips (30) not worn; fit snugly. Adjusted to comfort of rider. Ends (31) plugged. In
line with wheel.
_____ Saddle (32) - Height, tilt, and fore/aft position adjusted to rider. All adjustments securely tightened. Seatpost (33) not extended
beyond maximum mark on post.
_____ Lights (34) - Front light visible for 500 feet. Generator or battery in good operating condition.
_____ Rear Red Reflectors/Lights (35) - Visible for 300 feet. Lights/Blinkers functional with generator or batteries.
_____
fasteners.
_____ Bike Registration (37) - If required by local law, must be displayed on frame.
Bike Ride Trip Logs
10 Mile Ride #1
Date: _______________ How long did it take you? _______________ How many riders were there? ____
Describe the route you took: ____________________________________________________________________________________
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Give a brief report of your ride, including any interesting things you saw: ________________________________________________
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Did you run into any problems along the way? __________ If so, explain the situation and how you dealt with it: ________________
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