Curriculum for Touring

Tony Le will teach the 2008 ACTC Touring Academy in August and September!

Do you want to experience the freedom of self-supported touring? Need some help getting started with the right equipment?

Looking for a supportive environment? Then join us for a couple of great weekend tours.

Format

We'll hold two meetings in August:

1. a lecture and demo,
2. lecture, problem solving, and a practice ride with equipment.

In September we’ll do two tours, an overnight at a hostel and a self-contained camping adventure. Sign up for one or both.

Schedule

Meetings

• 1st meeting: August 9, 9:00 am-1:00 pm, at Beacon School, 5670 Camden Avenue (just south of Blossom Hill)
• 2nd meeting: August 30, starting at 9:00 am at Beacon School, test-ride with lunch stop in Los Gatos

Tours

• First tour: September 6-7 to Monterey Hostel (starting points/routes/times to be determined)
• Second Tour: September 20-21 to New Brighton State Beach Campground (starting points/routes/times to be determined)

Administrative

Riders must be ACTC members at least 18 years of age for either of the tours. Previous Touring Academy participants are welcome! Students must register for at least one of the two tours and, of course, are encouraged to register for both tours. Limit: 10 students.

Fees

To register for the Touring Academy, send a check for $20 made out to ACTC (non-refundable after August 5) to Adele Newman, 100 W. El Camino Real, Apt 54, Mountain View, CA 94040-2654. Be sure to include:

• Your name
• Your mailing address
• Your email address (optional but encouraged)
• Your phone number(s)

The registration fee deadline is determined by lead time required for reservations at the hostel. The fee will be applied toward tour expenses that are estimated to be:

• $63 per person (hostel)
• $32 per person (camp-out).

Contacts:

If you are not an ACTC member, you can join by using the inside back page of any Black and Blue Bottom newsletter or by printing the membership form at this link: http://www.actc.org/clubinfo/actcapp.html. If you have additional questions after reading the remaining information (below), please contact:

   Tony for touring questions: tony@mulanlab.com or 408-286-9439
   Adele for administrative stuff: a.newman@sbcglobal.net or 650-969-4438

What you need for the first class

• Your touring bike—in good working order
• Cycling helmet
• Unpacked bags/panniers—only if you already have them—otherwise we recommend purchasing them AFTER the first class.
• Lunch or snack and water

FAQ

• Q: I would like to start touring, but the rides sound too challenging. Will there be easy options?
• A: We will try to be flexible based on the abilities of the students that sign up. If you have a particular concern, please contact us.


• Q: Will I need a new bicycle?
• A: Probably not. There are more options today than ever before to transform most bikes into semi-touring bikes.


• Q: Is there any equipment available that I can borrow?
• A: The club has four panniers and a front rack and there are some club members willing to rent their trailers.


• Q: Will we reschedule classes or tours in case of bad weather?
• A: The self-contained camping trip can be rescheduled but not the hostel. We discuss this further in class.