--- In bikepaths@yahoogroups.com, "Miguel" <kempoplayer@...> wrote:
> I'm not a regular bike rider. I am planning on taking a group of about
> 20 students (who are not regular bike riders either) on the arroyo seco
> bike trail* starting at pasadena and ending at the park by figueroa
> (Ernest Debs* regional park). I would like to know if it is a safe bike
> route, and if anyone can complete the ride. I appreciate your help.

It's safe provided there isn't flooding, in which case the access
gates will be locked. It's a very small grade (mostly flat), so yes,
even the least fit folks will make it. Make sure their tires are
well-inflated so they're not pushing against floppy rubbber.

Things I'd do, if bringing in a big group:

(1) Scope out the ride a day or two before you take your students. It
takes about 40 minutes round-trip, if that. Sometimes debris gets on
the trail and it's a bad ride, so you'll want to make sure it's clear.
It's worse in heavy rain, which obviously hasn't happened this year.
Designate a responsible pack leader to ride ahead, that everyone is
expected to stay behind and not pass. Designate a pair of responsible
pack followers (say, chaperones) to do the same.

(2) Scope out the entrances the morning of the ride to make sure
they're not chained up. If they are, cancel the ride and call the LA
bicycle coordinator to ask why.

(3) Bring an orange cone or something similar to place at the off-ramp
on the Debs Park side. The pavement turns to cobblestone after the
off-ramp and I've gone right past the ramp and wiped out on that
stone. You don't want one of your students doing that.
Alternatively, have the trail leader give a 1-minute warning to the
end of the trail (watch for the footbridge overhead) "and pass it
down" from rider to rider. The trail leader can then zip ahead and
park cross-wise across the gap to guide students up the exit ramp.

(4) In your pre-talk, tell everyone to give plenty of room. People
won't get lost if they get a bit ahead. It's far safer, with 20
people, to leave at last 2 seconds worth of space between each person
and the next. Ride single file, not two by two, unless they're used
to tandem riding. Give them a briefing on dealing with dogs, as
sometimes strays wander around (they've been harmless with me, but I
give them wide berth).

(5) Require helmets and water; recommend pads, sunglasses (for bugs
more than sun), sunscreen, and bike shorts (which prevent chafing);
bring at least one repair kit, one first aid kit, and a cell phone for
the whole group.

(6) Leave before dusk.

I rode this trail a lot when I first moved to the neighborhood. It's
generally smooth and interesting. I'd be glad to meet and advise you
if it's at a time when I can make it.