2007 almanac - League of American Bicyclists

7
LEAGUE
CYCLING
INSTRUCTOR
Jim Baross, LCI 185
San Diego, Calif.
How long.have.you.been.a.League.
Cycling.Instructor?
I began my formal bicycle teaching
through the League’s Effective Cycling
program in 1985 after I took an EC class
with my wife; thinking she’d learn while
I’d yawn through the classes
since I was SO experienced
— “what’s to learn?” But very
quickly I became impressed
with the comprehensive course
material and the “vehicular
cycling” approach to bicycling.
LAB’s more than 100 years of
bicyclists’ experiences should
impress anyone!
When did you.first.teach.
bicycling,.and.why?
Training to become an instructor
for the League in 1986
involved team teaching with two other instructors;
Laura Failla and Ed Reilly. Being
able to take on segments of instruction as
I was ready and also being able to observe
and learn from other instructors was a
great way to get comfortable with teaching
on my own.
What is a day.as.an.LCI.like?.
For me the process of preparing to
present a class is somewhat stressful; I’m
thinking, “What can I possibly teach these
people? Everyone knows how to bicycle.”
My desire to do a good job pushes me to
thoroughly prepare; do I have the paperwork,
the books, the bike parts, a course
worked out, etc. etc. Finally, clipboard in
hand, I’m ready; the students arrive. They
are eager, open to learning and — usually
— pleased and amazed at all there is
to learn about bicycling ... seeing when
someone first understands and acquires
a new skill is very satisfying to me as a
teacher. If I have changed their lives in a
good way, it’s a good day.
What skills are vital.for.a.League.
Cycling.Instructor.to.know?
Besides having a thorough understanding
of the mechanics of our sport — the
variety of bikes and their maintenance,
the various environments we ride in, the
adapting of body to machine — there is
the “dealing with people” part. It is important
for an LCI to have figured out how
to be a leader, a mentor, one who can earn
the respect of a group of people enough
that they will pay attention and trust that
they are being led safely.
What is the best part.of.being.
an.LCI?.
The best part of being an LCI is the
feedback I get from others; I have a valuable
skill and I am eager to share it. People
look up to me. That feels good.
What would you change.about.
being.an.LCI?
Being an LCI is fine. What I’d like to see
changed are the apparently widespread
conflicting perceptions that bicycling is
both a childish activity and too dangerous
for anyone. Most people who hear that
I teach bicycling ask, “What’s to teach?”
LEAGUE.CYCLING.INSTRUCTOR
They apparently learned how to balance
and ride, and think that’s all there is to
it — yet, they probably haven’t ridden a
bike in 20 years, are afraid to ride in traffic,
don’t have a clue about how or why to
shift gears, don’t use their front brake at
all for fear of flying over the handlebars,
have their seat set so low that they cannot
extend their legs to pedal, etc. etc. And
Way Too Many of them think that riding
AGAINST traffic is safer! Yikes! What’s to
learn indeed!!
What is your favorite.bike?
My favorite bike is likely to be the one I’m
riding at the time if I’ve chosen right.
Today I rode a three-wheeled (delta)
Worksman, ferrying stuff from the store
in its big basket. Yesterday I rode downtown
with a heavy commuter bike, a Specialized
Globe with fenders, chainguard,
lights, hub gears and upright riding position.
Last weekend on Sunday I rode with
my family on an old Dawes road touring
bike that I’m preparing for a self-contained
bike tour this summer. On Saturday
I rode a Cannondale road bike so I could
keep up with the fast group on a club ride.
Tomorrow...?
American Bicyclist 15