Cycling Merit Badge
Troop 283,
Do you have what it takes to earn the cycling Merit Badge:
If you have what it takes please join us. Not only will you complete the merit badge but you’ll get a chance to do and learn some other things:
If interested please contact Kevin McCarthy kevin.mccarthy@chrobinson.com home 763-476-6742 or cell 612-325-0861 by 9/14. Plan on attending our 9/14 troop meeting where we will decide on dates and times for our rides.
Note all rides will be done mainly on roads. While safe cycling will be taught cycling is an inherently dangerous sport. Parents are welcome as long as they can maintain at least a 13-14 MPH pace on hilly terrain.
Cycling 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 or 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 brakes 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 safely ride 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 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 eight hours.
Do you have what it takes to earn the cycling Merit Badge:
- Do you like to bike?
- Do you want to get an optional Eagle Required Merit Badge (Swimming, Hiking or Cycling)?
- Do you want to have a little fun?
- Are you at least 13 years old (exceptions have been made in the past for avid cyclist that are fit)? Age is not a requirement for the merit badge but experience has shown this merit badge is best for those boys that are a little older.
If you have what it takes please join us. Not only will you complete the merit badge but you’ll get a chance to do and learn some other things:
- Ride in a pace line.
- Try a bike with clipless pedals (assuming you have the right size feet).
- Ride a tandem.
- Have the option of riding either a metric (62.5 miles) or true century ride.
- Learn basic group riding edict.
- Learn basic bike maintenance.
- Learn how to change a tire.
- Learn about hydration and nutrition for endurance sports.
- Visit the best drive in in the twin cities Delano’s own The Peppermint Twist http://www.thepepperminttwist.com/
- Most rides have a specific destination that includes a point of interest.
- New this year at least one city ride into Minneapolis.
If interested please contact Kevin McCarthy kevin.mccarthy@chrobinson.com home 763-476-6742 or cell 612-325-0861 by 9/14. Plan on attending our 9/14 troop meeting where we will decide on dates and times for our rides.
Note all rides will be done mainly on roads. While safe cycling will be taught cycling is an inherently dangerous sport. Parents are welcome as long as they can maintain at least a 13-14 MPH pace on hilly terrain.
Cycling 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 or 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 brakes 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 safely ride 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 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 eight hours.
