1. Cycling Objectives – By the end of the course, students will:

a. Understand and demonstrate mastery of basic bike anatomy. Differentiate between mountain and road bikes components.

b. Demonstrate the ability to maintain balance and control of a standard road and mountain bike.  Demonstrate riding around corners, in a group, on trails or unstable ground, uphill, downhill, and over obstacles.

c. Demonstrate the ability to perform simple maintenance skills such as change a flat tire, put a chain back on, clean the chain, fix a broken chain, and adjust brakes/seats/handlebars/derailleurs.

d. Actively participate in the learning process through peer coaching and feedback.

e. Understand and demonstrate safety skills at all times. Demonstrate PMCS skills (before and after riding), proper riding skills in traffic, traffic hand signals, riding in a group, riding in pairs and equipment required at dusk or dawn.

f. Apply all learned cycling principles to outside-of-class riding.

g. Develop an appreciation of cycling as a lifetime recreational and fitness activity.

2. Administration

a. Scope and Pre-requisites: Introduction to Cycling is presented with the notion that all students have ridden a bicycle but have limited personal cycling experience as a teenager or adult. Team Army cyclists, triathletes, mountain biker’s or individuals with previous advanced experience are not authorized to take this course.

 b. Uniform: Uniform for class is gym alpha, camelbak hydration system, riding gloves (provided), and appropriate additional riding gear as necessary based on the conditions and in accordance with USCC Cadet Uniform Policy. Cycling shoes, riding undershorts, and sunglasses are encouraged to be used in this course.

c. Equipment: All riders will wear a filled camelbak  as well as riding gloves during class.  Cadets may use a personally owned bike in place of an issued DPE bike.  Arrangements for storage of personally owned bikes must be made with your chain of command.  Cadets will NOT store personally owned bikes in the DPE bike room. 

 d. Class location:  Arvin Gym Bike Room, 1^st Floor, West Wing.  We will plan on incorporating lectures into daily rides around the West Point campus.  Written exams will take place in the DPE Multi-purpose room, 3^rd Floor of Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center in the DPE Office Suite. 

f. Additional Instruction (AI): All instructors will be available by request.  The most convenient time for AI is immediately before class since all equipment is readily available.

g. Attendance and Make-ups:  Attendance is mandatory.  Unless you are on a valid medical excusal or a member of an official USMA academic or athletic trip section, your attendance will be expected.  Cadets missing more than 2 classes through unexcused absences will be automatically dropped.  If you think this will be an issue speak with an instructor on the first day of class.  Excused absences must be coordinated with the instructor NLT 1 week prior to the known date of absence.

h. Inclement Weather Plans: On any given day when inclement weather may affect the planned class activity, always report first to the bike room.  Check Blackboard for additional announcements of class time/locations.

i. Class Period: 1505-1600.  All class periods are scheduled for 55 minutes.  After 1505 hrs, if you are not present you will be counted absent.  All cadets are highly encouraged to get to class 5 minutes prior class start time to PMCS their bike and perform any maintenance and allow 5 minutes after class for the same purpose.  We will start the daily ride on time every day.  If you are late, do not try and catch up with the class.  In this case, you will miss the ride and the class. 

j. Safety: Safety in cycling is one of our primary concerns. All riders must have a safety partner with whom they must check with before, during, and after every ride. All cadets must take personal interest in the rules of the road and practice those rules at all times. The following are the baseline rules for riding during this class and in the West Point area.

1) Wear brightly colored clothing or reflective belt when riding

2) Always PMCS your bike

3) Never ride a bike without proper tire inflation,, serviceable and functional brake pads, and properly adjusted handlebar and seat.

4) Always wear a helmet with strap buckled.

5) Always ride in the street on the right side traveling with traffic.

6) Never make a turn without personally looking to clear traffic. You are your own eyes and ears! Always assume cars do not see you and proceed with caution through intersections.

7) Completely stop at all stop signs. No rolling stops.

8) Maintain control and never swerve to the left to make adjustments to your bike while moving.  Come to a gradual halt, move clear of the road-side, and make an assessment of any problems.

9) CARS WILL ALWAYS WIN!! MAINTAIN YOUR SENSE OF AWARENESS, DON’T FIGHT WITH TRAFFIC.  ENJOY THE RIDE!!!!!!!!!!

k.  Riding Outside of Class:  Since you are signing for a bicycle and equipment in this course, you will be given the opportunity for additional use of this equipment outside of class time, provided you adhere to all of the criteria below:

                1.  Cadets currently enrolled in PE418 must sign out their bike/equipment from the DPE Bike Room from Mr. Suby or CPT Wilson only.

                2.  Cadets must provide their own source of environmentally friendly security for the bicycle/equipment when it is away from the DPE Bike Room (IE.  Outdoor storage, exposed to the elements does not cut it.  This will rust the bikes components and render it unsafe).

                3.  Cadets must not lend their DPE bicycle and/or equipment to other cadets at any time.

                4.  Cadets must ride only in areas and on terrain that we have already covered within the coursework.

                5.  Cadets must ride with all safety equipment required for DPE classes and adhere to NY State and West Point bicycle safety standards.

                6.  Unless otherwise coordinated through course directors, Cadets must return the bicycle and/or equipment by the next scheduled class time or sooner in order to give time for maintenance.

                7.  Any damages to equipment beyond routine maintenance that is incurred outside of class time are the responsibility of the Cadet.