Overview
A family memory is a unique type of memory unto itself. Celebrations, milestones, and routines are what tie families together and play a large role in how children define family in the future.
The Biknic is a simple activity that combines working your bike, belly, and mind to build a lasting tradition.
Objectives
A. Physical: (1) Aerobic exercise resulting in burning off 500-1000 calories (depending on one’s rotundness); (2) Sampling of the Mediterranean Diet.
B. Mental: (1) Defining and understanding circumference. Specifically, its relation to linear length, diameter, and pi; (2) Calculating distance in units of wheel rotation & solving how many times you will pedal on this trip..
C. Familial: (1) Developing a routine around family exercise; (2) Bonding via food, new experiences, biking culture, making fun of passersby, and academic discussion.
Preparation
A. The Machine: helmet (pedestrians and sand make it fall prone), carrying device (bike basket or backpack), lightweight fleece, charged cell phone (GPS and tunes are quit valuable), bike lights.
B. The Body: water, coffee (provides a needed second wind), sunscreen, whole wheat pita, hummus, nuts, goat cheese, proscuitto, cut veggies, utensils/wet wipes.
C. The Mind: pen, notebook, tape measure.
The Trail
A. The trail we biked was 28 miles round trip with about 95% on a flat, bike only lane. The other 5% connect carries you along an active street, but does have a marked bike lane. Being new to biking and shaped like a pear, I comfortably classify this as doable. The difficulty of this trail is simply the distance you choose to cover. Adjust as necessary.
B. We chose to start in Manhattan Beach and found free parking in on N. Valley & 15th Street (90266). A good place to start is with coffee at La Pain Quotidien where you can review the map and discuss the math concepts for the day:
1. Definitions:
- Circumference = the distance around the outside of the wheel or circle.
- Diameter = the distance from the top to the bottom of a circle (use the spokes of a bike to illustrate this point).
- Pie = a tasty treat that has a diameter.
- Pi = A special number that shows the relationship between diameter and circumference.
2. C=3.14 D
A circle’s circumference is equal to a little over 3 diameters. Measure the diameter of a bike wheel and then find the circumference. You will verify this later with a math experiment.
- C = 3.14 x Length of wheel’s diameter = ?
- For Example, C (26 in. wheel) = 3.14 x 26 in. = 81.64 inches or 6.8 feet.
Yes, I used a calculator. Don’t judge.
C. Proceed up the trail toward Santa Monica. You will initially pass some minor annoyances like pedestrians in the bike lane, chubby beachgoers wearing swimwear from 30 pounds ago, and packs of “Bros” being overly competitive on the volleyball courts. After the last tribal tattoo, you will hit a lonely stretch of road past a factory and planes flying overhead. This is the 4 mile marker. This is also a good benchmark to reevaluate whether it will be a 12 or 28 mile day.
D. You will hit Marina Del Rey at the 6 mile marker where the trail will turn inland and cross a bridge. For those families looking for an easier ride, this is a good point to stop and have lunch before turning back. There is an ice cream truck, restaurants, and coffee spots sprinkled about this area.
E. Exercising the mind. This a good point in the journey to prove the math with a measuring experiment. A good explanation & animation of this can be found on Wikipedia (search: circumference).
Do the following:
- Take the wheel used earlier in calculating circumference set it on fresh sand at the point where the air valve pokes out.
- Mark the sand here as the starting point.
- Roll the bike one full rotation and mark the point where the spoke touches the ground the again.
- Measure the length of this rotation. It should be pi, or a little over 3 times the diameter of the wheel.
- Say, “Pow! I just blew your mind [insert jazzhands] with mathmagic!” Explain that people often use math as a shortcut to work. That is, math is a lot like cheating.
F. For those families looking to go on, follow the trail and other bikers to Venice. The path wraps around some boat docks and cross Washington Blvd. Turn left. Follow the path to the coast whilst being wary of traffic.
G. You will run into Venice Beach and enter a newer, slower, pedestrian-congested trail. This is also a good spot to relax and enjoy the freak show that has made California famous. Stand in awe of the new Vegan Muscle Beach complete with hipsters playing acoustic guitars whilst walking tightropes (no joke), hippy chicks pretending to exercise with hula hoops, and Cirque du Soleil show offs.
H. Go further a couple more miles and you will reach your midway destination, Santa Monica Pier. You have (halfway) made it! Congrats.
This is a good spot to park the bike and walk the pier or promenade. Food, flicks, coffee shops, and people watching abound. Relax and replenish before the 14 mile return.
I. Math Lesson Extension. It is a good idea to kills some time extending the math lesson. This will prioritize academics in your family and help the brain absorb what was taught earlier..
Review then use the following to calculate how many wheel spins make your mile bike trip:
- Number of miles in feet = _____miles x 5280 ft.
- Divide the answer by the circumference of your bike tire.
- This is the number of wheel rotations you accomplished!
For example (if your have 26 inch wheels and rode 28 miles):
28 miles x 5280 feet = 147,840 feet traveled
147,840 divided by 6.8 feet (wheel circumference)
= 21, 741 wheel rotations.
J. Enjoy. Keep in mind that this is not about frustrating the family with math or over exercising. Cut away what makes you feel uncomfortable. Add more miles and math in later visits.
