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flydhest
04-03-2018, 10:44 PM
I am like most parents, I love my kids and love them for who they are even though they are different. My 7-year-old daughter is a natural athlete. When I see her run, it reminds me why I was a competitive runner for much of my life. She started riding a bike (never training wheels) at 3. We are peas in a pod.

I love my son. He shares her gene pool. He had the same balance bike as his sister. He was tepid. Whenever he wanted to ride, I would go with him. When he didn’t, we read books or did other things. I wanted him to love cycling—but on his own terms. How much would I regret it if he hated cycling because he was forced to do it? If he didn’t love cycling , well, his mother didn’t like cycling until years after we were together.

At some point he declared (as is his wont) that he was not going to ride a bike with pedals until he was seven. If you knew the kid, you would do what I did. Accept what he said at face value. He is a rare and fantastic spirit.

Yesterday, he declared he was going to ride a bike with pedals. He did. Today, the four of us rode together. Mom, dad, sister, brother. It was great. He was radiant. She was proud of her little brother.

Happy moments to all of you.

Louis
04-03-2018, 10:47 PM
Neat.

But how old is he?

flydhest
04-03-2018, 10:50 PM
Five.

Louis
04-03-2018, 10:54 PM
So he's well ahead of his schedule!

flydhest
04-03-2018, 10:57 PM
:) indeed. One of the benefits of being an “older” parent (my older child was born when I was 40) is that I have worked through many (but by no means all) of my own issues. I get to see them on their terms. Him riding st 5 and her riding at 3 are equally magical to me.

The fact that we all were riding together was pretty amazing.

Clean39T
04-03-2018, 11:32 PM
:) indeed. One of the benefits of being an “older” parent (my older child was born when I was 40) is that I have worked through many (but by no means all) of my own issues. I get to see them on their terms. Him riding st 5 and her riding at 3 are equally magical to me.

The fact that we all were riding together was pretty amazing.


I don’t have any kids, but I was one once - with scars that show in plenty of places - and I think you are doing the adulting and parenting thing right. Chapeau to you sir. Chapeau.

Hilltopperny
04-04-2018, 03:02 PM
Great story! I enjoy riding with the family and hope that my son enjoys riding when he gets old enough to do so!

GregL
04-04-2018, 03:26 PM
Where's that darned "Like" button? Very happy for you and your family!

Greg

zap
04-04-2018, 03:37 PM
Fly, great read.

Continue enjoying the moments with your family.

OtayBW
04-04-2018, 04:03 PM
What kind of pedals? :cool:

flydhest
04-05-2018, 10:36 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180406/d02e333c411c8abcc048fd23132fdaf2.jpg
No shame in getting dropped by your big sister ...

cmg
04-05-2018, 10:46 PM
excellent, so cool, time to sit back and watch.

cadence90
04-05-2018, 10:48 PM
No shame in getting dropped by your big sister ...
Fantastic. Great photo, too.
.

velomateo
04-06-2018, 09:52 AM
Great story. I have many positive memories of teaching and riding with my kids. They are grown now, so I'm looking forward to riding with grandchildren someday.

Enjoy them, they do grow up quickly.

merlinmurph
04-06-2018, 03:48 PM
Thanks for this story. I am the biggest sucker for any "kids on bikes" story out there. Sounds like you have a wonderful family.

Enjoy your ride with your kids,
Murph

flydhest
04-06-2018, 08:33 PM
I can’t resist. We are back home in NY and the boy couldn’t wait to ride more. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180407/14514c10bba5999997f66e48d61c62eb.jpg

moobikes
04-06-2018, 09:07 PM
Me and my 5 year old son can totally feel you and your son's joy. He just took his training wheels off and he's off like a champ.