I remember my first bike, it was blue with a tiny bit of sparkles. It had a big white seat and a plastic basket with colored daisy flowers on it. It was a Christmas gift the year that I was 5. I have beautiful memories of my Father taking me out to the cul-d-sac in front of my home and running beside me as I learned to peddle. It didn’t take me long and I was off.
When I was 11 years old. My grandmother and I took a cross country trip that took us to my great Aunts house. My little cousin was there. She wanted to learn to ride her bike, so the two of us spent hours on the street in front of their house practicing. She probably would have learned a little faster but I was insistent on running beside her, just like my father had done for me. I am pretty certain we avoided any skinned knees and concussions. Her parents were a little put off when they found out that I had successfully taught their daughter to ride a bike. Now that I am a parent, I can completely understand their reasoning.
Fast forward 20+ years. My son was eager to learn to ride his bike without training wheels. With my fond memories of my father and my cousin Ashley swirling in my head, he and I headed out to the sidewalk. He had his helmet on and was ready to go. So ready, that it literally only took him one time of me running next to him and he was up and balancing all on his own.
I was a little sad. I remember watching him take off and thinking, “That was just too easy. Where is my moment?”
Now, here we are almost 4 years later. My little girl lost one of her training wheels last summer. She has been riding her “Shaky Shaky” [scooter] since the fall. It was finally warm today and she asked me to help teach her to ride her bike. My husband pumped up the tires and I led her to the sidewalk. I ran and she peddled. We went back and forth few times but she just wasn’t getting it. She finally looked at me and said, “I want Daddy to help.”
About 10 minutes later, my husband came running into the house, yelling at me to come.
I guess I can hold out hope on the little man. Maybe he will be my crowning glory of bicycle teaching. Maybe I will finally get that magic moment.
Look at her go! She is doing great. Before you know it, you’ll be teaching how to drive a car. But we won’t think about that. 🙂
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What a moment! She looks so proud!
Yay! I remember learning how to ride my bike for the first time. I was actually at a friend’s house and, while my parents had helped teach me before, they weren’t there so neither of them got to experience the joy of me doing it on my own for the first time! Oops!
Ah, the freedom of a bicycle. You’ve got lucky kids.
Love this! I remember my sister teaching me to ride my bike. My kids are still not quite there yet, but it will be fun!