Bringing Out the Bikes

Emily really wanted to start riding her pedal bike.  On Monday the kids and I pulled out the bike that was given to us from a neighbor a year ago to evaluate its usability.  We discovered that the front tire wouldn’t stay inflated.  With some help from youtube and a few prayers I managed to remove the front tire, take out the inner tube, find the hole, GO TO THE BIKE STORE WITH THREE KIDS!!!!, patch the hole, put the tire back together, and install the tire back on the bike. We had a blast and I felt like a million bucks for figuring out how to use tire levers and see that whole undertaking through.

Emily took this picture of our progress.  She really wanted Nathan and Laura and the tools in the picture – I had to chuckle at my cut off head.

Thanks to the balance bike that Emily has been riding for a year, she hopped on the pedal bike and basically took off.  She moved the pedals out of the way to scoot herself along like she did the balance bike.  Once she picked up a bit of speed she put her feet on the pedals and started pedaling.  Three days later and she is zipping all over the neighborhood like a pro with her friends.  I was kind of dreading the whole two wheeler transition but it was completely painless and loads of fun to watch.

Nathan started riding his “car bike” this year.  We were given this little plastic wave runner about a year and a half ago and I almost threw it away so.  many. times.  I’m soooo glad I didn’t.  Nathan has been zipping all over on it and keeps up with the bigger kids.  He loves loves loves his car bike.  I was talking about buying a cargo bike this last week so I could bike with all three kids (working on a more economical set up) and Nathan thought I wanted to buy his car bike. He was rather distraught at the idea and grateful to be reassured of the mix up.

The other wonderful thing about the start of biking season is the intrinsic motivation to get ready for the day.  Emily got 100% ready on her own – helmet and shoes included – so that she could bike before heading to preschool.  With Emily already out the door Nathan was also super cooperative and quick to get dressed to join her.  I love watching the kids experience the joy of biking and the camaraderie and freedom that comes with it.

Turning back to tell me she had pedaled!