The Joys Of Being a Kid

[foofighter]

As we get old we often forget to enjoy the simple things like when we were kids. The absolute joy of accomplishing something like riding your bike for the first time made me realize how much we take things for granted.

My daughter is 7.5 years old and has not been very confident on her bike so she’s been riding her bike with training wheels for a while. Part of that was due to her daddy being busy with "adult things". So I promised her that we would learn to ride her bike sans the training wheels. All day long my wife told me how excited she was to for me to come home from work so she can start learning. After a moment of apprehension we proceeded to take off the training wheels and off we went. I was really surprised at how quick she learned. Within a half hour she was getting the hang of it, making somewhat smooth left and right turns as well as stopping. But the important thing was she was gaining her confidence that if you put your mind to it you CAN do it. I was happy to capture this moment on video and wanted to share it my STR family.

[surlygal]

Duan - How exciting this is for both of you! Before you know it, she'll be riding right along with you.

Congrats! Thanks for sharing!

[foofighter]

Thanks! I've told her that when she gets confident on her bike she can ride with her daddy in the dirt so that motivated her. I must admit, seeing Neil and Maddy out there in the dirt really touched me and made me feel like a heel for not setting the time aside to teach my daughter. Now once she's accomplished i have a 4 year old i need to train

[surlygal]

We'll have to make a bike date, and all ride together

[foofighter]

haha for sure!

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by foofighter

As we get old we often forget to enjoy the simple things like when we were kids. The absolute joy of accomplishing something like riding your bike for the first time made me realize how much we take things for granted.

My daughter is 7.5 years old and has not been very confident on her bike so she’s been riding her bike with training wheels for a while. Part of that was due to her daddy being busy with "adult things". So I promised her that we would learn to ride her bike sans the training wheels. All day long my wife told me how excited she was to for me to come home from work so she can start learning. After a moment of apprehension we proceeded to take off the training wheels and off we went. I was really surprised at how quick she learned. Within a half hour she was getting the hang of it, making somewhat smooth left and right turns as well as stopping. But the important thing was she was gaining her confidence that if you put your mind to it you CAN do it. I was happy to capture this moment on video and wanted to share it my STR family.

She can turn that bike great!!

Now get her out in the dirt

[schleppp]

She already looks faster than me!! Better handling skills too!!! Must be the bike!!!

Congrats, I can't wait for my Son's first success on a bike.

[g-dub]

My 5 year old is watching this with me. Her training wheels were taken off last month, and she liked seeing how it's done. Thanks Haley, now slow down...

[Liquid55]

Great video, you sounded just as nervous as i did with my daughter. Wish i would've video tape my daughters first ride..... she 9 now don't think it would be the same now. But my son is 2 and i love watching him do everything, i'll just have to remember to get the camera out 4-5 years.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by surlygal

We'll have to make a bike date, and all ride together

We wont be long behind you. Hopefully, next year the training wheels come off.

Congrats Duan! You could hear the proud father in your voice.

[foofighter]

you know i wished i had got it on tape but when i asked her to turn she was shifting her hips and had really good body english...but the bike wasnt turning LOL i guess in time but it was cute i would tell her to turn left and she would try to twist her hips to turn the bike

[surlygal]

Originally Posted by foofighter

Now once she's accomplished i have a 4 year old i need to train

Take the 4 yr olds pedals off and let him push his bike around. Before you know it he'll be riding too. That's what we did, Maddie didn't feel confident with training wheels, the tiping thing made her uncomfortable riding her bike at all. She wanted nothing to do with it. A friend gave us the pedal hint and the very same day she was riding her little heart out.

[foofighter]

wow that's a great idea. I may just have to try that out.

[g-dub]

Single Speed 16ers rule!

[bluzrider]

that's great!!!..congrats.

[MOSH1DH]

congrats. who had the bigger smile?

[mtb_prodigy]

Originally Posted by surlygal

Take the 4 yr olds pedals off and let him push his bike around. Before you know it he'll be riding too. That's what we did, Maddie didn't feel confident with training wheels, the tiping thing made her uncomfortable riding her bike at all. She wanted nothing to do with it. A friend gave us the pedal hint and the very same day she was riding her little heart out.

I also did this and taught my nephew who is 5 years old to ride in an hour. Except i didnt take the pedal off i just told him to not put his feet on the perdals. Then he learned pushing off, pedaling, stopping turning. I was proud of him and myself.

[cbHarping]

AWESOME! Thanks for sharing that. She's getting her cornering dialed in already.

She'll be ready for racing in no time - Dad's already having to tell her to slow it down!

[foofighter]

LOL thanks guys yes Dad is always the worry wort but tonight she rode again and without any help from me she's able to start from a dead stop and her bike handling is a lot more assured now...with occasional bobbles because she gets distracted by something. Other than that she'll be bombing soon with me in tow

[bighit8]

That is by far the best vid I have seen in some time. My 8yr old boy did the downhill on the fully loop by the dam. I was scared shit@#$% but he made it. Now my 4 yr old is learning to ride, what a treasure! Beautiful child you have