I'm a complete loser slacker...in the riding department

[royta]

Uh, it's been a while since I've done any serious riding. I've been busy camping with my family, teaching my boys how to fish and shoot, doin' a little farwood cuttin', blah, blah, blah.

I went out with my 7 & 4 (he'll be 5 in June) year old boys this afternoon to take them on their first ride in the dirt.


































They both had a blast, and I don't recall any complaining on the entire ride. We parked at the West parking lot at Santa Rosa Plateau, and did the western side 3.25 mile loop.

[mytrustysteed]

As a father of two that was truly inspiring Those kids will be stoked on riding (and those pictures) for a long time! Thanks for sharing.

Nice S.O.D. avatar too by the way.

[PHAT TIRE]

Dude your title is that you are a loser. I totally disagree. Anyone who can share biking with his kids and spend time with them is a hero. I am impressed and I can't wait until my little girl can get out a do things like riding bikes. Congrats. I have been a slacker too since she came along but it's a good thing. Cheers.

[Waldo]

Feel-good post of the year

Looks like your older boy is getting due for a bigger bike though. Better keep your Flux locked up!

[Chaos]

nice post dude!
good to see you still around.

[scorns]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

Dude your title is that you are a loser. I totally disagree. Anyone who can share biking with his kids and spend time with them is a hero. I am impressed and I can't wait until my little girl can get out a do things like riding bikes. Congrats. I have been a slacker too since she came along but it's a good thing. Cheers.

I could not agree more I have a 3 year old daughter and I have a son due on the 8th of next month and I can't wait to take them out riding.

[Schecky]

Great post! Looks like the ideal beginner ride spot.

[Krunk]

nice Avatar...To bad it was just a project band.

[SAR_boats]

That's awesome, dood. Glad to see you are getting the youngins hooked

[Kid A]

sweeeeeeeeet!. just started to take my little guy in trailer. cannot wait to ride with him. must be so cool. good stuff and thanks for sharing. takes alot more to get those midgie tires to cover same ground. they look like rippers in the making!

[gurp13]

I can't believe they did 3.25 miles on singlespeeds! Awesome! I can't wait 'til my little ones will go riding. The older girls get all bunched up if they get too tired or hot or hungry or dirty or achy or smelly or cold or whatever! Hopefully my younger two are made of sterner stuff. They sure like riding in the trailer.

[allison]

The lil'un needs bigger wheels, man!! He looked like he was trying too hard to keep up with big bro

[Keith B]

Yikes - the Trek bike only has a rear brake!!! Hardcore!

[royta]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Looks like your older boy is getting due for a bigger bike though.

I'm still not sure what his next bike will be. I like the idea of a 20" geared bike, but maybe he'll want to go BMX style instead. We'll see in a year.

Originally Posted by Kid A

takes alot more to get those midgie tires to cover same ground.

Yeah, the red Specialized only has 12.5" tires. His legs can spin like crazy. It also has a real short wheelbase. He took a few diggers when he hit the sandy areas. I told him his new scrapes on his knee were cool, and made him look like a tough mountain biker.

Originally Posted by gurp13

I can't believe they did 3.25 miles on singlespeeds!

Those are first timer bikes though, with a small chain ring and a large, uh, rear gear. I can't call it a freewheel, because it's not one. Anyway, BMX gearing would be brutal for a kid. I don't want to take away from the fact that they did over 3 miles of dirt riding. I was really proud.

Originally Posted by allison

The lil'un needs bigger wheels, man!! He looked like he was trying too hard to keep up with big bro

He was way in the back, with me. The older one was way out in front, aways in sight though. There are a few short stretches between corners, so I had to make sure he wasn't going around the corners without us.

Originally Posted by Keith B

Yikes - the Trek bike only has a rear brake!!! Hardcore!

Taking them on the trail was the perfect oppurtunity for me to explain the importance of keeping their feet on the pedals. I gave a big long drawn out explanation that feet on the pedals = braking and feet off the pedals = no braking = crashing.

[Red Ryder]

We should all be losers like you, great post, what a cool ride in a great place with cool kids.

[carbonman]

Sweeeeet!!!! You must be stoked to be able to take your sons out on a ride with you. I have a 9 mo. old and he's been riding in the Burley for about 5 months. My wife thinks I'm crazy because I already bought him his first bike, 12" wheels with full suspension. I can't wait until he is tall enough to reach the pedals. He is already checking it out . Great post, Thanks

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by royta

I'm still not sure what his next bike will be. I like the idea of a 20" geared bike, but maybe he'll want to go BMX style instead. We'll see in a year.

Kid Bikes for sale

Still available.

[PacMan]

Too cool dude!! As a father of three, I love seeing stuff like that. SRP is a good trail to take them out on.

Just be sure the presents all the equestrians leave behind don't swallow them up. You mentioned 12.5" wheels, I think I've seen the road apples out there that high

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by allison

The lil'un needs bigger wheels, man!! He looked like he was trying too hard to keep up with big bro

I hope your not suggesting he put 29" on . Real nice post. I get so caught up on riding big epic rides which are fun so don't get me wrong. But one of the most fun I had was taking my 13 year old niece and 11 year old nephew on a bike outing. One of the best RR I've read. Props to you bro.

[OMR]

Suggestion: Be very careful where you take them for rides here in SoCal & stay very close by. You never know what's lying in the bushes just beyond sight. Mountain lions love to chase after small things. I never thought about things like this until Mark & then Ann's run-in with a lion several years back. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) we live in an area that has wild animals that can hurt and even kill.

I've never forgotten the newspaper clipping showing the picture of the family taken at Casper's Park with a mountain lion in the background shadows. It was taken several weeks before the attack on a young girl.

OK, now that I've depressed everyone... go have fun in the backcountry. Just be very aware, bad things can happen very quickly.

OMR