Took my 2-yr-old son to the last of the Marymoor Velodrome summer series races tonight. He rode his tricycle up to watch from the top of high-bank turn and sat there, transfixed. It was a perfect late summer evening– dry and warm, with a lingering sunset. The Cat 1&2 races were fast and precise, and the two-wheeled machines looked perfect in the purity of the track form.
As we left, I asked my son if he had fun. He responded, redirecting the conversation as only a toddler can…
ME: “Did you like the races and the fast bikes?”
SON: “You ride your bike fast!”
ME: “That’s right, sometimes I ride fast too. I push hard on the pedals and go fast.”
SON: “Push on the pedals and go FAST! Push on the pedals and go FAST! ”
I believe my work here is done. The kid is going to be fine.
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Jimmy, Grahamcracker has already figured out what it took Faboo a lifetime to work out: Put it in a gear less, and go steady up with more speed. Aswesomeness. Now just make sure you have regular Rule 5 talks so that gets ingrained and becomes second-nature, and you'll be all set.
I love the idea of exposing a kid to cycling at such an early age. The ultimate in La Vie Velominatus; start young and don't stop until you take your dirt nap. A few years back, we were in San Sebastian and this little girl was riding lap after lap after lap around this enormous fountain while her dad watched. She was really booking and was so obviously in love with the feeling of being on a bike and going fast. So cool.
I've also got a picture somewhere of the neighbor kid's scoot parked at a tree with his helmet stored in perfect Rule 74 goodness. To be fair, I taught him how to do it, but what was so cool about it is that I had taught him a while ago and he was doing on his own at this point.
No such thing as starting too young. I'll try to find the picture of it.
Here's the little scoot with the helmet. The helmet is dangerously close to being a violation for having an almost-visor, but he gets off on account of being about 2 years old and Giro doesn't really make any Rule-compliant helmets for kids. The pink flames are pretty damn sweet, though.
@frank
frank mixing up rules didnt you meant rule 76 instead of rule 74 ?
@Godsight
That's embarracing. Indeed.
Lest delete those two post and say we saw nothing alright ?
ahahah!
We had less than 100 riders for our downtown crit but over 200 kids for the kids race. I hope that is a sign of things to come.
@frank
Looks like he's Rule 74 compliant too, so no harm done.
It's cool to see kids get into the sport. But I'll leave it to the breaders to take care of it. Nice pictures Frank.
Track cycling rules! But I couldn't find any article in your archive about it.