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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@drdeath
Hey Doc - any comment from your shed in the wilderness??
@Dr C
Right on.
Great to hear racing for kids is alive and well where you are as well.
It seems to be a bit different here in Aus. We still have heaps of fantastic kids racing locally both on road, mountain biking and cyclo cross. It just seems a little less structured somehow.
I shouldn't cast aspersions on it though as it seems that the talent has no difficulty getting into the big leagues.
Got the kid her first "legit" bike (i.e., 20" wheels, training wheels not even an option) back in the Spring. Was so much fun watching her zip in and around the islands of the church parking lot across the street - and then teaching her to raise her inside pedal when cornering (so many close calls on pedal strikes). Finally getting her first wreck out of the way too - not something you want to happen but just knowing the inevitability of it and wanting it to be not too bad. Now she's convinced that she's faster than her mother and me.
Going to gauge her interest in doing some Lil Belgians races during CX season though I don't envy her if she has to lift that beast over any barriers (nor do I really envy myself. Not sure I want to expose her to daddy getting waxed in his race week in and out).
@brian
isn't it just a whole new level of feeling shit about yourself, when you put your beautiful little daughter, who seems only recently to have learnt to walk, on a bike - driven yourself mad trying to get her to go fast enough for you to be able to let go before your bottom vertebrae collapse, and then watch her face plant on the street.....
Frig me, that reminds me of the time I tied a rope to the front post of my then 5 yr old son's scooter, to help pull him up our steep driveway - then as he hit mach 2 going back down the hill I couldn't keep up and the rope, which I had safely wrapped around my wrist, went taught, resulting in my first born face planting the cobbles too
Jesus I'm a bad father
@Dr C
She got her 2-wheel shit together on her first bike (16" wheels, I think, anyway the smallest size that had pedals). What was tough was getting her to realize that she could do it - that she was more than capable. But yeah, that screaming lower back pain. The thing now is the confidence doesn't match the handling. She's screaming along on those big wheels leaning into corners and tempting that fates on Rule #64. It's terrifying and exhilarating to watch ("stop looking at me, watch where you're going!")
@brian
such an intrinsic feature of humanity, that history will always repeat itself....
chapeau for watching, I just scream now and look away
@scaler911
Is that a Petzl climbing helmet? You getting the little dude out on the rocks too?
@seemunkee
full combat fatigues too - he's already grade three Special Forces training for the SEALS
@Dr C
I recommend a track bike. Probably get an even trade, yes?