Friday Night Lights

Racing at the Marymoor velodrome

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.

jim

Jim rides a bike a lot and hates people.

View Comments

  • @seemunkee

    @scaler911
    Is that a Petzl climbing helmet? You getting the little dude out on the rocks too?

    He loves climbing. As do I. Goes to the rock gym quite a bit in the winter, and we do some top-roping outdoors. I let him take a cam or two and a couple nuts and he places them a lot better than some of my climbing partners.

  • Cool post. I've had the family out to Marymoor a few times to watch the track races. Nice place.

    Seeing and/or riding with kids is huge fun and the future of our sport. Like a digital wallet with cascading pictures of your kids, I blabber about it constantly on my fluffy blog. My son, now 12 years old, has ridden with me for a few years now. He also races mountain bikes and cyclocross. It's been fantastic sharing the two wheeled time and watching him progress as a rider.

    Seeing my son and other kids get the riding/racing bug is awe inspiring and just a kick in ass. Pics of him in action and other bike fluff here: http://yoeddy.blogspot.com

    Picture below is a neighbor of ours, all of 7 years old, going for the gold - on a shoddy jump constructed in my front yard. This is where it all starts...

  • I've really enjoied the photos (and the comments) of this post,
    thank you.

  • A great article and something that I am greatful to be able to do here in the UK. There are lots of opportunities for my daughter to watch and learn about cycling here and it is great to my hear my daughter shouting out "Green go green go!" as the riders begin to slow. Having learned that Red traffic light means stop and Green means go she uses this when wanting to tell daddy to hurry the hell up and lay down some V.

    Here she is at 18 months testing out the first trike in the living room.

    You may well notice she has already discarded the bidon in a bid to reduce weight before cycling up the stairs. She pushed it up four before mum told me to stop her so we will have to call that an abandoned attempt for now.

  • Start 'em right and this is where it ends up, son and I about 6 years ago after doing a century ride

    Pleae ignore all the rules violations. I was young(er) and ignorant.

  • Found my youngest (6yrs) looking through one of my bike magazines last night before his bedtime. "Is that a time racing bike, daddy?" "Yep, it's a time trial bike" "that's what I said, daddy, can we do spot the difference between that and a bike like yours"

    They're not big enough for road bikes but they love cycling, it doesn't matter whether it's a big loop round a local reservoir, an afternoon at the BMX track or just belting up and down the garden.

  • While we're showing off our kids, here's my youngest son Bodhi out training a few years ago.

  • Ladies and Gentlemen - a study in the rules. Next time you consider any violation please reflect on this photo. A five year old (? guesstimate?) is taking you to school.

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