Passing on the Love

Karl and I love to bike.

In my book

biking = freedom.

So, naturally, we want to share that love with our kids.

I think so far we have been pretty successful.

I want to share our story with you:

Before making any other baby-related purchase,

we found a great deal on a single Chariot

and could not pass it up.

It's the best way to take your kid with you,

whether it is running, biking, or skiing.

Just before Noah turned 3,

he started using his balance bike.

We bought a wooden Skuut but that kid

got so crazy on this bike that it broke in half.

We screwed and glued it back together but it was not the same.

A couple of months before Noah's 4th birthday,

Karl got this tiny bike (12 1/2 inch) for $5.

So he took Noah around the block on it and - voila-

Noah was pedaling away on his own.

He was ready for his first race...

Max came along and although Noah was pretty

proficient on his bike,

he could not quite keep up at all times.

So we bought a double Chariot.

Noah would ride his bike and when he got tired,

we threw the bike in the back and he jumped into the trailer.

Then Karl found a 16-inch bike in the dumpster,

but it was too big and so we traded his brother for this 14-inch.

We are thinking Noah was about 4 1/2.

I always wanted a bike seat.

I know they are not as safe as a trailer

but they just seem more fun!

I think this was $20 on Craigslist.

When I did not want Max to fall asleep,

I would put him in the seat.

I was still pulling the trailer most of the time

to carry all our stuff.

We got balance bike #2.

Max started riding it much earlier than Noah.

Right after his 2nd birthday.

He's very good on it and has quite the bike-handling skills.

Shortly after Noah's 5th birthday,

some friends gave us their 16-inch bike

and this time Noah was ready.

And he got even speedier.

Karl and I had talked about a trail-a-bike a lot

but were never quite sure about it.

But we finally found the right one for the right price

($40 on Craigslist)

and it has been great!

Max was skeptical at first because it's rather unstable.

But, like always, it just took some patience on our part

and now he loves it!

So do I!

I call him my 'rear-motor' and we just cruise along.

So fun!

For Noah's 6th birthday, we splurged.

(Thanks to grandparents.)

We bought him a brand-new 20-inch bike.

He was ready for a better and bigger bike and

nothing will hold him back now!

I just love to see their progress and how much joy it brings them!

I am not writing this post to brag about my kids or our gear.

It's just what we love to do!

But it's not just recreation.

It is also a way of living.

We commute by bike whenever possible.

Karl to NAU.

Noah to elementary school.

Max to preschool.

Sarah to the pool and gym.

All to everything else within biking distance.

And 'biking distance' keeps increasing.

Yay!

PS: So. If you have any bike-related questions, feel free to ask. I am no expert but I do have some experience and a very bike-savvy husband. Having a bike mechanic in the family definitely helps!