Biking Milestone

Ed and I used to bike most of where we went. I think Ed would fill the car up with gas about once a month. But then we had children, and biking everywhere was no longer practical. So we became part of the two-car driving world, ferrying children from place to place.

But last week, I do believe we crossed a big milestone. Ed needed to do some work, so I decided to take the kids on a little trip with me. I tossed some library books that needed to be returned into my backpack, instructed Connor that he was my sweeper and told Helen her job was to keep her bicycle between mine and Connor's.

Both children rode brilliantly. We maneuvered through neighborhood streets with hills, turned onto a pretty busy road with a bike lane, carefully crossed our bikes when we arrived at a crosswalk at the library, and then successfully locked them up - despite the piles of snow blocking the bike racks.

We exchanged our books and then headed another half mile to Connor and Helen's favorite restaurant. For this part of the trip, I did take them on some very wide sidewalks, thinking the road we'd have to travel on was a bit much for Helen.

After dinner, we made it home without incident.

I felt like such a huge milestone had been reached, and Helen's confidence on her bike just soared. She wanted to tool around in a courtyard, but I was worried that the sun would set quickly, and we didn't have the proper lights on our bikes. It had been such a great trip, that I was worried it would get marred at the end by me freaking out because of the lack of light.

I am really looking forward to this summer.

Elaine

Bike-or-Treat

This past Halloween, Connor and Helen - along with a friend of theirs - took part in our first family Bike-or-Treat. The ride was sponsored by KidicalMass. I forgot that costumes were allowed, so when we arrived, I tried to make up names for our complete normal clothes. I think we decided that we were undercover agents.

No matter - there were a few stops along the route where other riders who had ridden ahead were posted and ran through the bike train with treats. This was perhaps the best use of Helen's basket ever.

We're hoping to catch more of these rides when the weather warms up again. It will warm up again, right?

Elaine

Lucky Streak

Connor has been on such a lucky streak that today, when we rolled up to school and there was a raffle for everyone who biked to school (it's Bike to School Day), I think Connor wondered why everyone else was even bothering to enter. Not really - but he was excited at the thought of winning another prize. Should provide for some entertainment at school today.


Elaine

Helen Rides!

I've thought for a while that Helen could probably ride her bike without training wheels - but she had no interest in performing such a feat. But a couple of weeks ago - BAM! off went the training wheels and though she certainly doesn't have the necessary confidence yet, she's getting pretty good at riding in a straight line. Although I claim credit for Connor learning to ride a bike, Ed did most of the running alongside Helen. She still prefers the trail-a-bike for long trips, but hopefully by the end of summer she'll be able to power herself to the ice cream store!

Connor would like everyone to know that he can still ride his bike as well.

Elaine

The Aunt Linda Series

I don't know if I mentioned how cool your nephew was lately, but I do believe you'll agree he's awesome.

Elaine