|   My Daughter is officially a "Mountain Biker"... | 1prouddad
Aug 9, 2002 7:35 PM | | ... after one of her first night rides.
It was a beautiful evening, the batteries were charged, and I suggested that we try out her new helmet light. She had gotten the light for her birthday a couple of months ago, but we just never seemed to get the time..... daytime rides were the norm. The weather was warm about 75 degrees, there wasn't a cloud in the ski, and all the West Nile mosquitos were no where to be seen.
So out we headed on our usual daytime trail and no mishaps, just a nice ride with my "little girl". We finished one loop and stopped for a drink and discussed whether we would head for home or continue outbound. Well, my daughter is only 12, and there were a few things in the night that "freaked her out" just a bit. But like a trooper, she said "Let's go Dad!"
So off we went. The track was pretty narrow, and the grass was tall on both sides. Tree limbs and leaves hung down low in our eyes, and seemed to reach out for us in our helmet lights. On we went down to the creek and along the bank. You could hear the water rushing by as we pedalled through the darkness. I was in the lead giving some directions, and tips on the trail, tree roots and other obstacles. We came to some nice little drops and roots, and over she went like a real pro.
As I was going along, she was right behind me only 10 or 15 feet back. I came around one little turn, and there is a narrowing in the path, and there are two sapplings one on each side of the path near the creek bank, so as I went through, I yelled back to watch out for the trees and the narrow opening. Well, the next thing I hear is the bike hit the ground, then a thud, and a splash!!!
I said something like "Oh shoot" (maybe a little stronger) and stopped, dropped my bike and ran back. She was standing in the creek maybe 5' down. Her head was just below my feet. She was totally wet from head to toe! The tree had caught her handle bar, twisted the bike, she was thrown to the ground, and rolled off the bank and into the creek. I was very concerned for her, and immediately pulled her out and sat her down and asked how she was.
As the water was dripping from her under helmet, my light illuminating her face, she looked up and said "I'm ok Dad". No problems, after a couple of minutes to sit and survey things she got back on her bike and as she pedalled away, she said "Boy that was fun.... not that I want to do it again, but you know.... it was kinda fun!!!" She had just got her initiation!!!
As an old fart, who has gotten back into biking to try and stay healthy and in shape a bit, when you can do an activity with your son or daughter, and you see them come through a spill like this, you feel really proud. I am so proud of my gutsy "little girl".
Any of you who are fathers (or mothers for that matter) who go riding with friends, think about getting your kids involved. As they get older it will be harder and harder for you to get the time to do things together.
This is a night that I will never forget. The look in my daughter's eyes as she sat there.... I am so proud of her!
We even talked about the next night ride we would do over the weekend or early next week.
Get out with your kids and ride! There's no time like the present!! |
| Congrats... That sounded like a great ride..... | Battman42
Aug 9, 2002 7:44 PM | | My Daughter and I just finished our two week MTB trip to the Cascades... Watching her ride with my friends son, ripping it up all around the N.F. trails was really incredible.
It is nice having a kid for riding partner.
Tim |
| Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. nm | Chef
Aug 9, 2002 7:47 PM | | |
| Cool... | dadda
Aug 9, 2002 8:58 PM | | I have a slightly similar story: I just got my little 2 yr old girl her first bike with training wheels. She immediately wanted to hop on since she had been watching the tour with me. She stood there pointing to it saying "bike." After I helped her onto the seat, I sat back on the floor and before I could position my hands to help her remain seated, she let go of the handlebars and fell off the rear flat onto her back onto the living room floor! I immediately helped her sit up where she turned her lip, about to wail, but didn't...got herself composed and said with a wimper-like tone, "Uh-oh!" Then she got up, grabbed the bars and looked back with that "well help me back on" look. :) |
| This is absolutely awesome!! | Dave In Sharpsburg
Aug 10, 2002 5:09 AM | | As a father of an 8 year old girl I can honestly say that this post has made my Day!! my girl is already hounding me to go riding "where dad goes". I think it's almost time to ease her into some trail riding very soon. Thanks for a great post! |
| Okay, that does it. Any single moms on here? I want a daugher! | Cloxxki
Aug 10, 2002 5:15 AM | | Great for ya man, life can hardly be bad with a kid like that.
Cheers,
Cloxxki |
| And this is all tied up with... | Dragonfly
Aug 10, 2002 5:59 AM | | how she will deal with many things in her life. I'm sure you know this, but I just had to express that this is the feeling I got from this. She's not only discovering a fun new thing to do with Dad (which in itself is so very cool), but crashing and learning that you CAN survive and even get a kick out of it, will transfer over to difficult trying times in her life.
This is so very cool. For BOTH of you! Thanks for sharing.
I miss my Dad so much sometimes. |
| We went for a night ride a while back... | ironlegsracer
Aug 10, 2002 1:45 PM | | He's only six,was five at the time.For a kid who's afraid of the dark he was mainly concerned about bugs and spider webs,we had a blast.I'll post todays ride shots tomorrow.It was a short one,our buddy who's fifty crashed,we think broke his ribs.Bummer.... |
| You are right! | Sue
Aug 11, 2002 8:05 AM | | I ride mountain bikes with my son, Alex. He is 16 now, but has been riding with a local group since he was about 11. Our story has a little different twist on it. He is the one who inspires ME to get out there & do my best. I didn't do much mountain bike riding until last year when I started seeing a very generous man that gave me two mountain bikes. Since then, I have been able to enjoy many trails often! My son is one to try anything, and I mean ANYTHING! (He gets that "go get 'em" attitude from my boyfriend, Bob (a.k.a. Red-Haze)Alex, is also very encouraging to me when I am nevous about going over something. You can not believe how precious that time you spend with with your child is & how fast they grow up. I look forward to every time we are able to ride together. I am extremely proud of my son and very lucky to be able to have a common bond with him that will hopefully last a lifetime! Sue |
| Exactly...My son IS my BEST friend...This weekends post later nm | ironlegsracer
Aug 11, 2002 8:25 AM | | |
| Your Alex is blessed | Cloxxki
Aug 11, 2002 10:46 PM | | with such cool folks. Most 16 year-olds will not be seen with their parents, especially not their moms! Hah, you proud of your son? He must be at least as proud, who's got a mom riding anything else than a bike to get groceries?
Happy family riding! |
| Thanks | Sue
Aug 12, 2002 6:35 AM | | Thanks! I hope he is. No matter what he is stuck with me! I just hope I can get my girls interested too. THAT would be great! Maybe someday..............
Sue |
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