Sunday, July 6, 2008

Pardon Me While My Legs Fall Off

In our attempt to do family activities on the weekends, Hubbie and I bought child seats for the backs of our bikes. We have had a bit of a hard time getting our shit together and actually going on an excursion, but the intention has been there.

Today, however, we finally did it. We got both seats bolted onto the bikes, got the kids strapped in, their helmets on, and off we went. It was only a short ride. The kids shrieking wheeeee! The breeze in our faces.

I thought I was going to die.

I have not ridden a bike in years. Years.

Those who say It's just like riding a bike are full of shit.

It is perfectly possible to forget how to ride a bike. Or how to ride one gracefully. It's one thing to be all wobbly and fugly on your own. It is quite another thing to have your two year old strapped to a steel frame trusting you not to do a header into the nearest tree.

We survived. The kids had a blast. I thought my legs were going to fall off.

I can't wait to do it again.

11 comments:

Shelley Jaffe said...

OOooh, I remember this - so freakin' hard for the parent, such a great time for the kid. The squealing with glee coming from the back is pretty good incentive to keep pedalling.

It will get better - just stop feeding your kids so they don't get any heavier...

Anonymous said...

A bicycle with a child seat is on my listof acquisitions to make here in the new home. It's good fun, huh?

RiverPoet said...

I bought a bicycle last year and I have yet to dust it off for the season. Need to do that. And I know how hard it is to get your balance again after years of not riding. Kudos to you for being able to do that AND not dump the kid out!

Peace - D

Molly's Mom said...

Oooh, yeah. My husband just found out that it is even hard freakin' work to ride with the bike trailer and one lone child!

CPA Mom said...

man, I totally get it. We have seats for our kids on the back of our (little used) bikes too. And my 50+ lbs. 5 year old always wants to ride with me.

I'd rather go for a run anyday, except for those shrieks of joy from the kiddos.

Gypsy said...

Riding a bike is not easy. This is why I prefer swimming.

Not Afraid to Use It said...

@BvB: Ha! Neither of my kids has hit 30 lbs yet (that's 13.6 kg for you). If I quit feeding them, someone would probably call DFACS on me!

@CiHV: Yes! Spectacular fun! So get on it!

@Momma: So here is your chance! Dust it off and get Highlander to take some pics!

@Molly's Mom: Which is exactly why I haven't gotten the trailer. I can't barely pedal myself, much less 100 lbs behind me!

@CPA Mom: Yeah, those little shrieks def make it worthwhile.

@Gypsy: I much prefer swimming, too. Sadly, I can't swim with the kids, and the bikes are considered more of a novelty for the kids than an actual form of exercise. The calorie burning is merely coincidental.

Anonymous said...

I am rubbish at riding with kids on the back. My nephew, 3 at the time, kept on laughing at me and yelling 'aunty cant ride a bike!" as i struggled up a hill with him on the back. The more he screamed and laughed the worse I got as I started to laugh. Needless to say, I had to get off the bike and push, which made him more hysterical.

Kelly said...

That's a good mom right there! Risking life and limb to give her kids a memorable day 'o fun.

Mouthy Girl said...

OMG! I was just looking at one of those trailer bike things to attach to my bike so Buddha could ride without slowing me down. I KNOW I would crash...and those suckers cost a mint.

I'll live vicariously through your rides and crashes. You're a giver like that, right?

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

Sounds awesome, hon! Glad you had a great time!