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.
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Great post Jim, thank you. I agree that he'll be just fine.
I regularly take my 2 year old son on rides. It is some of the best times we have together as father and son and I'm sure will be some of my fondest memories later in life.
When Sam first started talking well enough he could never just say bicycle, he had to always say "bicycle-ride-it". For every bike he saw, ours or another, whether being ridden or just sitting, he would always shout out "Daddy - Bicyclerideit!"
My first inclination was to correct him to just say bicycle or bike, but then realized that when he sees a bicycle, all he thinks is "ride it!", and why would I want to do anything to curb that impulse?
So he still says it, and now when I'm driving down the road and see bike I can't help but say to myself "Bicyclerideit".
The simple wisdom of kids never ceases to amaze me.
All there is to it. Bet your kid is gonna be a natural.
When I race, I go with my daughters. Before the race, they do not want to attend, but, at the end, they always enjoy the race.
Great stuff, Jim. Thanks for posting it.
Noice. That's a nice looking track. Tracks have a lovely family vibe, with 2 things that a lot of other cycling lacks - down time between races and proximity.
Nice one. You are lucky to have a cool outdoor track in Seattle and lucky to have a son to bring to it. I hope they have a tricycle night for the youth.
Shouldn't you Seattle velominati lads be racing on that track instead of fooling around with cyclocross? Crush the few hipsters that dare to venture out on the banking, and the road rash from the cement would be awesome.
Awesome. You should teach him Rule 8 since he already has a tricycle. He is gonna be a prodigy.
@Il buccaneero
He already knows Rule #4 isn't that all he needs?
Nice one Jim. I used to put my little guy in his seat on the back of the mountain bike and do hill repeats while he napped, head in helmet lolling around, he always woke refreshed and happy. The guns were awesome that year!
Awesome!
Possibly the best thing about all of this is the simple joy of turning the cranks.
Was coming in from walking the dog with the VHM last night as I spotted a cyclist flying down the hill a block over.
Me: "Boy, that makes me jealous!"
VMH: "What, that guy riding? Why? You already rode today."
Me: "I know, but that guy was going fast, and it looked fun!"
Great one Jim!