The Lass Rides- Finally

The lass achieved the childhood milestone of learning to ride a bike this morning.

It was particularly sweet because she’d been pretty discouraged about bike riding because she just hasn’t been able to figure it out. The Wife and I have been trying to motivate her in various ways. The Wife, in particular, has been taking the boy on rides at a local bike path to try and give the lass something to shoot for.

This morning, for a change, we all went to the bike path and the Wife volunteered to stay with the lass and work with her while I went on the path with the boy. My ride with the boy was nice, if not a little wet. It poured for about 10 minutes half-way through the ride, soaking us both thoroughly. It didn’t bother the boy and we finished the ride without any incident.

When we got back, it looked like the lass was close to figuring out the whole riding thing. She was gliding around with her feet off the pedals and just out to the side. She was pretty wobbly, but there was a hint that she might be on the verge of a breakthrough.

Rather than stopping and possibly pressuring her, I continued on the path past where the Wife was working with her. I hadn’t gone far when I heard the Wife let out a “WAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” That’s pretty much the universal parent word for “My kid just figured it out!”

When I got back, sure enough, the lass was wobbling along. She was having a little trouble starting and the rain had slicked her shoes so she was also having some trouble keeping her feet on the pedals. But there was no denying that she was in fact riding a bike.

Now, she can hardly wait for the next time Mom goes for a ride on the bike path. It won’t be just the boy going along anymore.