if I'll ride this bike forever

May in Seattle means wisteria are in bloom everywhere and ... it's National Bike Month!  Cyclists abound at this time of year.  Masses of bike commuters are lining up at street lights for Bike to Work month and groups of students are hopping on their bikes to arrive at school "alert and ready to learn."  Cascade Bicycle Club is hosting Bike to School Month with fun competitions and bike rodeos at local schools.  We participated in one at my daughter's school over the weekend and little did I know how well both of my kids would rock the obstacle course (literally) including a homemade teeter totter.  It was also a great place to discuss fitting my children to their bikes appropriately, which meant raising my daughter's seat (so her knees didn't nearly hit her ears each time she pedaled.)   The on-site volunteer mechanic filled their tires with air and we attached orange visibility flags to their rear wheels.

When I was a kid, we rode our bikes for hours around our neighborhood.  It was one my first freedoms and one of the many ways I fell in love with being outside.  The bike rodeo gave my city kids a little taste of that freedom.  It won't be long until they will want to roam on their own and I'll be teaching them the rules of street riding.  Until then, I'll sign them up for a biking camp at Pedalheads for a full morning of learning everything they need to know to be confident riders.  These camps teach newbies how to ride their two-wheelers and older riders the rules of the road including reading street signs and signaling.  If you're in Seattle and you want your child to learn to be a strong cyclist from the start, check out a Pedalheads open house:

·         Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 10:00 - Noon - Cherry Crest Elementary - Bellevue

·         Sunday, June 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m. - Soundview Playfield - NW Seattle
·         Saturday, June 8, 2014 at 1:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m.  - Hiawatha Park - West Seattle

My son asked me this morning if I'll ride this bike forever.  I said, no because there will be a day when I won't need to haul him and his sister around.  They will outgrow my bike and we'll all ride our own bikes.  He looked shocked and appalled at the mention of such a ridiculous idea.  That's how I feel as well.  For now, I am delighted to have the two of them aboard, yes even whilst bickering and counting dogwood trees in bloom (14 no 15!)  As I pedal them to school, I cherish these sweet moments of conversation and closeness together on two wheels.  Hopefully it will be quite a while until I need to retire my Mama bike.  If you're interested in becoming a biking family, read my new article "Seven Ways to Become a Biking Family this Spring."