since6

Two brothers, 7 and 4, mom tells me “Grandpa they brought their bikes, they want to go for a ride.” A morning of yard work, the waiting, the worry of spine surgery recovery, lightens, of course there’s only one answer “sure”.

So off we go to the park where a playground waits along with lots of wide sidewalks. Big Brother on his Schwinn 20” with training wheels, Little Brother on his three wheeled big wheel. We stand at a cross roads of four sidewalks: “Where are we going to go boys?” Three are level one isn’t.

Of course, Big Brother chooses the one that has a 2-3 degree slope up to the bathrooms for three baseball diamonds a couple hundred feet, a climb.

But first a push, enough to move the pedals, Little Brother is already off, no pedals for him he’s in classic skip toe balance bike mode (hmm, didn’t I give him one, he’s ready I think). The nudge get’s Big Brother going, up he climbs half way to a stop, another nudge and away, all the way to the top, they turn around.

“Alright boys now you get to go fast.”

They’re off and yes they both get it, downhill.

Off we go again up the hill, for Big Brother another nudge but I’ve noticed. “He’s grown” and luck is with me it’s a quick release seat bolt. I stop him and move the seat up half an inch, away he goes and no nudge again until the top. Then again down.

Then in the next up, he goes all the way, no nudge, no stop and as soon as the top, he turns and down he goes, grinning, Little brother too. Then without my encouragement up they go, down they go, up again and suddenly a memory from 61 years ago. The joy in the climb of any hill, the triumph of the summit, the moment when you pushed over the edge of your fear into the descent, to go fast, faster than ever, by yourself. Another freedom, granted by your bike, one earned, one that was yours.

Two little boys and for a moment a third, a 67 year old little boy joins them.

chainwhip

Great post.
I find it odd that there aren't other replies.

More joy for you and the boys.
"Let's Do it Again, Grandpa!"

since6

Thanks chainwhip. It's good just to share, mom says Big Brother wants to "ride every day" when school is over in late June (snow days and late start due to teacher's strike).

If I am released June 10th from surgery restrictions I must train hard, but not to injury, as wife/stoker has already missed a year of riding and these two boys will also keep me busy indeed.

Now can I get them both into balance and then pedaling?

Hope so, they have many more wonders to see and share.

ryansu

My Niece posted a shot a while ago of her daughter soloing (no training wheels) on her bike with a HUGE grin, made this uncle so happy

since6

Yes, they give us hope.

It's the balance that matters most, IMO, they have to understand the technology they must use and live with in the future rushing upon us, but all the old things still work too. Older Brother plays Mine Craft, but he also water paints as does Little Brother, and now perhaps bikes too. While we who are with them get to experience childhood again.

Hold onto those grins ryansu, and always have time for a ride, a good place to listen.

P!N20

Quoted for eloquence.

John E

My wife and I raised two boys, and now the elder one and his wife are raising two boys. I have/get to play "grandpa daycare" Tues and Thur mornings, while my wife takes a ballet lesson, then she takes over after lunch. Last week, little Gracie, one of the neighborhood 2-year-olds, gleefully told her mother as they approached our local playground, "There's Erik and Grandpa!"

since6

Yes John E, it's all good, they see what really matters.

speedevil 

I won't ever forget the fun of going on a bike ride with my younger brother. Sometimes we could get a quarter from mom and we would ride 3-4 miles to a little country store - the kind with a porch out front and one of those steel freezers sitting there, full of ice cream treats. We would sit on the porch, eat our ice cream, and then ride back home. Fun times and great memories.

Simple things like hills and ice cream are great when you're a kid - regardless of age. We don't grow up, we get older.

squirtdad

nothing better..... I still remember my son at 3 1/2 insisting that i take his training wheels off.....went and go the wrench himself.

now if I can get him on a bike with gears (at 21 he has been single speed or fixie since he was 8 or 9) I am putting up the seatpost on the de rosa and riding the miyata and maybe a can lure him into riding with me agains

congrats on being such a great bike grand dad...... .so what bikes are you going to build for those 2?

since6

Thanks all and thanks speedevil. Oh the memories of the little corner grocery store and the time spent deciding how to spending a nickle, the 2 for a penny candy or whether to go whole hog for the real deal full sized Snickers, Baby Ruth, etc. bars.

Squirtdad haven't got there yet, they are both pretty small boys, but every now and then there are Junior sized vintage framed bikes.. When they all get older for those still riding there will be a 16th or 18th birthday when they get to choose one of my vintage bikes I've got 3 or 4 that I could either down size the stem and drop the seat post and they should fit a full grown young woman or leave as is to fit a full grown young man, with one that would fit a taller man than grandpa. And you know I'll feel really great the day they choose and ride them away. Such is my hope for my collection.

It's there best use, to be ridden.