waterboy

No, not another tour win by LA, not another "best time", not even a good ride in the sun with friends. For me it was last weekend when my daughter dropped the training wheels!

The whole day was magical. Watching her face as she gained confidence rolling down a grass hill, overcoming fear, and feeling the joy of accomplishment. The next day we went out again (at her begging) and her body remembered, even if the mind was a bit timid. Am I a proud dad? Absolutely! But seeing your little one make a step towards independence of any kind (reading, brushing teeth- doesn't matter) is always special.

It was a great reminder of how damn fun it is just to ride. Forget about carbon this and Chorus that- its just fun to go spin the pedals. Sometimes it takes a six year old to remind me (us?) of that.

The bike is truly one of mans greatest accomplishments.

bhchdh 

Here Here. Well said. I had to remove my daughter's training wheels, when I noticed she was riding other kids bikes that did not have training wheels.

allgoo19

I can't agree more. You don't have to be a dad to appliciate it. When I see someone, or some neighbor kids, some handicappped person, (can be myself) work at something over and over and finally accomlishes his or her goal, it's very heart warming. I still remember the first time, bicycle riding that is. It was at the neighborhood park. My brother helped me. He thought it was easier for me to try it on down hill because I didn't have to pedal, but actually I was scared even more because the bike would start rolling without me pedaling. Since then, many, many years had past.

Schumius

congrats! sometimes simple is unbeatible, isnīt it?

cwodave

Time for a new helmet and road bike for the young lass. That really is a gtreat day.

Dave

Bop Bop

My wife and I are giving our 4 year old graddaugter a "two wheeler" with training wheels for Christmas. I can not wait until I can take the training wheels off (probably a year or so) and she can ride with me.

bnet1

AH yesss. That "just learning to ride" feeling. Went through it the first few times I rode my new 'bent. Cherish the "no training wheels" moments with your kids. Take pictures. these are memories you will all keep for a life time. They grow up so fast.

'bent Brian

rule

Way to go Dad!