Wheels

This has been the spring/summer of two wheels.  #1 got up on his bike early this spring and hasn't stopped since.  Weekends have turned into family outings - lots of trips along the river.  Before I got too big to hold on comfortably to the handle bars, I went too.  Brought back lots of memories from my own childhood and family outings to Underwoods Farm.  I don't think I'll ever forget riding up the super steep hill that seemed to go on forever ... to get to the top and see the farm.  Inside the farm store smelled like pumpkin doughnuts and apple cider, and they had the best candy selection ever.  Underwoods Farm is now condos, I think.  But I hope to take the kids to Traverse one summer and we'll do something similar along the Peninsula ... or ride to Bardon's Wonder Freeze - at least it is still there. 

After several weekend trips along the same path, #1 wanted longer and longer rides ... and #2 didn't complain (he pretty much gets a free ride without much peddling, so why would he).  So Mr. Right would clock their trips and he was taking the boys on 8-10 mile rides - which we thought would be enough to tire #1 out!  As if anyone is surprised - the kid is clearly an endorphin junky.


A few weeks ago after the heat finally came down to a reasonable 90 degrees (ha!), the boys took a long ride to Mount Vernon.  I dropped them off and planned to meet them for lunch at the end.  They were off and riding - I went and got lunch, had an uninterrupted phone call with my parents, hopped back in the car and passed them with just about a mile to go until the end.  Everyone looked happy and great!  I pulled in the lot and waited for them to ride in when I noticed something weird with #1's face.  I couldn't tell what it was, but something wasn't quite right.  Seems the rites of passage continue this year ... he had his first crash at mile 3 (of 10) and in the true form of his father's kind of crash.  Although, thank goodness, it wasn't hospital worthy.  

If you ask #1 today, he'll tell you he was "trying to do a triple flip and only did a double."  If you ask his father, he turned around and then lost control, flipping over his bike then rolling twice across the bike path and down a little hill.  Yes he was wearing his helmet.  No broken nose, no broken collar bone ... just road rash across the right side of his face.  A week later he was almost totally healed and seemed to enjoy retelling the story.  The kid has my ability for exaggeration!  

The good news is that this accident hasn't changed his love for riding, although he makes sure we have the first aid kit with us.