he'll never forget

They say, "it's just like riding a bike." This phrase is supposed to give somebody confidence in trying a skill they haven't used in a while. Note it's not "just like playing piano" or "just like a triple lutz," or "just like Sudoku," which might be lost if not practiced.

Nope, "it's just like riding a bike."

Don't be fooled - riding a bike isn't an easy task to learn in the first place! In a particularly long saga of patience and will, Obi-2 is learning to ride a bike. Yes, he's learning on a real bike, because he does not want to ride a little bike (a.k.a. tricycle). The neighbor kids, and more importantly, his big brother, all ride Big Boy Bikes! Never mind that these big boy bikes have training wheels and are roughly the same height as his tricycle. They simply, obviously, indisputably do NOT provide the same riding experience.

After much debate, a failed attempt to use a "pre-owned" bike I brought home, and lengthy discussion with our neighbor, we purchased a new bicycle for Obi-2. This neighbor is one of the cool dads o' the 'hood, having taught his children (all 3) to ride bicycles around age two. He also bikes competitively, and has a collection of a few dozen bikes for their family athletic needs. Suffice it to say, he knows bikes.

One of the things I asked this neighbor was whether it's really worth it to purchase a new bicycle, and if so, where? "Yes," he said positively, "Go to REI." Seriously?! We love REI, and I know Mr. Kenobi was excited at the excuse to head over there. He & I have had many of dates wandering the aisles at REI and dreaming of our own adventures in the great outdoors. Nonetheless, REI is not the cheapest place to procure a child's bicycle. Our neighbor said that very few local bike shops carry children's bikes. He also was certain that the quality, both of bike & assembly, from REI really did make it better to not go "cheap" and head to a big-box store.

I admit, I am not a fan of spending a lot of money on kids' stuff. They outgrow it, they get tired of it, and they don't always take care of it. I'm also not a fan of purchasing new stuff when so many things are available second-hand, handed-down, and free. Yet, the arguments of safety, longevity, and quality were compelling. We'd like to have more kids eventually, and a bicycle like this might be handed down and used for years. We also have siblings who may eventually also have children, so there's a potential hand-me-down factor in our future.

These are all practical thoughts. The best argument, however, came from Mr. Kenobi, who is the 2nd of four boys in his family. He reminded me, "This may be one of the rare times Obi-2 will get something brand new for himself. He has lots of hand-me-downs, and he'll probably always get Obi-1's outgrown stuff." I wouldn't have had that perspective, being the oldest and only girl of my siblings, but it was a good reminder for me. My dad was also willing to give us his dividends at REI, so the bike ended up being free (so much for my "cheaper" argument).

So that's how we got the bike. Learning to ride it, however, is proving to be a bigger challenge. Evidently, pedalling is a difficult skill to learn. I end up directing his feet 'round and 'round and 'round to help him, only to find myself hunched over a 12" bike frame and begging my 2-year-old to try it himself. Our neighbor has given us a tip that may help: place one training wheel on a slightly higher surface (an inch will do), so the back wheel can "spin" without resistance.

We're trying. I'm much more easily frustrated than my boy, fortunately (?). We're all hopeful that he'll be able to join the big kids in biking back-and-forth on the block soon. Eventually, I think we may actually be able to go somewhere, like the park or cafe, with me walking at a nice pace along side my little bikers. I even imagine biking with them someday!

Not to jump ahead too far, though... the rain has to stop first.