So we just got back from Hazelwood Park, for those of you not from Adelaide it is a beautiful park to the east of the city. Christmas has been great, Santa saw that Noah had broken his balance bike (I think the technical term is "thrashed") and down the chimney (or ducted airconditioning) came a brand new Mongoose Pit Crew (pictured below).
It's a very cool bike for anyone interested. Send us an email and we will point you in the right direction. Also the team at BooFooWoo, helped us out with a helmut for Noah, the Nutcase helmuts are really cool, and BooFooWoo have made one in green (which is Noah's favourite colour).
So to cut a long story short, Noah was pretty quick to get the hang of riding, no trainer wheels, one day, and he was riding fine. We can't emphasize enough how much this is due to the balance bikes, they are absolutely fantastic, get one on their 3rd Birthday, and they will be riding by 4 garuanteed! Noah was so confident that he rode head long into a boom gate at the entrance of Hazelwood Park, it knocked him right of the back, and we thought that we might be dialing 000, but the Nutcase helmut was fantastic.
We can therefore recommend the Nutcase Helmuts, Noah was shaken but not stirred, he got back on the horse and kept riding really well. I have included some video footage below so you can see him in action. For those of you who are interested in our technique here is a quick summary:
1) Get a balance bike at age 3 (we got Noah's early, but it wasn't until he was 3 that he was confident to run with it and start balancing).
2) Once they are confident on the balance bike, try them on some long hills, if they are balancing 100m or more, they have it sorted...
3) The transition to pedals, do not use trainer wheels, spend the extra money getting a nicer bike, we have gone with a 16inch Mongoose Pit Crew, it is $100 more than the normal Mongoose, a lot heavier too, but soooooo much better quality, and I am confident that he will get an extra couple years out of it (rather than buying 2 cheaper bikes which combined are the equivalent cost...).
4) Start on the Grass.
5) Have a bag of lollies, as the Rock Climbers I used to train with say; "if your not flying, your not trying!". So you should expect the occasional fall, but pick them up quickly, congratulate them on their effort, and then get them back on the bike with a lolly to chew!
6) Progress to hills, short and grassy (soft wet grass is good). Have a "pusher" at the top (holding the seat) and a "catcher" at the bottom to aim for.
7) Let them fall softly once or twice on the grass (ie. don't catch them just stand nearby).
8) Once they get confident with balancing while pedaling, its time for concrete...
9) Holding the seat, run along side, gently loosen your grip and allow them to balance, as you feel they have themselves under control, continue to jog alongside for support.
10) Watch out for boom gates!
Please contact us or leave messages if you like. I have googled a couple "learn to ride" sites so you can search from here if you are not confident. Remember that if you send in photo's of your kids in FRUiTS Children's Clothing we are offering a discount from your next purchase.
About.com - Learning to Ride Articles
Also here is the Zen section to the article:
‘A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market, riding their bicycles. When they arrived at the monastery and had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, “Why are you riding your bicycles?”
The first student replied, “The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!” The teacher praised the first student. “You are a smart boy! When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over like I do.”
The second student replied, “I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path!” The teacher commended the second student, “Your eyes are open, and you see the world.”
The third student replied, “When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant nam myoho renge kyo.” The teacher gave his praise to the third student, “Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel.”
The fourth student replied, “Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings.” The teacher was pleased and said to the fourth student, “You are riding on the golden path of non-harming.”
The fifth student replied, “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.” The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth student and said, “I am your student.”’
Zen proverb
Hope you all had a fun Christmas.
LOL, Paddy and the FRUiTS Team
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