Last year I did a 100+ mike bike ride for the American Diabetes Foundation. I was telling my son about it over the phone – about how hard it was to cycle 100 miles and climb mountains and hills on a bike, when he said “Dad, that sounds REALLY cool. Do you think we might could do something like that together someday…” Pride welled up in me and I said ‘yes!’ My Boy… taking up the mantel of his father’s interests. My heart shined knowing that the adventurer bug had bitten deep and early with this one…. I have come to realize that it was not pride in my son, but my own hubris.
When planning out our yearly summer trip I threw in a “simple” bike ride from Vancouver, BC to Seattle – no big deal, right? Wrong! I mentioned it to my Father-in-law during the initial planing stages and he asked to come along – I of course said yes and soon after his brother, David, also joined our little two-wheeled group. I did some route planning, a little bike tuning, changes a few parts here and there, and bought Carlton a tag-a-long bike/trailer before he arrived in Seattle. I thought that it was all a done deal and we would have a relaxing little three day tour…
I spent four scary days on the road with my 9-year old son and the shear physicality of the ride was possibly the most demanding thing I have ever done on a bike. While I plan to ride with Carlton as long as I am able, I will NEVER, EVER use a tug-a-bike trailer bike again. It was squirrely, unstable, and heavy. I spent 95% of the ride, freaked out about his safety and trying to keep us from hitting the ground. …Shiver…
Pain and worry aside, the ability to ride with my son was AMAZING – even at its hilly worst! I got out on the bike, my son was with me, and we spent some quality time with Laurel’s dad and uncle. I was part of Carlton’s first train ride, his first ferry crossing, his longest bike ride, and his first trip to another country. My 9 year old son’s strength and fortitude STUNNED me! I could not have ridden 154 miles when I was 9. He was terrific and I am so proud of him! We spent the last night on a sailboat with our extended West Coast family at Bainbridge Island Harbor and watched the fireworks on the 4th of July. It was a fitting end to a glorious trip.
Forgive me for a lapse into cliché, but it really is about the journey rather than the destination. I spent a lot of time twirling the pedals, and listening to him talk while all sorts of things ran through my monkey brain while trying to keep us in one piece. I came to a few conclusions:
My son is sweeter than I was at his age
He is more stubborn
Bike Trailers SUCK!
My wife’s career is truly flowering and she is finding her way in the work-a-day world
I really and truly want to start my own business
I wish my sister and I were closer
Extra-Strength Tylenol is my forever friend
My father-in-law is loves the debate surrounding a question more than the answer
We (Carlton and I) will spend more time together next year
My father-in-law is still on his journey of self discovery – what he wants to be when he grows up 🙂
I need to write more and finish a couple of articles and my Germany book
There are times that I need to unplug from my cell and e-mail
Tents are better than hotels
I need to prioritize projects at the house and start getting them done
There is a colleague at work who will throw me under the bus without thinking
My knees at 36 are not what they were at 21.
Man, bike trailers with 200lbs of 9-year-old and gear suck!!
The German language has a few REALLY cool words that I wish we used in English more. Trepswerter, Doch, Zeitgeist, Fremdschämen, and Schadenfreude
We have to turn off my cable as soon as Madison leaves this summer
I like the mix of languages during breakfast in an international hostel
Books make my heart happy
Mexican food + cycling for 3 days = BAD!
I need to end the clutter in my life and home office
I REALLY want a Kindle e-reader
Our children are windows to our own behavior and soul
I miss having a large group of friends and need to work on that
The mountains are calling me and I want to make a solo trek after September
Our upcoming wedding has become a serious stressor in my life
We need to trade the Subaru for a Honda.
I really do need 3 more bikes – really
Our bills in Germany piss me off
I love train travel more than any other type of long distance conveyance
Did I mention my feelings on bike trailers?
