Bicycles and life cycles

I remember when I first learned to ride a bike. I was about eight years old. We were living in Hawaii and my brother had been taking me to the park down the street for months trying to teach me. We'd practice on the dry grass of the gently sloping hill near the pool as other kids would kick soccer balls or hang on the monkey bars. He'd hold the bike (that had no training wheels by the way!) and push me down the hill. These lessons, though, turned out to be more on how to fall off the bike and roll down the hill than actual bike riding per se, but it was all well-intentioned.

Still, despite all the practice, I never got the hang of it. At the same time, we were getting ready to move to California, so learning to ride a bike soon got put on hold indefinitely.

Flash forward to San Diego. As were were unpacking in our new home, we were out in the garage and I spotted my mom's bike. It was a mustard-yellow bike with a dignified bell to cover up the fact that any rider on it looked like a Muppet. Yes, it was awesome!

Ding! Ding!

I hopped on it and rolled down the driveway. Everything clicked. The rest is history.

See, I wasn't kidding! And yes, that really is me!

I never felt that learning to ride a bike at age eight was all that late or anything. Still, many people I know give their kids bikes at age four or five, which surprises me but maybe I'm out of touch. It has been known to happen. On occasion.

So anyhow, now that the kids are six, we are realizing that it may be about time to get them some regular bikes. Up until now, the kids have had these bikes...

Ack! This picture was taken in 2007. Look how cute they are!

which have lasted for years. We've been to the park several times this summer with these bikes, and it's becoming clear that they are getting too big for these. So yeah, it's probably about time for regular bikes. Only I'm reluctant to purchase any item larger than an iPhone before we (eventually) move. So I told the kids that they will have to wait and they will just have to make do. But that doesn't mean they aren't eagerly awaiting them. They talk about it every now and then, albeit sometimes in tandem with other random 6-year-old concerns.

On that note, I'll just leave you with a brief exchange between Damon and the kids yesterday:

Adelaide: Do you still know how to ride a bike?
Damon: Of course! Once you learn how to ride a bike you never forget.
Kestian: Until you die. You forget when you die.