Lose the Training Wheels - Day 1

Today was the first day of Lose The Training wheels camp for Alex.  He was so excited to go ride bikes. At first he wasn't thrilled about the orange camp T-Shirt, but then agreed to wear it over the top of one of his (many) Wall-E shirts.  I told him that he'd get hot, but decided it wasn't a battle worth picking.

Sometime in the past week, Alex has outgrown his bike helmet (it was a Razor Multi-Sport Helmet that he liked because it looked like the one the big kid down the street has) So, we had to make a quick stop off and get him a new helmet.  One of the requirements for the program is a properly fitting helmet, and I new that the other one was getting too small.  So, after trying on several we found one that he liked that also fit well. (He choose this: Youth Mongoose Street Series Helmet - White).    And then we were off to "bike camp".

The kids were paired with volunteers who really get a workout walking (and running) around the fieldhouse with the kids who are riding on special bikes. The bikes are pretty funky and have rollers on the back instead of tires - think paint roller.

NOTE: These pictures are from my phone - and are a bit blurry because he was moving pretty quickly and not stopping to pose

According to Alex, riding it is easy - easier than his bike with training wheels.   He did pretty good going around and around and around... Only a few close calls each time as he rounded one bend I thought for sure he was going right into the bleachers but he would always turn at the last minute.  After the hour or so, he was definitely slowing down and getting pooped.


Now, the hardest part is that he wants to go outside and practice on his bike but the people at the camp suggest that the kids don't do that. So we are inside watching movies (its at least  90 degrees out anyways!).

Tomorrow, I bring both bikes over to the camp and see what they have to say about them.  I had the crooked handlebars adjusted on my neighbor's son's bike at the local bike shop and they also fitted and made a suggestion for a new bike for Alex if neither of the bikes we have work out.

The best part of this whole adventure is  Alex is very very excited about learning to ride a bike and giving total cooperation.

Here's to a good first day!