Although my children are only seven and four, biking is already a tradition for us. In fact, it has become one of the ways I track my children’s growth, as they’ve moved slowly from being pulled or carried to riding on their own. This is especially true when I think about the distance we cover each summer on the Burlington-Colchester, Vermont bike path.
This little slice of heaven runs along Lake Champlain from the southern tip of the city of Burlington along a lovely waterfront park and a number of residential neighborhoods, across the Winooski River, and finally out onto an old railroad causeway that has water on either side. For much of the ride there are stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains across the lake; light plays across their surface; the lake now glassy, now covered in whitecaps is a constant presence.
The first time we had our oldest son Tommy on this bike path, he was fifteen months old and was pulled in a carrier. He’s always been an active and observant kid, and he didn’t like being confined at all; we were new parents and didn’t like his fussing. Needless to say, we didn’t make it very far. This outing was followed by a few years where we avoided bikes. But soon the lure of that gorgeous path was too much for us and there we were, pulling Tommy and also our newest addition Teddy, the two of them giggling and elbowing each other the entire way. This was more fun, but since they wanted to go swimming it ended up being more of a beach than a bike outing. The next summer Tommy was riding himself but had training wheels that clanked with his every move and slowed him (and all this of us) up.
But last summer we had our first truly long family ride on the path I had been longing to explore for years. It was a gorgeous day, blue sky alternating with dramatic clouds and a breeze playing across the water. After weeks of rain, there were numerous and often deep puddles and Tommy rode through every one of them until the back of his shirt, neck, hair, and helmet were splattered with so much mud that he looked like he had been trail riding. He was fast, and we did indeed make it farther than we ever have, about six miles out onto the old causeway, where the lake is on either side of the path and where the air is full of the sound of lapping water. And he rode back handily, stopping for a pickup game of baseball at a park along the way. Teddy was asleep by the time we got back to our car, but not Tommy. He was raring for more and informed us that next time he would make it to the end of the path.
Nothing makes me happier than to see Tommy racing off down the bike path away from me. In fact, I can’t wait for Teddy to be able to the same. Yes, each year means they are growing a little older and faster. We’ll certainly be going farther - I expect that this summer we Tommy’s ambition of riding all the way to the end will come true. Soon I may not even be able to keep up with them. But I believe that biking has taught them to take on the world gracefully and joyfully, laughing even as they ride through the deepest of mud puddles.
Note: if you’re ever in Burlington and want to rent bikes, there are a number of places to do so right on the path. Learn more at Local Motion, a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to helping people find ways to get around and to developing trails.
By Mara Gorman, Daytripper Mom and blogger at www.motherofalltrips.com
Tags: bicycling, Burlington, local motion
RSS Link
Great post. I think it’s time to get a real bike for my 3-year-old!
Yay Mara!!
From one biking mom to another: “You go girl!”
In Seattle, we’re lucky enough to have the Burke-Gilman trail which links with the Samammish Trail for an all-around-Lake-Washington family biking opportunity.
We’ve moved through all the stages you describe (pull-along to trail-a-bike to independent cycling) and now I’m racing to catch my older son when we cycle. Such fun!
If you’re in Seattle, check out bike rentals at Gregg’s Greenlake Cycles.
I liked this! I remember how much riding my bike was a part of my growing up years. I want my kids to have the same enjoyment (speed!, exploring!, independence!).
Aww that is so awesome! My son is only 7 months but my hub and I LOVE to ride on the bike trails and can’t wait for Elijah to be able to go too. We both need new bikes first though! Our’s were stolen from our apartment porch 2 years ago.
I do think biking is such a great activity for the family. As a child I rode my bike up and down and around the town. My siblings road with me and it was so great to get out and just feel so free. And just like Tommy, we LOVED riding through the puddles. We thought it was SO cool to put a can in between your seat and your tire so that it would ‘clink’ when you rode!
oh it brings back so many fun memories!
Mine are 7 and under. I really would like to get into bike riding. I see some people doing it all the time and it looks so second nature.
Hubs and I have talked about family bike rides, and I love the idea! We just got DS his first trike, and he loves it. He’s only 4, so I’d love to have him pulled behind one of us while we ride along. There’s a lot of trails around here to explore!
What a great post! My husband and I love to ride bikes-we just got married May 9th and we got him a new bike-now I jus need one-mine is old the the seat is soo uncomfortable.
I grew up in the midwest and loved bike rides down beautiful pathways covered by trees. I have since outgrown my bike and live far away from home. As poor college students we can’t afford to buy bikes. What a great idea to look into renting bikes! I will be sure to check it out.
What a great post! You could never get me off my Schwinn when I was a kid.
Great story. I enjoy the fun of biking with my husband and dog in a front basket.
What a great post! It’s very inspirational for me, a mom trying to get into shape. Thanks!
I love the buggies to be pulled behind the bikes. They make great soccer field strollers too when you arent biking.
I am trying to get into shape. I think biking would help.
I cannot wait to bike with the kids this summer.
It would be a great idea for my kids and me to ride together - one daughter would love it, the other would have to be “convinced.” But it would be a good thing for all of us.
I’d love to do family bike rides, something we’ve never done our area doesn’t have enough safe places for us to ride with the kids
*sigh* Sorry. No kids here to take bike riding. But I did buy a bike a few months back, and hope to get myself on it more. Maybe I’ll take a little trip to check on the burrowing owls nearby. The babies are all setting up their own nests now. Now I just need to get my mother a bike.
Awesome post! So great that biking is a tradition in your family
This is our first summer of solo riding - both of our kids on their own bikes. So I’m looking forward to saving some money on gas, staying active and making some great family memories on our bikes!
Our two oldest kids LOVE biking…and the younger two aren’t far behind. I’m excited for all four kiddos to be able to ride so we can go on family rides together - there are so many places to go and explore and it’s always more fun when you can share it with your kids! :o)
I can still see the look on my big brother’s face when he got a Schwinn bike from our parents. Years past and I once again saw that look on my own son’s face when we bought him a Schwinn bike. I’m looking forward to seeing that same look on my granddaughter’s face soon since she has outgrown her tricyle and is ready for her first Schwinn “big girl” bike. The look of joy is priceless! Schwinn bikes have been a favorite in our family for many years. I can still remember the exhilaration I felt on my Schwinn bike when my training wheels came off and unknown to me at the time, my big sister let go and she yelled from a distance behind me, “You’re riding, you’re riding all by yourself!”. How happy and proud I felt. When I watch my granddaughter make that transition, I’ll be thinking of Dr. Seuss and his book, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”.
I used to bike everywhere, and I’m not sure what happened, but this site (and blog post) has inspired me to start again.
Ohmygod, that does sound like a slice of heaven. I want to be on that part of the trail where the lake is on both sides! What a great family tradition:)
Your post reminds me of growing up and all of the bike riding my sister and I did. We lived on our Schwinn bikes. All of our friends in the neighborhood rode everywhere together. Summers were the greatest because it didn’t get dark until almost 10:00 p.m. We had these great trails behind our subdivision and there is no telling how many miles we racked up riding. What great memories I have of that time in my life.
What a great post! Very informative for everyone. Love to learn to ride from you.
The telltale splash of mud up the back! I can so relate to that with my son. I need to remind him not to wear white shirts when he goes biking!
All summer long I would be on my bike riding and most of the time it was Schwinn cruiser. What good times I had on my bike.
I grew up doing the family bike riding thing too and I have fond memories of doing that. Dont get around to riding much anymore though.
I can hardly wait for the rain to start so we can have our first summer bike ride.
I have not ridden a bicycle since I was a teenager, but I have been looking at bikes for the past year, because I want to ride again. We have a teen with special needs (who we’ll have to get a special bike for), and a toddler, who hasn’t experienced bicycling yet. My husband and I are both on a road to get healthier and lose some weight, so we’re both wanting to start bicycling. I can’t wait!
We are totally looking into getting bikes and a carrier for the boys - I am so jealous because that sounds like so much fun!!
I really want to get my little one used to biking - he’s going to be one and I think it’s time to start pulling him behind my bike! can’t wait for a summer full of family biking fun
Can’t wait to teach my grandson to ride a bike thanks, great post!
Cabinet,c830 Printer,bge…
Although my children are only seven and four biking is already a tradition for us. In fact it has be [...]…
dog strollers…
Your topic © TRACED ” cocoa ” cocoa was interesting when I found it on Sunday searching for dog strollers…
schwinn strollers…
I found your blog on Monday through Google while searching for schwinn strollers and your post regarding Growing Up on Bikes, One Mile at a Time ” Schwinn Joyride made me leave this comment. I always enjoy coming to this site because you offer great t…