Parenting 101: Chris O’Brien’s Bike Path Adventure

What did I do this weekend?  I created a bicycle convoy of mini versions of myself that gently made its way through pieces of the Star City via a designated paved route.  Um... My kids and I went on the bike path.

This may seem trivial to the average person since Presque Isle’s “Bike Path” has been around for a long time.  What you don’t know is that my family lives a bit out of town and I have a couple of late bloomer bike riders.  Almost immediately after balancing long enough to get down the driveway, my 10 year old wanted to make the leap to a thin piece of highway that runs through the center of town and is about 4 people wide. 

Luckily I was able to take my oldest two, 13 and 10, earlier in the summer so they’d experienced it before and knew Dad’s rules, etc.  Saturday was my first venture with all 4 kids, one still with training wheels.  The rules were simple: Single file, older sister in the front, chronological order with Dad in the back, stop at all road crossings…get off the bike and walk across the road.  I’m over protective, I know.

Mom got out of this one, she claims she had ‘work’ to do at home.  I have to say they all did well.  They grew a little bored of big sister always getting to be in front but a heap load of fun was had by all.  We may just do it again when I get my training wheels off.

What did you do this weekend?  Let me know on Facebook.