Road Cycling - The hubris of a 15 year-old...

So my son -- who is turning 15 this coming Saturday and is receiving the Nishiki Altron NFS (http://tim.seraphim-guard.com/images/nishiki04.jpg) I recently built as his birthday present -- will be on the Santa Ana River Trail this coming Saturday for his inaugural ride.

The thing is... the other day he jokingly called his dad -- me -- a pansy when it came to cycling because I have yet to get myself back on the BMX track (he's a current racer and I'm a long-ago ex-racer).

Joking or not, I figure that if you call your dad a pansy... well, them's fightin' words.

That boy needs him some schoolin', s'what I think.

:D

he'll never forget this lesson, will he?:)

The thing is... the other day he jokingly called his dad -- me -- a pansy when it came to cycling because I have yet to get myself back on the BMX track (he's a current racer and I'm a long-ago ex-racer).


pwned... :D

UH OH!

Well know this...If plans with the bike dont work out, you got my email ;) :)

That sounds EXACTLY like the situation between me and my dad. I told him going in a straight line could never be as fun as going airborn... But now I'm on a road bike and loving every second of it.

Enjoy! Happy birthday!

...That boy needs him some schoolin', s'what I think...

You're just going to have to lead him up a 10% and let him know who's still man of the house....

...better train plenty before though. :)

he'll never forget this lesson, will he?:)

*evil, wicked grin*

That said, I do want him to enjoy cycling and I want him to do it more. I just also want him to regret his "pansy" comment. Heh.

Start a climb, give him 'the look' then dissapear.

Start a climb, give him 'the look' then dissapear.

... off the back! :D

... off the back! :D

:lol:

I think he's gaming you. He's goading you to come onto his turf and race him at BMX, because he thinks he has a chance against you, and wants to see how he measures up to you. I suspect that he has a good deal of respect for you, otherwise the challenge wouldn't be necessary.

Here's how to make things interesting, and seem fair. Challenge him to a two race series. One BMX, and one on the road. Tell him you both have to agree to the distances (pick some ranges), and some ground rules , but you get to pick the BMX course, and he gets to pick the road course. This is where experience and treachery can trump raw talent. ;)

I really think that if you do this without resorting to undue trash-talking it can be a good experience for both of you. Hopefully you'll be able to teach him a lesson about respect and humility if you give both runs your best, and show good sportsmanship - win, lose or split.

Good luck. I'm hoping my 14 year old will issue me a similar challenge soon. :)

I still remember how long it took me to beat my father in chess, and how great I felt when I witnessed the obvious, tremendous pride he felt when I did it.... Miss ya, dad.... :)