General Cycling Discussion - My Bratty Son

Well, today as we were heading home and just as we got on the freeway (on bike) he yells out, "hey dad, let's race home". We were about six miles from the truck and I thought I could beat this 14 year old handily.
Well, we took of me on my recumbent Agio and he on his costco Motive and I held him off for about 1/4 of a mile then I let him pass figuring I could catch him at will. Shoot, he took off and I only came close to him after chasing him down some long slight downhills. He would hear/see me coming and he would pedal like mad so I never did catch up.

By the time we got to our truck he had me beat by 3/4 of a mile, he even stopped and got off once to see if his old may was ok and as he saw me huffing and puffing along at 15 miles an hour he took off again.

When I got to the truck he was sitting on the tailgate grinning like the Cheshire Cat. I was so proud of him I could have burst a button or two. :)

By the way, he is a good son. ;);)

Steven

http://www.gruberassist.com/category/englisch/
^^^
An electric assist that you can hide in a seat tube in case he gets too big of a head.

From one Dad to another (with a teenage son)... WELL DONE! :D

Alas, my 10-yr old has started to beat me and the trail-a-bike (& 6-yr old) up hills.

I need to step it up.

Enjoy. 14 years old son. Nice.

Things change at about 15 when he will not have so much time or interest in bicycling with Dad, so enjoy every moment now. I heard it from the sages and now I am telling you. Enjoy every single moment and create moments. You will have time for all the other non-son stuff in a year or so.

I'd be proud of him too. But I sure hope you didn't show that. You're supposed to tell him he cheated and offer up some lame excuse that you both know is hogwash just to save face.... and have a good chuckle over :D

I look forward to the day when my son kicks my butt too, but yeah, I'm not gonna tell him that.

Great story.

Time to get him a nice new bike to celebrate :).

Youth is wonderful.

As a teen, I could beat my Dad on my bike when he was driving his car.

Of course his car was a VW Transporter with a full camper interior.

Youth is wonderful.

As a teen, I could beat my Dad on my bike when he was driving his car.

Of course his car was a VW Transporter with a full camper interior.

Next time I see one of those I'll tell him lets race for pinks :D

LOL you guys, I am 15, but my dad doesn't bike with me.

Great story. My 'moment of truth' came during a pick-up basketball game. I took him to the hoop and when I went up for the lay-up I waited for his hand to drop, so I could get my shot off...his hand never came down and he blocked my shot. Then he does a 'crossover' and took me to the hoop going LEFT!. I retired from street ball shortly thereafter. To focus on my cycle-commuting. :D My son's 23 now...we still talk once a week. Thanks for sharing.

Time to get him a nice new bike to celebrate :).

That's not going to help. Time to get him a nice 50lb gaspipe steel monstrosity so you can beat him again!

Also, adjust his brakes so they rub a bit. That'll help too. ;)

By the way, he is a good son. ;);)

Aye. Make sure to tell him that in no uncertain terms. No need to be sappy, just clear about it. :)

When they can beat Dad, they get a new Colnago. Isn't that how it works? ;)

Please don't tell my 15 yr. old. :eek:

I, too, have teenagers. Our pack consists of me, my husband, my 17 YO son, 16 YO son, and 13 YO daughter....all of whom whoop my butt trailing on a regular basis.....did I mention they were crazy too??? They like to go shooting down hills that are nearly vertical and laugh at dear ole ma' who goes around the long (and much safer) way.

Anyway, I know exactly what you mean about that proud feeling. I love the time I spend with my family on the bikes and, so far, they haven't sprouted second heads (its rumored that teenagers do that) or decided that they are "too cool" to hang out with mom and dad on the bikes!

Way to go!

If you see my thread My Good Son you will read where he wants to go with me on my ride across America. He is more ready than I am at this time. :) LOL

And I do get sappy with him at times, I even made sure he told my wife (his mom) all about it. This is really helping my wife get ready for him to make the trip with me. Shhhh, don't tell her. :)

And, he told everybody at school where he attends and I teach, now I have to live it down there also.

Thanks for the support and I really love how this biking thing is turning out
Steven