My son turns 7 in the middle of September. He's been riding a Toy's R Us BMX type bike for near on a year now, and been on rides up to 12 miles. He's been pining for a new bike. One with gears and handbrakes.

Well, today he got a very early birthday present. A Specialized HotRock. It's a little bit too big for him, but he can start, stop, and pedal on it just fine.

Anyway, we get home from the shop and he wants to go for a ride (big surprise, huh?). So we ride around the neighborhood so he can get used to handbrakes and shifting. He's doing really well, so we head down to the MUP. He did a great job! We ended up at about 19 miles for the day.

I hope he stays interested in riding. I take him when he wants to go and I don't push at him. I want him to enjoy it.

Good job. Let him set the pace and he'll do fine. Wish I could get my 5 year old grandson...he lives with me and grandmother...to peddle. But, he just won't turn the cranks. His father loves cycling, but doesn't take the time to work with him. I've only just gotten back into cycling and haven't been in a condition to work with him much, though I"m the one who bought the bike.

Yup, he sets the pace. Yesterday's ride average 8.4. He goes in fits and starts. Short sprints and then slows way down. I'm trying to get him to ride a steady pace. Once he learns that, he'll be able to ride longer distances.