mollusk

Quite out of the blue my 15 year old son (the older one of my two) told me that he was interested in road riding again. I do have to say that in my family I and the children (two boys) are regular bike commuters and cycling to get around is part of life. When my boys need new bikes, they get new bikes and they are not birthday or Christmas presents. To me that would be like getting new shoes for your birthday or Christmas. On the other hand, neither one of my sons has shown any prolonged interest in riding for fitness or pleasure and that has always saddened me. I did push them very gently when they were younger, but it didn't seem to take for either of them. My older boy and I used to go on 15 to 30 mile rides when he was younger, but he "lost interest" (= refused to go anymore) when he was 11.

Last Wednesday (July 4th) was my 15 year old son's first real "roadie" ride. I set up my commuter bike (a 1984 Cannondale with Shimano 600 drivetrain that doesn't really fit me well, but would fit him OK with a bit of work) for him for his first ride. He declined the use of bike shorts. I offered a pair of mine (we are the same size), but he declined. He also declined the use of cycling gloves.

The first ride was about what I expected. He went out way too hard. For a while he was showing me how studly he was by putting out a 23 mph pace. After 5 miles he wanted to turn around and go home and that was fine. He also complained about how his butt and hands hurt.

Saturday was ride 2. This time he accepted the offer of bike shorts and gloves. He is a smart boy. This time it was 20 miles at what I would call a recovery pace, but this is very encouraging. There was a little bit of the elevated pace, early on but I think that he learned a valuable lesson on the first ride by not pushing it too hard too fast for too long. Like I said, smart boy!

I am now have set up my commuter bike as his road bike by changing the gearing. It was half-step (50/45 front with a widely spaced rear), but now I have changed it to something closer to a more "modern" gearing by swapping out the original 45 tooth inner ring with a 42 tooth one and a more closely spaced freewheel. I also replaced the old and cracked gum brake hoods with new ones mostly for cosmetic reasons. Of course I put on a new chain. Also I have set up a second set of wheels for him to use for commuting (circa 1983 Shimano 105 hubs laced to Araya 27"x1 1/4" alloy rims with an almost pristine Suntour freewheel. I had both just laying around.) for when school starts in the Fall. He will now be the main rider of my old commuter bike.

I did promise my son that if he shows real interest that a modern road bike is in his near future. That would be fine with me, but he has to prove to me that he has a real interest. I hope that this happens. At least I get my commuter bike back so I won't have to ride my "beater" bike with tubulars on my daily commute or I can then tempt son #2 into the roadie life with this vintage Cannondale.

Wish me luck. I really hope this works out.

Hammertoe

I am looking forward and hoping my kids get the bug...

Boy 8 and girl 7...

The boy has a climbers build but doesn't like to suffer...

The girl can suffer but is a little bulkier...

I ride my mountain bike with them on the dirt roads every time they ask...

They have recently asked to ride the pavement...


Good luck with yours may they catch the bug...

SDRider

I hope to ride with my son when he's older. I've got about 10 years until he reaches 15 though.

bayareawheeler

good luck, im going to try and get my 8 year old interested in the Velodrome racing down here. Just found out there is a kids program!