I will tell you right now... When I'm on a bike, I'm huffing and puffing at the end of the 2nd block... If it's downhill. I am NOT an avid bicyclist. My son, however...
Two Christmases ago, my son was having a very difficult time in his 16th year. My brother is a big sportsman, biker, spelunker, you name it... He suggested that we buy Ryan an ungodly expensive bike for Christmas. We did. Half of the cost came out of Ryan's savings account, but he didn't know about it until after the fact.
At our personal family Christmas, Ryan unwrapped a box that had a brick or two in it along with a note to check the front porch. Waiting for him was a Raleigh bike, helmet and a gift certificate for the local bike shop. Also an invite to join my brother on the annual Ragbraii ride in the upcoming July. Ryan loves that bike!
He rode with my brother last summer for one day on Ragbrai which lasts a whole week. Ragbrai, in case you don't know, is a ride across Iowa. Starts on one side and they zigzag across the state regardless of weather and hills. It's quite an event! Check out my other posting of it.
Ragbrai started on Sunday of this week and Ryan jumped on just this morning. He's going to ride for 2 days this time. Today, he'll ride 77 miles and tomorrow is a pidley 44, with a stayover at a friends house in Indianola, Iowa. He couldn't fit a sleeping bag on his bike, so he's hoping for a bed!
He was kind of hoping to go all week with my brother, but we didn't think that would be a good idea with 4H county fair judging on Thursday and such a busy week. Next year, he'll have graduated out of 4H and can spend the whole week if he can find someone to ride with and he has the right equipment.
He met up with Mark this morning in Greenfield, Iowa and they're off and riding now. Wish him luck!
2 comments:
So sweet of your brother to take the time to do something fun with your son. It's amazing what a little time and concern can accomplish in someone's life.
My son bought one of those expensive bikes himself and LOVES it. Loves it so much he was reluctant to let go of the handlebars when he was about 10 feet in the air off a jump. He did let go...just in time to land on his collarbone...at the beginning of soccer season.
LOL - Wow! You son really DID love it!
My brother is one of the good guys. He's an empty nester and glad when a nephew or niece gets interested in something he's passionate about.
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