Cycling, (zaibatsu), 01/09/2019
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You thought my  bike was in the garage  rusting, didn't you?
While I  haven't become  a cyclist,  I haven't  forgotten my
little  two-wheeled friend  either.  Thankfully, the  winter
weather here  in Missouri seems  to be chaotic-  which means
there are  plenty of  nice days  interspersed with  the cold
ones.

This week, on one of those  nicer days, I decided to help my
youngest (10) get more comfortable with  riding on the road. 
He' small,  and the idea terrifies him  a bit, so we decided 
on a little trip to the gas station together, where we could 
buy  a  treat.  He was still  hesitant  when we were getting 
ready, so I told  him we'd  just ride  over to the main road
and decide what to do from there.

We got our helmets on and made  our way. At the main road, I
offered two options: we could  ride across the road and join
the  traffic, keeping  to the  right (we  did go  over other
issues before we  left); or, we could walk our  bikes on the
shoulder  until  we  got  to the  sidewalk,  then  ride  the
sidewalk to the gas station.

He just  wasn't ready for the  road yet. The sidewalk  was a
good  step, as  it is  on a  busy-ish road,  and gets  him a
little used to the concept.  We walked to where the sidewalk
starts, and got going.

Boom!

The poor little guy was too  nervous, and cut the corner too
sharp when entering the sidewalk.  The curb was high at that
particular entrance, and he hit  it hard. Luckily, he didn't
fall off  the bike, but  he was a  bit shaken. We  talked it
over for  a minute while  he calmed down, then  continued to
the gas  station were we  bought some Takis (he  likes those
things) and some  sport drink. We locked our  bikes up while
we were  inside, another  first for  him (he  normally rides
around the neighborhood.)

Our youngest also  happens to be the one  most interested in
freedom of movement.  He likes to walk to the  store with me
or his  siblings. He likes to  be able to get  around on his
own.  He sees  the value  in it  (I can't  even get  my 16yo
daughter to  study for her  license, on the other  hand.) It
was fun, and I hope to make more trips with him. Eventually,
we'll get on the road as well.