Spring has sprung, and dads everywhere are dusting seats, tightening bolts, lubricating chains and pumping air into the tires of the family bicycles. Riding a bike is something I love to do, and something I cannot help but equate to fond memories of both childhood and fatherhood. As a kid, there were few things as exciting as the moment I realized I could ride my bike on my own. I suddenly had the means and freedom to go off alone, to travel (albeit through the neighborhood) wherever whim and my peddling legs dared to take me. The speed, wind in the face, and concept of my own self-powered transportation was, and is today, nothing short of magical. Even now, getting on my bike is like stepping into a time machine as when I peddle into “the zone” my mind drifts off and the feel and motion and peddling combined triggers all sorts of physical and mental memories. It is as if I can, for a moment, slip back into every bike ride I have ever taken, from tricycle, to training wheels, to Stingray Chopper, to 10-speed, to mountain bike, to… you get the idea… I find bike riding both physically and mentally invigorating.

SHARE AND SHARE A BIKE

As a father, bicycles represent a welcome tradition and a rite of passage. I can remember my father running alongside me on our block in Queens, as I balanced on two wheels for the first time, the training wheels temporarily raised up several inches so they were still there for support if I were to lean too far to one side or the other. Then there was the ultimate leap, when the training wheels were fully removed, and that amazing moment when your Dad let’s go of the seat and you are off… truly on your own. That is a process we repeated with each of my own kids as they too braved through falls and skinned knees until that incredible turning point when everything finally “clicks” and you realize you can actually control the bike and balance it, peddle it, turn it, and even stop it. It is perhaps the first moment a child truly understands that they can indeed be in control of their own destiny.

LOOK MA, NO HANDS!

Once you can ride a bike there is no turning back. It is a skill and joy that thankfully has no age barriers. It is an activity that can and should be shared across generations, and cherished as something parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren can all do together. As I now watch my youngest, my Daughter Olivia, drive off in a car on her own, I can still see her the first time she rode off alone, at age three, on a pint-sized two-wheeler that looked like something a clown would ride in a circus act. As she wobbled off on her own, appearing humorously top-heavy thanks to the bulging pink helmet topping her tiny toddler frame, she smiled ear to ear, and never looked back. Neither have I. I always look forward, and look forward to riding my bike, with my kids, or alone, as often as possible.

How about you? Please share your bike riding experiences, with and without your kids, in the comments.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 20, Ethan, 18 and Olivia, 17).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab.