Madison's Bike Ride

I drove home through the adjoining neighborhood Friday night and I saw a mom pushing her daughter on a bike down a sidewalk.  My first thought was how soft children were as the little girl had both training wheels and a helmet.

Back in first grade in the mid 1970s, parents were not so overly concerned that kids were forced to wear helmet as the scar remaining over my left eye reflects.  I was rushed to a hospital for an injury I barely recall except for Robin, Babs (yep, that was her name and she was Robin's twin sister,) and others walking me home after I wrecked on Huntsman Trail, in sight of the house.  It was the reason I missed two days of school, I believe, the only two days I missed in first grade because I had a slight concussion as well.

As I drove past the mother and daughter, I thought about ten years ago when I spent Memorial Day weekend in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Aside from the wonderful gift of whooping cough that Calvin gave us and what forever has been known as "The Apocalyptic Water Fight of 2002," I got to take my niece Madison out to ride her bike for one of the first time in her life.

May was so excited, she ran to her room to get her pads.

"Why does she need pads?" I asked aloud.

She really didn't need them as it turned out, except these were Power Rangers pads, so she was excited to use them for the first time on her new bike.  I helped her get arm pads, elbow pads, leg pads and knew pads on.  I expected dome sort of chest armor to go with the helmet.  She was actually more armored than a Power Ranger at this point.

I carried her bike down the driveway as it was very steep and put it on the sidewalk.  The road sloped downward and she climbed on her little bicycle with the training wheels.

"OK," she squealed, "PUSH!"

"Madison, I don't think you understand how a bicycle works.  You have to pedal."

"PUSH!!!"

So I reached down and grabbed the seat she was on and pushed from behind.  I watched as she slowly steered down the sidewalk into the grass.

"PUSH!!!" she order.

"Pedal!" I yelled, walking down.

"PUSH!!!"

I then realized what was happening.  She was too young and not strong enough to pedal.  

The PUSH game was OK going down the hill, but it got old coming back up.  Plus she was not good at steering as I tried to get her back up the street to her house.  Thankfully she was done by the time we got up to the driveway again and ready to go play something else.