My daughter is now 15. She used to be a rather enthusiastic rider mostly
as a daddy / daughter activity. She even competed in a few criteria (?).
However around the time she turned 13, she faded away from riding and
more toward spending her time at the mall, etc. She remained a fantastic
walker thinking nothing of walking from home to her school 10 miles away.
We remained active in the local advocacy group especially manning the
yearly 'bike swap' event which is the group's main money raiser. This
year we were rolling out the bikes (the swap sells perhaps 400 bikes
during the 6 hour event) when I got, at random, an odd looking cruiser
bike. It was one of those comfort ones which Sheldon would smile upon if
he were physically (as opposed to metaphorically) at the swap.
On a whim, I got on it and rode it. What a revaluation. I've never been
on a bike which didn't demand special clothing and a rather contorted
position. This thick tired, step through bike sat me up comfortably and
felt right in my street clothes.
I asked my daughter to also give it a try. She was very skeptical but
did try. After a few turns around the parking lot, she decided to buy
the bike.
Since that time, she's not been off of it. She rides it everywhere even
though she has a learner's driving permit. Frex, a few days ago she
needed to go to her *driving school* for a lesson. I offered to ride
shotgun in the truck but she preferred riding her bicycle there. She's
enjoying the bike so much that she has faded away from wanting to drive
with me.
Just goes to show how neat a bicycle can be if they are comfortable to
ride instead of specialized exercise equipment. I think there is a
lesson here but I"m unsure what it is.
-paul
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