Folks, this one here's going to be a LONG one....
may stretch out many days, weeks even, b/c I ain't gots no organizational skillzzz I once had to wrap it all up in one tidy post. Expect my ramblings to move forwards, backwards, forwards ...maybe not... but be forewarned. I'll start with two bookends...will fill in the rest.
Bookend Left:
My 1st born, and 1st pics w/ a new digital camera...640 pixels, ftw!
me & mini-me...
First of many lessons, obviously, starts out with teaching him how to walk, how to talk, how to live a full life one day at a time. In Austin, living good and healthy is a given -in part- to the plethora of parks, pools, lakes, and endless outdoor activities available to the public.
As with many newbie parents, taking weekend trips w/ your kid to a local Toys r Us store is magical; the ever escalating impulse buys, endless. That said, his first exposure into the world of power sports began on this battery powered 3 wheeler here:
Somewhere between 3 and 4 yrs old, we gave him a little brother (intro later). Life was moving along at a rather brisk pace, w/ his 4th and 5th birthday having came and went. For his 6th birthday, however, out of the blue...my wife wanted me to get him a "cool" present. I thought, oh please, not another blowout birthday party at some party factory. But, I had no idea that she was thinking about getting him a mini bike.
Well, as with most of you bikers here, you probably rode bikes in your youth.
Then after graduating from school and launching your career and marriage, riding got in the way, and you just put that part of your life aside. My long lost memory of me riding my brother's Yam DT100 unbridled back when I attended high school all of a sudden floated to the top, and in an instant...well, more like 4 days later...I bought him his new toy. Found it in the Green Sheet, (pre-CL days),a mid 80's PW50, 2stroke, w/ its oil injection system disabled, and of all things, this sucker's designed w/ a shaft drive. Look at that rear hub if you don't believe me.
Here, he's holding onto his elbow and looking pretty unhappy b/c he just experienced his first crash.
Lesson learned: WHen you tell a newbie to twist the throttle to go forward, MAKE SURE you tell them to RELEASE/LET GO of the throttle to slow down.
Another Lesson learned thereafter: Finding good moto-specific gear for a 6 yr old is tough. Don't buy online, b/c nothing fits right. You have to fit it on before buying. If I were to do it again, I'd also look at protection pads off the football & soccer & hiking racks. Prices are far less expensive for protection pads, and hiking boots may just be your only choice if shoe sizes are smaller than Toddler 11 or 12. Also, the ever more popular BMX bicycling sport has spawned a new line of lightweight, full size helmets that may be better fitted, lighter, and more comfortable. More about kids' gear later on in the show...
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I have to leave town for a funeral, but will be back to get to put some more meat into this....
Bookend Right, Pic taken last week... DON'T BLINK! They grow up way too quick.
may stretch out many days, weeks even, b/c I ain't gots no organizational skillzzz I once had to wrap it all up in one tidy post. Expect my ramblings to move forwards, backwards, forwards ...maybe not... but be forewarned. I'll start with two bookends...will fill in the rest.
Bookend Left:
My 1st born, and 1st pics w/ a new digital camera...640 pixels, ftw!
me & mini-me...
First of many lessons, obviously, starts out with teaching him how to walk, how to talk, how to live a full life one day at a time. In Austin, living good and healthy is a given -in part- to the plethora of parks, pools, lakes, and endless outdoor activities available to the public.
As with many newbie parents, taking weekend trips w/ your kid to a local Toys r Us store is magical; the ever escalating impulse buys, endless. That said, his first exposure into the world of power sports began on this battery powered 3 wheeler here:
Somewhere between 3 and 4 yrs old, we gave him a little brother (intro later). Life was moving along at a rather brisk pace, w/ his 4th and 5th birthday having came and went. For his 6th birthday, however, out of the blue...my wife wanted me to get him a "cool" present. I thought, oh please, not another blowout birthday party at some party factory. But, I had no idea that she was thinking about getting him a mini bike.
Well, as with most of you bikers here, you probably rode bikes in your youth.
Then after graduating from school and launching your career and marriage, riding got in the way, and you just put that part of your life aside. My long lost memory of me riding my brother's Yam DT100 unbridled back when I attended high school all of a sudden floated to the top, and in an instant...well, more like 4 days later...I bought him his new toy. Found it in the Green Sheet, (pre-CL days),a mid 80's PW50, 2stroke, w/ its oil injection system disabled, and of all things, this sucker's designed w/ a shaft drive. Look at that rear hub if you don't believe me.
Here, he's holding onto his elbow and looking pretty unhappy b/c he just experienced his first crash.
Lesson learned: WHen you tell a newbie to twist the throttle to go forward, MAKE SURE you tell them to RELEASE/LET GO of the throttle to slow down.
Another Lesson learned thereafter: Finding good moto-specific gear for a 6 yr old is tough. Don't buy online, b/c nothing fits right. You have to fit it on before buying. If I were to do it again, I'd also look at protection pads off the football & soccer & hiking racks. Prices are far less expensive for protection pads, and hiking boots may just be your only choice if shoe sizes are smaller than Toddler 11 or 12. Also, the ever more popular BMX bicycling sport has spawned a new line of lightweight, full size helmets that may be better fitted, lighter, and more comfortable. More about kids' gear later on in the show...
==============================================
==============================================
I have to leave town for a funeral, but will be back to get to put some more meat into this....
Bookend Right, Pic taken last week... DON'T BLINK! They grow up way too quick.
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