Let me paint the picture --- a beautiful, SoCal 75* degree morning with a slight breeze. I decided it was the perfect scenario to take Ian on his first 'real' bike ride w/o training wheels. He's been up and down our street a million times, but going for a ride that required staying with me/in control/paying attention/crossing streets was something we hadn't done yet. Hi is only five yrs. old.

I needed to take the big kids lunch, so I made them and got them tied to the back of my bike. Ian geared up with a drink of water and his helmet and off we ventured. We meandered through the neighborhood across our first big street with a signal and dropped off the lunches. The big kids laughed with shocked disbelief as they noticed us sporting our helmets. "You rode here??? really!?!" We jaunted across the back of the school onto the bike path and made our way over to JuiceItUp to share a smoothie. So far so good. Ian is doing great and it's all good. One Big Berry Combo consumed.

We decide to head over to the trail behind our house so we cross over a the main street and head over to the trail. I talk him into staying on the paved part b/c the dirt would be too bumpy for him. It's slightly uphill; nothing dramatic; just enough to make you notice and burn a few calories. After a short bit, Ian says his legs hurt and stops. I convince him that we hadn't even gotten to the tunnel yet and we walk that far all the time. He responds with an 'Oh yeah, I can zoom down that' and onward up the grade we trek.

Until, his pedal falls off. Literally.

Lovely, we are 400+ yards from home. And he is upset.

I can't seem to fix it so I show him how to kick the pedal crank around & coast while I hold the pedal in my hand to ride home. The only positive part of this---- it was downhill. Just enough that he could pedal a few times and then coast. BUT he had to watch his feet -- which led to him crashing into the bushes more than once and tossing his bike in a fit of frustration.

GAH! We managed to get back all in one piece with no injures. I made him lunch; did some sit-ups and called it good. Although I'm not sure I'm brave enough to ride with all FOUR of my kids.