Cragmama "Not all who wander are lost…" JRR Tolkien

Category Archives: Biking

Gear to Get Your Toddler Psyched on Bikes

Gear to Get Your Toddler Psyched on Bikes

Most parents would agree that biking is great for kids.  It’s great for exercise, self-esteem, and even the environment.  But despite all the benefits, a lot of parents are unsure how to get their child started in the world of biking.  And thanks to a lot of great products out there, your child might be ready to hit the road (or track…or dirt) sooner than you think.  Here’s a few gear staples that our family has relied upon throughout the different stages of learning for each of our children, along with the ideal ages for each. BIKE TRAILER (<1 to 4):  If the whole…Read the rest of this entry →

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Kindergarten and Bike Commuting

Kindergarten and Bike Commuting

The end of this week means our family has survived the first month of kindergarten…which, if you’ve been there, done that, you already know is no small feat!  To be honest, I had  completely underestimated how much of an adjustment it would require for the WHOLE family, not just Big C.  But after a rocky start and a few bumps in the road along the way, we’ve settled into a new routine that makes everyone happy (most of the time.) And ironically enough, what’s helped our morning routine out the most has been a bike commute!  Over the summer I’d had…Read the rest of this entry →

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“Type 2 Fun” with a Four Year Old…

“Type 2 Fun” with a Four Year Old…

“Is this the same way you went with Daddy?” I asked with raised eyebrows as the undergrowth got thicker and taller, leaving nothing but a narrow sliver of trail beneath it.  Big C nodded uncertainly, and we pressed on, pushing our mountain bikes further and further into the thicket, along what must have been a (seasonal) game trail. Then we hit the blackberry patch, or rather it hit us, in all of its thorny glory.  (Why had I decided to wear Chacos for this “cas ual” afternoon bike ride?!?)  Big C got snagged a few times, but I took the brunt of…Read the rest of this entry →

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A Blackberry Biking Bonanza

A Blackberry Biking Bonanza

Our family traditionally celebrates the 4th of July in Winston-Salem with both sets of grandparents.  We have homemade ice cream, ping pong and corn hole tournaments, and of course the biggest, most badass fireworks display in the neighborhood!  As the Crag-Daddy’s parents have gotten bitten by the biking bug in recent years, the past couple of Independence Days have also featured a biking adventure – last year we spent a day on the “rails to trails” system in Virginia’s New River State Park.   So much has changed since then!  Not only has Big C graduated from balance bike to…Read the rest of this entry →

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Hot Shots at the Giordana Velodrome

Hot Shots at the Giordana Velodrome

 Last week I wrote about the joys of mountain biking as a family activity.  This week I’d like to spotlight a local facility that’s provided another avenue for cycling fun for Big C in recent weeks.  The Giordana Velodrome was built in 2012 as part of the Rock Hill Outdoor Center.  It’s one of many outdoor recreation offerings in the gorgeous Riverwalk community in Rock Hill, SC.  In addition to hosting several national and UCI caliber events at the track throughout the year, the facility also provides programs geared towards educating thae local community about the sport of track cycling.…Read the rest of this entry →

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“Not all who wander are lost.” —JRR TOLKIEN