Goodbye Training Wheels

A few months ago Alexander's training wheels broke on his bike. We bought him some new ones but they didn't last very long. They broke about a month ago which meant that Alexander couldn't ride his little bike. He wasn't too keen to ride his wobbly bike on the road yet so opted for the scooter instead. 

Cathy and I decided to catch up at an oval to have a picnic but also for Alexander to try riding his bike. I went expecting to be doing a lot of running with him to help his confidence. He hadn't ridden his wobbly bike for a while so I didn't really expect him to pick it up quickly, even though I knew he had the ability to do it. He was always lacking confidence which made it hard. 

He was willing to try riding to the oval but had a little fall on the grass when I let go to run around a pole that was it. He was only happy to try again on the grass. When we arrived at Headen Park, he hopped onto his bike. I gave him a push and he was off! I was so proud of him and so surprised! Last he rode on his own he was not keen to turn, straight away he was riding in circles. He even stood up at times to give himself more speed.

He decided he'd ride over to the goals. Each time he would ride through them we would shout out 'Goal!'

Then he decided that he could start himself off. He got it straight away. He was then happy to ride on his own and Cathy and I could stand and chat while watching him.

When we got home I asked Alexander if he wanted to try riding on the road. He was quite nervous about it but decided to have a go. I started by just putting my hand on his back. This made him feel a bit more confident. At times I held the handlebars to help him turn but he mostly did it all by himself! James then tried to run beside Alexander but he was only comfortable riding straight. And even then he was making the bike even more wobbly because he was nervous about it.

I then had another go with him, holding his back to give him confidence. He did an awesome job!

 

James then had another go. He started to get it.

I then told Alexander that when our hand was on his back, we weren't actually doing anything to help him ride, we were just holding his back. He did the turning, the pedaling, the riding. He responded with 'I didn't know that.' We asking him if he wanted to have another go on his own and he was keen to try. He did so so well!

James then had him practice riding in circles on the road to get used to turning around.

 

And he even tried starting on his own up the driveway. He could do it! Goodbye training wheels and running along beside Alexander.

The next day we headed to Ruddock Park for Alexander to try riding on the bike track. He was a bit nervous at the start but he quickly gained confidence and loved riding his bike! He did the big path (riding up the hill though).

He did feel more comfortable riding around the play equipment which was great for his turning practice.

The following weekend James took the kids up to Ruddock Park on their bikes. He videoed Alexander riding around the track. So so clever!

I hope that through this Alexander will learn that he can do anything he puts his mind to. So very proud of him and believing in himself. That's the end of training wheels for our family. Another last.