Chloe had had enough. Riding her too small Trek 'Mountain Cub' was ticking her off: "too slow, I'm tired of rolling like a kid, daddy", and her solution was simple... too big or not, she wanted to start riding her Schwinn.
I watched -silently- as she pulled it out of the garage, struggled to keep it upright while walking beside it [it weighs a tad more than my custom BBC]... and then swallowed hard as she tried to straddle it-and fell over while doing so 5 times. Each time my heart sank, each time she got more frustrated and got back up and did it again. 15 minutes later she was riding it up and down the driveway but needing to stop at the end of the driveway, she would fall... fall hard. She insisted on no intervention, she was convincing in her pleas that she was "ok" after each fall, and subsequent bruise or abrasion. It was difficult to watch.
Finally she announced, "I'm good to go... but my privacy's are killing me". Fortunately that same day our friend, Jana, happened by to purchase a floor fan from us and had an extra home-made Top Tube Protector with her. She gave it to Chloe as a Cycler-Chick gift... and that made a huge difference in Chloe's comfort level.
Later that day Chloe rode 17 miles on that too big Schwinn, with an average speed of 12mph. She fell over at 75% of all intersections, but she kept smiling and would do her best to convince Amy and me that she was fine, unhurt and ready to go: again, again and again.
The next day she spent 2 hours in the backyard polishing her Schwinn, putting lights on it: front-n-rear. And then ever so carefully, meticulously installed little neon colored spoke clackers that our friend Mark:"MyBrooksIs#36Of71MadeForTheRNC" got her on one of his recent trips to Amsterdam.
She then named the Schwinn, "Holly" because, as Chloe said, "It's green, it's mine, it's lovely, and that thing is like Christmas on Two Wheels!!".
Keep Ridin'... Always
Ride Chloe ride!
Posted by: bryantp | September 04, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Soon she will be asking to ride the El Dumbino, just watch!
Posted by: fatguy1966 | September 04, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Seventeen miles?
Holy buckets.
Also, I passed you on the greenway yesterday, right as you were going under Nicollet. You werent smiling! ;)
Posted by: Clint | September 04, 2008 at 02:08 PM
That's Rad! Tell Chloe I'm sorry I didn't get to see her riding it the other night; I was on a mission for half-n-half as we ran out at el shoppe...
Posted by: Hurltron 5000 | September 04, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Epic!! I believe that is what the Finns refer to as SISU (all caps necessary!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisu
Posted by: Alex Thompson | September 04, 2008 at 02:24 PM
There is something really inspiring and beautiful in this story. I hope the next time I fall or fail 75% of the time (on or off the bike), I get back up smiling, assuring those around me I'm okay.
Posted by: Scottish | September 04, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Go Chloe!
I am super impressed. I have a soft spot for schwins and persistent young ladies. Well done. I will blog a special New Mexico Nappy Squirrel in her honor.
Posted by: Tarik | September 04, 2008 at 07:16 PM
That is just the best thing I've read all day. Can't wait to see you guys rolling around PDX.
Posted by: Kronda | September 05, 2008 at 01:48 PM
This had me laughing out loud at work. Well played, Chloe!! What an inspiration!
Posted by: Dave | September 15, 2008 at 11:33 AM