Stabilisers are for sissies

For the past week the Beebe family has been praising the brilliance of balance bikes.  Well actually we’ve been praising their brilliance for the past 18 months.  Alby’s bike means he can keep up on every dog walk and it keeps him challenged and entertained – as witnessed last weekend at the Rundle Cup when Alby went kamikaze down the steep bank squealing for delight.

Just before George was born Alby broke the back wheel of his balance bike, Runner.  Mark stepped in with Daddy DIY and seven cable ties and a generous application of gorilla glue later the wheel was saved.  Realising that Alby cycles around 10 – 15 miles a week and that Runner, a £25 bike from Lidl, probably wouldn’t last much longer had us quickly searching through the internet for a replacement.  And a good job too as just a few weeks later a downhill race ended with Alby in a hedge, leaves in his hair, dirt on his shorts and a very sad expression on his face: “I was just looking backwards to see you and I went crash.”

I think it is fair to say that Alby regarded Runner as a true friend.  When we first discussed the idea of getting a replacement balance bike he started crying, Runner was just too important.  Thankfully he’s a resilient young chap and his new balance bike (which, showing an untypical lack of imagination for Alby, he has called Runner) has been warmly welcomed – helped no doubt by the existence of a stand “just like motorbikes have”.

And then, Mark’s assistant at work came in the other day with a pedal bike with stabilisers her children and have grown out of in case Alby wants it. And yes he does!  It’s red and has “Fire Chief” written across it which makes it super cool with or without pedals.  And so we tried him on it and he struggled. It’s heavy and turning was really difficult and he got frustrated.  So Mark took the stabilisers off and the boy is a natural. He needs the tiniest bit of help getting started and then there’s no stopping him.  I’ll say it again, balance bikes are brilliant.  No way would he be able to do this without all the practice he’s had on Runner. 

And obviously I’m just swelling with pride for my awesome little man.  Love him to pieces. 

And for the record, Alby is thrilled with himself too.  Every time he sees the stabilisers in the back garden he says "I don't need those mummy.  I don't need stabilisers.  I don't need them."