What is new with Ed?

I know that many of you spend an almost unhealthy amount of time wondering how things are going for me. Well let me tell you.

Father’s Day

The whole family ready for a Father's Day bike ride. (Lydia is back there in the trailer.)

On Father’s Day I wanted one thing – a bike ride with my family. We had a great day at church and then at a celebration for my dad. In the early evening Nikole insisted we go on our family ride. We got about four blocks from the house and were all riding around a new roundabound in our neighborhood when Edward Luke hit some sand and slid across the street. It made a sound I never need to hear again.

Altruistic Ed

Would you be disappointed in me if I admit that a part of me said “Really? Four blocks into the only thing I wanted to do on Father’s Day and someone has to perform a ride-ending slide out!” I am a fount of compassion.

Days after the crash, Edward Luke shows his cycling injuries

We rode slowly back home, washed and bandaged the crash victim and left him on the couch under the supervision of Grandma and Grandpa. Then we went back out on our ride. The Whiner got his wish on Father’s Day.

A New Biker in Training Camp

On a whim I invited three-year-old Bethany to try riding on our trail-a-bike. First I delivered a long lecture entitled ‘It’s Tippy – Don’t Freak Out.’ But the lecture was probably unnecessary as Bethany is the only Hale child born with the courage gene.

Bethany riding on the trail-a-bike with Dad.

Since that day about a week ago, Bethany looks up at me at least twice a day and says “Dadda, can we go on a bike ride?” The answer is always “Duh… Yes, of course!”

Bethany Jane wearing her sister's helmet after her first ride

Bethany’s new addiction to cycling is the most fun thing going on lately. I wonder as I ride slowly and predictably around the neighborhood “Why do I like this so much?” In the old days I enjoyed a ride in direct proportion to its length and difficulty, but now I am getting a kick out of these slow meanderings on sidewalks close to home. Don’t tell my studly biker friends.