Tell your dad to pedal harder…

Boy I tell ya, if I had a nickel for every time some one says that to me while I’m on the 2Fast4U Tandem…I’d have enough for a 20 piece box of Chicken McNuggets! Without fail as soon as my daughter and I are on the trail, some guy has to make a crack about how I’m not pedaling hard enough. But for the most part people are pretty encouraging out there. Some of the compliments we hear are; “That’s Awesome!” “Good job guys!” and “Wow that looks so fun!” The best compliment we have ever received was from a runner who stopped to watch us roll by and said to me, “You’re a great dad for doing that!” That comment made me smile and totally encouraged me.

Then there are the people who we pull up next to and start joking amongst each other talking about if they sat in the back (stoker) of the tandem, they would only pretend to be pedaling and make the person in the front do all the work. I always chuckle when I hear that. Truth of the matter is, when my Aleah doesn’t give 100%, I definitely feel it in the front. Right away the bike feels heavy and we start going slow. I’m surprised for as little as she is, her leg power is quite remarkable and substantial.

If you’ve ever ridden the Fullerton Loop, we’ve cleared every single hill on the “standard” path. We’ve yet to try all the extra credit areas, but for now, we’re proud that we can mash all the way up the hill.

Aleah and I climbing up Cholla in Aliso Woods.

I’ve often asked my Aleah if she’d be interested in getting her own mountain bike. I was explaining all the benefits of it and that she might have more fun riding on her own. Her response, “Nah, I like the tandem, its more fun.” I can’t argue with that because I love how she and I can spend time on the trails together. Besides, at this time, I’m cherishing each ride because I know that in as little as 2-3 years, she may out grow the desire to ride the tandem or bikes in general.