Finding Your Own Balance

Lets talk about Mom and Dad time

Balance is  the word that resonates in parents’ heads as they reminisce of times gone by. Balance is the word I cursed as I watched Colin on the North shore and I picked myself up after crashing on yet another ‘skinny’. Balance is the word my wife and I were certain our new little peanut would not disrupt. Balance is something that now comes with a new calibrated scale of immense appreciation when you get some time to yourself.

My daughter is almost nine months old and as I look back at the whirlwind that is now behind us I am so grateful to have a happy and healthy girl.  But at times I wondered if we were going to survive, let alone be able to bike together. As a father, I was constantly dumbfounded at what women go through and how amazing it was and is to watch my wife become a mother. Do I miss my wife and I ripping singletrack together in Montana or Oregon? Totally, but I would not trade it in for the joy my little shredder gives me.

11 Things that Keeps our Family Working

The first few months as parent are hard and if anyone tells you otherwise…tell them to eat another hallmark card and be on their way. Getting back on your bike by yourself, let alone as a couple is a challenge but I thought we could share a few tips on how to get back on your bike after kids.

1. Look after your spouse- be there for each other and ensure their mental health is strong.
2. Be flexible and get use to riding whenever there is time- early morning, nap times, afternoons at the inlaws (skip out when you can). If your spouse asks if you want an hour or two to yourself, go ride! Searching facebook and instagram can wait.
3. Buy lights- night riding is an awesome way to challenge your skills and extends the hours that your can ride your bike. There are lots of options for lights out there and techology has come a long way and doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
4. If you live in a city that is covered in snow for the winter- don’t fret or fight it, buy a fatbike. You can get out for a couple of hours and you are not gone from your family all day like with ski touring. There are lots of options out there- some super high end machines and some that won’t bankrupt you.
5. Find other riders that are flexible and know that you are going to be that flaky parent at times and may have to cancel rides- family always needs to come first.
6. When appropriate, try to establish a night a week for each parent to have some of their own time, then ask your riding buddies who can ride on that night. It amazing what friends will do to help out new parents.
7. My favorite date night is bike night! Find a babysitter, plan a ride that you will not feel too rushed on the first few outings, head out just the two of you and enjoy.
8. Get used to riding solo or have flexible friends on speed dial. I am a complete extrovert and this has been a challenge for me. All parents know that kids work better on somewhat of a schedule, and we also know that that kids love to mess with their parents…so if your ride is planned for seven it may not happen- head out solo when you can.
9. Set up a There is no such thing as bad weather only bad gear. Find out which trails in your area can handle riding in the rain and get some good rain gear. It is a blast once you allow yourself to get out of your comfort level and it improves your bike handling skills.  
10. In just a few months you will get to ride bikes with your kids- whether it be on the front, back or towing behind your bike. Then you get to watch them on balance bike and pedals bikes.  Just that thought should keep you sane…