Old Bike new Bike

So we had a calm weekend this weekend, no running around, probably the last calm weekend for a while as next weekend we have a translators' walk to do on the Saturday and are having a goodbye party at a local village hall on Sunday and the following weekend is our last weekend (if the solicitors get their act together!)

Saturday was forecasted wet so we decided to do our favourite wet weather activity and get the train to the pub in Codsall.  As it wasn't raining in the morning we stopped off at Shifnal Park for some bike practise.  We took both bikes.  Tom did try to ride his new orange bike around the race track but it was too difficult although he gave it a good try.  He did zoom round on his red bike though and I mean zoom - he really is fast on it and completely fearless (something I don't say often about Tom!)

We then took him out on the orange bike around some streets - he did well.  I guess there is a lot to remember - keeping feet on pedals, keeping the momentum going, steering, braking with hands and not feet etc.  He's come a long way in a week.  Last Sunday we took him out and he was just pumping the pedals, now he pedals properly.  We have put the stabilisers on it though as he was having real difficulty with the mechanics of pedalling.  We are hoping they won't be on for long.

We then got the train to Codsall for a pub lunch, the sun was still out so we sat outside and watched the trains go by.  Then the train back to Shifnal and back home in the car where Tom fell asleep - fab, I transferred him to his bed and then lay on the sofa and 40 winks myself.

Sunday was supposed to be a bright day.  It didn't rain, but I wouldn't say it was bright or, for that matter, warm!  Anyway, we decided to take Tom's new bike to Attingham Park for more practice.  He did well, but seems to want to keep on stopping, which of course is not the best way to cycle.  We really need to find a nice flat paved area for him to practise on, but neither of us can think of any.  Anyhow, he has come in leaps and bounds in a week, so hopefully it won't take him long to 'get it'.  

Here's a video of Tom on his old bike doing the race track and on his new bike.  Enjoy.