Seven nights a week, you can find my family riding bikes. It's one of our favorite past times. Lucas was riding a two-wheeler at the age of 4, the twins had balance bikes when they turned one. Get this-we even let them ride them INSIDE the house all Winter long! Brennan's been riding his two-wheeler for about nine months, but Avery...well he'd much rather ride a scooter or even the power wheels to avoid the 'scary big bike'. When I saw PedalPower Kids post on a moms' group I belong to, I reached out immediately! WHAT? There's a business that comes to MY house, with a collection of their own bikes for sizing purposes, and teaches kids to ride bikes? This. Is. Genius! And I knew my sweet Avery needed it!
I know what you're thinking: "why can't you just teach your own kid to ride a bike?" We've been trying for the better part of a year. You know that old saying, "kids learn better from someone who isn't their parent?" Avery would tell us he was scared, he couldn't do it, he didn't want to, you name it-he used that excuse. When we went for a family bike trip to Rockburn Park, he was ALL over that skills course. Going down big hills and over little jumps and loving it. On his strider. I knew he wanted in on the real action-but for whatever reason, he was just not willing to go for it with us.
Enter Rachel Varn: "The Bike Whisperer". You guys, she's the REAL deal. She rolled up in her van that was stockpiled with various size bikes. Rachel might as well have been wearing a superhero cape because my self-proclaimed 'ladies' man' was all heart-eyes for her as soon as she got out. But then...and this is important: she got out the bike gloves. Yup, bike gloves. They were the most adorable little things covered in popsicles and ice cream. Avery put those gloves on and his little eyes lit up and his confidence grew. He had a good grip and he was ready to ride!
Before he actually got on the bike, Rachel did some warm-ups! Rachel and Avery bear crawled up and down the street warming up his body and getting his arms and legs to work at the same time together, much like they need to do while pedaling and steering a bike. Preparing both his body and mind for his new adventure. Next, she got him on a smaller, lighter bike than we own that didn't have the pedals on it. Without the pedals, Rachel was able to teach him how to get himself started and then when he was comfortable, they added the pedals. Avery had the balance thing down-but by the end of the lesson, she had him not only riding, but also doing obstacle courses on the bikes.
The amazing thing about Rachel and PedalPower Kids is it's not just about the riding-it's about getting on and off the bike, starting and stopping, and riding safely. While my other two bikers were riding around like crazies, she grabbed them and gave them some safety lessons too. The biggest things is that she taught them all to yield and made them practice yielding. I can't tell you how many times a night that I cringe when my boys almost collide and sometimes they actually do. Teaching them to yield to each other was a simple skill that made a huge difference in our safety.
Rachel teaches children of all ages and abilities. She helps them learn the skills they need and gain the confidence to ride! PedalPower Kids teaches kids to Ride Like a Superhero!
In case my own testimony isn't enough-I asked Avery a few questions about his lessons:
What did Mrs. Rachel teach you to do? "Ride my big bike."
How did she teach you to do that?" Glide glide pedal. (this was her technique to get him started). Her also drew a snowman on the street and taught me how to ride around in a circle. I want her to come to my birthday!"
What was your favorite part of the obstacle course? "The break box-If you go out you get out so you have to push the break. I loved the glovies that helped me ride."
"She gave me PEDALPOWER to help me ride!"
PedalPower Kids teaches kids to ride bicycles safely and confidently through lessons, summer camps, school enrichment program and clinics. PedalPower Kids’ Founder, Rachel Varn, is better known as the “Bike Whisperer” and is a certified League Cycling Instructor. Lessons are available to be booked online, individually or in small groups, and happen at your home or a convenient location nearby. The Learn to Ride Package (4 lessons) will set your child up for a summer of success on 2 wheels!
**Macaroni Kid Exclusive Offer: For Macaroni Kid subscribers who book a private or small group lesson with PedalPower Kids, you’ll have the opportunity to test out these amazing bikes from Woom, Cleary and Guardian Bikes and receive a FREE t-shirt. Please mention Mac Kids when booking your lesson.
Interested in places to adventure with your family by bike this summer? Local bike events and topics of interest to families who love bike riding? Follow PedalPower Kids on Facebook and Join our PedalPower Pals Facebook Group, where we share local events and adventures, tips and more!
PedalPower Kids provided lessons for my son, but my opinions are my own.
