First Tandem Ride for Micah

We finally got a chance to get Micah in the stokers saddle for the tandem.  Between weather, sickness, and hours in the day, we had not yet been able to get it all together, until this Sunday, April 1, 2012.  We had a very good ride.  There were some challenges for Micah, but he really stepped up to them and did well.  This was the first time that he had been on the bike with "real" shoes that clipped into the pedals.  I think that the tandem is an excellent place to teach him how to use them since he can stay clipped in except when we get off the bike.  There was also the challenge of giving up control, but he did really well.  After we had been riding for about a half a mile, he said, "Daddy, does it matter if I can't see in front of us?"  I told him not to worry about it, he could look anywhere else he wanted to, just not in front of us.  We left church and rode to the end of Kelly Rd.  Things were feeling good, so we took off and rode from there back by the church, up Old 27, then home.  We rode a total of 15.5 miles today with an average around 15.7, and on one of the down hills, we hit 39mph.  He is going to do great on it. 

We have less than a month to get the rest of our money raised before we leave for Cycle to the Sea.  Through today, we have raised $1595 of the $2000 required.Online donations are still open and can be made at:

http://events.carolinashealthcarefoundation.org/goto/malcolmandmicah

We are really looking forward to the whole family being involved in this event this year.  Last year, I rode and Kristy and the boys met us at the beach when we finished.  This year, Kristy and Caleb will serve on our volunteer staff that will help prepare our lunches and snacks at the rest stops along the way.  I think that this will be a very good opportunity for both of the boys to see and understand some of the challenges for our friends that need their chairs for mobility.  This group will also help them to grow an earnest respect for people who step up to the challenges, don't give up, and live life to the fullest.  I am glad to be able to ride with this amazing group of riders and help support such a worthy cause!

 Micah, Malcolm, and The Beast

Micah's first tandem ride

As it is also getting into prime riding weather, we are also looking forward to getting the whole Mize family back on the road.  Kristy and I have been riding the tandem as weather and time permits.  Kristy loves riding with the guys from work now, given a flat or any down hill, they can't keep up with us on the beast.  Last, we are in the process of replacing my bike for the trail-a-bike tandem for Caleb.  A couple of weeks ago, someone stole my bike that I used to pull him.  We did get the bike back, but it had been vandalized beyond repair.  They also removed my hitch for Caleb's bike, so we are working now to get it all replaced.