The Big Ride

This morning, we did the big 50-mile bike ride for the cycling merit badge. About 5 scouts came along as well as three leaders. We even had a truck that followed us the whole way, so we had plenty of water, food, and mechanical support.

BYU had there homecoming celebration today, so I picked a route that would keep us FAR away from Cougar Stadium. We rode all over American Fork and Lehi.

After about 32 miles of riding, we stopped and had lunch. I SO enjoyed sitting with my son, eating a Gandolfo's sandwich, and talking and laughing. He was REALLY enjoying himself, and it was obvious.

After lunch, we set out again to finish the ride. But my son's experience changed during the next few miles. At about 38 miles into the ride, he started falling back a bit. His legs were KILLING him. He was riding along, tears in his eyes. I was pretty worried about him.

We stopped for a break and he and I talked about what to do. He said his thighs felt like they were tied in knots and that someone was sticking needles into them. I had him drink more water and stretch out, which helped a little bit. We were only about 2 miles from home at this point. Our route would take us within a mile from home before heading away from home one last time. I told him it was his decision--that he could turn for home when we got to the closest point.

And then he made me incredibly proud. He told me that it would be a shame to ride this far and not finish. I told him that I would be right by his side the rest of the way. (I had been in front, setting pace and navigating the route up to that point.) I told the other leaders the route we would take for the rest of the ride and explained that I needed to be there for my son at that time. They completely understood.

The hard part ahead was a nearly-four-mile climb from American Fork all the way up into Highland. I rode by my son, encouraging him the whole way. He was in pain and we stopped a couple of times to stretch out his legs. But he kept pedaling. He made it to the top, and when we turned the corner at the top of the climb, I congratulated him and told him that he had made it and I told him how proud I was of him.

The downhill ride back home from that point was a triumphant ride for my son. He was laughing and joking and couldn't quit smiling.

I still haven't quit telling him how proud I am of him for the decision he made to continue.

It's what every parent hopes for--that their child will see the difference between alternatives and choose the better way, even if it's the more difficult path. It was a learning and growing experience for my son, and a wonderful experience for me to see him grow in that way.