kids reaction to me going out for a ride

popette

My kids usually start crying, screaming at the door for me to give them one last kiss, then they all wave at the window with their little tear stained faces. To nip off for a couple of hours on a saturday leaves me feeling guilty enough but to have that send off makes it much worse. It's like they think they're never going to see me again, which always spooks me a bit too.

Does anyone else experience this kind of send off?

Bugly

The boys ignore me but the dogs make hell of a fuss

Tom Butcher

I don't think mine notice I'm going out - if they do they are probably relieved that they can have a couple of hours uninterrupted play on their DS/Wii/watching television without someone dragging them out to do something like a walk in the park or to ride their bikes.

Anonymous

My two girls love me riding my bike, they get really excited, the 2 year old runs round shouting "Daddy's Bike! Daddy's bike!" The 5 year old loves watching the cycling on telly with me.

The wife hates it, she would (and she's said this) rather me be fat and at home then fit and on the bike 10hrs a week.

I explained to her that I could just go to the pub like other blokes, she just won't have it...

pdstsp

My two younger ones (12 and 9) just look away when the Lycra King appears while my eldest utters the usual warning that if I pass her while I'm out I am not to speak or acknowledge her in any way - I think its because she's so proud of me she thinks sh might cry with emotion.

pneumatic

Yeah, tricky one, Popette. I used to feel really bad about leaving home on my bike, either early in the morning on my commute, on evening/weekend day rides and, worst of all, on tour. If you come home all elated and oxygenated, it doesn't cut much ice, either.

I think it is the fact that cycling is so enjoyable, refreshing and psychologically beneficial that made me feel so self-indulgent about it.

My kids are older now and couldn't really care less, but they were quite impressed when I told them today that, since I took up cycling again when they were young, I've ridden nearly enough miles to get me around the world.

As has been said, it's a better excuse for leaving them than to go to the pub for the whole afternoon. One day, they may be proud of you for that.

fatblokefromwarwick

Easy answer is I'm out the house at 5 every Sun morning before everyone else is awake! lol.

Not Another Hill

Tom Butcher wrote:

I don't think mine notice I'm going out - if they do they are probably relieved that they can have a couple of hours uninterrupted play on their DS/Wii/watching television without someone dragging them out to do something like a walk in the park or to ride their bikes.

Ditto

sloboy

pdstsp wrote:

My two younger ones (12 and 9) just look away when the Lycra King appears while my eldest utters the usual warning that if I pass her while I'm out I am not to speak or acknowledge her in any way - I think its because she's so proud of me she thinks sh might cry with emotion.

Sounds very familiar

bluecow

When i broke the news to my (then) 5 year old that i was going to do LEJOG, i explained to him that i was going away for a few days to do a long bike ride, and that id be back in a week and then i had to go away again for another long bike ride and then id be back a week after that, he mulled it over in his little head, hummed and said "mummy, whats a long bike?"
So cute
He's not bothered either when i go out, but then he's usually still in bed when i leave the house.

tardington

I see a guy leaving his house on his bike most mornings - his wee kid and wife are always at the window waving him off. Of course, they could be locked in for the day and are waving frantically for help... :twisted:

My gf looks vaguely impressed if I leave for a weekend fitness type ride. On a weekday morning I get minimal response!

dbb

popette wrote:

My kids usually start crying, screaming at the door for me to give them one last kiss, then they all wave at the window with their little tear stained faces. To nip off for a couple of hours on a saturday leaves me feeling guilty enough but to have that send off makes it much worse. It's like they think they're never going to see me again, which always spooks me a bit too.

Does anyone else experience this kind of send off?

that's a tough one.
maybe that's why my wife doesn't ride. - wait, no, what am i thinking - she's never been interested.

Slow Downcp

My kids and wife encourage me to go out, and the kids (9 and 12) can't wait for the weather to improve so that they can get their road bikes out and tag along through the lanes. I still feel guilty going out though.

the ferry

.....i did have a twang of guilt a while a go, my lad was convinced i had two jobs one being a cyclist!

markos1963

My boy is fine about riding and now insists on a weekly Dad and Son ride. We have now worked up to a 17 mile country route averaging 12mph, not bad for a 11yo. The missus on the other hand is not so keen and continuously looks for reasons(tto wet, too icy etc) for me not to go out.

The Chingford Skinhead

pdstsp wrote:

My two younger ones (12 and 9) just look away when the Lycra King appears while my eldest utters the usual warning that if I pass her while I'm out I am not to speak or acknowledge her in any way - I think its because she's so proud of me she thinks sh might cry with emotion.

+1

The wife always says I mad to cycle and asks me to text when I get to work (though that might just be so that she knows she can't claim on the insurance yet?)

If I have to pick my daughter up from town I have to take the train in or leave the bike at work :roll:

SteveR_100Milers

Mine are too absorbed in electronic games to even notice I'm not there. My wife on the other hand wishs that I would show as much enthusiasm for hoovering as I do cycling....

notanotherhill

The kids ignore me, partly fuelled by their mothers comments about grown men in lycra etc...im with tom, i think they are just happy to have wii time etc

and ive just realised that there are two users on here with the same user name....and im one of them

wastelander

No kids and the g/f loves the time in the house without me leaving doors open, lights on, not closing curtains properly and bazillion and one other petty things that seem to drive her nuts!!!

keef66

Hoots of derision from wife and teenage sons when I squeeze into the bib tights, look of incomprehension from wife when I return wet / frozen/ heaving for breath. And I know she doesn't really like me going out on dark evenings even though I'm lit up like a christmas tree.

neil²

Give and take I think - I'm only out half as much as I would like, but when at home make sure that it counts. I try to get Mrs N² out at least once a week - swimming / running etc., then it balances out a bit.

Early mornings help as that is dead time anyway.

Mine aren't bothered with me going out, but are chuffed to see me when I get back, which is a much better way of feeling wanted; lucky me!

popette

Neil2 - mine are also chuffed to see me come back so it's not all bad. They play in the front room and when I pull up on my bike just outside the window I get to see their faces light up again and I can hear them all shouting "mummmeeeeeeeeeeeee" so I do get a lovely welcome home.

scapaslow

Popette - what a nice story.

My kids are older and are so busy pursuing their own interests that they don't take much notice when i go off on the bike. Sometimes my youngest (8 yrs) comes out with me along the local cycle path.

Everyone in the house, including Mrs. S knows that life is not worth living if i don't get my time on the bike and accept it. The Mrs. is quite positive and would come out more on the bike herself if she made time for it but it's not her main priority.

So i can't complain at all - for once

Frank the tank

My daughter who's 19yrs made the cutting comment when I recently went out on the bike as opposed to the turbo, Oh you're actually going to ride it, rather than just sit on it in your shed!!!!