Today’s Post was written by local Mom and talented Author Rebecca Janni. We are so lucky to feature her tips on biking and are grateful for her GIVEAWAY today!
Now that the snow has melted, it’s Bike Rodeo time in Iowa!
Our hometown of Johnston, IA just hosted its annual Bicycle Round-Up, Rodeo and Family Trail Ride on Saturday, May 11, 2013.
That’s not all! For a list of other trail rides, bike rodeos and mayors’ rides, check out http://bikemonthiowa.com/events/
Hit the Trails
All four of our kids are ready to hit the trails on their two-wheeled horses, and our youngest one wants to ride without training wheels.
Googling ‘how to ride a bike’ will bring up pages of instructions and tips. It’s all good. But watching our other three children tame their bikes has me convinced that three things matter most:
My Top 3 Tips for Learning to Ride A Bike:
1. If the bike fits . . .
Even I feel unsteady when I try to climb on a bike that’s too big for me. A beginning rider should be able to straddle the bike comfortably, with both feet flat on the ground. If your little biker is straining to touch ground on one tiptoe, s/he’ll be scared to move!
2. Helmet up
Your bicycle cowpoke can ride in boots, but make sure to trade the cowboy hat for a helmet. Those precious heads hold a lot of dreams, and a properly fitted helmet is a simple guard against head injuries and concussions.
Learn how to fit a bicycle helmet here: http://www.bhsi.org/fit.htm
3. Let go!
This just might be the most important tip. It took my oldest son forever to learn how to ride his bike. But it wasn’t his fault. I wouldn’t let go! I clung to the back of his bike seat with a white-knuckled grip that held him back and hurt my back.
For information about Iowa Trails, Safe Routes to School, RAGBRAI, and more, see http://www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes/index.html
The Inspiration
My second born watched our struggle and determined she would have no part in it. She walked her two-wheeled horse to the top of a grassy slope in our backyard, climbed into the saddle, and let gravity do the rest. When she fell down – and she did – she got right back in the saddle. She tamed that two-wheeled horse in fifteen minutes, more or less, and sparked a story idea to boot.
From her adventures, the Every Cowgirl Series was born.
Nellie Sue does everything like a true cowgirl. All she really needs is a horse. So when Dad announces at her birthday party, “I got a horse right here for you,” Nellie Sue is excited. But when her horse turns out to be her first bicycle, it will take an imagination as big as Texas to help save the day.
To celebrate spring in Iowa and bicycle cowpokes everywhere, I’m happy to offer a GIVEAWAY today!
Today’s winner will receive signed copies of Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse, Every Cowgirl Needs Dancing Boots, and Every Cowgirl Loves a Rodeo, plus the brand new early reader, Nellie Sue, Happy Camper!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About Rebecca Janni
Author of the Every Cowgirl series and Jammy Dance, Rebecca Janni learned early on that biking was the best way to get around the neighborhood and reading was the best way to get around the world. Today, she divides her time between volunteering, adjunct teaching, and writing — all of which take a back seat to motherhood. She lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, and a dog. She loves to read and bike with her family, but not at the same time.
Learn more about her at www.rebeccajanni.com
Buy Rebecca’s Books
Rebecca’s books can be purchased locally at Beaverdale Books, The Learning Post, or Barnes & Noble, or they can be ordered online at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, or indiebound.org.
We think these are the cutest books with the sweetest storylines ever and love sharing things we love with our readers!
These books look great for my 1st grader…she is working to improve her reading and I think these would be exciting for her!
All of her books look cute, but Jammy Dance would be a hit in my household…my kids LOVE to dance in their pj’s. 🙂