Monday, September 3, 2012

The road to school...

...has just got longer for Son 1, who starts at lycée tomorrow! The lycée (high school) is in the town next door to ours, so instead of the 5 minute cycle ride he and his brother are used to, he'll be cycling 20 minutes there and 20 back each day.
We all have bikes, crammed into our utility room following some thefts a few years ago.
Both boys are learning basic bike maintenace with Ben - frankly, I should learn too, but I just hate all that dirt and confusing machinery! Above is Son 2 with his dad, preparing his bike for the rentrée last Saturday.
Yesterday Son 1 and I checked the route (mainly on a cycle path) and the timing for his new journey - it really took me back to the summer rides I enjoyed with him three years ago (photo above) when we were getting him ready to cycle on his own to collège - a dyspraxic cyclist takes a little longer to be roadworthy than your average child! Aww - what a little cutie he looks there, compared to his tousle-haired, square-jawed, lumbering self these days... but I'm so proud of him. He's chosen to cycle rather than register for the school bus. I've pointed out that he'll regret that on cold, rainy days, but he points out freedom (first priority) and exercise (second) are worth a bit of cold and wet over the course of a school year...

6 comments:

VintageVicki said...

Good on that boy - sounds like a first step at independence :)

As I've said before BigSon is dyspraxia and he didn't learn to ride his bike till he was nearly 9 - and we didn't let him out on his own till he was about 13/14 until we were confident he could not be a danger to others & himself.

He'll be cycling to school across town from September as thats where the 6th form centre is AND he will be wearing a crash hat despite his moans about it!!

Pom Pom said...

Wonderful! Bill and I were talking about biking today and mentioning that our local roads are not safe for cyclists. To bike here, we must go to the bike paths/trails. Sad.
Happy school beginnings, Floss!

Jane and Chris said...

Will you sneakily follow him the first day,or will you be at home pacing?
Jane x

Janice said...

Hello Floss, I have started looking at your French adventures after you called in on my blog, and I'm looking forward to reading more. Good luck for the new school. J.

magsmcc said...

Well done, him. I nearly hesitated at opening your post. A first day back with all the usual frustrations of having a slightly special son. Well, more the frustrations of the way his school deals with my slightly special son. But I did click, and am encouraged at what very special sons we have. We have yet to walk/cycle once, and they won't have a chance until Thursday. Am already regretting taking on a week's work!

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Oh Floss Hello! How wonderful to cycle all the way to school.
Haymaking with assistance of large tractor and cutter,a cool thing called a rotor tedder that sort of fluffs it all up! and then a baler!The main ingredient is our friendly farmer who has helped us learn all about managing our land, he is a legend! Love to you all for the start of a new school year,

Sarah -x-