Balancing riding with family? (or TonyB finally does the right thing)

[Angusdog]

Well done Tony - family first. Ours are 4 (Sean) and 6 (Annabelle), and they love climbing on my bike in the driveway, or even better a wee ride down the street and back, sitting in front of me.

Having said all of that, is there space in your life for a fun bike, like an XR250? Or a resto project, like that CB900 superbike project you always wanted? Or, dare I say it, a scooter - I'm thinking Lambretta or Triumph Diana? Something cheap, cheerful just to 'keep your hand in'? Up to you, and I fully respect you doing the right thing.

[Pwalo]

I sympathise, but really your first priority is always your family. I'm sure that a lot of us older guys have been through the riding, selling, home, family routine.

I guess I'm lucky enough to able to commute on my bike every day. If I get a chance to get out for a ride in the weekend it's a bonus.

[gijoe1313]

Good on ya for finding that point of balance in life, this way you won't have any regrets and surfing is addictive. I'm thinking of getting a bi-board so I can ride and still go surfing!

Mad props to you for doing the right thing by your kids!

[Daffyd]

That's the reason I only got into biking seriously in the last couple of years.
Family all grown up now. And to my mind there is nothing better than going on a long ride with my 'boys', all of whom ride.

[Mikkel]

I must say Tony that what you put down there is just about exactly how I have it (not the kids part - but the selfishness part). Which is one of the reasons I'm not willing to consider kids... yet.

I do think you're making the right choice! The water is awesome - and there are heaps of stuff you can do. If you want adrenaline I think whitewater kayaking beats motorcycling hands down any day. Kite surfing looks like a lot of fun - but if you're over towards the Lyttleton side I guess there might not be enough wind.

[Matt]

Good call - the best thing for any kid is having their parents spend time with them - especially when it's doing fun stuff like Kayaking

Much though I would like to take the bike out at the weekends, family comes first so I use it 99.99% of the time for commuting.

[007XX]

I think we all, at one point or another, struggle with the selfishness issue...It's a fairly natural impulse, but if left unchecked, can be quite destructive when a family is involved.

Well done Tony. It is certainly not easy a thing to do, but trust me, in the years to come, you will not regret it.
My 10 year old goes everywhere with us, camping, riding, hiking, and now, even snowboarding :bought him his 1st lesson for his 10th birthday present.
Now, that meant I couldn't afford to snowboard on that day, but it was so very worth it, just to see him discover a new passion, the grin on his face as he took to it like a duck to water...

Little blighter was doing jumps the very same day! But he loves me so much for it, and even though he's 10, he tells me everything...we are incredibly close and I reckon that is because I keep him close...I truly hope this will go a long way towards keeping us in touch with each other through the difficult teenage years...

[TonyB]

Well done Tony. It is certainly not easy a thing to do, but trust me, in the years to come, you will not regret it.

Yeah I hope not too. MrsB and I were laughing about this whole thing last night because I suddenly had ANOTHER epiphany; I'm probably only sacrificing the bike coz I still get to do something that's awesome fun...if it wasn't fun, I'd probably still be getting the bike...

[007XX]

Yeah I hope not too. MrsB and I were laughing about this whole thing last night because I suddenly had ANOTHER epiphany; I'm probably only sacrificing the bike coz I still get to do something that's awesome fun...if it wasn't fun, I'd probably still be getting the bike...

And what's wrong with that!?!...what would be a real problem is if you were aware of your selfishness, and yet not do anything about it.

There is nothing wrong with allowing yourself a treat as an individual...you work hard every day to make the money to pay for the needs of your family, and so it is only right that you should be able to reward yourself.

It is too easy to go completely out of balance and pour everything you've got into your kids (I have seen it happen)...then, you end up with spoilt brats!

So really, the hard part is to find the right balance and make compromises.

You're on the right track, I'm sure of it!

[TonyB]

So really, the hard part is to find the right balance and make compromises.

You're on the right track, I'm sure of it!

I hope so!
Thinking of snowboarding- last time I was up the hill learning how to snow board this waist high little shit came past me and tried a jump..SPLAT... so then he gets up again, passes me after I get up from yet another fall, and nails the next jump. Meanwhile 90% of the kids in NZ were probably eating McD's or playing playstation. I know what i'd prefer my kids to be doing

[scumdog]

I was lucky - I was into hunting a lot and took the boys out - even when I had to carry them in the back-pack (one at a time though!).

The bikes came later when the boys were bigger - took them to rallies then too.

But now they're gone - one overseas, the other in another town with the 'ex'.

Time passes so quick.

[007XX]

I hope so!
Thinking of snowboarding- last time I was up the hill learning how to snow board this waist high little shit came past me and tried a jump..SPLAT... so then he gets up again, passes me after I get up from yet another fall, and nails the next jump. Meanwhile 90% of the kids in NZ were probably eating McD's or playing playstation. I know what i'd prefer my kids to be doing

Exactly! We are the role models...we are responsible for the adults and parents our children will be...

That's a responsability I always have in mind, and yes, it can be a bit daunting, and I won't lie and say it's always easy and I'm always fantastic at it. But I certainly try. I refuse to look back and think: Geez, I wish I'd pull my head in at the time, and been a better parent! Bit farkin late, then isn't it?

[saltydog]

(fark me what an awesome feeling!).

Well I'm totally screwed, totally relate to your thread and understand yr feelings. Surfing is the best buzz, at one with nature, good fittness and all that. But arrrhh the bike.........
I'm screwed

[Magua]

It must be tough giving up road riding, but it sounds like you made the right decision. _b

[cruza]

Its a hard call sometimes, Only been with my partner 5 years, Always said I'd ditch road bikes when I'd had kids. Just couldn't, Partner says I get all grumpy if I haven't been out hunting or on a bike ride/run for a while and understands mountains and bikes are part of what makes me tick. So I down graded to a naked bike, and brought us a house,And have worked my arse off To get it paid off. What im hoping for the future as 4-5 rallies a year, back off the overtime, and make time while my boy wants to be around me ,camping/hunting trips,and make sure he doesn't pickup a spraycan. Bikes ...well I know what my ol'man said, so I guess if he's interested, I"ll have to give him a better start than what I had. You still need "my" time , im glad I've kept a bike in the garage.