Will the training wheels ever come off?

[tprevost]

Both of my boys learned to ride the same day... I had gotten them each a bike w/training wheels but although the bikes were the right size for them, the couldn't touch the ground with both feet while seated. Well, my little one wanted the training wheels off of his bike; then got nervous about trying it... in the meantime, my older one hopped on that bike and just started riding like he'd done if for years! So, okay, we went and got a smaller bike for my 4 year old and he did the exact same thing. I guess something about being able to touch the ground with both feet gave both of them the courage to just go for it? Now they are both great riders and are almost up to riding on the originally purchased bikes! AND, I guess we'll end up w/ a little one as an extra for visitors!

Your daughter will want them off eventually; be patient and she'll let you know when!

Tracy

[tulip]

What's the rush? She'll let you know when she's ready.

[DrBee]

I'm not really rushing this, we've been working on this for a year now off and on. The bike has 16" wheels, but she's very long legged and can touch the ground just fine. I moved the seat all the way down so that she could feel extra safe. She's always done everything very early and is really quite coordinated and agile. I guess this is why it frustrates me. She was doing sooo well and then the crash. Good news - she said tonight that she wants to go ride tomorrow and is showing everyone her "booboo" like it's a badge of honor. Too bad it's going to be pouring all day. I won't take the training wheels off until she asks me to - don't worry about that. She says that her favorite exercise is riding her bike and someday she wants to enter a race. Oh my - from crashing with training wheels to riding in a race. I am so looking forward to watching her develop her love for cycling!

[DirtDiva]

It really is different for different kids. I've done a bit of work in nursery schools, where I've seen two-year-olds pelting around on two-wheelers at mach speed (a pretty impressive sight - makes me go , untill they wet their pants because they were having too much fun to go inside... ) and almost-fives who don't even understand the concept of turning the pedals on a super-stable trike. You can explain physical things until you're blue in the face, but they seldom "get it" until they've done it for themselves (I'm still like that ). Muscle memory, I guess. The best thing you can do is be patient, be encouraging and make fish jr. feel safe. You'll enjoy the "aha" moment almost as much as her. Your girl sounds like a trooper; I'm sure she'll get there.