Skate park

Its tough to entertain the kids each day without doing the same thing all the time, dipping into your wallet or spending too much time inside. Finding fun activities that dont involve money whilst keeping them active is always a goal of mine. 

Find a hill, ramp or a jump, some wheels and a helmet and your set for a couple of hours.

Another chilly but beautiful morning, another free activity. Skate park dudes in action.

Determined

There is something about being a younger brother to 2 very capable older brothers, who can do things a lot easier and more affective than Sam can, that makes him so eager and determined to be able to do the same.

I took Will, Jacob and Sam for a spin around Majura on the weekend. Sam stopped about 5 minutes into the ride complaining of his bottom being itchy. I checked him out noticing that he had slightly wet himself and it was making him feel uncomfortbale. I wasnt sure if he could keep going as he might get a rash, so I told the boys that we might head back and they could do loops, that way we didnt get too far from the carpark in case Sam couldnt ride any more. Before I could finish Sam said "No daddy, Ill be ok I want to keep riding!" Worried that he would miss out he was so eager to keep going.

The beautiful boy not only kept going, we rode for over an hour and a half and didnt slow down keeping up around the tracks on his little balance bike. Jacob was amazing too on his slightly too big mountain bike starting to really gain confidence on it. William as always blitzed around wanting to keep riding all day(2 hours out there isnt enough for our 8 year old!), accepting the good in things and not always expecting his own idea of perfection is something he has yet to learn. He finshed the ride with some 'interesting antics' that unfortunately for William, ended in his bike being confiscated for a week and missing the next ride.

Sams chubby little bottom was fine!

He has definately got some 'go' in him our little 4 going on 14 Sammy Tyler.

Butterflies

The London Olympics have obviously started and the elusive quest for a gold medal has begun for all the athletes over there. I watched the Boomers play Brazil last night and its the first high level basketball game I have seen for quite some time. I really love the game of basketball and found myself immersed in every play, willing the aussie boys to make the next play and swearing at them with every missed opportunity.

I thought of all the hardships, all the trainings, meetings and fitness sessions you go through in a build up to a tournament situation, where all that work can be snuffed out in a heartbeat if your not on your 'A' game.

I have been lucky enough to be in many tournament situations in my career. From juniors, to State champs, to junior aussie teams, to being selected in a Boomers team for the Stankovich Cup in China. They all have that massive build up where you just want to play that first game to get the nerves out. When things are rolling your able to easily keep good form as you play every other day, unlike a normal season where there is a week between games. On the other hand if the team has a one bad game it could all be over.

The Boomers had a late comeback but ended up losing the game in a close one. They have Spain up next and will have to definately be on their 'A' games to win.

Watching them I got those nervous energy 'butterflies' of competition that I havent felt for a while.

It took me a while to get to sleep.

Jumps

We built a little jump on the laneway out the back of our house yesterday for the boys to ride on. Its on an unused few metres of dirt that we have transformed into the worlds shortest single track! The boys love it.

We also went to the BMX track again today to try out some of the even bigger jumps! Sam and Lucas even bombed around up and down the dirt mounds. Thats one thing about  jumps, they are fun no matter how old you are!

Strava

I downloaded the 'Strava' cycling app onto my phone the other day to try it out. Cant go wrong with a free app! I have had 'Map My Ride' before and liked that, but with Strava you can compare your times for rides on different trails and routes to thousands of other riders. Time, speed, elevation, route, section breakdown and ranking are some of the features. Technology hey! Nice little app to have and log your rides, whilst having that competitive side and trying to beat other people you dont even know. Although there is one Jason E that keeps popping up amongst the top times in the climbs. Pretty cool being able to pit yourself against the best in the world.

I timed myself at night a few weeks ago on the red lap at Stromlo and made it to the top in just over 29 minutes. Yesterday I beat that time by a minute. Feeling pretty good about myself I checked my new app at the bottom. With a time of just over 28 minutes where I didnt stop and powered the whole way up I was still  5 minutes slower than the top riders around here!

Let the competition begin.

At the junction before Western Wedgetail downhill looking back over the observatory. You always get a great sense of satisfaction up here.

Lucas talk

Mr articulate has been using a new saying lately. When he gets upset at someone he still says "Your so thstupid!" But lately if I get him to do something he doesnt want to, like hop in his car seat quickly or get up on the change table, he says "Your a bummer head!"

Charming little darling.

Raceline10 Jerseys

"Pain is temporary, quitting last forever"

"It never gets easier, you just go faster"

After weeks of terribly tedious work, I have finally finished the team Raceline10 jerseys for the Scott 24 hour MTB race in October! (Or the company that I ordered them from has wipped them up and sent them to my doorstep). 

They look sensational and I think we will all be looking quite the pro's come race day. Although looking like a pro and riding like a pro is a completely different thing. Time to train.

- Modelled by Jacob Rice

Junior master chef

Jem loves to bake and cook from scratch and she doesn't have more time to do this than on the weekends. She makes all sorts of things and today has already baked cookies and has started on tonights feast.

Today she is making lasagna. Firstly blending all the fresh ingredients together then rolling her own pasta sheets with the assistance of Junior Master Chef Jacob who is always happy to lend a helpful hand.

Kowen Forest

I got up early this morning to check out Kowen Forest. I was the first there, put my lights on and rode off as the sun was just showing itself over the endless pine and gum trees in the area. So still, so quiet (apart from the Kookaburras) just bliss. Jem and I rode a section of it on our anniversary but this time I wanted to check out the whole loop, around 25 kms all up. I was not disappointed to say the least. It was amazing. Not too many hills, flowy trails and scenery that would make anyone smile.

I went for a couple of night rides with Laneo on our holiday to Tura beach last week. On a section of Mandeni MTB park there is a very tight and weavy part that I swear was made by a midget! I could barely fit my bike around it (although the XXL Camber 29er is huge, and so am I!) and I was constantly being bashed on the head by a branch or squeezing through a tight gap. When I got into Kowen it was like it was made by giants, trees where ever you look but you always seem to have clear sight and space to let loose. It was just magic, it felt like I took part in something special this morning, so much variation so much fun!

This was just one of many sweeping bends in this MTB wonderland.

Cheap seats

As soon as you have a decent bike and appropriate riding gear your only consistent money spent would probably be on regular services for your bike (obviously not counting the number of additions and upgrades that are so easily found!). This is such a wonderful thing as there aren't many activities that keep you fit and give you an absolute thrill like ripping around a trail. Im just loving every minute of it.

To ad a whole knew aspect to it you can buy yourself some good riding lights and go off at night for a 'video game' type feel. No peripherals, just the track in front of you lit up and foliage wizzing past, awesome. Your confidence seems to increase at night as you get tunnel vision with concentration solely on what is coming up for your tyres to roll over. 

'Cheap seats' in Kowen at dawn

Majura no more?

We took our boys down to Majura Pines for a ride around the single tracks today and met up with Simon and his boys. They all went off for spin with Jem and Simon while Lucas and I had a plod around in the forest. The boys had a great time, even Sammy kept up with everyone on his Kazam! A great way for the boys to have a blast, stay active and not have to give anyone your money to do so.

One of the great constants of riding is that you always know the trail, track or road will be there, it rarely changes. You get on your bike, work out how long you want to ride for and assuming there are no issues on the way, you will be back within the same time every time. Your riding experience may change but its never bad! 

Saying that though, Unfortunately it may be Majura no more, as they are due to log the Pine trees this week. Will there be any more trails left? Not sure, but I hope its not the last we see of the famous single track network all together.

Lucas trudging up the fire trail amongst the plentiful Pines. Its going to look a little bit different to this when they are done.

Is that a garden gnome in the forest?

BMX Will

I took Will back to the BMX track again. He loved it so much so that after an hour of riding I had to tell him its time to go home as I was getting cold. 

Here he is pumping it and getting some serious air (So he thought!). 

Evacuate

I took the boys to the local BMX track yesterday for a ride around on their bikes, thinking it was a good idea for everyone to have some fun. Unfortunately the only one that enjoyed himself was William. The others were all consistently crying about one thing or another, 'too cold', 'cant ride on that', 'need a cuddle', 'Im tired' etc etc. We had to evacuate and come home in the end as they were way past any calming down.

Some things just don't work out like you envisioned.

Questacon

With the school holidays all but over for Will and Jacob, we decided to go and check out Questacon today. Me and the little boys have been on numerous occasions but the school boys rarely get to go, so they were quite keen to check it all out again today. 

Holiday with the Lanes

The school holidays have come around again and we spent the first week of it all being sick from a nasty flu virus that has covered most of the east coast from all accounts. The second week has been much better with me and the boys (without Jem, she had to work, some one has to!) travelling down to Tura Beach for a couple of days to visit the Lanes. We had a great time and as usual it was filled with lots of activities, so many activities!! Beach, play, jumping pillow and skate park to name a few. It was lovely to catch up with my big sis and her wonderful family again, I even got a couple of night rides in with Rich which was fantastic. 

Breakfast time 

Marble tower building (the toy of much love and frustration!!)

Lucas and Josie becoming good little buddies

Short Point Beach

Lucas found a lump of wood that for some reason he became attached to!?

Chasing seagulls

Beach buddies

I took Sam and Will down to Tura beach later in the day for some more sandy play

The jumping pillow at Mandeni fun park

Skate park dudes

Sammy the dragon tamer

Thanks for a lovely time Em, Rich, Jack and Jo! See you soon.

Respect

Its Tour De France time and followers will all tell you that these amazing athletes that ride their bikes at amazing speeds day after day for 3 weeks are just incredible. The hills and mountains they climb almost with ease are just ridiculous, some of which are hard to even walk up.

I attempted Black Mt today, this time from the other side up the walking track network all the way to Telstra Tower. It was a tough ride about 25 kms all up and a majority of it turned to 'hike a bike'. While I was trudging up the gravel tracks the only thought that ran through my head was that the riders in the 'Tour' would see Black Mt as merely a small bump in the road. Respect.

Although I would like to see them get their road bikes up the track I rode today!

Dual suspension, lovely.

Strike!

Turning 4 is hard work! 

10 pin bowling for Sams party this morning, he had a great time! 

Grandad is staying with us for a few days and joined us for bowling, so did Uncle Ben. 

Came home for some birthday cake that Jem had made into a builders helmet which Sam chose from a cake book. Well done Jem!

Yep, 4 is such a hard age to be, you need to nap on the couch a lot!

4 today!

Sam has officially turned 4. He had a nice morning of opening up his presents which included a hide and seek Scooby Doo, a Leapfrog Laptop, some Star Wars toys, a Luke Skywalker costume and lightsaber and a dinosaur building set. 

We are getting McDonalds for him tonight and having a bowling party tomorrow, followed by his Birthday Cake (Jems creating a builders helmet that Sam chose from a cookbook). Happy Birthday little man, we all love you very much! 

Early morning present opening

The force is with you Luke

On the brink

There is something so wonderfully childish when it comes to screaming around a single track. It brings back all those reckless feelings you got when you were a kid. I should have gone a bit slower then! Maybe I should have gone the more sensible route! I shouldnt have done that jump! I should take it easy around the next corner! I shouldnt get so close to those rocks and trees! Why didnt I brake sooner?

Should have, would have, could have!

Its a great thing to be right on the edge and have complete faith in yourself and your bike, but at the same time one false move and your in a tree, or down a ditch, or over the bars! Its one step before completely out of control. On the brink.

Be a kid every now and then, otherwise you start to feel old.

Single track sweep at Bruce Ridge (remind you of anything Laneo?)

Inside

It has been an insidey few days at the Rice houshold with most of us coming down with either a nasty bout of the flew or in Jems case, Bronchitis. She has taken a couple of days off work and the kids have been flopping and moping around the house finding TV to watch or video games to play while 'resting'. 

Lucas has no idea how to play, but it doesnt stop him pretending.

Soon 4!

My third little man to turn 4 does so next friday! Hard to believe Sam was once so small.

Old Fellas

When you feel like your doing something pretty well, it only takes one a##hole (in jealousy) who is at least 20 years your senior, to come along and blitz you up a hill. It puts you right back in your place!

That occurred this morning as I was following these 2 guys up the switchback climb, I started gaining on them. Getting closer I noticed they were calmly having a conversation riding at a fair pace up one of the steeper ascents. Now panting and annoyed I wanted to pass them even more, but as I got closer I noticed one of them was riding a single speed! My frustration then turned into being very impressed.

I got to the top, had a breather and didnt see them again. Not bad for a couple of old fellas!

Looking in the mirror

Its funny how when I sometimes get annoyed at my kids for their behaviour they are generally copying something maybe that I have done in the past or have picked up from us genetically somehow.

Most traits that each of them show at different times can very distinctively be either from me or Jem. If they misbehave I generally say to Jem (semi jokingly) "They get that from you, ya know!" But ultimately I see a lot of attributions to the kids way of thinking and dealing with situations coming from me, sometimes filling me with pride, but other times not so much.

Its very easy to pass the buck and say that "My kids are perfect and they must have gotten that behaviour from somewhere else" When you are their main influence and most of the time they totally reflect how your feeling on any given day. I find if I'm stressed out, running late and in a hurry to do something with the kids, (which is most school mornings!) they pick up on that and are generally really ratty and irritated. On the other hand if I'm calm and take the time to give all equal attention and work through the issues patiently (not always possible in our mad house mind you) things seem to run so much smoother. Although its very hard to spread your limited time out amongst all four and their different age groups, although we find its well worth it if you can make that time to do so.

The fine line between 'having' to get things done with everyone on the same page, without them losing the plot and getting upset, is a balance I have yet to master as a father.  The great thing with being around the kids as much as I am lucky enough to be, is that you get a lot of chances to practice and if you get it right, you instantly reap the rewards.


Looking in the mirror and identifying that the person looking back is sometimes the cause of tiffs and tantrums, is a lesson I find is worth trying to learn.

Luge anyone?

 How about a bit of Luge action on a beautiful frosty Sunday morning? OK if I must!

It has been quite cold these past few weeks in the ACT. So much so that some of the puddles at Stromlo this morning were frozen solid at 9.30am. This one was broken up but you get the idea from the surrounding chunks of ice.