Trails: Ischia

This summer I had the pleasure of riding over on the Isle of Ischia twice.  The route, pictured below, is just over 36 km long, and puts you through 1091m of climbing with a maximum altitude of 772m.  Needless to say, it's quite the ride, and while the distance and climbing may be grueling, the vistas along the way are breathtaking!  The climb is mostly road to the top, with plenty of places to stop for breaks and to pick up additional food and water.  At the top, you descend on some of the best single track I've ridden in Europe, swooping down along the ancient volcano, finally reaching Porto Ischia for mandatory carb-loading (read: German beer and Italian pizza).  Ischia attracts many German tourists, and as such, the beer selection on the Isle is typically better than on the nearby mainland city of Napoli.  

The route: 36km, 1091m of climbing! 

I live on the mainland, in the small town of Monte di Procida, which features a small port were small ferries operate during the summer.  The ferries are only large enough for passengers, and take foot bound traffic (and bicycles) over to the nearby isles of Procida and Ischia.  Unlike the larger car ferries that operate out of Pozzuoli and Napoli, these little pedestrian ferries move a lot quicker.  Typical travel time on a ferry out of Pozzuoli to Ischia is about an hour.  The ferry from Monte di Procida to Ischia is just 20 minutes!  Not only are these ferries from my hometown faster, but they also save me from the additional trip via train or car to Napoli or Pozzuoli.  Added bonus!  So, for the first ride of the summer over to Ischia, my friend, Rich, and I met up at my house early that morning, did some last minute maintenance on the bikes, and rolled down the hill to the port.  Once at the port, we bought our roundtrip tickets and waited for a few minutes for the ferry to arrive.  After about 10 minutes, the ferry pulled up, we rolled the bikes over "the hook" and got settled up on the bow of the boat for the short trip to Ischia.

Rich checking out the view from the top deck of the ferry.  Ischia far off in the distance (center), with the smaller isle of Procida just off port side (left).  

Our two bikes safely stowed on the back of the ferry.  

The ferry pulls into Porto Ischia, a small port town on the north eastern side of Ischia that is overrun with tourists from all over Europe.  Taxis and buses rush them off to other parts of the isle, as most tourists are there for the wonderful beaches and volcanic hot springs.  We begin our journey by starting a short climb out of Porto Ischia to the west toward Forio.  On the way toward Forio, we pass through Casimicciola Terme and Lacco Ameno.  There are a number of shops in both of these towns, most of them selling typical tourist fare, however these are great places to pick up some fruit and water for the ride.  And if you like super yachts, this is the place to see them.  With all the British flagged vessels, you think all of London's financial district takes vacation here.  I feel lucky that I can enjoy this island with just a short ferry ride! 

Looking back toward Lacco Ameno.  My yacht is parked

 After we ride through Lacco Ameno, we begin the ascent over the small hill that separates Lacco Ameno and Forio, further to the south.  The hill provides wonderful vistas of Lacco Ameno and Forio, and our route between the two towns is along the dramatic (steep!) coastline.  The Mediterranean is beautiful from up there! 

Looking south toward Forio

The road that leads into Forio along our route became cobblestone covered and twisted back and forth, even going through an arch at one point.  Some of the best urban "trail" riding I've experienced!  Once down in the town of Forio, we rode along the road that parallels the beach.  We stopped for a quick break at a local fruit stand, where I enjoyed a fresh nectarine.  Sure beats a Power Bar!  We continued through Forio, taking another moment to enjoy the vista from the Church of Soccorso.  We rode down a steep staircase, to the road below, and continue along the beach, until we reached the base of Monte Epomeo.  The next couple hours would be spent climbing  to the top of this ancient volcano!  (ugh!).  

We maintained a good pace on the way up, taking breaks whenever the need arose.  The heat and humidity added to the challenge, however we were well prepared.  I alone was carrying two liters of water in my Camelbak, with an additional water bottle full of Gatorade.  

House atop a large volcanic boulder, with a surrounding vineyard. 

The road we follow toward the top of Monte Epomeo provides some wonderful views, which help keep your mind off the heat and the climb.  Vineyards, fruit trees, and small villages line the route, with expansive views of the Mediterranean below.  

View of the Mediterranean as we ride along...

Almost at Fontana, looking back at our route and Panza in the distance.

We continue to climb along the road, until we reach Fontana, where we take a short lunch break.  We also buy some more water at Fontana, because the remainder of the route is away from civilization and off road.  At this point in the ride, I've already drank all two liters of water in my Camelbak, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to refill along the way.  

After we refill our water, we continue on our route, turning off the main road, looking forward to the final leg of our climb.  This last section of the climb is the most difficult, as it's extremely steep, and by this point we're pretty tired from a couple hours exertion in the heat.  Once at the top, we enjoy the trails atop Monte Epomeo, and take another break to enjoy the view of the towns and sea below us.  

Enjoying the view from the top (and the break!).   

Atop Monte Epomeo

Rich enjoying the trail atop Monte Epomeo.  The peak is in the background.  

After playing around a bit on the trails atop Monte Epomeo, we point downhill!  We descend along the trail we followed to the top, turning off this trail into the wood just below the peak of the mountain.  The fast singletrack descent begins here!  The trail follows along the ridgeline from Monte Epomeo to the east.  The trail is lined with trees and brush, and along the way we got nipped by a few thorns.  The trail twists and turns, at one point leading us through an abandoned farm.  The buildings were overgrown with ferns, which covered much of the field that we were riding through.  We continued on, descending the mountain, coming to a rest area for horses, where a local group of riders were having lunch.  Our aluminum steeds pushed on, pointed downhill, and picked up the pace as the slope became steeper.  We ride down through a dark, root covered crevasse that looks as though it belongs in the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Arc.  We finally break out of the forest in Cretaio, where our tires meet asphalt for the first time since we started our descent.  Back on the road, we continue onto a park that sits just above Porto Ischia.  This park is a relatively new cinder cone from the most recent eruption on the island, dating to 1306.  A short climb to the top of the pine tree covered mini-volcano is followed by the final downhill of the day.  Once through the park, we were back on the road just above Porto Ischia where our ride began.  We rode down into the port and stopped off for a well deserved beer and pizza while awaiting our return trip to the mainland.  What a bella giornata on Ischia!  

Alas; Beer and Pizza!  :)

Prophet Upgrade Project: Phase 1

I've had my Cannondale Prophet for over five years, and I've really enjoyed riding it.  That said, I was looking to improve the climbing capability on the bike by changing the rear shock with one that would "lock out".  The original shock, a Manitou, didn't include a lock out feature, and it's something I missed on the Prophet.  A previous bike of mine had front and rear lock out on the shocks, and I really liked being able to make the full suspension bike into a fully rigid bike on the road and on long climbs.  I really enjoyed the feature on that bike (a 2001 Cannondale Jekyll), and as such, I was ready to improve the capability of my  new(er) mountain bike.

I looked at the available rear suspension shocks on the market, and determined that the Fox Float RL would fit the bill, in that it features a lock out, rebound adjustment, and is reasonably priced.  I determined that the Prophet frame required a rear shock to be 7.875 inches long and have 2.0 inches of stroke.  Fox's Float RL came in this variety, so I ordered it online.

Fox Float RL

When the shock arrived in the mail, I was "shocked" to find that the original shock brackets (called shock reducers) didn't fit my new shock.  Searching online, I found that Cambria bike had them available, so I ordered them online.  When they arrived in the mail, I was able to install the new shock!

Needless to say, I've enjoyed the new shock, with a recent ride on Monte Matese allowing me to lock out the rear shock, effectively making my full suspension bike a hard tail to more efficiently climb the 4265 foot ascent.

Next on the list for the upgrade:

• New wheels: My wheels are in pretty bad shape after 5+ years of use and abuse.  They are overdue for a rebuild.  Do I get all new wheels or just rebuild on the existing hubs?  If I get new wheels, I'm thinking about the Mavic Crossmax ST's.  Clearly, rebuilding on the existing hubs would provide a great ride at a fraction of the price of the Mavics.  ...and I'd also not have white hubs (that will look horrible if I don't keep them spotlessly clean).  As you can tell, I'm leaning toward the rebuild option.  
• Fork Rehabilitation: my Cannondale Lefty TPC Max is in dire need of some serious maintenance after 3 serious years of use and abuse in Italy and Europe.  These forks work great, but are very difficult to work on if you don't know what you're doing.  Clearly I don't.  :)  Luckily, there's a bike shop back in the states that specializes in fixing and upgrading Lefties.  So, I'm thinking about shipping my fork off to Mendon Cyclesmith for a complete rebuild and upgrade.  I'm thinking about getting the "guts" upgraded to PBR, essentially converting my front shock from spring to air spring, and providing a lock out capability.  

Trails: This summer's lineup...Stuttgart and Livigno

With summer already here, I'm itching to get out and ride.  Work and family have been keeping me from riding as much as I'd like, but I should have plenty of opportunities to get out and ride this summer.  I'm looking forward to the club rides, as well as any chances to get out and free ride at Potenza.  I'll probably get up to Germany and northern Italy, too.  I will have some training in mid July in Stuttgart, Germany, as such I'm looking at trails around town.  The training will last about a week, so there should be a few opportunities to get out and ride.

Three of the trails I've found that look to be fun around Stuttgart

The wife and I are planning to stop off in France on the way up to Germany, and we'll stop at points in Italy on the way back to Napoli.  We're tentatively planning on stopping at Livigno and maybe in Vicenza.  There's wonderful handmade pottery and plates near Vicenza, and Livigno's riding is some of the best in the Alps (so I've been told!).  Some great trails up there by the looks of it!

Gear: Posca, the Roman Legion's vinegar based Sport's Drink

My recipe for Sports Drink works pretty well, at least I’ve been happy with the results, both in its taste and how it makes me feel during a ride.  It includes vinegar as an ingredient, which many athletes may find unusual.  I got interested in Vinegar’s ability to assist with muscle recovery, and found out that it has been used in this regard for thousands of years.  Rome’s legions used vinegar derived from old wine, mixed it with the local water to kill any harmful bacteria and also to improve the flavor.  The Roman’s referred to this drink as Posca. 

Turns out modern science has found that vinegar is an excellent way to relieve or prevent muscle cramps.  Here's an interesting study on the benefits of vinegar.  Coaches and athletes have been drinking pickle juice for years for this very reason, and scientists are just beginning to understand the benefits of vinegar for athletes.  With all these benefits, I wanted to see if it indeed worked.  Over the course of a few rides, I worked out a recipe that works well for me; it masks the flavor of the vinegar, while providing the benefits of the sugar, salt, and vinegar (simple carbohydrates, mineral replenishment, and muscle relaxant, respectively). 

Try out my recipe below:

1 Liter of Water

4-6 Tbs of pre-sweetened Kool-Aid mix (adjust for your preference)

4 Tbs of Vinegar

¾ tsp Salt

“splash” of Lemon juice

An update to the recipe, less complicated and probably just as good:

1 L of Water
2 Packets of Kroger drink mix (small sports drink mix packets)
1/2 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 tsp salt
splash of Lemon Juice

Gear: What's in the bag...

Packing for any trip can be tricky, and while the average mountain bike is a rather short trip, it can be difficult to determine what to carry along for the ride.  In writing this entry, hopefully you'll gain some insight to what's been useful for me to have along, and please, if you have any other suggestions for great items to carry, let me know.  

Starting with the bag, I wear a Camelbak Mule NV, which provides enough room for me to carry the essentials without being too big to encourage me to be too prepared; the more "prepared" you are, the more you typically carry.  And while it's usually good to "be prepared", the Boy Scout Motto can lead to carrying everything, including a kitchen sink...and household appliances tend to be heavy.  So, I like to carry the tools and nutrients absolutely necessary, plus a little extra just for "insurance".  The Camelbak Mule features a large pouch for mounting the 3 liter water reservoir, a large zippered compartment, a smaller zippered compartment featuring organizational pockets, a large pouch, and a smaller pouch cinched by a drawstring strap.  The entire bag can be cinched by four drawstring straps, and these are great for binding everything together as well as cinching down any items in the large open pouch (where the water bottle is located in the picture below).  

Camelbak Mule

The large zippered compartment lacks any organizational pockets, so I typically use it to store additional repair items or food.  On longer rides, I'll use the large compartment to carry an additional water bladder, and the compartment is large enough to fit a 3 liter bladder.   I've enjoyed the flexibility the large compartment provides me. 

The large pouch that is sandwiched between the large and small zippered compartments has been great for stuffing extra water bottles or clothing items like a windbreaker.  This pocket/pouch has been great for holding items that are too bulky for storing internally or items that I want repeated or quick access to while riding.  The items are secured by the four cinch straps, which tighten everything down in the bag.  This pouch is large enough to carry two bottles of Italian Champagne (Prosecco).  ...a typical item carried for a New Year's (Capodanno) ride!  :)

The Camelbak Mule can carry everything for your ride, including two bottles of Prosecco!

The smaller zippered compartment features organizational pockets which have been great for storing tools, repair items, utensils, and keys.  

Last, there's a small pouch on the very outside of the bag.  It's relatively small, and is kept secure by its own cinch strap.  Because of its size and ease of access, I typically store a small wrench for adjusting my suspension.  

The outside of my bag features a small first aid kit that's zip tied and a tire pump that's velcroed to the outside of the bag.  By externally mounting these two relatively bulky items to the outside of my Camelbak, not only do I prevent them from taking up room on the inside of the bag, but they are also more easily accessible on the outside of the bag and they also advertise my first aid and repair capabilities to others on the trail.  Initially I kept these items on the inside of my bag, but I've liked having them externally mounted, freeing up room in the bag for other stuff.

So, as far as what I fill up my bag with, I break it down into Repair Items, Food, and First Aid.  My first aid kit is externally mounted on  my bag, which provides easy access and advertises to other trail users my ability to help.  I've organized my first aid kit using plastic bags to seperate and organize the specific items, as well as protect them from the elements.  Keeping the items separate in bags allows them to be labeled, making first aid faster and easier.  There's nothing like trying to find what you're trying to administer!  Organizing is the first step in providing first aid.  The little red pouch on my Camelbak features Gauze, ointments, pain pills in a plastic tube, and large and small self adhesive bandages.

I use plastic bags to segregate and label my first aid supplies.

As for food, it really depends upon the length of the ride how much I carry, but I always carry some combination of fruit, sandwich, and water.  If it's particularly hot or long ride I'll carry Gatorade in a separate water bottle (or two) in the large pouch on the outside of the Camelbak.  I don't put drink mix in the Camelbak water bladders, as mold, mildew and sea monkeys tend to start growing in it soon after.  I use a reusable Rubbermaid container to store sandwiches, and I'll take dried fruit in plastic bags.  Granola bars are also a favorite.  The Italians I ride with like to carry Ritter sport chocolate, a big plus at the top of the mountain!

Rubbermaid keeps the sandwich fresh and prevents it from being crushed in the bag.  A waterbottle allows me to mix the sports drink in something other than my Camelbak reservoir, keeping it fresh and clean (Sea Monkey free).

I keep tools and repair items on me at all times.  Tools of particular importance include a multi-allen, tire levers, chain tool, patches, and a "Leatherman" multi-tool.  I like carrying the "Leatherman" really for the pliers that it provides, but many of the additional tools it comes with are great, too.  The chain tool is small, light, and it's one of the tools that really has no replacement.  With a chain tool, a nearly impossible task of repairing a chain that has become separated becomes an easy task.  Without it, you are quite literally up a river without a paddle.  Or a trail without a tool. Of course I take an extra inner tube (or two) along with a patch kit.  Thorns (spina, in Italian) are common in southern Italy, on the many cacti and other "spina" equipped plant life, so I carry enough to get me through and help other riders.  One tool that many folks don't consider taking is an eating utensil.  I have a little mini-spoon which has been great for eating canned fruit or anything requiring something other than my fingers.  I also include a nifty little multi-tool that I received as a gift at a conference; it looks like a credit card but includes a blade, wrench, bottle opener, etc.  It doesn't take up any space, so I include it in the kit.  Last, but not least, I have a little tool wrap that my beautiful wife sewed up for me.  This tool wrap not only keeps my tools organized and quick to access, but it also keeps them safe.  Prior to the tool wrap, I had some tools wear out and break due to the constant vibration from riding.  The wrap cushions all the tools and protects them, ensuring they are ready when you need them.

The tools and other repair items.

Some optional items that I'll carry include a shock pump for adjusting my suspension on the trail, extra food, and as I mentioned earlier, extra water in a water bottle or an additional Camelbak bladder.

Commuting: Riding in Naples is Safe?!

When I talk to people about biking in Italy, often times the first thing that comes up in the conversation is the question of safety: is it safe to ride on the roads?  


Interestingly enough, despite the crazy driving habits of Italians, they are extremely respectful of cyclists.   Everyone I speak to about biking on the roads in Italy is amazed, especially Americans, as driving on the roads can be stressful, so they assume that cyclling on the road would be stressful and dangerous.  Quite the opposite.  Unlike in America where the average driver is cursing at any/all cyclists, the typical Italian driver respects and sometimes admires road-borne cyclists.  What's the difference?  The average Italian views cyclists as sports heroes.  American's wouldn't know cycling was a sport if it wasn't for Lance Armstrong winning 7 straight Tour de France victories.  To analogize, it would be like a Saint Louis Cardinal Baseball player running in the street in Saint Louis; they'd get all the respect and plenty of room from passing cars.  


So, the driving might be a bit crazy in Bella Napoli, but they aren't gunning for you on your bike.  

Commuting: My first ride to work in Napoli, Italia

I've been working a bit closer to home lately, in an office that's located just down the coast from me.  Unlike my usual work location, which is seperated from where I live by a number of tunnels and mountains, the geography separating my new office and home is simpler, and as such, easier to ride.  I've been driving to work the past week or so, but realized early on that my commute was possible by bike.  In fact, as bike commutes go, it's probably the worlds best.  Not counting the traffic, which I get up early enough, prior to most drivers hitting the road, or me.  Kidding. :)

Anyway, the ride is beautiful.  Probably the most beautiful bike commute I will ever have.  My ride allowed me to see much of what I get to see from the car, but it's different on a bike.  Maybe that's because I'm going slower, maybe it's because I'm more exposed to the environment on the bike, hearing and seeing more along my bike commute than I would by car.  Either way, I experience more by bike than by car.  The ride is spectacular, but I'd like to share a few places in particular.  First is the downhill ride from Monte di Procida.  It's particularly long and fast, but it also features an amazing view looking north along the coast.  The morning was so clear that I could see almost to Gaeta, 100km to the north.  Continuing on, I reach Baia, a small port town, and as I turn toward work, I look over the bay of Naples and see the sun rising over Vesuvius.  As I ride toward Pozzuoli along the coastal road perched on a cliff above the bay of Naples, I looked to my right seeing Vesuvio, Sorrento and Capri in the distance.  As I reach Pozzuoli, the foot and motor traffic become much more congested, forcing me to pay more attention to the activity around me.  Although it's busy, Pozzuoli is also a beautiful city.  As I ride over the cobblestone streets, I pass by cafe's, ride through arches and tight city streets and witness the city getting ready for another busy day.  The final spectacular spot along my bike commute route is a short but beautiful stretch of road between Pozzuoli and Bagnoli, where I work.  This route is fairly tight, with the road built between the bay of Naples and a cliff, but the spectacular view looks out over the bay of Naples looking back toward home.  From this vista I see my home in the distance, and as my eye follows the coastline, I can witness the route through Baia and Pozzuoli that I've just completed.  I finish the ride by climbing the road up into Bagnoli, reaching my office in just over a half an hour.  I've really enjoyed my first bike ride to work in Italy.  Wonderful view and a great ride.  ...next time I'll have to stop for a cafe or cappuccino in Pozzuoli...

Trails: Tremalzo

Tremalzo is the premeir trail in nothern Italy, the American equivelent of Porcupine Rim trail in Moab, Utah.  It's a spectacular trail, both for the quality of the trail but also for the wonderful vistas.

Tremalzo Trail, with Lago di Garda in the foreground and Lago di Ledro in the distance

Starting from Riva del Garda, on the north western end of Lago di Garda, the trail ascends for a 10km, initially riding along a old gravel roadway above Lago di Garda.  This portion of the route provides wonderful views of the lake, allowing you to watch the windsurfers below.  The route weaves through the old tunnels, apparently a part of the original roadway along the lake.

Beautiful vistas of Lago di Garda help keep your mind off the 17km/1200m climb that you've just begun!

 The ascent turns away from the lake, heading up a steep valley toward Lago di Ledro.  As you continue to climb toward Lago di Ledro, you will be riding along both trail and at times paved roads.  It's best to equip your mountain bike with a rear safety light, increasing your visibility to the Itallian and German drivers touring around the small, curvy roads.  The drivers are very courteous, and mindful of bikes on the road.  The trail toward Lago di Ledro runs through a number of small villages, providing the rider with an opportunity to see parts of quaint parts of Italy rarely seen by car.  Molina de Ledro is a small village on Lago di Ledro, and provides an opportunity to rest, refill water, and get  a bit of gellato prior to continuing the climb.

Small village along the way from Lago di Garda toward Lago di Ledro

Continuing south along Lago di Ledro, the route turns uphill, and the climbing really gets difficult.  Another 7km of climbing await, with the trail reaching over 1250m in altitude.  The climb works its way up a number of switchbacks, none of which are terribly technical.  The difficulty in the ascent is in the effort to climb, not in any particular obstacle along the way.  Concouring the summit means you've just climbed 1200m in under 17km!  The reward is worth it, both the immediate view of Lago di Garda below, as well as the upcoming descent.
The summit is a great place for a lunch break, as there are a number of picnic spots along the summit trail.  Obviously, this is also a great time for photos!

Lago di Garda from atop Tremalzo; 10km descent awaits!

The descent begins!  What you've been waiting and working for all day: 10km of technical descent!  Beautiful views may distract you on the way down, so it's best to stop along the way and snap a couple photos.  That and so much effort goes into getting to the top, it's best to enjoy the view!

As the trail approaches Pregasina, a small village perched high above Lago di Garda, the trail becomes paved road.  While passing through Pregasina, feel free to enjoy a cafe' at the small restarant, Kaffee Pregasina.  Another 6km of descent await, about half of it down paved roads, the remaining 3-4km desending the gravel path that were ascended at the beginning of the loop.  The descent along the lake is particularly fun, as the view is terrific, and the jumps and other fun obstacles on the gravel route provide some entertainment, too.

The old route, now little more than a gravel road.  Note the tunnel and the jump ahead!

Back in Riva del Garda, time for some Italian Pizza and German beer; the best part of the Alps is the mixing of cultures, and the ability to have the best of everything Europe has to offer, including trails!

Tremalzo is a "must ride" trail!

Feel free to download the KML or GPX file of the Tremalzo trail.

Italian Pizza and German Beer: northern Italy features the best of Europe!

Bike Review: Wooden Balance Bike

I was intrigued when I first saw the design of the wooden balance bikes a few years ago.  Unlike their American counterparts, the European balance bikes lack pedals, and instead of focusing on the locomotion skills associated with turning the cranks of a bicycle drive train, the balance bikes focus on developing equilibrium.  Their design is simple, and focuses on teaching children how to balance on two wheels.  Last year I purchased one for my son, and I've found it to be excellent for teaching Alex the fundementals of riding a bike.  

I bought the bike at a specialty toy store in Amsterdam while on vacation with my wife.  I knew that the vacation would be a bit of a bike fest for us (me!), as Amsterdam is so bike friendly.  I took more photos of the dutch bikes than anything else, and we even rented a tandem bicycle to ride around town for an afternoon.  While walking around town, we noticed one of the wooden balance bikes in a toy store, and we inquired the price, availability, etc.  I liked the model that they had available, and it seemed to be a quality bike from what I could tell of the parts and construction.  We were quoted 65 euro, and since we hadn't really shopped around for these bikes, we decided to do some comparison shopping.  While continuing our tour around Amsterdam for a bit we came upon a bike shop, and I noticed some of these wooden balance bikes inside. We walked in and found that the bikes were very similar to the ones we saw at the toy store a few minutes before, and we inquired about the price.  The shop employee quoted us a price, which I misheard as 75 euro.  I turned to my wife and said, "that's 10 more than the toy store".  She quickly corrected me, stating "they just said it was 175 euro, not 75!"  thanks for the clarificaiton!  Quickly realizing that the wooden balance bike at the toy store was a particularly good deal, we ran back and purchased one.  The salesman at the toy store told us that the wooden balance bikes they carry usually quickly sell out after they receive them.  Considering what the bike shops were selling these bikes for, we understood why!  So, with our bike in hand, we headed back to the hotel to drop it off, so we weren't (or more precisely, I wasn't) carrying it around all day.  

Fast forward a bit...  when we brought it home, Alex was happy to have a gift from our trip (he stayed with Grandma and Grandpa).  I assembled the bike, with Alex watching the whole time, and he got to check it out that day.  Initially, he was unsure about the bike, with the size/fit an immediate problem.  At the time Alex was quite a bit shorter than he is now, and he was barely able to straddle the bike with the bike's seat at it's lowest setting.  Regardless, he was excited to have it, and instead of riding it he would push it around without straddling it, both in the house and outside.  Initially I was concerned about him not straddling the bike, but he eventually got comfortable enough (and big enough) with the bike to straddle it and walk around with it.  

Since these training bikes lack pedals, the kids can walk or run with the bike, developing their sense of balance as they run and glide.  After watching him develop on this european training bike, I see now that the typical American kid's bike is probably too overwhelming for new riders.  Specifically, I think the pedals/drivetrain and the act of balancing are probably too much for kids to take on at one time.  The act of balance is probably the most difficult aspect of learning to ride a bike, when compared to the skill of pedaling.  So it's a lot easier for the child to just focus on balancing the bike as they run and walk, a method of locomotion they are already well aquainted with prior to starting on these bikes.  I think this makes it easier for a kid to learn how to ride a bike.  I've witnessed this watching Alex on his wooden balance bike.  

As Alex became more comfortable and confident with the bike he was gradually able to go from walking to running with it.  It was at this point that Alex started to develop balance.  He quickly learned that he could lift his feet and coast after running with the bike, experiencing the sensation of balancing on two wheels.    

A couple of things may have helped him learn balance.  First, I would ride my mountain bike along side him.  I dropped my seat post height as low as it could go, and along with the relatively small frame size associated with my off road bike, I was able to imitate the fit of his bike. I could be seated while having my feet planted firmly on the ground.  These minor adjustments to my bike allowed me to shuffle around on my bike in a way that was similar to his balance bike, allowing me to demonstrate walking and running with the bike, as well as the ability to pick up the feet and balance the bike while moving.  Second, our parco has garden area with a couple of small, gradual descents that were also very helpful.  These descents allowed him to coast for longer periods of time as he became more comfortable going fast on the bike.  Coasting on these gradual descents allowed him to experience the sensation of balancing for a longer period of time.  

The video above was recorded a few months after he began riding the wooden balance bike, and there are a few moments where you can see he is quite comfortable and capable of balancing on two wheels.  

Alex's bike has held up well under his use and abuse.  He has ridden quite a bit since we brought it home last summer.  He really enjoys taking it outside, but he also has fun riding it (well, walking pretty slowly) in the house. All the parts and components of the bike have held up well.  The bike is made primarily of laminated wood and held together by a series of bolts and fasteners.  The simple construction makes for a durable product.  His particular bike is painted in police colors, well, Dutch Politie colors actually.  Some of the design features that I like include the integrated carry handle in the frame, the adjustable seat, and the wall-saving bumper equipped handle grips.  The frame's integrated handle makes it easy to pick up the bike and carry it, which has been necessary a few times when walking a fussy rider back to the house for his daily nap.  The handle is situated near the bike's center of gravity, making it very easy to carry (particularly helpful while dealing with a wild child).  The adjustable seat has been great, extending the life of the bike.  Granted, with the speed at which Alex is growing, this bike may not last much longer.  It is designed for age 3-6.  Alex just turned three, and we had to raise the seat to the top and final position! 

The final feature that's proved useful was a bit of a surprise to me: the handle grips.  I typically don't notice handle grips much, not even on my own bike, as they are typically just a soft grippy bit of rubber on the handlebar.  There's not much to like about them, they just do their job, right?  Well, the grips that came with his wooden balance bike have large rubber bumpers on the end to protect the bike and his hands and the things that it may (will!) rest on and crash into.  The bumpers have no doubt saved the walls at our house, as well as protecting the wooden handlebar and Alex's hands from being hurt when scraping or crashing into walls.  

This bike has been a wonderful way for Alex and I to enjoy the outdoors, and an excellent way for him to learn to ride a bike.