REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Fathers day ramblings

931 Views 17 Replies 13 Participants Last post by BadHabit, Jun 23, 2009

sherijumper

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2009

3

It`s been five months since my Father passed away , I never thought too much about Fathers day , to be honest I thought it was just a cheesy "Hallmark" holiday . This morning when I woke up it hit me pretty hard . I had planned on going for a big ride today and knew this morning it would be pretty therapeutic as it always is . After my daughters gave me their gifts I loaded up the bike and drove out to the trails . I was thinking about my Dad alot in the car and drove by Costco which had a lineup of cars going in " who the hell lines up to shop at Costco at 11 on a Sunday morning " I thought to myself , looked through the sunroof saw my bike and smiled . "I am so glad I`m not like that" I thought smiling to myself , but quickly realized that I`m like this because of my Dads influence . I can easily say that my passion for riding can somewhat be attributed to him . He loved hiking and took us out to parks where I discovered riding .

I don`t mean to ramble on but todays ride was pretty cool . Where I live riding mountain bikes seems like a strange thing to alot of people " why pedal when you can push a throttle " . I heard that one quite a bit . One thing people will never get is that amazing feeling of a nice hardtail on smooth flowy singletrack or that feeling of cleaning a tough rooty technical climb . It`s awesome riding mountain bikes and being that "strange guy" who spends alot of money on them . I am so glad for my Dad`s influence and hope I can show my kids how to really live their life , cause thats what great Dad`s do .

A few shots from today .

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1 - 18 of 18 Posts

pcastag

· #2 · Jun 21, 2009

That's cool, about 6 months ago I started riding with my son, I got my old fisher and raleighs tuned up and took him out to some trails, He liked it so much we both got new bikes and have been riding pretty regularly.
PC

Oz

· #3 · Jun 22, 2009

As a dad it's great to hear how your father's love of the outdoors influenced you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with the rest of us, and the pictures as well. I know when we still have our loved ones around we often take for granted that our time on earth together is very limited, thanks again for sharing.

MTP

· #4 · Jun 22, 2009

Thanks for the post. My father is currently very close to death due to cancer. A very different Father's Day for me too.

I always share my love for the outdoors with my three kids. They're catching on!

Hairllama

· #5 · Jun 23, 2009

Very different here too.

I hear you about the "different" type of Father's Day. My father is losing a fight with liver and esophageal cancer. My thoughts are with you. Sunday's ride was to try to forget about the disease for a few hours.

sherijumper

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 23, 2009

MTP said:
Thanks for the post. My father is currently very close to death due to cancer. A very different Father's Day for me too.

I always share my love for the outdoors with my three kids. They're catching on!

Sorry to hear about your Dad , it was last Fathers day when we were going through the same thing you probably are right now . It`s tough . The biggest thing that helped me besides my wife and daughters has been riding ...................Without a doubt , the best therapy .

sherijumper

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 23, 2009

Hairllama said:
I hear you about the "different" type of Father's Day. My father is losing a fight with liver and esophageal cancer. My thoughts are with you. Sunday's ride was to try to forget about the disease for a few hours.

I think we must have posted at the same time . For me the real hard parts was him going through the disease . May sound bad but it is easier now . I don`t mean anything to bring you down . I hope your Dad can pull through .............Sincerely.

Happy trails

Ken

bigpedaler

· #8 · Jun 23, 2009

My dad's been gone 14 years, and there are three days especially when I get a bit melancholy, and think about him a lot -- his birthday, my birthday, and the day he passed. He was in the hospital for my birthday that year, and never got to give me the card he bought for me; I got it later -- still have it, will never dispose of it.

To all of you who are near to losing your fathers...I've been there. It's NOT easy, but to remember the good times helps. He gave you your strength, in most cases, and always knew you'd need it. Well, now you do.....Don't let him down. Celebrate his life with you, and when he goes, mourn...but know you will see him again.

GaryJ

· #9 · Jun 23, 2009

My heart goes out to all of you. While a little off topic, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer 2 years ago...she just had her 2 year checkup (scans, etc.) and everything is still clear. While I know this doesn't mean anything, I probably went through many of the same emotions that you all did as she was going through chemo and radiation treatment.

I also have an 8 year old son. We shared our first "real" mountain bike ride this father's day weekend. While we have ridden many of the trails we have locally, they aren't "real" mountain bike trails. He really enjoyed the ride and hopefully he will pick up my passion for riding.

I constantly struggle, trying to juggle time between family, work, and spending time with aging parents and in-laws. I think some of the previous posts here just drive home the point that we can't take the limited time we have with loved ones here for granted...but finding that balancing point is sometimes difficult.

Gary J.

toph17

· #10 · Jun 23, 2009

my fathers been gone for 7 years now (im 18) and its amazing how much he influenced everything i do from day to day things, to my hobbies as well. one thing that i've learned is that as time passes you feel less of the "why did this happen to me/him?" and more of the "thanks so much for everything dad."

dave54

· #11 · Jun 23, 2009

Dads Through the Ages

Age 5. My Dad is the smartest strongest Daddy in the world. He can do anything.

Age 15. My Dad sure is dumb. He doesn’t know anything.

Age 25. I’m sure my Dad knows some things, but nothing that will help me.

Age 35. I already know the answer, but I’ll ask Dad anyway. He gets a kick from my asking for advice.

Age 55. I’ll ask Dad. Somehow, he always knows what to do.

Age 65. I wish Dad were still here. I really need to talk this over with him.

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53119

· #12 · Jun 23, 2009

my 6yr old's schedule for me this past Father's Day : morning mtb ride (3hrs) immediately followed (as in as soon as he sees me walk in) by freestyle karate/wrestling (no holds barred) for no less than 1hr. After is an old school "kung fu" movie to perhaps review and compare his recently applied skills and tactics. Next, a couple of hours of legos/bionicle rebuilds with ice cream, ofcourse. Finally, early dinner and a great bedtime story he read to me (no moms allowed) only. I love you, kiddo
papa

BadHabit

· #13 · Jun 23, 2009

dave54 said:
Age 65. I wish Dad were still here. I really need to talk this over with him.

Very important sentiment. Ask all your questions while you can because eventually it will be too late.

And fathers make sure your kids will never wonder if you loved them.

Damn cancer.

campbellDC

· #14 · Jun 23, 2009

Thank God for Fathers

Reading all your posts makes me realize how cool it is that my dad is still around. He rides a silly little street bike with tiny tires, but I'm gonna have to get him out on some trails here while I still have the chance.

I'm sorry for all your losses...

The Diesel

· #15 · Jun 23, 2009

Im sorry to hear about some of the losses in this thread. My dad has recently been having to deal with small spots of skin cancer on his neck and face. He has always worked outdoors and is very tan for being a white man so i can only imagine it will get worse but we are constantly praying for him. My brother and i owe our love for the outdoors to him. We always went on camping and hiking trips, fishing, paint balling, 4 wheeler riding, and boy scouts, etc. He didnt ride bikes much besides commuting to work but he sure did stay outside with us all day building ramps for us and bandaging our cuts and scrapes. He also drove us to the BMX tracks every weekend and helped us improve our technique. Now that i think about it, he gave up everything to spend time with us. He sold all his baseball cards to buy me a GT Mach one for my B day once. That shocked even my mom cause it was a pretty good collection that he had for years.

Anyway, those of you that have lost your father have helped me to realize that we do not have all the time in the world and i thank you for that. Im sorry for your loss, you will be better fathers because of it.

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BadHabit

· #16 · Jun 23, 2009

The Diesel said:
Now that i think about it, he gave up everything to spend time with us.

My father was a leader in his field. He founded a special company, and he felt responsible for other families in addition to his own.

Life can be difficult choices.

I'm not sure I wish I could say what you do above, but I think about it more and more.

Thanks.

Lucky guy.

The Diesel

· #17 · Jun 23, 2009

BadHabit said:
My father was a leader in his field. He founded a special company, and he felt responsible for other families in addition to his own.

Life can be difficult choices.

I'm not sure I wish I could say what you do above, but I think about it more and more.

Thanks.

Lucky guy.

I dont think i understand.

BadHabit

· #18 · Jun 23, 2009

The Diesel said:
I dont think i understand.

Sorry. I want to be clear. My father spent less time with his four sons, and my mom, than we would have liked, and when we were together he was often distracted. His company gave education, sustenance and motivation to people in the field of design around the world, and I can't criticize his decision. I can regret his absence then and now.

What you say about your dad makes me like him.

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