by Richmond Dad, P. D. Love, The DaddyCast
On August 22 we participated in the second annual Anthem Moonlight Ride, an event to raise money for the VCU Pauley Heart Center. The event featured an 8 mile (Half Moon) bike ride through Northside Richmond with a section of the ride going through Bryan Park. For the more adventurous there was also a 17 mile (Full Moon) ride that extended to Monument Avenue and back to the start at Sports Backers Park, next to the Diamond (or is it the Nut House now- the kids keep correcting me).
Jen and I participated in the inaugural event last year and this year, our oldest, “The Analyzer”, joined us. We made him prove he could ride 8 miles earlier in the Summer but still wondered if the people and/or darkness would intimidate him to the point where he would change his mind. To the contrary, the event turned into a confidence and character builder that we feel will go a long way.
Prior to the ride he could not keep his excitement contained. He rode little stretches in the parking lot before the start because he just couldn’t sit still. We decorated our bikes with glow sticks and he was decked out in his riding gear including his riding glasses with clear lenses. He was ready to ride with an hour to go til the start but somehow we kept him contained.
At first he seemed a little apprehensive with the crowds, wanting to stay near the back at the start and looking around for a little space. We had a good group with us, some friends that came along to join our clan for the night, so the extra familiar faces seemed to put him at ease. And although I thought the darkness of the ride (it started at 8 PM with street lights lighting part of the way but for much of the ride, your headlight was your best friend) would hinder him, it may have actually helped him not realize how many people were around him. He motored on through the crowds and instead of pleading with him to keep going, I found myself telling him to slow down so we could all keep up.
More than enjoying the view, with the bike lights flickering up and down the road in Lakeside and the decorated bikes riding through Bryan Park (which was quite a sight,) he seemed to enjoy the ride. He just kept pedaling, up hills that other kids needed extra encouragement to conquer. Through the dark trails in the park that were only marked by a few glow sticks on the ground. And when the water stop appeared with throngs of kids and adults stopped at an oasis of bright light in the darkness, he motored on by, not breaking his stride for a second, focused on a finish.
When the ride was done he seemed relieved, but not elated in an overjoyed kind of way. He was obviously pleased with himself, with the accomplishment he had just achieved, and he appreciated everyone telling him how great he had done. Yet he was not the guy dancing in the end zone, fist pumping the long putt, no, he was much more reserved, as is his natural tendency. Quiet and confident, and perhaps I admired that in him as much as his accomplishment.
For in the end he had something worthy of pride. He had taken on a new goal and achieved success. All the characteristics that we want in our kids associated with self worth and confidence were strengthened that night, as well as a few leg muscles. That accomplishment and what he gained from it go well beyond the entry fee. Now, every time he wears his event t-shirt he beams and he can tell his friends and family that he did it, he road the course, completed the “race” and did so in fine fashion. And he can always count on me to back him up with some pride filled accounts from that night as well.
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