Two Wheels, Three Generations, One Unforgettable Summer

Every summer, our family tries to find something we can all do together.

That's harder than it sounds.

My dad is in his seventies, my daughter is twelve, and I'm somewhere in the middle. Our interests don't always overlap, and getting everyone excited about the same activity usually takes some convincing.

This year, we decided to try a family bike ride.

Starting Small

Our first outing was a short loop around the local park.

My daughter raced ahead, stopping every few minutes to announce that we were going too slowly. My dad preferred a relaxed pace, pointing out places he remembered from years ago.

I spent most of the ride somewhere between them.

We stopped for ice cream afterward, and before we'd even finished, my daughter asked when we could go again.

A New Family Tradition

By July, our little park rides had turned into weekend adventures.

We explored trails along the river, visited farmers markets, and discovered a lakeside picnic area that quickly became our favorite destination.

My dad started sharing stories about riding his bicycle to school when he was a kid. My daughter asked questions I'd never thought to ask him.

Somehow, being outdoors together made conversation easier.

The Moments That Stay With You

Near the end of summer, we took our longest ride yet.

Nothing particularly remarkable happened. We rode, stopped for lunch, took pictures, and made our way home before sunset.

But that evening, looking through the photos, I realized something.

We'd spent an entire afternoon together without anyone checking the television, rushing to another appointment, or worrying about what came next.

Just three generations enjoying the same road.

Next summer, we're planning an even longer ride.