Sunday, 14 April 2024
We’ve started to notice a shift in Jack lately — not in a big, dramatic way, but in that subtle, unmistakable way that says a new obsession is taking root. This time, it’s BMX bikes. It started with YouTube clips, naturally — a rabbit hole of tricks, slow-motion stunts, and dirt track jumps. Now, it’s all he wants to talk about.
Over the weekend, we took a little detour on our usual grocery run and swung by a local bike shop. Jack was practically vibrating as we walked in. He went straight for the display of matte-finished BMX models, eyes wide, pointing out features with a surprising amount of detail for a nine-year-old. "This one has pegs!" he said, like he’d found buried treasure.
Sarah and I exchanged that parental look — the one that means: here we go. We didn’t buy anything (yet), but we did let him try out a few on the little test strip behind the shop. You’d think he’d been riding one for years the way he handled it. He’s still got a ways to go, of course, but it’s clear he’s hooked.
Back home, he spent the rest of the afternoon drawing up “designs” for his dream BMX setup. Handlebars, tires, colors — even a helmet with flames on the sides. It’s honestly kind of wonderful to see him pour himself into something. I think it’s less about the tricks and more about the feeling of freedom, of going fast and flying a little, even if it’s just off a curb.
We’ll see where it goes. For now, the rule is: keep your current bike clean, show us you can care for it, and maybe we’ll talk about a BMX come birthday time. Jack nodded solemnly, and then immediately went to wipe the mud off his chain like a tiny mechanic.
We’re definitely in a new era — and I think it’s going to be a fun one.