As a mama to 3 boys under 8, I will often get the question, “What are things you can’t live without?”
As babies, my answers would have been: Boppy, Baby Bjorn, Chicco carseat, sheet covers
Just past the baby phase: Ok to wake clock, Minky blankies from InStitches, Bob Stroller
And then, somewhere around the toddler-threenager stage… the Strider bike.
Ohhhhh, Strider, how we love you.
I first learned about the Strider from my sister-in-law, also a mom to three boys, she had done alllll the research on how to help kiddos acclimate to bike riding. And their kiddos were the first I saw with Striders. Then, my brother’s boys. And then, more nephews. {No. It isn’t simply a bike option for boys. I just happen to have boys aplenty in my life.}
I must admit, I believe it probably seemed bizarre to me at first look. A bike. In all ways. But miniature. And without peddles. But then I saw every kid who had a Strider confidently riding and zooming and going to and fro and was totally sold.
So, when it was time for the Oldest to get his bike business on, we, without even really considering any other brand, knew that we wanted a Strider to start out. And Santa brought one for Christmas about 5 years ago.
And the Oldest loved his “bike without peddles.”
“Ummmmm, Ashli, WHY wouldn’t a bike have peddles?!”
Oh, dear reader, you always ask just the right question at just the right time.
Strider was the first of its type that I remember seeing. A balance bike. A bike that focuses on helping a child learn how to balance on a bike, while it moves, rather than making a kid learn to move, steer, balance and all the other 426 things required on a bike with training wheels straight outta the shoot. Annnnnnd… the very best thing about a Strider, in my opinion, the handlebars spin 360 degrees so if the child does lose his or her balance, when the bike lands, nothing is going to impale them upon impact. This is a wickedly smaht design if you ask me.
So, rather than go the training wheel route, we have introduced a Strider to each of the boys — in fact, Santa just brought one for the Littlest for Christmas and he is ready to roll on it this spring. We first had a red one and the Oldest and the Middlest both wore the tires bald. And now, a lime green one. And while the design looks a bit updated on our second, it is still the exact same concept — set the kid {With helmet, of course} on the bike and let them roll around letting their feet control the movement. As they grow more and more comfy, they pick their feet up and balance as the bike moves forward. And, instead of needing to break with their feet or their hands, they simply put their feet down when they want to stop. I know, I make it sound simple, right? Well. That’s because it truly is.
The Strider is on point for kiddos ages 18 months and up.
And when the child is ready to transition to a bigger bike {one with peddles} then they already have the balance and steering down. And are pretty confident that they can ride with the big kids. The only bumps we encountered with the Oldest was that he liked his Strider sooooo much that even when he outgrew it, he didn’t want to go on a big boy bike at first because he couldn’t whizz quite as fast down the hill on it. And, his legs had to adjust to peddling.
{in-action proof of the balancing and whizzing;)}
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Also. ALSO. Also. Strider {the #1 selling balance bike for toddlers (according to their website)} is hosting the third annual Strider Cup this year and the third stop on the tour… Lincoln, Nebraska! The Strider Cup, sponsored by Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers {seriously the best chicken fingers in the chicken finger biz imo}, is designed to be fun and exciting for bike riders from young to old and will help kiddos get more confident in their riding. None of these events require previous racing experience. Strider Adventure Zone Ride and Play areas are a perfect, low-key place to take your toddler so they can practice, discover, and play.
I love love love this whole event concept. There are races designated for ages 2-5 and also, a Special Needs race event. You can check out more details and pre-register online using this link {no day-of registration}. Check. It. Out!
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So. Would I recommend a Strider? Yes. Yes. Yes. We have had great luck with our first and purchased a second! It takes the child through a natural, not scary, progression of bike riding
- Standing walking
- Seated walking
- Seated running
- Seated gliding
- Standing gliding {aka riding and balancing and steering and all the things}
And. Every kid I’ve seen use one has had a rockin’ riding experience!
…
You might be thinking, “Ashli. I didn’t think you did reviews.”
Weeeeelllll… here’s the rub. A Strider rep reached out and asked if I might be interested in having them send my a bike to try out and review BUT friends, we already have them! And remember how much I love free-no-strings-attached GOODNESS?!
So… one lucky adult is gonna nominate a friend to win a Strider for their little one to turn into a biker babe! Yay!! I am all about writing a post about a product we are in love with and have used ourselves. All about it. {I am also all about trying things that people want to do as a Giftaway so thank you, Strider!}
So one lucky BotB reader is going to win their friend a Strider 12 Sport. According the website,
The Strider 12 Sport is the most popular Strider model. Durability and a wide range of features make the Sport perfect for itty-bitty riders starting out at 18 months to growing 4-5 year olds perfecting their balance and riding skills! With a decade of design evolution and manufacturing improvements, the 12 Sport is the best performance and value.
Ummmm… heck to the yes! Am I right?! Yep.
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Here’s how you enter a friend to win a Strider 12 Sport:
Starting tonight {3/19/2017} at 10 pm CST you may nominate a friend on my Instagram Strider post, on my Facebook Strider post, or via comment on this blog post. The only things required to be entered to win are to check out the Strider Sport page, choose your color, and when you comment make sure you do the following:
- Tag the friend you want to win the Strider bike
- Note how many colors are available on the Strider Sport page that is linked above
- Include the color you would want to win if your person is chosen.
That’s it! That’s all! No liking any pages. No sharing the post necessary. No sharing your email {unless, of course, you are selected to win}. Just good, clean fun!
And the Giftaway will go through 10 pm CST on Wednesday night {3/22/2017} and will be chosen randomly. The winner will be announced on Thursday morning {3/23/2017} and then the bike will be sent to the winner from Strider directly {so if your nominee is chosen, you must supply Babyonthebrehm with their contact info}. The contest is not being run by Facebook or Instagram, but through Babyonthebrehm.
The winning bike is being given in exchange for this post however the feelings, glowing review, and excitement about the Strider brand are all my own.
Annnnnd… if you already own a Strider, you should absolutely go check out the Strider Cup details and find an event in a city near you!
I’m so excited, you guys! And I hope you are, too. Thanks, Strider! You’re the beesies kneesies.
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