I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase about how life is about the journey, not just the destination. This couldn’t be more true than when you are raising kids. Today I’m teaming up with our sponsor, Hercules Tires, to share our story…
Lately, it’s really hit home as the kids & I have been doing more mountain biking. We search and search for local trails, from the easy trails to the double black diamond trails.
We take adventures together, encourage each other, and just have fun. It’s not only brought the kids closer to one another, sharing this interest, but it’s also brought me closer to all of them.
We live in the Carolinas and we’ve been lucky to find a LOT of trails around here. There are some well-known trails and some not-so-well-known trails.
Some are five minutes from home, while others are an hour or two from home. Some are easy to find, located right off of paved-paths, but others are hidden, tucked away off the beaten path.
No matter where we go, I’ve found that it’s definitely more about the journey than the destination.
First, there is the car ride there.
When we’re in the car for an hour, talking about what we’re going to find, how we’re going to conquer it, what we’re going to do while we’re there, how big the jumps are going to be, etc… you really get to know one another.
Those conversations make their way to other ones, of course, and it’s been a great way to have time with the kids. We can talk about anything in the car – nothing is off-limits and nothing is too big or small to talk about.
Next, there is the actual ride on the trail. Taking risks, taking chances, working hard, feeling encouraged by each other, feeling great physically and mentally.
Finally, there is the ride home. We’re exhausted, but happy.
Three different events all in that same experience…
The journey on each one of them is far better than the destination.
In order to keep up this hobby, I know that I am in charge of two things: Teaching them how to take care of their bikes and how to take care of a vehicle. Both of these things give us the means to be able to go anywhere to do what we love.
Just like we keep our bikes in the best-performance shape, I like to keep our vehicles in the best performance shape.
Tires are important, not only on the bikes that hold our kids but on the vehicles that get us to our destination. Not only for traction but also for safety. We get the Hercules Tires for our cars with our local dealer. You can find a local dealer with this link. Don’t forget to ask about the fall rebate for $70 in savings.
Before we head out, we do a few things to be sure to keep our kids safe on & off of the trails:
BIKE Prep:
- Check the chain
- Check the breaks
- Check the air pressure
- Grab water
- Grab helmets (make sure they latch correctly)
- Bring a spare tire
- Bring tools
- Be sure the safety kit is filled
VEHICLE Prep:
- Checking the tire inflation pressure
- Check gas
- Bring towels or old sheets to keep in the car in case we run into a muddy trail (we’ve done it before)
No matter where you go or what you drive, Hercules tires will get you there. You can feel confident that you’ll arrive safely. It’s even a part of their Performance Promise Plan, their promise of superior protection: “Whatever you drive, and wherever you’re going, you can trust Hercules tires to get you there safely and securely.”
Those roads that are off the beaten path can take you to some amazing trails if you’re confident enough to take them – that boils down to having tires you can count on.
At the same time, I want those same tires our cars for the trips into town to get the store. No matter where I’m heading, half of the adventure is getting there.
In fact, Hercules tires so much that my father-in-law even got them for his car. As with anything, taking care of your bike or car is important.
After a trail ride, we always:
- Wash our bikes
- Check the tire pressure and look for any punctures
- Clean and hang up the helmets
- Store the bikes in the garage
After we’ve taken those wilderness roads and paths in the truck, we always:
- Wash the truck
- Clean out the inside
- Clean the tires
At the same time, it’s important to remember to do regular tire maintenance:
- Rotating the tires regularly
- Getting the tires repaired when they need it.
- Having the tires inspected regularly
- Have the car aligned and checked.
Those seem like such little reminders, but they make a huge difference.
No matter where you are going, enjoy the journey. It’ll make the destination that much better.
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