Let Them Ride: How woom Bikes Help Families Reclaim Childhood
A partnership born of shared purpose, because bikes still build the best memories
If you close your eyes, you can probably still feel it: the wobble of your handlebars, the crackle of gravel under your tires, the way the evening air smelled right before the streetlights flickered on.
That’s the rhythm of childhood we’re trying to restore at 1000 Hours Outside, and it’s why our partnership with woom Bikes feels so natural.
Because for generations, bikes have been more than transportation. They’re a ticket to freedom, a portal to wonder, and a family’s best excuse to go outside together.
The Bike That Grows with Childhood
We recently welcomed the woom Explore 6 into our family, this one for our 9-year-old daughter in the most stunning Magnetic Blue. From the moment we opened the box, it was clear that woom doesn’t just make “kids’ bikes.” They engineer childhood joy.
Shipping was lightning fast, packaging beautifully organized, and the instructions were so clear that assembly became an easy family project. Within an hour, our daughter was pedaling down the driveway with that wild grin that every parent recognizes: the one that says, “I’ve got this.”
And voila! Quick and easy assembly (while allowing the 9 year old to help!) and we were all set and ready to ride!
But this moment didn’t happen by chance. It started years ago, waaaaaaay back when balance bikes were almost unheard of.
The Balance Bike Revolution
Fourteen years ago, when our oldest was just 3 years old, we discovered balance bikes. This was a very ‘European’ thing it seemed? No pedals, no training wheels, just feet, balance, and courage.
People used to stop us at the park or on the sidewalk:
“Why is your kid just pushing along?”
“Where are the training wheels?”
“Did you only pay for part of the bike?” (dad jokes are the best!)
We’d smile, because we had a feeling we knew what was coming.
Every one of our kids transitioned from balance bikes to pedal bikes seamlessly, and much earlier than most. No tears, no scraped knees, no frustrated afternoons holding onto a seat post with your back exploding in radiating pain because you’ve been running behind them, holding on for dear life.
That’s the genius behind woom: they meet kids where they are developmentally. Balance first, confidence next, and independence always.
Why the woom Explore 6 Stands Out
The EXPLORE 6 is built for big kids who are ready to go farther, literally. It’s lightweight but rugged, designed for trails, gravel, or those endless neighborhood loops that somehow always end at a friend’s driveway. Honestly, we couldn’t believe how light it was when we pulled the frame out of the box!
Here’s what makes it special:
Kid-Specific Geometry: woom doesn’t just shrink adult bikes; they reimagine them from the ground up for growing bodies and smaller hands.
Featherweight Frame: At just 22.2 pounds, it’s easy to maneuver, giving kids full control (and parents fewer heart attacks).
Ergonomic Design: From the adjustable handlebars to the intuitive shifting, everything about this bike builds confidence instead of intimidation.
Adventure-Ready Tires: Wide and grippy enough for dirt trails or gravel paths, because outdoor time shouldn’t stop at the sidewalk.
Stunning Magnetic Blue Finish: Durable, sleek, and, let’s be honest, totally envy-inducing when parked at the playground.
It’s the kind of bike that invites adventure - the “let’s just see what’s around that corner” kind of ride.
From Screen Time to Sunshine
In a world where screens often win, bikes still whisper a different invitation: Come outside. Explore. Feel alive.
That’s why we are loving weaving woom into our 1000 Hours Outside journey. Every mile logged is another hour toward our goal (yes, we still track our time every year, 15 years and counting!) and another memory earned. We’ve seen firsthand how these small moments - like bike rides after dinner, Saturday loops around the neighborhood, quick jaunts to the ice cream shop, add up to something big.
Outdoor time isn’t just about movement; it’s about belonging. It’s about reclaiming a pace of life where conversations happen between breaths, where confidence is built on dirt roads, not digital likes.
Let Them Ride
Yes, woom’s campaign tagline says it best: Let Them Ride.
It’s more than marketing, it’s a cultural message we can all get behind.
Let them wobble.
Let them explore.
Let them fall and try again.
Let them ride toward independence, grit, and joy.
When our daughter took her first ride on her Explore 6, she didn’t just pedal down the driveway, she pedaled toward a new and extended chapter of freedom. And we got to watch it unfold right in front of us.
Because bikes aren’t just for kids, they’re for families. They reconnect us, side by side, under open skies.
So this holiday, if you’re thinking about gifts that last longer than batteries, think bikes. Think woom.
Head to woom.com for the best holiday deals including fast shipping, easy setup, and a lifetime of rides ahead.
Because one of the best ways to achieve your 1000 Hours Outside is one joyful mile at a time.