This is not a post that I had planned on writing. But when inspiration strikes, you have to follow where it takes you. My goal for today’s post is to share a personal triumph and hope that someone out there will feel motivated to go out and learn something new. It’s time to do the things that you think you cannot do.
So here’s my confession: I am a grown adult and I can’t ride a bike. I know, it’s impossible to believe. Even my parents said I learned a long time ago. I do remember having a pretty little white bike with colorful streamers and a cute basket. But I don’t remember ever losing the training wheels.
Fast-forward some 25 years, and here I am, one of the 5 people in the world that doesn’t know how to do something most 7 year olds can do. It’s embarrassing to admit it to all of you now. But here I am on vacation at a beautiful resort, where everyone gets around by bike. Oh the shame! But we love coming here and my son was so excited about riding bikes everywhere. He’s great on his bike but with parents who can’t ride, how was he ever going to learn and take of the training wheels?
On our first morning, we went down early to get him a bike. I chose to sit on the porch in a rocking chair and watch him ride in circles around the grounds. Since I had some free time, I googled “how to learn to ride a bike”. Since I’m inherently lazy (or some might say super efficient), I went past the first result which was a 10 minute video and found one that could teach me in four minutes! Sure, it was really for parents to teach their kids. And it featured this tiny little girl who was all of 4 or 5. But a very nice British woman gave some good tips for learning balance and getting started. Watch the video here if you’re interested.
Since it was still early and not a lot of people were out, I decided to go for it. I don’t really know anything about bikes or how to pick one. But I found one with a lower seat and that seemed to make sense since my feet could actually touch the ground.
I found a patch of soft grass that had a slight incline and wasn’t too close to the lake. I swallowed my pride and gave it a try. And to my great surprise, after a few attempts and learning my balance and getting used to it, I was actually riding! I was wobbly. I didn’t quite go straight. And I ran into at least one pole and totally took out a bush or two. I even ended up down a steep hill in the grass but at least I avoided all the trees. But that didn’t stop me. I got back up and kept going.
Every time I get back on, I get a little bit better. I have a long way to go. I still get nervous biking near people for fear I will run them over. I have yet to make a major fall, but I know that’s probably a milestone that is yet to come. My goal is to keep at it. And I’m excited at the prospect of getting my own bike to ride back home. I’m thinking a pretty little Tiffany blue bike with a brown woven basket, hopefully filled with fresh flowers from the market. Well, that’s the dream anyway.
So there it is. At over 35 years of age, I managed to learn something new. Something I had given up hope of a long time ago. But it just goes to show what a little opportunity and determination can do. What is something in your life that you’ve always wanted to do but thought you couldn’t? Today is the day to go out there and try. You can do it. Life’s too short to go through it with the training wheels still on.
Love,
Sara
Update: I got back home, did some research and got my very first adult bicycle! I’ve taken it out twice now and love it. It even has a basket like I’ve always wanted! It’s the first one is this list of my picks (with Jeannie’s recommendation too).
We never had any doubt!!!
Dad