...I can't ride a bicycle.
Yeah I know. You don't really need to say anything about it because trust me, I've heard it all before. :) And to answer your question, I don't really know how that happened. I remember having a bicycle growing up but perhaps I didn't ever graduate from the little training wheels? Mum, can you fill in the blanks? Aarti? Crish?
Anyway so last Summer whilst on a road trip from AZ to California Rich and I made a stop in L.A. to see my sister. On one fine morning Rich really wanted us to rent bikes and ride down the beach sidewalk. I told him that I couldn't ride a bike but bless his heart he was convinced that I could learn in about 10 minutes. I tried. Long story short, there was some crying involved, a lot of frustration and two returned bikes.
Bike rental time: 15 minutes.
Cut to today. Rich has two bikes that have been collecting a lot of dust and dog pee in the backyard. They harrass me every time I take out the garbage/recycle. In fact, they whisper my name in a slightly haunting fashion. But that didn't stop my dear Rich from putting on his best smile and convincing me to try it out again - at least this time we weren't paying to ride 'em and there wasn't a beautiful beach telling us to hurry the heck up.
Man I was so nervous! It's almost become one of those things that I've built up in my head - something that I just can't do. Much to my dismay, I got caught up in that and put up a bit of a strop. We actually got in to a fight because I was feeling so stressed about learning to ride that damn bike! After we both calmed down and made up, he asked me again if I would try and with a big smile I said okay. I'll be damned if I don't face my fears, as silly as they might be. At least I'm not one of these girls...
So after all that commotion, it wasn't that bad. :) I still can't ride very well but I started off making about 2 revolutions on the bike and by the time we were done, I was up to about 25. Not bad, eh? And Rich was a great teacher although he did trick me a couple times. :) I guess all good bicycle teachers should have that quality, huh? And I didn't fall - well....scratch that - I did fall once. I was trying to get off the bike and ended up laying on the ground with the bike on top of me. Hahahaha! It was pretty funny.
And I think that was the best part of it all - Rich and I laughed a lot! Probably me more than him come to think of it. The funniest was when he was holding the handlebar and seat beside me whilst pushing me forward - I couldn't help but crack up feeling like I was a 5 year old! And yes he had a good chuckle when he turned around to find me laying on the ground being smothered by my bike.
So this won't be the last time. I'm sure I'll be back to wobbling on the bicycle again. We do need to get better bikes though. The ones we have kinda suck. Only one brake works on mine and Rich's makes farting noises - I swear. I thought it was him at first. Nope, it was the bike. Very gassy indeed.
Will let you know how my adventures learning to bicycle go!
8 comments:
You just did not want to graduate on to your grown up bike!! You can only take a horse to the water right?
I remember that Aarth learned the bike on her own, I don't know what happened, but one day she decided she wanted to learn the bike and learned by holding on to the garden wall and cycling by herself but you were just not interested.
I do hope you keep up cycling till you can do it well. You never know when you may need the kill as you have found out:))
I can't believe I've known you this long and had no idea you didn't know how to ride a bike!
Keep up the good work!
Mum - hmmm, I guess the horse is at the water finally at age 28!! Thank you for the support. I'm sure I'll need "kill" too. ;-)
Kelly - Thanks. Now you have to give up one of your secrets now that I've told you one of mine! See you in January!
Heeelarious post!!!! :):)
Reminds me of a few years ago when I said in a very weak moment to a friend that I would do El Tour de Tucson which involves 100 miles on a road bike. I could ride a bike, but not a road bike, and not with clips! I swear I got dumped off that bike more times than I can remember and I have the scars to prove it. Haven't been back on it since but I am glad I did it now. I am always impressed by the things you try Bo, Well done!
You know too many of my secrets, which is the problem.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas - remember!!! :)
Marisa!
oh well done... rich! i know that look that you must have received when you asked kuv to try again. hahahahahaaaaa it's a scary one!!!!
and of course, well done kuv. it is so hard to try to overcome a fear when you've held onto it for so long. i tried rollerskatinga t burning man this year, and it was so scary! i'm sure you'll be biking in no time. if i can do it, you can do it!
i'm not sure why you never moved up the bike rung. i just remember you didn't seem bothered.
yippeeee!
Yeah Rich really did persevere with me and I'm glad that he did! Next time I'll hopefully take pics but I'm scared that I'm going to fall off the bike and crush my camera. Strong possibility of that happening!
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