It's as easy as riding a bike.
Which, sometimes isn't all that easy.
I used to love riding. Many of my favorite childhood memories are accompanied by my trusty bike: at first, a pink one-speed with hot-rod handlebars and a polka-dotted banana seat, and when I hit middle school a red Huffy ten-speed. Riding around the neighborhood in gangs, to the pool, Covey's (the corner candy store), it was my favorite mode of transportation.
I liked to ride FAST.
But I took a nasty spill...one that landed me in the hospital twice. It was traumatic, and I turned my back on any kind of biking. Just temporarily, I thought...but weeks turned into months turned into years.
Like, over 20 years.
In the meantime, I married a bike guy - someone who loves to ride, and really, really wanted me to ride with him. He bought me a bike - a nice one, but not too expensive so I wouldn't feel guilty for ignoring it. (which I did. constantly.) He put cages on the pedals, but then I got stuck in them and fell over on my one attempt, so he took them off. He got it serviced every year, just in case I wanted to ride sometime. Once or twice we took them to the beach so i could noodle around.
It was too much pressure.
I avoided the damn bike.
But then several things happened:
I used to love riding. Many of my favorite childhood memories are accompanied by my trusty bike: at first, a pink one-speed with hot-rod handlebars and a polka-dotted banana seat, and when I hit middle school a red Huffy ten-speed. Riding around the neighborhood in gangs, to the pool, Covey's (the corner candy store), it was my favorite mode of transportation.
I liked to ride FAST.
But I took a nasty spill...one that landed me in the hospital twice. It was traumatic, and I turned my back on any kind of biking. Just temporarily, I thought...but weeks turned into months turned into years.
Like, over 20 years.
In the meantime, I married a bike guy - someone who loves to ride, and really, really wanted me to ride with him. He bought me a bike - a nice one, but not too expensive so I wouldn't feel guilty for ignoring it. (which I did. constantly.) He put cages on the pedals, but then I got stuck in them and fell over on my one attempt, so he took them off. He got it serviced every year, just in case I wanted to ride sometime. Once or twice we took them to the beach so i could noodle around.
It was too much pressure.
I avoided the damn bike.
But then several things happened:
- I stopped going to the gym.
- My knees started to hurt every time I tried to run.
- I started walking every morning.
The walking made me realize that I really love to be outside, rather than in a class. I loved seeing other parts of the neighborhood, watching the small changes in the scenery.
But, unless I dedicate hours every day, my walks take me in a fairly small radius; I want to see more.
And, I still dream of going FAST.
So today, when hubs was at work, I took the bike out. Just for a short ride, to see how I'd do.
After five miles, I learned some things:
- Boy, a lot does come back really quickly!
- Some things don't. I still can't balance without both hands on the bars. It made signaling really tough.
- My turning radius sucks.
- My seat (both bicycle and personal, if I'm being truthful) are a little low.
- I still like to go FAST.
I didn't realize that I had something to conquer, but it seems like I indeed did.
Looking forward very much to getting back on the bike tomorrow.
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