My escapades with trying to learn how to ride a bike.

 I had forgotten about the bike demon that rode beside me. I was enjoying myself immensely going up and down our street when suddenly I got the idea that if I stood up and peddled I would go much faster. (It was the Bike Demon again). I stood up and got to a good speed when all of a sudden the bike or I became wobbly. My only thought was to get my feet back on the ground. I did that, but on the way down my tailbone connected with the point of the banana seat. Pain shot through me like a knife, I couldn’t move and what is the first thing you do when you hurt yourself in public? Look around to see who was watching you. My neighbor from across the street was just driving home for lunch and I stood there like the insane person I was and waved at him with the biggest smile I could muster under the circumstances. I was still trying to prove I could ride a bike. I wasn’t so brave when the doctor told me, later that day, I had broken my tailbone. I think I made a solemn promise I would never try riding a bike again.

Fast forward, to my early thirties. My husband and ten year old daughter bought brand new bikes that summer. I got the notion of how wonderful it would be to join them on their trips down the scenic back woods every evening but I needed to know how to ride a bike. The Demon again! Yep, I went and bought a brand new blue bike. I stood by the bike while my daughter took pictures and then started riding around the driveway. This time I was very determined. I did fairly well in the driveway but decided I needed a little more practice on a different surface. My daughter and I walked to the park with our bikes (At my insistence, just to be safe) and when we entered the gate I climbed on again. We rode through the park without any problem so once again I was thinking I had this mastered. My mother told me you should never feel too proud of anything and I should have listened.

I suddenly felt my nose get very itchy. I raised my right hand from the handlebar to scratch my nose. The next thing I knew I was head long in the Hugh garbage can that was on the side of the road. Now you think the first words out of my daughters mouth would have been “Are you okay Mom?” nope, not my daughter, she had to stop laughing before she said “Come on we have to go right home!” after hauling myself out of the garbage and collecting my bike, I looked at her with the question of why, in my eyes. Still laughing she said “Come on Mom I have to tell Dad what happened!” I mean can you believe it her main concern was telling her father! We walked home; I was not taking any chances. She related to her father the whole gory details and they both had a great laugh at my expense.

The dream of the evening rides went away that day; I went down the scenic road with them while they peddled slowly as I walked along. The bike went in the next garage sale and the bike demon went with it. I never tried riding a bike again. If I had tried I might not be here to tell the tale. So now you can see why I asked if I was the only one that never learnt to ride a bike. Today it really doesn’t matter and my experiences of bike riding are still used for humor when my family gets together. They have even told my grandchildren about my escapades, I mean, is there nothing scared, now I ask you, is that fair?

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Comments (14)
  • denus on Mar 13, 2009

    very good piece!!

  • Christine Ramsay on Mar 13, 2009

    Oh yaffel. You did make me laugh because I too am unable to ride a bike. I could ride as a child and as the saying goes you never forget how to ride a bike. It is not true. When I retired my husband was asked by my colleagues what I might like as a leaving present. My hubby wanted a bike and thought this would be a good way to get one, (cheeky so and so!) Anyway at my leaving do I was presented with a bike. I was made to ride it across the school hall where I promptly fell off into a crowd of 5 year olds. This caused a huge uproar from all the children. Once I got the bike home I just kept veering to the left and falling off. I gave up in the end and now my hubby has taken it over. So you are not the only one. A good piece.

    Christine

  • yaffel on Mar 13, 2009

    Oh thank you Christine lol I am not alone! lol

  • Kate Smedley on Mar 13, 2009

    I love this story, so funny and so well written. It’s swimming I’m useless at which makes all of my family laugh! Great piece.

  • Karen Gross on Mar 13, 2009

    You did well to try once every decade! My girls are into roller blading. A couple of summers ago, we were visiting my parents. My dad and the girls went to the local MCC store and picked up 3 pairs of roller blades. Yes, he bought a pair for himself! He lasted about 20 seconds until he fell down and injured his pride very badly. He hasn’t had them back on since.

  • Hazel Crowther on Mar 13, 2009

    Thank you for making me smile, I know the feeling, the only bike I ride is my exercise one!! I foolishly stopped my children riding bikes because of my fear, they are not happy with me, I deprived them.

  • Ro Marie on Mar 13, 2009

    I have a son whom I fear shall have the same problem. When he finally stops shaking enough to keep his balance, he turns his head and his hands together and down he goes! Maybe not all of us were made to ride bicycles. Thanks for the laugh.

  • rutherfranc on Mar 13, 2009

    looks like you got a big Hugh! I have about 5 scars from a bicycle and 3 big ones from my motorcycle so I think I`m doing good so far..

  • yaffel on Mar 13, 2009

    Ok rutherfranc i see what your pointing out lol i may just leave it there lol. I would hate to see what damage i would do on a motorcycle. it just gives me shivers thinking about it lol

  • Joni Keith on Mar 13, 2009

    You sure have a knack at telling funny stories if not at bike riding. I too, would blame that evil old bike demon. I commend you for your courage to get back on after the broken tailbone.

  • Ruby Hawk on Mar 13, 2009

    I always wanted a bike when I was growing up but didn’t have one. My first two sons both tried to teach me to ride when they began to ride but I couldnt get the hang of it. When my third son began to ride he decided to try to teach me and that time it took. I did learn but I was never very proficient.

  • Catelin Hoover on Mar 13, 2009

    Yaffel
    You dear, you ought to get an award for perseverance! I was never good at roller skating (indoors, rink type) My sisters could turn and skate backwards and all I did way turn and land on my bottom. No amount of instruction ever taught me how to get the hang of this feat. I gave up before I became mashed under the thundering herd of skaters! :( Somethings are not meant to be.

  • Betty on May 10, 2011

    Lol.. I too am unable to ride a bicycle. As a child I always see my brothers and neighbours riding a bicycle but they always fell down and get all bloody, which is what I fear the most. My several attempts on riding a bicycle didn’t help either since I fell too. Yep this had been a standing joke for my family too. And just now I accidentally slipped that I didn’t know how to ride a bike when my friends invited me for a gathering in a park..and they all think I was like an alien from the farthest galaxy. Now I regret telling people my little secret even to my best friends. Lol.. I’m quite relieved I’m not the only one in the world. :) Thanks.

  • Steve on Jan 28, 2012

    It never occurred to me that there could be adults who couldn’t ride a bike. At almost any age, it seems to me that anyone with even average coordination coils pick it up fairly easily.
    It appears that non-riders are mostly female. True?

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