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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