I want to ride my bicycle...

[geminigirl]

I don't currently own a bicycle. I haven't since high school, which is about ten years ago. But I'd kind of like to again. I tried riding a year or two ago, and really couldn't...I've lost the muscle memory that's about balance.

I e-mailed my Mom asking if she still had her bike; I know she hasn't ridden it in years and years. It's not unthinkable to maybe acquire Mom's bicycle.

The problem is of course that I'm 27 years old and need training wheels. Or at least someone to help me until I re-learn the balance part of bike riding. You know...doing the whole mom running behind the two wheeler and then letting go thing. Just til I learned the balance part. I'd look silly, but it would be really nice to be able to bike to Mt. Vernon or to take advantage of some of the nice bike trails around here.

Comments

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

Hey geminigirl - haven't you heard the expression it's like riding a bicycle, etc. . . . . Methinks you wont have any trouble.

[geminigirl]

Of course. And I did try bike riding a while ago. That would be how I know about the balance thing. It's a question of getting used to something I haven't done for a long time again.

I'm sort of looking forward to it though.

[lovingboth]

The way to do it without someone running behind is to start by taking the pedals off.

You then have something like the very first bikes - you can run along, build up speed and then lift your feet off the ground to practice the balance thing.

[nexxcat.livejournal.com]

You know, I can't dig up the URL atm, but I actually read somewhere that that's how this one bicycle academy in Japan teaches people of all ages to ride. They have special bikes (just frame, saddle, handlebars, and two wheels) that a person does what you just described, and they go from there, slowly adding bits and bobs until they're riding. Apparently, it's a lot quicker than the traditional way of having someone behind you at all times.

[xrew.livejournal.com]

I had a similar experience, though at the request of a now ex.gf of mine... we got bikes, I used to ride A LOT, but hadn't in over 12 years... All I can say is how accurate that old saying is... one really 'never forgets...' after about an hour I was flying around like my old self...

and it was FUN! :)

[onlyblossom.livejournal.com]

Ya know, they do make 3 wheel bikes I've seen some rather cheap on ebay, just a thought :)