learn to ride a bike

I am always amazed and humbled by the power of the mind.

Yesterday, I had my first bike riding lesson. We went to the park around the corner from me. There was some street hoops event there, of course so we tried to find a calm little section to practice on. There were kids everywhere. 8 year olds riding around on their bikes, mocking me. Mocking me!

Initially, it was fine. I was riding right away and felt pretty good about it …

... until I almost knocked a child out of their carriage.

Now, I know that people fall when they start riding a bike but it’s still a bit scary. The fall messed with my head. The confidence that I built got chipped away at, or rather hacked at. I was riding fine before that. Felt pretty confident but then I just kept falling.

It was so clearly a mind thing. I know that. That’s the hardest part. You know it’s just in your head and you just need to get over it but for some reason you can’t.

Eventually, I did get back on my bike and rode for a block. I’m proud of myself but being the perfectionist that I am, still unhappy.

More biking adventures to come …

my friend is giving me a long term loan on a bike. i dropped it off at the bike station (on vanderbilt in lovely prospect heights) to get a tune up. it will be ready on saturday. ecck!!! i am scared to get it because now it means i am going to have to ride it! scary.

yes, i am lame. i do not know how to ride a bike. i rode a bike once when i was 9 or so, fell off of it and almost got a concussion. i have never been on a bike since. now i’m almost 30 and i realize i just have to get over it. everyone in brooklyn rides a bike and my life would be so much easier if i did too. still, the fear is there.

i am not quite sure what i am afraid of. i think i see myself as this “big girl” who is totally uncoordinated and can’t do it. i know it’s all in my head which is why i am even trying doing this at all but the mind is a powerful thing. it can really hold you back. i learn that again and again.

My friend is loaning me her bike. I dropped it off at The Bike Shop to get fixed. So, I’ve begun!