A Bicycle

A week ago today, I began my journey on learning how to ride a bike. Nervous, sweaty-palmed and blushing as crimson as the roses in a California garden, I thought the process would take months. When I went that Monday morning to Academy Sports, I had to tell the sweet salesman, "I'm 43 and I've never ridden a bike, what do you recommend?" 

Thankfully, I had the best cheerleaders - my trio of kids+husband and a great teacher - our builder, Dan. Who in the sweetest Southern accent had said, "You get yourself a bike and I'll teach you how to ride it." When he saw me attempting to teeter out of the driveway, he pulled over and said, "Ready?" Aaaahhhh, no! By Tuesday, I was on. Pedaling. Moving. Bicycling! Whether it was the baseball coach in him or the Dad in him, he was as patient as I could have wished any teacher to be. Plus who can resist the comedy I provided veering way left and way right?!

I can't exactly explain what a huge impact learning the bike has had on me. I was in a pool of tears on Tuesday - simply overwhelmed knowing I had finally learned something I had waited so long for in my life. Wednesday, sore as an athlete (but without their physical prowess!). Thursday, back on the bike and officially done with lessons. 

The kids had had Sunil as their teacher the weekend prior. And honestly, the way he taught the kids so quickly, I just couldn't have. I thought I'd have to have band-aids and water and kisses on hand...instead, within an hour, our daughter was racing down the street. And within a day, our son was as cute as could be...falling, getting back on, falling, getting back on and suddenly, a pro. Sunil? Self-taught and well, he's cruising now...

Movies made me want to ride a bike all the more too - all the actors made bike riding look so smooth and easy. Gliding through beautiful tree-lined streets...whistling a tune. (There are never mosquitoes or traffic in these films!) But thankfully, something inside of me was so determined and so hungry to make it work that it did and now, I want to ride that bike all the time.

Perhaps the most beautiful poetic moment for me was when the four of us set out in the evening for a ride. Sunil said, "Honey, we're now one of those families that can ride their bikes together!" It got better...it rained. Don't laugh, but I have always wanted to ride a bike in the rain. Yes, movies may have had a bit of influence on that! But seriously, the wind, the rain coming down, my favorite songs in my head...we were soaked by the time we got home. Loved every second of it.

While I'm not ready for hitting the streets or parks yet, there's a whole world that's opened up for me and I darn better go ride it.