This post was started in May. It's December. I read the post and like it so though this is old stuff, it's good stuff.
I don't remember how I learned to ride a bike or the day when the training wheels were removed and I was released to wobble, zig-zag and tumble down the street. I do remember Zach and Lia's moments. They were nervous but excited. Zach was cautious. Lia, well, Lia scared me, she was overconfident and wanted to go fast. Both took tumbles and both got back on. It was amazing to watch them conqueror what every kid dreams, riding with out training wheels.
When I was a kid, maybe around 10, I remember getting various bike parts, putting them together to make my own bike. It was red. I had no fear of riding my bike. I jumped off make shift ramps and curbs and through puddles. I could ride a wheelie for almost 2 blocks. I rode all over South St. Louis letting the streets lead me to wherever they desired. I felt free and on an adventure.
I've done some bike riding in my adulthood but not very much. Most of our marriage I haven't even owned a bike. Before our time in Korea, Todd found a great bike on Craig's List and biked to and from work most days. It made me a little nervous when he did because a few of the roads that he traveled weren't the most biker-friendly roads to take. Occasionally, he would go trail riding and come home a little banged up. I would ask what happened and he would reply, "Oh, I flew over the handle bars going down this trail." What? He was calm and energized by the whole experience. I was in a panic. When we left for Korea, Todd sold his bike. It was the the most difficult thing for him to leave as far as our "stuff" goes.
I have been searching on Craig's List for the past month for bikes for Todd and I. Until a few days ago, we were always a few phone calls too late. The bikes aren't exactly the best (name brand, etc) but they were priced reasonable and are in good working condition. Todd wanted to hold out for something better but I consoled him by saying, this was just to get him by until he could get what he really wanted. One of our summer goals is to do some family bike rides along the Katy Trail so our new/old Craig's List finds will help us accomplish that without spending too much money.
I've ridden my bike a few times now. I don't feel as free on it as I did when I was 10. Mostly, I feel nervous and afraid to fall off . I know that sounds ridiculous but it's true. I was riding to a friends house yesterday and had to go down a very, very small hill. I was worried that the breaks wouldn't work and that I wouldn't slow down enough to make the turn. I started laughing. "Kim, are you serious, you once did far more adventurous things than this."
When I arrived at my friends, I confessed my bike riding fears. He said, "You know what you need to do don't you? Fall off!" I laughed. Maybe he's right. But mostly, I don't want to fall off. It would hurt. I want to ride with the abandonment I once had. I want to ride and feel the wind in my face and the burn in my legs as they work hard. Perhaps that will come but right now, I'm just plain nervous.
When Zach and Lia made the break from training wheels, we encouraged them, cheered them on and made sure they got back on when they fell down. Somewhere along the way, I grew up and lost a little bit of that ability to take risk and go outside my comfort zone. Oh, in some ways, I still have it. Living in Korea was certainly an adventure and there were risk of a different kind. Every day is an adventure of faith and trust in a God I do not see but believe in with all my heart.
I'm contemplating a ride downtown. Thankfully, Columbia has great bike lanes. I've been trying to think of the best route possible though--small hills, little traffic. There are other adventures that I'm contemplating too--school, writing, job. Some of the hills seem too big, some seem impossible but I think it might be worth me taking that step of faith, getting on the bike and heading downtown. Maybe I'll fall off, maybe the brakes won't work but with a little help from my friends, I'll get back on and keeping going and try to laugh along the way.
I believe it's time to take off the training wheels.
Update:
Kerri and I rode our bikes to Berlin Cafe. I survived both the going and the return home. It was great to pull up on our bikes, park and stroll to our seats at the outdoor patio. I felt proud, strong, cool and exhausted. No wheelies. No ramps. Just the safety of the bike lanes down Worley.
I don't remember how I learned to ride a bike or the day when the training wheels were removed and I was released to wobble, zig-zag and tumble down the street. I do remember Zach and Lia's moments. They were nervous but excited. Zach was cautious. Lia, well, Lia scared me, she was overconfident and wanted to go fast. Both took tumbles and both got back on. It was amazing to watch them conqueror what every kid dreams, riding with out training wheels.
When I was a kid, maybe around 10, I remember getting various bike parts, putting them together to make my own bike. It was red. I had no fear of riding my bike. I jumped off make shift ramps and curbs and through puddles. I could ride a wheelie for almost 2 blocks. I rode all over South St. Louis letting the streets lead me to wherever they desired. I felt free and on an adventure.
I've done some bike riding in my adulthood but not very much. Most of our marriage I haven't even owned a bike. Before our time in Korea, Todd found a great bike on Craig's List and biked to and from work most days. It made me a little nervous when he did because a few of the roads that he traveled weren't the most biker-friendly roads to take. Occasionally, he would go trail riding and come home a little banged up. I would ask what happened and he would reply, "Oh, I flew over the handle bars going down this trail." What? He was calm and energized by the whole experience. I was in a panic. When we left for Korea, Todd sold his bike. It was the the most difficult thing for him to leave as far as our "stuff" goes.
I have been searching on Craig's List for the past month for bikes for Todd and I. Until a few days ago, we were always a few phone calls too late. The bikes aren't exactly the best (name brand, etc) but they were priced reasonable and are in good working condition. Todd wanted to hold out for something better but I consoled him by saying, this was just to get him by until he could get what he really wanted. One of our summer goals is to do some family bike rides along the Katy Trail so our new/old Craig's List finds will help us accomplish that without spending too much money.
I've ridden my bike a few times now. I don't feel as free on it as I did when I was 10. Mostly, I feel nervous and afraid to fall off . I know that sounds ridiculous but it's true. I was riding to a friends house yesterday and had to go down a very, very small hill. I was worried that the breaks wouldn't work and that I wouldn't slow down enough to make the turn. I started laughing. "Kim, are you serious, you once did far more adventurous things than this."
When I arrived at my friends, I confessed my bike riding fears. He said, "You know what you need to do don't you? Fall off!" I laughed. Maybe he's right. But mostly, I don't want to fall off. It would hurt. I want to ride with the abandonment I once had. I want to ride and feel the wind in my face and the burn in my legs as they work hard. Perhaps that will come but right now, I'm just plain nervous.
When Zach and Lia made the break from training wheels, we encouraged them, cheered them on and made sure they got back on when they fell down. Somewhere along the way, I grew up and lost a little bit of that ability to take risk and go outside my comfort zone. Oh, in some ways, I still have it. Living in Korea was certainly an adventure and there were risk of a different kind. Every day is an adventure of faith and trust in a God I do not see but believe in with all my heart.
I'm contemplating a ride downtown. Thankfully, Columbia has great bike lanes. I've been trying to think of the best route possible though--small hills, little traffic. There are other adventures that I'm contemplating too--school, writing, job. Some of the hills seem too big, some seem impossible but I think it might be worth me taking that step of faith, getting on the bike and heading downtown. Maybe I'll fall off, maybe the brakes won't work but with a little help from my friends, I'll get back on and keeping going and try to laugh along the way.
I believe it's time to take off the training wheels.
Update:
Kerri and I rode our bikes to Berlin Cafe. I survived both the going and the return home. It was great to pull up on our bikes, park and stroll to our seats at the outdoor patio. I felt proud, strong, cool and exhausted. No wheelies. No ramps. Just the safety of the bike lanes down Worley.
