Just a ride

I really don't know why, but I didn't learn how to ride a bike at the right age. I first learned when I was 15! Then for the second time when I was 21, and so the third.I can't stop wondering what I was doing, so importantly, that kept me from riding a bike.

In different situations, and in different places, I missed riding a bike. Not that I know how to ride really well, but what I missed was the feeling of it. But what do I know? I can use my fingers to count the times I have ridden a bike.

You know what people say: this or that "it's like ride a bike, you never forget..." Is that so? Can we really just jump on something that we used to do and expect knowing how to deal with it all over again?

Last Monday, while trying to keep myself busy and don't expect any specific call, I decided to go outside and enjoy the breeze. Out there were my neighbors, three very fun kids. They were just "being kids" and I was admiring it. I was trying to remember how easy everything used to be. Sam had his bike, and the girls were teaching me all about Halloween and how they thought I should wear a ghost or a vet as a costume.

At that point, I decided to take off the adult costume I was wearing for a moment and asked Sam to try to ride his bike. He said yes, right away. I was so afraid. "Seat, pedal, balance... don't look to the side" I was thinking and thinking...Both Sam and Olivia were pushing me, holding me tight to the seat. It didn't work. The bike was too low.

"We have a higher one" Olivia said.Okay. One more trial.This time it was too high. I was afraid I would be all the way up there and have no balance."I'll take mine. It has to work this time", Olivia insisted.
While Olivia went get it, Sam looked at me and asked: "How old are you?" , "almost 24", I said. He replied:"so how come you don't know how to ride a bike"? I didn't know why. How come I didn’t know how to just ride the bike?

With the third bike, and Sam riding his own bike by my side, I was a little more encouraged.Both Sam and Olivia said:" Just go... just pedal..." Well, that was what I did. I try to just look ahead, don’t worry about what people would be thinking of me on that scene and just enjoy the ride... and... It worked!! I was riding. The feeling was exactly as I remember it: Freedom and adventure, totally depending on two heels.

When I came back inside, I realized. How many things I miss doing. Things that I used to do and love doing it, but for some reason can't do it anymore or just don’t do it.

In the end, life is like the song.
It is just a ride. Don’t need to run, don’t need to hide. It will take round and round. Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down. It is just a ride. Don’t be scared, don’t hide your eyes. It may feel so real inside. But done forget enjoy the ride.
(October, 2007)