Do you remember when you first learned how to ride a bike?
For most of us it brings back fond memories of times we shared with our parents. I personally loved it when we rode to the shoreline near home or when we took them on camping trips. It seems like we spent half the day riding the loops. The independence and the chance to escape was exhilarating.
Most of us started with training wheels and yet the goal was to become stable and confident enough to take the training wheels away. The battle meant moments of excitement, along with both frustration and fear. And you also had to trust two people, the person running behind you holding the seat, and the person holding onto the handle bars.
You.
Over time the distant hoorays and cheers were the realization that no one was holding the seat. And as excited as you might be, you still had to hold on, and you still had to keep pedaling. Accomplishment, pride and the sense of feeling grown up crosses my mind.
In my family, riding a bike meant other things too. In one way, it was a rite of passage, meaning I could ride to school like the big kids, or around the neighborhood to a friend’s house.
But there is more to riding a bike than balance, and pedaling, right?
You have to pay attention, be aware of your surroundings, understand road rules and safety. There are times you will have to get back up, and try again. There will be times you walk your bike up the hard hills, and there will be times to brake on the downhills.
Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes progress.
You will fall. And you will also learn how to get better, stronger and more confident..
Remember, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is practice.
So don’t look behind you. Your journey is up ahead, on this rode call life. 
Wind Kisses, Donna
How about you? Did you begin with training wheels, or on a pedal-less bike? Did you have a favorite place to ride? Do you still ride?
Inspired by: Frank Jansen, at Dutch Goes the Photo
Wind Kisses 
I can’t ride a bike this is so embarrassing. I remember me trying without training wheels only once maybe and I fell really hard. I still remember.
Here we have track on corniche and parks and I get so jealous of people flowing like leaf on water that’s how smooth they look.
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Well, we all have our gifts. Maybe riding isn’t for you . Some people can’t even draw stick figures and you can capture expression through art. Yes, we all have our gifts. 😘
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I love bikes. Like heavy bikes. But I can’t ride normal bikes so that is just a lost dream. But one day I dream of having a quad bike. I think I can handle that.
I agree we all are gifted in different areas 😘🙂
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When the weather is fine and not ice-cold, I like to ride in the nearby city-forest of Berlin which is quite big and endless (around 4,500 hectares i. e. ca. 28 square miles brit.). Especially, in summer there it is always much cooler and nice.
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That sounds wonderful. Berlin is such a nice city to explore, but I am sure the forested area, is nicer for riding bikes.
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Great post full of memories Donna 🙂
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Thanks it was a fun one to write. Always count on Frank to inspire the mind, and the photo album.
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I do enjoy Frank’s challenges
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It was quite like magic, learning it. The click, the break, from not able into able is almost like learning to fly. I’m sorry I don’t bike anymore. I tried it with my dog, but it’s dangerous, Italians drive like crazy and there are no bike lanes around here. Also the dog once almost collapsed from exhaustion. Also also, once I had eight seeds in one tyre making eight tiny holes… That’s one naughty plant.
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Yes. In Italy, I felt worried for those bikers on the tiny roads, not to mention the cities. We did however love the countryside farm roads, where we felt safe. Such a beautiful country. I’m sure your dog is loving no more bike riding. And instead nice walks to lovely parks.
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They left the training wheels on for a long, long time – just never got around to pulling them off. When we finally sent me down the alley, with just two wheels instead of four, I was amazed at how much faster my bike would go. Bigger bikes as I grew, and always faster. I still ride; now I like distance, destinations. Thank you for the reflections.
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Thanks for popping in. I love to ride too. Not too fast though. Just to enjoy the countryside.
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