The Absent Uncle: That first bike ride ..

Do you remember your first bike ride?
I was listening to a grandpa telling me about his grandson graduating from training wheels to riding on his own and I thought – when did I learn?
In the old days, it came down to what bike was available – for me, my older sisters had a big, old, blue girls’ bike – no bar.
Somebody put me on it, shoved me down the gravel hill on the home farm. And I didn’t fall – I stopped on my own by jumping off the pedals. That heavy old bike would have hurt landing on me, but it didn’t!
I probably walked the old blue bike back up the hill and was sent down the hill again – as memory serves – successful once again.
You know how to ride a bike.
I remember teaching my daughter. She had a banana seat bike, and because I was a young dad at the time I could run behind her to keep her upright. Lots of miles I am sure. I was never so glad as when she could pedal away from me without my steady hand on the rear of her banana seat bike. I advised her to stop on the lawn side of the sidewalk to dismount (or fall).
Our son – had training wheels – and he demanded them to be taken off within days of beginning to ride on his own. I was a bit older and couldn’t have kept up with him anyway. He had it figured out from the beginning.
I only bring this up for a couple of reasons: First, a reminder to each of you, maybe it was good, maybe not.
But more importantly, listening to my friend’s grandson extolling how great it made it made him feel to be free, to have learned a skill that he saw other kids do.

Ain’t that just the best?