Late Bloomer

When I was about six years old, and my sister was about seven years old, my sister got a bicycle. She subsequently proceeded to crash it in the driveway, busting and bloodying herself up on the gravel. Being an observant baby sister, I'm pretty sure I didn't ride a bike a single time in the next fifteen years.

Then, when I was in law school, my mom invited me to spend the weekend vacationing with her and a friend on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. I agreed to let her rent me a bicycle. I refer to this time fondly as The Time I Learned How To Ride A Bicycle. At age 23. A late bloomer. There were sidewalks everywhere and we went everywhere on our bikes -- shopping, dinner, cocktails, etc. -- and I crashed into a lot of curbs, trees, blades of grass, etc. I even found a little lost dog to put in my basket! (Thankfully his owner returned before I had a chance to crash again.)

That's when I realized that nothing really compares to wind in your hair, a frosty beverage in your belly and a silly little dog yipping away in your basket.

However, learning to ride a bike in your 20s -- or 50s -- is a lot different than learning to ride a bike in your single digits. You don't have that same fearlessness or resiliency that you had at 9. I met a woman last weekend at Sultana who was also just learning to ride and was asking me for tips. I'll be the first to confess my mechanical ability at the bike shop is limited to a lever-like action in pushing the broom around -- that's what Aaron is for. But this is something I can handle. So, for all you beginners out there, here's my expert advice:

1. Ride your bike to happy hour. It's not a coincidence that this is the first on the list. Don't close down the bar, but a margarita or two will help in the fearlessness AND resiliency realms for the cruise home. Plus, with all that exercise you're getting, you deserve a bubblegum vodka treat!
2. Pick a destination. It's easier to get and stay moving if you have a reasonable goal. Like having a cup of coffee or paying your electric bill or riding to the square for the Wednesday night cloggers.
   
3. Wear a helmet. Full-face if necessary. And elbow pads. And one of those plastic face masks like Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons. Whatever you need to feel safe.
   
4. Take advantage of the early morning. Prescott is a sleepy, sleepy weekend town. By 9AM downtown can be hustle and bustle, but 7AM on Sunday, the road/bicycle lane/dirt path/sidewalk is essentially yours.
5. Fall down. Contrary to my beliefs as a six-year-old (and admittedly, I was a sissy six-year-old), crashing is really not that big a deal. But you don't realize that until you do it a couple times. Once you realize that crashing isn't so bad -- just some skinned knees and potential embarrassment, depending on your audience -- you open the door to even more fun on your bike. For example, the last time I crashed was because I slammed on my brakes and then looked back to see my "awesome skidmarks." Whoops.
6. Breathe. If you get frustrated with wobbling or tired of concentrating on the little white line, just stop. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. You're supposed to be having fun, remember? There's bound to be a clean patch of sidewalk to park your behind on while you take a chill pill. Or, if you're like me, to call your mom crying until you get over yourself.
   

I'd be interested to see how anyone fairs on my advice . . . but moral of the story: It's never too late to start having fun. Good luck!