Learning to Ride
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DHans
Mar 21, 2020, 7:38:57 PM3/21/20
to RBW Owners Bunch
I was out walking my pup in the neighborhood today and noticed more people, especially more children, out and about riding bicycles and just playing in general. I also couldn’t help but notice that fewer cars were zipping around on this beautiful Saturday evening. Spring has sprung! Many of the local restaurants are closed except for takeout, the parks are mostly closed including tennis courts and soccer fields. So, it seems folks are staying home and finding ways to bide the time. If there is a positive side to this pandemic it is that, at least here in Watkinsville, Ga people are seeming to realize you can enjoy time at home with family and even get outdoors and enjoy the warm refreshing air.
As I was walking I noticed a dad teaching his daughter to ride her bike. It was so much fun to watch and made me think back to when I learned to ride. My dad would push me while holding me up and running along with me. I asked how do I stop dad? He said just pedal backwards and you’ll stop (remember pedal brakes?). I tried several times but fell each time. He knew I could do it and told me so ...and I could..the problem is I didn’t know it yet. After the first fall I was mad at him for encouraging me to ride. The second fall left me mad at that stupid bicycle. After the third fall I was just mad that I fell and became resolved to do it. And, I did!! Of course I fell again because as soon as I felt a little out of control I pulled my feet off of the pedals. Goodbye brakes, hello ground. After that I was riding everyday for hours on end. Riding meant freedom and I was all in!
As the dad in my neighborhood pushed his daughter along he would let go without her knowing and she would glide along for a bit and then pull her feet off the pedals and come to a stop. He knew she could do it but she didn’t know she could do it...yet. Two boys stopped by on their own bicycles to give encouragement. You can do it, they told her. And, she did after a few more tries. Now the freedom and fun is all hers.
This all makes me appreciate riding like I did as a child. I am thankful for riding my bike and for the joy of life, even in these difficult days. This too shall pass
Cheers,
Doug
As I was walking I noticed a dad teaching his daughter to ride her bike. It was so much fun to watch and made me think back to when I learned to ride. My dad would push me while holding me up and running along with me. I asked how do I stop dad? He said just pedal backwards and you’ll stop (remember pedal brakes?). I tried several times but fell each time. He knew I could do it and told me so ...and I could..the problem is I didn’t know it yet. After the first fall I was mad at him for encouraging me to ride. The second fall left me mad at that stupid bicycle. After the third fall I was just mad that I fell and became resolved to do it. And, I did!! Of course I fell again because as soon as I felt a little out of control I pulled my feet off of the pedals. Goodbye brakes, hello ground. After that I was riding everyday for hours on end. Riding meant freedom and I was all in!
As the dad in my neighborhood pushed his daughter along he would let go without her knowing and she would glide along for a bit and then pull her feet off the pedals and come to a stop. He knew she could do it but she didn’t know she could do it...yet. Two boys stopped by on their own bicycles to give encouragement. You can do it, they told her. And, she did after a few more tries. Now the freedom and fun is all hers.
This all makes me appreciate riding like I did as a child. I am thankful for riding my bike and for the joy of life, even in these difficult days. This too shall pass
Cheers,
Doug
Lyman Labry
Mar 21, 2020, 7:53:59 PM3/21/20
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I’ve noticed same interaction of families and friends getting out on bikes and walks together here in Austin. Neighbors hanging outside actually visiting. Physically distancing but still very much fulfilling the social need.
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Curtis McKenzie
Mar 21, 2020, 7:57:58 PM3/21/20
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Doug,
Here in East San Diego I observed the same behavior on my take out only brewery ride. Few cars a definite plus. Also families playing in their front yards with balsa wood airplanes, paddle ball and the like. Also noticed a good number of people sitting on their front porch. Received many waves today.
Time now to sit out front, much more than two meters from the people walking by, play banjo and sip good beer.
Peace,
Curtis
dougP
Mar 21, 2020, 8:04:41 PM3/21/20
to RBW Owners Bunch
We had the same experience here in Orange County, CA, today. Definitely more runners, bikers, family groups, & dog walkers on the bike trails than usual, even for a Saturday. Our route took us over a couple of bridges over normally busy major streets. Pretty quiet down there on the highway. People need to get out in fresh air & sunshine, and today was a perfect day to do it.
dougP
Patrick Moore
Mar 21, 2020, 9:37:06 PM3/21/20
to rbw-owners-bunch
Certainly more people out walking, riding, scootering -- family
earlier in the week on the Rio Grand trail, mother on bike, kids on
scooters -- on the nearby trails than usual. One of the owners of the
nearby High Desert Bicycles told me that business has been booming
because people are repairing or refurbishing or buying bicycles as an
alternative to restaurants or bars -- or, perhaps, work: the airline
pilot/flight attendant couple across the street are anticipating
furloughs; the pilot told me that he'd been flying empty planes, and
that Delta -- he flies for Alaska -- has been losing a cool 50 mil a
day. And the owner of the nearby computer shop said business had
tanked and he has yet to pay the rent; I assuaged his grief by
overpaying him for goods and services.
We're not yet under a curfew, but the schools have all closed and
restaurants are limited to takeout and delivery. I see quite a few
cars on the road, but rush hours are like mid-day. I was able to load
up on beans and lentils and nuts and raisins, but the vegetable milk
substitutes are sparse -- turned to cocoanut instead of the usual
almond milk; and while I was able to load up the panniers with
tortillas, there is no flour to be had in the 2 nearest grocery
stores. Albertson's has early hours set aside exclusively for " senior
citizens' " -- in **normal** English the term is "old people" on Mon
and Th; a senior clerk told me that both days this week the lines
outside the door were already long before the 7 am opening, and that
he'd seen nothing like it since the Mount St. Helens event. I mean to
ride my 2003 Riv in (cape flowing in the wind) on Monday morning and
fight my way violently through crowds of crabbed oldsters to corner as
much of the flour market as I can. Perhaps I'll batter the doddering
competition aside with my Rivendell-cum-Ortlieb shopping cart.
Patrick "65 is the new 30" Moore
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Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum
earlier in the week on the Rio Grand trail, mother on bike, kids on
scooters -- on the nearby trails than usual. One of the owners of the
nearby High Desert Bicycles told me that business has been booming
because people are repairing or refurbishing or buying bicycles as an
alternative to restaurants or bars -- or, perhaps, work: the airline
pilot/flight attendant couple across the street are anticipating
furloughs; the pilot told me that he'd been flying empty planes, and
that Delta -- he flies for Alaska -- has been losing a cool 50 mil a
day. And the owner of the nearby computer shop said business had
tanked and he has yet to pay the rent; I assuaged his grief by
overpaying him for goods and services.
We're not yet under a curfew, but the schools have all closed and
restaurants are limited to takeout and delivery. I see quite a few
cars on the road, but rush hours are like mid-day. I was able to load
up on beans and lentils and nuts and raisins, but the vegetable milk
substitutes are sparse -- turned to cocoanut instead of the usual
almond milk; and while I was able to load up the panniers with
tortillas, there is no flour to be had in the 2 nearest grocery
stores. Albertson's has early hours set aside exclusively for " senior
citizens' " -- in **normal** English the term is "old people" on Mon
and Th; a senior clerk told me that both days this week the lines
outside the door were already long before the 7 am opening, and that
he'd seen nothing like it since the Mount St. Helens event. I mean to
ride my 2003 Riv in (cape flowing in the wind) on Monday morning and
fight my way violently through crowds of crabbed oldsters to corner as
much of the flour market as I can. Perhaps I'll batter the doddering
competition aside with my Rivendell-cum-Ortlieb shopping cart.
Patrick "65 is the new 30" Moore
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum
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