It all started with a very ordinary brown bike when I was 5 years old in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. It looked something like this, but the bike itself was not that important. What I clearly remember is that I never had training wheels, my dad took me up to the park and told me he would teach me how to ride in one day. I was thrilled. His technique was the hold my saddle from behind, and continue holding me upright as I pedaled. I was good at pedaling, I know I gave him quite a workout as he held onto the saddle and ran with me.
For some strange reason, I was staring down at the front wheel as I wiggled along unbalanced and ready to crash. Dad kept on yelling, "Don't look at the front wheel, look ahead!" As soon as I started to listen to these instructions, I was riding.This was a moment that is laser-ed into my memory. A moment of accomplishment, of freedom and of a rare father/son connectedness. I don't know why this event was so symbolic for me, and I am not certain I can afford the therapy sessions to find out. What I can say, it has been something that has continued to bring me pleasure forty-plus years later.
This is my first blog entry in hopes of a series of entries chronicling how biking has been a part of my life for my entire life. I have tons of entries to create in order to bring readers up to speed. I believe it is important to demonstrate how a healthy lifestyle can invigorate your life emotionally, socially and physically; what I call my "balancing act".
