"It's as easy as riding a bike.."

My husband mentioned this story today, and I thought you guys might get a kick out of it.

(I included a few pictures taken in Japan. They have nothing to do with this story, but I don't have any pictures of that night. I might do a post with more of our Japan adventures and pictures later).

Well, during my 4 months in Japan in 2006 (while the hubby was stationed there), we tried to be more active and do more "outdoorsie" things. He had a bike that he rode to work. He thought it would be fun if I could start riding his bike (the one he rode to work and back) and he could run along with me. He's a very fast runner and loves it, but there's no way that I could ever run with him.

One evening, we tried it. He took me out (on base) and tried to get me to ride. I was terrified. I hadn;t rode a bike in years, and the last one I did ride was pink with tassels and was very low to the ground.

Well, I got up on the bike and "rode" (I use that term loosely) a little bit. Kevin was jogging beside me and holding onto the bike. There were cars coming up behind us (in their lane - we had our own bike lane, next to the parked cars). The headlights of the cars scared me so bad, even though I knew I had my own lane. I freaked out.

I somehow (not intentionally) turned the handle bars a full 90 degrees, and hit a car! A parked car! I tried to stop myself. Put my foot down. Lost one shoe. Tore a whole in my sock. Turned the handle bars the other way. Somehow got my leg between the car and bicycle tire. I dented the car. Bruised my leg. It was awful.


Yes, I got back on it too.. We made it to the parking lot, where we were headed for me to practice and I rode around a few times there. Got too scared and said I was done.. haha.

So, when I hear people refer to the saying, "It's as easy as riding a bike" I can't help but smile to myself.