I started cycling at a late age, unfortunately, and this was all because I was never exposed to the cycling life I barely even sat on a bicycle when I was a child, and all of a sudden when I entered my late twenties, I won a bike from my parents as a gift from my dad even though I never requested for it.
Everything got complicated because I happen to be an introvert and as such, I was so nervous asking out for help from friends and peers. I felt it was so embarrassing learning how to cycle at the age of 19. I felt I would sound like I wasted my childhood days sleeping or doing what wasn't relevant instead of using it to learn how to cycle.
Thank goodness I found a friend who was willing to help out and wouldn't make me feel some low esteem for myself. It took me about a week plus to finally get used to my bike and these were the processes.
GENESIS
Day 1:
The very first day I sat on the bike, I was so thrilled that I didn't even listen to a single instruction from my friend who was trying her best to bring me into the light of cycling.
But there I was, wandering up and down feeling excited to see myself on a bike.
Day 2:
At this point, I began to listen to my instructor after sustaining hundreds of bruises all over my knee and ankles.
It was difficult to do two things at the same time and these were, keeping the handle straight and paddling at the same time. I couldn't handle those reflexes as I tend to lose focus on one as I focus on the other.
Day 3:
I could finally paddle and keep my head up without having that phobia of falling off the bike but I could only ride a straight road, please don't ask me to turn around or make a U-turn else it would be a different story with me, and the bike on the floor.
Day 4:
I was already a cyclist but wasn't good enough to hit the road with other vehicles so I kept practicing and finally found myself certified.
MATTHEW
Some months later, I was already a pro rider I mean, I could do basic tricks like every other person.
Tricks like,
- Standing paddling
- Pedal tricks
- Hands free cycling
- Cross body tricks
- Jerking (to climb over obstacles)
At a point I began to stand on the bike while cycling and this was my greatest achievement as it always wowed my friends when I pull out this trick.
REVELATION
All good things never last long 😅 cycling was neat and perfect until one day I was on an express road and a vehicle frightened me with a very high speed and very close to my bike,this shocked me and I lost my balance and control on the bike as i bumped into a another car that was just parked beside the road and sustained a terrible injury, dislocating my ankles and a sever pain at my back due to how bad the impact was and how I fell.
The bike wasn't so damaged, the pedal wore out and the handle got bent due to the impact.
Leaving me with a lot of injuries. Well, we could only thank God for life at that point.
Ever since then, fixing the bike has been so discouraging and I don't feel like giving it out to anyone because it was a gift, my mom wouldn't be happy if I sold it either. I just need time to fix the tires, chains and a whole lot of items.
I strongly believe that after I'm able to fix my bike, I would definitely enjoy cycling again ☺️.
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Thank you for reading through 🙂❤️
All images used are mine!