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Francesca Bossert's avatar

Hi Dawn! What a lovely story. I rode bikes as a kid and teenager, then didn’t until 2020, when Covid hit and there were hardly any cars on the road. I suddenly had a craving, so I went to a bike shop and tried an electric bike, and bought one! I was a bit chicken at first (still am but not as chicken) but it felt so wild! It felt like freedom! I love it! I don’t use it as often as I’d like to, and wouldn’t go for hours because despite getting a super soft seat it still kills my bum, but I enjoy the (other!) sensations! Good for you for learning later in life. I would like to learn to sail… But not sure I could pull sails with my wonky neck and shoulders, but that would be one thing I’d like to learn. What a lovely piece you wrote! Cesca xx

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Elise Young's avatar

Good for you, for learning and for writing about it. A lot of adults are afraid to appear foolish. If only they knew that everyone who knows how to ride a bike is so pleased to see others learn, too. We've all been there, just at a younger age. We've fallen. We've gotten back up. We've been nervous to turn, nervous to stop. We've caught the front wheel on a raised edged (driveway apron, sidewalk along grass) and regretted it. Like, REALLY regretted it. But we've persevered because riding a bike is a joy like no other. Finally: You might want to raise that seat, if you haven't already. When seated, you should be able to place your big toe on the ground -- comfortably, without tilting or straining your calf muscles. If your foot is flat on the ground, your seat is too low, and that throws off your balance significantly. Keep ridin'!

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