The Bike Ride That Ended Suddenly

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Abstract

oved Patriots involved. But I sacrificed watching the game in favor of a bike ride with my wife and grandkids(Acting as an adult can be hard at times.) The four of us set off. We hadn’t traveled very far, and because of our grandsons, ages 8 and 11, my wife said we should travel on sidewalks as much as possible. I groaned internally at that because dodging trees, poles, and bushes just seemed to invite trouble for me of little balance and a wobbly bike gait. Sure enough, my fears were proven to be well founded, as shortly after starting out, I hit a protruding bush, and down I went. Fortunately only a bruised knee was the result. I took this as a bad omen, turned the bike around, and was prepared to walk it back to my son’s house. My wife and grandkids by this time had noticed my absence and came back to where I was still dusting myself off. My wife suggested I give it another go so as to not disappoint the kids. I said that I was fine with them going without me, but the pleading looks from all three made me change my mind.So we set off again. I made it a decent distance this time, before a bump in the sidewalk took me unawares, and do

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wn I went a second time. This time it was more serious, resulting in cuts, abrasions, bruises, and a sore neck. I felt a bit faint once I was finally able to get up off the ground, and quickly had to sit down. This time it was clear that even walking back to the house was not an option for me in my condition. So my daughter-in-law was called and came to pick me up. Once again I urged the others to proceed without me. This time they did.One ironic twist was that both times, I fell to the right, which given my political and religious leanings is the only time that I have gone in that direction in a long time, in fact, a lifetime.Now the big question, will I give bike riding another attempt, or wait until a possible next reincarnation? On one hand, I’m a pragmatic person, and reason tells me that I’m just not meant to do this at this stage of my life. On the other hand, I’m a stubborn person and hate to admit defeat, especially since I do want to be able to ride with my wife and grandkids in the future. So it is a big “maybe” , perhaps even a “probable”.I’ll let you know what happens.</article></body>

A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

When last I wrote about my riding a bike after a thirty-year hiatus, I ended the piece by saying that either a fall was likely, or miracle of miracles my riding would improve. (Riding A Bike. Who Says That You Never Forget How | by John O’Neill | Weeds & Wildflowers | Medium)Here is how it turned out. Last week, my wife and I visited our oldest son and his family, including the two grandsons who inspired me to try riding a bike again. We brought our bikes with us this time as well.

There was a pro football game on television with my beloved Patriots involved. But I sacrificed watching the game in favor of a bike ride with my wife and grandkids(Acting as an adult can be hard at times.) The four of us set off. We hadn’t traveled very far, and because of our grandsons, ages 8 and 11, my wife said we should travel on sidewalks as much as possible. I groaned internally at that because dodging trees, poles, and bushes just seemed to invite trouble for me of little balance and a wobbly bike gait. Sure enough, my fears were proven to be well founded, as shortly after starting out, I hit a protruding bush, and down I went. Fortunately only a bruised knee was the result. I took this as a bad omen, turned the bike around, and was prepared to walk it back to my son’s house. My wife and grandkids by this time had noticed my absence and came back to where I was still dusting myself off. My wife suggested I give it another go so as to not disappoint the kids. I said that I was fine with them going without me, but the pleading looks from all three made me change my mind.

So we set off again. I made it a decent distance this time, before a bump in the sidewalk took me unawares, and down I went a second time. This time it was more serious, resulting in cuts, abrasions, bruises, and a sore neck. I felt a bit faint once I was finally able to get up off the ground, and quickly had to sit down. This time it was clear that even walking back to the house was not an option for me in my condition. So my daughter-in-law was called and came to pick me up. Once again I urged the others to proceed without me. This time they did.

One ironic twist was that both times, I fell to the right, which given my political and religious leanings is the only time that I have gone in that direction in a long time, in fact, a lifetime.

Now the big question, will I give bike riding another attempt, or wait until a possible next reincarnation? On one hand, I’m a pragmatic person, and reason tells me that I’m just not meant to do this at this stage of my life. On the other hand, I’m a stubborn person and hate to admit defeat, especially since I do want to be able to ride with my wife and grandkids in the future. So it is a big “maybe” , perhaps even a “probable”.

I’ll let you know what happens.