sox88

Learning to ride a bike. So far I've made two attempts. The first time I was able to keep the bike up for short distances, but had a lot of difficulty with the turns. I stayed out for about half an hour before the pain in my shoulders made me quit. Today I went out for about 15 minutes. I managed to get through several turns without falling over and only lost control a couple times. I only had to stop the bike and restart once from losing control. My shoulders are still hurting. I think I'm putting too much pressure downward on the handlebars. I have a really strong subconscious fear of falling, and I feel like I'm slipping forward on the seat. I did better today, kept reminding myself not to push down, and stopped riding when my shoulders began to hurt. I'll try again in a couple days and see how well I do.

It is definitely easier for me to learn as an adult than it ever was for me as an ungainly, unbalanced child. And I know the little bits of yoga and kung fu that I practiced have helped my balance considerably. I haven't found any joy yet in riding, hoping that will come with time. For now, it's all about overcoming fear so that I can ride along with my kids. Perhaps I'll find joy in riding with them. For now though, I'm riding alone. Far easier to deal with one fear at a time. I have no desire to fail and fall in front of my kids, and if they're watching me, I'll be that much more self-conscious and afraid.

Now it's time to go pick some delicious plump blackberries to turn into delicious blackberry wine.
yummy yummy yum