I’m scared silly to get on a bicycle. Haven’t been on one since I was 17. I’m not 17 any more – I’m a “bit” older now. So it may strike you as odd that I’m writing a blog to encourage readers to ride a bike.
Now let’s clarify: I’m not afraid to get on just any bike – nope, I’m actually pretty brave about the stationary bike at my gym. But that won’t qualify me for any medals of valour – I’ve never seen a stationary bike come loose from its moorings and head for the ditch – well it has never happened yet with me on it.
OK, so I’ve already admitted I’m terrified to get on a bike. Why am I not more confident? Isn’t it like swimming where you never forget how to do it? Not sure if I want to take that for granted. The blame for my fear does not rest just with me. I have a family that is – shall we say “overly protective?”
Their hesitation to allow me to get on anything that has wheels that move is because I’m supposedly accident prone. I never thought the nickname Calamity Jane was very fair. I’ve never broken a bone (well, maybe my baby toe once or twice but nothing any bigger than that). Yes, that was me who fell off the pathway coming into the house a couple of winters ago – but I thought the snow angel I left behind was actually quite nice.
And yes OK, I did walk into a lamp post on my way back to my office after lunch one day. Not my fault – the blasted thing just came out of nowhere. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t check with my foundation co-workers for further proof of my klutziness. I knew it was a mistake to tell them about getting one of my “no longer 17-year-old” legs hung up on a low fence in my effort to hop over it one day to save time getting back to the office. They know it was NOT my fault. You see there was this guy who tried to help me out of my embarrassing predicament but who instead caused me crash to the pavement and then promptly fell on top of me. Not pretty – not pretty in the least.
Okay so full disclosure here – I have a reason for this baring of the scaredy-cat and klutzy soul. If 100 of you will sign up for the June 2 Becel Ride for Heart P.E.I. by March 31 at www.rideforheartpei.ca, I will face down my fears and get on a bike for a short ride (provided of course, that I receive assurances that Island EMS will be present!).
Hope to see you there! I’ll be the one with the quivering quads and the frozen smile on my face. Caveat: please don’t watch me – it would make me nervous. And when I’m nervous bad things can happen. Just sayin’.
