Learning to ride a bike again!

Seeing an advert for a woman’s cycling course during half term was a great opportunity not to pass up. Having not been on a bike since the age of ten it was going to be interesting to see what happens. My brothers were always putting me off riding because of their dangerous BMX's wheelie stunts. Could I cycle again? Was the big question. There was no harm in trying.
Explaining my half-term plans didn’t go down too well with family and friends. Some outright disapproved, while others emphasised caution, concerned for my safety on the course. Interestingly enough, many people see cycling on the road as dangerous. According to some statistics, cyclists have the highest death rate in London. Was that going to put me off? My worst fear was learning to ride again after all these years. There was only one way to find out.
The cycling course ran for five days at a local school. The first day was spent in a school gym,which was a relief to myself and the other women who weren’t ready to venture the outdoors. After a few false starts, near hits and just missing the wall, I was riding a bike within twenty minutes of starting the course. Not bad! I was a pretty good rider.
Exhilaration, excitement, freedom and independence are the best words to describe how I felt. I was liberated in a way that a car would never allow me. It gave me control, time to think, de-stress from all worries. Burning calories was another added bonus for being on a bike. The other things that I discovered, it was therapeutic, fun and I was more tuned in with nature than behind a wheel.I felt it was the beginning of something important in my life.
What made this project so worth while was the hard work and effort of the female instructors who were running the course. They were the catalyst in helping to bring women from all different backgrounds together. No language necessary, no backgrounds explained, a bond was made. A voice understood. Equal yet learners. Something special was happening. Hope for the next generation. Before I get carried away in this poetic nature, (I have been writing a lot of poems lately- explain later) I will be buying a bike soon. Not to replace my car any time soon, but to ride with my children to the park and other safe cycling places.
This course has given me the confidence to ride a bike again. I’m sure I speak the same for the other women who attended this course. Danger will always be on the road. Pedestrians face it everyday. Taking courage in trying something new is always going to be difficult. Cycling allows you the freedom to use other means of transport than a car everyday. It is cheap, friendly to the environment, great form of exercise and a brilliant networking system for women. It was surprising to see so many mothers on the course during half term. Many brought their children along and it was no problem. Everyone had fun and felt part of the group.
I had my doubts at the beginning, but I'm glad to have done this course. For me the pros outweighed all the cons. I took up the challenge and didn't regret it. It's how you learn. Watch out! You may see me in a charity ride soon!