Thursday, September 8, 2011

You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

...is a big fat lie! I'm an old dog (nevermind the exact years) and I've just learned to ride a bike albeit like a drunk. That has got to count, doesn't it? Took me approximately 9 hours, spread over 7 days, spread over 3 weeks.

Day 1 So many coaches, couldn't decide which advice to try first. Coach #1 Go downhill without pedaling. Coach #2 Start off by pushing on the pedal with one foot. Coach #3 Practice balancing by sitting like a princess. Coach #4 Blah blah blah... All I could think of was not falling over on the side. But it's better to have numerous tips than none at all.

Day 2 Practice anywhere. Everywhere. Even inside the house.

Day 3 Pick a patient private coach. Feed him before the session. And be patient yourself. Bruise count: 12

Day 4 Do not be afraid to practice where everyone can see you, i.e. on the road outside your house. You can stop when there are cars and people passing for any of these reasons: because of embarrassment or because you don't want to run them over (people) or because you don't want to get run over by them (vehicles).

Day 5 Strangers will: give random words of advice - "look ahead, not on your pedals" - listen; give warnings - "mabun-og ka ana/di ka makat-on hangtod di ka ma injure" - persevere; laugh at you - laugh with them, no one has died by being laughed at, no?

Day 6 Even if you've just recovered from fever, practice. Even if it starts to rain 10 minutes into your practice, go on. Every effort counts. Prepare to get sick again. Bruise count: 4

Day 7 Do not be too serious or you'll attract frustration like Homer Simpson to donuts. But do not keep laughing like a hyena or you'll ride your bike like a drunk. Take it from me.


Next lesson: How to go dizzy by going in circles on a bike.

9 comments:

  1. hahahahaha! I can't wait for the result of your next practice ride.. and the next.. and the next.. and the next.. :D

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  2. That's if I survive Lesson #2 and live to blog about it! :-)

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  3. I taught myself how to bike at a beach. That afternoon I learned that it is better to trust my instincts more than the flurry of sometimes contradicting advices.

    Will mustachio be a triathlete someday? ;)

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  4. Bren, you are absolutely right. Trust your instincts! How long did it take for you to learn?

    I will be a triathlete... when my mustache reaches 10 feet in length, thank you very much. :-D

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  5. It took me around 3 hours Khon. The good thing about learning at a beach is that the sand serves as a cushion in every fall.

    You only need 5++ feet more then. :)

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  6. Congrats! Maybe we could bike together someday? With Luna? Haha. Hope I learn to overcome my open water phobia.

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    1. Thanks Pinay Travel Junkie! I bet Luna will learn faster than I did. (I still wobble around on a bike.) Open water phobia? And why!

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  7. I also just learned how to break and I can relate feeling dizzy by biking in circles.hahaha. I have yet to try the bike on the road - good luck to me!

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    1. Good luck Joann! I hope you're not as chicken as me :-)

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