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There is a saying in our culture that many things are as easy as riding a bicycle. I think that this is also related to the idea that once you have learned to ride a bicycle, the skill will stay with you forever. These suppositions are based on the fact that learning to ride a bicycle when we were children was a major milestone in athletic and social achievement. Learning to ride a bicycle when you are a clumsy boy is indeed a great accomplishment. I can testify to that. That skill does have an expiration date, however, as does everything.
My wife and I went on a river cruise in Portugal a year ago. It was delightful in every way, but Mrs. Pessimist wanted to enhance the tour with a bicycle tour of Porto. I was hesitant but reluctant to admit that I wasn't sure I still knew how to ride a bike competently. I tried out a bike and wobbled around the parking lot until I decided to give it a go. About a mile down the road, when having to stop for a light, I leaned my bike over enough to catch my weight but the bike slipped out from under me and threw me into four lanes of heavy traffic. Thankfully no one ran over me. There were screeching brake sounds but I got away with only a few minor abrasions.
There was someone from the bike rental company with us and I told him I should have asked for training wheels. At my age, every new experience needs to include training wheels.
Maybe someday I can rent a tricycle to tour a European city, but I will probably also insist on air conditioning.
Discussion (28)
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Riding a bicycle itself may be something that one "never forgets," but older people do sometimes have problems with balance, unless they work at it.
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I acquired a new bike in my early 60s, and enjoyed riding a couple times a week, never in traffic, only on paved trails, averaging 10 to 20 miles round trip. Great exercise.
At 75, I still enjoyed my rides and wasn't yet concerned so much about balance, as the possible catastrophic outcome if I were to take a bad fall. The last fall I'd taken had been on an earlier bike when I was in my early 40s, but now even a low-speed fall could do serious damage to these old bones. Not prepared for that possibility, I gave away my bike to a family youngster. No regrets.
If I had a three wheeler that could be carried on a car rack, I'd consider it.
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As I approach the age of 70 (next year) I have a little more sympathy for former President Biden and his infamous bicycle tumble.
I have ridden a bicycle as minor exercise (10 or so miles at a time around the area near my home at a not particularly vigorous pace) for most of my adult life. Typically in the very early morning hours, to avoid as much automobile and truck traffic as possible. Yet in the last few years on occasion I have come close to falling when stopping, such as for traffic or a traffic light. No problem once under way. But those first few seconds as I near a stop can be a challenge.
I am conscious of the balance issue because several of my somewhat older friends have had serious tumbles while getting up or walking, and I want to avoid those.
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Various health companies offer balance programs to members at no additional cost.
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Someday I will try a recumbent. The orthopedist who treated my broken wrist in 2004 suggested I do so.
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