It’s Just Like Riding a Bike – Friday Fictioneers

Amy Reese,

Welcome to Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to our wonderful host, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, and to Jellico’s Stationhouse for the intriguing photo.

The challenge is to write a 100-word story, based on the photo prompt below. My story is semi-autobiographical.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jellico’s Stationhouse

(Personal Fiction: 100 words)

It’s Just Like Riding a Bike

Emily wobbled while her siblings breezed past. Soon, the Rathbone family would return the borrowed bikes to their vacationing owners.

“Eyes ahead. Don’t look back,” said sister Marianne.

Emily sailed by unattended, like a trapeze artist with no net. “I’m doing it!” Then Emily looked back.

Crash. 

Later, Emily attended a college swimming in bikes. Not since her childhood had she ridden one, but her body remembered and into the sea of pedaling students she went. Sweat dripped from her temples as she approached the hit-or-miss intersection.

Crash.

Their wheel spokes tangled together and Emily stared into pools of blue.

Crush.

*************

End notes: As a kid, I didn’t have a bike, but I remember this accelerated week of learning to ride. I had one week to learn how to ride on this borrowed bike. I did it, but I crashed…a lot. Later when I went to a biking college, I was pretty scared to ride a bike again because it had been so long since I had done it! I made up for lost time, riding everyday for a solid 4 years. I still crashed sometimes, but I met some nice people along the way. 🙂

*************

For more stories from the Fictioneers, click here.

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53 Comments

  2. As my Grandpa said, “That’s as easy as falling off a log.” Once you learn how to crash, you never forget how. It’s also amazing who you might “run into” out there. Great read, Amy.

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  3. I was 9 before I learned how to ride a bike. My step-dad had tried to teach me how to ride two wheels by making me go down a hill after taking my training wheels off. I had a bad wreck and wouldn’t get back on one for years. My friend, who happened, to be a boy actually taught me how to ride. So when I finally asked for one, it was a cool red BOY’S bike! I loved that thing and could ride it with no hands. We spent hours and hours and days and days riding around our neighborhood! 😀
    Great story… brought back some memories for me too! ❤

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    1. Oh, my goodness! You had to go flying down a hill. Yikes, Courtney!! I’m glad your friend could lend a hand. I always thought the boy’s bikes were better. A bike is total freedom for a kid, right? Thanks for your great story!

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    1. I guess it’s hard to get around falling, but the good thing is that once you get it, you really get it and it’s such a satisfying feeling. I’m glad I could bring back some memories for you Isadora. Thanks.

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  11. What a sweet story. I always thought I was the only kid having a hard time learning to ride a bike. My uncle and my father tried to teach me, but as soon as I was aware that they let go, I fell. Later I taught it to myself, crashed once, but kept at it. I love the crash,crash, crush, too.

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    1. I had exactly one week to learn, so the pressure was on. But I did it! I was amazed how the body actually does remember how to ride a bike. It’s really true. I’m glad you kept at it. Sometimes, we are our best teachers. Thanks.

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    1. Thanks so much, Rochelle. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I just kind of stumbled onto the crash, crash, crush. I probably wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for the 100-word limit. That’s the beauty of limits.
      Oh, yes, you’re right about the grammar. Oops! Had rode isn’t right at all. Thanks for telling me. 🙂

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  16. Very sweet story, Amy! Reminded me of a song called “Crash Into Me” by Dave Matthews. Do you remember that song?!
    I think that’s great that you rode a bike everyday for 4 years. Not all college students get the exercise they need! Hope all is well, happy spring! xo

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    1. Hi sweetheart! Thanks for dropping by my blog. I’m so touched that you did.
      I do remember that song! Yes, that would be a good backdrop for my story. 🙂
      I only rode for one week in my childhood so at least I got some serious riding in. It was the best way to get around that campus. I want my kids to start riding bikes. Things are good. How about you? I hope you are warming up by now. xoxo

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      1. Hey Amy! Doing well, been working a lot, but that’s a good thing.
        Yes, finally warm here! Enjoying beautiful spring weather.
        My family and I have enjoyed biking together for years. If your kids get into it, look for a bike rack for your car as well, so you can take your bikes anywhere. Makes for fun day trips together! ❤

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, sorry! I’m sorry that phrase wasn’t a practical reality for you, Michael. What about the swimming? That’s another one of those things they say you never unlearn…Maybe that one is a winner for you!

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  19. I miss riding a bike. A lot. Funny, I have no memory of learning to ride a bike or of ever owning one as a child. I do remember going for long bike rides as a teenager throughout the Niagara Region. It was lovely, but it was probably a borrowed bike. As an adult I was finally given a bike for Christmas one year. I went everywhere on it. I even rode it to work every day from Canada to the US, crossing the border with my briefcase and work stuff strapped to the back. When I was sick I didn’t drive for a year because I was too heavily medicated and rode everywhere. Grocery shopping, the library, the beach…there were no limitations. Then I had a car accident that resulted in a back injury and a lot of other fall out which ended in me not being able to peddle. I gave away my bike and haven’t had one since.

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    1. Hi, Michelle. I so enjoyed your bike story. I think everyone has one. Even if you don’t have a bike…that is a story. That was my story too. With 5 siblings it just wasn’t something in the cards for us, although I think my brothers had bikes when they were very young and there were not so many of us.
      I’m impressed you rode to work and even across the border! Look at you. That’s really cool. Like you, I used to get around completely on bicycle and no car. It was a challenge but I only had to think about myself so it was doable.
      So sorry about your car accident. I know you’ve told me about it. When did that happen again? Cars are no good. Proof here. Too bad we need them. I wish we didn’t. I hope you can get a new bike someday soon.

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      1. Oh, Amy, my car accident was in 1993, and I haven’t ridden a bike since. I did try last year as I had been doing my five mile a day walk and was feeling quite healthy. I was terrified but I made it to the end of my sister’s driveway and back.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Excellent story, Amy… as always! I crashed 3 times with my bike as a kid and ended up with 3 cerebral concussions. I am wondering if that influenced my life… 🙂 With my motorbike I had 3 crashes too. It was always falling to one side, while I was standing. Lucky me. And I don’t tell you the story how I crashed a catamaran sailing boat ages ago. I enjoyed reading your post, Amy. Smiles. Reinhold

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    1. Oh, my goodness! Reinhold, what a story you have to tell. Is three your not so lucky number? I’m sorry to hear about your cerebral concussions and three of them at that? What are the chances. It seems such a thing could influence your future life. Not a happy crash. And how about the boat crash? Just once, right? Knock on wood. Let’s hope those crashes are done. Now you can crash into some good lighting for your photo taking. 🙂 Thanks for reading, as always.

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