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Original poster

Is there anyone else here who can't ride a bike?

33 replies

ponygirl · 11/04/2005 18:50

I admitted this to a friend this afternoon and, apart from being surprised about my failing (caused by poor balance), was surprised that I had admitted it, and wondered whether people generally admitted it if they can't ride a bike. Of course, it's nicely anonymous here, but I do admit it freely, if the subject comes up. I don't carry a placard or anything!

Anyone else out there? And, is there hope for me? Could I learn to ride a bike at the grand old age of 36 (assuming my balance has improved!)?

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blossom2 · 11/04/2005 18:55

I can't ride a bike. I fell off one when i was eight years old, my dad didn't encourage me to try again and so I've never learnt to ride a bike!

Dh still can't believe this. never really considered learning and since i'm pregnant with DD2, its going to be a while...

Original poster
ponygirl · 11/04/2005 21:16

I'm not alone! Hurrah! It's funny really, how poeple refuse believe that it's true. I've had about 6 conversations with my dad over the years where I've said I can't ride I bike, he's said that's impossible, you must be able to ride a bike, I've said, no honestly I can't, and he's said. I bet I can teach you.... It hasn't happened yet!

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ladymuck · 11/04/2005 21:19

Nope, I can't either. I generally have a hopeless sense of balance - I'm the sort of person who topples over when she tries squats or lunges at the gym.

I am however thinking of trying to learn later this year as ds1 is coming to the point where we'll be taking his stabilisers off the bike soon, and I have idyllic images of us cycling along as a family! I did track down a crowd who offer hourly tuition and seemed to indicate that most clients got the hang of it in 2 or 3 hours.

Gem13 · 11/04/2005 21:36

I have a friend and a sister who failed their cycling proficiency tests at school for wobbling!

mummytosteven · 11/04/2005 21:38

Me! and can't drive either!

saadia · 11/04/2005 21:38

I can't either, but I wish I could.

Original poster
ponygirl · 11/04/2005 21:42

Yay!

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Dingle · 11/04/2005 21:45

I am starting to compile a list of things to do before I am 40 next year. One of them should be "To ride a bike!"

Lived in Peckham in SE London, never had a bike, roads were always to busy. I can't roller skate either!I used to have very good balance, did quite well in gymnastics at school.

Can you get stablisers for adult bikes? My neighbour keeps on trying to get me on hers!!I might have a go , one very dark night when no-one else is around!

Original poster
ponygirl · 11/04/2005 23:04

I've got a friend's mountain bike in our garage, and another friend said she thought that would be easier as the wheels are wider. Just need somewhere to practice where no-one can see me!

Dingle - I used to live in Deptford, so i was probably failing to ride a bike close by!

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suedonim · 12/04/2005 14:51

I can only just ride a bike. I learned when I was in my mid-20's. But I can only go in straight lines and am very wobbly. Plus, it scares the dickens out of me. It's a hereditary thing - my mum can't ride a bike and neither can my dd's. I don't have a problem with admitting it - I don't think it's ruined my life!!

bonniej · 12/04/2005 15:02

I can't ride a bike and neither can my sister. We were never allowed them when younger as my dad thought they were dangerous. Used to bother us terribly as children when all our friends used to ride bikes. The only time it's upset me as an adult is not being able to teach my son how to ride his. (he's tried to teach me though, but I find it impossible. Think I've left it too long )

Original poster
ponygirl · 12/04/2005 15:20

Snap suedonim! My mother can't ride a bike and neither could my grandma. Does that let me off? Was quite bothered about it as a child, but not now. Would be good exercise though, and I don't think I'm qualified to teach my children!

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LeahE · 12/04/2005 15:56

I can do the bike-riding equivalent of doggy-paddle -- sort of wobble along in a straight line without falling off, but I can't go round corners and I can't take one hand off the handlebars.

I have other friends who can't ride bikes at all so there is definitely a sizeable minority out there.

ThomCat · 12/04/2005 15:57

Ahhhhhhhhh, like phoebe in Friends, remember that episode.

Me and my mum went to a health spa and we got some bikes out to drive round the grounds and she couldn't balance and she just fell to the left still hoilding onto the handle bars and into a load of nettles and

ThomCat · 12/04/2005 15:59

Hay, can you all ice skate? I used to be able to, to a certain extent. Went iceskating in Central Park in january anbd omg, I was so crap! I could barely let go and when I did it was holding my friends hand and i then managed to move my legs properly. It was os hard and I was so scared of falling and banging my head. isn't being old crap!

Original poster
ponygirl · 12/04/2005 16:15

Never tried ice skating - I was completely crap at roller skating so never tried! (Why am I thinking of trying to ride a bike??!!)

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Dingle · 12/04/2005 16:16

Nooop...I can't do that either! I led such a deprived childhood!

suedonim · 12/04/2005 16:32

Never tried iceskating but I can't rollerskate. Dd1 has just told me she can iceskate, though.

Leah, that could be a description of my attempts at bike riding, lol!

BadHair · 12/04/2005 16:32

Can ride a bike, but can't ice-skate or swim. Tried both regularly when a child and just could not do either.
Was a relatively late bike-rider (7). Took me 2 years to learn due to laziness on my part.
Haven't tried biking, swimming or skating for years so might have another go and see if I'm any better.

ThomCat · 12/04/2005 16:32

But ponygirl, can you ride a horse?

expatinscotland · 12/04/2005 16:35

i don't know if i still can. i last rode one when i was about 10. that was 24 years ago.

Original poster
ponygirl · 12/04/2005 17:25

Actually, TC, I did do some horse-riding when I was young(er). I wasn't great, but I don't think that had anything to do with my sense of balance! I live in the country now and am really looking forward to the children being a bit older and we can all go together! Will probably still fall off and give them a big laugh!

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DickWhittingtonsCat · 12/04/2005 17:28

ponygirl, one of my resolutions for this year is to learn to ride a bike. I grew up in a city and my parents always felt it was too dangerous. Something like 33% of women in this country can't ride a bike; it is much lower for men. One of my old friends commutes by cycle and she recommended these people
\link{http://www.cycletraining.co.uk/index.php}
and these
\link{http://www.londonschoolofcycling.co.uk/home.html}
I haven't called them yet, but one of my best friends is trying to lose weight and says that she would love to cycle again, and I keep feeling that we are missing out because I can't do it; she is not interested in any of the other sports I do. Another friend said she would teach me on the beach, but I am scared we will fall out when she sees how useless I am

LeahE · 12/04/2005 17:34

Ice skating is way easier than roller skating. I cannot roller skate to save my life (hmm, trying to imagine circumstances in which that might arise) but can get the hang of basic ice skating in a couple of sessions. Unfortunately I only do it every few years by which time I've dorgotten again and it's back to hanging onto the edge.

Original poster
ponygirl · 12/04/2005 17:35

DWC - I know what you mean about not wanting someone to see how crap you are at it: several people have offered to teach me but I've laughed it off, because I don't think I could stand the mortification if I keep falling off. Like the look of cycletraining.co.uk, though, wonder if they do it out in the sticks. It may be that or go off on my own somewhere deserted.

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