Lesson no. 3: If you are having difficulty learning to ride your bike, be assured your mother will discover a training method that works.
The used bike was a dull blue in color, with a darker blue seat. Its tires were worn and some of the spokes were missing from the back wheel but it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and it belonged to me. I was 6 years old and my goal was to learn to ride that old bike; with or without training wheels. I knew no fear; at least not as long as Mom or Dad ran along beside me, their right hand firmly holding the underside of the seat; preventing me from falling and supplying me with the balance I needed to remain upright. Life was good riding that bike up and down my grandmother’s dirt covered road. As long as I had my parents at my side, holding on tightly to that dark blue seat, I knew I would never fall.
The days flew by as I rode my bike, my out-of-breath parents trying to keep up with me. When they would ask me to please show some mercy and either slow down or at least let them put training wheels on, I would inform them that I was just about ready to ride without their assistance and that “big girls” did not have any use for training wheels.
On a hot Sunday afternoon, my mom and dad placed that bike into the trunk of our car, informing me that we would be taking it home. I just couldn’t wait to try my riding skills at home, though our back yard consisted of a mildly steep, grassy hill.
I hopped on the seat, my feet on the pedals and my mother took her usual place to my left; her hand firmly beneath me. We went to the cusp of that hill and as Mom gave the bike seat a gentle push I realized she was letting go. I flew down that grassy knoll, my eyes closed, my heart about to explode. I bounced and wavered and finally coasted to a smooth stop. Both the bike and I remained standing. I turned toward my mother, feeling a combination of victory and abandonment. There she stood at the top of the hill, clapping her hands and shouting congratulations. At last I was able to ride on my own and I spent the rest of that day — and many others — testing my wings.
We talked about that old blue bike frequently over the years, always honoring the memory with laughter. I can see them both running beside me, their hands just below the coils of the seat as their strong-willed daughter wrestled with shaky handlebars, wobbly tires and the fear of letting go.
Editor’s Note: Belinda Wilcox Ouellette has lived in the Caribou area for all of her 56 years. She presently lives in Connor TWP. with her husband Dale and their Goldendoodle Barney. They are currently working on building a home in Caribou. You may contact Belinda online at: dbwouellette@maine.rr.com.
