I was always told that learning how to ride a bike and learning how to swim are the two most important athletic life skills. Both serve as excellent exercise, and evidently, the ability to swim is crucial in times of emergency. While bicycling may not be as urgent, it is still just as significant. Learning how to ride a bike teaches individuals hand-eye coordination and balance. Moreover, people have the accessibility to comfortably workout and move around at a convenient pace. Bicycling helps individuals build up muscle tone in their legs and lower body.

However, most people think of learning how to ride a bike as something that children first do when they are young. Whether it’s mom or dad helping their precious little baby to let go, riding a bike is a milestone. It is also symbolic of gaining independence and achieving a goal. I semi-learned how to ride a bike as a child. I remember being advanced proficient in training wheels, but afterward, I figuratively and literally went downhill. My dad was my bicycle teacher. While he was patient and helpful and I grasped the bike riding groove for some time, I ended up losing my funk. I became frustrated with myself and eventually went on a biking hiatus. I regret not keeping up with bicycling, but I realize that it is never too late to pick something up again.

In spite of being told that learning how to do something early in life is easier than learning later in life, I still became determined. I have proved to myself in college that I can do anything that I want. Therefore, I want to relearn and master how to ride a bike. While some would say that I have missed my opportunity, I view the situation to be that I am only 21 years old and that I am just getting started. I have plenty of time to build stamina and to create myself. Therefore, teaching myself and learning from others how to ride a bike is something that I know I can and will do. My message is that life is short, and doing something that you truly want to do whether it be riding a bike, skydiving, or traveling to a new country, is a must. You never know unless you try, so take the chance. What’s the worse that can happen? Perhaps, you’ll fall off and scrape your knee as I know I will while learning how to ride. Nonetheless, you’ll feel on top of the world when you’re soaring on that bike by yourself!