h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Little had a 1:1 cycling lesson this afternoon. He's been frightened of cycling since he had a spill and did a somersault over his handlebars last year. So I decided to hire a professional cycle trainer (well, actually he is a firefighter who works for us as a sessional cycle instructor).

About an hour before the lesson was due to start, he told me that he didn't really want the lesson. I told him 'No way, he's agreed to come and I can't tell him not to at this late stage.'

Anyway, the hour came, and the instructor called and we went up to the common at the top of the road. He started with some stretching and balancing exercises. First rule, he was told was 'Do what I say' - later on in the session, rule number one had changed to 'Listen' and rule number two was 'Do what I say'! Then drills about getting on the bike - keeping the brakes on whilst cocking a leg over, sitting down, getting 'pedal ready'. It took a really long time for this to become established. Then was the job of riding up and down the path whilst being supported by an arm on the seat and an arm on he back. This gradually reduced to an arm behind the back, and finally, the instructor took his arm way briefly. First little didn't notice, then a bit of panic. During the training, he regularly fell off - well falling off isn't quite what happened. If the was a football striker, I would say he took a dive.

Part way through the training, I went back to my house for some water for little . On my return, I found the insructor a bit distraught, as someone had stolen his backpack with his first aid pack, tools and change of clothing. He disappeared for a few moments to try to shed light onto what had happened, but there was no sign of the missing backpack. I felt really awful about it.

In the meantime, I found out that little had managed to cycle along the path in both directions without support! YAY! But he hadn't managed to start off himself. More work on starting off - this was a really difficult thing for him and he went over the drill time and time again. Finally he did a couple reasonably well. Then came time to put it all together. It took a really long time for him to do it - lots of false starts and lots of 'dives'. Finally, he started off and cycled off the path onto the grass - still keeping going and finally he managed to turn in a graceful circle and come back to the start position. Success! I was really proud of him for keeping going and very pleased with the instructor for his patience. The really good thing about it is that little now is keen to keep on cycling and his confidence is high. Great!

Brilliant news, ZSF,

It sounds as if the instructor knew his stuff, but what a blow to have his kit stolen. There really are some low life people around aren't there?

I remember my other half trying to teach our boys to ride a bike. They suffer from my total lack of balance, and both opted for cars as they grew up. At least it cut out the motorbike stage!!

Websailor

'what a blow to have his kit stolen' - yes- I felt really bad about it - he said that some people steal just because the opportunity is there and I think that's true. But then again, maybe the bag itself was what the thief wanted.

'At least it cut out the motorbike stage!!' yes - although I hada motorbike, I'm not so certain I want little to have one.

Little 's balance isn't that great either, Websailor. He tends to walk on his toes, so his hamstings hav shortened. He can't touch his toes - in fact he can only get about half-way down his calves.

I'm hoping to take little out again today to get some practice in.

/~

That's a tough thing to do - to teach a child something that he is afraid to do - so well done to the instructor. My eldest can't be separated from his bike these days. It was a great feeling for me to see him manage it all on his own. It gives a kid a great sense of freedom too. Win-win!

Yes - boys should ride bikes. Hope he learns to enjoy it soon, ZSF!

I ride to work most mornings and still get a thrill out of zooming through puddles with my legs up in the air (can't put them on the handlebars any more though, too stiff in me old age!) ... and riding with no hands on the handlebars.

Basically I hate cycling and would never do it just for fun, but the occasional puerile enjoyment when no one's looking, plus a chance to laugh at oneself, keep morale up!

I don't suppose the teacher will teach him to ride with "no hands" or "no feet", though. But he really ought to try all the same when he gets his confidence up - somewhere safe, of course.

Balance can surely be improved with practice, so he should practise as much as possible from now on.

My very special little

Congratulations!!

Hoorah!!

Mum has told us that you have ridden by yourself.

that is quite wonderful, and K. and I ar so thrilled.

You will have to bring your bike out when you come and visit us.

With very much affetionate from both K and I.

Your loving old friend
christiane and K.

Woodpigeon, the instructer was *extremely* patient - and focussed. He said that professional pride wouldn't let him go until he had little ride by himself. At the beginning, he said that he would definitely have him riding and maybe with no hands. I must admit, I thought, 'Oh, no you won't!' as I'd spend many attempts trying to get him ridng. He also promised that he wouldn't fall off - and I thougt 'Oh, yes, he will!' - which he did. He 'dives' and it eometimes looks as if he does it for effect - and the instructor noticed this.

TC - I can see you with both feet in the air, happy as a sandboy. I only engaged the instructor to get him going. I can teach him other stuff, and when he's ready, I'll get him going with one hand only (he'll need to be able to do this to signal, of course) and later with no hands, maybe. As he has a decent BMX with pegs on the back wheels and a front wheel that can turn 360 degrees, he *might* get confident enough to do some trick stuff - I'll just have to wait and see.

Christians - he's doing rathe well now. We took him out this afternoon and it took another hour before he wa confident enough to start off on his own - he wanted a hand behind the saddle for 'confidence'. It took a lot o wheedling to get him to try it on his own and then we alternated between him on his own and us helping. In the end, though, he took off on his own and kept stopping and starting. He showed such determination. Then he found a girl to chat to (she was much better than him) and I think she gave him some tips. I'm really proud of him.

... and yes, I might put the bike in when we come to see you - although he loves it so much, he might be on it a long time!

Much

><

We went out again yesterday and were doing well until I crashed into him whilst playing a game and we both came tumbling down. Little hurt his leg , so we came home. It's not put him off, though, as we're going out again today when school's over.

Yesterday, we went out for about half an hour, maybe three-quarters. He's still mustard keen. Another fall, but not as bad as the one the day before. I do wish he could become a little more hardy. He's such a tender young shoot and gets bruised very easily.

Traveller in Time with a late
"And I thought that was the way they grow up . . .

With falling and trying again that is

Have been on the bicycle to the mall with 'Rose' the other day the other aspect of riding a bicycle is definitely learning some things about traffic. "

Hi TiT 'the other aspect of riding a bicycle is definitely learning some things about traffic.' - yes! Little is technically old enough to ride on the roads - they're taught to ride on-road from age 10, however my little isn't really mature enough for that yet. Mostly I still hold hands with him when he crosses the road, although I've started to allow him to go to school in the mornings on his own. He has one minor road and a major road with a zebra crossing to cross and he goes out in a fluorescent and reflective yellow tabard to help keep him safe.