The Time I Fell Off My Bike

It all began many years ago. It was a bright spring day where the chatter of neighboring children filled the fresh, crisp air. I was preparing myself to take on one of the largest challenges any regular 5 year old could possibly face. The day you successfully rode your bike without training wheels is the day you became a man. My parents had just bought me a shiny new bike that same day. I was ready. I was about to become a man.

The sun was gleaming off my shiny new bike practically begging to be ridden. So I fulfilled its wish. I hobbled over to my bike and struggled to climb upon the seat. Finally, I sat in my throne. I was nervous. It felt like my heart was about to beat out of my chest. On top of that, the sun was glaring, blinding everything in sight. But I did not care. I was ready to ride. So with the tips of my toes barely touching the pedals I began to ride.

I pushed down on the pedal and began to move. I was thinking to myself, I was going to be the talk of the neighborhood. Maybe I would even get an interviewed on television. Local 5 year old boy rides without training wheels. Wow, what a story I thought. But within seconds there was a problem. Instead of moving forward I began moving closer to the ground. I panicked as I began tipping over.

My bike ride had come to an abrupt end. I had fallen and hit my head on a chair that was just a mere foot away from my initial departure spot. My parents who were over watching this were quickly panicked and drove me to the hospital. I began to tear up. Not because of the pain but because of my overall failure. What if I could never ride without training wheels I thought to myself. My mind began to race as I pictured myself as a 40 year-old man riding his bike with training wheels attached. This thought brought me to tears.

A combination of overall nerves and the blinding sun was the key factor in the crash. After a week I was determined to ride my bike again. However, this time I was smarter. I chose a day where the blinding sun was blocked out. The neighborhood chatter was at a minimum. It was a calm, shady day and I was ready to ride my bike. Instead of nerves I was filled with confidence. I sat up upon my bike with a calm demeanor. I pushed down and began to ride for a second time.

This time I remained in full control throughout the whole ride. I did not begin to teeter at all. As I began to go faster I realized that I had done it. I had finally been able to conquer those dreaded training wheels. I felt like a champion. I had finally become a man.