The Irony of an American Simile

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I know almost everyone knows the saying "It's just like riding a bike", but how accurate is the actual comparison? Riding a bike has been associated with never forgetting something, like a second nature. My experience with riding a bike will definitely contradict this popular American saying. I learned how to ride a bike when I was five years old, and it quickly became one of my favorite things to do. Everyday I would ride my bike up and down my street, to the park, almost anywhere I was allowed to go at the time. My love for biking was unmatched, up until I was about seven years old.

One day, my family went on a trip to a campsite, and of course we brought our bikes. My brother wanted to go on a bike ride and I was more than happy to join him. As we were ready to go, my brain had gone completely blank. Everything I thought I knew about riding a bike had diminished from my mind, scary right? I decided to shake it off and follow my brother, who was already speeding away on his bike. I got on the bike, and before I could stop myself, was falling onto the ground. I was traumatized to say the least. I thought to myself, "How can I have no idea how to ride a bike?"

After that day, it was like my bike had grown cob webs, remaining untouched in my garage. I was so scared that the thought of even going near another bike shook me to my core. I had not even thought about getting on another bike until about a year later. I decided it was time and apprehensively took my bike out, knees shaking. I can remember holding my bike and just standing on the side walk, unable to move. The fear of getting on the bike was so consuming it could shut down my whole body. That was until I came to the realization that everyone has obstacles in their life that can be scary. The real test of strength is to push through despite fear, or just forget about it and live thinking "what if?"

I had finally gotten back on the bike after a few shaky start ups. The wind blowing against my skin as I sped down my street, made everything worth it. All the times I looked at my bike and pretended it wasn't there, or cried about the moment I fell of that bike a year ago, seemed like a faint memory. I remember thinking how silly I was for ever being afraid of riding my bike.

This experience taught me so much about my character and life. When I hear the saying "It's just like riding a bike", I think about how ironic it is that riding a bike is associated with never forgetting something. This taught me that everyone has their own fears, but the real challenge is to never give up even if there is a possibility of failure. The victory is more important.