JUST LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE

Isn't my bicycle cute?

I love the wicker basket. (Perfect for carrying a baguette, cheese, and a bottle of wine, as I cruise through the French countryside in my straw hat and cute sundress, after visiting the farmers market. That’s always my fantasy.) I love the retro color. It has a wide cushy seat for my delicate booty. And it even has a little briiing-briiing bell to alert pedestrians when I am about to pass them.

I have not been on my bike in a long time. It's probably been over a year 'cuz I am Goldilocks when it comes to bicycle riding. I don't ride when it's too cold. I don't ride when it's too hot. It has to be juuust right. Today is the last day of January and yet, it feels like spring. Thank you, global warming! (I'm joking, of course. Anyone who's read my books knows exactly how I feel about the climate crisis. Not funny! But alas, I digress.)

It's been so long since I've ridden my bike that it was covered in dust and cobwebs inside our shed, and Hubby was kind enough to dust it off for me. When I went to put on my helmet I said, "Was my helmet always yellow?"

"Plastic gets discolored with age," said Hubby. "It might be time for a new helmet."

"No, it's still in good shape. There's nothing wrong with it. It just used to be white."

Then, when I went to put it on, the pads on the inside literally disintegrated in my hand. (It might be time to replace those, for sure.)

As I rode down to Almaden Lake, I passed lots of people enjoying this beautiful afternoon, and I marveled at the accuracy of the saying "It's just like riding a bicycle." How is it possible that once we acquire that skill, our bodies automatically remember it after ages of not doing it? It's kind of amazing. Even watching someone ride a bicycle is sort of a miracle. How do we manage to balance on two skinny wheels? You don't hear anyone shouting, "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" as they try to balance. That only happens when you're first learning. And even though it obviously requires some level of core engagement, it somehow feels effortless. How is that possible?

The human body is a wonder.