I think I learnt on the blue bike, which I thought made me very grown up indeed. I set off being pushed and then looked back and realised that I was all on my own. Cycling by myself. I was so proud. I realised that somehow you just stay upright, I wasn’t sure how then but of course now I know it’s down to a mix of balance and momentum and possibly luck.
I cycle every day now. To the station and then to the office when I get into London. I love it. All those years of being taken on bike rides with my father and sisters and a collection of other members of our extended family who happened to be staying with us had an affect on me. It’s written into my DNA, give me a choice to walk or cycle or get the god awful tube and I’ll choose two wheels every time.
The only times I ever wobble on my bike are when I slow down and almost stop. One has to keep the bike moving, albeit slowly, to keep the upright momentum and balance. If you stop it all goes south. It happens occasionally when I’m not concentrating, when my mind is not focussing on the job in hand.
It feels like an appropriate metaphor for my life right now. If I stop I think I might fall over. If I fall over I think I might never get back up.