A Question of Balance

For a couple of years Lizzy has been trying to learn to ride a bike. We got training wheels a couple of summers ago and we've tried riding around on them. Problem is we haven't been very diligent about trying. And Lizzy has been quite skittish of the bike. She wants to learn and she's excited to ride, but the bike makes her rather nervous. Even with training wheels, she has sometimes been a bit jumpy.

On the advice of a friend at work, we got Lizzy a scooter for Christmas. The scooter, he said, would help her learn balance. Well, the scooter was a big hit--the most popular Christmas present by far. Before long she was almost constantly scooting through the house (it being too cold to scoot outside): down the tiled hall, across the kitchen, down the ramp and into the family room. Then back up the ramp, through the kitchen, and down the hall. Back and forth, back and forth. With all that scooting, her balance improved dramatically.

Last Saturday was a beautiful pre-spring day, and Lizzy decided to scoot around outside. After a couple minutes, she came inside and asked if I would go around the block with her. I consented, hopped on her bike, and around the block she went. Her balance was so good on the scooter, I proposed she try the bike (without training wheels). She did, with me holding the seat to keep her up. But then I let go, and she kept going! But only for a few feet. But still, this was progress. So up and down the sidewalk we went. But she was still quite nervous and wanted me to hold the seat almost all the time. When I would let go, however, she would keep upright--though wobbly--for a good 10 feet or so. Encouraged, we practiced again a couple times this week after work. Still, Lizzy was very nervous and wanted me to hold most of the time. but there were signs of improvement, so we kept at it.

Today we decided to try again. It was a bright, sunny day--though rather chilly--and the Church parking lot across the street was empty and inviting. She got on her bike and I held the seat. She started to pedal and soon commanded, "Let go." I did. And she stayed up. Still nervous, though, within a few feet she called out, "Hold on!"

She was doing so well, though, that I refused. And she kept going. And she kept going. And she rode around in a circle, all the way saying, "Hold on! Hold on!" with me saying, "No, you're doing great! Keep going!"

So she rode in a big circle and then 50 yards down the parking lot before she stopped and crashed. She had done it! She had ridden and balanced and turned! I was so excited. She still seemed tentative, but I could tell she was pleased. So she got on and did it again--this time farther. Within a few minutes, she was riding all over the parking lot by herself--all fear, all nervousness gone. Amazing how something that was so scary could suddenly be so easy and natural (see video below for evidence).