We bought a red bicycle to my son. To let him keep the balance, we went to the repairer to add two little wheels to the back. “Nevermind the extras wheels”, said the old repairer, “If you help he will learn within an hour, otherwise it will take months to get rid of the spares, Don’t mind even if he falls, that’s the way to do” We took the advice and began the first exercise. I told how to push the pedals, how to squeeze the break, how to sit on the saddle on balance. HE could barely reach the pedal, was afraid of falling. “Fear not, I’ll be with you and hold you”. He trusted. I grabbed the handlebar with my left hand, saddle with the right, placing my nose in the hair floating in the wind with the childish scents. I began to run alongside him. He started laughing with the joy of touching warm wind to his cheeks, and being in safe hands. I was struggling to keep the velocity, breathing hard to catch up. Was not easy, I was competing with the future. After a while I was tired. “You will try yourself now” I said. He hesitated a bit. “I can’t” “You can” I said “I’m right behind you” First hesitant, he pushed the pedals… The balance of the red bicycle collapsed. Without making him notice, I grabbed the saddle. I encouraged the new biker with compliments and whistles. Sometimes, he thought he was driving himself not knowing I’m holding the saddle, sometimes assuming that I’m holding he was riding himself. Eventually he couldn’t differentiate who was holding the bike. I was aware: The red bicycle was getting ready to fly. At the end of the hour, I was running by the bicycle with both hands up in the air. He could see my hands, knew I could hold any moment, he was adding this confidence to his elf confidence and pushing the pedals. HE got faster and faster. I could not reach him and let him go.. The red bicycle stumbled to right and left, then made its way straight. I could only look behind it. It was like rehearsal of life. He knew I’ll be right there if he stumbles, but when the time comes he knew he had to be on his own. He could fall down if I let go early, he might not find the balance a life time if I did it late. My hand on the saddle , like a navel cord, fulfilled its purpose and stand aside. And someday, the hands on the handlebar will hold a saddle from behind, while the hand on the saddle today will be waiting to be kissed.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Nice one Levent,
I remember this moment with both my children.
The boy was a complete and utter wuss! I had to hold the bike upright for hours, at the end of the session, the bicycle went in the shed where it stayed for a week. The process of learning was just too hard for him. ‘Er indoors suggested stabilisers (l’il wheels) but I was determined he would not have them. After months of intense cajoling, and the fact that a pretty girl across the street was riding her bike, we eventually got him going.
Then there was the daughter, ever fearless she was the sibling most likely to come home with the cuts and bruises earned after conquering a tricky tree, or tightrope style traverses of high brick walls. I think I took about 4 steps holding the saddle and she was gone. I stood there and looked on as she hurtled across the field pedals ablur. She didn’t know how to turn properly so fell off, spun the bike through 180 degrees, hopped back on and peddled right back to me.
Great post, Levent, and great moments to remember.
Nice one, Levent. Thanks.
Beautifully told, Levent.
I had one of each with regard to learning how to ride a bike. One daughter just refused any help, battered and bruised, she insisted on mastering the skill without any help from know-all parents or stabilisers. It took a couple of hours.
The other one, was exactly the opposite; it took ages before she had the confidence to go it alone, and stabilisers were required!
Thank you, Ferret, Bravo, Bearsy, Araminta.
I never got to grips with a bike, I could wobble really well though. It reminds me of when my Mother bought herself one of those adult tricycles, crikey, talk about ‘keep death of the road’; I had a go on it, I turned it over three times, and that was just in the drive. I forgot that you have to steer them like a car, not a bike.
I’d buy myself a bike if I could leave the stabilizers on…..just a thought, do adult bikes have stabilizers? I’d better stick to 4 wheels. Good luck to your Son Levent, don’t tell him his Auntie Val can’t ride one either;-)
Perhaps you are not good at bikes, but I’m sure you were/are an excellent tutor for the ride of life of your son Val.
And about the riding-disability, between yo and me, promise. 😉
It took me a while to learn to ride a bike, but I did it on my own, having fallen off many times. I had a similar experience to Levent when teaching my son to ride. It took him about 2 hours. My daughter on the other hand, being a bit younger and having the chance to learn from her brother, just watched my son riding around for a bit, on the day she was given a new bike, then just got on and rode it straight away.
It is obvious that neither of them inherited their velocipedal attributes from my good lady wife. She still cannot ride a bike, even though she is a good horsewoman. I do have a lovely bit of video (actually 8 mm film transferred to DVD) of her trying to ride a bike, wobbling around in ever-decreasing circles, then crashing into a pile of rubble!
FEEG, how did she let you to shoot her trying. 🙂
It makes my back ache remembering the process. Beautifully described, Levent.
After both my boys were riding bikes without help I heard of a successful way of teaching those who have less natural balance.
Buy the bike and take off the pedals.
Let the child use the bike in the way they would a small ride on toy car, scooting along with both legs to propel themselves along. Then once they have mastered this and are taking their feet up to coast along put the pedals back on.
Then they will have learned the balance side of things before having to master the asymmetrical movements required to pedal and balance at the same time.
This is especially useful for children who have a degree of dyspraxia
Thanks, Pseu.
Actually riding bike is just a metaphor. But obviously, I couldn’t express it well.
Well, English is not my forte. 🙂
A tale well told of a seminal moment in our lives as children, when we learn and as parents, when we teach. I like the bit about the umbilical cord, well put Levent.
Levent, you expressed it incredibly well. (I just felt I could use this opportunity to share something others may find useful at the same time)
Thanks OMG and Pseu.
Wow, Levent. Beautiful blog…
How old is littl’un? And how was his birthday then? My eldest is three in June; the preparations are already underway!
Thanks,Claire. He is 9 (nine) years OLD now. 🙂
It was a humble one, his choice. They had great fun.
June? A Gemini? Which date exactly?
You have a deft touch for writing about important, heart-tugging moments without being sentimental Levent.
Beautiful blog, Levent, a perfect follow-up to ‘Sunny’s’ birthday post.
Levent; the humble ones are always the best ones
June 14th; biggest day/te of my life…:) Usually involves me being cake maker and children’s entertainer all rolled into one.
Ahhh, I wish I had Isobel. I have said yesterday I’ll translate this piece and post here. I should have stated again, in the post. Sorry. And thank you.
Thanks, Bilby.
Claire, Nice. I’m a gemini too. 🙂
Excellent blog. It’s hard letting go, but it is essential for every child to have the freedom to fly, knowing that there is always a place to return to for support.
I wasn’t allowed to own or to ride a bike – nasty dangerous things, who knows I might fall off! So at about ten, when I was finally allowed out on my own, I borrowed a friend’s bike and learnt anyway!
Thank you Boadicea. I’m glad you liked it.
Aw Levent, what a lovely blog! So sweet isn’t it? Loved the bit about him feeling the warm breeze on his cheeks. May the delight of that stay with him always.
Thank you Jan.