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Written by Rowonna McNeely – Recently, Kiera has learned to ride her bike without training wheels. Once she decided she wanted to do it, she was flying along the rode on two wheels in a very short amount of time.

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Now, every day when we come home, she is ready to ride her bike. It’s great exercise so we don’t complain. In fact, Aaron repaired both of our bikes so that we could ride with her as well.

Aaron is a natural bike rider. Me…well… I’m getting there. I haven’t fallen while I was riding. I have fallen while I was straddling my bike on the edge of the driveway. No. I wasn’t moving. Just standing there and managed to lose my balance.

In my defense, I was standing on an incline. Honestly, I have no idea how I lost my balance. One minute I was standing up, replying to a text… the next thing I knew I was falling on my butt and my feet went flying up to my head.

It’s amazing how fast a person can spring to their feet after falling when they realize that several of the neighbors are outside on their porches.

Kiera and one of the neighborhood kids were quick to tease me. “You need training wheels!” They both exclaimed.

Thankfully, after a visit to my chiropractor the next day, I was feeling much better.

Riding with Kiera is an experience, especially when you are not used to riding a bike. Yesterday, I told her that she and I could go on a bike ride. I packed a bottle of water in her bicycle basket and we hopped on our bicycles. As I began to lead us down the street, we passed the point that she is allowed to ride, she excitedly exclaimed, “We are leaving the neighborhood!”

I smiled at her excitement and enthusiasm as we pedaled faster down the street.  We began the ascent up a hill. It’s not really that big of a hill, until you are pedaling up it on a bicycle. Then it’s HUGE.

We were halfway to the top when Kiera pulled over. “What’s wrong, baby?” I asked as I stopped my bike.

“Let’s take a water break.” She suggested as she pulled the water bottle out of her basket.

We each took turns getting a drink before stowing the water back in her basket and beginning our trek up the hill. It’s much harder to go up a hill when you have no momentum built up.

I weaved on the road as I pushed the pedals harder. “I hope no one comes up behind me.” I thought to myself, attempting to glance over my shoulder.

Once we conquered that hill, we continued on for a couple more blocks before turning around and heading back to the house. Only, on the return trip, the gentle downhill coast that preceded the incline in this direction became another hill.

I took a deep breath and let Kiera go in front of me. “Good job, baby!” I encouraged her as we pushed forward. Suddenly, she began to slow down.

I wobbled as we slowed even further. “What’s up?” I asked.

“We should take another water break.” Kiera proclaimed, pulling to the side of the road… halfway up the hill.

Never one to argue with her when she wants to drink water, I pulled up beside her and stopped.

“So, I have an idea.” I said after taking a drink of water. “From now on, let’s stop at the bottom of the hill and take a water break. That way it’s not so hard for us to start back up when we are stopped.”

Kiera took another drink of water while she weighed my suggestion. “That’s a good idea. We can try that.” She said as she stowed the water bottle back in the basket.

Two miles later, we raced our bikes to the front door. Kiera bounced across the street, hopped a small curb and drove across our sidewalk where she skidded to a stop. I proceeded more gingerly, envisioning my body sprawled across the sidewalk and another chiropractor visit if I attempted her moves.

I see lots of bike trips in our future. Let’s hope this mommy gets more skilled at bike riding, otherwise I might be seeing my chiropractor on a more frequent basis.

Thank you for sharing in our weekly journeys. If you have missed any of our past stories, check out our new blog page at www.lifea2k.net or drop us a line at [email protected].

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Rowonna McNeely works with her husband, Aaron, at Willie’s T’s in the Art Department, regularly volunteers in the community, and has her hands full with her daughter, Kiera, along with two dogs and one cat. 

Rowonna is a graduate of May High School (Go Tigers!) and grew up on a dairy farm. She enjoys reading, creating, swimming, and planning events. She’s also a bit of a klutz.  

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