My Big Ass (on a) Bicycle Challenge (continued)
The Bike.
Hello again. I have a second confession to make, I’m bad at writing regular blog posts so I’m going to try for at least 1 a week and see how that goes. I have quite a bit to catch you up on.
My challenge to ride a bike has obviously always been slightly hindered by the fact that I don’t have one. So mini challenge number one was to find one and have it brought to work so that my Big Ass Challenge could begin. Our production manager, Lucy, kindly offered to bring hers in and leave it at work so that I could use it. This is fantastic except it means my only practice time is lunchtime or after work but that’s ok for now.
So, last week Lucy kindly brought in her bicycle for me to learn on. Standing next to this fine vehicle suddenly made me realise this was really going down, I was going to concur this beast of a machine whether it made my bum sore or not! So with all the determination of a life time of bipedal only mobility, L blew up the tires and adjusted the seat and off we trotted to a near by car park to give this thing a try.
At first I was filled with more than a little trepidation, but I was taking things in my stride and we only had about 10 minutes of lunchtime just to go out and give it a go. I did surprisingly better than I thought I would. I managed to stay upright even if, like a Dad with a 5 year old, L was supporting the back of the bike for me. I was still pleased and L was feeling confident that he’d be able to teach me with no worries, I remained a little more scepticle.
Over the next few lunchtimes I built up my confidence with L supporting the bike (and being very patient) as I got used to peddling and then something happened. I wouldn’t let him let go because I was a bit cowardly but he wanted to see how I was pushing off from the front so stood in front and just told me to push off but then stop, but I kept going. I realise that most people take riding a bike for granted and this isn’t particularly amazing but for me it was brilliant. I had a big grin on my face and there were hugs and high fives, now I felt like this was possible.
I was told by many that they had learnt or taught people to ride in an afternoon but as we only have half an hour at lunch this has taken a little longer. After a week I was riding, if still very unsteadily. I was on it, without stabilisers or anyone supporting me I rode and I was more elated than I expected.
End of week one and a sore bum and more than a few bruises on my calves and shins (I’m not getting on too well with my peddles) and I’ve managed to cycle about 10 metres. So, probably not as difficult as I expected but still along way off being totally confident on a bike and this journey isn’t just about getting on a bike it’s about getting good at riding one. Good enough to complete the 30 mile Cyclosportive race we have entered ourselves into in September. In the next 5 months I’ll be chronicling my adventure from 0 - 30 miles, from novice to bicycle ninja.
My Big Ass (on a) Bicycle Challenge
I have a confession to make to the world, it’s something that I always feel a twinge of regret about every time I have to tell someone.
The plain truth of the matter is that I, Emily Jane Turnip Taylor, cannot ride a bike. I know, crazy huh?
The silly thing is that I have always wanted to and am always ever so slightly envious of anyone who can. I have tried many times but never fail to end up in a ditch or a bush or just wobbling uncontrollably along a country lane until I have to concede to getting off and pushing the rest of the way.
So what’s my point? I hear you ask, lots of people can’t do lots of things. Well, I turned 30 this year and am endeavouring to make up for some lost abilities. One of these now being riding a bicycle.
The conversation started in my place of work as one of our clients holds an annual bike race called the Cyclosportive, my colleagues decided we should all take part and once again I was in the slightly awkward position of saying “well, you see… I can’t ride a bike” to which a voice piped up “well we should teach you”. And after some consideration and persuasion I agreed, this was helped by the fact that one of my colleagues, L, is a very keen cyclist so if anyone can teach me he can.
So this is the start of my journey to concur my ineptitude and at the age of 30 learn to ride a bike. I hope in the coming months anyone reading this silly little blog can gain strength and confidence to tackle their desires head on, no matter how small or large. But that’s assuming I succeed…
Starting something
It seems like a very long time since I last posted and usually I would be posting pretty pictures but this time it’s just a little note to say I will be starting a new series of blog posts soon about a journey of discovery I’ll be undertaking. It will be the story of my effort at finally finding the ability to do something that has eluded me for my whole life.
So then, you’ll have to look out for that.
My finished submission for the Drawn In Bristol BUNT illustration exhibition.
I’m also reposting my progress photos with the final artwork for the BUNT exhibition, read further down the blog for other details and the Facebook page BUNT
Progress on the Bunt front. This is the progress I’ve made on the piece I’m entering into an exhibition called BUNT, it’s an exhibition of wooden bunting each with an illustration based on the theme of endangered species in the South West. I’ve chosen to represent a Fritillary butterfly as a fairy. It’s titled “I Believe in Fritillaries”. More updated pictures to come real soon!
So I got the wood and now the backgrounds all painted in, you can almost see what this is going to turn into :)
This is my piece of wooden bunting for an exhibition called BUNT in association with Drawn in Bristol. I submitted an illustration to this a few weeks ago & it was amazingly excepted!! Now to paint it on the actual wood, more photos of my progress over the next few days to come!
My Steampunk DIY Fumi - I did this a little while ago and have only just managed to take some decent photos. If anyone doesn’t know what a Fumi is check out kidrobot.com. I am a collector and now with my Patchwork Munny and Steampunk Fumi have the bug for DIYing my own.
