Like Riding a Bicycle

Posted by Anonymous On 4:40 AM

The expression "it's like riding a bicycle" is used to describe something that, once learned, is remembered for life. The action or process becomes embedded in what is known as 'muscle memory.' When you begin it, no matter how long it has been, your body takes over, your muscles just know what to do, and you respond instinctively.

So anyway, last week I joined a church basketball league. "Great chance to get some exercise," I told myself. "And besides, you used to shoot hoops in high school all the time! You had a hoop in your driveway, for cryin' out loud. It'll be like riding a bicycle."

We played our first game tonight.

I shot 0-3, with 1 turnover, and two jammed fingers on my left hand.

As it turns out, playing basketball is not like riding a bicycle.

So I got to thinking... what else isn't like riding a bicycle? Is my body, which is rapidly approaching 30, forgetting things? Am I going to wake up one day and realize that I've forgotten how to eat yogurt simply because I haven't done it in a few years? Will I lift the spoon to my mouth only to have the yogurty goodness dribble all down my chin because eating yogurt is not like riding a bicycle? What else?!?

Is pinning a corsage not like riding a bicycle? What about singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic? Haven't done those since high school. Reading Charles Dickens? Will I open the book only to find that all of my attempts to read are met with an overwhelming soporific effect? (Oh wait, that actually happened then too...) Is leading a pep rally not like riding a bicycle? I can't say that I foresee a great need for that in my future, but that doesn't mean I'm okay with just losing the ability to do so. What about wearing flannel shirts and holey baggy jeans? Did I stop doing that because I developed a better sense of fashion, or is it now a physiological impossibility... just like my jump shot?

Next thing you know, I'll find myself unable to listen to the Gin Blossoms. And I don't want to live in that world.

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9 Cachinnations

  1. Chaotic Hammer Said,

    As part of a plan to get back into shape, I recently purchased a mountain bike.

    And I've gotta say -- there comes a time in your life when riding a bicycle is no longer like... well, like riding a bicycle.

    It's not that I've fallen off, but riding is definitely a very awkward and uneasy sensation. The process is guided much more by fear and caution than it was in the days of my youth. Back then, it was an activity guided chiefly by wreckless abandon.

    Posted on 12/08/2006

     
  2. The Cliff Said,

    Don't worry Beeki he practices on Me....wait a minute...

    I have to concur that for Cach basketball is not like riding a bicycle. Not that i know how good he was 'back in the day'. but Last night he was NOT GOOD!! I think he actually fell a couple of times...when he was running all alone...away from the ball. But he did give a really good devotional at half-time. So he's still got some skills.

    I on the other hand have retained my basketball muscle memory, Landed 7 points (out of less than 50 that ain't bad), had a steal (we won't talk about the girl that stole the ball from me), a block and a few rebounds....That of course was in the time when i was on the court, when i was off the court i puked several times, couldn't breath for most of the time, and saw the world spinning in a whole new way...

    Maybe getting closer to 30 for Cach means losing muscle memory, for me it means losing the ability to do physical activity without the possibility of passing out.

    Oh Well, we all get old...eventually.

    Posted on 12/08/2006

     
  3. Anonymous Said,

    That girl stealing the ball from you was awesome. It was like Leon Lett and Don Beebe in the Super Bowl. I was yelling to look out behind you. She comes from behind and pokes the ball right out of your hand. Then you barfed. And I didn't feel so alone in my patheticness.

    Posted on 12/08/2006

     
  4. The Cliff Said,

    No, we make an amazing team... like superheroes really

    Captain Uncoordinated & Retchman

    Posted on 12/08/2006

     
  5. Sarah Said,

    If things are supposedly as easy as riding a bike, when is the last time you rode a bike?

    Posted on 12/09/2006

     
  6. Seth Ward Said,

    C-Hammer, I had the SAME sensation last time I rode a bike. I kept thinking how horrible the injury would be if I crashed and burned. I felt like my mom when driving a car. Now when I see little kids riding their bikes like they are on a suicide mission I hate them.

    That I believe is the first real step in to oldmandom.

    Cach and Don, I also suchen sie at basketball. I can dribble okay but when I try to shoot a basket it tends to go in a straight line for the goal at about 200 miles an hour and is accompanied by a bunch of "what the hells" from my teamates.

    Posted on 12/09/2006

     
  7. nessie Said,

    I learned how to ride a bike, crashed then stopped. I dont want to remember

    Posted on 12/09/2006

     
  8. Meg Said,

    You guys are too funny. Yes, sadly we've all had that experience. I remember once in college trying to pull myself up on a bar and couldn't do it. I mean I used to do that every day in gymnastics when I was a child. I used to could do back handsprings--all through childhood, high school, and college. I haven't tried in about five years b/c I've been too afraid to find out that my body just won't do it anymore. I'd rather live with the lie believing that I still can. That and I'm afraid I break neck!

    Posted on 12/10/2006

     
  9. Jenn Said,

    You have it right Cach, it is as easy as riding a bicycle..over water, in a tornado, with a blindfold on.

    Posted on 12/11/2006