Remember when I was trying to learn how to ride a bike. I was told how to stop—- “Push the pedals backward”. But I could never figure out exactly what that meant. So I went flying across the local busy road, me screaming and the car horns honking everywhere. My parents weren’t impressed. I had to wait for another year until we’d moved to a more rural location to learn how to ride the bike.
My granddaughter is almost five years old. Last Sunday, my son decided it was time she learned to ride a bike without training wheels. It worked out fine for a few minutes.
How to teach a kid to ride: Start them on a trike or something so they learn how to pedal. When time for a bike, forget the training wheels. Throw those away. Set the seat low enough they can easily reach the ground with both feet. Take off the pedals and chain so they are not in the way of feet. Let them play with it this way for a while. They will discover it “glides” on their own within minutes. To turn, they’ll stop, turn the bike, then go again. When you notice they don’t stop to turn, they know how to ride. Put the pedals and chain back on and they’re going. No fuss, no fear, no frustration, little chance of injury.
Riding the bike is easier, I have been known to fall off my sneakers while standing still. I don’t run, I will trip over my own feet and face-plant in less than 10 steps.
BE THIS GUY over 4 years ago
The heart is willing; the body not so much.
Templo S.U.D. over 4 years ago
don’t you just loathe it when you trip o’er yourself?
codycab over 4 years ago
Bike or not, Calvin really shouldn’t go anywhere without wearing a helmet.
Prescott_Philosopher over 4 years ago
“ironic coincidence” Interesting phrase as the two are usually mutually exclusive.
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover over 4 years ago
When the killer bike doesn’t even need to chase Calvin to hurt him, you know something’s wrong
Mario64Unleashed over 4 years ago
Ouch…
Robin Harwood over 4 years ago
Heed the omen, Calvin!
rshive over 4 years ago
Remember when I was trying to learn how to ride a bike. I was told how to stop—- “Push the pedals backward”. But I could never figure out exactly what that meant. So I went flying across the local busy road, me screaming and the car horns honking everywhere. My parents weren’t impressed. I had to wait for another year until we’d moved to a more rural location to learn how to ride the bike.
stillfickled Premium Member over 4 years ago
Aw, poor Calvin.
jpayne4040 over 4 years ago
It’s a good day to go inside and watch TV, Calvin!
tripwire45 over 4 years ago
My granddaughter is almost five years old. Last Sunday, my son decided it was time she learned to ride a bike without training wheels. It worked out fine for a few minutes.
Jimvideo over 4 years ago
Wear a helmet!
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 4 years ago
My father had so much trouble teaching me, he gave up with my brother early on.
radleymartin0 over 4 years ago
Evil omen bum bum bum!!!
brucemart Premium Member over 4 years ago
Ironic juxtaposition? In a comic?
Tentoes over 4 years ago
How to teach a kid to ride: Start them on a trike or something so they learn how to pedal. When time for a bike, forget the training wheels. Throw those away. Set the seat low enough they can easily reach the ground with both feet. Take off the pedals and chain so they are not in the way of feet. Let them play with it this way for a while. They will discover it “glides” on their own within minutes. To turn, they’ll stop, turn the bike, then go again. When you notice they don’t stop to turn, they know how to ride. Put the pedals and chain back on and they’re going. No fuss, no fear, no frustration, little chance of injury.
WCraft Premium Member over 4 years ago
Surprising that the whole youth fad of untied shoes ever caught on!
KEA over 4 years ago
actually it’s easier once you’re moving, since you then have gyroscopic effect helping out.
DCBakerEsq over 4 years ago
If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.
pchemcat over 4 years ago
Riding the bike is easier, I have been known to fall off my sneakers while standing still. I don’t run, I will trip over my own feet and face-plant in less than 10 steps.
Boba Fett (32-19 BBY) over 4 years ago
Calvin is a cults
SweetSinger over 4 years ago
Fortunately the kid is all cartilage.
Dr. Quatermass over 4 years ago
I’ll bet that “Ironic Coincidence” is an emo band and “Evil Omen” is a death metal band.
Stephen Gilberg over 4 years ago
Imagine if that happened during the ballgame.
SanjayGold over 4 years ago
Calvin should watch where he is going in my opinion
El Paso Mark over 4 years ago
One of the best days of my life was the day I learned to ride a bike.
InquireWithin over 4 years ago
Calvin: “I’m going to learn to ride that bike if it kills me!”
Fate: “If you say so…”