Millions of people ride bicycles every day, but every one of them had to make a leap of faith the first time they tried. And many had bad experiences until they learned to trust themselves, like Calvin.
My mother once told me that she had never ridden a bike in her life. Shocked, I asked why not. She said that as a young girl she always had a horse. (And lived on a ranch)
There’s a pretty easy, no-fear way to teach a child to ride. Take off the petals and chain so they’re not in the way of her feet, and put the seat low enough she can easily reach the ground. Let her push it around this way. Immediately, she’ll discover that it glides when she pushes it. At first, she may turn by stopping to turn the bike then going again. Once you see her turning without stopping, she knows all she needs to know. Put the pedals and chain back on and off she goes!
I could never get the metaphor for the attacking bike comics. I mean, everything is supposed to be his active imagination right? How does being chased and run over by a riderless bike translate into something that is actually happening?
As an adult who never did learn how to ride a bike (even with my dad’s special training wheel that were patented and almost produced by Fisher-Price) I relate to all of these. I’ve considered getting an adult balance bike, but I’m about 99.999% sure that I wouldn’t use it enough to justify the cost.
BE THIS GUY about 4 years ago
That isn’t where the problem is.
Concretionist about 4 years ago
I know something of how Dad feels: My kid doesn’t really like most of the things I like best. Except walking in the woods… which helps a lot.
Space_Owl on GoComics about 4 years ago
The problem is the homicidal bike Dad, not some flipping ear problem!
codycab about 4 years ago
Really Calvin. You’re just embarrassing yourself.
Jesy Bertz Premium Member about 4 years ago
That bike sure has an attitude. Maybe it’s a Huffy.
jmcenanly about 4 years ago
Did they buy a bicycle from Stephen King?
qct about 4 years ago
That second panel is a classic. It is the best expression of terror in the comics.
Troglodyte about 4 years ago
Get him checked between the ears…
jagedlo about 4 years ago
I don’t know why, but the theme from “Jaws” is running through my mind when I see the first three panels…
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member about 4 years ago
Millions of people ride bicycles every day, but every one of them had to make a leap of faith the first time they tried. And many had bad experiences until they learned to trust themselves, like Calvin.
My mother once told me that she had never ridden a bike in her life. Shocked, I asked why not. She said that as a young girl she always had a horse. (And lived on a ranch)
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 4 years ago
Well, it seems Calvin has met his match, and it lights him up every time it can.
A Hip loving Canadian... about 4 years ago
I may be wrong but by my count the score is Evil Bike 3 – Calvin 0.
cubswin2016 about 4 years ago
I think that the bike is possessed. Maybe Doctor Strange could help.
Whatcouldgowrong about 4 years ago
Hang in there, Calvin, you’ll get the hang of it one day and be very glad you did.
j.heflin about 4 years ago
A bicycle named “Christine”
joefearsnothing about 4 years ago
Dad is referring to vertigo because Calvin seems to be crashing for no reason!
mistercatworks about 4 years ago
…and your outer rear.
MEPace about 4 years ago
Maybe you should get the video camera.
Tentoes about 4 years ago
There’s a pretty easy, no-fear way to teach a child to ride. Take off the petals and chain so they’re not in the way of her feet, and put the seat low enough she can easily reach the ground. Let her push it around this way. Immediately, she’ll discover that it glides when she pushes it. At first, she may turn by stopping to turn the bike then going again. Once you see her turning without stopping, she knows all she needs to know. Put the pedals and chain back on and off she goes!
BiggerNate91 about 4 years ago
The first arc where the bike was shown to be alive.
marilynnbyerly about 4 years ago
Training wheels are a good thing for kids like Calvin.
yangeldf about 4 years ago
I could never get the metaphor for the attacking bike comics. I mean, everything is supposed to be his active imagination right? How does being chased and run over by a riderless bike translate into something that is actually happening?
SweetSinger about 4 years ago
Dad, you just don’t get it.
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 4 years ago
If you want him to ride a bike my friend, ACTUALLY GET IN and help him.
AllisonJoy Premium Member about 4 years ago
As an adult who never did learn how to ride a bike (even with my dad’s special training wheel that were patented and almost produced by Fisher-Price) I relate to all of these. I’ve considered getting an adult balance bike, but I’m about 99.999% sure that I wouldn’t use it enough to justify the cost.
Robert4170 about 4 years ago
I had a very active imagination as a kid. I still imagine a lot of things. I was never good at riding a bike, but I never viewed it as a monster…..
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 4 years ago
“A thing about Machines” the early years.
fix-n-fly about 4 years ago
….Tire tracks all across your back, uh-huh, I can see you had your fun. (Jimi Hendricks – Crosstown Traffic)
Stephen Gilberg about 4 years ago
Apparently, Dad can’t see the tire track.
DCBakerEsq about 4 years ago
My Schwinn was my first love.