Belinda had a very special birthday present, a pink bicycle with a white saddle and a shiny silver bell. It had two extra wheels sticking out the sides which Mum called ‘stiblers’ or something like that. They’d stop the bicycle tipping over.
Mum took her to the park for her first ride. She put on her pink helmet so if she fell off she wouldn’t bump her head, and she was ready to ride around the pond.
‘These pedals make it go, and these levers make it stop’ Mum explained.
Off she went, slowly at first with Mum holding the saddle and trotting along behind. What fun! A rabbit stopped chewing and sat up. Some pigeons watched as she went faster and faster leaving Mum behind! She looked a bit nervous but Belinda wasn’t! Round the pond she went, and soon she was back where she started. So she went round again and again until it was home time.
Belinda rode in the park lots more times and one day Dad said she was ready to ride without stabilisers!
Dad held on as she slowly started pedaling. Then a little faster, then faster still. Then he let go and she wobbled along the path on her own. ‘I’m riding on two wheels Dad, look!’ she shouted.
‘Out of the way’ she called as she wobbled toward a lazy cat. It leaped into the bushes! ‘Mind out’ she yelled as she headed for a hedgehog wandering slowly across the path. She was giggling. This was fun.
Ring-ring went the bell. ‘Look out everybody’ shouted Belinda laughing louder and louder, so much that she started losing her balance. Suddenly she rode into a flower bed! She didn’t hurt herself and soon she was off again.
So next time you go to the park, watch out for Belinda. If she wobbles towards you, run as fast as you can the other way!
Tomorrow –
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In 2018 – My Friend Rosey – Boyfriend
In 2017 – Amble Bay – The Beach
Awww! Nice reminder of when my kids learned. Bigger Girl had the hardest time, she was determined, though. We stayed out of the way and let her and she didn’t hurt herself or anyone else, but the bike got scratched up a lot.
It was fun when you look back! I’ve even got a B&W photo of me learning to ride! Thanks Mimi
I never had stiblers 🙂 and no helmet either, terrible safety record. Parents were generally more laid back when I was a kid. Loved the alliteration in the title.
They were. We climbed trees, walked on frozen ponds, played in the street even!. Thanks so much Nilanjana
A great story. Reminds of the time my grandson learned to ride his bike.
Fun days! Thanks so much Sadje
Never had those pesky stabilizers. And, I think I rode a moped before I did a bicycle. This was good fun, Keith. Hope Belinda keeps scaring those pesky pigeons.
I’ll make sure she does – those wreched sagulls too! cheers Varad.
Loved the story and reminded me of the time when my kid learned to cycle and also of the times when I learned it. Just loved the way you have described it.
https://shravmusings.com/2019/04/bheema-mightiest-person/
Thank you so much
Would love to see illustrations for these, too!
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
I’d love to posess the skills to draw them! Thanks Beth
Belinda’s story reminded me of my first bicycle ride! I fell sideways into a thorny bush but I didn’t cry, acting brave and all , you see.
😛
…the way kids do! Cheers QB
There’s a Belinda in every park!
I know!!!
Hahaha! I will. 😀
I learnt riding a bicycle with “stiblers” too 😀
Shilpa Garg #AtoZChallenge
Haha, me and my crew too! Thanks Shilpa
Oh I’ll remember to watch out for her haha
Debbie
You’d be well-advised to! Cheers Debbie
Oh, that first taste of freedom and independence. Talk about “hell-on-wheels”! Belinda’s adventure will make a terrific picture book.
http://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com/ B is for Baltic Amber Tradition
A good idea and a brilliant title. I could take her from there to riding a Harley with everything that happens inbetween! Cheers Gail
Ha! Nice! That made me smile. They say you never forget how to ride a bike, once you learn. But! I have actually done it: I have forgotten how to ride a bike. Maybe I need to start again, with “stiblers”!
I always believed that so you surprise me! I’ll send you her stiblers now she no longer needs them!
Such a cute story 🙂
That’s so kind of you.
Belinda’s excitement at bicycling was a fun read.
I’m sure she had fun too! Thanks Kalpana.
Now, remember riding like Belinda without a helmet. You fell, you got up, you bled a little (maybe), and you learned how to ride a little better each time. Helmet Shmelmet. 🙂
Helmets are for softies! Cheers Stu
Great B. I remember when I got my first bike. Days before helmets!
Me too, and we survived!
The ending is very cute! 🙂
Much appreciated Sascha