Learning how to ride a bicycle

Dear Dr. Jim

This is almost embarrassing, but here goes with my problem!

I am a grown lady, somewhere between ages 35 and 70. Doggone it all to Heck, but I have forgotten how to ride a bicycle. My grandkids want me to ride with them and I just plain have forgotten how.

Can you give me help on learning how to ride a bicycle, please!

Very frustrated Little Biker-chick Lady


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Dear L' Biker-chick Lady

This is certainly exceedingly bad, especially in your case with the grandkids.

I hope this will help you some, let's think about a few ways for you to relearn this precious skill.

How old are your grandkids? I ask because if they are almost teenagers or older they very well may have taught some younger one how to ride. Of course if they don't know of your dilemma this would be embarrassing for you to ask.

When in doubt, it is always a safe bet to ask your preacher if you have one. I DID DETECT SOME ALMOST CUSSING IN YOUR LETTER, this may not be an option for you. Those guys are asked to help all the time in ways you could not even imagine. And if they themselves haven't taught riding, they can find another clergy who could.

Go to the library and check out a book on Learning to Ride a Bicycle. THE LATE BLOOMER’S REVOLUTION: A MEMOIR, By Amy Cohen, Hyperion, 288 pages, $23.95 is great. Try Amazon.com or your favorite bookseller if you want to buy it. Read a review here. See, you aren't alone in this predicament.

Here is a device to help you learn. (link to video) You install it on your bike's front wheels. Made mostly to help teach kids but it works for all, it sells for about $39.95.

I have probably given you something helpful here. Generally it comes naturally after you learn--and instinct takes over really soon--to turn into the way the bike wants to tip.

Have your bandaids and Iodine ready. Bye for now, your frustrations will soon be over.

Please give me some feed back on this,

Dr. Jim



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A quarterly or so check-up on who is asking or reading what

Dear Dr. Jim

Just was wonderin', does anybody read your help blog and what postings do they used the most?

Curious Georgette (again)

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Dear C.G.

Yes, and I'm glad you asked that question.

The Ask Dr. Jim (blog) is getting about twelve hits or clicks a day, either by direct link or favorite or via Google. This one is the least of my three active blogs but I am quite satisfied with it.

About each time a new topic is added it gains one or two clicks a day. So keep on asking questions.

You might like the following rundown the numbers on the left are click per 100 clicks. You can see that most, a readership of about 23%, or a quarter of you, go directly to the site's front or latest feature.

23	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com/
12	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...lley-bearings-stupid-wife.html
9	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...ow-with-aging-still-young.html
9	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...-go-anyplace-anymore-says.html
8	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...uthern-gentlemen-man-from.html
7	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...es-on-furniture-reader-is.html
6	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...-leads-to-marriage-wishes.html
4	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com/2008/03/dear-dr.html
3	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...na-dig-hole-to-china-just.html
2	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...ve-1987-chevy-pickup-with.html
2	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com.../is-his-wife-always-right.html
2	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...igers-eat-and-kill-why-do.html
2	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...ife-left-what-can-he-have.html
2	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...as-uncontrolled-blog-rage.html
2	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...aughter-distraught-father.html
1	unknown
1	file:///C:/Documents and Setti...g Is his wife always right.htm
1	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com
1	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com/2007/12/dear-dr_09.html
1	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...did-this-dumb-guy-come-to.html
1	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...hocolate-cake-la-snickers.html
1	http://jimmiehov8.blogspot.com...rson-la-firebug-wishes-he.html

I was surprised that so many would be looking at the car question about idler bearing pulleys.

Readers can click on any link to see what question about a given popular topic is all about.

I hope this helps, reader feedback is encouraged, put it on the question posting if you wish to remain confidential.

I would also hope a new question would be triggered by some when these postings are read by the readers. Please feel free to "ask Dr. Jim" and new questions you may wish to see how I answer them.

Dr. Jim


So, keep on keep'n on, and till then,
"Please ask your question or leave your comment now!"
(Just ask me and you will remain anonymous)

Submit question or comment in privacy now

To read the rules and/or submit a question, click here.

(CLICK HERE NOW, I've read the rules.)

To leave a comment or non-private question, simply leave a comment below as usual.

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me

Dear Dr. Jim

Everybody hates me. I just know that. And I have been knowing it for quite a while.

I think it started when I was a smart eliki (sic) kid in grade school. The teachers would beat me with a yard stick. The other kids all made fun of me.

Then I would cuss them all out and a bunch of them would hold me down and wash my mouth with soap.

It has gone from that bad to much worse now. Not with teachers but with the relatives and the few friends I used to have. Of course they don't beat me but they do avoid me.

Even my wife of thirteen years left last year. I am not abusive, physically or verbally. I just don't understand it.

Help me, Dr. Jim, please

Mr. Whak Johnson in Johnson City

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Dear Mr. Johnson

I think I can help you but you will have to help too.

Smart-alack kids generally generate animosity all around. Perhaps your parents defended you? Or even encouraged your behavior? Maybe you didn't start that way, but were incorrectly blamed.

It would be hard for you to know why you had that label but it seemed to have stuck with you. That is too bad, but not insurmountable even at an older age (I note you call yourself "Mr.").

Living in Johnson City is hard for you, were your early relatives the founders? If so this could lead the townspeople to have great expectations from you.

I found this Poem By John Simone, How To Behave In Public (link). As silly as it may seem, please read it and take every line to heart. Carry it with you and practice doing these things.

If your job permits or you can change jobs easily I suggest you pick up and move away. That way you can get a new start on life. Try to make it a good one. Get a new 'nice' reputation.

There are also books for self help, the larger book stores have many on reputation improvement. That seems to me to be all you need, is to get yourself a good reputation.

If your finances can afford it, professional help can sometimes be beneficial in these areas.

I hope this helps, Dr. Jim

BTW, I would note that many comedians got their start by getting good attention. They do this by doing things to make people laugh. A funny guy is generally a likable one. Dr. Jim



So, keep on keep'n on, and till then,
"Please ask your question or leave your comment now!"
(Just ask me and you will remain anonymous)

Submit question or comment in privacy now

To read the rules and/or submit a question, click here.

(CLICK HERE NOW, I've read the rules.)

To leave a comment or non-private question, simply leave a comment below as usual.