Running Around In Circles

My arms, shoulders, back, legs and but muscles are very, very sore. Why you ask? Two days ago, on Friday morning (yes, they're still sore), I volunteered at my first 'Ladies bike riding lessons' available in the Bergpolder. This event runs every week and is overseen by neighbourhood volunteers/organisation. Its purpose is to teach women (only) how to ride a bike as well as teach riders the rules of the road and the signs that all bikers should understand and abide by, which is something that I benefitted from personally. This event appeals largely to women who have immigrated to the Netherlands and who come out to not only learn a new mode of transportation but to understand more about this typical (and uniquely so) Dutch past time.

Since the lessons start at 9.30 in the morning, I showed up a couple of minutes early to introduce myself to the convenors and to the women attending the session. After coffee and cookies, the entire group trouped out to the square located adjacent to the community office. The bikes are rented from a local shop and the women can take turns riding their bikes through the square (riding in circles, cutting diagonals, hitting trash cans, benches, other bikes, the grass...don't go in the grass! No one picks up their dog poop!). In addition to the cycling activities in the square, one of the convenors Tol, takes the more experienced riders on a short circuit around the neighbourhood so that the participants can gain experience riding in traffic and paying attention to the different road signs. Overall, there is lots of laughing, lots of people saying 'watch out!' and in general, there is much fun being had.

Although it was my first time out, the ladies in charge put their faith in me and set me straight to work as I was paired with a woman who had only been out to this event once before and was still in the process of learning how to keep her balance while riding. As neither of us spoke very good Dutch, body language and tips from friends got us through the 'theory' part. Though she was good at getting the bike going, she (and the bike) would eventually tip to one side and it was my job to lean her back up straight and keep us both going. I'm happy to report that we made it quite a few times around the square and by the end of the session she was doing it by herself! The morning went on and I was able to run laps with her (a couple of times actually since riders have to take turns on the bikes) and other beginners as well as taking a turn riding with the traffic group.

It comes as no surprise that these activities took a toll on my upper body which usually receives the hardy work out of typing on my computer and carrying groceries home from the store. Yet despite spending the morning running around in circles, I didn't feel unproductive, and I was extremely grateful to be trusted and allowed the opportunity to participate as I had. I will return to the lessons next Friday to have another upper body work-out, for another dose of fun, and to have another go at running around in circles as it proved to be one of the most productive activities of the week!