Learning to Ride a Bike

When I was six years old, all of my friends could ride a bicycle, but I could not. Every afternoon, I watched them race up and down the street while I sat on the pavement feeling left out. — choose for gap 1 —1. I fell off so many times that my knees were covered in bruises2. My father thought I was still too young to learn3. My mother noticed how unhappy I was and asked me what was wrong4. The park was very busy that morning with other families5. I suddenly managed to keep my balance and ride forward on my own6. Looking back, learning to ride that bicycle taught me much more than just balance7. It looked much bigger and more frightening than I had imagined8. She decided to buy me a brand new bicycle instead She promised to teach me that very weekend. On Saturday morning, my mother took me to the park with a second-hand bicycle she had bought from a neighbour. It was red with a small bell on the handle. — choose for gap 2 —1. I fell off so many times that my knees were covered in bruises2. My father thought I was still too young to learn3. My mother noticed how unhappy I was and asked me what was wrong4. The park was very busy that morning with other families5. I suddenly managed to keep my balance and ride forward on my own6. Looking back, learning to ride that bicycle taught me much more than just balance7. It looked much bigger and more frightening than I had imagined8. She decided to buy me a brand new bicycle instead I was too scared to even sit on it at first. My mother held the back of the seat and told me to start pedalling. I tried, but the bicycle kept leaning to one side. — choose for gap 3 —1. I fell off so many times that my knees were covered in bruises2. My father thought I was still too young to learn3. My mother noticed how unhappy I was and asked me what was wrong4. The park was very busy that morning with other families5. I suddenly managed to keep my balance and ride forward on my own6. Looking back, learning to ride that bicycle taught me much more than just balance7. It looked much bigger and more frightening than I had imagined8. She decided to buy me a brand new bicycle instead Each time I hit the ground, she helped me up and said the same thing: 'Try again.' I wanted to give up, but she wouldn't let me. After about an hour of practice, something changed. — choose for gap 4 —1. I fell off so many times that my knees were covered in bruises2. My father thought I was still too young to learn3. My mother noticed how unhappy I was and asked me what was wrong4. The park was very busy that morning with other families5. I suddenly managed to keep my balance and ride forward on my own6. Looking back, learning to ride that bicycle taught me much more than just balance7. It looked much bigger and more frightening than I had imagined8. She decided to buy me a brand new bicycle instead I was so surprised that I forgot to steer and crashed into a bush. But it didn't matter — I had done it. From that day on, I practised every single evening after school. Within a week, I could ride as well as any of my friends. — choose for gap 5 —1. I fell off so many times that my knees were covered in bruises2. My father thought I was still too young to learn3. My mother noticed how unhappy I was and asked me what was wrong4. The park was very busy that morning with other families5. I suddenly managed to keep my balance and ride forward on my own6. Looking back, learning to ride that bicycle taught me much more than just balance7. It looked much bigger and more frightening than I had imagined8. She decided to buy me a brand new bicycle instead Whenever I face something difficult now, I remind myself of that Saturday morning in the park and my mother's words: 'Try again.'