Biking Through the Years: From Country Roads to City Loops

 

When I think back to my childhood, one memory that stands out is learning to ride a bike. It didn’t come as quickly for me as it did for my friends. While many of them had mastered it by age six, I didn’t quite get the hang of it until I was seven. At the time, I remember feeling pretty upset about being "behind." But once I figured it out, there was no stopping me.

In those early years, we lived out in the country, so most of my biking adventures were confined to riding up and down our long driveway. Occasionally, I’d bike along the dirt road nearby. But my favorite biking memories began after we moved to Penticton.

That’s when family bike rides became a thing. I especially remember one of our first rides along a popular area called “The Channel.” Everything was going smoothly—until my brother suddenly slammed into the back of my other brother. The cause? A snake had slithered across the path, startling him into an abrupt stop. It shook all of us up a bit, but thankfully, it was the only snake encounter I can remember while biking!

In Penticton, I spent a lot of time biking—sometimes solo, sometimes with my mom. One time we ventured up into the hills near some orchards, which felt like a little adventure of its own.

Then there was the time I ambitiously decided to bike from Penticton to Naramata. I didn’t quite think it through—especially the return trip. By the time I reached Naramata, I was so exhausted I called my mom and asked for a ride home. Still, it was a fun adventure and a memory I’ve kept with me.

Biking has always been something special to me. It gave me a sense of freedom and helped me forget whatever was weighing on my mind. 

When I first moved to Lethbridge, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bike—and I’m really glad I did. Back when my husband and I were dating, biking played a big role in our time together. We loved going on spontaneous rides, just the two of us, enjoying the freedom of the open road and each other’s company.

We haven’t gone biking together much lately, but during our 2022 trip to Vancouver, we rented bikes and explored a large part of Stanley Park. Riding along the seawall was such a fun experience—there was so much to take in along the way. I’d love to do it again sometime.

Now that we have kids, we’ve started introducing them to biking as well. They’re still building up their confidence, so we’re taking it slow—short rides, gentle encouragement, and lots of practice. One day, I hope we’ll all be out there together, enjoying family bike trips. It’s something I really look forward to.

These days, biking has become part of my routine. I enjoy riding to work from time to time, and I especially love what I call “riding the city”—a loop around both the south and north ends of Lethbridge. It’s a great way to explore different neighborhoods and sneak in some exercise at the same time.

Of course, biking doesn’t come without its mishaps. One memorable incident happened last summer in Penticton when I was trying out a bike my mom was giving me. Everything was going smoothly—until I hit the brakes suddenly. Before I knew it, I had flipped over the handlebars and landed face-first on the cemented sidewalk. It all happened so fast I didn’t even know what was going on.

Thankfully, a couple driving by saw me tangled up in the bike and pulled over to help. I was a bit shaken, but after catching my breath and checking myself over, I decided—somewhat stubbornly—that I was going to finish the 10 km ride I had planned. Looking back, I probably should’ve called my husband to come pick me up. Instead, I called him at the end of the ride to let him know I was almost home.

That fall could’ve easily discouraged me from riding again, but oddly enough, it had the opposite effect. It reminded me that yes, accidents happen—but we get up, dust ourselves off, and keep going. It wasn’t my finest moment, but it was definitely one to learn from.

Biking has become more than just a mode of transportation or a form of exercise for me. It’s part of my journey—through the city, through parenthood, through life. And no matter what, I plan to keep pedaling forward.

I wouldn’t call myself an expert cyclist by any means, but biking is something I’ll always love. One of my favorite routines is waking up at 4:30 a.m. and heading out on a ride before the rest of the world is awake. There’s something peaceful about that quiet time—just me, the open road, and the rhythm of the pedals.