Today’s expression: “It’s like riding a bike.”

Meaning: Said of a skill that, once acquired, can never be lost.

Origin: It’s rumored that the expression began before the invention of bikes. It was used with a reference to swimming, but with the same meaning.

Examples:

“I’m worried to pick up driving again. It’s been six years since I’ve been behind the wheel.”

“Don’t worry! Driving is a skill that sticks with you forever. It’s like riding a bike.”

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To learn more about this expression, take a look at a video from the BBC’s Learning English website.

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I used to participate in cycling rallies. I once went 77 miles on a bike in a day. Took me over 5 hours. My goal was to one day get to a hundred-mile ride. A “century,” as they call it. I have since abandoned such goal.

On my cycling outings, my Scattante carried me down the hills and I dragged it up them. We made a good team. I learned that I prefer riding for leisure. I enjoy logging my miles with a Garmin GPS device.

In general, I’d recommend not abandoning your goals. Sometimes you gotta make the exception, though. To all who have made New Year’s resolutions, I hope you’re satisfied with your decision to keep or break them.

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Riddle:

I have a chain, but I’m not a prisoner. I have a frame, but I’m not a photo. I have a fork, but I do not eat. What am I?