Singer Song Ga-in masters two-wheeled bicycle at age 41

Singer Song Ga-in successfully learned to ride a two-wheeled bicycle at age 41, overcoming a childhood phobia of two-wheeled vehicles caused by a rice paddy accident. After following expert advice to avoid training wheels, she progressed from balance training to pedaling, achieving a level of skill typically requiring a week of practice.

Singer Song Ga-in has shown the process of overcoming childhood trauma by attempting to ride a bicycle for the first time in her life at the age of 41.

This challenge included visiting a professional bicycle shop to select appropriate equipment and journeying from the memory of being unable to ride a two-wheeled bicycle to successfully riding one in practice.

Memories of a rice paddy accident: Bicycle phobia at age 41

Ahead of this challenge, Song Ga-in recalled memories from her childhood. During elementary school, she wanted to ride a bicycle, but because she was too short for the size of the bicycle at the time, she nearly fell into a rice paddy. Song Ga-in confessed that this memory remained as a trauma, causing her to fear not only two-wheeled vehicles but even inline skates. She mentioned that she cannot ride any two-wheeled vehicles and while she can ride those with three or four wheels, a two-wheeled bicycle is difficult.

Upon visiting the professional bicycle shop, Song Ga-in initially considered using training wheels. Expressing that it might be embarrassing as an adult, she even suggested she would be willing to wear a mask to ride a bicycle with training wheels. However, after receiving advice from a professional at the shop that training wheels can actually make it harder to maintain balance during cornering and increase the risk of falling, she decided to learn properly without them. The expert explained that while training wheels prevent falling when standing still, they can actually cause a fall during riding.

'Balance training' begins under expert guidance

Song Ga-in selected a carbon material bicycle recommended by the shop owner. She adjusted the saddle height to fit her physique and equipped herself with protective gear, including a helmet and gloves, for safety. The expert emphasized that the secret to fast learning is following instructions well rather than being stubborn, and stressed that instead of relying on training wheels, one must learn to balance by running. The expert added that while those who listen well to instructions learn quickly, those who think they know something after learning just a little take longer to correct their movements.

Practical training began with learning how to walk while pulling the bicycle. The expert emphasized the importance of brakes and explained the principle that keeping one's gaze far ahead makes it easier to maintain balance. The expert advised that applying the brakes will bring the rider to a stop, suggesting that one should trust the brakes rather than the bicycle itself. Although Song Ga-in was cautious even about walking with the bicycle at first, she soon entered the "balance" stage, moving forward using only leg strength without pedaling. Following instructions to look far ahead, Song Ga-in showed unexpected balance while pushing off the ground with her feet without pedaling.

Success in two-wheeled pedaling: "It's scary but fun"

After completing the balance training, Song Ga-in began riding in earnest with pedals attached. After a stage of placing one foot on a pedal and pushing off the ground with the other to gain speed, she finally reached the stage of rotating the pedals with both feet. Following the principle that maintaining balance becomes easier as speed increases, Song Ga-in overcame her fear and pedaled vigorously. The expert taught her how to move forward by lifting her legs in a "one, two, three" count, noting that it becomes harder to fall as speed increases.

During the ride, Song Ga-in expressed her trembling heart, saying, "It's scary but fun," while also enjoying the ride by increasing her speed and moving her arms. Song Ga-in successfully overcame her childhood trauma by mastering the two-wheeled bicycle in a short time, receiving an assessment from the expert that "slow learners take about a week, so you are already a good rider at this stage."

Source: original video (YouTube)