Hopefully It's Like Riding a Bike / myLot

New Zealand

November 11, 2015 9:29pm CST

You know that saying, once you learn to ride a bike you never forget? When you get back on after many years, as I did a few years ago, you wobble at first, but within a very short time it's all easy riding, so to speak. I'm hoping a similar thing will happen tonight. I've been invited to speak to a small community group about my research, in particular about my own time competitively swimming at the baths in the 1960s. It's a long time since I've given a speech. I used to belong to Toastmasters, so I have the skills to call on. They just may be a little rusty. However, I'm trusting that as this is a small group, most of whom I know, my confidence will return pretty quickly. Have you returned years later to skills you once had and enjoyed in your earlier years? Hopefully tonight for me will be a bit like riding a bike.

16 people like this

17 responses

wiLLmaH

@wiLLmaH (8801)

• Singapore, Singapore

12 Nov 15

You are a member of Toastmasters? Wow! That's incredible @valmnz!

1 person likes this

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wiLLmaH

@wiLLmaH (8801)

• Singapore, Singapore

12 Nov 15

I am so happy to meet one of a members of it @valmnz! It is my honor to meet you here in myLot! :)

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

12 Nov 15

@wiLLmaH Toastmasters is a big organisation here in New Zealand and lots of people belong.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

12 Nov 15

I was. I haven't been for about five or six years.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382216)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Nov 15

I didn't learn to ride a bike until in my teens so never became very confident. I'm sure you'll do well. Toastmasters would have given you a great grounding in public speaking.

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Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

12 Nov 15

It will be fairly informal, so I hope so. That was brave learning to ride a bike as a teen

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382216)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Nov 15

@valmnz We always had horses to ride on the farm. The roads were gravel so bikes weren't the best. A mile to the nearest neighbour, four to the little township so I rode my pony through the bush for pleasure and relaxation.

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Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

12 Nov 15

@JudyEv makes sense. I haven't been on a horse for years. Do you still ride?

Catherine

@bluesa (15022)

• Johannesburg, South Africa

12 Nov 15

I hope all went well @valmnz , and that you had a truly wonderful time.

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Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

13 Nov 15

@bluesa It was easier than I expected, Catherine. And people were more interested than I thought they might be.

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Shannon

@fawkes62 (1276)

• United States

13 Nov 15

Good luck, though I suppose by now your speech is over with. I hope it went well.

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Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

13 Nov 15

Thank you, yes it is

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

13 Nov 15

You can do it. As you said, you have the skills to call on.

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Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

13 Nov 15

Thank you. Yes, it went well.

Sherry

@norcal (4889)

• Franklinton, North Carolina

12 Nov 15

That's wonderful! It's a great opportunity, and I bet it will feel quite natural to you.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

12 Nov 15

I'm hoping it will

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Sherry

@norcal (4889)

• Franklinton, North Carolina

12 Nov 15

@valmnz I bet you will feel great afterwards.

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Rosekitty

@Rosekitty (19368)

• San Marcos, Texas

12 Nov 15

First off..what is it like swimming in a bath?

I'm sure you will be the belle of the ball and it will just come natural to you once you walk in the room!!..Proud of you!

celticeagle

@celticeagle (189880)

• Boise, Idaho

12 Nov 15

In the earlier years it may have been easier but, now it will be more interesting. No, I haven't picked up something again. Oh, and remember to look out over your audience and picture them with nothing on. That will make it easier. If you can get past the urge to snicker.

AbbyGreenhill

@AbbyGreenhill (45490)

• United States

12 Nov 15

You are very articulate so you should not have a problem speaking to a gathering.

Jabo

@jaboUK (64346)

• United Kingdom

12 Nov 15

Good luck Val, I'm sure it will all come back to you.

1 person likes this

Val

@valmnz (17095)

• New Zealand

12 Nov 15

A leas I'll be in a supportive environment should I just go blank! I'm hoping I'll remember what my bullet points actually mean. However, I've already part written this chapter in the book, so I'm really just talking about what I know.

seren3

@seren3 (387)

• Los Angeles, California

12 Nov 15

I hope it went well! My long gone skills are athletic and I'm afraid I won't recover them!

Jekca

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

13 Nov 15

prob riding a bike, it's been years!

MARILYN

@Marilynda1225 (91116)

• United States

12 Nov 15

I'm sure you will give a great speech and it will like riding a bike

Boingboing

@boiboing (13147)

• Northampton, England

12 Nov 15

I hope it goes well for you.

Gabs

@gabs8513 (48686)

• United Kingdom

12 Nov 15

Good luck to you Val as for a Bike well I don't think I would dare I used to love riding my Bike I was always on bike but as for trying now I don't think I would dare lol

sofs

@sofssu (23660)

•

12 Nov 15

After being a member of toastmasters I am sure you are going to be great .

Anna

@LadyDuck (502535)

• Italy

12 Nov 15

I learned to ride a bike when I was already a teenager and I have never been very good, but you are right that you never forget. I returned to playing golf after years, it was not easy at first, but within a short time I was in business. I am sure you will do well Val.