Mary

As dreams go, mine was learning how to ride a bicycle. For years, I watched children and adults ride effortlessly, and envied them dearly for their ability... Then I met a wonderful man who made my wish a reality.  On my 46th birthday, he, my youngest son and I travelled from Dallas to Boston to meet Susan, the coach, friend and angel who unlocked the key to a world I never knew existed.

I was scared out of mind, with butterflies roaming in my stomach, and muscles tight enough to lift a van.  Susan, with her positive attitude and infinite patience gently guided me through my first ever experience of gliding on a bicycle.  It has been almost a month since my maiden ride in Boston, and whenever I ride, I feel God's gentle breath bristling through the trees.

You too can make your wish come true, and make bicycle riding a reality.

Mary, 2007

Tom

A step forward, pedal by pedal, both exhilarating and challenging, gaining confidence and skill while opening up new opportunities to have fun with my family and friends.

Tom, 2008

Sarah

Laila

After I finally came out of the closet about being cyclically challenged, I had about half a dozen friends offer to teach me. Maybe more. But if you're reading this, you know how uncomfortable that is. I had been looking for a class like this for years, and everyone I asked laughed, thinking I was joking. Long story short, this class is amazing.

No embarrassment factor, and zero pressure. Imagine the most comfortable possible learning environment, multiply it by 10, and you're almost there. Everyone was riding by the second class, and after the 4th, I rode my bike home!

Laila, 2005

Rosa

I fell down from a bike when I was learning as a child, and didn't try since then until 4 years ago that I bought a bike. The bike I was offered had a seat that at the lowest position was so that even the tips of my toes could not touch the ground. I had been looking for biking classes during those years until a  few weeks ago when I tried a group class; I was surprised when the instructors tried to make the seat even higher. I had a very bad experience in that class; not only I had a fear of falling but also, the instructors would put you down in front of everybody.

I was very lucky when I found the Riding School at Somerville. Susan, my instructor, is simply awesome as a teacher. She is very patient, calm and encouraging and also transmits the feeling that biking will become as a second nature in no time. The learning atmosphere is very soothing.

At the first lesson I was biking at the bike path near the school with one of the school's bikes, I did not fall down or was scared. For the second lesson I brought my bike. when Susan saw my bike she brought up the issue of the seat's height and advised me to take it to a store and had the post changed-I had it changed at a store after a bitter comments from the service guy who said the problem was not the seat's height but my fear of falling down-I graduated on that second lesson and to my surprised I got a diploma, which I am very proud of.

After my graduation I went by myself to a bike path and I felt something I had forgotten, the pleasure and freedom that biking gives. I am very happy I conquered my fear. Thanks Riding School.

Rosa, 2008

Sandy

I thoroughly enjoyed your bike class. You are a wonderful and patient teacher. You made me feel relaxed and confident, which was no easy feat considering the years of shame and baggage I arrived with. I'm so glad that I took your class and can now look forward to years of biking. In our last class, as we biked to the pond for our pinic, I felt as if I was flying. It was so amazingly liberating to be biking along the path with the wind in my face. Now I know why so many people bike - because it's fun! Thank you so much for offering this class and for nuturing such a warm and encouraging atmosphere.

Sandy, 2005

Alissa

How comforting to find out I wasn't the only person over the age of ten who never learned to ride! What's amazing is that we went from struggling to sit upright on our seats to taking an hour long trip down a bike path, all in the space of three or four classes.

Susan's easygoing teaching style put me at ease and made the whole process less intimidating. She made sure everyone got the individual attention they needed, from adjusting the bike to the right height to working in extra practice time.

Despite how quickly everyone picked up the basics, it was a calm, relaxed environment to learn in. I'd recommend any beginner to roll up their pant cuffs and take this class.

Alissa, 2005

James

A great class with no pressure.

You can feel at ease with other students,

The biggest hurdle is your self ...and your balance!!!!

James, 2005

Georgy

I was convinced that learning how to ride a bike would be an ordeal, but wasn't I surprised to be riding before the end of my first lesson! Susan is incredibly patient and encouraging, and her method doesn't teach you how to ride a bike so much as give you the confidence to believe you can do it all by yourself. Taking lessons with Susan was a great experience; I wholly recommend it. It's never too late to learn how to ride!

Georgy, 2005

Itzcoatl

Susan manages to create a very comfortable environment where an adult can really focus on learning quickly and safely. This is very different from having your friends teaching you: Susan knows what she is doing.

Itzcoatl, 2005

One of our students learned to ride with one leg.

We modified her bicycle by removing the extra pedal and devised a way to carry crutches.