The Steel Horse

Practically everyone in the Netherlands owns a bike, young and old, rich and poor. It's often referred to as the "steel horse". The majority of the population uses it daily and the picture on the left is a moderate illustration of what you would see near railway-stations, schools and shopping malls.

With all these people using and needing a bike, the theft-rate is high (as our daughter found out recently) and many came to the conclusion that the older and more worn-out your bike looks, the less the likelihood it will get stolen. And if you insist on having a reasonable looking or new bike, then you need more then just the lock on the bike to chain it up, so you find it where you left it when you come back. Yeah, the cattle-thieves have their eye on these horses, haha.

I used to love riding a bike. Often it gets you quicker where you want to go then taking the car. Cheaper too, considering the gas-prices
My RA wouldn't always let me though and here it is far too dangerous.
I do miss it. It was good exercise when my RA would let me, to strengthen the muscles and because it's slower speed, there was more time to enjoy nature, one of God's beautiful creations, so much more. But God made up for the last. I enjoy the woods each time I look out the window:-)

It is said once you learn how to ride a bike, you will never forget it. The learning how to, is the hard part. Learning God's way is the same. At first you need training-wheels, support to get you going, and instructions. You will slam into walls and run into trees and learn when and how to brake. Then the training-wheels come off and you have to try on your own. Wobbly and insecure you follow the path. You will fall down several times but it makes you more determined to master the way. When you do, even then be prepared to take a fall every now and then. But once you learned it, you can never unlearn it. You can try to forget about the bike and take the car. You can pretend it is not there, but it will remind you, somehow. And yes, you have to watch out for thieves, for they try to steal it from you daily.