Mary, from Dallas

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

Maud, from Florida

Maud learned from our "Teach Yourself" page.

The day I found the Bicycle Riding School and Susan McLucas marks a turning point in my life: At 60, I finally found a safe way to learn to ride a bike. I was making plans to go to Somerville from Pembroke Pines, Florida, when Susan suggested that, in the interim, I try her Method outlined on the Website. 

The Method is very detailed, easy to follow and even indicates the difference between the different types of bicycles.  Susan even kept in touch with me via e-mail to monitor my progress.  And, if you can just virtually hear Susan’s words of encouragement and have a good friend to cheer you on: “pedal, pedal, pedal... Great !!! “ you suddenly feel like a million $ baby with wings at your feet! Thank you, Susan, for making a difference in the life of so many boomers.

I never thought so much joy was on the radar for me at 60!

Keep on Biking !!! Maud, 2008

Suchi and Sanjana

I am a 35 year old mom of two from New Jersey. My husband can ride a bike and, given that my kids are 6 and 2 now, I know soon they will be riding their bikes. I did not want to be left sitting on a bench in a park when they rode away... I have wanted to learn to ride a bike desperately for the last 2 years, but I did not know where to start, knowing that I never got on a bike in my childhood. I read about Susan and Pata's classes and initially it was hard for me to believe that it was possible. But since I was determined, I decided to give it a try...

My family and I drove down from NJ to Somerville on a Friday morning. My daughter and I had a class scheduled with Pata. By the second lesson, we were riding on our bikes!!! How did it happen...our ‘bicycle magician’ with the magic wrench wand (yeah that’s what we call Pata now) made it happen! My daughter calls it magic, but it’s the simple but correct techniques that Pata taught us that made it possible. She made us feel comfortable and relaxed and worked with us at our pace, knowing that my daughter’s pace was different than mine. I remember the moment I pedaled for 2 continuous minutes for the first time. I went over and hugged Pata! Now every time I ride my bike, I thank Pata (and Susan) a million times in my heart for the wonderful gift for a lifetime!! I would say this to all...if you want to learn to ride a bike, just get out there and give it a try. It’s never too late and it’s just too amazing once you learn to ride!

Suchi, 2009

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 and I wasn't 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 have 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, Bicycle 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

Chelsea

My 8 year old daughter Chelsea was afraid to ride a bicycle and no matter what my husband and I tried, we could not teach her to ride. Most of her friends had been riding bicycles for a couple of years and it was getting difficult for her to keep up with them as she still had training wheels on her bike. I searched the internet and found Susan's website for her Bicycle Riding School and thought it was worth a try. Chelsea went to her first class with Susan and actually coasted on her bike at her very first lesson. This was a huge step as we couldn't get her to move more than an inch on her bike when we were trying to teach her previously.  By the end of her second lesson, she was riding the bike!

We could not believe how fast she learned and how confident and happy she was riding her bike........she had her third (and last lesson) and never looked back! Susan is an amazing teacher........she was extremely patient and she let Chelsea go at her own pace, which really helped. She lead Chelsea slowly and carefully through all the steps of riding and there were a couple of little things that Susan did, for example removing the pedals from the bike, that really made a difference. Chelsea started out very fearful of riding and a few weeks later I'm happy to say she actually made this comment to me: "Mom, I don't know what I was so afraid of.....this is easy!"  I can't thank Susan enough for her gentle, patient instruction.......she's a wonderful teacher!

Marie, 2009

Chitra

I am a 58 year old woman from NY and have been wanting to ride a bike for many years but never acted upon it. A few weeks ago, i decided it was time!!! I went to a bicycle shop in my town and asked them if anyone who works there would teach me. To my disappointment no one was willing to!

Internet to the rescue - I googled, and Susan McLucas and her bicycle riding school came up and was I excited ! I registered for a weekend session and at the end of the weekend I was riding on a bicycle trail ! No Kidding. I came home and bought a beautiful red bicycle and have been riding it often.

Susan is a fantastic teacher - gentle, motivating and very persuassive. Her method of teaching adults to ride a bike is amazing. No falls, no injuries and not in the least frustrating... It is exhilarating to be able to bike... I would unequivocally encourage each one of you that wants to learn to give Susan a call. It is never too late.

Chitra, 2009

Chitra and Mila

Mila

I always enjoy attending spin class at a local gym. If you saw me ride during the class, you would never believe that I didn’t know how to ride a bike. But at the age of 42, fear was overcoming my desire to learn to ride a bike. When I saw Susan on TV, I got excited and checked her website right away. I scheduled a weekend trip to Massachusetts with my husband (for support) and in the morning of my first class I had butterflies in my stomach and I was hoping it would rain so that the class would be canceled. It didn’t, and it turned out to be a great day. With Susan’s encouragement and patience I learned to ride a bike. Her method works and my fear was replaced with confidence. It was a fun class and very positive. It really feels great to learn and I'm excited to continue learning and enjoying the outdoors. Thank you, Susan, for making it possible…

Mila from Minnesota and US Virgin Islands, 2009

Elsa and Huw

Eli

Before I took bike riding lessons with Susan, I felt clumsy and never thought I'd be able to learn how to ride. I used to be embarrassed that I was 12 years old and didn't know how to ride a bike. Many of my friends rode bikes and I always felt bad that I couldn't ride with them.

But during the first lesson, I was astounded by Susan’s great methods. Even though I was nervous at first, she showed me there was nothing to be afraid of and gave me the confidence to try. It was amazing to me that I was able to ride and keep my balance independently on my first lesson!

Since last seeing Susan (after celebrating my graduation with a ride from Davis Square to Spy Pond with Pata), I have gotten my own bike and have ridden it on the bike path and to my friend's house.

Thank you, Susan, so much for helping me learn that I could ride a bike! You really are the "bicycle whisperer!"

Eli, 2009

One of our students learned to ride with one leg.

We modified her bicycle by removing the extra pedal, adding weight to the pedal so the toe clip faced up, and making a way to carry crutches.