Learning To Cook Is Like Riding A Bike

May 27th 002

Until yesterday I had no clue how to ride a bike. It’s just something I never learned. And whenever someone said “Oh, it’s just like riding a bike” I nodded along and thought “so I’m going to yell and cry and tell my parents to not let go of me?”

Yesterday I taught myself how to ride in an hour. I honestly didn’t think it would happen so fast. There was no crying. None of my skin is bruised. And I only hit 2 mailboxes(they just popped up out of nowhere; seriously, who puts a mailbox by the side of the road?). At the end of the day, I realized something: Learning how to ride a bike is a lot like learning how to cook.

What will they think of next?

When you start biking, you use training wheels to do all the work for you. When you start cooking, you probably aren’t “cooking” so much as microwaving and/or following directions to add 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of oil and baking at 350 for 25 minutes. But eventually you get tired of phoning it in; you want to learn how to do things by yourself. Or maybe you want to impress someone who already knows how to ride a bike/cook. So you set out to learn.

Untitled1

Should we talk about the 2nd search result or just not go there?

If you’re part of my generation, you’ll immediately go to google for an answer. Google, cookbook, experienced mentor—it’s all the same. Before you know it you’re following a step-by-step instructions on coasting without peddles or making a pasta salad. You’re still not doing it 100% on your own but you feel great about your progress and gain a new found independence.

March 13th 073 (2)

And then one day it clicks.

You know how to push off with your feet to keep your balance. You get how vinegar, salt, and a little sweetness bring the flavors out in a dish. And before you know it you’re doing it all by yourself. You don’t need a recipe. You don’t need training wheels. It all flows naturally.

So if you don’t know how to cook yet, just know it’s like riding a bike. And if you don’t know how to ride a bike, just know it’s like learning how to cook. And if you don’t know either, that’s what delivery pizza is for.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
18 Responses to Learning To Cook Is Like Riding A Bike
  1. VeggieGirl
    May 28, 2011 | 9:03 am

    I love this analogy – perfect!

    HAHAHA search result #2 is hilarious 😀

  2. Skinny Sushi
    May 28, 2011 | 9:27 am

    I don’t know how to ride a bike yet either, and I’m 31! we just bought me a new bike so that I can learn because I love spin class so much, and also because I want to learn before it’s time to teach our daughter! I’m sort of scared to learn, so it’s really nice to hear that it wasn’t too tough! I’d love to hear more about how you did it.

  3. Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga)
    May 28, 2011 | 10:39 am

    Love the post and once upon a time the only thing I could make in the kitchen was a stiff drink. Boy, times have changed. Just trying it and attempting it and going for it is the best and only way, really. In the kitch and in life!

  4. MaryBe@Accidentally-Vegan
    May 28, 2011 | 10:42 am

    This post made me laugh! I can’t ride a bike either, although I used too when I was a kid so I guess that saying is just a big lie 😀

  5. Alayna @ Thyme Bombe
    May 28, 2011 | 10:47 am

    Love this! I remember when all I knew how to make was a bowl of ramen noodles. Over time though, as I learned one new skill and then another, it got to a point where finally I wasn’t experimenting anymore…I was actually cooking! I still flop every once in a while (read: last night) but those flops get fewer and farther between.

    • Wannabe Chef
      May 28, 2011 | 1:08 pm

      I still have flops. And I still run into mailboxes. Thankfully, only one of those happens in the kitchen.

  6. Elizabeth
    May 28, 2011 | 11:56 am

    I was forced to learn to cook out of shear necessity at 11. My mom taught her courses until 10 pm most days, and the only thing my dad knew how to do was grill a steak or drive us to Burger King (that gets old fast). I had my disasters, but it was a great learning experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. And I just died laughing at your Google search! Hahahahaha…

    • Wannabe Chef
      May 28, 2011 | 1:09 pm

      I still remember vividly the night my dad set a small fire microwaving a maple syrup container from McDonalds. And the night my dad or I dropped a plate of leftover Chinese food and it shattered and I cried because that was all he could make me for dinner. Oh, dads…

  7. Sana
    May 28, 2011 | 1:22 pm

    How do I ride a man?? TEACH MEEEEEEE!

  8. Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks
    May 28, 2011 | 3:10 pm

    I thought I was the only adult who didn’t know how to ride a bike.

    Of course, you now know, so I guess I AM the only adult alive that doesn’t know how to ride a bike.. 😛

  9. Errign
    May 28, 2011 | 3:58 pm

    Yay for bike riding…and cooking! Happy long weekend, Evan 🙂

  10. Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun
    May 28, 2011 | 4:21 pm

    Soooo….I’m stuck with the delivery then. Dang. 😉

  11. sarah
    May 28, 2011 | 5:07 pm

    What a great post!! Its so true! I remember when I leaned how to ride a bike…I grew up in a neighborhood of all boys! One day they took me out on their two wheelers and told me to keep trying until I didnt fall anymore! Tough love…and my training wheels were off that afternoon!!

  12. Ela
    May 28, 2011 | 7:16 pm

    Congrats on learning to ride a bike–bikes are awesome!

    Agree, too, that the internet is a wonderful conduit for learning all kinds of stuff about food prep (I was six when I learned to bike, though, and have the scarred elbows to prove it–wouldn’t have imagined googling how to!)

  13. Danielle @ weightsandmeasures
    May 29, 2011 | 10:48 am

    Ironically, I fell off my bike yesterday. I did not hit my head, but I am a bit bruised up. It is part of the sport. I knew it would have eventually.

  14. Kathleen @ Kat's Health Corner
    May 29, 2011 | 11:16 am

    Perfect. 🙂