Later I decided to risk the threatening rain clouds and make one more trip to reinforce my new skills. The hill from my cul de sac had subsided slightly, and looked as if it was settling at around a 45% incline, so this time (aware that others might see if I were to get off my bike in order to go down the hill) I stayed on and testing my ability to find the fine line between going slowly enough to cope with my fear of the hill and the T junction at its foot and fast enough not to fall off, I gritted my teeth and got to the cycle track in a much faster time thn I had done earlier that day.
I hadn't gone far before the rain started again, but I had a waterproof jacket and as I felt I was making headway in understandng the gears I ploughed on.
And passed someone going in the same direction as me!
I was sure they were impressed with my Olympian cyclist skills as I left them behind and rode on.
Now I faced a hill with a gentle slope and needed to make a decision. If I went down it, I'd have to get back up it. But I was confident (and besides if I'd turned back, that person I'd passed would have known I'd just turned round in the middle of nowhere!) so I ploughed on.
Then it really started to rain. However, on this trip I'd thus far managed to avoid all banks and bushes so, determined not be a fair-weather cyclist, I kept going for another few minutes. Unfortunately I hadn't quite reckoned for the combination of condensation from my body heat and the heavy rain on my specs, so soon had to turn back as it was becoming impossible to see a yard in front of my face!!!
Another small victory on this ride: I not only made it back up the slope - but as I got to the crown there were two - count them, two, not just one, but two... and side by side, not Indian file, but abreast - people walking towards me. I calmly commented about the atrocious weather and rode on past them!
Sadly, given my visibility-in-the-rain issues, and the determination of the sky to spend the rest of the day doing its best power shower impression, that was the end of the day's activities.
I hadn't gone far before the rain started again, but I had a waterproof jacket and as I felt I was making headway in understandng the gears I ploughed on.
And passed someone going in the same direction as me!
I was sure they were impressed with my Olympian cyclist skills as I left them behind and rode on.
Now I faced a hill with a gentle slope and needed to make a decision. If I went down it, I'd have to get back up it. But I was confident (and besides if I'd turned back, that person I'd passed would have known I'd just turned round in the middle of nowhere!) so I ploughed on.
Then it really started to rain. However, on this trip I'd thus far managed to avoid all banks and bushes so, determined not be a fair-weather cyclist, I kept going for another few minutes. Unfortunately I hadn't quite reckoned for the combination of condensation from my body heat and the heavy rain on my specs, so soon had to turn back as it was becoming impossible to see a yard in front of my face!!!
Another small victory on this ride: I not only made it back up the slope - but as I got to the crown there were two - count them, two, not just one, but two... and side by side, not Indian file, but abreast - people walking towards me. I calmly commented about the atrocious weather and rode on past them!
Sadly, given my visibility-in-the-rain issues, and the determination of the sky to spend the rest of the day doing its best power shower impression, that was the end of the day's activities.
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1 comment:
Bonjour Vera,
You've not stopped cycling because you haven't had an explanation? I carry a puncture repair kit and two inner tubes If the unmentionable happens, it's quicker to remove the wheel and replace the inner tube rather than find the puncture and repair it. Take the punctured inner tube to repair at leisure at home.
If you've never removed a wheel before, why not try it a few times before a roaring fire? Front wheels are easy. Back wheels require a bit more fiddling.
Another wet weather exercise: go through each multi-tool item. Can you identify what each item is for? Try it out. Does it work? Are you strong enough to use it? That may sound patronizing but it's from my own experience. I've discovered that I can't apply as much pressure as I used to.
One item that it's best to fiddle with under supervision is the chain link tool. You aren't going to be able to use this on the road if you haven't had a fiddle beforehand.
Cheers,
Patrick
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