Cycling in Sydney Australia
Taking the wife to Watson's Bay...
A friend of mine has just come back from Adelaide, where he spent the summer break with his family. He came back just a bit too early to see any of the tour, but his brother-in-law rode the open ride stage, and had a lot of fun (notwithstanding the stinking hot weather and the headwind!). Anyway, he's fired up to do the same thing next year, and bombarded me with a bunch of texts about 'training'.
So, this morning, we hit the road at 6.30am in the drizzle; I suggested my bête noire , the ride out to Watson's Bay. I had planned to take the fixie, to put my demons to rest, but given that it was raining I took the wife - it was too good an opportunity to experience swishyness.
It was all very smooth. Apart from my dry bottom (about which I lost no opportunity to point out to by riding buddy) the hills rolled underneath me quite easily, even with the heavier bike.Yet, yet, it's not quite the same. To be half-way up a hill, and to drop a gear (which, especially if you're pushing out of the saddle, involves losing some momentum as you ease off) somehow feels a bit, well, like cheating. And the wife, well, she's sturdy and reliable, but it just wasn't quite the same. I love her when she's loaded up and I'm in full utility mode, but, um, how can I put this gently without hurting her feelings - she lacks excitement on a ride like that.
So next time, I'll be back on the fixie.
Or maybe I need to invest in a more hard-core road bike...
Hmmm, that one's going to be hard to justify with a new baby just weeks away!
(PS Where was youse all? Too soft to ride in the rain? We must have seen no more than three other cyclists all morning!)
So, this morning, we hit the road at 6.30am in the drizzle; I suggested my bête noire , the ride out to Watson's Bay. I had planned to take the fixie, to put my demons to rest, but given that it was raining I took the wife - it was too good an opportunity to experience swishyness.
It was all very smooth. Apart from my dry bottom (about which I lost no opportunity to point out to by riding buddy) the hills rolled underneath me quite easily, even with the heavier bike.Yet, yet, it's not quite the same. To be half-way up a hill, and to drop a gear (which, especially if you're pushing out of the saddle, involves losing some momentum as you ease off) somehow feels a bit, well, like cheating. And the wife, well, she's sturdy and reliable, but it just wasn't quite the same. I love her when she's loaded up and I'm in full utility mode, but, um, how can I put this gently without hurting her feelings - she lacks excitement on a ride like that.
So next time, I'll be back on the fixie.
Or maybe I need to invest in a more hard-core road bike...
Hmmm, that one's going to be hard to justify with a new baby just weeks away!
(PS Where was youse all? Too soft to ride in the rain? We must have seen no more than three other cyclists all morning!)
Comment
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Comment by ♫ Kylie on January 25, 2010 at 5:47pm - I have to ask; I'm following the wifey and mistress analogy, I'm just not sure what the baby is? :-P
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Comment by ♫ Kylie on January 25, 2010 at 5:46pm
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What rain? Am I getting my days mixed up? I went for a ride on Saturday morning, cleats 'n' all!!! Luckily, the twisting action isn't painful, because I didn't actually sprain my ankle or do any soft tissue damage. It's just a bit stiff and weak.
It's official, I'm officially back :-D All fears overcome, just gotta loosen up that ankle. Life's good!
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Comment by Boxhead on January 24, 2010 at 7:34pm - Too hot yesterday, too wet today. A no ride weekend. If I don't watch out I'll be expelled. However, I did go for my first spin with Max.
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Comment by Neil Alexander on January 24, 2010 at 11:13am -
Ahem... Well, not really too soft, I'd just cleaned the bike and oiled the chain and I don't like getting it all gummed up with road grime and getting my feet wet (they do even on the bikes with mudguards) and.. and... Oh, OK, yes, I am too soft to ride in the rain.
It was nice to just stay snuggled up in bed with my wife.
© 2010 Created by DamianM
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