With spring truly sprung, the trails are getting drier, firmer and faster. It’s brilliant. Today Pete and I rolled out for a short trundle so he could try out clipless pedals. Resident whippet Jim lent him some shoes in roughly the right size and had to stifle a giggle as Pete walked like Frankenstein’s monster to the garage to get the bike.
The glorious sunshine was only slightly marred by the cold wind gently blowing in all directions but behind us. On the tarmac and down the first off road section Pete was going strong. We hit the entrance to Birkby Brow woods for it’s off cambered rooty singletrack and Pete had a nervous grin on his face. He shouldn’t have he flew down as quick as he always does and I struggled to keep on his wheel despite riding for years. For a man nervous of being clipped in he was leaving the ground off the kickers with little worry.
I think it’s a rite of initiation that the first time you ride clipless you spend most of your time on your arse on the ground and Pete was remaining disappointingly upright. That is, until the stream. He crossed the water without issue but then on crossing the lip out fell over. Sideways. I might have giggled.
Both over the small width of water I had to dismount to drop the chain(long story, watch this space) to the granny ring for the steep climb out. Cresting the top Pete was sat up yet on the ground, entangled in the bike still clipped in. “I’m just laying down enjoying the view Al” he smiled down to me.
With the Fat Lad playing squash in the evening, and with Jim pulling Pete’s legs off in the afternoon on one of their training rides we decided on the shorter option of the ride and finished off in time for a late lunch.
So then Pete, you convinced?
Fat Lad
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