Sunday 31 January 2010

It's just like riding a bike!

Today was an exciting day, I decided that before I torture myself lusting after my dream bike, I should really check that I was capable of riding a bike with drop bars. Which is something I've not done since my early teens when I was the proud owner of a sparkly pink Raleigh Racer.

So after a fettle around with Mullerton's "Jake the Snake", to make him more friendly for a shorter rider, we were ready for the off.

I was suddenly petrified. What if I couldn't do it? What if I made a complete fool of myself on the busy main road out of the village? Oh 'eck! I was about to ride a bike one size too big for me. What if I needed to stop suddenly, my fingers couldn't quite stretch enough to pull the brake levers. Argh! I barely had any standover, so any accidents could have been sore! I was suddenly full of dread. Would this be the end of my Yeti Dream?

I pleaded with Mullerton to ride my MTB so if necessary, or if I bottled it, that we wouldn't be stuck and have to walk home. Eek! I had already sowed the seeds of doubt that I wasn't gonna be able to do it. Why couldn't I just have the confidence in myself? After all it was only a bike and I know that I can balance whilst turning the pedals round.

It was then time to do it. Mikey had kindly ridden "Jake" up the hill out of the village so that I could have a flat road to start with. There was a local dog walker a few feet further down the road, so I didn't really have time to worry about what I was doing, as I didn't want to look like a complete pleb in front of him, so I just hopped on and started to pedal.

Weeeeeeee! I was off! I took to it like a duck to water! Why had I worried so much? It was just like riding a bike!

Now all I need is a couple of pounds to get the Yeti frame and some kindly-component-donations from my lovely generous friends to get my dream alive. ;-)

3 comments:

Mullerton said...

i've phoned Evolution imports (the yeti people)this morning, they have them in stock in your size and will do a staff discount too.
there is also a very competitively priced build kit to go with the frame.:)

KatieCake said...

oooooOOOOOOoooooo that's so exciting.

Maybe I could sell a kidney or something! ;-)

grant said...

No, sell *his* kidney.