Cycling is fun, no seriously cycling is fun, why else do we do it? Today was a nice sunny start, well it was in Livingston, so after all the housework was done I contacted a fellow recycling recycled teenager and set up for a little 3 mile or so cycle to the Civic Centre and back. Just before we set off we had a nice little short sharp shower, followed by a gusty wind which would be against us on the way to the centre. I decided to use Entinine – my big bike. After walking down the steep incline I call Mount Everest to the N75 cycle path we set off. My cycle buddy was in the lead, then I shot past her turned the bend and ran into the brick wall known as the gusty wind. Boy did my speed drop and so did my gears. The wind might not run out of puff but I did..I really struggled up the incline to such an extent I stopped, dismounted and walked. I was puffing more than the wind by then, and my CB sailed past me, well she passed me and was slightly wobbling. I did hear the cry she was not happy with her gear… Hmm bit late to worry about your cycling outfit I thought (Duh). Anyway I gets me puff back, mounts the bike and zooms off again.. the wind had dropped a bit. All was going well and we arrived at the Civic Centre, I stopped but CB decided she wanted to do a small circular path away from me and back. Me I was too puffed to continue straight away. After 5 mins I wondered where she had gone to, it should only take 5 mins to do that path. I spotted her walking back towards me – it was not her gear she was worried about but her gears – silly me. Her bike decided that it no longer liked the chain it had so it broke up the partnership, or perhaps it was the chain that no longer liked the bike – the result was the same, the chain had parted and CB found herself peddling to no avail. To add insult to injury none of us had brought cash so it was a case of walking back. Wait a minute she cried, left me with her bike disappeared around the corner and came back with another bike! It was a USA designed silver/grey Raleigh bike, somewhat dilapidated, but very salvageable. We were near the police station so she took the bike there and filled in the found lost property book. I do not think the young policeman was impressed – but with a bit of TLC the bike could be a goer again. Anyway back to CB bike and broken chain. After a little discussion we headed to Halfords – I’m beginning to think I should buy shares there :). Yes they can replace the chain, it will be ready tomorrow. Oh well 2 mile walk back to my place. As if to make up for CB’s bad luck I spots my cousin in her car at McDonalds. Yeah, time to bum a lift – well for CB – I am left to cycle home, and it starts to rain . Oh well best peddle forward as they say..here I cycled all the way back with only one stop and that was to cross the main roads on foot. I cycled home up the inclines, amazing, well it was to me. Another 3.62 miles completed on the big bike. Oh yes it was only a shower so I did not get that wet. :) The name of CB has been witheld to protect my back, arms and neck. :D
