It was good to be back in the saddle this morning bowling
along the country lanes, breathing in the summery scents of rose, honeysuckle and elder
flower. We stopped for a quick
break at the top of Scotsman’s Hill.
“Are you okay, you look a bit white?”
“I’m fine, it’s sun cream.”
We made good time along the valley and then it was the long
climb up Les Chenes. Paul attempted to
change gear and dislodged his chain.
I took advantage of this
unplanned stop to rest my weary legs.
Paul used to ride competitively and doesn’t really understand the
concept of a leisurely bike ride. He
then proceeded to explain the mechanics of bike gears to me. I have twenty one gears on my bike and I know
exactly what gear to select to make my riding as smooth and effortless as possible. Some even have names, I have a Froome gear
and a Greipel gear. But I have never
really thought in detail about what is happening with those greasy cogs and
chains. Paul went into great detail
telling me all about teeth ratios and stuff.
I’m not a lot wiser.
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| self-sown lobelia |
Paul doesn’t often bring me flowers but he did present me
with a pile of new potatoes freshly dug from the garden for lunch. They were absolutely delicious.
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| new potatoes |
 |
| blueberries developing nicely |
 |
| an inquisitive lizard |
Will you be naming the other gears now, have you a favourite ? The old fans have not thought too much about the new Top Gear.
ReplyDeleteI think two christened gears is enough. My favourite is Greipel gear thundering downhill because I can actually catch Paul up with that one.
DeleteWhen I read saddle I thought that it was a horse you were on... that is until I read on and realised that it was a push-bike. Yes, now they can be tough going until you use the option and walk up the hilly bits ;-)
ReplyDeleteNow that would be cheating wouldn't it? (OK - I've done it a couple of times this year.)
DeleteNo, not cheating call it body awareness and self preservation :-)
DeleteSo we're you all right. Greipel and Froome are in my mind today. I am looking at Tour form.
ReplyDeleteThat was supposed to be were. Apple loves to do this because it is brainless. I thought the post was about you being ill.
DeleteYes, I was fine. I always smother my face in sun cream and I got a bit carried away.
DeleteYou're making me sad that I gave my lovely bike away. Bad knee.
ReplyDeleteWe rode to Bonguil this morning and I have to admit my knees are feeling a bit creaky this afternoon.
DeleteWe were in Bonaguil yesterday too. I went to point-out the little Salon de Thé to Lady Magnon, she has friends coming from California, and I thought they'd love it.
Delete