UK and Europe · Public discussion

Honour is restored ... sort of

Wafflycathcsdir · 2003-01-27T01:08:14+00:00

Thursday, 23 January 2003 Honour is restored â€¦ sort of Vernon & I went out for a mid-morning constitutional bike ride today. I was brave - rain was threatening, a wind was blowing and I admit to being a fair weather cyclist. No chance of yours truly becoming a triathlete 🙂 It was hard this morning - headwind blowing, cold, and I was glad of having three layers of clothing on. We were on the last half of the little circuit we do and I was cycling up this here mountain (hill to the fit, well, incline to the fit) and not doing too badly. Then I spotted him. A Stealth Pensioner coming up on me from the side where it formed a junction with the road I was on, on his bike. You know the type - it's his normal form of transport, the bike is surgically attached to his body and he goes on and on for miles and miles, never showing the slightest sign of effort, and always at a constant speed. I have come to loathe the sort 🙂 Following the embarrassment of failing to keep up with the cycling pensioners earlier in the week, I was spurred on. I could not lose this one. There was me, nice shiny "proper" road bike, me in Lycra, helmet, fluorescent yellow jacketâ€¦ the Stealth Pensioner on his trusty rusting steed, probably as old as he is, all in dark clothingâ€¦ I had the honour of fatbirdonabike to uphold! I switched up a gear and pedalled faster. My heart pumped and my bosoms heaved. My face turned puce and the noise of my laboured breathing sounded similar to that of a hippo trying to get out of a mud wallow in which it is stuck. I was not a pretty sight â€¦ or sound. Stealth Pensioner just carried on pedalling as normal up the hill. I gritted my teeth, hit the wall (metaphorically, not *literally*), the lactic acid in my muscles reached critical levels, but I ignored the pain to go onward and upward. I made it! I got to the top of the hill before Stealth Pensioner! Just, but I made it! Ah ha! The adrenaline soared through my bloodstream. My face went from puce to plain old red. Then, I looked - Stealth Pensioner was tailing me. Oh no! I could not allow Stealth pensioner to catch up and overtake me. That would be just too much shame. AND - it had started to rain quite steadily. Woe! I gritted my teeth again - I upped a gear again, I pedalled faster gain. I looked around to see Stealth Pensioner sat on my tail. I went puce again. I upped the gear, I dug deep into my feeble physical resources - I cycled harder, I ignored the rain, the wind and the pain. My bosoms heaved, partially obscuring my vision every time I breathed in. But I succeeded. I pulled away from Stealth Pensioner. Honour is restored. Muscles might ache; I may well be shattered for the rest of the day â€¦ BUT â€¦ Honour is restored! Cheers, helen s ~~~~~~~~~~ Flush out that intestinal parasite and/or the waste product before sending a reply! Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd ~~~~~~~~~~

Started by Wafflycathcsdir · 27 January 2003 · Last activity 30 January 2003 · 29 posts · 1,895 views

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01 / Original postHonour is restored ... sort ofWafflycathcsdir · 27 Jan 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–20Page 1 of 2 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #29James Of Staple · 30 Jan 2003

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Original section: UK and Europe
Published: 27 January 2003
Last activity: 30 January 2003
Original author: Wafflycathcsdir
Posts: 29
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 1,895
Views / 30 days: 0

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Original post
Wafflycathcsdir
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #1

Thursday, 23 January 2003
Honour is restored â€¦ sort of
Vernon & I went out for a mid-morning constitutional bike ride today. I was brave - rain was
threatening, a wind was blowing and I admit to being a fair weather cyclist. No chance of yours
truly becoming a triathlete 🙂
It was hard this morning - headwind blowing, cold, and I was glad of having three layers of clothing
on. We were on the last half of the little circuit we do and I was cycling up this here mountain
(hill to the fit, well, incline to the fit) and not doing too badly. Then I spotted him. A Stealth
Pensioner coming up on me from the side where it formed a junction with the road I was on, on his
bike. You know the type - it's his normal form of transport, the bike is surgically attached to his
body and he goes on and on for miles and miles, never showing the slightest sign of effort, and
always at a constant speed. I have come to loathe the sort 🙂
Following the embarrassment of failing to keep up with the cycling pensioners earlier in the week, I
was spurred on. I could not lose this one. There was me, nice shiny "proper" road bike, me in Lycra,
helmet, fluorescent yellow jacketâ€¦ the Stealth Pensioner on his trusty rusting steed, probably as
old as he is, all in dark clothingâ€¦ I had the honour of fatbirdonabike to uphold!
I switched up a gear and pedalled faster. My heart pumped and my bosoms heaved. My face turned puce
and the noise of my laboured breathing sounded similar to that of a hippo trying to get out of a mud
wallow in which it is stuck. I was not a pretty sight â€¦ or sound. Stealth Pensioner just carried
on pedalling as normal up the hill. I gritted my teeth, hit the wall (metaphorically, not
*literally*), the lactic acid in my muscles reached critical levels, but I ignored the pain to go
onward and upward.
I made it! I got to the top of the hill before Stealth Pensioner! Just, but I made it! Ah ha! The
adrenaline soared through my bloodstream. My face went from puce to plain old red.
Then, I looked - Stealth Pensioner was tailing me. Oh no! I could not allow Stealth pensioner to
catch up and overtake me. That would be just too much shame. AND - it had started to rain quite
steadily. Woe!
I gritted my teeth again - I upped a gear again, I pedalled faster gain. I looked around to see
Stealth Pensioner sat on my tail. I went puce again. I upped the gear, I dug deep into my feeble
physical resources - I cycled harder, I ignored the rain, the wind and the pain. My bosoms heaved,
partially obscuring my vision every time I breathed in. But I succeeded. I pulled away from Stealth
Pensioner.
Honour is restored. Muscles might ache; I may well be shattered for the rest of the day â€¦
BUT â€¦
Honour is restored!
Cheers, helen s
~~~~~~~~~~
Flush out that intestinal parasite and/or the waste product before sending a reply!
Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd
~~~~~~~~~~

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James Annan
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #2

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter said:
You know the type - it's his normal form of transport, the bike is surgically attached to his body
and he goes on and on for miles and miles, never showing the slightest sign of effort, and always
at a constant speed. I have come to loathe the sort 🙂
I have come to admire them greatly. Some time ago I heard a talk from some guy, just a cyclist,
didn't look particularly unusual. He'd ridden most of the length of the country to visit some
friends, turned around and ridden home, all at the age of about 80, covering about 50-60 miles per
day including a blizzard across Rannoch Moor, and sleeping rough most of the time. I found it quite
humbling that this old geezer was doing such a huge journey as a matter of course, when at a
fraction of his age and supposedly fit I only do the occasional long day and comfortable B+B tour. I
hope that when I'm 80 I can still ride a bit.
James

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Marc
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #3

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter said:

Then, I looked - Stealth Pensioner was tailing me. Oh no! I could not allow Stealth pensioner to
catch up and overtake me. That would be just too much shame. AND - it had started to rain quite
steadily. Woe!
Ideal chance to stop and save face by putting on rain gear. " I would have beaten you, but I had to
stop" for exactly the same reason I always carry a camera when on group walks in the mountains!
--
Marc T Shirts, Sweatshirts, polo shirts, banners, signs,decals, stickers etc for clubs and
associations of all types jaceeprint.demon.co.ukjaceeprint.demon.co.uk

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Bas
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #4

Quoted message said:
I gritted my teeth again - I upped a gear again, I pedalled faster gain.

I
Quoted message said:
looked around to see Stealth Pensioner sat on my tail. I went puce again.

I
Quoted message said:
upped the gear, I dug deep into my feeble physical resources - I cycled

harder,
Quoted message said:
I ignored the rain, the wind and the pain. My bosoms heaved, partially obscuring my vision every
time I breathed in. But I succeeded. I pulled

away
You drive a recumbrent (or whatever you Brits call a ligfiets) ? Cause those I think are less
efficient on hills...
Quoted message said:
from Stealth Pensioner.
I once read... an old man has about 70% of the strength left he had as a young man. And, the average
young women has 70% of the strength of the average young man.
So you weren't doing to bad keeping up with him 🙂
Bas - a Dutchman by the way
|
+---- this explains my 4 bicycles...

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James Of Staple
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #5

"wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

It was hard this morning - headwind blowing <snip>
Ye gods woman, too much detail! But head-wind though, sooo embarrassing 😉
<snip>
Quoted message said:
There was me, nice shiny "proper" road bike, me in Lycra, helmet, fluorescent yellow jacket. the
Stealth Pensioner on his trusty rusting steed, probably as old

as
Quoted message said:
he is, all in dark clothing. I had the honour of fatbirdonabike to uphold!
Was the stealth aspect that they had allowed their frame to rust over the words 'DAWES GALAXY'? If
you don't have one of those it's hardly a level playing field now is it? But well done - not only
did you win, you'll also sleep the night without having to get up eight times for a wee!
Actually, I quite fancy a new Super Galaxy (my bonus didn't quite extend to the elsewhere
thread E-Type like Guy's Black Wednesday friend) so anyone know when the 2003 Dawes range is
announced and is the rumour true that all Galaxies now come with a voucher for private
healthcare prostate removal? All I want something is won't desert me for the first kerb we
meet, unlike the Little Red Roadster That Weighs Nothing. Dead air + pavement = fractured
clavicle + bruised ribs + time off work.
James 'The sound of one hand typing'

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Peter Clinch
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #6

Bas said:
You drive a recumbrent (or whatever you Brits call a ligfiets) ? Cause those I think are less
efficient on hills...
Recumbent, 'bent for short. Helen has yet to succumb to the dark side, but once she's been lured
into a comfy chair for 50 km it's only a matter of time until she succumbs... ;-)
'bents tend to be a bit slower going up, but quite a lot quicker coming down. Cuts both ways...
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinch

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Tony W
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #7

"Bas" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Bas - a Dutchman by the way
|
+---- this explains my 4 bicycles...
No it doesn't!! Proper Dutchmen only ever had one bike -- a large, rusty, black fiet!! (Which gets
stolen everytime the go to Amsterdam!!)

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James Of Staple
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #8

I'm beginning to suspect that the difference is that they've fought in or survived through at least
one world war whereas all we've done is Tekken to level five on Playstation before taking it back to
the rental shop. A blizzard on Rannoch Moor is nothing as compared to escaping five times from
Colditz. Respect, admiration, politeness, patience and plenty of room if passing on the pavement.
James 'The sound of one hand typing'
"James Annan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter said:
You know the type - it's his normal form of transport, the bike is surgically attached to his
body and he goes on and on for miles

and
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
miles, never showing the slightest sign of effort, and always at a

constant
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
speed. I have come to loathe the sort 🙂
I have come to admire them greatly. Some time ago I heard a talk from some guy, just a cyclist,
didn't look particularly unusual. He'd ridden most of the length of the country to visit some
friends, turned around and ridden home, all at the age of about 80, covering about 50-60 miles per
day including a blizzard across Rannoch Moor, and sleeping rough most of the time. I found it
quite humbling that this old geezer was doing such a huge journey as a matter of course, when at a
fraction of his age and supposedly fit I only do the occasional long day and comfortable B+B tour.
I hope that when I'm 80 I can still ride a bit.
James

Report
Andrew Sweetman
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #9

James Annan <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter said:
You know the type - it's his normal form of transport, the bike is surgically attached to his
body and he goes on and on for miles

and
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
miles, never showing the slightest sign of effort, and always at a

constant
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
speed. I have come to loathe the sort 🙂
I have come to admire them greatly. Some time ago I heard a talk from some guy, just a cyclist,
didn't look particularly unusual. He'd ridden most of the length of the country to visit some
friends, turned around and ridden home, all at the age of about 80, covering about 50-60 miles per
day including a blizzard across Rannoch Moor, and sleeping rough most of the time. I found it
quite humbling that this old geezer was doing such a huge journey as a matter of course, when at a
fraction of his age and supposedly fit I only do the occasional long day and comfortable B+B tour.
I hope that when I'm 80 I can still ride a bit.
Alan Young?

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Sam Bixby
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:08 UTC #10

not true! everyone knows that up hills are more common than down hills!
panda
"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Bas said:
You drive a recumbrent (or whatever you Brits call a ligfiets) ? Cause

those
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
I think are less efficient on hills...
Recumbent, 'bent for short. Helen has yet to succumb to the dark side, but once she's been lured
into a comfy chair for 50 km it's only a matter of time until she succumbs... ;-)
'bents tend to be a bit slower going up, but quite a lot quicker coming down. Cuts both ways...
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells
Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinch

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Wafflycathcsdir
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #11

Quoted message said:
I have come to admire them greatly
So have I, hence the 🙂 on my original lighthearted quote. Darned if I was going to let one get the
better of me today - twice in a few days would have been just too much! ;-)
Quoted message said:
I hope that when I'm 80 I can still ride a bit.
Me too!
Cheers, helen s
~~~~~~~~~~
Flush out that intestinal parasite and/or the waste product before sending a reply!
Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd
~~~~~~~~~~

Report
Wafflycathcsdir
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #12

Quoted message said:
Ideal chance to stop and save face by putting on rain gear. " I would have beaten you, but I had to
stop" for exactly the same reason I always carry a camera when on group walks in the mountains!
Ack - I had the rain gear on already, so I couldn't use that excuse, I mean reason.
Cheers, helen s
~~~~~~~~~~
Flush out that intestinal parasite and/or the waste product before sending a reply!
Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd
~~~~~~~~~~

Report
Wafflycathcsdir
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #13

Quoted message said:
You drive a recumbrent (or whatever you Brits call a ligfiets) ? Cause those I think are less
efficient on hills.
No, I'm just unfit!
Cheers, helen s 🙂 Not Dutch, but I do have two bikes.
~~~~~~~~~~
Flush out that intestinal parasite and/or the waste product before sending a reply!
Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd
~~~~~~~~~~

Report
Wafflycathcsdir
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #14

Quoted message said:
Was the stealth aspect that they had allowed their frame to rust over the words 'DAWES GALAXY'? If
you don't have one of those it's hardly a level playing field now is it?
True - he was *obviously* riding such a steed 🙂
Cheers, helen s
~~~~~~~~~~
Flush out that intestinal parasite and/or the waste product before sending a reply!
Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd
~~~~~~~~~~

Report
Peter Clinch
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #15

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter said:
Ack - I had the rain gear on already, so I couldn't use that excuse, I mean reason.
Stop to take it off, because it just wasn't tough enough for you to carry on in the dry... ;-)
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinch

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Steve Palincsar
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #16

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter said:
Quoted message said:
Ideal chance to stop and save face by putting on rain gear. " I would have beaten you, but I had
to stop" for exactly the same reason I always carry a camera when on group walks in the mountains!
Ack - I had the rain gear on already, so I couldn't use that excuse, I mean reason.
Well, there's always the insistent Call of Nature...

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Danny Colyer
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #17

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter said:
That's alright for you blokes who just have to whip out the willie, but for we ladies - there is
no way no how I want to bare me bum & squat in public!
There's always a solution if you know where to look: restrooms.orgstanding.html
travelmateinfo.comtravelmateinfo.com
--
Danny Colyer (remove safety to reply) ( juggler.netdanny ) Recumbent cycle page:
speedy5.freeserve.co.ukrecumbents "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." -
Thomas Paine

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James Hodson
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #18

(wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter) said:
Quoted message said:
Well, there's always the insistent Call of Nature...
That's alright for you blokes who just have to whip out the willie, but for we ladies - there is no
way no how I want to bare me bum & squat in public!
Why not build yourself a portaloo - or a shelter, at least - out of all those slabs?
Think differently, Helen.
James
--
A credit limit is NOT a target.

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Steve Palincsar
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:09 UTC #19

wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter said:
Quoted message said:
Well, there's always the insistent Call of Nature...
That's alright for you blokes who just have to whip out the willie, but for we ladies - there is
no way no how I want to bare me bum & squat in public!
What ever happened to all those impenetrable hedge rows I see on British TV shows?

Report
James Of Staple
Archived post

27 January 2003, 01:23 UTC #20

I think I might have seen skeletons on them - maybe the Galaxy rides itself once there's enough
pressure on the saddle? Any local ring road would do if we ever run out of burial space. It's an old
peoples bike but I still want one!
James
"wafflycathcsdirtycatlitter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Was the stealth aspect that they had allowed their frame to rust over the words 'DAWES GALAXY'?
If you don't have one of those it's hardly a level playing field now is it?
True - he was *obviously* riding such a steed 🙂
Cheers, helen s
~~~~~~~~~~
Flush out that intestinal parasite and/or the waste product before sending

a
Quoted message said:
reply!
Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the

keyboaRRRDdd
Quoted message said:
~~~~~~~~~~

Report

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