This evening I stopped at a pub to wet my throat. Well to be
honest I'd cycled to the pub for that express purpose.
Sitting outside were two cyclists with their bikes. Both
expressed interest in the Speed Ross, as they'd never seen a
'bent close-up before.
Cyclist One sat on it: he was a touch too large, but turning
the pedals backwards it looked as if his knees would clear
the bars. But even when sitting still he looked as if he
thought he would fall off/die/wreck the bike. After five
minutes of sitting there and discussing how to ride it he
still looked so unhappy I got him off.
Cyclist Two sat on it: immediately he could balance the Ross
with one foot on the ground, leaned back and relaxed, so I
said "push and go". He went, turned a neat circle in the car-
park and came back. "Keep going" I said, and he took it for
a run around the village green, very prettily too. Born
'bent rider!
Cyclist One was riding an Italian frame, hung with enough
Campagnolo components that I quite believed his statement
that there was 2,000 Pounds Stg there.
Cyclist Two was riding an Elswick (probably 1960s) rescued
from a skip (dumpster), with Huret gears -- haven't seen
those since I was a kid.
Cyclist One was in full lycra regalia advertising the local
CC and said he was the Chairman.
Cyclist Two was his son (possibly stepson) aged about 15.
OK, a teenager with decent balance, and the feeling of
invulnerability that teens have, should just jump on and
ride, but I was amazed that anyone with a lot of experience
should be so nervous of the bike. Maybe my description of
Audax distances without crotch-chafe might get him to try it
again though.
It was around that same village green that I first rode a
recumbent (thanks to a local Street-Glider owner) , so it's
nice to have possibly started someone else along the path of
righteousness in the same place.
Mike