S
Shaun Rimmer
Guest
Ride Report Billington to Whalley (and back)
It had been a long day in the office, and it was incredibly muggy.
Got home earlier than usual, and decided to abandon four wheels in favour of two for my journey.
Dressed for the part (well, I selotaped the bottom of my trousers round my ankles) and after
wrestling my new to me bike from the shed, (recently lovingly reconditioned by the skilled but
tender hands of the gorgeous Mr Shaun Rimmer - after it had almost been cast into the skip) I set
off on my epic journey.
To start I had to negotiate cobbles and potholes, weaving unskilfully over and around them, for what
seemed like several miles, but on reflection was actually around four yards, I hit the road, and boy
could that baby move! I must have topped almost 5mph before having to screech to a halt perhaps 20
yards into my journey. No good! I had to get off and gently coax my lovely shiny bike under the
gatepost. Now the part I had been more than a little anxious about, a long narrow path, about 200
yards in length, with rusty spikes running along either side at about eye height, and huge nettles
whipping at my ankles, I tried to remember Shaun's advice and focus ahead -oh no! A woman walking
her dog approaching, I could feel panic rising into a scream! Do I stop and let her past? Would she
stop? Would the dog become entangled in my wheels and die a long painful death as I dragged its
little body along, unable to use my brakes after I froze in a blinding panic?????
The woman stopped, picked up the dog, and I edged past apologetically - god, this sport is drawing
me in now - I can feel the adrenalin kick in, and I am hungry for more! (Well, I am always hungry,
but that's another story) I get to the end of the path with no more encounters, and easily negotiate
a switch back onto the bridge (ok, it was a couple of slight bends in the path, but hey! That would
sound really pathetic, so indulge me!). As I look down to the river, I can't help but notice a
couple of ducks eying me up, now I don't know what damage a duck is capable of inflicting, but these
guys didn't look friendly, and I thought it best not to hang around too long and risk angering them,
so I pedalled for all I was worth towards the road.
(At this point I would like to point out, I have not ridden a bike since I was about.15 years old,
so bare with me!)
Thankfully there was no traffic on the road, so I took the opportunity to try those gear thingies
out. I tried to recall the instructions my beloved Shaun had tried to give me, and managed to make
my legs go from spinning round in a blur, to feeling like I was riding through treacle, then my head
feeling like it was spinning in a blur through treacle, I had to stop for a moment here.
Now all I wanted to do was get to my destination, I hung a right onto yet another treacherous path,
running along the graveyard - with my head low to avoid the metal beams covering the path. (I knew
one false head movement, and I would end up as a resident in said graveyard)
Another gatepost to negotiate, then I tore down hill over boulders, broken branches, empty coke
cans, crisp packets, the wind in my face, my hair wildly whipping my eyes, squirrels running for
cover, rooks falling out of the trees - with laughter. What a rush!
I arrived at my destination completely exhausted, and very happy. It wasn't long before Shaun turned
up to escort me back, so I knew I would be safe! Can you imagine how chuffed I was when he told me I
had travelled almost a full mile there and back! I love that guy!
Ps. can anyone tell me the best way for girls to get onto their bike? Is it correct etiquette to use
the leg over the back method??
Kath.
It had been a long day in the office, and it was incredibly muggy.
Got home earlier than usual, and decided to abandon four wheels in favour of two for my journey.
Dressed for the part (well, I selotaped the bottom of my trousers round my ankles) and after
wrestling my new to me bike from the shed, (recently lovingly reconditioned by the skilled but
tender hands of the gorgeous Mr Shaun Rimmer - after it had almost been cast into the skip) I set
off on my epic journey.
To start I had to negotiate cobbles and potholes, weaving unskilfully over and around them, for what
seemed like several miles, but on reflection was actually around four yards, I hit the road, and boy
could that baby move! I must have topped almost 5mph before having to screech to a halt perhaps 20
yards into my journey. No good! I had to get off and gently coax my lovely shiny bike under the
gatepost. Now the part I had been more than a little anxious about, a long narrow path, about 200
yards in length, with rusty spikes running along either side at about eye height, and huge nettles
whipping at my ankles, I tried to remember Shaun's advice and focus ahead -oh no! A woman walking
her dog approaching, I could feel panic rising into a scream! Do I stop and let her past? Would she
stop? Would the dog become entangled in my wheels and die a long painful death as I dragged its
little body along, unable to use my brakes after I froze in a blinding panic?????
The woman stopped, picked up the dog, and I edged past apologetically - god, this sport is drawing
me in now - I can feel the adrenalin kick in, and I am hungry for more! (Well, I am always hungry,
but that's another story) I get to the end of the path with no more encounters, and easily negotiate
a switch back onto the bridge (ok, it was a couple of slight bends in the path, but hey! That would
sound really pathetic, so indulge me!). As I look down to the river, I can't help but notice a
couple of ducks eying me up, now I don't know what damage a duck is capable of inflicting, but these
guys didn't look friendly, and I thought it best not to hang around too long and risk angering them,
so I pedalled for all I was worth towards the road.
(At this point I would like to point out, I have not ridden a bike since I was about.15 years old,
so bare with me!)
Thankfully there was no traffic on the road, so I took the opportunity to try those gear thingies
out. I tried to recall the instructions my beloved Shaun had tried to give me, and managed to make
my legs go from spinning round in a blur, to feeling like I was riding through treacle, then my head
feeling like it was spinning in a blur through treacle, I had to stop for a moment here.
Now all I wanted to do was get to my destination, I hung a right onto yet another treacherous path,
running along the graveyard - with my head low to avoid the metal beams covering the path. (I knew
one false head movement, and I would end up as a resident in said graveyard)
Another gatepost to negotiate, then I tore down hill over boulders, broken branches, empty coke
cans, crisp packets, the wind in my face, my hair wildly whipping my eyes, squirrels running for
cover, rooks falling out of the trees - with laughter. What a rush!
I arrived at my destination completely exhausted, and very happy. It wasn't long before Shaun turned
up to escort me back, so I knew I would be safe! Can you imagine how chuffed I was when he told me I
had travelled almost a full mile there and back! I love that guy!
Ps. can anyone tell me the best way for girls to get onto their bike? Is it correct etiquette to use
the leg over the back method??
Kath.