Thread: Today's Ride
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Old December 1st 03, 10:29 PM
Carol Hague
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Default Today's Ride

An unplanned excursion today.

I discovered this morning that I needed to take the Senior Cat Of The
Household to visit the Evil Man With The Needles, so having secured an
appointment, cat was secured in the trailer (cat carrier swathed in
blanket and old waterproof jacket to keep the weather off him) and the
pair of us set off into the headwind and rain. Ick.

Now, I'm slow at the best of times, but I averaged just over 6mph for
this trip (about 5 miles), which is flat apart from a motorway bridge.
Aargh.

Vet asked if Senior Cat is eating. I restrained myself with difficulty
from bursting into hysterical laughter and explained that Senior Cat
rarely does anything else, at least by choice.

Evil Needles having been put to use, and cat prevented from escaping
backwards from the vet's table, I re-swathed him in his carrier and set
off home. At half again the speed I'd attained coming out. Whee!

About 2 miles from home I detected a slackening of the pace, although I
was still pedalling as hard as ever. Yep, the P*nct*re Fairy had paid me
a long overdue visit. Bugger.

Fear not, thought I, I always carry a spare tube, shouldn't take too
long to swap them over. An extensive rummage through the pannier reveals
that I have in fact been deluding myself and there is no spare tube to
be had. Bugger 2.

Not wanting to leave cat in trailer for any longer than strictly
necessary, I pumped up the tyre as much as I could (i.e. enough to keep
from trashing the rim) and set off again. Fortunately it held enough
pressure to get me back to the level crossing at the edge of the village
where I live, although crossing the tracks seemed to be the last straw
and I had to stop and pump it up again on the far side. That was enough
to get through the last half mile or so. Phew.

In case people think I'm cruel to take the cat in the bike trailer,
experience has shown that he (and indeed the Junior Cat) is much more
relaxed after traveling thus than if they go somewhere by motorised
transport - the bike is quieter and less smelly after all, albeit
probably a bit bumpier.

Other observations from the ride :-

- Karrimor fleece trousers are not waterproof, but remain nice and
warm on the inside even when the outside is damp.

- My new Freestyle jacket is considerably more waterproof than my old
knackered one, not to mention considerably more yellow....

- I need some Slime for my tyres.

Senior Cat, for those interested, is to remain indoors under observation
for 48 hours, and if symptoms persist is to return to the vet on
Wednesday (don't tell him that though :-))

--
Carol Hague
"There's no need for a piece of sculpture in a home that has a cat."
- Wesley Bates

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