1 Out of 3 People Enjoy a Weekend Ride

Today, in the interests of social experimentation I took two Mums out at the same time and I enjoyed it, especially when I could no longer hear any 'remarks' - (about the 10km point).


 I wanted to see how these two people who, in my opinion have similar Mum like traits of 'knowing what is best' and 'used to making decisions' would cope with not knowing how long the ride would be, being asked to follow instructions and not being allowed to ride at the front - i.e. in the lead.

Mum1 remonstrated with me for not slowing when Mum7 dropped behind on the flat and Mum7 remonstrated with me for not waiting when Mum1 dropped behind on the hill thereby showing their caring, supportive natures which I hoped to have accurately recorded on the video.



                                               Hill Reps: after a brisk 15km warm up

Leadership. Being at the top of the hill and the bottom of the hill before the team. 

Unacceptable Pedestrian Behaviour

I wish I had a bike

Mum7 likes to make quick decisions with the minimum of drama so BikeOnMums, in an attempt to encourage Mum7 to cure her

pedestrian tendencies, assisted her in acquiring a brand new second hand bike. 

Drama free bike

For fun though, Mum 7's usual sunny disposition was tested when faced with a few filmed, ( as per signed agreement) compulsory,and apparently irritating questions while she cleaned her bike prior to it's check up at Soul Cycle Repairs.

Tui 2012 'fun ride'

Last weekend two dedicated BikeOnMums entered the first of their 5 contracted events for 2012. Although billed as a fun family ride there was the expected healthy competitive element in evidence during the last 7kms. As this ride was social, only the accompanying kid’s times were recorded which led to some gentle parental ‘’encouragement’’ to go faster.  

Pre-race training.

Mum1, always keen to get on board with new training ideas, tries out some sprinting prior to the first event of the year. And as usual appears surprised to be filmed - but how else can success be measured if it is not recorded and analysed?

Race day

Shortly after this photo was taken Mum7 picks off the four other people in front of her one by one. 

Mum1 gets a nice line around the cone, not easy with a broken spoke. 

Unfortunately not all eligible Mums could join us on the day.

Not allowed

Mum7 leads by example by following my instructions.

Mum 7 successfully takes a step in the pressure free, no commitment plan towards riding, and more importantly, owning a road bike. Preferably a black one.

Shoes are purchased.

SPD pedals are researched and discussed for far too long so in the end I give her my ones.

We return to the bike shop because I forgot to buy cleats.

Service in Revolution Bikes was as usual service like and intelligent especially from the mechanic that thinks Cannondale caad 10s are amazing bikes.
                                                   Especially black ones.

A bike that a mechanic likes.

Mum7 is now ready to attempt to connect her feet to the pedals. 

There is too much talk about falling off, why is this? Why do we have to talk about falling off? Mum7 is instructed not to fall off unless I am ready with the camera.

Even though I am patient and wait in the sun while Mum7 rides up and down the cycle track no falling occurs.


                                                              

                                                  Mum7 demonstrates a smooth disengagement

She quickly becomes very confident and I think that surely now she will fall off and I am ready with the camera. No luck.

Then she wants to ride up a hill and I think now she will fall off for certain because she will forget about the cleats. Still nothing.

When her phone rings and she answers it as she pulls over. I give up and turn the camera off. 

Not falling.

Mum7 Attempts to Sneak out on Solo Bike Ride

Non-notified solo bike rides are against the arbitrary and fluid rules that I set with regard to new Mums whose capabilities have not yet been fully established.

Once that misunderstanding is cleared up Mum7 arrives at the meeting point with inappropriate cycling footwear i.e no socks - where does the sweat go then?

And she has forgotten her water bottle and computer but that doesn’t matter because the bikeonmums core value is having fun and Mum7s ‘so what’ attitude fits perfectly with our maxim of just being.

Unsuitable

The plan for this first joint bike ride of the year was to increase the distance to 30kms and include a nice steep hill in the middle to see if Mum7 will stop for a rest. There was the usual questioning to do with directions, Mum7 likes, as Mum1 does, to know exactly where she will be riding but I don’t like to spoil surprises and I feel that it is good for them to just pedal and do what I say. This caused a slight problem when Mum7 tried to ride up the hill from the less steep side. I was amazed she would consider changing direction without hearing a shouted instruction. But as she had unwillingly agreed to change into a lower gear before starting the climb I was satisfied with that show of obedience.

Results.

Mum7 had no trouble on a steep hill, evidenced by her ability to continue talking (five times she was asked to stop talking and concentrate on riding) - therefore likes hills.

Won’t be tricked into resting at summit as doesn't want to give me the satisfaction -exhibits controlling behaviour.

Rides slowly downhill- recommended to others.

New goal.

Look for a bigger hill.

A bigger hill

Gauges.

Caught up with fresh recruit Mum7 to gauge her fitness.

Turns out that Mum7 is, as suspected,  already very fit and is able to converse normally while riding up an easy but long hill (bikeonmums' fitness is gauged on level of talking ability while riding uphill) and only stopped talking when I tried her out on a decent gradient where she was only slightly puffed when she got to the top. This is good news for other Hawke's Bay based Bikeonmums as we all enjoy hills and look forward to riding with Mum7 next year. 

                                                  

Mum7 getting in the way of the camera and ruining scenic photo.

Managed to track down the ever elusive Mum4 by agreeing to ride with her on the enjoyable Huka Falls Rotary Ride. The only photo available is out of focus as usual with Mum4; chronic shyness. There was also the usual mix up over directions which resulted in wrong turns which led to the carrying of bikes up a huge flight of steps. Everyone agreed it was no one's fault. And it certainly wasn't mine. 

Mum4: proves impossible to get a clear picture of.

Have felt the presents under the tree and worryingly there doesn't seem to be anything shaped like a Park Tool rotor truing gauge, useful for accurately gauging the straightness of disc brake rotors and featuring an infinitely adjustable, finely threaded indicator gauge. 

Who wouldn't want one of these?

Event Tested for Suitability for Bike On Mums.

Good news for Bike On Mums as the Cycle Challenge Taupo Event was tested for suitability for the Bike On Mums Organisation and was found to be completely suitable for a number of Mums who would clearly have no trouble whatsoever completing one, two, or even the entire course (you know that’s you Mum3).

As no Mum was available that particular weekend (and rafting is not an acceptable excuse) a team member was recruited from Bike On to ride the first two legs.

A huge amount of fun was had most notably going uphill and finishing was quite fun too.

Fun's over

Bike On Mums trainer, without whom none of this would have been possible, was pleased with the overall result.

BikeOnMums trainer - well we're pretty sure that's him anyway. 

Helpful advice – very much appreciated.

Some Mums have been concerned that I have not done enough training in one specific area for an upcoming event. And so, kindly took it upon themselves to assist me in what they call – not braking while riding downhill.

Mum5 had the first shift and thought I would like to have a go at one of the NZ Cycle Trail routes, the Tukituki River valley loop, reported to be scenic, true, and a bit hilly, also true.

We met at her shop Revolution Bikes at 9am sharp and then I waited 40 minutes for her to get ready. But that was fine as there was plenty to look at and I had my tires pumped up and tried on some stuff and then I got into a short and interesting conversation with a man who also had a black bike- mistakenly I thought that meant we had some sort of common ground but very quickly he made it obvious that he considered his black bike to be of a higher quality than my black bike. Nice. 

BikeOnMums trainer riding the Tukituki loop with hands near brakes- ready for an emergency

Anyway Mum5 is very nice to ride behind and talks informatively and knowledgeably on techniques of riding fast downhill.  Which she then demonstrated. Most of it I was unable to hear (even though some say she has a very loud voice) because she was so far ahead of me. When we were going uphill she did not have so much to say though.

Mum1 took the second shift and, cleverly refusing to pass me, instead rode behind me shouting at me in a distracting manner that only caused me to brake harder. 

Mum5 suggested I think of a downhill as just a flat with a slope on it. 

Which is what they are.

Mum7 at the Bikeonmums Testing Center.

Mum7 arrived at the testing center, sometimes known as my side of the garage to get the feel of her new bike and practice some more 'not listening when I'm talking to her' behaviour.

Mum 7 then accepted simple, tech free, condescendingly toned, information about gear changing (a new experience for her as her Boss 4000 was stuck in one gear) which she quickly and patiently mastered...

And so was allowed, under supervision, to take her bike out onto a public street.

A successful and enjoyable start to Mum7's biking experience.

Bikeonmums welcome Mum 7 with much goodwill.

Bikeonmums HQ is extremely pleased to welcome new member, Mum7, to the organisation.
The hand of goodwill and welcome was extended to Mum 7, who is herself all enthusiasm and cordiality underlined with control-like tendencies.


The contract was signed yesterday evening in the presence of Mums 1 and 5 (one of whom I am beginning to think shouldn't be allowed out at night.) There was some complaint that Mum7 couldn't understand the contract but that was put down to poor lighting in the cafe. 

Mum 7 signed by making the mark of a cross. Perhaps one of the most overused and unimaginative 'jokes'.  Still, Bikeonmums appreciate that an attempt at humour was made. 


Mum7 has already made a good impression by offering uncomplainingly to change the day that she receives her new bike to accommodate the fact that I was delayed in making it to Bikeonmums preferred mechanic who is booked in to do a pre-hand over check. 

bikonmumsmechanic: identity concealed

New Member attends pre-acceptance test ride/interview and awaits contract.

After some cursory consultation with other Mums, Bikeonmums HQ have decided that it is time to introduce a new member. We followed our tried and true membership drive technique, which we feel in the interests of politeness and decency should not be written down, but there was the usual amount of personal remarks made - none unkind - and finally a candidate was chosen.

This new Mum fits the general criteria. She has agreed in the pre-acceptance interview to follow all Bikeonmums fluid and arbitrary rules as decided by the Bikeonmums Commissioner as and when the Commissioner decides to make them.
When questioned agreed black was most attractive colour for a bike and peach most unattractive.
Understands difficult mental concept that current bike is interim measure until better bike is available.
She has her own, interestingly named and completely unsuitable bike, (soon to be replaced).

The Boss 4000

Is the name indicative of the owner's personality?

Powerbulge Ninja: seriously?

Test ride results.
Prospective new member was able to ride on the flat for 15 kilometers maintaining a reasonable pace while conversing.
Unable to change gears as bike has not seen the inside of a bike repair shop. Ever.

Mum5 impresses with a 4th placing.

Tour of the Bay Compulsory Event;

Attendees: Mum5

Apologies: Mum1, Mum3 

Mum5 consents to be interviewed against a flattering backdrop of portaloos and bins and explains in one concise sentence what happened to her bike. 

Mum5 had not ridden this bike before so I thought I would calm her nerves with a little pre-race pep talk

Mum5 pretends to listen to instruction
and friendly mingling.

Mum5 mingles

I though she would take a little time to get used to this bike but- wrong. Once we had worked out that the race had started she was gone, only sparing time to slow down and personally thank every single marshal on the course. She dropped me on the last km, producing an enviable sprint finish. Imagine what she could do on a better bike (not the lowest spec one available)—wonder where she could get one from?


                                                  
                                                 Mum5 Finishes Fourth in her Division

Lost bikes and comparison ratings.

Lost bike number 1.

Mum5 has lost her bike. In the week before the Tour of the Bay race; in which she has wisely entered the 20km event.  Wisely because two other Bikeonmums who were supposed to be riding in this race have made other plans thereby securing Mum5’s rating as my current favourite and winner of the prize of two bonus hill training sessions. (Including refreshments of her choice.) Mum3 has decided to leave the country for a week and Mum1, showing herself to be somewhat braver and also perhaps a touch defiant (considering this ride was her year’s goal) will be only thirty minutes away. By comparison this makes Mum5 look fantastic, especially since her bike is lost.

 (Someone quoted Roosevelt to me recently, and not for the first time, saying that comparison is the thief of joy which is, as everyone else knows, complete tosh because how else can we rank everything?) 

Mum5 left her bike in her shop and then someone sold it. And, to make it weirder, it was sold to someone who is going to ride it in the 50km event. But that doesn’t matter to Mum5 who trusts that she will have something to ride on race day. She is a star. Tactics were decided this afternoon and basically consist of not coming last and saving something for the last 5kms, whether that meant energy for a sprint or raspberry-cup-cake carb less bars I can’t remember, probably both.

Lost bike number 2.

In other race related news Bikeonmums gratefully received some believable and achievable training advice from a non-mum cyclist  for an upcoming event. This advice made such a positive impression on the Bikeonmums organisation that this person is now considered to be the official, (on our side anyway) Bikeonmums training advisor and his rating (still not as high as other similar people but closer,) has increased as a result.

Where is my bike?

Bikeonmums trainer wonders if bike was left by

this fascinating bench like structure. 

(And incidentally showing feminine side by considerately not taking up the entire seat, earning 5 extra rating points.)

Boxes

The time was long overdue for a visit to Mum3’s place of residence (where it is still winter) and to check up on her progress. Excellent all around of course. There was time for a breakfast meeting (low carb except for the waffles) to thoughtfully consider pressing BikeOnMum’s business i.e. how to find more time to train, and to discuss Mum3’s recently developed interest in rugby. This interest has not arisen simply because she now represents her workplace at sporting functions involving drinking in corporate boxes, but for other, more valid cycling related reasons. For example she was hoping Argentina would win against Scotland because the blue and white of the Pumas is very similar to the blue and white of the Saxo Bank- Sungard Team and two of the riders, the Haedo brothers are Argentinean. 

The elusive Mum4 was also invited along to the game as she is sometimes known to be in the lower North Island however she declined  saying that she preferred to go to Canadian games and had anyway just received a delivery and was going to spend the weekend unpacking it (see photo). 

Mum6 and Archie (her dog)

After weeks of saying I would get around to it I got around to visiting Mum6 on her quiet street. It helped my motivation once she mentioned that her front brake was stuck on because BikeOnMums do not allow brakes to be stuck on for longer that twenty-four hours. Also it gave me an opportunity to take a junior team member, who loves dogs, along to witness the much anticipated viewing of Archie riding in the basket. Mum6, who exhibits a refreshingly scant regard for safety, (and shockingly none of the three people I saw that morning riding bikes on her street were wearing helmets) demonstrated how Archie enjoys riding harness-less in an old basket which is not attached to her bike but rocks gently on an angle from her handlebars. Mum6 also mentioned that her gears sound a bit funny. This is something that does happen on occasion with bikes - one of my bikes has developed a strange squeak like noise which I may do something about one day. So I have authorised Mum6 to take her bike to BikeOnMums preferred mechanic as he knows what to do with funny sounding gears. This also gave me a valid excuse to pop in to Soul Cycle Repairs and luckily I did as if I had not then I would not have realised that I needed to order some more tools.