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