Madcatting

Took another spin on Racer yesterday afternoon, a beautiful June Sunday. I first tried to get Daniel onboard, his reply was a definite "No-ho-ho." So we still have a long way to go on that one. But at least he's sort of taking ownership of it -- he knows the number of gears and he calls it "my bike." That's a start. We also noticed a potential problem to be addressed: The captain (me) has to get on first, then steady the bike while the front rider/stoker (Daniel) gets on -- or is helped on. Unless and until Daniel gets fully comfortable and capable of mounting alone -- and fastening the belt if possible -- we'll always need a 3d person around. Perhaps I can find some sort of kickstand that is wide enough to steady the bike while I help him on, then easily released when I get on.

Always a complication. But always, ultimately, manageable. I still have visions of Daniel and I on the open road.

In the meantime I went out with Anna. We've worked out a sort of barter -- she gets to go where she wants (yesterday it was Madcat's Pet Store) and I get to try out the bike a bit more. Actually, I think -- no, I know -- she enjoyed the ride. My legs felt it, but primarily because I simply haven't ridden much for so long. I did notice that her pedaling really makes a difference; we flew up inclines atfaster speeds and in higher gears than I do on Rocinante. A couple issues to get used to; the first is the shifters, which are smooth but are not yet intuitive for me; the second the old-fashioned cages on the pedals -- I have trouble concentrating on getting up to speed while looking down to turn the cage over and inserting my foot --the intermittent wobbling this induces tends to concern Anna (I'm not sure why on a bike like this, with all the bells and whistels, didn't have clipless pedals as default -- though it is nice not having to always wear cycling shoes). Also, I have remember to tell Anna that I'm going to coast awhile, since if she keeps pedaling I have to also do so -- and also, at stops, as long as her feet are on the pedals I can't freely turn the crank backwards to line up my startoff foot on top.

Still I love the bike. It seems awfully effortless and efficient, and I find steering a breeze, once I realized that the front wheel is about the same place as on Rocinante, that the stoker seat simply extends out front, but the bike turns from beneath the stoker; I kept expecting a much wider turning radius. Another nice thing -- always before when I was able to coax Anna out on her bike, I found myself watching for her, and waiting for her, and encouraging her, and wincing as she got her shifter caught between gears. Now we simply cruise along, and have conversations; sort of the way teenagers have to talk to a parent when trapped in a car. Also, because she's not always clear on right and left, I can just tap her appropriate shoulder.

She seems to enjoy the sensation of being in front, with no responsibilities (albeit no control, either). Someday I'll try it. In the meantime, I'd settle for taking Daniel on a ride.