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So, the other day, I'm speeding down a hill near my house, finishing up a 30-mile bicycle ride. I rotate my right ankle outward, to clip out of my pedal. The familiar feeling of foot freedom didn't happen; my shoe remained fastened in place. I wrenched harder four or five more times, but still no success.
The process was then quickly attempted with my left foot. Once ... twice ... three ... four ... five tries. I remained locked in, unable to dismount my two-wheeled machine. Complicating the situation was the fact that I was wearing winter booties, so I couldn't just unstrap my cycling shoes and escape this nightmare. I'm thinking, "uh-oh!"
I found myself in this pedal predicament aboard my 35-year-old Schwinn Circuit bike, which I hadn't ridden since last spring. On this particular day, the roads were clear of any snow snot, so I decided to utilize my steel steed with its narrower tires. I guess after such a long time between rides, and the bike camping out in the basement for several months, a little bit of cleat lubricant might have been called for.
Anyway, I'm stuck on my bike and I cannot get off. I'm circling back and forth on the road in front of my residence, probably looking like a fool as I flung my feet every which way. Too bad there wasn't a fence handy to grab a hold of. I'm at the point where I'm seriously beginning to believe that I might have to just slow down, come to a complete stop, and intentionally keel over onto the hard pavement — still clipped to my pedals.
However, thank heavens, that wasn't necessary. Before crashing on purpose, I thrust my ankle to the right one last time and — presto — I was finally free. After putting my feet firmly on the ground, I immediately went in search of some of that cleat lube.
IT'S OFFICIAL ...
I received a recent email officially notifying me that I have qualified for the 2023 National Senior Games, slated to take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this coming July. This is as a result of capturing the gold medal for my age group in the 20-kilometer bicycle road race at the Maine Senior Games last fall.
It's nice to receive the invitation, but I have no intention of making the trip. It seems like a long way to travel just to get creamed by cyclists way better than myself. But I do plan on participating again this September in the state competition.
DOUBLE DUTY ...
Today's blog photograph of me was snapped last Saturday at The Res, the name used by locals when referring to the Hallowell Reservoir recreation area. I received a text from my cycling buddy Jon to rendezvous there in the morning to go for a spin.
We had a great time cruising on the trails, but there were plenty of icy spots — like the one shown in the picture — so I was thankful for my studded 45NRTH tires.
We oldsters ended up pedaling a distance of 10 miles. However, it was a nice day and I wanted more. So, once I got home — and dutifully cleaned my Specialized fat bike — I jumped on a road machine and hammered out another 22 miles. As they say on my Trek coffee mug, "Ride bikes. Have fun. Feel good." Stay safe!
