She practiced the things that she had been taught, her pedal speed was higher and her gear ratio lower. It took some getting use to but it didn't seem to sap her endurance as much. She had lost a little more weight, she would have to keep an eye on that and add some more calories to her diet. It was crazy most girls her age were looking for ways to shave calories off their diet and here she was looking to add to hers. She decided to check out some fitness magazines, to see what they say about things like that.

It was funny Diane use to own the road at this time of day, at least for two wheel traffic, even four wheel traffic was generally sparse, but she had seen two other cyclists this early today. Oh well. She started the hill with her pedal speed way up. Although her speed was dropping she was still a little faster than previous attempts, she reached her turn in somewhat better shape and her recovery was faster on the downhill run. When she passed her shop she noted her time. This was her best solo run by about a minute, her run with Drew and Maddy though was faster.

She pedaled on to the local diner and parked her bike and changed her shoes before entering. Helen the waitress had a cup of coffee already heading her direction as she sat down in her favorite booth.

“You're getting to be famous dear; you are mentioned in the DC Views.”

“That rag, how do they know about me?”

“It seems someone named Drew Bond, dropped your name yesterday at a bike ride in DC yesterday.”

“Yeah Drew is a foreign exchange student that is here in Grottoes, we went on a bike ride in DC yesterday and Drew placed second.”

Helen said, “Let me go get the paper, it's in the back,” she headed behind the counter and returned carrying the tabloid. “By the way you want the usual Rancher's special?”

“Yes please Helen.”

Diane looked the paper and saw the article.

British National shakes up DC Cycling establishment

The Washington DC cycling establishment received a wakeup call on Sunday. It seems a ringer was brought in and showed the group that they might have gotten a little too comfortable for their own good. Thirteen year old Drew Bond, joined the DC group on their Sunday ride and gave everyone there a rude awakening.

No one would have picked out the diminutive Drew Bond as a threat. Drew's appearance is somewhat unassuming to say the least, but rode on a bike with a skill and precision that belied both her age and appearance.

“That rider came out of no where and taught us all a lesson in cycling,” one cyclist was heard to say.

“Yeah Drew had a team that rode with skill and excellent timing. They made just one mistake there at the end or she could have won the whole thing instead of placing second. Drew's teammate made a move so obvious at the one mile mark that we were able to move with them. We thought we had first and second tied up but then in the last 15 yards Drew came out of nowhere and passed one rider and came within half a wheel length of winning it,” another rider said. “That was one class act Drew put on and I just wanted to say thanks.”

Drew had a squad of cheerleaders shouting as trophies were passed out.

This reporter found Drew to be an exciting and vivacious youngster, who gave credit for the great ride to Diane Biggs, a Grottoes Va. resident and bike builder who helped organize the team, and built all the bikes they rode. According to Drew “It was bril (sic) the way Diane rode. I couldn't have done it without her. She has great stamina and determination. She reminds me of my Mum (sic) in some ways.” Drew identified the team as Diane Biggs, Maddy Peters and Derek Drake.

I asked about Drew's Mom and found out that she is Jenny Bond an internationally renowned cyclist, winner of the Tour de Feminin, Tour Mallorca Senora, and Women's Elite World Champion. It appears to me that the young Bond is following in her Mom's footprints.

Diane was so engrossed in reading she didn't notice that her food had arrived and her coffee was cold. Helen brought another hot cup of coffee and Diane ate her breakfast. She didn't have to worry I mean who reads the DC View. They probably don't have a circulation of twenty thousand.

Diane rode home and got ready for work. Dropping in on the office, Sally was busy on the phone. She waved frantically at Diane to sit down as she talked. She hung up the phone and took it off the hook.

“Hun I don't know what happened but I have you booked through June on bikes. The phone has been ringing off the wall since I got in. Orders have come in also via fax and email for complete bikes. I have just given each order a number so we can track them. We need to get someone else working in your shop dear. Cal suggested that Timmy work in your shop two days a week and has sent out feelers for more certified fabricators.

“Really I completed the two bikes that I was working on they will be ready for painting tomorrow call George and tell him. I am ahead of schedule and can take 2 more on 60 days. That sounds ok as long as we don't overwork Cal, Jake and Billy. It would be good to get another fab man, wonder what the market for them is like. I'll let Cal run with getting a new man.”

Diane headed to her shop and got to work, completing the prep work for painting of the two bikes. She laid out and cut the tube for two more bikes. She studied Derek's plans and then got to work. Timmy already had the front forks for the two bikes cut, worked and laid out for her. Diane rechecked her geometry and started her build out.

She was so engrossed with her work she missed lunch. She was at it till Janice came in and joined her.

“There is a big black Mercedes that just pulled in Diane.”

“You're kidding nobody around here drives a black Mercedes.”

Diane took off her gloves and headed out the door. Sure enough there was a black Mercedes was outside her office. Diane headed to her office intending to go eat. There was a fine looking gent talking to Sally.

“Here she is now. Diane this gentleman is John Haverhand, undersecretary to Ambassador Sir William Nelson. Mr. Nelson This is Diane Biggs owner of Biggs Fabrication, and Diane Biggs Custom Bikes.”

Diane heart skipped a beat and her pulse quickened as she saw her visitor. John Haverhand was handsome and young, about six feet tall, broad shoulders, mousy brown hair, fine facial features and some gorgeous blue eyes. For some reason Diane's eye traveled to his left hand, and noticed no ring. It was times like these that Diane cursed her work clothes, but in her heart she knew she didn't have a chance with such a refined person.

“Welcome Mr. Haverhand.”

“Please call me John; I get enough of that Mr. at work Miss Biggs.”

“Only if you will call me Diane, what can I do for you.”

“I am here for Ambassador Nelson and myself actually. We are big fans of cycling and we have read that Drew Bond is here in the US, cycling. Ambassador Nelson has a teenage daughter and she would dearly like to meet.”

“How did you find me John?”

“Well there is going to be a story in the Washington Post, we were given a heads up on it, seems that a Drew Bond has rather upset the Washington Cycling community, much to the Ambassador's delight. Seems one of the riders Drew beat was the son of an US Under Secretary of State, never did like that kid he is quite boorish. Gaby might not know it but she was riding against some rather exalted company. The Whitehall will get a rather good kick out of it. Had a hard time finding this place if I might say so.”

“Yes, we are not quite on the well beaten path. I knew the DC Views had an article, but the Washington Post. To tell the truth John, Drew Bond is here on a student exchange program and I would like to check with her before things get turned on its head.” Diane bit her tongue as she realized that she had used a feminine pronoun. “Let me talk to Drew, first and I will call you.”

“Sure, that will be no problem, I was headed back from a Richmond Va. business meeting and wanted to get a word in, so to speak. Here is my card Diane and one for Drew also, call me when you can. I would hate to disrupt Drew's educational and recreational activities. Thank you so much Diane, for meeting with me, please don't forget to call me.”

“Thank you John and I will talk to Drew for you.”

Geez, what was going to happen next, maybe Prince Willie himself dropping by Diane thought? Diane sat down and rang Miss Bell at the school. She was unavailable so Diane left a message. Diane went to her place grabbed a quick bite and headed back to work.

Miss Bell returned her call just before closing. So Diane just made it a dinner date. She shut down her shop, hit the showers and changed into her feminine attire. Jessica picked her up and they headed to Charlottesville to a Mexican restaurant. They made their orders got their drinks, chips and salsa and got down to chatting.

“Things are getting strange Jessica. I had an undersecretary to the British ambassador drop by my shop today. There was an article in the DC Views today did you hear about that?”

“No I didn't surely they don't read the DC Views, that is just a local rag?”

“No, but the Washington Post, picked up the story, the story will appear in tomorrows paper. The undersecretary was given the heads up on the story and the Ambassador and his teenage daughter wants to meet Drew.”

“We'll stop by the Walter's place on the way home dear. So how are you doing?”

“I am making it, I still miss Dad but I am learning to cope with it. Derek is being awfully chummy with one girl now.”

“I have heard; you're not the only one with sources dear. Patricia and I spent a lot of time talking while ya'll were riding Sunday. I think she wants to ride the next serious ride ya'll go on. She is more than a little serious on Derek. She loved being with everyone.

By the way dear, you are looking splendid yourself when are you going to start looking, and you need to go to college, dear.”

“Geez Mom, give me some slack. I just haven't met anybody I am interested in yet, and my businesses need me still. I promise to try before I get to be twenty one. If nothing else I can take courses at Charlottesville.”

Diane and Jessica finished their meal and headed back to Grottoes. They stopped by the Walters home and found the kids playing video games. Drew was in a big fight with Brit, in the game with Jules and Deb rooting for Brit. They all shouted their greetings but continued playing, till they came to a stopping point. Diane and Jessica sat down and addressed the kids.

“Well Drew, did you know that you had a newspaper article on you yesterday? It was in a rag called DC Views.”

“Yeah I heard about the story, is it like a tabloid?”

“Yes. Well anyway the Washington Post has picked up the story; The Washington Post is a major US paper. Anyway an undersecretary to Ambassador Sir William Nelson dropped by. The Ambassador has a teenage daughter who wants to meet Drew. Here is his card; he would like to hear from you. Also consider this if you go to a serious ride you will attract the media and maybe bring the paparazzi here, even now they may be round soon anyway.”

“Diane, I want to drop by your place tomorrow after school and other activities, would that be ok?”

Diane was caught a little off guard, but said, “Sure Drew, I would love to talk to you, bring whomever you would like too. We can have Pizza. Anyway ya'll need to talk over how you want to handle the Ambassador and his daughter.”

(to be continued)

Paula Dillon 08.05.05 © 2005
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