"Carol said you were on the rollers when she got here, I'm not very happy about that. Want to show me how you managed it?"

I started to breathe again.

In the garage, I demonstrated my technique for mounting the bike, before punching up to speed, then braking back to a stop. Using the wall to steady myself, before reaching back for the block to dismount. Dad grunted.

"Not bad, but that block is not big enough. I'll get the lad's in the yard to knock up a platform to make it easier, maybe a folding handrail as well.

"Cool, thanks Dad." Another grunt.

"Apart from that, how did you get on? I mean you never wanted to use them before.

"I needed the exercise Dad, and it's better than reps in the gym. You have to concentrate all the time. Apart from that it seemed easy, there's no wind or hills though."

Dad looked at the rollers.

"You didn't set the turbo."

"It hasn't got.... Oh. I didn't see that."

"There's an adjustment wheel at the back here that varies the load."

"Doh."

"No, No Drew that's fine for general warm up before an event or a session after a lay off."

"So how's the other project Drew? He asked, looking at the tandem.

"I see you found the bit's"

"Yeah thanks Dad I finished it before I got on the rollers."

"FINISHED! You've hardly started yet."

"Huh." I started to sag as Dad pointed out all the points I'd missed.

"Just a few details Drew, like how is Freddie going to get on, or can she bend her knees enough to get her feet on those rests; remember she was wearing braces last night.

"IF she can, how is she going to keep her feet there?"

"Even more important; can you support the bike on your own with a non helping passenger?"

"And IF you can do all that. How far are you planning on riding? On what roads?"

"Don't forget even if you can do all that, you still have to get her parents permission, they have to agree or it's all off."

I felt gutted, Dad put his arm round me.

"Drew I'm not saying no; I'm not saying it can't be done. I am saying there are a few more i's and t's to dot and cross first, Ok?" I nodded.

"Right, first, can you control the bike?" Dad shifted the bike to the centre of the garage and showed me just how unstable a tandem could get if you got it wrong.

At one point the front wheel came clear of the ground as I struggled to keep the bike upright, all he'd done is pull side ways on the rear saddle.

When Dad lowered the saddle and showed me just where to plant my foot. I found I could keep the bike straight, even with dad on the back as long as I didn't lean too far.

Finally Dad suggested swapping the rear saddle for the one on my mountain bike.

"That should do it Drew. Now remember, I won't be back before dark tomorrow, so when you try it out you've got to be honest with yourself, if you have any problems at all then you can't do it, it's a simple as that."

"Ok. Dad, I don't want it to go wrong either, I'll ask Maddy to ride shotgun on Sunday if it's on as well."

"Yes, well I don't want any frantic phone calls at work either, right?"

"Right Dad."

"Drew, even if it doesn't work I want you to know I'm very pleased you thought of it. But don't make any promises to Freddie, she'll probably say everything's fine, even if it isn't, so use your head Ok."

"I know Dad, I haven't even told Maddy yet. I want to be sure I can do it before I tell Freddie."

"Tell us what Drew? Hi Uncle Dave."

"Hi Maddy, fancy a ride tomorrow?"

"There's a trial tomorrow? Are you fit enough yet?"

"Yeah, I think I'm ready. But it's a different trial." I pointed to the tandem.

"You want me to race with you, on that thing?" Mad looked a little nervous.

"Not really, I need a practise ride, the event is Sunday."

"What are you up to Drew?"

"I thought we might take Freddie for a spin."

"What? On that? How?"

"That's what I want to find out tomorrow."

"Oh, I get it, you want me to be a guinea pig."

"No, well maybe; I have to try it out first, so I need you to ride with me while I get used to it. If we go in the morning it'll give me a chance to make any changes. If it works that is."

"Sure, I guess. You haven't told her have you?"

"God no, I don't want to build her up then disappoint her. Plus I need to find out how much movement she's got. If Freddie can't get on the bike we're screwed anyway."

"So that's tomorrow afternoon sorted as well then."

"Yeah, well we did promise to get in touch over the weekend, and we know she's at a loose end Sunday."

"Best ring her tonight then, make sure tomorrow's Ok. We could do that now."

I glanced at my watch 5:30. Grief, where had the time gone.

We went back to the kitchen and Mad made the call, arranging to meet at 2:00.

Carol left with Maddy then. I could hear her ask Maddy who Freddie was? So Carol had got the silent treatment from Maddy as well.

Jules got a roasting from Dad for staying late at Anna's, then had the cheek to whinge at me when I told him the plan for tomorrow and Sunday.

"Drew spent all day cleaning the bathroom and doing the laundry, so I expect you to do your bit tomorrow, clear?"

Jules poked her tongue out at me as she disappeared to her room. She was back two minutes later.

"Er Drew did you happen to find something when you stripped the bed?" Jules whispered.

"They're in your panty drawer Jules."

"Oh... thanks Drew." I poked my tongue out at her as she left. I couldn't see why Jules would hide them like that, I mean, to have them was being responsible... Using them might be something else.

We spent the rest of the evening clearing up, Dad didn't want a last minute panic like last time. The house looked perfectly acceptable to me before we started, after all it was a home not a hotel.

The weather forecast was typical for November, cold, risk of fog, and occasional showers. The forecaster was touching all bases; he only left out thunder and snow. I decided to ignore him and look out the window in the morning.

Dad showering in the morning woke me, so I joined him for breakfast, and discussed possible routes.

"It all depends on today really Dad, I have to see what I can do first, but the back road to Shirebrook looks favourite."

The Shirebrook run was part of a 30 mile run that the club used occasionally, not so much now because of 'Road Improvements' which had increased the traffic on some parts of it.

The only hot spot on the section I planned to use was the crossroad just before the 'Merrie Harrier' pub, but that should be quiet on Sunday.

"That should do it Drew, just watch the junction, it can get busy with people going to the garden centre."

"I've got to go, we can talk about this tonight." Dad said as he made his way out.

I went back up and dressed in my windproof leggings and top, no skins for this ride.

I was just opening the garage door when Maddy arrived.

"Hi Maddy, Fit?"

"Never mind me, you're the one that needs to be fit Drew." I chuckled, I had no intention of working too hard today.

We spent the next half-hour just riding up and down the local roads until I felt happy on the tandem. Even Maddy tried it.

In truth it was a very smooth ride, once you were moving it handled no differently than any other bike, you just had to allow for the length in the turns, it only got awkward at rest.

Finally Maddy hopped on the rear seat and I felt the extra load. Yes it was harder, but as the total ride would be about 6 miles at non-race speeds I was feeling good.

Mad returned to her mountain bike and we worked out a system where she rode ahead at road junctions. Adjusting my speed to her signals, I only stopped once in the whole run. I grinned at Maddy.

"Ready?"

"Let's go." Called Maddy as she scooted off down the Shirebrook road, and I set off in pursuit.

Wow, it was fun, Maddy and I played tag all the way to the junction, two minutes later we coasted into the pub carpark.

We were relieved to find several low walls and other items like picnic seats that would make it easier for Fred to dismount. We made use of one of the tables to enjoy a drink from our bottles and a couple of nuttie bars.

"Drew, if Freddie sees you grinning like that she'll think you're too crazy to ride with."

"She might be right." I laughed, I was really enjoying the ride. The thought that this might just work pushed me even higher.

The ride back was a little slower as there were a few more cars around, but we were still back in good time.

It looked as though Jules had made an escape bid, so we engaged in some 'Happy Time' before Maddy went home to change. I grabbed a quick shower and did the same before heading after her.

"I take it the ride went Ok?" Asked Carol when I arrived.

"Great thanks." I grinned

"Fit Drew?" asked Maddy as she bounced down the stairs.

"We're off to see Freddie Mum."

"Alright then, stay out of trouble you two."

"Mu_um!"

"Go on, scoot." Carol laughed.

Angela Peters 04.06.04 © 2004

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