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| Butterflies bouncing in the belly |
| August 26, 2009 |
By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express Well we have done it. We have officially ridden the tandem bike we plan on using at this weekend’s Ride for United Way – and it was no small feat. Upon pulling up to Bicycles Plus, who is graciously donating the bike to Daryl, my fiancé, and I, butterflies were buzzing in my belly. The thought of “What have I got myself into?” keeps running through my head. We finally meet John Viera, the owner of Bicycles Plus, after talking many times on the phone. He takes us into the backroom while saying, “I wanted you guys to try out this bike first because it’s probably not the tandem bike you’re thinking of.” Great! The butterflies keep buzzing.“It’s a road tandem,” he explains, as he pulls it out of the corner of the shop’s backroom. In front of us sits a blue and white bike complete with two seats, four pedals and two race-style handlebars. Yes, you read it right, race-style – you know the kind you lean all the way forward to ride so you’re more aerodynamic and therefore go faster. John explains that Daryl, being the bigger of the two, will ride on the front of the bike and I’ll take the more comfortable seat complete with a set of shocks. The thing is, I won’t have any control of the bike as Daryl will steer and control the brakes and gears. At this point I’m thinking of backing out. I’m kind of a control freak. But this may be a good step for a couple about to embark on a lifelong marriage. Maybe I’ll learn a thing or two. So outside we go. John explains the role of the lead biker to Daryl who listens attentively (he’s pumped for this 40-kilometre ride).“You have to brace your legs so the back rider can get on. Then squeeze the brakes,” explains John.“Once Katie is on you’ll have to push off at the same time.” At this point I’m thinking to myself, we can do this. That is until John and Daryl took off racing down a steep hill. The butterflies are now throwing themselves at my insides! After two laps around the parking lot it’s my turn to ride with John. I balance myself on the bike no problem and we’re off zooming down that same hill – which actually wasn’t so bad compared to the 120-foot waterslide we rode down in Disney World last week. Then it is our turn to try the bike together. It wasn’t so bad the first lap around, but I had been riding with an experienced rider. Daryl and I haven’t ridden a bike in 10 years. Could we really do this? After a few deep breaths, a balancing act and a good push off, we zoomed down the hill. We were doing it! But John is right. We’re going to need some practice if we really want to finish this 40-kilometre ride. Which is why we loaded the tandem bike into Daryl’s truck and fully intend on practicing a few laps around the block before Sunday’s big race. Wish us luck! To sponsor us please visit www.ride4unitedway. com or drop off cash of cheque donations to the Oshawa Express office at 600 Thornton Road South. For More Details, Pick-Up Your Copy Of The Oshawa Express By Conta cting us |
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600 Thornton Rd. S., Oshawa, Ontario L1J 6W7
©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
