Betty's Poorly

This was a difficult blog to write. I dropped her again. More serious this time (the chain-wheel and the protector got damaged, my knee got bruised and my ego – well that doesn’t bear thinking about).

I was leaving work. Betty was all set up and ready to take me to the station, all set up that is, except for the folding peddle. I’m sure I had set it in the horizontal position, and I’m sure it was stable. I was sure, that is until I set off.

It is often the case that one can stand on a peddle, scoot, lift one’s leg over and in a dignified manner, start peddling and away we go. This time was far from dignified. I stood on the peddle and glanced down. Ah, it’s not fully extended! I tried to transfer the weight by lifting my leg over and sit onto the saddle. I lost balance, regained it again. Phew.

Arghh!! – a large metal pillar is moving towards me (or me to it – it all happened in a flash). I’m not going fast enough to dodge it and my seat is set too high to put both feet down (I know, I know, it’s against government recommendations, but I like it like this, usually). So finally Betty collapses under my weight – sideways and I’m strewn all over the deck like a one-man rugby scrum.

I lie there for a second or two. A passer by (who kindly helps Betty to her feet) asks if I’m ok. I say: ‘I am, thank you’ and get up to prize Betty out of his grip; In my head, I think “What, do you really think?” and then I can't stop from thinking about the throbbing feeling emanating from my bruised knee. I check Betty. Looks good so far, then peddle off into the sunset.

The journey away from work is a mild hill, but still enough to be in the lower gears. It was only when I got to the flatter part of the trip – when I changed to a higher gear – that suddenly, clink! And the chain’s come off. I put it back on again, peddle away and clink, crunch. This time the chain has come off and taken a fifth of the chain ring protector with it (I did say I wasn’t used to derailleurs). I switch to a middle gear and me and Betty hobble on our way – every time the front chain-wheel goes around, Betty whinges and my left knee complains.

I eventually get to the station and to the platform. Get on the train and rest. I check Betty and she has a slightly bent chain-wheel, sorry Betty.

Now I know what it would have felt like had I not demonstrated the Hollywood stunt work and stopped at the top of the steps!! [See “Steps!!” posting]. Stunt work? – you can keep it, it hurts.