Extracting the Michael

As many of you will be aware, I tend to carry a reasonably amount of ‘stuff’ to work, which dramatically increases the weight of Betty. It’s ok though, she can handle it. And on occasion, so can I (read More Steps).

This has been greatly alleviated by my lovely wife, who bought me a Carradice Rack Bag (highly recommended) for my birthday. The rack bag will take all my work things; things that methinks will assist with either the job or the journey. There are some regular items that go in – as follows:

•     Hi-vis Tabard – in case of dull days or dull drivers.
•     Small hand pump – For pumping up tires (duh)
•     Small tyre repair kit – for obvious reasons (double duh)
•     Full-on bicycle lock – for when I go shopping, and need to lock up Betty (she spends all my money, you know)
•    Front light – in case I work late and need it in the dark journey home
•    My wallet (that’s quite light, so doesn’t really count)
•     A strap to carry the Rack Bag – in case I need to leave Betty and go somewhere.
•     My Laptop
•     My iPad
•     Any number of books
•     (It’s quite a good-sized bag, this Carradice)
•     A leather man, for en route mechanical adjustments
•     Hi-vis Trouser clips
•     A bungee for securing Betty on the train
•     Chewing gum
•    And anything else I’m carrying on the day (which could range from lunch to shoes – Note to Self: Don’t get them mixed up!)

Which is why I take the usual route to the platform (the red route).

But they’ve been meddling again... On my home platform... Something about electrifying the trains. As a result, my usual access is closed – for four weeks

So, from today, for four weeks only (we will be counting), I have to go via the blue route and climb sixty steps – SIXTY!! In the film production world, we have The Society of Motion Picture Spanner Throwers (SMPST) These are the invisible guys who do their damnedest to stop production.

I’m now launching a new body - The Society of Folding Bicycle Mickey Takers (SFBMT) – Their sole purpose for living is to extract-the-Michael concerning folding bicycle users.

It was a trial run today – without books, lunch and other peripherals. It wasn’t so bad, but when those books get loaded and the lunch on board, this will have to be the new faffing procedure:

•     Take bag off
•     Carry bag on back whilst carrying Betty.
•     Climb 60 steps
•     Replace bag

Result: Leave earlier.

Now, I’m only slightly inconvenienced, but how about those who actually rely on wheelchair access? How are they going to get to platforms 2 & 3 (To Birmingham New Street and to Worcester)? I mentioned in an earlier blog that there is intention to build a lift for those who require wheelchair access.

Perhaps a little bit of forward thinking / planning might be in order.