I noticed yesterday, after 11 years, that the brake levers on my bike are fitted in a bizarre way - they sit above the gear changers and are pointing up at a ridiculous angle. I can't believe I have never noticed it before.
However, I can believe this happened in the first place. I have realised previously that the bike-supermarkets have absolutely no idea how to assemble a bike in a basically correct fashion. On mine, for example, the rear tyre has been fitted back-to-front. An easy mistake to make, and not that serious, but you would not expect a bike shop to do this.
On a previous bike that we bought for Harry, there were 8 obvious (albeit minor and only moderately dangerous) errors. I didn't bother to take it back as there seemed little chance they would do a good job of correcting them if they could let them happen in the first place.
Anyway, all 4 bikes went out yesterday on a family tennis trip to the park yesterday afternoon. Karen wasn't too sure at first, but turned out to be pretty good (at tennis) in real life.
No serious games were played, but we did invent one or two new variants: most significantly, ping-pong tennis in which the ball had to be bounced on one's one side of the net before crossing over. Quite tricky, but achievable once you're into the rhythm.
Monday, 31 March 2008
Saturday, 29 March 2008
Tennis Rules
We're fortunate to have a large number of tennis courts nearby, and Harry & I went up to play at short notice on Thursday.
It's very informal there. There is no booking of courts etc. In the summer they get quite busy, but on a cold March afternoon there is always plenty of space. In this case, two courts were in use (there are about 8).
Our method of play is also rather informal.
To even up the match, Harry can make use of a variety of rule modifications. These include:
- unilateral double bounce
- unilateral use of double lines
- self-select service position
- freestyle service stroke
- elective third service
- optional 2nd-party serve call-in
- multi-style Mulligans and score-correction facility
It's good fun, though, and a close match is assured by the self-correcting use of the rulebook. I won 3-2 on this occasion (match cut short by requirements to be back for tea: very nice - lamb cutlets).
I think it will not be long before I need to use the flexible rulebook to my advantage, or else I will need to improve my game rapidly to keep up with the boys.
It's very informal there. There is no booking of courts etc. In the summer they get quite busy, but on a cold March afternoon there is always plenty of space. In this case, two courts were in use (there are about 8).
Our method of play is also rather informal.
To even up the match, Harry can make use of a variety of rule modifications. These include:
- unilateral double bounce
- unilateral use of double lines
- self-select service position
- freestyle service stroke
- elective third service
- optional 2nd-party serve call-in
- multi-style Mulligans and score-correction facility
It's good fun, though, and a close match is assured by the self-correcting use of the rulebook. I won 3-2 on this occasion (match cut short by requirements to be back for tea: very nice - lamb cutlets).
I think it will not be long before I need to use the flexible rulebook to my advantage, or else I will need to improve my game rapidly to keep up with the boys.
Monday, 24 March 2008
Saturday, 22 March 2008
Which Season is it Anyway ?
Yesterday, when I was out on my bike, it was most definitely cold. And windy. Not summery, or even springlike.
Despite this, the ice-cream van was in place and there were short-wearing people in the park.
Today, we had all manner of precipitation - standard rain, sleet, vertical and horizontal snow, and - when I went out on the bike again - hail (I would describe them as ice-chips rather than hail-stones).
At the same time, it was definitely sunny.
What's going on ?
Despite this, the ice-cream van was in place and there were short-wearing people in the park.
Today, we had all manner of precipitation - standard rain, sleet, vertical and horizontal snow, and - when I went out on the bike again - hail (I would describe them as ice-chips rather than hail-stones).
At the same time, it was definitely sunny.
What's going on ?
Friday, 21 March 2008
Never Fitter
My friend Jim once told me of a "theory" that he'd heard, which stated that one never becomes any fitter than one was at the age of 40.
I'm sure this is not literally true, but equally it has a strong ring of reason about it, and it is something that stayed in my mind ever since he mentioned it.
Assuming it is basically valid, then I am rather worried, as I don't think my current state of fitness is something I want to be stuck with !
The only good news is that I am 40 for another 6months+ so I have a chance to reset the baseline before it's too late.
I decided it was best to start asap on the repair work so I took the bike out around the park today. Just once round, which is a pretty modest achievement, but at least it is a beginning.
I'm sure this is not literally true, but equally it has a strong ring of reason about it, and it is something that stayed in my mind ever since he mentioned it.
Assuming it is basically valid, then I am rather worried, as I don't think my current state of fitness is something I want to be stuck with !
The only good news is that I am 40 for another 6months+ so I have a chance to reset the baseline before it's too late.
I decided it was best to start asap on the repair work so I took the bike out around the park today. Just once round, which is a pretty modest achievement, but at least it is a beginning.
54th State
This entry finally takes this post-sabbatical blog past the 53 that the original "Vegas to Vegas" achieved .... not a very interesting fact, I realise, but it came to my attention so I thought I would mention it !
Thursday, 20 March 2008
End of an Era
Today was my last day at work. My exit date was brought forward a few weeks since it's obviously all change at the firm right now.
Finally leaving felt almost sudden in the end, even though it has been in the works for a while. It was also somehow unsatisfying because of the recent sad events.
However, the first few hours of retirement were most enjoyable - I arrived home to find a house full of balloons, with cards & cake to follow !
Why didn't I think of this sooner !
Key: one candle for each year ....
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