Let’s Open This Baby Up & See What She’ll Do!
So for my Important Presentation this morning, I had to go in looking like I meant business - suit, tie, shiny shoes. You know the drill. It was also kinda important to ride there, as I knew this was the sort of thing that would go down well with the audience. This wasn’t a problem on Siegfried, who really is a bike for everyday use.
- Bikes and suits do mix. Though I’ve no idea what’s going on in that van behind me!
Anyway, the people I was supposed to be presenting to got a bit held up by about half an hour, so I didn’t get the stage ’till about 11:55. This wouldn’t be a problem, except I’d scheduled the first part of a BikeAbility course at Daughter’s school for about 1:30.
By the time I’d made my pitch, we’d done Q&A, and I’d got by bike out of the building, it was nearly 12:50, which left me 40 minutes to get from the centre of Newcastle to Whitley Bay - somewhere around 11 miles. While riding a bike that’s distinctly civilised in looks. While wearing a suit. And carrying around 15lbs of extra stuff.
I took the direct route - straight up the hill to the city centre, and then out through Jesmond, and along the cycle path that’s parallel the the arrow-straight Coast Road. And I rode the bike like I was in a triathlon again - hands down on the centre part of the handlebars, elbows in, and keep the cadence up. If I’d had a pair of cleated shoes & pedals to match, I’d have put them on, along with a set of tri-bars. But that would have looked silly of course.
Anyway, I made it, with two minutes to spare, which even gave me time for the T2 routine, changing from Scary Man In Suit outfit to something a little more school-friendly.
That means an average speed of 17.3mph. So much for the Slow Bike Movement.
OK - time to ‘fess up. I did have some help from a tailwind. But other than that, it was all my own work. And in case anyone’s gives you the “I would ride my bike to work, except I don’t want to get sweaty” excuse for not riding, I can confirm that riding at this sort of speed does help you develop a bit of a glow. But on the ride in (for which I’d had plenty of time) I’d taken it easy, and arrived cool as a cuecumber despite the headwind that I’d had to contend with going in that direction.
To a T, man, to a T. Proper Kool.
PS: those guys in the van are hilarious
First off… AWESOME! — nothing specific — everything about this is awesome!
Second… who took the picture?
Third… it really does look like that guy in the van is getting mugged!
Finally… w00t! 17.3mph in a suit! Seriously dude. That’s like running a 24 min 5K in a tuxedo!
if you can get a better resolution on the van man, you’ve got your Friday caption competition pic right there.
[...] to work on a proposal for a potential customer. I am compelled to get there by bike… If Karl can do it, I certainly can… And unlike Karl, I’m ok showing up a little more casual to the [...]
Amsterdamize - kinda puts the TT into Time Trial, doesn’t it?
Brad - Wife took the pictures - there’s a closer-up one too, but the focus isn’t so hot, and I’d been riding earlier on with a helmet on top of hair wet from the shower. It’s on flickr if you want a good laugh, but I’m having none of that here - self mockery I can do, but opening myself up for viral ridicule is another thing.
Town Mouse - I think Brad’s comment is pretty close to what was going on. They’d seen me ride up, and pull a U-turn for the photo. Obviously the dark suit reminded them of the last time they’d seen someone in uniform, and the interior of the van resembled the confined space of the showers at HMP Slade, so they naturally ‘assumed the position’. Or something like that.
Maybe Seigfried *needs* tribars. And a rear disc. And a three spoke front wheel…
And for a brief moment I thought I was a trendsetter…
Very nice.
I’m with Brad on this one.
Wow!
I love how you combine fitness, work and your commitment to parental family obligations. Your photo tells the story. I don’t bike but I see where commitment is also a part of your life. Keep on moving.
Why the false beard & moustache ?