Unexpected Bike Ride

Adam had an assessment at the Intermediate School this morning to see if he can get into the CWSA (the Can't Write, Spell or Add class ... or is it Children with Special Abilities class .... I'm not sure) .... anyway I took him in the ute and Jo took Laura to school in the opposite direction. The testing lasted all morning and I needed to pick him up at 12pm. I was working from home and Jo went into town to meet some friends.

The school is a 5-10 minute drive away (probably about 30 min walk) and I didn't want to leave too early and get there and have to wait around so I left it right up until 11:50. Rushed out, turned the key ... nothing .... sh!t !!! Flat battery .... I must have left the lights on when I'd got back this morning ... yep switch was on .... sh!t, sh!t, sh!t !!!!

Poor kid was in a strange school and wouldn't have anyone there to pick him up. I thought first about taking my bike .... but then he'd have to walk back which wouldn't have been fair. OK ... only one thing for it ... I would ride his bike there and he could ride back. Checked the tyres .... felt like about 20psi .... no time to pump up, they'd be good to support my 200lb frame. This was an emergency.

I set off and quickly realised that I couldn't actually sit down on the saddle and keep my feet on the peddles. The bike was designed for a 10 year old not a 6'2 freak. I stood up and peddled as fast as I could. Gears were a nightmare and I had to walk up one hill. I had also forgotten a helmet which besides being illegal in NZ was also stooopid! I couldn't go back though. I thought about going on the pavement but kept to the road. Pretty scary stuff. I'll never complain about being uncomfortable on my bike again! Give me aero position anytime.

I turned the corner to the school and saw Adam standing at the school gates with the Deputy Principal. Everyone else had gone. He said he saw this nutter coming towards him on what looked like his bike and then realised it was me. The teacher actually said "ah that's nice, your dad's bought your bike to ride" but Adam was more clued up and said "Dad, did you leave the lights on again" (OK its not the first time). I had to admit it in front of the teacher and said to Adam that I hoped he had more brains than his dad.

Adam rode his bike back and I walked carrying his backpack ... in the rain! Fortunately Jo got back from town (I had rang her but it had gone straight to voicemail), saw the ute and then phoned us. She picked us up after about 5 minutes of walking. Phew!

I now need to get a jump start. Anyone got any leads???

Workout Summary - Bike Ride
Distance : 2 miles
Zone : 10
Max HR 257 ... scared of what Jo would say if I was late picking him up :)