There comes a time in every father's life when he's realises that his child is bigger and stronger than him. For me the realisation came yesterday when Christopher and I went on a day trip to Brighton. A round trip of 95 miles.
On my previous day trip there, I had travelled lightly and therefore quickly to Brighton and before eating a portion of chips with mayonnaise on the beach. The subsequent journey home was truly horrible and the chips were thrown up after the first couple of miles.
For yesterday's journey, Christopher insisted that I bring my big camera and at the last minute I threw in a couple of tools - all unnecessary weight for me I thought.We suffered a nightmare outward journey as the bearings on one of my pedals failed enroute resulting in frequent stops to bodge yet another repair. At least the tools came in handy! The picture above shows us stopped for a another repair with the South Downs at Ditchling looming in the background.
After a brief visit at Evans cycle shop in Brighton to replace the offending item Christopher insisted on a fish and chips lunch. Oh the woes of short term memory, I foolishly agreed.
As you can guess, history repeated itself as we headed homewards and the sound of my caring son laughing echoed around the hills. I don't think he has done the sympathy course in med-school!!
I had done my research before leaving home and planned a relatively flat route home in case of emergencies. Of course the 'flat' route seemed even hillier than the outward journey. As I huffed and puffed up successive steep inclines the pain was only made worse by the little voice coming from behind urging me to "hurry up!"
Like most Dads I am still competitive with my offspring so my training regime will be stepped up. The test will be when I join the Anerley Club ride to Brighton and back in a couple of weeks time. Anyone for fish and chips?
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