Saturday, October 17, 2020

Scooting about

When I was a little girl I had a scooter. I loved my scooter.

I never had a bike because 'we wus poor but we wus honest' and didn't learn to ride one until I was in my thirties. We were on a caravan holiday and the site rented out bikes. It was a flat part of the country so Husband hired one for me and taught me to ride.

When we returned home we bought a bike for me - so I could join Husband and children on bike rides - but I never felt really comfortable on it. I didn't like going uphill or downhill, and I stopped if people were approaching. So when I realised that the ache I occasionally got in my hip (in the middle of the night) always followed a bike ride it seemed an excellent reason to give up cycling.

And I've never cycled since.

Husband has always been a cyclist commuting by bike and even now going out for rides on his own - George can't keep up. He's recently ordered a conversion kit so he can add an electric motor to his bike to make coming back up the hill after his ride easier on his heart.

Where does that leave me? Well, with a birthday coming up next month I started dropping hints about a scooter. I think I mentioned Husband's new-found delight - an auction site - and, guess what he's bought me for my birthday? 

Yes, and it arrived yesterday!

I was a little worried I might have lost the knack of scooting but it's like riding a bike or sex: you never forget how to. Assuming you knew in the first place.

Don't tell anyone this but it has a motor so I too can fly up hills! If - and it's a big if - I can get my speed up to 3 mph before the engine will engage. I suppose the secret is to get it going before I hit the hill. I shall report back.

Currently doing old school stops i.e. leaping off. Must remember I have a brake and to use it.

6 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Look at you go!!!

pam nash said...

Good job! You didn't fall off or anything!

Anonymous said...

Looks like fun. Are the handlebars vertically adjustable? I don't recall ever having been on a scooter. My brothers and I shared a "bike" - no fenders, no gears, no brakes, but lots of previous owners, I'm sure.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Fun! and the best thing is it's really hard to fall off a scooter.

Marie Smith said...

What fun! Great to get out and about on something you feel comfortable with.

LL Cool Joe said...

I think you should wear a helmet, just to play safe. :D