A View to a Biff (or Biking with Biff and Floyd)

It was dry yesterday so that meant it was time for a Sunday afternoon ride. Another friend from church (Art) had recently bought a new road bike so we went with the three of us. (I won't use their last names here, just their first names, in order to protect their character and pride.)

We met at Fred's house and proceeded west, figuring we would bike into the wind first, so as to have the tail wind coming back. Art, being relatively fresh off the boat from Holland, is a go getter. So he leads the way - at 27 kph (16 mph) into the wind. He doesn't let up. Fred and I have a "rule" that if we average 25, we're happy. Less than that is no good, more is a bonus. After 1/2 hr or so, I figure it's time for a drink of water. Try doing that at 27 kph. So I slowed down for my drink and didn't catch up for a while. I was on my own, out of the pelaton. Art's at the front, head down, using his one speed called full. (He has many gears, but only one speed).

Near the end of our route, we biked through a new subdivision. There was a pathway that led out of the cul-de-sac back to the road. It was one of those pathways that are partially blocked off with staggered or offsetting bars at each end that you have to manouever around to get through. I unlocked one foot because I knew this would be a difficult task. Fred, however, thought he would go through with his feet locked into his pedals. Bad idea Fred. From my view at the rear, I wondered if he would make it or biff it. Could be interesting! He made it through the first set, then he pretty well made it out of the second set until his tire connected with the gravel on the way out. I saw him go down in slow motion, feet locked in. He biffed it. Ouch! Well, he got up in a hurry, smiling of course. I was smiling a little too, holding back my laughter because it would be rude and insensitive of me to laugh at such a thing. "Are you OK?" I asked. " Yeah, I'm fine, I didn't stick my hand out, so I didn't break anything" said Biff (Fred).

When I told Shelley about this when I got home, I couldn't help but laugh. Shelley thinks I always laugh at other people's misfortune. Not true, last summer Shelley and I went out for a bike ride. She stopped at the end of a street, I thought she would just turn to the right and keep going. I had to stop suddenly so as to not run into her but didn't get my foot out of the strap when I wanted to, so down I went. I biffed it and landed on a curb with my side. I didn't laugh.

Back to biking with Fred (Biff) and Art (Floyd). When we were done, I said to Fred that Art needs to be tested. I suspect he's on the juice, just like some people suspect Floyd Landis was when he won the 2007 Tour de France. Me, I'm still wheezing.