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09-30-03, 11:22 AM
Sunday was big ride day. I took a novice on the Figueroa Mtn Road, one of the toughest climbs in the area. It's tough because of the constant climb and this time of year the backside temperatures hover around 100 degrees.
The novice suffered. It was a longer than normal trip and it took lots of encouragement and most of my own water to coax him over the top. He did not curse me once.
At the top we took a short breather, he got a warning about staying in control on the downhill side. With gravity trying to wrestle away that control, we shot off downhill. Sure enough the rookie overcooked a corner, slid in some gravel, rolled the bike (and himself) once. He then popped up, checked his bike for damage and the pavement for leftover skin, clipped in and started on.
The whole thing took less than 20 seconds. He got a perfect 6.0 from me for artistic value and technique.
He was a little more cautious the rest of the way.
At the car he wanted to know when we could do it again.
Welcome to cycling.
The novice suffered. It was a longer than normal trip and it took lots of encouragement and most of my own water to coax him over the top. He did not curse me once.
At the top we took a short breather, he got a warning about staying in control on the downhill side. With gravity trying to wrestle away that control, we shot off downhill. Sure enough the rookie overcooked a corner, slid in some gravel, rolled the bike (and himself) once. He then popped up, checked his bike for damage and the pavement for leftover skin, clipped in and started on.
The whole thing took less than 20 seconds. He got a perfect 6.0 from me for artistic value and technique.
He was a little more cautious the rest of the way.
At the car he wanted to know when we could do it again.
Welcome to cycling.