frost bite
took my 14 year lad out for his first ride on his new racing bike, we were both togged out with full winter kit,proper gloves woolen socks overshoes base layer the works, however only went out in helmets with no skull caps as it didnt seem to bad.went out at 12 and he rode well we maintained an average of 15 mph for the first hour.
we came to the main days descent were i can do 48mph ( determined to get to 50!) i told him to take it steady and he followed me about 20ft behind we did 41mph, jesus christ it was so cold, was so painful like tiny daggers in my head and face, i had to cover my face with one hand just to stop the pain!
we carried on he appeared quite strong was enjoying himself riding well.then he blew about 15 miles from home and our speed plummeted to crawling along at 10mph he was freewheeling at every oportunity complaining of the cold and his muscles didnt work! he wouldnt listen to the keep pedaling you will be warmer talk!
by this time both our water bottles had frozen solid! it was that cold! never in 27 years of cycling have i experienced that! i managed to cajole him home for the remainding miles with the promise of a mars bar at the next village shop, good job as just prior to this, our last climb of the day, whilst out of the saddle he cried "my muscles wont work" stopped pedling and went timber! straight over.he got up and cried on to his prize of a mars bar and luckily was down hill all way home.
due to the slow speeds we were absolutely freezing the wife thought i was joking the bottles had frozen till she felt it, i then got the "yes well my car said it was minus one" speech.
luckily this first ride experience has not put him off and hopefully if warmer we are off out again on monday.i think he now realises what i mean by suffering and that footballers dont come close to cyclists in training/racing!
