As we wrap up the Princess Pedal Townie clinic I have to say again that I really enjoy these clinics. I’m not sure who has more fun. Them or me?
We had a full compliment of characters including:
Princess Apron-stealer/Princess dark-horse – Initially, she claimed to have inadvertently and accidentally taken one of the other Princesses bike maintenance aprons which bought her the moniker of apron-stealer. What we discovered is that she has a need for speed and although admittedly nervous about getting back on her bike after a long lay-off, seemed quite comfortable out front and rippin’ up the pathways. I think we need to keep an eye on this one.
Princess Bruiser – who began the clinic with a healthy set of bruises while getting accustomed to her clip-in pedals but was handling the clip-in/out process like a pro by the end of the clinic. I think that the bruises will be a thing of the past in no time at all.
Princess Pole-dancer – who THANKFULLY doesn’t have clip-in pedals given her desire to waltz with the occasional pathway pole. She was originally named Princess Bush-baby (given her desire to become ‘one with nature’) – but we couldn’t resist the pole-dancing reference.
Princess Master Tire Changer – who until this week had never changed her own tubes but not only knows how to do it, had more opportunities to practice this past week than she ever thought possible. A master in the making. She doubles as the Whispering Princess which would probably come as a surprise to anyone who knows her.
Princess ‘my husband wrecked my bike’ – who arrive with a beautiful new hybrid to ride but on the second night realized that her left hand shifter for her front derailleur was broken. We were quick to blame her husband for breaking it while loading her bike on the rack – but in the end, it was a crash on the first night that did the shifter in. I think you might be starting to understand the “crash test Princess” reference by now.
Princess Go-with-the-flow – who arrived on the first night with a flat tire and no spare, accepted the offer to use my bike instead – and went with the flow of the evening – without a complaint. Her frustration came when she got all the gear to change her tire at home – only to have her husband do it while she was away! Whaaat? Doesn’t he know he’s with a cycling Princess?
Princess Never-Rode-Before – who arrived to the clinic with absolutely no cycling experience. She made wonderful progress but decided that an individual session at another time might be the best way to go. In her defense, she did marvelously well in a couple of hours – finding her balance and pedaling on the grass. Determined, yes indeed. I have high hopes for this Princess.
The week has been a terrific one. We braved the elements, learned to change tires, de-grease and re-grease chains, clip-in, clip-out, corner with authority, rode in a ‘pace line’, navigated the city’s downtown cycle tracks and took time to enjoy being with some like-minded ladies.
Most of all though- and quite seriously – I would like to acknowledge that this group has earned the honour of holding the record for the number of crashes during a single clinic (even a pile-up!). This has earned them the first ever “Crash-test-Princess” award. Congratulations, ladies! This means that you have ‘reached’ beyond your comfort level – which is where all the great learning happens.
Cycle-on Princesses!
LiveSplendidly!