This Old Bike

So. This bike is ancient - it belonged to Mr Lightwave's mother. I had muttered something about riding it today, so last night Mr. L tried to pump up the tyres for me using an electric pump that runs off the car battery. It was dark and freezing cold, and all we achieved was to let all of the existing air out of both tyres. I guess he was feeling a little bad about this, so while I was preoccupied fiddling around trying my hand at some still life photography, he threw the bike into the back of the car and drove it into town to reinflate it at the garage. He brought it back proudly and stood it up in the driveway for me to admire.

Then I spent about 15 minutes photographing the bike before I realized that I would have to take it for a spin pretty smartish otherwise it would get dark. Well, I probably got about 50 yards on it before I noticed a strange swishing noise. Furthermore the going seemed unexpectedly difficult, but I persevered, testing the gears and trying to get it up the hill that I'd never quite noticed was a hill before until I ground to an eventual halt. Not only had the rear tyre burst open but the inner tube had sprung out and was trailing along the ground! There was nothing for it but to pick up the bike and carry it home. Weighs a ton! And wouldn't you know, just at that moment, along comes Lynda on her horse :)