I have sometimes been known to be wrong about things

Like that time, back when we lived in Townsville and the Dreamboat bought some accessories for my new mountain bike. These consisted of (1) a bracket for a water bottle and (2) new pedals with cage things attached to them.

I was very excited about the latter. Cage Thing Pedals! I exulted. Just like the big kids have! He’ll let me take off the trainer wheels next!

So we decided to go for a bike ride. Nothing too strenuous — just into town, around the beachfront and back home by the long way — somewhere between twenty and twenty-five kilometres. Sweeeet.

Five minutes after leaving the house, I decided I didn’t like my Cage Thing Pedals any more.

Niki: What if you fell over with your feet in them? You’d break your bloody arm.
Dreamboat: The idea is to slip your feet out of them before you get anywhere near the ground. Then there’s no problem.
Niki: But what if you forget your feet are in them? What if you’re a beginner like me and not very good at slipping your feet out yet, especially in a hurry while you’re falling over? What then?
Dreamboat: Look, just don’t fall over, okay?

I was too busy riding off into a grass verge and desperately trying to keep my balance on the uneven ground to reply.

Shortly afterward, we had to cross a busy main road. Bad move.

Dreamboat: Do you realise you crossed that road at the most dangerous part?
Niki: So? I made it across, didn’t I?
Dreamboat: You should’ve crossed further back, where I was. It’s safer.
Niki: (sweetly) Well, you made me ride in front, remember?
Dreamboat: (gestures to Niki to take the lead again)
Niki: No fucking way. You go first.

By this time, I wasn’t liking the Dreamboat much. Just thought I’d mention that in case you missed it.

 So when we reached the other side, he stopped on the pavement. Your Correspondent stopped as well. The brakes were brand new and responded like Arab stallions that have just had their first touch of the whip, except that Arab stallions would probably be galloping and my brakes were doing the exact opposite. But with just as much enthusiasm, you understand.

Unfortunately, I’d forgotten about the Cage Thing Pedals. Then, as I began to topple to the side, I realised I’d also completely forgotten how to remove my feet from them when in great haste. I crashed to the ground, vowing in those few moments before all the bruising started, never to ride my new mountain bike again. I did, of course, the following week.

 I always thought I’d one day put that incident behind me, laugh and forgive the Dreamboat for the Cage Thing Pedals. I’d forget all about his superior attitude. I’d get over the humiliation of falling off a bike in full view of passing motorists on a busy main road. My resentment would fade as quickly as my bruises (six weeks — six weeks, I’ll have you know).  But you know what? I just realised I never did.

Like I said, I’ve sometimes been known to be wrong about things. It’s also a good excuse to make him cook dinner tonight.

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