OF BIKES, LITTLE TOPS AND SHOES
by Steve Strain, Club President 1996-1999
May 1999
There are things in this world that husbands are not meant to understand. The bride has
a closet full of clothes and more shoes than you can shake a stick at and yet, when we get
close to a mall she "needs" some things for school. Our last foray to the land
of shopping found us in a store which carried a series of what I call "little
tops." We purchased several so the bride would have things to wear to school. Then it
was time for shoes.
Being a dutiful husband I sat in the ladies shoe store while Miss Karen tried on shoes.
She explained that she needed a particular pair of new shoes (which were not cheap) to
wear with an outfit. I need these to wear with my khaki pants she explained. In a rare
moment of good sense I didn't point out that she already wore the pants and had shoes that
went with them. And of course during this process I was asked on several occasions to
share my opinion as to the appearence of shoes and other items. Being a coward I said that
everything looked nice and hoped to avoid the question that causes all men to quake in
their boots; does this make me look fat.
Sometime after the trip I was looking through a catalog and drooling over some cool
jersey. I think it was a Fat Tire Beer jersey. Something I just had to have. The bride
pointed out that I already had jerseys and had gotten one for Christmas. And we discussed
another pair of bibs for Colorado this summer. Do you really need (emphasize the word
need) another pair of bibs for the trip. I mumbled something in response and went off to
sulk.
And last night I was on the phone with Hugh Worthy. The bride was doing school work and
Hugh was telling me about a Look bicycle they had at the shop. I was asking all the bike
geek questions and Hugh said something about riding it and I of course said I would love
to take it for a spin and, no sooner were the words spoken than Miss Karen weighed in with
her opinion on that plan. It was not a ringing endorsement. For some strange reason she
has it in her head that one road bike is enough. I guess she's never heard of John Oakey.
Maybe I can convince her that I need a new pair of shoes to go with my black shorts.
Yet, the bride, being a fabulous woman, made her annual birthday sojourn to Owen to see
Dave and ask the question of what does he need for the Waterford? Need is very loosely
interpreted and she came home bearing the gift of new Look pedals. She may not always
admit it but she realizes that toys are an integral part in the care and feeding of
husbands. It's just one of the reasons I love her. And speaking of love.
One of our members who, on advice of the club's lawyers, shall remain anonymous (Stan
McCright) has a new distraction in his life. We all agreed as a Colorado training ride to
meet in Tiftonia at the Bi-Lo and go climb Sand and Lookout. When it came time meet
nothing was seen of Stan the Wheel. We left on the ride and climbed a bunch and were
coming across Lookout past the Mountain Fountain Restaurant which has outside seating. It
was a lovely day and whose head should surface over his bloody mary but our fellow
Colorado participant, Stan. He was sitting outside with his new friend and getting his
training by watching us complete the ride. I am still searching for the brunch and
bloodies training plan and if I can get Stan to share it with us we can all take advantage
and avoid getting all sweaty on those nasty old hills.
Steve
| 
