BurbleChaz

We had developed an astonishingly complex plan for picking up the Sensible Person's new bike. It involved careful logistics, perfect timing and a healthy dose of luck. Whoops.

Once we'd sliced through the usual causes of crisis, dealt with some entirely new ones and grabbed a moment to think, I phoned the bike shop. Conversation went like this:

• Me: Hello, has the bike arrived yet? Is it ready?
• Them: Yup. I can see it from here. Looks ready to go.
• Me: What colour is it?
• Them: Green.
• Me: {choke}
• Me: Are you sure it's green? Really sure? Not a trick of the light?
• Them: Oh, you mean that one - blue, flat pedals, different saddle...
• Me: Yes, I think I mean that one {heart rate drops back to normal}

So we strolled over there to pick it up. We were well-prepared for financial issues, so the paperwork was a bit less of a stumbling block this time. It only took a few minutes before The Blue Bike was raring to go.

The Sensible Cyclist set off on her new toy, followed less than a minute later by a tram carrying me. I kept a good lookout for a shiny new bike, particularly up the hills. The traffic was light, and the head-start was small, so I was certainly expecting to catch up before the tram turned off. Seeing no sign on the way, I hopped off the tram at the last stop and trotted briskly home. I found the Urban Cyclist already there, with the new bike safely bedded down. She'd hacked happily all the way through the city, barely noticing two intense climbs.

I'm going to have to get fitter.

Beautiful New Bike is in the usual place. Please check it out. I'll be asking questions later.