FastFreddy2

One for today: Full article >> here <<

Perhaps 18 years ago when I was out on my bike (offroad) 3 or 4 times a week, the "extras" I grew between my butt-cheeks meant I didn't need padding, but I've a little history with my prostrate, so I try to take care of it. I'm minded that a good family friend, Paulo Garbini, who had a cycle shop in Great Pulteney Street in Soho (where the markers of his presence remain ... ) had a lot of trouble with his prostrate thanks to years of hard cycle riding. I haven't seen or heard from him since the shop closed, and not been in touch with his daughter Marilina since around 2000 either. All three were guests at my wedding and it's to my regret I haven't managed to keep in touch. His wife, nothing short of an angel. Conversely, as I've said many times, I like snug. The cooler weather has me back in leggings full time, with no excess sweat. Another short summer.

I think I own a couple of pairs of lycra cycling shorts (if that's the right term), in a womens style since they fitted my do-dah better than mens styles. I like them because of the padding - and lack of chaffing. I usually wear a pair of baggy mens MTB shorts over those (also with padding) that allow me to carry the puncture repair kit, and collapsible pump. For winter, I have a high waisted "bib tight" that at 10-15mph on a frosty night, I've made good use of. I think the secret to staying warm and not sweaty in cool/cold temperatures, is wicking and ventilation. My wet-weather top (wherever that is) has zips under the arm pits to allow excess moisture out through netting. I'm pretty sure I've never used it, though I have had to use my water-proof trousers. Muddy puddles are something of a problem in cooler weather, and British Summers, if our current one is anything to go by.

I like that turn of phrase in relation to the event. While sitting down to breakfast this morning, it occurred to me a different man could easily have suggested he take me to a hospital, and I would have gotten into his car without any notion of the possible (unpleasant) consequences of doing that. I was away from where I should have been without supervision, in a quiet dead-ended country lane alone with a stranger who had transport.... The idea of this thread is to help me (and others) realise how easily life can end. I've no complaints, as the series grows, readers will understand why. I'm not sure how many times I've escaped Mr Reaper, but I must be very close to matching a cat.

Getting toward the latter part of my life, I can't but help think of an impending event, and how many times I've already dodged Mr Reaper. The third of many events that nearly had me killed, was by a passing car .... (The first I missed due to being a baby, where falling masonry might have done for me, but I'd been moved an hour before it fell into my cot. The second, was again as a baby, when my father, mother and me were involved in a motorcycle and sidecar accident. Apparently I was thrown clear from the sidecar and found in the middle of the road. Back then, roads weren't so busy. My father carried the scars on his leg for the rest of his life.) The first escape I remember would have been when I was around 6 or 7, and at school. A dog had found its way into the school, and 'standing orders' were that dogs were to be removed. The school was towards the end of a country lane that had one other building on it, some 500 yards away. (A very small guest house.) My plan was to persuade the dog away from our play area, and let it wander off. It seemed to like to fetch a thrown stick, so persuasion seemed straight forward. Small bouts of stick throwing got us to the school boundary, where me and dog got through the open railings that marked the school perimeter. As I was about to throw the stick across the mud covered tar and pebble track that passed as a road, I noticed an approaching car, and waited for it to pass. just as it did, the dog jumped at the stick I held in my hand, pushing me forward into the car. Luckily .... if you can relate luck in any way to this, the dog jumped just as the car passed, so it pushed me into the side of the car, and not under it. The only thing 'run over' was my foot. Back then, cars weren't big or heavy, my foot felt hot from the pressure, but nothing broken (I can say with hindsight). The driver stopped, and asked if I was alright, I said yes, briefly explaining what had happened. The dog was absent by this time. He asked again if I was okay, then he left and I returned to school. I explained events at the school, and new orders were issued about stray dogs. I don't recall what they were, but taking them off the school premises was confirmed as not being part of pupil duties. Looking back at my memory of events, a number of things almost startle me. The school perimeter being so open; not only easy for me (and others) to get out, but practically an invitation for anyone else to come in. The school is still there, but there is a significant fence around the school, that HMP Wormwood Scrubs would be pleased with. The next quirky thing, is how unlucky was I, to be standing next to a road when a car passed me? That guest house had 5 rooms IIRC. What were the chances of someone driving past on an otherwise desolate/unused road? Parents (my father) reading his probably wouldn't believe the ignorance of the driver, leaving a young child he had just knocked over. Nor could my father understand why the school had done nothing to ensure my good health. No visit to/by a doctor, nor hospital for a check-over. This happened over 50 years ago so obviously things have changed, and have changed beyond recognition, both culturally and physically. The 'track' I mentioned has been a proper road for most of that 50 years, with a new housing estate being built next to the school. The guest house went, when the estate was created. One of the houses that backed onto the playing field further up the perimeter, would become my new home some 2 or 3 years later. A driver knocking down a child (under any circumstances) then leaving them to their own devices in 2017, would undoubtedly be pilloried, as would the school over this event.....

The jury is still out on the 650b wheel size swap, though it does seem a good compromise over 26"/29" MTB options. You road fellas might have been on to a good thing. Bringing the subject matter back on thread, I have somewhere, at least one pair semi-shiny (ladies) leggings from Marks and Spencer, that I bought in a sale some 3 or 4 years ago. They are what I would describe as an 'exotic' fit (snug in all the right places), and bought specifically for use while riding a bicycle in cooler weather. They have something of a neoprene texture to them, but light enough for wearing during exercise. A couple of years ago, "scuba" skirts and leggings were something of a fashion 'rage'. Not actual diving quality material, but thicker than the regular faux leather materials that allowed knickers to be worn underneath without declaring the wearer had then on (unlike other faux leggings). Meaning; no VPL while "scuba" skirts or leggings were being worn. I wonder where they are?

Conversely, I never gamble. I am one of the few people who could back the horse in a 'one horse race' and still lose my money.

"Every day is a school day" Russ.

The horse they put me on was really placid and gentle, despite him being the largest horse in their stable. I'm not a rider, though I can stay on horse whatever it's doing - usually. Coming back from one ride, I was doing a rising trot while going down-hill. I lost my balance and headed over the top of the horse. I clung to its neck saving myself from a painful tumble. The horse just slowed down to let it's idiot rider sort himself out. It could have ended much differently of course (me with broken neck), but that horse was easily the calmest of the two of us. When looking for a reservoir in Wales with no agricultural land around it, and no woodland, I did find a couple where cycling would have been possible without the worry of other traffic. There's no pleasure for me riding on a road, so it's trails, off-road, or nothing. I'm not unhappy for others to use the roads if they wish, but far better riders than me get killed on the roads all the time. >> Shitty news item << Coincidentally, this happened in Wales. Ratio's and statistics are great (though the comparison to accidents in the home is false), but they are a worthless 'insurance' if you happen to be one of the numbers that form the statistic. The chances of being hit by a train in this country are infinitesimally slim compared to a lethal bike accident, but I've witnessed exactly that first hand, and it wasn't a 'suicide' either. Bit of horseplay gone wrong .... Took perhaps 10 seconds from start to finish. Young man killed in front of his sister and two friends after a day shopping in London, all laughing loudly and joking about, only seconds before the accident. Heavy metal objects (cars) always do better in an accident, so I'll stay away. We all make choices, and I've made mine.

The fork isn't an issue, since an 'air' fork is on the shopping list, in place of the heavy coil sprung fork the bike came with. A fat 26" wheel (as delivered) has the same diameter as a less fat 27.5"/650b, so again, something of a non-issue with the rear wheel. I have a second bike here with just such a back wheel, so when my schedule (and nursing duties) allow, I intend to trial fit the 27.5" wheel to the 26" bike. MTB's aren't built with the same tyre clearances as a road bike, and mine has disc brakes so are unaffected by wheel diameter. The later model of my bike comes with 27.5" wheels and and a different fork. That is a very good suggestion.

I might be tempted abroad, but there is no way I would ride a bicycle on British roads. It's dangerous enough inside a car. There are many places I'd like to ride though. Back in the late 80's I had a weeks horse trekking holiday with a 'horse-mad' girlfriend in Wales, with me doing college revision during the morning ride period. We were both out with a guide for the longer afternoon periods, to places that seldom saw humans at all. I remember a huge lake sized reservoir that resembled a fjord. I wish I knew where we stayed so i could visit again. Not on the huge but friendly black and white dray that was my ride during that week, but on wheels so I could stay and take in the scenery for as long as food/water/shelter would allow. I'm not big on scenery usually, but the view of the reservoir as we approached the crest of the preceding hill is a sight I will not forget. Yes, two wheels with an inflatable kayak and collapsible paddle on board for a trip across that huge expanse of water up in the hills of Wales. Perfect. Edit: It looked something like this .... though the hill we approached from was much higher, and the one in the distance, higher and steeper still. >> Google Streetview << for panoramic view.

I would have thought it was fairly self-explanatory? My excursions (almost) always include female company that run 'interference' (as best they can) while I'm out wearing a heel, or trying them on. In fact Mrs Freddy has become (surprisingly) adept at standing between me and potential voyeurs when I try on a heel in a store - with no prompting from me to do it either. With the two people I usually go out with out of action -due to old or broken bones- I am too. I have made the occasional exception with me being out in a heel alone, but then only when I meet others who know about them. It's one thing to get spotted out in a heel with company (indicating acceptance within a group), quite something else to be spotted out as "Mr Weirdo"/"Billy-no-mates" wearing what is universally considered a woman's shoe. There is a multitude of reasons for acquiring crippled feet, but no-one wearing a high heeled shoe (high means => 3 inches) for 20-30 years has healthier feet or better residual bone structure than someone who didn't. Over the last 9 years I've been wearing the occasional heel, I've noticed changes in the shape of my feet, and indications of (very) mild abuse. Just recently, I've become aware of nerve bruising. Not caused directly by wearing a heel, but general foot 'wear and tear' with heel wearing making recovery slow or seemingly impossible. (I have a 4th toe I'd dearly like to have removed.) The three women I have written about, would all have worn 4 inch heels regularly (almost daily) from around the mid 70's to early/mid 90's at least. Mrs Freddy, still wears a heel out, but not as often as she used to, and will no longer wear an uncomfortable shoe no matter how pretty they look. When younger she would go out in a heel for the evening, and unlike the regime of 20+ year olds today, those shoes would have stayed on her feet all night. That's still the case, though she does not considers a high heel, a 'hiking' or "traipsing around with Freddy" shoe. That said ...... >> Circumstances dictated otherwise. << In taking a bit more care and not wearing a heel to work, Mrs Freddy has had better luck with her feet (no operations) than the other two, but all three suffer with their feet. I ask myself from time to time, would I have worn a heel more often in my younger days, if it had been acceptable to wear them any time I wanted? Without the expectation (foresight) of crippled feet, the answer would be an emphatic "Yes" just as the three women had no expectation of having crippled feet in middle age. But what would the answer be if I knew that from the age of 50 (or a little younger) I wouldn't be able to wear a heel at all if I had worn them for years before? That's not such an easy question to answer. If I knew I was going to pass at 52, the answer becomes easy again, but what if I was to live for another 30 years with painful feet - and avoidably painful feet? Since young people believe they are indestructible, I would still have worn a heel, even if advised of the likely longterm outcome. After all, I never thought I'd get to the years I have for starters. Not least because I've been close to (accidental) death more times than I care to remember. (May start a thread on that. ) On balance I would have done the same as everyone else. Enjoyed what I could, when I could. You never know when the Grim Reaper is going to call.

Not embarrassing for you, but me. You're doing fine, getting fitter/slimmer. Despite the milder weather, I still haven't been out on my bike. I'm about to have the money for those tyres you mentioned, but I might be converting my bike from 26" to 27½" wheels. No point in buying tyres for 26" wheel if I won't be using them. "Decisions, decisions." Or I could just ride my bike ....

He would by his own admission, confess to being a complete "twat" over their relationship. Apparently she wanted marriage and a family, and he didn't (as spending nights in on an X-Box might reveal). She moved on, and is now engaged to/loved up with, a man who I would consider an 'upgrade'. I see 'fetish' as something involving sex, and something required to make an event happen. If I had a fetish, it would be stockings (in 21st Century parlance ~ hold ups), and high heels; both worn by my partner. Anything else; corsets, chokers, rubber, shiny, piercings, specific perfumes, would all be icing on the cake. Like a very high heel, I think 'shiny', and especially latex, is suggestive. No different to a heavily filled, low cut top, in the understanding of most people. These two are not wearing latex or imitation leather for fetish reasons (both outfits available from Topshop under the H.o.u.s.e. of C.B. brand), but to garner attention from prospective lovers and the media. (Which they rather obviously succeeded with.) Full articles an LOTS of identical photo's >> here << That's a bit embarrassing. In the (further) absence of any cycling time by me, my waist feels to be getting larger. I really do need to get a wiggle on!

Belated "Happy Birthday!" Finding myself in a similar situation, and in expectation of my slightly sociopathic nature (few social boundaries), I would have approached her for a conversation. I have only stumbled across men wearing heels twice, but approached them both after working out how to do it without causing alarm. The first encounter didn't go very well (he practically ran away). The event has been written up on H4M somewhere, probably in this thread. The second went very well, and we chatted as he tried on several pairs of women's shoes. I've yet to write up the event. If I get into my 80's, I will consider myself lucky anyway, but to get there and still be able to wear a heel - well .... I will doubtless walk around with a good-humoured smile on my face all the time. My only worry is that by that time, I may not want to take them off, even when it might be a sensible thing to do. While in a hospital waiting room (A+E) some 5-6 years ago, I got into a conversation with an old-fella waiting in a wheelchair. He was dressed in ladies negligee and housecoat, had long nails (his own) some of which had old/worn varnish on them. His hair, while longer than a man might wear, was grey and straggly. I remember there being some eye-liner, but I don't recall any other make-up. It was definitely a man. Definitely dressed/living as a woman. Completely off with the fairies too. I doubt millionaire property owners who usually live in Spain, would find themselves in a Herts A+E department, late on a Sunday evening.... Having seen him too, Mrs Freddy is worried that should I also 'lose my marbles', and my interest in a heel might take over (completely) too ... Not sure it had the right comforting effect, but I tried to reassure her that me wearing a heel would be the least of her problems if I went off to live with the fairies. (She thinks I live there sometimes already ... ) Yes, getting old isn't for the faint of heart, nor soft of mind. While watching a (could have been Watchdog) TV segment the other night we briefly saw an 'old bird' working in the WRVS. Jeez, sharp as a razor, and I mean proper sharp too. Either late 80's or early 90's, but spoke like an intelligent 16 year old. I certainly wouldn't mind having some of her DNA running around my body. Unlikely, but I wonder if it was your high heel lady?

This doesn't surprise me in the least. The town where Mrs Freddy works, is keen to do the same. They have introduced parking restrictions that mean visiting the town centre involves parking charges unless you care to walk over half a mile to the centre. There is free parking, but that is limited to an hour, and there's not much of it. The consequence to that, is the council are driving people away - people who would be spending money and supporting local businesses. High rents, and the cost of the visit is reducing foot-fall rates. This and another town perhaps 10 miles away, have empty shops where previously there would have been queues of people waiting to set up a business. The cost of a personal visits is helping to make online shopping increasingly popular. This is not good, since it removes from our culture, the feeling of 'community'. That and social media, is producing more isolation of the individual. In my lifetime, there may come a time when there's little reason to leave home except to visit a place of work. Not only is Brighton and Hove effectively restricting freedom of movement in their area, many seaside/coastal towns are doing the same. I have read reports of draconian action taken by councils toward Devon/Cornwall to reduce the numbers of visiting vehicles. Is the underlying message here, that the UK is "full"? Certainly I will attest, when compared to the freedom I enjoyed as a travelling visitor of 40 years ago is compared to the cost/inconvenience I have to do the same thing now, I doubt I could describe my current opportunities as "freedom". There are very few places I can think of, where leaving my personal transport doesn't incur a charge for leaving the vehicle during normal hours of business. (Brent Cross - 20 miles, Lakeside 50 - miles and Bluewater - 60 miles.) Although the journey might take days rather than hours, travelling by water with only £5's worth of red diesel needed to get there, does making travelling by water something of an enticement. Though the cost of ownership, puts the mode of transport in the RR/Bentley class of cost. Plainly, the solution is a bike trek, and a secure storage place for a bicycle.

Ahemm .... the thread was derailed, not the boats. Not that the thread will have have much content added by me in the near future. I have mentioned (many times) before, travelling with older people with a history of long term high heel wearing can be problematic because they often suffer with recurring painful conditions. One of the girlfriends from my past who I talk to from to time, had gotten herself into the situation where she could barely walk to the local newsagent 400-500 yards away for a newspaper, because her feet wear in such poor shape. (Quite literally.) Somewhere, I have posted a picture of her foot with pins in her toes to straighten them. Another has had a hip replaced (this is a women several of you have met face to face), and she also has had work done on both feet to alleviate (possibly hereditary) problems with bunions. A condition exacerbated by 30 years of high heel wearing. I often refer to her here as my 'walking companion'. She is currently laid up (again literally) having had a further operation to reduce the problems caused by one of her bunions. She will not be walking much for 6-8 weeks. (I may add a picture when I can.) As a final stopper to my accompanied 'adventures', Mrs Freddy has had the misfortune to injure a foot, a third event in a series of foot injuries over perhaps a 6 or 7 year period. While the previous two events were soft tissue injuries, (that she has never fully recovered from) this time she has a broken bone to contend with. The doctors have provided a boot to stabilise the repairing bone, but her walking more than 30 paces is out of the question, for 5 or 6 weeks anyway. There's a lot to be said for owning a younger body, especially in the foot department - it would seem.

When it comes to women wearing latex or leather, that situation is hard to imagine ..... Dave Berry (Capital Radio show presenter) tells the anecdote of why his relationship with girlfriend of 5 years Heidi Range, may have broken down. (She used to be in the Sugarbabes, a 3 girl pop group that over a number of years completely replaced every one of the original members before being disbanded.) The story goes that Dave was at home alone, playing on his X-Box, when Heidi arrived home from a day filming the video for a song that had all the girls wearing latex outfits. She had kept hers on, arriving home in her latex outfit, and asking Dave if he was "coming to bed"? He tells of how he preferred to keep playing on his X-Box .... Sad individual, and he admits to it. Had I have had the same offer, the outcome would have been vastly different. I don't have a 'fetish' for attractive girls in latex, but .... Heidi is on the right: The video "Easy" ..... (Which I had not seen before today.) Slightly better quality imagery ... A 32 second German report on 'the making of' .....

I'm sure Shyheels would recommend his usual mode of transport to thwart the Dick Turpin council charges. I have some of the lyrics from an 'old tyme' ditty running around my head as I write ..... "on a bicycle made for two" .... The last time I visited Brighton, I believe I went there during a summers evening, specifically to walk around in a heel, and take in the 'sights'. Meaning other people out in a heel. Avoided parking charges by being an evening visitor. The last time I went there during the day, I found somewhere to park for free (possibly in a residential area with restricted parking up to 12.30pm on a Saturday), but was there with bicycles. That would have been circa 17 years ago. Parking in most towns has become problematic. Where I live, an HMO has put enough pressure on spaces outside my gaff, I am considering converting the small lawn outside the front door, to a pebble drive. At a friends street (different town) parking abuses, ie parking on pavements and blocking them to pedestrians, has forced the introduction of 'residents only' parking on the street. Surely the cost and reliability of public transport shares some responsibility for the need in private transportation? Even if/when I qualify for a bus pass, would I ever use it? My previous next-door neighbours used to travel into London for the day on a local bus service that no longer exists. They also tried trains, buying into a discount scheme, but unplanned trips were always fairly expensive when they travelled. (Who would 'plan' a trip 6+ weeks in advance knowing how changeable the UK weather is?) Brighton is so popular, it can afford to restrict visitor traffic into the area. Lucky them. I would like to find another coastal town to visit, where a voyeur could be suitably entertained, while also having a place to walk in a heel. I have been pointed at Eastbourne, and might try the town - hopefully this year.

She has history ... If it works, work it.

It sounds like Belgium has decided any red fuel is illegal and those with traces of it are as guilty as those using whole tanks of the stuff. What is the lesson to be learned here? Don't take your boat to Belgium. I read about a 'holiday' on a boat from 1 to 5 nights recently. The cost was £65 per person per night, maximum stay 5 nights. As I understood it, that price included food. Not sure if your were supposed to help out as part of the gig, or paying guests could help if they were inclined. If I remember, the boat was crewed by a husband and wife team, who journeyed on a fixed route, with guests able to join and leave on the round-trip journey. The proprietors were recommended, since they were found to be good-company.