Trial Two – I was determined to be on my best behaviour and meet every challenge, so we set off for our second bicycle with car support trial at 10.00 this morning – both of us in good heart and enjoying the sunshine.
The route was Stockwell to the A217 near Reigate, which I could say was one that I knew very well, as I used to go horse riding near there for about 20 years, but sensibly we were not taking the main road routes but the more bike friendly back roads.
The route out of town was predictably congested and we had only one near miss with a bus overtaking a large stationery delivery van stopped to deliver in a narrow street and one wrong turning. Otherwise all went well, until the journey back through Chipstead, when suddenly a miniature black poodle dashed into the road in front of me, still with half a leash attached, and seemingly making a determined bid for long-term freedom or a quick death.
I wasn’t going fast enough to be in any danger of hitting him, but I was very aware that he was young, scared and at great risk from other traffic, so I stopped the car, got out into the road too and called out “Puppy”, which did stop him in his tracks!
I wish that I could say that this story had a happy ending and he ran into my arms as a rescuer, but he merely paused, took a couple of doubtful steps towards me and then, realising that he didn’t know me from a bar of soap, changed his mind and hurtled off down the road as fast as his little legs could carry him.
I spoke to a lady who had stopped her car behind mine and a kindly neighbour who came out to see what was happening – and the neighbour also set off in pursuit on foot – albeit somewhat more slowly.
I drove down the road alongside him but there were no more sightings of the little creature, neither still running nor ,mercifully, as roadkill.
However he will be in my nightmares tonight and probably for weeks to come , so, if by any miracle anyone reading this knows anything about this delinquent dog, which is hopefully now happily reunited with his owner, please can they let me know.
