Another Wall-hitting memory came to me last night.
It was the summer before my thirteenth birthday. I was riding with schoolfriends back from Stratford u Avon ( 40 mile round trip ).
Back in those days, we didn't carry cash and shops closed at midday on Sunday.
We got to Henley in Arden and decided to take the 'country route' where there are some short steep hills. I was already feeling a burn in my legs and the hill out of Henley finished them off.
The lowest gear I had was 48 x 24 on a 26" youths 5 speed sports bike ( The same ratio as a 52" penny farthing OR the Rover Safety bike ). Not to appear weak, I struggled until I fell over sideways in a dazed stupor.