Saturday morning brought complications for Beverly. She had been looking forward to a rally with their club, the Tandem Bicycle Riders, training faithfully, practicing various shifts and power stroking techniques with her husband. In anticipation Bev spent extra time on her own, working on endurance exercises because she knew that some of the hill climbs, exhilarating as they were, could be exhausting and she didn't want to disappoint on her share of the team effort. Bev rose early and hit the shower humming softly as she washed her hair, her mind visualizing some of those hills, and the associated vigorous stroking required to make the ascents. Her blood stirred as she lathered body wash into all the bumps and curves of her hard five foot frame. She stepped from the shower, vigorously dried with a soft towel until her skin glowed then, stopped to admire solid glutes and strong thighs in the full length mirror. Hers was a body well-toned, more like a woman twenty years her junior, taut and ready for the athletic demands this day promised.
Unfortunately, the problem became evident as she re-entered the bedroom while binding her wet hair in a towel turban.
"I don't think I can make it dear...I feel dreadful this morning, ache all over and have a temperature... must be the damned flu." Jock, her husband, looked every bit as bad as he sounded. "You'll have to go without me. Don't worry; I'm sure you'll fit in somewhere."
"I don't want to go without you Jock. We're a team, we've trained as one and you know I prefer to ride exclusively with you. I'll call and tell them we can't make it."
"Don't be ridiculous. I know how much you look forward to these rallies. It won't kill me to sit this one out and", he gave her a wink; "I know how well your sexy little body is sure to fit with someone else's team. It doesn't bother me and you might even pick up some tricks we can work on later." He gave her a sly lascivious look. "But, you must share all the details afterwards." She hesitated; studying his face, then shed the towels and climbed onto the bed. As she slithered under the covers, snuggling up close. "I promise to tell you everything dear," Her hand crept up his thigh and grasped him. "Every last delicious detail." Then her lips met his, and her fingers began a slow teasing journey. "Hmm, I see you're not that sick after all", she said.
"With such a skilled physician handling matters, anything is possible my dear," murmured Jock as he rose to the occasion, and then rolled on top of his wife.
At first Bev didn't know whether to bring her own bike and ride solo with the group, or bring the tandem and hope to find another unattached rider. Of course she might just show up without and hope to hop aboard someone else's frame. In the end Jock convinced her to go without a bike. "I know there'll be room for you dear. There are always singles seeking partners on these rallies, have fun choosing a capable partner; Just to be safe."
She phoned her friend Janice who also assured her that there were other singles attending and extra frames available; they would certainly welcome a skilled mature rider. After breakfast, she fussed over her appearance then grabbed her helmet and headed for the door.
"I'm on my way, rest up and get better, I see you later."
As the door closed, she felt a flush of excitement, her imagination tingling at the prospect of a long hard ride with an unknown partner. This was something she hadn't enjoyed for some time and a fantasy to be savoured.
She arrived early and quickly sought out Janice and Grayden. The flash of a red pony tail identified Janice and the two women embraced.
"So glad you decided to ride without Jock Bev, come on then let's find you a partner." She giggled and pointed to a cluster of singles clustered over by the bike stand. "See anything interesting?" Bev scanned the candidates. On the drive she'd considered possible options; another woman was not in the cards, this morning's partner was going to be male. Should she stick with an older man, skilled in shifting or perhaps experiment with a younger, harder stroking partner? Would it be quality or quantity, why not look for both? Janice leaned close and whispered,