The Perils Of Camping

The train arrives in Lilydale.

They get off.

Now what? asks Terence.

We look for the bike shop, says Gaius.

Luckily, it's on the main street.

They enter.

We'd like to hire two mountain bikes, says Gaius to the bike shop assistant.

Sure, says the bike shop assistant. What kind would you like? Electric? Dual suspension? Standard?

Standard, says Gaius. I imagine it's the cheapest.

Yeah, says the bike shop assistant. But it's pretty hilly round here.

That won't be a problem, says Gaius.

The bike shop assistant looks doubtful.

I have ridden through the Alps and Pyrenees, says Gaius.

And I have ridden up Mount Lofty, says Pierre-Louis. Three times

Very funny, says the bike shop assistant. But don't let me put you off our Norco Charger 2. It's a really good standard bike. A mid-level hardtail.

Ha ha, laughs Terence.

And a child carrier? asks the bike shop assistant.

What's that? asks Gaius.

The kid sits in it and you pull it along behind you, says the bike shop assistant. Very popular with parents.

He indicates one, at the end of a row of bicycles.

It looks cool, with wheels like a carriage.

I want one! says Terence. Me and Squatty can ride in it.

Should we? asks Gaius.

Who'll pull it? asks Pierre-Louis.

We'll take turns, says Gaius. How much?

Forty per day for the bike hire and ten for the carrier, says the bike shop assistant. You guys are lucky. Normally we require 48 hours notice. But these have just been returned.

Excellent, says Gaius. 

Whereabouts are you headed? asks the bike shop assistant.

Yellingbo, says Pierre-Louis. 

The conservation reserve, says Gaius.

Doing science, says Terence.

Camping? asks the bike shop assistant.

Naturally, says Gaius.

Watch out for deer control, says the bike shop assistant. I heard it might be this week.

What does that entail? asks Gaius.

The bike shop assistant looks at Terence.

Maybe google it, he says.

No need to upset the kid.