The Night Before Christmas - for all ergers

grams · Post by **grams** » December 22nd, 2006, 1:21 pm

Something to help you with the Challenge

THE NIGHT OF THE CHALLENGE
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the basement
The sound of the rain came through the casement;
The stereo was playing by the erg with much force,
In hopes the Challenge would soon run its course;

The door was wide open to let in the air,
While visions of t-shirts danced everywhere;
And hubby in his shorts, and I in my briefs,
Were both hoping for our sessions' reliefs,

When out on the patio there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the erg to see what was the matter.
Away to the door I limped, oh so weak,
Slid open the screen and took a quick peek.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a new Model D and a guy with no fear,
He lept from the 'D', with nary a fall,
I knew in a moment it must be coach Paul.

"Now, SLOWER! now, STRONGER! now, DRIVE WITH CONVICTION!
On, 10-MPS! On CATCH!, NO STRAPS, NO RESTRICTION!
To the end of the glide! to the front of the rail!
"Now pull away! pull away! Your Challenge will not fail"

And then in a twinkling, I heard in my head,
'Take a drink now' as my face glowed so red.
I eased down my stroke, and the flywheel slowed up,
Down the hatch the water slid with a gulp.

I spoke not a word, but went straight back to work,
And cranked up the chain; which returned with a jerk,
And wiping my brow and the bridge of my nose,
And making an effort, up the meters they rose;

The time it went by, and my bum really ached.
And I knew in my heart, my strokes were not faked,
10,000 to go, then 8,000, then five
I thought to myself the end would arrive!,

My last meters ticked off, to my spouse I gave a whistle,
And away to my logbook I flew like a missile.
He heard me exclaim, ere he stepped into sight,
"HAPPY CHALLENGE TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"

Apologies to the author, Major Henry Livingston Jr. (1748-1828)
(previously believed to be by Clement Clarke Moore)

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » December 22nd, 2006, 1:26 pm

Grams, Very nice!

Now of course Becz will probably think I've made another "Constant" plug (stranger than fiction), but it was worth it.

Widgeon · Post by **Widgeon** » December 22nd, 2006, 11:06 pm

Great fun Grams! Thank you!

Pam

Birdi · Post by **Birdi** » December 23rd, 2006, 5:20 pm

A work of art Grams!