14 crawled out from under their doonas for Saturdays' OC lap. 3 degrees was toasty compared to Fridays minus 2 and just a light easterly to contend with. The king had the handbrake on for the opening leg, he must have been deafened by the yawns from the back of the bunch! (Too much gym, not enough reality i think) After a few rotations the pace picked up for a decent 32 average. Missile Nev latched onto the bunch in Mitchell Rd and the word was he was the lead-out. From the Rudd Rd turn he was more like the sacrificial lamb. Hard work to make up a 20 metre gap in the bunch but once on, i was grateful for a tow to the launch pad 100 metres out. Managed to hold off Matty and Bo for the chocolates. A double shot of caffine and copious laughs at the Butterfactory followed.
Sundays effort was a sleep-in, light rain has become commonplace this winter. The drought years allowed a lot more riding. Monday's forecast didn't look much better. The cloud cover at 5am was just visible to signal a great chance at being soaked, so went all "Ayto" and crawled under the doona again! (sorry Ayto, couldn't help a sledge...you taught me how!) Retrospect is a wonderful thing, a lap was possible, but hey, the snooze was nice.
Guilt took over Tuesday morning so off to the Couldabeens. The southerly breeze was payback for yesterdays sleep-in i think. 8 were motivated for a circuit and Bo was firing all guns. We all worked well to bring home a 33.6 average. Gave Tuesday night a miss with younger brother visiting briefly from the U.S. He got through Carolina's minus 7 winters with battery powered boot warmers! How soft?!
A 25km/h southerly on Wednesday, nice to have it behind us a bit for a change on the shorter 20km ride. Only 5 on Thursday morning, but Vince punctured in Boundary Rd. Everyone left Pit crew duties to Trev.(the joys of running a bike shop?) Changed in great time to roll out just ahead of the Cats, almost 4km past before they made up the gap. Only Sly & Matho prepared to knuckle into the work on the front after Melbourne Rd, a quick last km into the high 40's had a single file end. Happy with 2nd behind slingshot Sly.
Continued to be suprised with a good turn-up to the library bunch. 16 Thursday night in just 8 degree weather. Bomber was missing, but Nath & Robbo more than make up the defecit. Good to have Matt join us, a great partner on the front. (Had a bit of fun cranking up the pace a few times) Inheriting the lead at Arcadia Downs signalled little hope for the sprint (Brendan, Nath and Dean lying in wait in the middle of the pack) so decided to squeeze the accelerator early. Forced 200 metres of single file pain and made a few guns earn the finish i guess. 50km @ 33.3.av. Nice win by Brendan.
7 P&W's at SPC on Friday, no wind and what seemed to be a mild 5 degrees. Suprised to have Bart & Minto attending , softened a litlte by the recent Gold Coast marathon. A good steady 33.4 average with a slow crank up for the finish. Had a good taste of reality with a chasing Area 51 trio rounding us up 200 metres from the finish. They sat up soon after, but lots kept on the gass to pass again. A good finish to the week with the group finishing together. Hanging out for Mr Taxmans contribution now, the poor old saddle looking quite tattered. Maybe a BikeHub tune up too for the old BM?
Week 29 294km 10,848 calories (3.5 kilos of spicy potato wedges) at 32.3 average.
Thought for the week....."When the President does it, that means it's not illegal" (Richard Nixon)
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