15 starters for the ritual Saturday ride. (those content leaving earlier for a slower lap seem to have consolidated) A light east -northeast breeze made the homeward leg a pleasure, the young guns getting excited by a glimpse of the slower group ahead! Caught them in Wanganui Road (were they stuck in reverse?) thanks to some good engines driving the train. Nev took the sacrifice of lead-out in Rudd Rd, Daniel & Kel welded to his wheel. The terrier Bo was nipping at my heels in the sprint, used up all the jelly beans in the jar to hold him off on the line. (Lucky today, the young'n will have me next time). Great placings by Vince & Matt, brilliant finishes by the quick chicks Kel (6th) and Marion (7th). Missed the post ride coffee & chat. Make up for it next week.
Set off for a moderate circuit Sunday, the contrast of spring blossoms, light fog, birds chirping, then broken glass, a drunk staggering home and someones ashtray emptied on the road. Better out of town away from the ugly side of life and nice rolling along at a calm pace for a change. The bikes birthday (7 years) today too. Nearly run in now!
Light on numbers for the P&W lap Monday. At least we had Scotty's class and Meag's cheek for a good circuit. Bit of room needed for Darren & Goose though (you have much to learn Grasshopper!) No records broken (even passed by the Cats) but a good team ride without scattering the bunch. A high creek level sent us home via Archer for a change. Monday nights magic weather inspired a 55km solo lap, watching the eastern sky slowly change colour as the sun set was a great diversion from life's little dramas. Got into a great rythm for the Mitchell Rd leg home with Chemical Brothers' Escape Velocity mega mix. Helped for a 33 average.
Tuesday had 9 brave Couldabeens for the 2 degree ride. Discovered Vince & i have the same birthday, but he's a lot younger! Newbee Steve blew himself up doing a long turn, guess he'll learn quickly. Wished i'd photographed Rob, he actually used the big chainring, (will anyone believe me?!) a rare sight. Took a night off Tuesday (later heard it was a quick one) and bludged on the couch with birthday take-away noodles and some left-over chocolate bavarian. All about carbo loading you understand.
Rolled up to the P&W's Wednesday, right on the stroke of five to, only to discover they'd left early! Stuck the head down and set off on a big chase to make up the km+ difference (lots of blinking tailights to aim for). Shot past the Rabbit doing his usual hangback off the bunch and finally caught them at Central Ave. Good to see hibernators Ayto and Griffo in the group. A steady tap around for a pleasing 34 average.
Suprised to see Temple return to the Couldabeens on Thursday morning. (A long recovery from wrist & elbow injury.) Great to have our elder statesman Chris back too. Unfortunately Bo took a crookie, Kel working early. Rob took the biscuits in Conrod straight, headwinds just don't seem to affect him! Good work by the crew.
Thursday nights library bunch of 8 had only grown to 13 when we'd reached the emu, a cracker of a tailwind made a steady 38km/h possible. Hard slog home though. The speed had dropped a lot in the first km of Mitchell Rd but young lads rolling to the front turned up the pressure. Pushing into a headwind in the mid thirties and quick rollovers was the order of the day. By Arcadia Downs and in the high 40's, Chris, Mitch and Nath had lit the blowtorch on most. I scored the perfect wheel of Chris to have a crack near the line but Mitch's 58km/h was too much. The grace of Nath and Chris allowed me a pleasing 2nd spot.
A few rumblings of a big hit-out for Friday's P&W's. (at least they set off at the proper time!) The rabbit had lured Sootie, Princess, Scotty and QC to launch a breakaway at the Pine Lodge pub, the remaining 9 content in tapping out a great team lap. Nice to see THM (wow, 2nd time in a week!) again, always good to chat with Scotty, Meags, Cougs and the crew. Fee found the turbo button for a strong finish. We all beat the boom gates to wind up the week on a high.
Week #34 ; 435km 16051 calories..........a steak and veg dinner with dessert
(that's 28 steaks, 23 heads of brocolli, 30 carrots, 27 potatoes and 29 scoops of ice cream, and 1 wafer thin chocloate mint!) 32.9 average
Quote of the week "It never gets easier, you just go faster" Greg LeMond
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Week 33
A fairly fresh 2 degrees Saturday morning, but 14 turned up for a lap. Mostly the Tuesday/Thursday bunch again, 5 of the other "Mr Whippys" leaving early. (caught 'em at Numurkah Rd, some very keen to join in the sprint after their snoozy ride. Go figure!) A light south-easter took the slack out of the legs up Mitchell Rd, but Boundary and Ford Rd was kinder. Stayed back for the sprint, enjoyed watching others tactical manoevres instead. (your devious moves & weaknesses have been noted!) A respectable 32.5 av. As a departure from the usual Butterfactory visit, enjoyed a slap up feed of eggs, bacon, sausages & pancakes at Bo & Kel's with most of the team attending. Nice hospitality. Plans of a Mt Buffalo ride chewed over. (Mmm, will have to clean the cobwebs of that small chainring! Does the front deraillier work??)
Fee signalled a circuit for Sunday, so at 7 i joined Sootie, Stace, Coogs, Bart, Hayles, Meags and Princess, even the resplendant Bourkey turned up out of the blue. (the jaw cadence was incredible!) A nice 35km tap around and back to Friars in the belief another was to join in (but didn't front). Noticed a few goats taking the soft option of coffee before a ride (and coffee after too!) A 2 minute pause, then set off for a toaster loop, bringing up 94km before 10am. A great steady pace by the masters of s-m-o-o-t-h , nice to get a good distance ride in after so many 40's and 50's in the past months. Rewarded the effort with Friars caffine and scrambled eggs, albeit squeezed onto the end of our 'reserved' table (cheeky freeloader goats!)
A gloomy damp morning Monday, but the tough Princess, Bart, Scotty, Mino, Coogs and Goose braved the elements. A nice gentle wind up after the weekends k's was appreciated, still posted a decent 32av pushing through the soupy atmostphere. Beat the Cats home and only missed the train by a minute. The weather grew steadily worse through the day, nice to have a night at home. Just as well, cleaned the bike...again!
Tuesday mornings weather wasn't brilliant but 8 Couldabeens were keen to roll out. A north easter made Channel Rd a bit challenging, though Bo, Matt, Glen and Rob had their special breakfast powder..............gunpowder! By Boundary & Mitchell it was heads down and hang on, the lure of two distant tail-lights was a magnet for the young guns. My sneaking suspicion it was the Rabbit & his sidekick Scotty came true, we managed to mow them down by Arcadia Downs (but my legs were protesting) Couldn't find a reason for such a push until the spongy rear tyre symptoms kicked in*. Bugger! Just getting ready for the sprint too. Weapons Glenn & Rob honoured the crew with a fine spanking of Scotty & the Rabbit. A Couuldabeens record of a 35.7 too. (*tiny bit of glass in the cut from last Thursday's nail)
Only 7 waiting at the hospital car park Tuesday night, but numbers swelled dramatically further out the road. Mike did the usual slow down on the front, so i lit a fire under 'em when i got a turn at the pointy end. So many more joined in and by the Emu (yes, it's alive! back tending the lambs in the corner paddock) we had nearly 30. Had Nev beside me for my next turn on the front , a kind E -NE breeze made 40 achievable. Silence in the bunch meant most were working! By Mitchell Rd it had gone to 44km/h (where's a 56 chainring when you want one?) and very silent! The big guns lit the fuse at Arcadia Downs and i missed the jump, stuck halfway down the order. Happy to finish 7th, even happier to enjoy a FatYak and a feed after. 36av over 45km aint bad for this old fossil.
Thel sound of rain at 4.30am Wednesday was pleasing. No riding and a decadent sleep-in till 6.30. (lazy eh?) Clean the bike again! By Thursday a.m. rigormortis had nearly taken over, so a gentle 20kms loosened up the joints. Rain again Thursday night, so worked out with a horizontal static pilates session on the couch. Wound up the week with a great P&W lap Friday, nearly a full set of quick chicks to bring some real class (and quality viewing) to the bunch. Chaddy, Sootie, Princess & i, spoilt by Meags, Erin, Hayles, Coogs and Stace. The Rabbit lurked 400 metres in the background most of the lap (something wrong with our deodourant?) and attacked in the last 200. A good team ride, lots of laughs too.
Despite the wet week, 381km 14058 calories (Hey Matty, 54 pints of Guinness and a bag of chips!)
33.2 average.
Quote of the week "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride" (John F Kennedy)
Fee signalled a circuit for Sunday, so at 7 i joined Sootie, Stace, Coogs, Bart, Hayles, Meags and Princess, even the resplendant Bourkey turned up out of the blue. (the jaw cadence was incredible!) A nice 35km tap around and back to Friars in the belief another was to join in (but didn't front). Noticed a few goats taking the soft option of coffee before a ride (and coffee after too!) A 2 minute pause, then set off for a toaster loop, bringing up 94km before 10am. A great steady pace by the masters of s-m-o-o-t-h , nice to get a good distance ride in after so many 40's and 50's in the past months. Rewarded the effort with Friars caffine and scrambled eggs, albeit squeezed onto the end of our 'reserved' table (cheeky freeloader goats!)
A gloomy damp morning Monday, but the tough Princess, Bart, Scotty, Mino, Coogs and Goose braved the elements. A nice gentle wind up after the weekends k's was appreciated, still posted a decent 32av pushing through the soupy atmostphere. Beat the Cats home and only missed the train by a minute. The weather grew steadily worse through the day, nice to have a night at home. Just as well, cleaned the bike...again!
Tuesday mornings weather wasn't brilliant but 8 Couldabeens were keen to roll out. A north easter made Channel Rd a bit challenging, though Bo, Matt, Glen and Rob had their special breakfast powder..............gunpowder! By Boundary & Mitchell it was heads down and hang on, the lure of two distant tail-lights was a magnet for the young guns. My sneaking suspicion it was the Rabbit & his sidekick Scotty came true, we managed to mow them down by Arcadia Downs (but my legs were protesting) Couldn't find a reason for such a push until the spongy rear tyre symptoms kicked in*. Bugger! Just getting ready for the sprint too. Weapons Glenn & Rob honoured the crew with a fine spanking of Scotty & the Rabbit. A Couuldabeens record of a 35.7 too. (*tiny bit of glass in the cut from last Thursday's nail)
Only 7 waiting at the hospital car park Tuesday night, but numbers swelled dramatically further out the road. Mike did the usual slow down on the front, so i lit a fire under 'em when i got a turn at the pointy end. So many more joined in and by the Emu (yes, it's alive! back tending the lambs in the corner paddock) we had nearly 30. Had Nev beside me for my next turn on the front , a kind E -NE breeze made 40 achievable. Silence in the bunch meant most were working! By Mitchell Rd it had gone to 44km/h (where's a 56 chainring when you want one?) and very silent! The big guns lit the fuse at Arcadia Downs and i missed the jump, stuck halfway down the order. Happy to finish 7th, even happier to enjoy a FatYak and a feed after. 36av over 45km aint bad for this old fossil.
Thel sound of rain at 4.30am Wednesday was pleasing. No riding and a decadent sleep-in till 6.30. (lazy eh?) Clean the bike again! By Thursday a.m. rigormortis had nearly taken over, so a gentle 20kms loosened up the joints. Rain again Thursday night, so worked out with a horizontal static pilates session on the couch. Wound up the week with a great P&W lap Friday, nearly a full set of quick chicks to bring some real class (and quality viewing) to the bunch. Chaddy, Sootie, Princess & i, spoilt by Meags, Erin, Hayles, Coogs and Stace. The Rabbit lurked 400 metres in the background most of the lap (something wrong with our deodourant?) and attacked in the last 200. A good team ride, lots of laughs too.
Despite the wet week, 381km 14058 calories (Hey Matty, 54 pints of Guinness and a bag of chips!)
33.2 average.
Quote of the week "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride" (John F Kennedy)
Friday, August 12, 2011
Week 32
The sound of rain throughout Friday night spelled no chance of a ride Saturday. Unfortunately the body clock is fully automated, eyes spring open at 4.45am as always. Laying in bed thinking of a lap doesn't do much, so up for porridge and the Thunderbirds instead! 'Lil sprinter Kel is quick late morning in posting a Sunday lap should the damp dissapear. So Sunday Bo, Leon, Daniel, Chris & Kel front up for an early 30km hit before a forecast shower spoils the fun. Only a light southeaster gets in our way, a quick coffee and sledge after then home before more damp strikes.
Mondays drab conditions only motivates 4 to take a P&W lap, cleverly dubbed the Zoo ride by "Cougs" as there is only a rabbit, a goose (new lad Anthony) a fossil and a cougar! (decent of Mick to roll along at the team speed for a change!) A slimy road and the odd stray spot of water from above did a great job of plastering the bike with grey slosh, the poor old Dura-Ace chain groaning with grit. Thank heavens for decent company to save the day. Just 4 did well to at least hear the train depart.
An sms from Stace mid arvo called a 5.30 toaster loop, so a hurried get-ready straight after work to reach the start. The last of the showers had just subsided rolling up to the start. More slimy roads, grubby bike and grizzling chain. Brakes sound like sandpaper. Stace, Guysy and Hayles were the only brave souls, so a steady lap in the low 30's was a good workout for a 56km round trip. The battery managed to power the headlight the whole way, despite not being charged from the mornings 37km lap (nearly 4 hours at half power). The new 18650 Li-on Jetbeams are a treat.
A fair amount of early should/shouldn't sms's on Tuesday about the thick fog. Just Marion & i braved a lap. Funnily enough, the fog thinned a bit out of town, and just one car from behind for the whole lap who gave us lots of room.....nothing like a decent tailight for peace-of-mind. (how do some ride with one tiny knog light?) Tuesday nights hospital group was a tad thin, only 8 to do battle. Reinforcements arrived out Ford Rd to bring us to 15, Leigh and crew squeezing the throttle up to 40 in Mitchell Rd. (a sudden scurry to single file left me as tow truck on the outside to the trailing few) A half dozen spits of rain changed our course option to an Archer Rd finish, and found myself amongst the ammunition of Nath, Chris and the other 'artillery'. Chris took one for the team with a big lead out for all, Steigy ran out of jellybeans in the last 200, and fine tow by the boys gave me the gas needed to take it to the line. Smacked a big pot hole with 50 to go (jarrred the headlight down at 45 degrees) which made for an exciting finish, thankfully upright and with wheels undamaged. Home for a decent feed and to clean the bike...again.
8 P&W's rolled out Wednesday morning, none were keen to wait for a bike 200 metres back (thinking it was the rabbit?) Got a call half a km later, Marion had missed the start by a whisker, then was halted by a red light. Went back for her but the crew had dissapeared into the distance. Dissapointing. A steady, slightly shorter lap was a good achievement though. Saw a couple of riders duing the day (not so often on bikes these days). Maurie is still going through the medical hoops to release the handbrake that stops his performance. Andy is just enjoying life, wife and wine! Good luck to both (fine riders).
Thursday was another soggy dull morning and was happy to tap out 30km at a reasonable pace. The bright sunshine and blue sky during the day inspired a circuit with the library group at 6. A promise of a good ride with 14 starters and a weakening southerly. Half way out Lemnos Cosgrove Rd the legs were complaining of quite a push, then that spongy rear tyre feel took over. Lovely....a puncture! Mistakenly thought the bunch would wait, but no, just vanished into the horizon. Oh well, change the tube in the dark and head home i guess. That done, i travelled at least 500 metres and copped a nail straight through the back tyre! Bugger, damn and smailto:s#@%!! No more tubes and nothing to repair them. Oh well, walking time (son in W.A., workmate on his way to Melb, best buddy at a party). Wasn't about to hack up a new pair of cleats, so it was 8km home in socks, and a lot of thinking on the way.
A gentle 25km on Friday morning was kind on the couple of foot blisters (nicely numbed by the 1 degree temperature) Bit of a 'let down' week, but i guess it can only get better from now. On the way home another close call with another fleeting glance driver at the same Fryers / Welsford intersection that i've had two prior near misses. Watch this one folks, the "turn left at anytime with care" is minus the care!
Week 32 369km 13616 calories (21 bottles of Jacobs Creek Merlot....tempting after Thursday night! )31.7 average +8km on foot @ 4.7km/h av.
Quote of the week "I thought of that while riding my bicycle" (Albert Einstein; on the theory of relativity)
Mondays drab conditions only motivates 4 to take a P&W lap, cleverly dubbed the Zoo ride by "Cougs" as there is only a rabbit, a goose (new lad Anthony) a fossil and a cougar! (decent of Mick to roll along at the team speed for a change!) A slimy road and the odd stray spot of water from above did a great job of plastering the bike with grey slosh, the poor old Dura-Ace chain groaning with grit. Thank heavens for decent company to save the day. Just 4 did well to at least hear the train depart.
An sms from Stace mid arvo called a 5.30 toaster loop, so a hurried get-ready straight after work to reach the start. The last of the showers had just subsided rolling up to the start. More slimy roads, grubby bike and grizzling chain. Brakes sound like sandpaper. Stace, Guysy and Hayles were the only brave souls, so a steady lap in the low 30's was a good workout for a 56km round trip. The battery managed to power the headlight the whole way, despite not being charged from the mornings 37km lap (nearly 4 hours at half power). The new 18650 Li-on Jetbeams are a treat.
A fair amount of early should/shouldn't sms's on Tuesday about the thick fog. Just Marion & i braved a lap. Funnily enough, the fog thinned a bit out of town, and just one car from behind for the whole lap who gave us lots of room.....nothing like a decent tailight for peace-of-mind. (how do some ride with one tiny knog light?) Tuesday nights hospital group was a tad thin, only 8 to do battle. Reinforcements arrived out Ford Rd to bring us to 15, Leigh and crew squeezing the throttle up to 40 in Mitchell Rd. (a sudden scurry to single file left me as tow truck on the outside to the trailing few) A half dozen spits of rain changed our course option to an Archer Rd finish, and found myself amongst the ammunition of Nath, Chris and the other 'artillery'. Chris took one for the team with a big lead out for all, Steigy ran out of jellybeans in the last 200, and fine tow by the boys gave me the gas needed to take it to the line. Smacked a big pot hole with 50 to go (jarrred the headlight down at 45 degrees) which made for an exciting finish, thankfully upright and with wheels undamaged. Home for a decent feed and to clean the bike...again.
8 P&W's rolled out Wednesday morning, none were keen to wait for a bike 200 metres back (thinking it was the rabbit?) Got a call half a km later, Marion had missed the start by a whisker, then was halted by a red light. Went back for her but the crew had dissapeared into the distance. Dissapointing. A steady, slightly shorter lap was a good achievement though. Saw a couple of riders duing the day (not so often on bikes these days). Maurie is still going through the medical hoops to release the handbrake that stops his performance. Andy is just enjoying life, wife and wine! Good luck to both (fine riders).
Thursday was another soggy dull morning and was happy to tap out 30km at a reasonable pace. The bright sunshine and blue sky during the day inspired a circuit with the library group at 6. A promise of a good ride with 14 starters and a weakening southerly. Half way out Lemnos Cosgrove Rd the legs were complaining of quite a push, then that spongy rear tyre feel took over. Lovely....a puncture! Mistakenly thought the bunch would wait, but no, just vanished into the horizon. Oh well, change the tube in the dark and head home i guess. That done, i travelled at least 500 metres and copped a nail straight through the back tyre! Bugger, damn and smailto:s#@%!! No more tubes and nothing to repair them. Oh well, walking time (son in W.A., workmate on his way to Melb, best buddy at a party). Wasn't about to hack up a new pair of cleats, so it was 8km home in socks, and a lot of thinking on the way.
A gentle 25km on Friday morning was kind on the couple of foot blisters (nicely numbed by the 1 degree temperature) Bit of a 'let down' week, but i guess it can only get better from now. On the way home another close call with another fleeting glance driver at the same Fryers / Welsford intersection that i've had two prior near misses. Watch this one folks, the "turn left at anytime with care" is minus the care!
Week 32 369km 13616 calories (21 bottles of Jacobs Creek Merlot....tempting after Thursday night! )31.7 average +8km on foot @ 4.7km/h av.
Quote of the week "I thought of that while riding my bicycle" (Albert Einstein; on the theory of relativity)
Friday, August 5, 2011
Week 31
Just 10 legends turned up for Saturday's circuit. Mostly the Tuesday & Thursday Couldabeens. Where are all the others? (Soft & mushy doona snugglers i reckon!) Chauffering the soccer legend this morning so missed out on the coffee but really missed the truth stretching session at the Butterfactory.
Didn't have any starters for Sunday, so an early lap with my new mate the i-phone (& MapMyRide app). Pondered life's dramas out to the emu (me thinks it's an ex-emu, haven't seen it for ages) with Regina Spektor & Jeff Buckley into a light northeaster, then upped the pace with the Chemical Brothers (definitive music to time trial by) down Boundary & Mitchell. Very happy with a 34.3 average over the 45km. Rolling back into town i nearly became a Ford Focus front bumper! (The same Welsford/Fryers St intersection as my last close call) The "turn left at any time" is read, it's the "with care" that's ignored! (Seems it's just too hard to slow a bit and have a decent look)
Monday's P&W session had Bart, Minto, Chaddy, Meags, Coogs, Ryan & Scotty, a good lap enjoyed by all. A fine 34.3 average to beat the train again! Some much needed head therapy inspired Monday nights lap, a good way to iron out cerebral troubles. A freshening northeaster (again!) made hard work but concentrated on Bjork & Jonsi instead. (love my new i-phone) Felt quite a burn in the rectus femoris (Wiki that!) but i only do it 'cause it feels great when you stop. 33.4 was pleasing. There's a nice hum from the new Fortezza Tri-Comp's (slicks this time....roll very nicely @ 140psi).
Tuesdays Couldabeens (Leon, Matt, Vince, Marion, Bo, Kel, Rob & Paul) set a rapid pace, no doubt inspired by a favourable breeze from behind in Boundary Rd. Great teamwork resulted in a 34.2 average (a new group record) just sneaking under the boom gates before the train triggered them to close! Tuesday nights hospital group had 17 line-up, another 9 of Leigh's lads expanded the bunch even more. Some big guns riding together had everyone working hard in the last 5 km, i scored one of the best wheels in the business (and a great guy too) Chris Allemand. Trouble is, when he stands on the gas it's like chasing an RPG, but try i did. The youth of Chris (1st) and Mitch (2nd) are just too much for an old dinosaur (3rd) but a 57km/h max was something to cheer about (and an excuse to cook chicken kiev & chips for dinner!)
One of the nicest rides is Wednesday, at a slightly easier pace with my little buddy. At least the wind has eased. Thursday's Couldabeens had the same cast as Tuesday + our elder statesman Chris. And there were more records to be broken! Yes, a strengthening NE wind helped a bit, the mild 14 degrees was kind, but the whole team had the afterburners lit to post a 35.2 average. Nice work boys and girls, the train driver was still in bed when we crossed the rail tracks.
17 turned up for Thursday nights library bunch. Wow, 17 degrees for the first week of August! Even had the short knicks and fingerless gloves on! Big guns Killer, Bomber, Nath and Dean launched a tough attack in Mitchell Rd which split the bunch. Caught on the back at the time, i figured chasing was futile, so teamed up with Nick, Graham, Brendan, Axle & co to drive us 10 home. Launched off the back in the final 200 to wave a red flag at Brendan. Twas a rapid pace, 35.4 average even for us tailenders was satisfying.
A good ride Friday too with the P&W's. Some tough talk amongst the hotshots saw Chaddy, Bart, Sootie and the Rabbit bolt off into the distance for a chest-beating excercise amongst the testosterone fuelled boys. Stayed with the quality end of the field, all the quick chicks, Ayto etc, even had THM with us! As has become the norm, we thrashed the train again @ 34.8 av (didn't hear the honk till well up past the lake.)
A big week of 516km 19040 calories (31 x roast lamb, gravy, potato, pumpkin & peas dinners)
34.2 average
Quote of the week "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling" (James E Starrs)
Didn't have any starters for Sunday, so an early lap with my new mate the i-phone (& MapMyRide app). Pondered life's dramas out to the emu (me thinks it's an ex-emu, haven't seen it for ages) with Regina Spektor & Jeff Buckley into a light northeaster, then upped the pace with the Chemical Brothers (definitive music to time trial by) down Boundary & Mitchell. Very happy with a 34.3 average over the 45km. Rolling back into town i nearly became a Ford Focus front bumper! (The same Welsford/Fryers St intersection as my last close call) The "turn left at any time" is read, it's the "with care" that's ignored! (Seems it's just too hard to slow a bit and have a decent look)
Monday's P&W session had Bart, Minto, Chaddy, Meags, Coogs, Ryan & Scotty, a good lap enjoyed by all. A fine 34.3 average to beat the train again! Some much needed head therapy inspired Monday nights lap, a good way to iron out cerebral troubles. A freshening northeaster (again!) made hard work but concentrated on Bjork & Jonsi instead. (love my new i-phone) Felt quite a burn in the rectus femoris (Wiki that!) but i only do it 'cause it feels great when you stop. 33.4 was pleasing. There's a nice hum from the new Fortezza Tri-Comp's (slicks this time....roll very nicely @ 140psi).
Tuesdays Couldabeens (Leon, Matt, Vince, Marion, Bo, Kel, Rob & Paul) set a rapid pace, no doubt inspired by a favourable breeze from behind in Boundary Rd. Great teamwork resulted in a 34.2 average (a new group record) just sneaking under the boom gates before the train triggered them to close! Tuesday nights hospital group had 17 line-up, another 9 of Leigh's lads expanded the bunch even more. Some big guns riding together had everyone working hard in the last 5 km, i scored one of the best wheels in the business (and a great guy too) Chris Allemand. Trouble is, when he stands on the gas it's like chasing an RPG, but try i did. The youth of Chris (1st) and Mitch (2nd) are just too much for an old dinosaur (3rd) but a 57km/h max was something to cheer about (and an excuse to cook chicken kiev & chips for dinner!)
One of the nicest rides is Wednesday, at a slightly easier pace with my little buddy. At least the wind has eased. Thursday's Couldabeens had the same cast as Tuesday + our elder statesman Chris. And there were more records to be broken! Yes, a strengthening NE wind helped a bit, the mild 14 degrees was kind, but the whole team had the afterburners lit to post a 35.2 average. Nice work boys and girls, the train driver was still in bed when we crossed the rail tracks.
17 turned up for Thursday nights library bunch. Wow, 17 degrees for the first week of August! Even had the short knicks and fingerless gloves on! Big guns Killer, Bomber, Nath and Dean launched a tough attack in Mitchell Rd which split the bunch. Caught on the back at the time, i figured chasing was futile, so teamed up with Nick, Graham, Brendan, Axle & co to drive us 10 home. Launched off the back in the final 200 to wave a red flag at Brendan. Twas a rapid pace, 35.4 average even for us tailenders was satisfying.
A good ride Friday too with the P&W's. Some tough talk amongst the hotshots saw Chaddy, Bart, Sootie and the Rabbit bolt off into the distance for a chest-beating excercise amongst the testosterone fuelled boys. Stayed with the quality end of the field, all the quick chicks, Ayto etc, even had THM with us! As has become the norm, we thrashed the train again @ 34.8 av (didn't hear the honk till well up past the lake.)
A big week of 516km 19040 calories (31 x roast lamb, gravy, potato, pumpkin & peas dinners)
34.2 average
Quote of the week "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling" (James E Starrs)
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