Week 1

A new view for the year ; south east Euroa on Nokia phone

So another year over, a new one just begun......

A great roll up of 20 for Saturdays' OC ride, great to have Matty back in the fold. The familiar faces of Dave, Hoffy, Steve, Bo & Kel, Norm, Leon,  Nick, Cougs, Steve and Ryan along with a few not so regulars (Glen, Tim, Chilly and the Doc) joining in to share the load. Mild on the temperature and mild on the breeze made it bearable too.  A copious collection of Cats sailed westward in Mitchell Rd, plenty of frowns and few grins said it was overtime pace for them. A few more reminders were needed on reading the wind to the pointy end of the field which restored some order to the bunch for Boundary Rd. It's a very familiar track (rolled over it 360+ times this year) but there's always an un-noticed pot-hole i hit that inflicts pain on palms or private parts.  A fair bit of "rubber banding" going on at the back of the field, any variation on the front amplified down to the tail of the pack (bigger numbers may well contribute?)  All arrived at the Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd turn where a gaggle of Gazelles were on their uncouthly named "fanny break".  Nick punctured half a k after the turn, so a pause was (eventually) called to the engine drivers.  Most of the bunch halted several hundred metres up the track and it was a big chase into the 40's for us to catch when Nick had repaired. Eventually latched on in Ford Rd having nearly emptied the endurance. A bit dissapointing the bunch didn't wait to regroup properly, wolud have given everyone a fair ride. The warmer weather has brought several bunches out, the Muppets and another group heading eastward into a strengthening northeasterly.  Gained the front of house job in Wanganui Rd with Nick, a good tap along at 40 made use of the assisting breeze.  The cemetary 60 sign saw Bo cross the line first, a fired up Matty for 2nd, Glenn a very credible 3rd. Norm showed seniority rules with a great 5th spot. Great fellowship over coffee (the lemon tart purely medicinal carbo loading therapy) with technical and trivial conversation in good supply.

Slept like a swinging brick new years eve (a glass of red and bed by 10.30 for this party pooper) and ventured off to the lake on the first of the first for an eight o'clock tour. An interesting mix of human variety on the way, a few seriously seasoned runners pounding the path, a couple of new years 'resolutees' huffing and puffing (and profusely sweating)  the run, then a very second-hand new years reveller staggering their way somewhere from celebrations last night.  The agenda was set for a sensible start to the year, Norm, Cougs and Graham agreed to a steady Toaster loop. Is it the year of the Hare? (One live and large and three flattened at the cemetary). Pushed into a warm 10k northeast breeze out to the Emu but the God of cycling had frowned upon us swinging the breeze northwesterly to 18km/h  almost on cue turning into Old Dookie Rd. All took great turns even with the temperature rising quickly to 30. By Archer Rd the consensus was to ease just 2km/h to prevent premature expiry, happy to finish with 50 done at 31.  Friars for a fix of caffine and conversation.

A dream team of Meags, Stace, Rhino & Cougs assembled at SPC for Monday's P&W loop.  Rabbits' locker had Princess (suave new black TT rig) Fox, Sootie, Bart, Minto and Blighty leaving a few minutes later. Great P&W teamwork as always for the fabulous five had us nearly at the pub when the heroes of hurt passed.  Poor old Blighty went kabooom just beyond the intersection then scooted down River Rd for self inflicted punishment.  Rhino's in great shape, Stace  (already tapped out 30 prior) matching him well. Good to have Meags and Cougs doing great turns too, a real team effort to finish with a 34 average.  Fox and Sootie had a table waiting at Friars, a great yarn, coffee and toast for an hour enjoyed immensely.

Took an anticlockwise circuit with Cougs on Tuesday, round via Ford Rd and the cemetary. 22 degrees the warmest morning yet (shouldn't complain, have only grizzled about the lack of summer for 6 months!) with lots of solos, pairs and small groups out.  A wave from the big ranga near Hill Rd, a chirpy "G'day" from Meags on a solo mission, Newto on the 'sleep in' express, Birchy in Ford Rd, Shawy on his way home, even THM rolling out of town as we rolled in .  Good to have a change of scenery, not against the clock either for back to work.

A stinker of a day touching 40 but cloud cover crept in late Tuesday arvo dropping the temp a bit.  The saying about mad dogs and englishmen came to mind, but it wasn't midday.  Just Rod, John, Scott and Danny brave enough for the 37 degree task from the hospital. A hot northwest blast helped to push us to the emu picking up Mitch on the way, commonsense pulled 5k off the speed turning southward.  Rod was turning a bit second-hand in Old Dookie Rd so another couple of km/h was discounted in aid of team bonding.  Had to do without John's track skils after Channel Rd but Mitch stepped up as a great engine driver. Down at the Mitchell Rd chicane Rod dropped off (understandable given the now westerly wind blowing up to 48km/h), so went back to tow him up.  All regrouped soon after for the slog back home. Spied Muntzy back on the bike, must up my insurance levels! Quite a relief for the group turning northward near Arcadia Downs (spotted Andrew out riding too, with the wind at his back) but Mitch bolted and showed us what youth can do in the last 700. Couldn't get more than 51 with the 30+ blast from the west but it netted 2nd. The aroma of  domestic dinners cooking got meal ideas flowing and a tummy grumbling!

Intentions of an early lap with the legends about to tackle IMNZ were shelved at 4.40 Wednesday, lightning and the odd very brief shower spelled a literal raincheck.  Great to have a sleep-in (the first morning off the bike since 25/11) but had legs of concrete for the morning as a result.

Another enjoyable reverse circuit on Thursday, taking advantage of a light south wester. Good for muscles (and soul) to tap out a restrained circuit, maybe i'm having too many fast rides of late?   A wicked wind had spent the afternoon gaining strength to attack the library bunch for 6pm. A large contingent of 18 to start, including younger bro Gus on a brief visit from the U.S. (he's a 'spinner', not a grinder ; a genetic malfunction?) Great to have Graeme back from drilling duties, good to see Sean out of yuletide hibernation too.  The 30km/h southerly helped a high 30's tempo out to the Emu, several more top guns joining along the way (expectations of a place at the end dropped rapidly!) Pointing south dealt out much pain, gusts up to 50km/h tossed us about like rag dolls. A few suffered severely after Benalla Rd, the bunch fracturing into 3. Titans of torque John and Mitch had it by the scruff of the neck and stretched away taking 3 or 4 with them, the main bunch of 12 holding desperately to quick rotations for survival, and a  slower paced group assembled at the back to plug home. All in the middle pack needed a metre of width for the sideways blast down Mitchell Rd (noticed Muntzy eastbound again) , noticed the breakaway bunch discarding Kev, Mark and Jamie by Euroa Rd. Mitch and John were finally reeled in to the peleton by Melbourne Rd, the horsepower of Rocket and Nath taking the spoils of 1st & 2nd, my jellybean jar just too small in the last km. Still, a 35.7 average was very credible given the windy conditions.

Friday morning rolled out Old Dookie early with Cougs to join the IMNZ trainers (intentions of starting with them were foiled by an early puncture) on a 30 prior to the P&W's lap. Grouped with them at the toaster, but struggled with the speed that was on the agenda, Ayto's awesomeness hard to match. Thankfully had a 5 minute breather back at SPC before the next 30, but that was tough on the legs too with a similar speed set.  A niggling wind was still an issue (reduced from last night, but still a chore) but it didnt seem bother Rhino, Minto or HWK much. Nico had come along (first time for ages) fresh from thrashing mexicans in the hills. Dan, Hayley, Stace and Guysy enduring the elements as well.  Finally crossed Melbourne Rd and into Raftery but had unknowingly dropped Cougs, contradicting the  "all on" call. Dissapointing. A 35.7 average and beating the train home was little comfort.

First week of a new year (promising to ease off a bit....ha ha) bagged 435km using 16051 calories (535 Tim Tams)   @ 32.9 average


"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him"
David Brinkley