Cool again Saturday, just 13 degrees but the promise of a warm day was enough motivation to kit up. A southerly gave a bit of resistance on the way to the OC start, others began to assemble with 7am approaching.
JT on a rare visit with Adam (was an underage gig declared?) , Hoffy, Temple, Daniel, Bo & Kel....all the usual clan gathered (minus Steve with a bung toe), great to see Vince back on board, Meags returned for more too. 16 in total headed off with a little confusion at first, but got down to a proper rhythm soon after. A large contingent of Cats (with a sprinkling of Stasi?) already discharging 11 riders OTA near the dog-leg. Our bunch positioned well in Mitchell Rd, enjoyed the tail breeze in Boundary Rd too, hovering around the high 30's and into the 40's (a bit rapid for some) Time northbound flew quickly, a big dose of reality turning into Ford Rd, we were but tailwind heroes. Good communication from the back to reassemble the stretched bunch after the turn, homeward bound west with thoughts of caffine enthusing all. Nev wasn't sparing the horsepower but it was pleasing to have the bunch together till DECA. Adam took the spoils (though technically in the YC classification) Nev 2nd, Daniel a very credible 3rd. A few had opted for a calmer finish (including me), but all enjoyed the social intercourse after, a good sense of achievement with a 34.2 average.
Just 4 were parked at the Lake on Sunday. (a big difference from the 30 odd on a good day a few years back) Sprinter Brendan, Norm, Brian & Lance took on the 12km/h south easterly with little fuss. A consensus agreed on a Toolamba Loop (anti-clockwise) which evolved into a road surface road test. Patches on the patches out of Mooroopna, rough as hessian undies in Union Rd, super smooth hot mix in Euroa Rd. A steady roll around without heriocs seemed to be enjoyed by us all. (spied old Col heading west in Union, Tim and the Rocket in Raftery heading east.) Some learned words on diet, training and life in general from all over coffee, good to have Gav join in the chat too.
Turned up to the usual P&W start on Monday, a few different faces and a curious grouping at the back. (mmm....looks like some hurt was about to be inflicted amongst some today). Team Enjoyment formed quickly (Meags, Cougs, Tommy and i) and rolled away on the dot, others waited, i guess to chase. A very warm morning at 21 degrees, the northeaster slowly building from 15km/h to toll a bit of effort out Old Dookie, TTT rules single file applied. Nice at the turn to have the breeze at our backs, tempo now hovering in the mid to high thirties. Good smooth turns executed by all, the protractors of pain passing us near the pig farm, exiting stage right for a River Rd thrash. Content with our teamwork and usual course, speed stayed consistent for the entire circuit (apart from usual intersections and a delay at the highway) finishing with pussycats not within cooee, the train still stationary for the foursome to cross the line, clocking a 33.6.
17 Couldabeens started Tuesday morning, Steve back with tender toe but responded to Gav turning the volume up in Channel Rd. Another mild morning (20) and a similar breeze to Monday, the rocket prodigy had returned from a short holiday as our chances of a win took a long one. The wind made high 30's a cruising speed heading south, picking up young Nick just after the bridge to climb aboard the train for a tow. A fine rate of knots held down Mitchell Rd too, customary peel-offs for Daniel & Leon at Archer, then Kel & Bo at Melb Rd. Of course Rob renewed his position on the podium at the finish, Gavin featured up there too. Delighted with a 36.5 average, (train and Cats beaten again) which allowed a bit more time to enjoy raisin toast before work beckoned the 7.30 start.
Off the bike on Tuesday night,but lent a hand at the sunset tri instead. Great to see Grasshopper & Soph back from their extended travels. The dawg spectating too with one bung knee. Nico took a fine victory in the mens, Carol victorious in the womens, young Hayles an excellent 3rd. Goose sliced a minute and a half off his pb, even Choppy having a dip (able to sledge well during the bike too!) An exhausted young girl (with mum competing & supporting close by) 7k into the bike, was heard to blurt out "i'm never doing this again!" Bet she'll be back.
Suprising to notice so many riders without lights heading northbound in Wyndham St. to various rides of a morning. I know the harsh meeting with a bumper and bonnet would re-adjust their thoughts, i think a bit of nouse would be a better option before that happened. A now customary gentle roll around the Channel - Boundary - Old Dookie lap for Wednesday am, the smallish grouping of P&W's happily chirping a 'good morning' near the pub, but Princess, Wizz and Minto had heads down a 100 metres back in pursuit. (the eggman had taken a torch to the locker earlier) Good to treat the legs with a little respect once or twice a week, though Cougs had the hammer down enthusiastically toward the finish of the lap.
Thursday am rolled up to the Couldabeens, Norm, Ryan and Goose fronted, Greendog gingerly along for the ride with the dodgy knee. 16 degrees had Chris (sporting arm warmers) frozen, it'll be arctic survival suits if it gets below 12. Nath joined on 3k up Channel Rd, frontrunners Bo and Vince turning up the heat in their own little battle for supremacy. All enjoyed the assistance of breeze from the northeast in Boundary and Mitchell, more than normal caution shown arriving at Euroa Rd, a member of the constabulary focussing on our behavior at the intersection. (wonder if others got snipped?) An over excited effort turning into Raftery Rd by the lads up front gapped the bunch by 50 metres, (Vince scurried homeward at Arcadia Downs) but Nath & i assumed the honourable tow truck duties to keep the bunch together, Cougs with a strong finish on the line. A mighty fine 36.5 average, the train not yet idling at the station when we crossed the tracks.
Attempted to clear the little grey cells after a frantic day at work, took off on an anti clockwise toaster loop with the intention to join up with the clockwise library mob wherever they appeared. A shock to the system climatising to 34 degrees and a warm south wester (after our rather lukewarm summer to date) but tuned in to Massive Attack to pass the k's and distract from the conditions. Wound up rationing the H2O, should have added an extra bottle. Guessed i'd join up somewhere near the emu, but got all the way back beyond Grahamvale Rd before the bunch came into view. 45k done at 32.8 for part 1. Jumped aboard, yarned with Mitch, Brendan, Kev and Co. Hamish off the track returning to the road, enjoying the big ring, Dalton back after a few weeks off. Deano & Mitch kept the wheels turning quickly into the head wind, Hamish had a big kaboom matching the pace but a united team adjusted and prevailed. The suggestion of a River Rd route was well received....a bit wider, a bit quieter and an easier negotiation of the Mitchell/Euroa Rd intersection. By Arcadia Downs the distance and heat had soaked a fair few watts, i was content to drop off the back and roll in, but had Mike, Dalton & Hamish glued to my wheel. Part 2 was 40k down at 33.5 to total 90 for the evening.
Felt suprisingly good at 5.30 for a P&W lap Friday morning. Three groups assembled in Old Dookie Rd, those wishing to suffer, those wanting to thrash with supercats, but joined the usual P&W family, fully optioned with quick chicks, Grasshopper back on two wheels, Choppy on board, Steve and Vince visiting too. A solitary Shirms u- turned to join us briefly in Boundary Rd, a smooth tempo maintained with the locker boys almost on us until their River Rd turn. Stace, Meags, Hayles, Cougs, Jo & Fee performed superbly (16km/h headwind), a long time since we've had the full set of quick chicks in action. Chops set off to stir Jeramy (who'd dropped off the locker) at Mt. Nicolaci, most of the remainder stretched out forming into single file after Roubaix. Spent the last 3k's trying to reel in the pack, catching 'em on the Conrod dip. A strong train finish, even denying the small 51 contingent chasing (Chris, Mitch and Robbo) a victory. A good finish to the week with 30 @ 34.5 in the bag.
Week 3 436km 16,088 calories (1,340 Jaffas) 33.4 km/h average
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"
Ralph Waldo Emmerson
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