Week 14

Not me!  Elite @ Shepp 70.3 Ironman 2011  i-phone

That bakery aroma gets me every Saturday morning!  Of course, hot cross buns are on the menu. A big whiff of diesel from a passing truck shifts the focus, thoughts of daylight at this time next week are encouraging.  Down at the Peppermill, Matty is back for an encore, the usual crew fronting for duty for episode 2 of the new circuit.  Great to have Norm back, Kylie making up a trio of quick chicks and Simmo's natural break forced a bolt to the start arriving just in time. Barely 400 metres covered before something holes my rear tube, a courteous stop by all for a change with instructions sledged by several.  Steve chaperoned workmate Craig along, but a dud knee is called 2k into the ride, u-turning him soon after.  With the 5 minute delay in schedule, a keen eye is cast on Archer Rd, the later bunch thankfully stopping to allow our progress.  Enjoyed the southerly leg with the light northeast assist, Nev commenting the cadence ying & yang  between Daniel & I. A good pace east on Karramomus, super smooth Norm showing the juniors how it's done.  The Shepp-Euroa Rd was a little more of a slog into the wind, encouraging words from Nev didn't stop the legs complaining. Vince's weather prediction shaped up as gospel, a short but light shower dampened the road but not the enthusiasm. A cautious turn into Old Dookie, several questioned which finish line was the goal.  Chris & Temple poured on the power after Central Ave to take the honours. Bo, Vince and Nev had a sprint too, taking the second stage win (seems the second 90km/h sign is now the favoured line.) A great yarn, coffee and banana toast at the other finish line, joined by our wounded soldier Leon catching up on some social rehab.

An extra hour of snooze overnight (pondered this time last year knocking out 427k in 15 hrs with the dream M2M team) but the eyelids were still on daylight savings time. The wind had turned southerly overnight but had eased a little, I set sail toward Rushworth, head down at 143bpm. (on the invite to join Cougs on her Rushy-Shepp trek) Tapped away toward Tatura, a few solo riders ahead turned to carrots to reel in and pass. Got a bit tougher as the road bent toward the Basin, wasn't excited about climbing the hills either. A perfectly timed Cougs came into view on the first crest, quite the relief u turning for the 35k back, a vanilla slice break at Tat further incentive to tap away at the relentlessly long Basin to Tat leg (nothing to view at Harston btw) . Nice to log a steady 70k in perfect weather, a great change of scenery and distance.

Rolled out a short 25k Monday morning, Princess on a recovery, the TT lads head down-tail up as usual.  A chuckle to oneself in Old Dookie Rd spying "Pickles" (the massive and usually barking Rottweiler) sound asleep on the cold ground.  Put an appearance in at the bike forum Monday night, a few groups represented for a say in council's 2012-16 strategy. A few good ideas aired (a couple of odd ones too) and a few hopes of some improved conditions in the future (if the consultants don't soak up the entire budget) with the mayor on our table.  Just patching a few road chasms would be a start.

Tuesday had 16 Couldabeens for the 30k lap, Rob and Vince missing from the mix, but a quality field to enjoy the mild 18 degrees and favourable northeaster.  Bo & Kel took restrained turns, no doubt a little spent after scorching the Vets TT on Sunday, but Daniel kept us awake on the rev-limiter. Chris was Kid Considerate for the duration, a smooth run in Conrod straight (minus the sprint) a pleasant way to clock up another ride.  35.5 stood as proof that smooth tempo works.  138av HR burnt enough to warrant the 2nd course raisin toast.
As always a handful of contenders at the hospital boom gates on Tuesday evening, as always i drew a few turns with Robbo, though torture was off his list thankfully.  Other legends and characters were gathered on the trip east, but insects too were unwittingly consumed as a poor substitute for protein.  All came prepared with lights for what is now eastern standard time, the olympian and Robbo lighting up the pace after the emu (and taking most of the driving duties from River Rd onward.)  In all 17 stayed together (having dropped an unwelcomed passenger) for the lap, now in darkness and temperature dropping. Gools was in great shape at the pointy end of the field in the dying moments with Robbo & Steve still towing most of us. Managed to hold on for 5th with a 36.5 average, the ticker averaging 134 and peaking at 185.  (interesting to see averages way higher on solo missions)

Joined Chaddy, Fee, Ryan, Nico, Cougs, Hayles and the Hard Man for a P&W tour on Wednesday. A few had gone the TT discipline, but a quality field tapped around in the mid 30's picking up Bo & Kel at Channel Rd (thus maintaining the standards & quality).  Like Tuesday, a welcome change dispensing with a sprint, 33.7 a good result despite having a rare stop for the train.  51 had much drama with their sprint, a dropped chain causing quite a stack, airborne and busted bikes, thankfully injuries no worse than a dislocated shoulder. Princess copped a supersledge from the Eggman on the roll through town, but the ride enjoyed by all.

An early work start on Thursday prevented attendance at the Couldabeens (Glenn & Rob apparently kept rapid tempo on the agenda) so a short 25k a little earlier kept the old creaky bones and muscles reminded of what's required to keep the wheels turning. Felt better heading west than east, 35+ easy to maintain back to town. The odd car driver, clearly half asleep at the wheel, still keeps the wits sharp, pulling out from a give way at the last moment warms up the brakepads and the temper.

Texts were to and fro for a ride Good Friday, choosing the P&W option with Stace, Fee, Rhino, Cougs & Norm to roll out a toaster loop. Good Friday by name, temperature, conditions and company, a great pace by all (but may have to let air out of Rhino's tyres) with some of the smoothest wheels in the business. Lots of others out enjoying the holiday, spotted Kylie on a run, Vince, Goose, Dawg, Steve & co on a hot lap, Rob & 2 Glenns anti clockwise, a sizeable Adams assembly albeit awry, even a gaggle of Gazelles scattered in Mitchell. A great lap of the toaster in 1.26  @32.5 even better to enjoy great company, coffee and breakfast part 2, with a collective donation to the appeal.

Week 14  429km  15,830 calories (351 Felafels) @ 33km/h average.  YTD:5593km

"Ability is a poor man's wealth"  John Wooden US basketball coach 1910-2010