Week 15

Limited numbers for Easter Saturday, just Cougs, Steve, Temple, Hoffy, Daniel and Glenn G turned up at the Peppermill. 12 degrees and a light southwest wind didn't deter, the team rolled down Raftery but just 2k was covered before a puncture punctuated a pause. The entertainment value was exquisite, Daniel's attempt at repair and C02 operation was subject to much sledging and amusement. Seconds after his fix, Hoffy noticed a similar bindi-i affliction to his rear wheel. More amusement and comedy ensued, at least Hoffy had the fix complete in half Daniels time!  An alteration to the agenda with half an hour done on pitstops, the Mitchell-Boundary-Old Dookie route chosen to get us back on track.  Rapid progress in Mitchell Rd with the breeze from behind, eyed Daniels chain on a big curve from little ring to little sprocket. Coug's eagle eye spotted Hoffy dropping back in Boundary Rd, the pace quickly eased to unify the team.  The wind made for a hard slog homeward in Old Dookie Rd, ideal conditions for Rob to take the chocolates (and for Cougs to grab a crafty win on Stage2 at the 60)  33.8 good for limited numbers. Coffee was great to warm the insides, good to warm up krusty Ken with some sledges too. 

Maybe an excess of chocolate on Sunday did it, maybe the urge for a ride did it, either way the eyes opened at 5 on Monday and wouldn't close again.  To cure the craving (and to loosen the rusty joints from a day of bike hibernation) I set off for a solo circuit, 9 degrees testing the motivation.  The westerly helped on the way out Old Dookie, suprisingly not too difficult on the Boundary Rd leg either, but Mitchell was a chore. At least the serenity did the head some good, burnt some easter eggs off the waist too.  A big grin from an approaching rider identified the Goose, stretching the newly aquired Giant TT, Stevo & co half a k behind. Tapped away beyond the dog leg, the distinctive howl behind of singles signalled Goose had u-turned, breaking the solitude for a good yarn on the hiatus homeward.  Back into town with a 33.5 average on the speedo, 155 on the HR.
Joined Cougs to take up the invite for a casual roll with the Adams family (backtracking my course to unwind), with Temple, Daniel and Kylie on the guest list too. Quite a turnup of 18 characters, a quiet tempo with the ease of a tailwind making for minimal effort.  I always find it difficult to blend comfortably with unacustomed riders, a few were given more space than normal. Some strange and uncalled moves, one dropped un-noticed, and serious surging from two wasn't courting much confidence.   Ken, Don, Powelly and others had a convenient shortcut home via Channel Rd, others continued on but the agreed route was a vague issue (a rudderless ship somewhat) Arriving at Old Dookie Rd a few had pointed right toward the toaster (maybe miss-heard by Kylie) a brief moment of confusion ensued, wheels touched and Kylie hit the deck.  Thankfully, no injury to bike or body, the bunch agreed to set sail for the toaster (but Cougs and I had decided the safer option was to pair up for a tap toward town.  A 30.1 for lap 2, pleased to digest the 65k's over coffee and conversation.

Tuesday mornings fresh 3.8 degrees sorted out the tenacious from the timid. Only 9 were brave to take on temperature and the fresh southwester.  Great to have Greendog and the Goose (tough gloveless) along, even Trev toughing it out. Bo & Kel straight off an Easter break jumped in the deep end too.  Came across Vince and Steve in Mitchell Rd, heading anti-clockwise from a double puncture in town that denied them a usual start. Rob took line honours in Raftery, great banter amongst the crew over lead-outs too.  The 34av respectable for the conditions, train soundly beaten again.

Numbers had really slumped Tuesday night, just Mike, Axel, me and Mark (his anti-clockwise bunch had no starters) to roll out from the hospital.  Bomber hooked on in Ford Rd, Dalton joined near Campbells.  All the way to the emu before the Olympian and Steigy were reeled in.  The southerly had gained strength to 20km/h (gusting to 32) to quieten the conversation, then numbers diminished at Channel Rd with Steve, Mike and Dalton abandoning ship for a short trip to town.  Only 4 remained for the River Rd section, (brisk in speed and temperature) even Bomber peeling off at Kialla Central to head home.  Axel, Steigy and I went single for the Mitchell and Archer leg, a steady build up into the high 40's for the last k of Archer earned our dinner    33.4k and 139bpm averages in just 12 degrees.

The wind had all but vanished by morning (and so had 6 degrees) for a recovery 25k at 6am.  Heading clockwise on the track were Supercats at no-so-super pace, only 4 P&W's (cool yet effervescent as always), and reduced attendance for the regular Cats, with 5 Goats tailing a k back. Winter has certainly arrived in Autumn.  Punctured back in town near SPC which dulled the mood, but hot raisin toast and coffee put a grin back. 

Winter had arrived with avengance Thursday morning, the thermometer struggled to get half a degree above 3 but 15 Couldabeens were tough enough for a lap.  Many had trawled the depths of their cupboards for booties, long knicks and thick gloves but the reality of the temperature was a bit of a struggle. Breathing chilled air, trying to get decent circulation and muscles warm are reminders of winters past, but something drives us to continue on.  Daniel's chain strain, Bo climatising from Bianchi to Ridley (and from Shimano to Campag) well, Kel rugged up ski style, Tim having a good dip, all good distraction from the cold. Daniel on a day off went full distance, challenging Rocket in the closing stages but just shy of the horsepower needed for glory.  34.7 a great achievement for somewhat arctic conditions, and many rusty from Easter r&r. Train on holiday with a track re-co underway, but bus beaten.

Just 4 at the library Thursday evening, the dark and cold scaring away the regulars? As always, many were already rolling out the road, half a dozen at DECA, 3 or 4 more by Campbells,  finally Brendan & Andrew at the Emu to make up 18.  The sun had set and the temperature had sunk to 12 but most found energy to keep the pace and conversation going with some noticably chilly patches to endure on the track, night turned to day with the sprinters headlight (capable of 1600 lumens) rendering most candle-like.    A calmer build up in Raftery Rd was kind on cold muscles, but we were well into the mid 40's for the last k. Trav had brought his young son along for the ride, many impressed with him doing several turns up front, keeping great pace, up at the pointy end in the  40's..........and he's just 12 years old!  (note Liam's name for future bets)  Brendan jumped early for the sprint and paid the price, Mitch taking a well timed win,  i just survived for 3rd when many dropped  in the closing metres.  The 35.2k / 120bpm average and max 51 / 183bpm certainly built an appetite.

Numbers down a lot with the P&W's Friday, just Cougs, Rhino and Grasshopper at the start.  Fox, Sootie and Hayles rolled in from an early 30 preparing for Port Mac, only Hayles joining us though, the others choosing a TT. 6 degrees didn't help a very flat feeling (maybe worked a bit hard this week?) and by Channel Rd took a slow shortcut down Channel with legs protesting.  Not the most enthused end to the week, perhaps a reminder to ease up a bit? 

As a "by the way", the new Shepp Motor Museum is certainly worth a look at some great cars, the bonus is a few awesome 19th century bikes (and a trike) from the amazing Farren collection on display.

Week 15   404km  14,907 calories (106 large potatoes)   32.6km/h average  YTD 5994km

"Measure your mind's height by the shade it casts"  Robert Browning Hamilton 1812-1889