The eastern standard time daylight has been very shortlived, back to the proper headlight to navigate my way to the Peppermill for the 6.30 Saturday departure. A downsized group today (a few absconding to feline endeavours) but quality thankfully prevails, great sledging over last weeks puncture repairs set a humourous beginning. Still feels backward rolling out Raftery (the usual scene of rapid finishes) however a clear and still morning with the sunrise's orange sky inspiring. Seems Ridleys are conquering the earth lately, Kel now trialing one. Keith had switched camps from the later group to trial a run with us, Axel, Nick and Dave returning from brief breaks too. Speed was down a welcomed fraction today (a few over-enthusiastic ones being absent perhaps?) 15 finding things comfortable in the mid 30's. A brief moment of single file for an oncoming car on the skinny section of the Shepp-Euroa Rd, over the East Goulburn main channel, then pour on the pace to stay with Glenn & Axel cranking up the tempo. By the pub things had eased back, Dave throwing around mixed sprint scenarios to confuse the contenders (a defined finish line this week at least!) Democratically all together crossing Central Ave, the wind-up near Dobsons had Dave champing at the bit. He inherited the front with 400 to go with Bo, me and Daniel lined up for the jump (or the crumbs) A moment of hesitation with an oncoming car played my hand, able to pounce to 52 (188bpm) at the last gasp for the chocolates. A great lap for all really, no shame in the 33 average. Coug's smoother & safer route chosen through town for coffee and tall tales, some humourous retribution dealt by Ken for prior pranks (but Foss's folly has barely begun!)
Opened up a big volume of the book of excuses Sunday morning, despite the eyes opening at 4.30. Memories of a flat Friday maybe? The bike stayed on it's stand, hr ticked over at 58, a decadent sleep in till 6.30.
Chose a solitary ride Monday morning, dopamine the drug of choice to purge the ghost of troubles past and maybe to ease the turbulence of struggles present? 9 degrees felt a bit milder at 5.30, certainly peaceful other than the wind noise at (between?) the ears. Just one (courteous) car along Lemnos Cosgrove Rd, then turned down Boundary Rd remembering to "thread the needle" at the edge of the rumble strips. Haven't had the speedo light on lately, there's an interesting mystery about the speed that will either suprise or sadden when light reveals the truth. Good to have that unknown element. Could just make out the red pinpoint of a tailight ahead , 2k's later rounded up Mo on a recovery ride from Echuca's weekend race. He was quick to latch on my wheel for the trip home (funny, a Vespa towing a Veyron) doubts about speed both an advantage and burden. Eyes down approaching the only street light at the end of Channel Rd, pleased to see 37.5. Happy finishing with a 34.5 over the 30, a good yarn with Dave through town and the very welcome slice of raisin toast when home as reward.
Monday arvo's random ride was facing the demons; out Bells / Armstrong Rd, Cosgrove-Caniambo Rd to the Camel Farm and back via New Dookie Rd. 20 degrees was ideal and just a light southerly to contend with. A couple of rabbits caused a moment darting out (a hasty retreat thankfully) in Boundary Rd but the reality of the long unrelenting stretch of Bells & Armstrong Rd took some mental adjustment. Long shadows across the burnt stubbled fields and an orange sky distracted the 11.08 k's of tarmac, narrowing to just 3 metres at the end. (I guess it could have been the similarly straight road out of Balladonia W.A....all 146k of it) A left into Bridge Rd and up to the highway highlighted the councils' engineeering skills of laying bitumen over corrugations, maybe a testament to the cobbles of Roubaix? Deafened by the squauk of galahs and soon after mocked by kookaburras, hung a left at the Camel farm and set sail westward and homeward on New Dookie Rd. About 1.7 million kamikaze insects did their best to uphold the martyrs honour against bike and body (i prefer a better flavour in protein supplements) but happily home with a 32.8 over the 60k's, hr averaging 139.
Vince seems to have run away to join the 51 circus, but 14 turned up for the Couldabeens lap. Goose and Greeny fronted up, bringing along Cranky. Kel, Bo & Steve a little secondhand from weekend racing, Temple too with 200 clocked at the weekend. Cougs missing with a dose of the flu, but Chris recovering from his dose acted as rear gunner. The usual burst of pace near the end of Channel Rd then felt a touch of breeze against us in Boundary. Goose and the Dawg legged it at the dog-leg, stretching away on a TT. Numbers shrunk with the regular departees, Cranky & Chris hanging on the back and only 6 left driving the engine. Just Jason, Temple, Gav & me to fight it out for 2nd. (my totally inadequate 52km/h at 190bpm was merely a lame a tow for Rocket) but a solid ride completed at 35.7. averaging 138bpm.
Encouraging to find 9 at the hospital Tuesday evening (beats last weeks 3) young Nath back from the honeymoon clearly rested and revitalised to thrash us into submission. Steve & Deano replicated the speed to make a rapid journey east, Mitch fuelling the fire too, with smoke from the nearby stubble burn wrecking respiration. A touch of southwesterly was detected from the pigfarms' windsock of aroma, only small variations in speed in Old Dookie and Boundary dependant on who squeezed the accellerator. Some warm and chilly patches felt along the route, having a 4th turn at the front with the ever improving Gools in River Rd. Not the best of calls at Melbourne Rd, splitting the bunch with traffic, but democracy ruled a wait till the bunch reformed. By Arcadia Downs there was a line half a k long, Nath did a monster tow, Mitch the clear winner, Robbo a late charge for position from being snookered, Gools turning up the wick well but Foss could only get 5th at 54 clicks with the tacho at 183. An impressive 37.2 average for the bunch on a cool night, good yarns on the roll home put the icing on the cake.
The usual procession of bunches down Boundary Rd on Wednesday, although it's hard to tell who's who with the sun struggling to get up before 7. An audio check of happy hello's, or the odd grunt, maybe the howl of wheels under stress usually gives the game away. Nev ofetn calls a good morning to confirm it's 51. A good low 30's recovery lap as always, legs appreciating the spice of life that is variety. A concerted effort to keep up the H2O intake this past week has eased the lead legs feeling, though the recommended 2.4 - 4.1 litres/day is a long way off. The H2O falling from the sky put a halt to riding Thursday am or pm, a quieter week wont be out of order.
With a special invite to the much heralded Ayto relaunch, Friday's P&W lap was highly anticipated and not to be missed. Quite a roll up to this epic event, Stace, Nico, Coogs, Grasshopper, Fee, Meags & Fox, Sootie, Hayles, the cream of society, but only missing one person.....Ayto! (Must have relaunched himself under the doona?) Despite the lack of the guest of honour, a good circuit by the crew, picking up Bo, Kel & Fitzy in Boundary Rd, welcoming Greendawg into the fold in Mitchell. Meags unfortunately punctured nearing Arcadia Downs, Fox, Fee and Sootie stopped as pit crew, others (on early starts) kept the wheels in motion. Grasshopper was elected lead-out man for a quick chick battle to the line, Hayles just edging out Coogs for line honours, an even 34 average. A near miss as excitment on the roll through town, a driver (still asleep?) entering Melb Rd from the service lane, stabbing the anchors at the last moment realising we existed nearby (and had right of way). Thanks to Fitzy's alert, week 16 finished safely.
Week 16 345km 12730 calories (254 Teddy Bear biscuits) 33.7km/h average. YTD 6342km
"Better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt" Abraham Lincoln
1809-1865
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