Ahh, the serenity early on a Saturday morning. Hardly a sound on the way to the start line. Silence soon drowned out with sledges, laughs and chat from the clan, minus Hoffy's cackle though (sidelined with flu) but great to have super-smooth Norm back. The dozen set sail (once Kel cleared clods from cleats......sorry, literary litter again) out Raftery's Rd, Andrew hard on the gas early. Bo was fired up (excitement of Sunday's TT?) as was Kel, enthusing Steve & Daniel to follow suit. Dave latched on over Melbourne Rd and the crew rolled along Mitchell then down Central Kialla, only patchy low lying fog to deal with. Karramomus Rd gradually narrows and is rough as hessian underwear, but thinking of the recent Paris - Roubaix we've got it good here. Finally to Shepp-Euroa Rd (the annoying groan of damp brake pads again) and northward with a widening road to enjoy. Andrew took the Channel Rd off ramp with domestic duties, the remainder crossing Benalla Rd when the entertainment started, (spin doctors Bo & Daniel on max cadence, Daniel on the rev limiter, pounding the posterior.) Sprint anticipation was building just a k into Old Dookie Rd, opening a gap in the bunch (some set on the finish line, some set on the cafe) Bo took line honours, all had reassembled by SPC for the roll to coffee. Good to catch up with Vince, tough enough to ride after Fridays hefty graze.
Hadn't done a long ride for a while so set off solo Sunday for a Waranga loop. Just 3.7 degrees, but a forecast light south wester meant a tail breeze home. The sunrise over low fog on the paddocks, contented cows chewing the cud were good distractions from the patchwork of road surfaces, the coarse stone sections feeling like someone pulled the handbrake on. Nice to be welcomed into Murchison with a super smooth stretch of tarmac. Turned west toward Rushy, several dead roo's at the edge of the road waking the nostrils, a few undulations waking up the heart rate. Timed the Rushworth arrival well, feeling a south west breeze building. Coffee and a bun to refill 1342 calories used in the tank, 54k @32. Hard to drag myself away from the sun on my back at the bakery, Nike's slogan coming to mind. A few short climbs out of town got the blood flowing and tried to shut out the long dreary road from the Basin to Tat (8k of straight at Harston is monotonous). Barely a breeze teasing leaves on trees (there goes that poor poetry again!) so I was happy the speedo read 36+ for the haul to Tat. Mr Daniels must be on special here, lots of his empties smashed on the road to avoid. A squirt up the Undera Rd and east on the Midland back to Mooroopna, satisfied with 43k's @ 34.8. An extra 18k gently out Channel Rd & back (spying Norm sneaking in a quite circuit) to round off the morning and the odometer. Justified the 120k with Butterfactory's egg & bacon roll washed down with coffee.
Just like last Wenesday, kitted up and ready to roll Monday morning, the spits of rain spelt a morning off. 10 minutes later it looked clear and lamented chickening out, but relieved soon after when a light shower finally came. A good decision to stay indoors. Better weather late that arvo, thoughts of a ride easterly to score some favourable assistance home. Ford Rd and beyond was chosen with a 15km/h ENE the resistance. For a while a sole taillight tempted a chase but the resolve was to continue to Quarry Rd, 6k beyond the Emu. (seemed like 60) Quite a push against the breeze, but thoughts of what the legends who'd tackled the Port Mac Ironman yesterday went through, put it in perspective. (question; does it make first-timers Nico & Hayles IronMaidens?) Finally turned south at the quarry, suprised to see a traffic island out here, down to New Dookie and west homeward. Redirected via Old Dookie (less traffic) at the church, a very large yellow moon (closest it's been for 18 years apparently) rising through the clouds beside Mt Major was worth a glance or two. Rounded the toaster, down Old Dookie and left at Boundary (Pine Lodge Pub was packed....2 in the bar), swung into Channel Rd and back to town. 45k done @ 32.8 hr averaging 144. Olfactory elation with Mr Sanders scents on the way home.
An enthused turn up on Tuesday morning, pairs of Anthony's, Glenn's and Trevors joining the regulars. Kind of Temple to take a moderate first turn, several lurking behind were eager to crack the whip. 10 degrees was almost mild, a north easterly promising a helping hand in Boundary Rd. Speed went up over the bridges, too much for the other Trevor, quickly getting gapped off the back. I stayed with him for 500 metres offering a tow back to the bunch, but pennies were spent, he was happy to roll home under his own steam. Had the task then to make up a couple of hundred metres to rejoin (thankful of the tail breeze) Hooked on just before the turn into Mitchell. Goose advised sprinting was off the agenda with a dodgy pedal, dad to be Trav (congrats mate) travelling well despite some time off the bike and shaking off the flu. Daniel (undeterred by cold in short sleeves and knicks) exited to Archer as usual, Temple minimising chain life from little ring to little sprocket, howling down the Mt Nicolaci dip at peak rpm. The build up for Conrod was a gradual one till the 500 mark. Gav cut loose early (but paid the price) Rocket forced to an early launch too (with Chris horsepower threatening behind) to take the spoils of victory. 35.4 beat Cats and train, a later start at work allowed the pleasure of coffee and a yarn with a few Cats.
9 waiting at the hospital on Tuesday night, "no ferals" predicted by Axel promised a reprive on muscles. Trev and Nathan chased to join (assisting the elderly on the way) Brendan, Gools, Mitch, Steve and Dalton swelled the numbers too. Paired with young Andy on the front, noticed a pair a kilometre ahead acting as carrots. Can't get used to the big changes in temperatures over the course, sweating one moment, almost chilled the next. Speed was a little up and down but all got a go at the pointy end. Down the end of River Rd the carrots were finally revealed, Bomber & Steigy lying in wait (does that make him a stealth bomber?) Bit of a shuffle in the rotation , drew the short straw (again) trailing the big guns. With 2k's left in Raftery Rd someone pressed the single file button. There were only a few brave enough to head up front, but followed Simmo up to do my duty just as Bomber launched an attack with a kay to go! Survival of the fittest from then (hr @ 187 wasn't good enough to make up many postions) , Mitch and Nath joining the premature train. A well timed burst by Nathan took the honours, much relief for me crossing the line with 35.6 on the clock.
Wednesday's wind didn't allow much recovery, quite a push out Channel Rd. A lone fox scurried across the road, not a Scotty or a Choppy, but a bushy tailed version. 51 were first in Boundary Rd, heads down and tails up for the serious business of racing. A bright bubbly good morning from the P&W's, a couple of g'days from the Cats, then great relief turning homeward into Old Dookie Rd. Just a short no pressure lap, great for mind and muscle.
Another big roll up for Thursday's Couldabeens. 17 at 6am at 4 degrees, Bo with a dose of man flu, Daniel the polar opposite in short sleeves and short knicks, Temple's knee is on the mend, Goose had raided his wife's shoes for decent cleats, even had Vince return (a dose of flu not allowing 51 pace) Has Matty thrown the towel in already? Regulars, Jason, Nick, Travis, Ryan & co hit the foggy trail, hard to judge the corners and braking points with the fog. The usual speed surges from the usual culprits and almost a relief to get to Boundary Rd with much less fog. Discussions from jerseys to the federal treasurer stimulated the little grey cells en route, an eternal wait at Melbourne Rd for (peak hour?) traffic. Finally into Conrod straight Glenn put the hammer down, and with the big ammo behind me, thought they all needed to earn their breakfast. 800 metres was too long to survive at the front, Vince Rob & Goose eventually rounded me up when i'd lost all energy with the ticker redlined at 190. Rubber stamp a Rocket win, but 34.5 a good result considering the intermission at the highway.
Chickened out Thursday night from the Library group to rest the legs on a solo toaster loop (minus the Rudd Rd - Wanganui section) Wasn't concerned about speed, just to roll around without blowing a gasket. (one exception to escape the aroma of the Old Dookie Rd piggery.) Lights at the trotting track reminiscent of "Close encounters of the 3rd kind" were visible for almost the whole circuit. Temperature steadily dropped, blissfully unaware of speed, just tapped around to a music mix via i-pod. Finished the 50 just 10% slower than usual.
Meags, Fee, Grasshopper, Cougs & Stace were at the SPC start Friday morning, a suprise visit by Kel, Bo, Daniel & Ryan swelled the numbers. Supercats had bolted early into the 6.4 degree distance. A steady build up till Grasshopper and Bo hit the front and hit the gas. Daniel still in summer attire juggled the lead with Bo but at least allowed others to have their turn up front beyond the pub. Not a breath of wind made quite a change. All the way down to Melb Rd till another overly long wait for traffic allowed Cats to roll up behind, 51 joining the jam a moment later. Finally clear to left and right we all rolled away, an oncoming car didn't bother some (overtaking us 3 wide was a bit short on intelligence) Oh well, some are overly keen to race. Our little collection kept selves and standards upright for the remainder, watching the masses in the distance with a long trail of hangers-on attached. Satisfying to complete the week with a steady lap in great company, quick enough to beat the train to the crossing too.
Week 19 514km 18,504 calories (20.5kg baked beans) 33.4 average YTD 7680
"When you sit with a nice girl for 2 hours you think it's only a minute. When you sit on a hot stove for a minute you think it's 2 hours. That's relativity." Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
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