Week 20

Just 6 weeks ago we had a pleasant 16 degrees to start a Saturday ride. Reality deals us 2 degrees now.  With dropping temperatures so comes dropping attendance. Down to 10 (but apologies accepted from Hoffy, Leon, Kylie and others with legitimate excuses....but what has become of Matt? A big dose of softness?)  Daniel has finally seen sense to cover bare skin, sporting full longs and arm warmers no doubt influenced by the forecast "feels like 0.7"  Chris had dug deep to turn up, looking like Douglas Mawson rugged up to the max. Temple had ears on the old Ridley's annoying 'click', Nev & Norm rolled quietly onto the back.  Over the little bridge and up Mt Raftery got the legs warm, all the way down to Melbourne Rd before I could tuck in for a draft.  Dave hooked up in time for Bo & Kel generating a bit more heat, then a bit calmer heading south for everyone to have a share at the front. Nice of a greater power to delay the sun's rise (and move it a few degrees north) to save a blinding in Karramomus Rd. All the better to cope with the bumps and narrowing.  Growling brake pads again to slow for the turn north into Shepp-Euroa Rd, many calling a shorter ride with varied commitments.  Temple, Daniel, Steve & Dave stuck to the usual course, the remainder steered into Channel Rd. Thought there'd be a slight ease in proceedings but several were keen  to fulfil their obligations. No need for sprint finishes (Dave didn't miss the chance in the other group, but Daniel pipped him by millimetres) but 33 was a good one for a low temperature. Really missed the social intercourse after, plain old instant coffee at home a let down too. Maybe have a double at the Butterfactory next week!

Sundays' typical winter light shower, low cloud overhead and chilled wind made a lazy day choice easy,  a fair trade to last weeks kilometres, various parts of the anatomy could do with some rest and recouperation. Mondays P&W ride was a bit like Greece, struggled to form a government.  Bart & Princess rolled up but crossed the floor to side with the opposition Cats party.  Cougs and I held to party policy of solidarity and set off with 6 degrees and a west south west breeze to assist, no other takers today. Easy out Old Dookie and felt the breeze into Boundary Rd, an errant owl dive bombed from the left missing by centimetres. (almost 2 years since one head butted me in Mitchell Rd)  Excitement over, we pressed on to Benalla Rd, a contingent of Cats passing right on the intersection. Took the Channel Rd alternative for an early start to the working week.  Noticed one rider was in pursuit but we kept heads down to arrive back in town well ahead.

Colder weather hasn't thinned attendance to the Couldabeens, 17 ready for action at 6 on Tuesday. Matt reversed rumors he'd gone soft, turning up with seconds to spare. Gav sporting whiskers (attempting to preserve warmth?), Glenn along to flush some excess alcohol from the engine, Daniel back in knicks meant it was above 4 degrees, Vince and Chris too, returned for action. (Bo sidelined with tummy trauma) The south west breeze assisted out Channel Rd but made a chore of Boundary Rd. Trev #1 had brought Trev #2 along but by Mitchell Rd he was on the limit.  #1 had encouraged #2, but the body language spelt a turn on the front was going to be tough. 10 metres was enough for #2 to quietly go kaboom, Gav (hereafter nicknamed the Kenworth) rolled over to deliver a great tow, but the pennies were spent, #2 went OTA. (admire the bloke's tenacity) The usual peel offs by Daniel & Kel left 14 to slog it out for Raftery Rd, Jason hung out to dry in the closing stages, the Kenworth giving some respite, but guns Rob, Chris & Vince had been safely tucked in for a tow to fight out the placings at the last moment, Rob taking victory (#376?) . 34.5 was enough to beat the train and the Cats to the lake. Anniversary day of kicking the tobacco habit, don't miss 35 a day or the expense.

A fairly bleak 10 degree evening at the hospital Tuesday night.   A southerly was gaining strength ( up to 20) but didn't deter 8 to start.  Typically we picked up several, Dalton, Bomber and Steve joining in as Bomber attacked into the 40's up to the emu (I drew the short straw again, hanging on 2nd wheel behind). Next up front was Robbo, thankfully matching my slower effort.  The bunch had  split at Old Dookie & Boundary corner, a considerate ease of speed (and Chris towing the backmarkers up) reformed the bunch. Hadn't seen Gerrard for ages, good to chat with Chris, Axel and Robbo in the intermission. Back on pace after the pub, a mouse shot out across our path to be nailed dead centre by Robbo's wheel. A push down Boundary then River Rd, Bomber taking an exit at Kialla central, the rest took Mitchell & Raftery Rd home. Again, the wick was lit by Arcadia Downs, in the high 40's all went single file for the last kilometre. Sly had tucked into the perfect spot for the win, Nath and Robbo driving the engine, I was just pleased to cross the line 5th, the effort could ease after 44k's in 1.13 at  35.4 and the ticker could recouperate from 184.  

Another very welcomed recovery ride on Wednesday, wind was a drag in all directions though. Nose ran like a tap but muscles appreciated a quiet ride.  Rounded up one solo lass heading out Channel Rd, 5 time triallers headed south in Boundary Rd, then came Meags and Fee, the only P&W's riding, who almost begged us to turn around  and join them (into a head wind wasn't that appealing though) Pussycats a k behind as usual.  Flags were flapping back in town, timed the ride and the direction nicely. Avoided the 2 by 1 metre gravel patch in front of the Lake for the umpteenth time on the way home (reckon it was excavated in June last year) and resolved to do something about it. (Later told it was Vic Roads responsibility being a highway.  They've been told, let's see if there's action.  10 to 1 odds it will be in 2013)  

Passed the lake at 5.45 Thursday morning, the temperature showing 6 but found that as believeable as a politicians promise.  Bo had bounced back from the apple overdose, Daniel had the longs on again, Trev hadn't looked at the thermometer but wished he had, Matt was tucked under his doona I guess.  In all a good turn up of 15 to brave the chill.  Eyes open for the Kensington roundabout with a new road opening into it, a close look at Prentice Rd intersection too, with a big transport depot now operating.  0.6 was the actual temperature, many in the bunch questioning why we're out in it. Steve took to trimming the edges near Hanlon Rd but got back on the tarmac without incident.  There was no time wasted in Channel & Boundary and Rob & Bo wound up the volume in Mitchell (trying to warm us up?) Broke with protocol taking Archer Rd home with Daniel & Cougs, a big day ahead not hurt by an early start.

3.6 degrees on Friday morning felt almost mild after Thursdays chill. A quality line up of P&W's, back to the values of many months ago. No blinding speed, just a good ride with great company and a few laughs, the essentials to keep it enjoyable.  Sooty & Hayles had returned from an awesome effort at Port Mac, Meags, Fox, Fee,Cougs and Princess rolled along the course, with Grasshopper, Wizz and Minto opting for a TT chase (eventually passing in Mitchell) Sooty & Princess jumped across to join, but Princess ran out of jellybeans and returned to the fold. An incident free & enjoyable lap in the mid 30's, timed to beat the train and squeeze in a quick coffee before work.

Week 20  321km  11,232 calories ( 193 pickled onions )  32.8 av.  YTD 8001 km

"There is no shortage of good days....it's good lives that are hard to come by"  Annie Dillard US author 1945-