Week31

Hopeful of a few putting in an appearance for Saturdays ride, that winters ability to dull enthusiasm hadn't gripped too many.  Pleasing to have Temple, Daniel, Cougs and Norm brave enough to face the 4.7 degree, 17km/h southwest elements for an abbridged course of 30k, the vote for single file a change of protocol (although none too conversation friendly) Good to have Dave back too, joining us at Melbourne Rd, winds favouring a brisk pace on Mitchell Rd but needed some effort northbound in Boundary.  The average was soon rationalised to keep the group intact, a fair sized bunch of Cats (with terrorists and assylum seekers aboard) said their good mornings southbound. Quite the caffine distraction after Benalla Rd, wind felt like it had blown across snow before cutting it's way through us. Daniel & Dave had a brief squirt for the finish line, all wasted no time gaining a seat at the Butterfactory for the manditory in depth conversation. 51 had a tablefull, but again Cats had chosen another nest.

A great social get-together of Couldabeens Saturday night (some hard to recognise in normal attire and off the bike) for an all new jersey launch. After several months in the planning the new kit should look the business on the road.  A few took advantage of a feed, some of the lads going into overtime for a long hydration session. (lasting beyond 3am I believe) Wonder how their performance rates on Tuesday?

A text from the harem organised a great little bunch on Sunday for a steady lap at a civilised 8am. Fee, Cougs and Stace formed the hardcore for 40k in 7 degrees, the south west chill from yesterday still present at 15km/h. Some cheeky planned turns to minimise the headwind provided some laughs, but all did equal shares,  their supersmooth reputations continue unmarked. Back into town without chewing up a lot of the morning, a Friars breakfast for some to reward the effort.

There were several P&W apologies for Monday so set off on a reverse 25k loop to start a working week. Seems Meags was the only loyal starter, spied her tackling the headwind in Boundary (had deep feelings of guilt), but a tow was soon to be hers with a dozen Cats looming behind. Lots of traffic to negotiate back in town, peak hour had come early.

New team attire had inspired 12 to front for Couldabeens duty on Tuesday morning, zero on the thermometer made sure only the tough ones were out. Most wearing the new gear cut a resplendant image. Great to have young Chris along, all were bathing in the awesomeness of Daniel  of course, in short knicks. A slight breeze to contend with from varied directions, SW @ 6, E @ 4 then W @ 7k's. Nick peeled off the front in Boundary Rd with a suspect deflation, but resumed again with an all clear.  Soon we were westward in Mitchell Rd at a fair clip, am impressed with a tuned up Temple driving the front well. Rocket took a rare exit up Archer (family duties beckoned) with Leon and Daniel, so there was hope for many to take the morning's glory at the finish line.  Jason was victorious (Saturday night's carbo loading clearly worked) all others all victorious in beating pussycats home but the train took the honours at the railway crossing. 

Tuesday night had attracted 9 to start, long time no see Cat Browny among them, up from the big smoke on a brief visit.  Just 7 degrees did nothing for inspiration, Simmo and Scotty had made their returns, new dad Mitch made a comeback too. Our Olympian and Bomber joined in a few k's out, taking the bunch up to 16. Liam had dragged boss Justin along (who braved just one turn) Sprinter had dragged the speed down in sympathy for those suffering, but Bomber, Steve, Nath and Mitch had other ideas when they took the front. (the vintage heavyweight bike of Nathans' doesn't impede his speed, suicide gearshift no handicap either)  A south southwest breeze chilled the pack (and pushed the piggery pong to pester the peleton....pardon poor poetry), one had had enough and detoured at the BP exit.  Speed intensified in River Rd, then tapered back in Kialla Central, restoring the respiratory for a few minutes. As is the custom, heads down and tails up in Raftery Rd, joined the 5 or 6 working the front in the last 3 k's and just hung onto a flying foursome of Bomber, Steve, Mitch and Nath to scrape through 5th at 54 with the ticker tacho at 196. 43k's covered in 1.10.

Should have had a litre of CRC for breakfast, legs were stiff as a board Wednesday morning. An easy going lap today, easy getting up to speed rolling down Wyndham, a procession of bikes northbound to toil with Cats, Area 51, Supercats, time triallers, Stasi, Hurt Locker, Goats, Muppets and other un-named collectives. Glad to be riding "against the grain", the aforementioned groups were southbound in Boundary whilst Cougs and I rolled northbound (a light southerly assisting) soaking up a balmy 2.1 degrees and guessing who's who in the darkness and the fog.  Legs had loosened up by Old Dookie Rd thankfully, each day's sunrise a fraction earlier also giving hope.

Thursday was the 19th day of one or below for the year, minus two today kept a lot indoors, just Leon, Rocket, Shorty and Ryan, and the welcome return of Goose and Greendawg (or should that be Greenfish?.....addicted to the pool for months) Great to have Dave along too for his maiden voyage with the Couldabeens. Shorty & Leon are powering along of late, Ryan lacking a little horsepower (on a detox program). The two G's had plenty of gg's, something told me we'd be beating the train in the first few k's of the circuit.  Not much talk but plenty of action in Boundary and Mitchell, very grateful of traffic approaching at Central Kialla Rd, a pause allowing a heart rate recovery.  Leon and Shorty took an early exit in Archer, just 6 toiled away for the remainder of the circuit, Rocket of course receiving the garlands.  Waited a few minutes for Dave to rejoin in Melbourne Rd but he'd u-turned to click over more k's. (still beat the train to the crossing) 

A handful were waiting at the library Thursday night, Rob kitted up in a hijab-like balaclava to fend off the cold. Newbies Sav and Craig are totally hooked and were back craving more, Nath back in black on a stealth like new Avanti. Great to have Robbo back, who quickly teamed up with Bomber to send shivers through a few. Scotty, Dalton, Trev, Simmo and Liam made up the dozen to roll away at 6, Kev and Mitch joined up a few k's out. A fair effort needed out Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd into a east northeast wind, particularly when the guns had congregated at the front.  Rotations ground to a halt after the church with all hanging on, even Mitch finding a few months off was taking it's toll. Several went up to the front for duty in River Rd, but were handed the punishment of pace, most blew up and shot to the back, causing a few ripples.  Bomber bid adieu at Kialla Central, the calm restored for a k in Mitchell Rd was a bonus.  Nath stirred up the action with an attack near Archer Rd, Robbo set off in pursuit, but the bunch managed to swallow up the rebels by Mt Nicolaci. Liam, Nath and I seemed to be the only ones working after Melbourne Rd, Rob then took a turn, Robbo too, a glance back saw a long single row of lights struggling behind. Down to just Nath and I with 2 k to go  but all the tail-enders suddenly found power to overtake in the last 300. There was a trickle of power left to kick at the end to take 3rd with Nath 1st towing Sav to 2nd.  A 37 average over 50k was plenty for me, an aromatic waft from KFC nearly had me swerving in buying a bucket full.

A happy little harem was assembled at SPC on Friday. Meags, Stace, Cougs, Fee and Hayles had the pom & I to tow around. Nice to wind up the working week with a social  structure to the ride.  Grasshopper shot past at the Channel bridge in Boundary Rd, Fox & Sosso hanging on for grim death it seems. A northeast breeze had picked up to assist, noticed a big Area 51 train snaking into Mitchell Rd squeezing the traffic somewhat. Stace and Hayles had a rush of blood to sprint at the finish line (ably led out by Cougs into the breeze), a great ride to finish a big week, a brief caffine & chat fix after was the icing on the cake.

Week 31   414km  15,276 calories (59 avacados) 32.8 average  YTD 11,820km  

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough"  Mae West  1893-1980