Week 40

Old Kanumbra woolshed near Merton July 2012 via i-phone

Gave the Saturday 6.30 ride one more try, seems many have abandoned for other rides or the comfort of a sleep-in, only one or two keep trying to support it.  There maybe some Darwinian theory on natural selection, but it seems a shame that the glory days of 20 odd to share the load and laughs have diluted to just a few. May just cross the floor next week to Trev's team, consistent turn-ups, team spirit and a very social get-together is what it's all about. Travelled south to the Peppermill, catching a threesome at the bridge, Dalton and better half Christine, with newbie friend Wazza (recently off the gaspers, threw himself in the deep end of Tuedsay nights thrash) Recriuted the three along to the start, BigMat and Andrew the devotees with quick chick Weapon along to keep standards high.  A wicked westerly was forecast, initially at 22km/h kept us pitched a few degrees starboard down Raftery. Swinging east after Roubaix corner brought comfort, down the Mt Nicolaci descent and up the other side brought Tommygun into the fold, running a little behind schedule for the start. Big speed was possible up the length of Mitchell Rd but commonsense dictated a little be left in reserve for the push home, even though an early retreat via Old Dookie had the majority vote. No puddytats sighted this morning, maybe an early retreat for them too? By the time our 7 had turned into Old Dookie we had 32km/h of resistance, gusts to 55. Dalton, BigMat & I had the honours, keeping the bunch compact and intact (fearing a wayward rider being blown to Benalla) Tommygun assisted the final leg for all to enjoy a lengthy caffine revival in town. Just 5 Cats seated at the Butterfactory, seems a testosterone tainted team of Toms tackle a Tour de Titty at two to titilate themselves, turning traitors to the traditional team.  (sorry, there goes that poetic prattle again)

Had to reaquaint the gluteus with the Fizik on Monday, a day off the bike on Sunday made things foreign. Meags, Cougs and the Fox were the only ones to toil a P&W circuit. It's October already but just 4 degrees to start the day, can I get my money back? A steady lap to start the week, 51 took till the highway to catch.

Fought off the sloth demons late Monday arvo (always easy to find excuses to stagnate on the couch after work, hardest to drive the enthusiasm to kit up and roll out  a few k's)  Arrived at Tarcoola (thankfully not as a resident) to find Stace, Sootie, THM and BigMick ready to ride. Rolled up the Boulevard, past the Golf Course and steered right into Wanganui to find a 'world champion' over revving a Cervelo to invade our team, so zipped the lip to avoid litigation.  Our 'addition' soon vanished so normal social interaction resumed. In a week, daylight saving will allow the lights to be left behind, maybe extend the distance, forthcoming Tri's may drag a few more into the fold too.  Shared the front with THM who was digging deep, good to see for one who's favourite flavour isn't the bike. Stace and Sootie are naturals, BigMick is on the big curve of progress (shame we level out later, trying to shave tiny percentages here and there)  35k soon ticked over, thoughts drifted to dinner with a variety of  aromas on the way through town. 

Councillor Dave was first on the scene to Tuesdays Couldabeens start (helps driving the ute in) The Kenworth soon appeared hyperventilating, Temple, Shorty, Trav, Cougs, Dalton and Leon assembled too. With numbers up to 10 by 6am we rolled out of the carpark to have Daniel, Jase and Trev appear at the last moment, alarm malfunctions? A coolish 5 degrees and a diminishing south wester helped all out to Boundary Rd, the Kenworth firing on high octane fuel whenever he got to the front. Good to have Tim back after a 6 week (working out of town) absence ; maybe that's BigMat's reason? Allowances made for the slightly rusty ones, a good steady lap clocked up with the oblligatory thrash at the end to get us in town before the train left.

Broke with tradition on Tuesday night, rolled out 15 minutes earlier to do a solo lap (acompanied with lots of thoughts) ahead of the pack. A momentary pause for a (rare) train at the Ford Rd crossing, but otherwise head down to push out to the Emu, solving the Middle East crisis, Uzbekstan's foreign policy and a few quantum physics puzzles, but none of my own. Kamikaze insects are in abundance at dusk, doing my best to keep them from orifices and eyes, trying to keep a decent pace up too (spinning a bit faster tonite at a 72 cadence) Followed the standard Tuesday route (despite my dislike of River Rd) but roads seem a lot longer when solo.  The biscuit barrel was emptying by the time Raftery came into view but there were a few crumbs left to get to the finish line with a 34 average.  

Wednesdays tonic was a quiet 25k roll without any heroics or targets. An easy ride back through town but a moment when a passing truck suddenly hooked a left turn while beside me. Just avoidable, but hit the brakes when it's trailer behind came across my path!  Driver no doubt preoccupied with a coffee, a mobile phone or a culinary treat from a Scottish restaurant?

Little slumber Wednesday night and in the wee hours of Thursday.  Eyelids beat the 5am alarm by an hour, so breakfast downed, kit up and knock over an early 45k loop. Daylight comes earlier each day but will slip backward this weekend, at least the evenings will be a bonus (and give the headlight a well earned rest) with daylight savings upon us. Out Ford, down the long stretch of Boundary then Mitchell (longer than a Slipper vs Ashby legal stoush) a bit of the suns' warmth a blessing on the legs (and the enthusiasm)  Over the finish line at 6.30, home and prepared for a big (and early) day at the coal face. 

Thursday afternoons wind had thankfully eased a bit to get brave enough to front up at the Library to find 10 others, including father/son combo of Andrew & Andy. 6 bells chimed and I drew the fast straw with Nath on the long leg in the lead to the top of Rudd Rd. Eagerly anticipated the rotation (and an ease of tempo?) but next up was Bomber, who'd slipped quietly in behind me un-noticed. Two more k's at Bombers rate burnt me to a crisp, good to then draft and recover (but attempting to avoid the clearing nostrils ahead was no fun) The bunch grew as always, a large battery of w.m.d's got us to the Emu then the toaster quickly, avoiding the cow on the loose near Boundary Rd. Sat at the rear for a while, then a homeward leg via Channel Rd for me tonite. Spying on Paul & Craig's Garmin info (on Strava) later, told that pace continued unabaited for the rest of the usual lap. I was satisfied to run Channel Rd at a good rate, avoiding a fox, magpie, rabbit and Springs' first snake. 

A few were northbound for freaky Friday in the early hours, chose instead to tap out 30 on a solo ride, had archived the headlight, dispensed with thermal attire too. Out Old Dookie and over Boundary, Grasshopper, Sosso and Minto spotted oncoming on a TT effort. Wasn't concerned with speed, just zoned into the horizon, dawn arriving on cue. Hark! What light above yonder Mt Major breaks? An amber haze of light awakes, flooded fields with shadows long, O sweet Spring warmth, soothe a troubled.......WTF? Too much zoning, or was it the piggery? A few obstacles to navigate on the leg to the Emu and back to town, a flat magpie, a deceased Dunlop, Springs' 2nd snake (already!), a dead mudflap too. Much patching of Ford Rd's potholes, liberally dusted with gravel f.y.i. Home to enjoy breakfasts 2nd course with time on my side.

Week 40  391km  14,076 calories (45 hot dogs with cheese & onion) 32.1 average  YTD 15,476 km

"You have enemies? Good! That means you've stood up for something sometime in your life" 
Winston Churchill 1874-1965