Week 41

For the first time in 30 weeks, rain shut down Saturdays ideas of a lap (bit of a treat getting a sleep-in) 

Sunday sprang hopeful in the weather department thankfully, getting a bit itchy for a ride.  Joined Cougs for a scenic and southerly tour to Rushy, into a freshening head wind but enthusiasm came pondering the bakery sustainance, coffee and a tail wind home. The long stretch of tarmac to Hartson (foot & mouth capital of Victoria) seems endless, the Basin coming into view puts an end to the mundane and some variety in gears and elevation. Had an agro magpie visit for the first time this year (but he only gave us a 50% swoop). Soon over the lumpy bits, into Rushy and wrapping the laughing gear around a muffin and coffee when Sly rolled in (via Ky) to pour an apple slice into the tank. Formed a trio for the return, the forecast south wester making life a bit easier, quite chilly through the hilly bits but warmed enough on the flat to make an enjoyable and steady 60k chalked up. Who needed to get wet yesterday? (Some it seems)

Only Meags, Weapon & Cougs enlisted for P&W duty on Monday, winter still has a grip on temperature. A light slowly enlarged from behind at the end of Old Dookie, Tommygun had caught us (must have his clock set on Eastern Standard Daniel Time?) There was a little resistance heading south and noticed 4 in Channel Rd approaching Boundary. Couldabeens Nick, GG, Tim & Rocket had joined the course and finally caught on at the turn into Mitchell, all welcomed into the fold to share the workload. Puddytats passed after Central Kialla, Vince (bored?) on the hands free. We all had a muscular and respiratory reprise after Roubaix corner with the respectful Couldabeens gentlemen rolling in with the team, earning brownie points with the harem. 

Daylight savings opens up options in the arvo so rekindled the random Monday circuit to add distance and variety, dispensing with the lighting gear (but kept the base layer predicting a chilly end) A relentless south west wind was still in force (18km/h) heading out Toolamba Rd so tuned into Tame Impala's new album (ironically "Lonerism"...bit sad eh?) to motivate the muscles.  Discovered a new tourist spot near the Tat turn-off, a tarmac grand canyon that could swallow a whole Mavic. (thankfully avoided)  Got into Toolamba at peak hour (well, it was busy at the pub anyway) then east toward the highway and the posterior punishment of Union Rd.  Wind had dropped to 7km/h for the turn north into Central Kialla Rd so lost a helping hand to Central Kialla and up to Boundary via Mitchell. Still light at 6.50 but chose to dip out on the toaster/emu option, straight up Boundary instead to ensure there was some light left to get through town. It had turned a touch icy in places in Ford Rd (glad to have a base layer blocking off the chill) and there was just enough sun left to push on to a Rudd Rd finish, tallying up 65k at 33. A workplace pedometer challenge started this week; 31,677 steps today, helped by the meter attached on the ride.

Nearly a full house at the Archer St shop on Tuesday, despite just 5 degrees registering. Daniel was on time today (must have got his clock right changing to daylight savings?) Dalton is becoming a regular participant (as if he needs to get stronger!) , Liam back again, good to have FeltMatt along too (holding on well for an apprentice) Much acclaim at the attendance of BigMat today, earned a lot of sledging for his no-show Monday. A posse of 16 rolled out at 6 bells, all halted at the alt. route for traffic a bit larger and faster than us. Young Nath was at the top of Channel to add more horsepower, a considerate turn into Boundary let everyone catch on. Rotations ticked over like a clock (save those resting legs from a Benalla bashing on Sunday) down to Central Kialla. Leon & Daniel departed in Archer, a need to activate auto surge control for the next k or so (bit like a yo-yo on the back) , almost a relief that traffic halted us again at Melbourne Rd. The usual proceedure to Arcadia Downs where boys get itchy for a sprint. A hard charging Kenworth looked likely to take the win, but our nemisis Rocket had lit the afterburner to reign supreme. All rolled back into town long before the train departed.

A dozen had assembled at the hospital at 6 on Tuesday, Robbo had survived a slow head on in a weekend MTB event, soon-to-be councillor (?) Dave survived a wet weekend of Melbourne racing, even had the Weapon along (on a swan-song tour for the TT Felt?) In typical form there were casts of thousands out Ford Rd, amongst them Gools, Sprinter, hadn't seen Wongy for ages, Huggy back on two wheels too. Several of the big calibre guns had assembled at the rear (plotting their break) which was launched just after the Emu,  Bomber taking Hamish, Dave, Steigy, Mitch and others up the pain road but the majority were content with a steady ride without bursting a head gasket. Turned into Boundary and shared the lead with Steve down to the pub, still keeping the breakaway in sight, though becoming more distant. River Rd, Central Kialla & Mitchell Roads travelled without much pain or incident but Axel delivered the caution we had inherited the young aromatic chicane on the back.  Sure as eggs he finally came up to the front in the last 2k's, took the lead, thrashed two lengths ahead and promptly melted faster than Fukishima's reactor. Mayhem ensued with the bunch swarming past (yes, his invitation was revoked again) .  Mo, Dalton, Sly and others wound up the tempo in the last k, a few wild overtaking manoevres in the excitement, but I was happy just to sit back and witness (Monday evening's lap had taken the edge off), home just as sun sunk.    Today this blog scored it's 4000th view, Foss flabergasted, thanks for your continued interest.  (and the pedometer clocked up 41,626).

A full compliment of 7 quick chicks assembled at SPC on Wednesday including a welcomed debut for the tough Kylie. Tommygun tagged in too , we even picked up Sly who had paused to pick up an escapee bidon. Cougs set a cracking pace on the first leg, all had a momentary ease for traffic at the roundabout. Great to have Hayles back on the mend after a big dose of the lurgy, shame we didn't have a decent temperature back, but we got patches of fog to remind us of the winter past.  As always, tenacious teamwork for the course with a now obligatory wait at Melbourne Rd for traffic (a few cars actually had headlights on to see where they're going!)  51 had gradually reeled us in by Arcadia Downs, Eggy's ever eager esteemed ensemble edged east, erring easement, exiting ephemerally (there goes that loose literary lather again!)  Pedometer 31,517

Thursday mornings' soaking from the sky donated another indulgent snooze till 6, one could turn to marshmallow quite easily at this rate. Late arvo had the same scenario, not keen on damp roads, black skies and the odds on favourite to being soaked through. Pedometer 17,635 (without bike)

Friday dawned a decent day, off to SPC roundabout (Supercats just exiting town) where lots of chickies were ready to tow an old rooster out.  In familiar tradition Tommygun came scuttling up behind at the first roundabout, running late again. The now familiar south wester put up a fight in Boundary but all tackled the elements in fine style. Distant red lights were apparently Couldabeens thrashing out a circuit (craved from missing a lap in yesterdays weather) A few obstacles on the way down Mitchell, fallen branches and a wounded magpie (mowed down in a hail of feathers by Greendawg in the bunch ahead it seems) Copped a honk from a redneck in a red hi-lux but finished our tour upright and intact (ahead of Cats unable to catch) , only to have a maniac in a Mazda fail to give way at Seven Creeks Drive (a rush to fulfil a 7am start?) Pedometer 31,633

Week 41  365km  13,140 calories (867 pickled onions) 31.8 average  Y.T.D. 15,841km


"Life is like a 10 speed bicycle, most of us have gears we never use"
Charles M Schultz ("Peanuts" creator 1922-2000)