Only 10 weeks remain of 2012 (you'd hope there's some decent weather to come) and just 3,700k to go to reach the target. Quite a collection at the Archer St shop at 6 on Saturday, 14 in all when Trev arrived (who immediately got down to business out Channel Rd, leaving many still in the mounting yard.) Great to have Christine along (joining Cougs to keep the boys in line) Chris (with helmet) Daniel (without arm warmers) Temple (with razor sharp wit) and the regular crew. Fertiliser filtered through the nostrils in Channel Rd, a south wester aided in Boundary Rd too where Nath joined in (having found his shoes and air pressure for a soft tyre) Enjoyable banter amongst the troops, mindful that an infringement of Trev's speed limit meant shouting coffee for all. (even Daniel conformed) BigMat & Cougs drove a fine train homeward into the wind of Ford Rd as a similar sized pack of Cats headed out of town. A refreshing change to finish in Rudd Rd without the spectacle of a sprint, but an impatient imbicile gave us a big blast for taking 3 seconds out of her day, oh the inconvenience of giving way! We were treated to a finger as a greeting (reflecting her inteligence) but being recognised may well be her downfall. Coffee and toast al fresco at the Lemontree a fitting finale to the ride. Got greedy for a second round at the Butterfactory with philosophy, politics and witicism on the menu. (Pedometer a paltry 16,684)
An early night Saturday (overwhelmed by the monotony of television on offer) resulted in an early awakening Sunday with the only attraction being an early ride. Set off a Verney Rd launch of the toaster loop (keen to meet up with Trev & co for an 8am tour de somewhere) barrelling out Ford Rd then Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd avoiding a quick brown fox (with no lazy dogs to jump over). Again, a magic sunrise over Mt Major to view, 10 degrees with 18km of wind per hour from the south west was going to make everything from the Emu onward like work. Trying to "spin" again on the 16t cog, but HR was at 160 so tried the 15 which sucessfully pegged it back to 151 at the same speed. Guess I'll never be a mixmaster. The i-pod entertained, Flume the flavour of the day, felt only half silly when I spied two others riding in Mitchell. An eye on the clock confirmed an achievable e.t.a. so rolled to Raftery's end to finish 45k @ 32 then hunt down a tap to refill a bottle. Found Trev's ponderosa (as had Chris the Pom, Cougs & Laura) to join in a quiet lap of a similar but anti-clockwise course (cutting out the toaster/emu leg) A pleasant social ride with a good measure of laughs, mindful of the speed limiting device fitted (payment of coffee for all) by Trev. The southerly put up a fight in Ford Rd but willpower drove us on, into the headwind of Rudd Rd thinking of coffee and sustinance (a whistle from Meags on a run on the Boulevard) all the way down to Degani's. A very bike friendly outdoor setting (cushioned chairs were most appreciated) and a good slab of banana & walnut bread filled the tank after 85k's. A close call with a Nissan just missin' on the way home, seems the right of way doesn't count for bikes. 35,763 on the pedometer.
Muscular malady on Monday, limbs quite lethargic but arose knowing a quiet circuit would be the best medicine. Porridge has given way to muesli (in the hope to entice winter to go away) then a very slow build up to cruise 25k quietly on the Channel-Boundary-Old Dookie circuit. At the piggery, pussycats perambulated past, perspicaciously pedalling, pounding pectorals, puffing pysche, punetively perusing peleton prey. (pardon poetic prattle!) A restrained ride in the interests of survival, yes, felt far better for commiting.
More pleasant weather Monday arvo, 19 degrees and sunshine, just a little easterly the only hinderance. Seemed a pity to waste, so all aboard for a random reconnisance. Ventured south on Archer out to Mitchell, then south on Central Kialla down to Karamomis Rd, a road not travelled for many months (and I remembered why) The rough and narrowing track was highlighted by an easterly headwind, about as much fun as a barium enema (or a night out with Ken). Happy with progress though, suprisingly got to Shepp-Euroa Rd earlier than expected. Headed north to Boundary (one bike southward) being pushed left by the wind and up to the Pine Lodge pub (tempting) to rest the cadence and gluteus for a few metres. A shortcut via Old Dookie was tempting but guzzled a large cup of concrete to turn up to the toaster, onto the Emu then west homeward, just as the easterly breeze died :-( Moved into overdraft on the energy account for Ford Rd, Liam spied eastbound. Kept the head down, steadily gaining on a bike ahead a great incentive (passing him up the Wanganui hill was an achievement) to finish 65k @ 33.4. (Pedometer 44,096)
Tuesday brought just 5 degrees, a light north easter at least was a bonus. A dozen Couldabeens assembled, Kenworth back from a week off, Tim back again having a go, Dalton's bike creaking (under the sheer horsepower?) Daniel minus arm & leg warmers (of course) and the usual villans. Blood & bone continues to thicken the Channel Rd air so it was a relief to reach Boundary for more than just a favourable breeze. Trav had our company today (was stood up by Big Mat yesterday), seems our popularity is with stray cats lately, picking up two half way down Mitchell. Leon & Daniel did the usual Archer exit, the freerange felines sat in the back seat until one braved a tiny go in the dying stages. Rocket had the box seat again (i was avoiding our interlopers, one undertaking, the other attemting to force a move out (i guess bad habits are taught elsewhere) Good to finish with a 35 average, train beaten soundly. Infiltrated by a pair of gazelles on the roll through town, our popularity increasing by the half hour.
Took in a lap of the schoolies circuit at Dookie late Tuesday arvo with Cougs, Nath and Liam (riding in flouro green board shorts?) there too for rapid roll. Memories from ages ago riding this one (174 metres of climbing) but good to enjoy the scenery on a mild afternoon. Awesome views at the top of Major Plains Rd (a panorama from the Strathbogies all the way to the snow country near Bright) and an enthusiastic descent but the climb in Duggans Rd had painful memories (satisfaction today to scale it on the 56-21) The season has evaporated the canola's yellow (but hayfever is at full strength) from the rolling hills but still is great country to view, albeit through watering, itchy eyes. (37,194)
Chris the Pom was granted a temporary visa to team quick chick for Wednesday's ride, Cougs then Meags keeping the pace on into the north east wind. Weapon, then Tommygun kept tradition in running late but their assistance was worth the wait. A very unassuming crew today, Hayles, Tommygun and Weapon scored a string of gongs at the Yarrawonga Tri but barely a squeak about it from them. (awesome efforts by Goose, Greendawg, Grasshopper and others too by the way) Bunches converged on us from all angles at Central Kialla Rd, 51 from the right and Cats from the back. Nev, Mo & Chris had launched an attack and Eggy bridging the gap were keeping 51 working, Kelvin driving a considerate train of Cats soon after. Just beyond Roubaix, Princess, Minto, Fox, Sooty and the TT's cruised by, our crew glued united for a fine finish. (28,635 steps for the day)
Real spring weather finally came on Thursday morning but half the Couldabeen quality was missing with only 10 at the shop. Vince & Chris A attending meant a testing tempo, 17km/h of NNE wind set it in stone. Rocket and BigMat had early work duties, Daniel must have stuggled with his mankini (16 degrees must be a heat wave for him) and Cougs had earned a rest day, but the compact team pushed out Channel and were pushed down Boundary. The wind had steadily swung more from the west to make Mitchell a pain but the pace was plenty. A short wait at the highway gave us a chance to catch a breath or two, Temple taking the rear gunner's role thereafter (handing me a pairing with the very young and very rapid Chris) Rotations picked up dramatically in the closing k, and found myself beside Chris and towing Vince with 500 to go. As the Daewoo amongst the Diablo's I spent all the pennies early (only make Vince earn his breakfast), 388 watts into the wind acording to Mr Garmin, but Vince took the lead in the last 100 when i hit the 198bpm redline. Ryno had himself glued to Vince's wheel and pounced in the last 50 to take a slim win (my money was on him back at Arcadia Downs) A lazy night off the bike, enough k's so far this week, a quiet 23,325 on the pedometer today
The polar opposite of weather for Friday (from Thursday) back to 7 degrees and the wind at 17km/h from the south west, still.....it's October, which means 57 different varieties. Hayles, Fee, Cougs, Stace, Meags and new lad Alan rolled away from SPC at 5 to, Chris the pom catching up a k out (Tommygun and Weapon missing in action). Fee apologised for slow performance then promptly set a cracking pace into the head wind of Boundary. Traffic call for the Midland Hwy was a bit miscalculated, all survived though. Gentlemen Trav and Ryno enter via Channel Rd to latch on (Temple and Daniel spied taking the tailwind northward), we even picked up (newest quick chick?) Melinda after the bridges to join as rear guard. Pace was as smooth as a politicians rhetoric by all in all directions, great tonic for second-hand legs. Nice to be treated to a tow by the Pom and Stace for the final k in Conrod, no other bunches to contend with. (pedometer read 35,026 for the day)
Week 43 474 km 17,065 calories (26 doner kebabs) 31.5 average YTD 15,841 km
"Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get"
W.P.Kinsella (Canadian novelist 1935- )
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