Duck and weave manoevres on the weekend, dodging multiple busted stubbies conveniently placed in the bike lane. A coolish 11 degrees didn't distract 13 for Saturdays' lap, Tim, Rocket, Shorty, Nick, FujiTrev, Cougs, Pom, Mike, AvantiTrev, Steve, Jase and visitor Pete (escapee from Wagga) rolled away at 6. All were on canine watch at Sellmans (the German Shepherd prefers to shepherd bikes) but pooch was having a morning off. Turned north as usual onto Boundary Rd, an eagle soaring the same direction. Felt a light SSW turning into Old Dookie Rd, Cougs drew the short straw of a puncture at the toaster, but a great pit crew soon had us rolling again. Vince & Rabbit were on a feline reconnaissance, soon after swelling their ranks to 35+. Crossed the East Goulburn channel when Cougs suffered a second puncture, a sidewall fracture soon remedied with a scrap of canvas. Mike bid his farewells (work beckoned) and all took a vote for a shortcut via Verney Rd, careful to negotiate the tarmac mountains and chasms, ironically reserved for the bike lane. Comfortably perched at the Lemontree enjoying some sustinance, the Muppets left, 51 arrived (in 3 parts) and Adams family meandered in.
Rostered myself a day off Sunday, work on Monday meant an early ride. Lined up at SPC with little expectation of P&W's attending, suprised to see Princess roll up (resplendant in immaculately co-ordinated Castelli kit) when he has time off. Hopes of a latecomer were dashed after a fair wait, decided to join the (soon to arrive) pussycats instead. Expecting a handful, we scored a big train with plenty of 51 locomotives. Through the Doyles Rd roundabout speed built quickly, Princess puncturing a little before. Matho, gentleman Graeme, Kelvin, Walshy and other Cats had Bomber, Mitch, Vince and assorted 51's to make a 30+ bunch propelled out Old Dookie in the low 40's courtesy of clockwise track turns. Not many were interested in conversation (managed a short sentence with Carla between gasps), half the pack now choosing to retire from active duty and hang on after the highway. A strengthening SSW wind had us stacked across Mitchell Rd (pity the unfortunate oncoming soloist), I was in the mid field jockeying for posiion when a handful of 51's took the bull by the horns to get us home sooner. (here endeth turns on the front!) Just a case of keeping eyes open and hanging on now, several caught at the front now being cast off. Eggy set up a lead out with 2k to go, Carla glued to his wheel, they bolted into the distance with 400m left. Pleased to finish in the first 10, a 41 average to notch up, the 'ol ticker surviving a 174 average.
For reasons unknown I turned over a toaster loop after work, 34 degrees and a fair wind forecast was hardly ideal, but it consumed a dull afternoon/evening. Nice to head east (felt the kick of the sun's heat but the helping hand with 18km/h of westerly) a few solo riders seen along the way. Great to see a toaster installed again at the toaster, seriously doubted my sanity heading west though, the wind unrelenting but i'd made my bed, time to lie in it. Better southbound toward the main channel, and not as tough with a whisker of shelter from trees in Mitchell Rd. It's a long drag to the dog-leg (in comparison to this morning's thrash) and twice as long to Raftery but persistance pays off. Cursed the new years' eve barbeques wafting delicious aromas into the nostrils with 5k to go, at least the wind to the side was a slight bonus. Crossed the line in 1:26:30 to end 2012, slowly home to let legs recover.
Many sore heads no doubt new years day, a few still staggering the streets in the early hours of Tuesday. Started the year with a lap of the Couldabeens circuit with Cougs who was running in a fresh pair of tyres at a great rate. Almost perfect conditions at 15 degrees, cool air and a tiny hint of southerly, no dogs to dodge, no traffic to tangle with. A few other early risers were out and about (new years resolutions started?), I wonder what 2013 (the year of the snake) will bring.....ironically, one flattened in Archer Rd on the way home.
One wind free day was being spoiled, Wednesday was blowing again. Hard enough to get motivated anyway without a southerly pushing at 25km/h. Battled the lethargy solo up the Boulevard hoping drag myself out of the dumps. Turned into Wanganui Rd and spied a bike ahead but it took till Verney Rd to catch Eddy. Passed quietly with a g'day and found him still glued behind when I reached Lemnos North Rd. He returned the favour with a tow to Boundary but our paths split there with his exit right. Continued along to the Emu and faced the demons down to the toaster (32km/h gusts not so welcome) Being pushed about on the return to town via Old Dookie, some solace from the trees. 81 rpm in the 17 tooth cog or 72 in the 15, wouldn't have minded a gear in between. Content back in town with 32k down in 55.
Not blessed with time off over the festive season, another early ride Thursday morrning to get home before duty beckoned. Got off to a nervous start in Old Dookie Rd with an overtaking car. Just to the point of drawing past me, on came the brake lights and then the left indicator! A big grab of brakes avoided me become part of the gutter, profanities mumbled at Mr Inconsiderate. Nerves had settled out of town (Pickles, a black & tan speed hump in the driveway of 250, sound asleep) One or two riders out and about enjoying the 14 degree cool. Turned at the toaster as the sun poked it's head above Mt Major, shadows cast across the canola stubble a good distraction from matters cranial. The southerly was on my side for a good leg home, always a nice way to end an effort, cause to celebrate the 20,222nd day on the planet, shaving 3 and a half minutes off yesterdays lap.
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun, so does that make me sane putting in a few k's at 6 with the mercury at 36? Little voices said to take things easy (avoiding a blown head gasket) so aimed at a low speed out Channel Rd (suprised to see a couple of others on bikes, both at a similar sensible target) Felt a hot north easterly building so pointed south at Boundary Rd, soon after finding Axel & three others northbound. Didn't need a lot of convincing to u-turn and tack on for the return to town, safety in numbers in this weather. Rotated with Oz, Kathy and Tony in Axel's entourage, climatising to the bunch ettiquette and pattern (different in every group) 25k was enough in the heat for this (burnt) sausage.
Preparing for Fridays brief tour I discovered a softish front tyre, puncture #1 for the year a bit frustrating. Once fixed, the route was accordingly ammended and altered, up Verney to Ford Rd, out to Boundary and south to the west leg home via Channel. No intention of pressing the accelerator today, but turning into Boundary was a bonus with a north east breeze behind, finding another 5km/h was bearable. Perfect air conditioning in Channel Rd beside the irrigated orchards, not another soul spied on this course. Back into town at quarter to, I was suprised to see several Cats already rolling in (a fast freaky Friday, or an early start? Maybe both?)
Week 1 339km 11,187 calories (39 Hot Dogs)
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that's why it's called the present"
(unknown author)
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