5.30am Saturday turned out to be the coolest part of the day, a 26 degree low with a 42 max meant an early ride was the best choice. A good turn up of boys and girl at the shop, AvantiTrev and Shorty arriving early threw chaos into those waiting, a big chase for a k by the backmarkers was on, no one looking back. Tim, Nick, Daniel, Cougs, Rocket, Pom, Trav, Jase, Axel, FujiTrev and GG (no, not a hologram) had teamed with Shorty & AvantiTrev by the school, Nath and Liam adding to the numbers in the 3rd leg. Many still luckily in holiday mode (BigMat excused just this once for anniversary duty), GG suprisingly out of retirement (again?), Trav now with a Garmin 500 from Santa, the Pom finally had warm weather on his side, even Daniel not so rusty with just two rides for the holiday week. The now familiar 35k course locked in, a light southerly nudging us up close the speed limit. Nearing the kennels, a plump peleton of pussycats pedalled profusely east to the Emu, AvantiTrev taking time for a word with our engine drivers on the front (a code violation maybe?). No infringements issued, all back to town as the humidity and temperature rose. 57 varieties of conversations carried on at the Lemontree whilst bunches came and went, the few feeding on breakfast was tempting the tastebuds to start next weeks ride hungry, a second dose of caffine sufficed today.
Seems the solstice has peaked and past, a bit less light in the early hours of Monday but certainly a cool and comfortable 16 degrees to take in a lap with long time buddy Cougs. The rev heads have been scribbling with black Bridgestones out Channel Rd (pleased it's not when bikes are out), up to Boundary Rd to be treated to a Fenthion / Xylene organophosphorus shower from an orchard spray pump (hold your breath and squint through the mist), at least we won't be infested with coddling moth. A solo rider here and there, a compact clan of P&W's then soon after, a long train of Cats with a few 51's thrown into the mix to keep conversation contained. Time for some chain lube me thinks, the KMC groaning grappling the gran's grunt. Back home as a southerly strengthened, resolved to stay off the bike this arvo, would be fried in the fourties. (How do the boys climb Arthurs' Seat twice in the SunTour in this temperature?)
An earlier start at work meant an earlier ride, paired up with Cougs again (in the same situation, trying to catch up time during the Christmas rush). Seems the wind was attacking in all directions today, no special sprays this morning (a bit too breezy?) but Sellmans Shepherd was poised to persue again. It's two attempts were met with a faceful of electrolytes, think a visit from the Ranger is in order before it brings someone down. Pussycats turned into Boundary, we headed west toward home, an elongated gaggle of Goats heading the way of the felines. Back into town just as young Liam was heading out (executive hours?) a NNE wind building.
Procrastinated Tuesday arvo about heat and wind, but the gospel according to HTFU repeated inside the head. Chose to ride solo (didn't need to suffer at the wheel of the fast boys) on a reverse Couldabeens circuit, 35 degrees and a howler west-north-west wind as company. A ton of small sticks to chicane the length of Raftery (a couple of large limbs recently sawn and moved off the tarmac too in Mitchell) not difficult to set a cracking pace heading east. The reality of the side wind in Boundary Rd wiped a slab of speed off, hard to keep a straight line with the wind whipping at the wheels. The turn into Channel Rd flattened the ego, gusts to 50km/h dragging the tempo down to 30 at best. The road seems twice as long, the water twice as warm, the legs twice as tired but Winston's quote of "never, never, never give up" was mentally repeated, relief then to reach the retirement end of town and rest. One questions the sheer intelect of the passing P plater who insists on blasting the air horn as amusement, I guess the beanie as headwear, the "hollywood" sunglasses and the Commodore with an identity crisis (Chev badges) tells the true story. The deep question of life....do Americans badge their Chev's as Holdens?
Dug the depths of the archives for armwarmers Wednesday, just 10 degrees a stark contrast to the past week. Today's choice was anti-clockwise from Kialla Lakes; GG, Nick, Jase, Cougs, Pete H, FeltMat, AvantiTrev who was RidleyTrev today along with FujiTrev, just to complicate things. Down Archer Rd to Mitchell to then get an easier task for the east and north sections. A plethora of peletons out and about, sullen faced Supercats in Mitchell, a stretched train of TT'ers near River Rd, a cheery clan of P&W's, 51's in hot pursuit, not-so-supercats the final bunch. A convivial tour till Channel Rd, thereafter the business was fight the resistance of 26km/h of SSW wind. Teamwork survived till Nick & FeltMat launched an un-announced speed challenge near Prentice Rd, ejecting FujiTrev from the pack. In the spirit of teamwork a few eased the pace to tow him back, the bunch re-united for the tour through town.
Another cool 11 degree start on Thursday, a southerly today to test tenacity. Jase, Rocket (back from holiday), Kenworth (kitted up like an eskimo) Trav, Tim, Nick, AvantiTrev in kit but on the Ridley, FujiTrev, GG, Steve (lit up like Christmas) Sprinter (cheekily in Cat Kit) with visiting niece Georgia. Stage 1 out Channel Rd at a tempo fortissimo, Stage 2 past the school picking up FeltMat (just out of bed). Pleased the bump is finally ironed out at the top of Channel, we pointed south into the 15km/h wind in Boundary, Georgia was unkindly hung out to dry at the front but there were kind lads left to lend a wheel. The torque from the big Kenworth incurred a few speed wobbles, AvantiTrev pegged back the pace a bit for all to get a turn. A little castor adjustment needed nearing Archer to get the leaders down the road so others had a decent draft then a sigh of relief to point roughly northward in Raftery with the breeze nearly behind now. Cruise control set in the low 40's by Arcadia Downs, i got to the front with 600 metres left (way too early with Rocket and rapid riders amassing behind) , so became the fly in the ointment of predictability and bolted, splitting the bunch like a Labour Caucus meeting. Low 50's didn't last long and was gobbled up by Rocket, Jase, Nick, Trav and co with 300 left, Trav perfectly positioned on Rockets wheel to pounce for the prize. Coffee afterward for many still in holiday mode, toil at the coalface for me.
A very pleasant Thursday arvo beckoned some kilometres so set forth anti-clockwise on a loop, hooking up with Axels' entourage. Wayne and Kathy fairly new to the game and Anthony back in the saddle after a long repose, we took the Raftery - Mitchell - River - Boundary - Channel circuit (as I climatised to the rather random and varied rotations. Appreciation for the regimented Couldabeens and P&W protocols) The light northwesterly didn't put up much of a fight, a steady lap comfortable in contrast to the usual Library thrash. A short squirt at the end of Channel Rd burnt up some testosterone.
Freaky Friday arrived again, but content to go against the grain with Cougs on the Channel-Boundary-Old Dookie route. Picked up the somewhat lost soul of FeltMat on the way out (searching for a circuit with company?) We headed north at the BP exit as FeltMat surfed south, the southbound solicitation of Supercats soon to stretch him. Nearing the Pub, 51 were going supersonic, in the blur of faces i spied with my little eye the always grinning Nev. Not far behind a poliferation of P&W's and as Friday rear gunners, the (not-so-super) Cats had a dozen devotees. A great solid lap to end the week, and to get us home in time for the daily grind, a great thrash to the finish line by supernana.
Week 2 331km 11,254 calories ( 3.12kg Stilton cheese) YTD 670km
"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness" Aristotle; Greek philosopher 384-322 BC
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