A dark trip south to the start Saturday, backpackers were even camped at shop fronts or on foot in the main street. A pair of northbound fire engines shattered the peace (an alarm clock for some). Trev was back to administer the regulations and keep the testosterone levels reasonable, Nick, BigMat, FeltMat, Cougs, Daniel, Temple, Tim, Trav, Rocket, Mike and Graeme as guest. All set forth on the 8k's of Channel Rd, Steve arriving near the school, disco hat ablaze. All were on best behaviour with the captain back in the chair, Rocket's new Cosmic's in running in mode, fit for a thrash next week? Smuggler joined in a bit north of the pub, evening up the numbers, favourable breezes for the course till the Emu, just a light south wester to tackle homeward. Shorty was a late arrival nearing the kennels (foxed by Trev's early arrival at the start), Sly was well ahead of the Cats but due to be swallowed in their pursuit. We'd collected Max just after the Alt. route for a brief tow to DECA, half a dozen were busting for a thrash to the finish and launched after the Rudd roundabout, Trav taking the podium. Our usual news, views and clues at the Lemontree; pizza dough recipes, buying a new car, pub crawls and Lance's lies on the discussion paper. (little time for this during the week). Four years to the day since my "stick incident", fingers crossed I avoid another one.
Regardless of the clocks' set time, an internal alarm stirs the slumber at 4.45 almost without fail. And on a Sunday too. Nothing prescribed for it except a ride, so off on a 6am squirt of Ford-Boundary-Channel, speed inspired by a wiff of south westerly. Not enough light to see the speedo, the legs acted as tacho whilst the grey cells calculated how much fuel to use (without running empty) Heaven knows what drives us to go like hell, thoughts of improved performance, building strength, measuring ability or just because it feels good when you stop? In Boundary Rd and against the building wind, a slow rising sun shed light on the Garmin, 180bpm was going to empty the fuel tank fast. Sheer stubborness drove the wheels till Channel Rd, but no quarter given heading west, the wind funnelling between orchards to test the tenacity. Finally got a second wind after a long battle to supress a stitch, satisfied to finish 28 in 45. Took on another loop of Archer-Boundary-Channel with Cougs to make it a figure eight. The wind we all love so much played with the head by changing course to a southerly and strengthening. It helped for the run up Boundary Rd but made work (again) for Channel. A good steady lap regardless, no doubt driven for the final kilometres with thoughts of coffee and conversation to end 65.
The regular Monday start to the working week, 12 degrees and dark, a reminder that summers' use-by date is fast running out. A train of Cats turned from Old Dookie into Boundary, just headlights visible now, faces indistinguishable with the sun a long way off rising. There'll be a short week or two of visibility when daylight savings ends, but that will quit quicker than the Pope.
A few were missing from Tuesdays tour with the Couldabeens, but FeltMat, BigMat, Tim, Cougs, Kenworth, Brent, Temple, Nick, Rocket, even Smuggler and GG made an effort. Nath was picked up near the kinder, and we nearly picked up the dog at Sellmans, heard snarling at the heels, but camoflaged in the darkness. On the turn into Boundary several noticed a bunch back at the pub, they may have made a bit of ground when we crossed River Rd, but were truely OTA in Mitchell, a big squirt in the low 40's despatching them to the distance. Ronnie jumped aboard at the olive grove (and stayed till Archer), great was the smoothness that drove the trusty steeds, the mighty warriors (& warriorette) strove mightily with crank and gear for as much as to please the gods. A wait for traffic at the highway saw seconds tick past (but at least preserved life) then back into it on the front beside Brent for the leg to Roubaix. He was keen to go further at the pointy end but I had to insist others needed a turn, Nath, Rocket, BigMat, Kenworth and more turning up the wick. Many (including me) were content to sit back in the 40's to watch Nath lead out Rocket for #1 and BigMat for #2, found ourselves reeling in many who'd expired in the last 500. All over in 46:36, certainly cleared the cobwebs.
Numbers down again at the hospital boomgates on Tuesday night, only ArgonDave and GiantClive in attendance. Seems a few have shyed away of late (ironically when the guns have flown the coop) but this trio were hopeful to add to the pack on the journey to the Emu. Just Wongy climbed aboard (admitting he was a cream puff after a long holiday), thankfully the Mark & Tony engines arrived at the church to reduce the burden of the 20km/h southwester. Wongy took a retreat down Channel, the remaining 5 set off west in River Rd, a Sprinter in the distance being the carrot. He'd done well to stay ahead for just a 6 minute head start, but we'd caught him by central Kialla Rd. Wind stopped being a burden by Arcadia Downs, Dave, Brendan & I sharing the driving seat (Mark & Tony preserving energy for a MTB event, Clive just keen to survive). Had the perfect sit till the 300 metre mark, a tail breeze helping a 58 max to score a win.
Familiar faces at SPC on Wednesday, HWK, Al, Simon, THM, Cougs, Kylie, Fee, Stace, Meags & the Pom rolled away, towing TT's Princess, Sootie, Minto, Wizz & Bart. THM was acting motivational coach for the ride, "intensity" the catch phrase (maybe on deaf ears, many content with standard proceedure) Simon surreptitiously shaved Sunday, super slippery shins speculated slick speed, some say svelt skin surely sexy. TT's departed on their thrash via River Rd, while a cast of Couldabeens headed north battled the breeze from the northeast. HWK, Stace and others ramped up the heart rate in Mitchell, THM wore thin on "intensity" and tucked in for a tow, a more considerate rate taken after Central Kialla to keep unity. Suprisingly we'd held off the TT brigade till Mt Nicolaci, the eleven held formation till the approach to Arcadia Downs. HWK & Stace hammered away, Al took the bait to copy entering Conrod. All finished without discarding team-mates, eventually engulfed by 51 at the first traffic lights.
A fairly breezy east northeast was going to make Channel Rd a push on Thursday morning, a dozen or more Couldabeens to share the load made the thought a bit easier. Luke returned and young Brent is hooked, GG was back again, most of the regular punters joined in for the toil east. Duty at the front with BigMat for leg 2, then GG (with plenty of GG's) for leg 3. I wasn't arguing for another go into the wind, happy to turn into Boundary, but of course the accelerator went down a bit more. By Mitchell Rd the ENE favoured the most and the throttle was opened into the 40's, some unsteady at the pace, some right at the limit, an orchestra of carbon wheels playing a concerto prestissimo forte, and there wasn't many arias from the choir. A few were showing signs of imminent kaboom, others keen on chasing records which was a certain recipe for splitting the pack. There was a struggle to latch onto the back of an over-enthused bunch after crossing Central Kialla, Nick & I staying back to lend a hand. Shame really, breaks up the unity and fellowship.
Closed the working week the way it started, a steady lap anti-clockwise with Cougs, watching the thrash of bunches on their Freaky Friday whilst keeping the enjoyment in ours.
Week 7 382 km 13,370 calories (243 Falafels) YTD 2,461 km
"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans" John Lennon (1940-1980)
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