A tranquil tour through town Saturday morning, nice not to fight for road space on the way. Trav, Steve, Mike, Cougs, Temple, Nick, AvantiTrev, FeltMat and Daniel to tour today. A considerate opening stage with Temple set Saturdays social scenario, each day gaining a little more darkness to dull enthusiasm (still, we could have 5 months of no sun in the arctic circle) Nath joined in just beyond Benalla Rd, was it just me struggling to get the legs working even with a gentle southerly to assist? Me thinks the rapid change of season maybe to blame? No riders out in pairs or solo today, a copious collection of Cats though, found eastwardly Emu bound as usual. (a touch of wheels near the toaster brought several down, Walshy's bike well and truely busted but none seriously hurt thankfully) Lethargy was contagious in our bunch, climatising to cooler mornings (and thoughts of the months ahead) always a testing transition. The P&W's had a decent gathering in Ford Rd for a tapering lap after many months of hard slog in Triathlon preparation (Stace getting extra puncture training im told, HWK to the late rescue) Back to town minus a sprint, the welcoming warmth of coffee made the ride worthwhile. Lively talk on dirty politics, e-trade, diesels and pub crawls most entertaining.
Treated the legs to a Sunday off (how soft!, number three for the year) but they still creak getting out of bed.
Winters' door was flung open on Monday, down to single figure temperature dragged the motivation down with it. Reluctantly rummaged out the winter base layer but stopped at the search for big gloves and booties. Set south in the main drag, not another bike to be seen (pondered if i'd drive myself to ride through yet another winter. I can really understand why others don't) But then, we were having a grizzle about the relentless heat a few weeks ago..... Cats had a large contingent in Boundary Rd, came across the Boral truck on a warm-up crawl, building air pressure, so there was a sense of achievement to round up 380hp of Freightliner (but we won't mention he was in first gear)
The cooler conditions kept a few under the doona on Tuesday, a baptism of ice for Trav, Kenworth, Tim, Brent, FeltMat, Rocket and Daniel (last as always, certainly not least) Forward ho in Channel Rd it was interesting to compare the dress code variation; Kenworth dressed for Vladivostok, Daniel dressed for Vanuatu. Nathan appeared in the darkness beyond the kinder, me drawing the short straw beside him. Heading south in Boundary I was grateful the sun wasn't up to show the speed, may have mentally given up knowing it. (the Garmin download later said 40). Had a "gotta-love-it" moment in Mitchell Rd, almost ready to admit defeat and ask for a roll over when a young fella asks first.....then does half a turn 'cause he's spent! Into the closing stages and the first dip of Conrod straight, Nath turned up the wick. Used all the reserves to get round the Avanti advantage and soon after the Kenworth bolted by, Rocket attached behind as motivator who graciously allowed Gav the win (but kept a wheel very close to make it well earned) More than satisfied with 3rd, enthusiasm returning.
Mid 20's and barely a puff of wind was reason enough to front to the boom gate on Tuesday, great to see some life back into the ride with 5 ready to ride. A welcome back to Craig after a 5 month lay-off, Robbo, Jamie, Harpo and Clive on board too. Things looked up on the way out, Steve joining in while Robbo upped the ante into a light northeasterly. Trent and Trudi provided extra relief at the Emu (a little easier going with the breeze behind from thereafter too) Great to have Axel, Paul and Tommygun add to the numbers in Old Dookie Rd, back to a good working dozen on a Tuesday night (memories from days long ago). Riding west in River Rd provided a free feed of insects, lots of distant smoke from a stubble burn to view. Trent and Robbo at the front are in a different league, i'm sitting second wheel sucking all the oxygen i can get, while they joke and chat at 40. A bit of excitement on the turn into Mitchell, Jamie punctures (rallycrossing in the gravel) the bunch slows and Paul rubs wheels in the confusion that followed. All ok and upright though. Harpo and Clive volunteered as Jamie's pit crew, the bunch continued, Robbo & Trent up front again out of Roubaix, the generous engines towing all home (the average identical to this mornings ride)
A lap with the P&W's on Wednesday, (supercats super early at SPC by 5.50) most on a shake down with the Melbourne Tri just days away. Nearly all were on time trial steeds, Stace, HWK, Sootie, Simon, Hayles, Fee, Cougs, THM and Chops steered into the dark tunnel of Old Dookie Rd. THM was on the tarmac edge into a steadily building breeze, Hayleys the Comet with a full carbon dinner plate as a rear wheel, sounded appropriately like a fighter jet. We'd caught the ever tardy LeighMac soon after Channel Rd who was suprised at the long turns at the business end of the pack (Cats must have the shortest turns in town) A favourable run down Mitchell Rd worked well by Stace & HWK. Got to the front with THM after Archer was crossed, who flew up Mt Nicolaci like a man on a mission. Speed gradually built to Arcadia Downs when Weapon appeared in the rotation (a late start following a diversion with a doona) aboard the "pinkle projectile". The River Rd ratbags drew by as Conrod came into view, and with 600 metres remaining, Area twentyfive and a half (well, half of 51) gunned past with Eggy as the tow truck. "Good luck"s were spread amongst the P&W crew for their Melbourne effort, a lot of k's on bikes, in water and on foot to prepare will be their bonus.
Thursday mornings early rain and lightning gave another sleep in, no complaints. Black clouds and masses of wind late afternoon put a halt to any ideas for the day. An anti-clockwise lap with Cougs on Friday to finish the week, witnessing the three groups in Boundary Rd on schedule, 51 making good ground on Supercats. Back into town after a good dip in Old Dookie, cars charging up to give ways are always unsettling. A lung full of eau de garbage truck then a smoking diesel 4x4 on the way home also unsettling.
Week 12 269km 8070 calories (1614 Smarties) YTD 4,166 km
"An intellectual is a man who's mind watches itself" Albert Camus, French novelist 1913-1960
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