Mr Higgins had lured the nostrils southward on Saturday morning, the aromatic nirvana of hot bread induced a strong left bias passing by his bakery. Sustainance would have to wait till journey's end. Down to the shop car park where Jase, Shorty, AvantiTrev, Pom, Weapon, Tommygun & Kyle had assembled (many regulars opting for the Tour de Pub afternoon shift). A tad mild at 16 degrees for the roll out Channel Rd, Pom drew the short straw of the NNE wind in Boundary Rd., not favouring his recovery. Again, a picturesque sunrise to view heading to the toaster, the distant flicker of Nath & Smuggler's tail-lights to chase. One could set a spirit level on Weapon's spine, the copybook TT position, Kyle appears to be on tiptoes though. Finally interrupted the Smuggler & Nath bonding session in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, soon after a lengthy cat pack steamed east ably driven by Jamie, almost a k in arrears Simmo followed (alarmclockitis?). Kept an eye on the cruise control for our westerly leg home (maybe 0.5 above once or twice) but no infringements issued. A consistent tap home, keen to hop into coffee and a vanilla slice (scoring a few points with Weapon as her fuel of choice) at the Lemontree. Cougs joined in for breakfast and banter, Emmet arriving too; foreign exchange rates, bike position, descending and pub crawls the talk for today.
Just a few hours later the late shift clocked on at the Peppermill, assembling for the inaugural Tour de Pub as a tribute for Temple's half century. A great roll up of FeltMat, Jase, Daniel, Cougs, Pete, Tim, Rocket, Nath, BigMat, Kenworth, the birthday boy and DeRosaTrev with a difficult prologue for all the team......sinking a pot. The ride eventually got underway out Raftery and down to the highway, some procrastination & confusion on direction until the highway took the votes (plenty of shrapnel to avoid in the left lane) Nath & Daniel stole the tailwind lead and kept it in Union Rd too, the lure of the Toolamba pub urging Daniel to double his usual gap. Our dozen inflated the pub's population to 13, football debate quickly on the agenda. To keep to schedule it was just the one, DeRosaTrev performing a rapid change of Coug's flat Continental prior to take-off. The 20km/h northerly invoked a sweat out Toolamba-Rushworth Rd, tough going in Dhurringile Rd too. Newbie Pete was getting a rapid induction to the Couldabeen characters, enjoying the social atmostphere as we all were. Tat's middle pub has undergone a renno, 12 thirsty punters were added to carbo load on their beer and chips. A few had taken on seconds (clearly dehydrated) but the clock beckoned to set forth east to Mooroopna; Ferguson, Pyke then Murchison-Mooroopna Rd's as Stage 3. There was a close call with an impatient Navara, a steady push home into the head wind , then Tim bolting for a Stage win into Mooroopna, but Temple had selection rights to the exact finish line. Refreshment taken at the Cricketers Arms, seconds for many with Kenworth quick to furnish liquid by the jug. DeRosaTrev, Pete & Cougs did an early breakaway to Shepp (the DeRosa getting a bit of rallycross experience with some blurred judgement) but all assembled at Friars for a tour post-mortem, a touching Temple speech and gifts given. There was one more for the for the road with the termination at the Terminus, 55k's done and enough carbo loading to last the week.
A cool fresh Sunday morning needed a cool aproach with 110k clocked on Saturday, a quiet roll around a short lap to loosen the legs was bearable, the compulsory stop for coffee at Degani's for a long yarn with Cougs, AvantiTrev, Laura and GG joining in after a similar circuit. Home with 30k chalked up and limbs un seized.
Monday's southwester favoured an anti-clockwise lap (still a few creaks in knees and ankles.....time has wearied them) on the familiar territory of Channel, Boundary and Old Dookie. Boral's truck rolled out on a warm up in Boundary, Cougs and I picked up the pace to get round before a fair sized cat pack passed by on their mission south. Monday morning blues suited a temperate tour, maybe cooler weather has subdued enthusiasm, (variety has suited the legs of late) or has age taken it's toll? All the same, a sense of satisfaction tapping out 30k while many turned softer under doonas.
Cooler climate is testing some Couldabeens attendance (BigMat surely now in retirement after Saturdays effort?) just the tenacious ones Tuesday, Rocket, Kenworth, Shorty, Temple, Cougs, Nick and FujiTrev prepared to endure the 11 degrees and 15km/h of SSW. Plenty of torque needed to match the big truck in Channel Rd's first stage, prospects of a stiff headwind in Boundary weren't being relished. Push came to shove at the end of Channel Rd and I guess there's only a few k to grit one's teeth, a few young lads to chase until their escape in River Rd, Pete then arriving from the south after missing the start . Load sharing was equitable and normal cruising speed was achievable / resumed for the westward run in Mitchell Rd, Temple chose the Archer option home, just 8 to tap out the remainder of the lap. The spring was wound up for the last few k of Raftery Rd, Rocket launched for the last 200 adding a lot of daylight between he and us (a worthy chase put in by the Kenworth but of course in vein)
The now rejuvenated Hospital bunch had assembled Tuesday evening, Jamie, Dalton, Paul, Craig, Mike, Dion, AvantiTrev, Stew, Axel and Nath sedately heading north then east in 19 degrees with the breeze behind. Sprinter and Simmo were collected in Ford Rd, a calm and collected tempo maintained out to the Emu, maybe in expectation of what lay ahead. Quite a few had arrived from the south as we were toaster bound, OlympicSteve, Trent, Trudy, Bomber, Steigy and even Smuggler jumped aboard as the accelerator was squeezed in Old Dookie Rd. Had to be on your toes into Boundary as Bomber silenced the chat, quite a few now on their limit . A slight hesitation at the front on a roll-over sent a ripple magnifying through the bunch, by 4th last wheel Axel had to squeeze a little brake, (unseen by Mike), who was quickly now rubbing Axels back wheel, soon lost balance and speared into the earth of the tabledrain. I'd thankfully noticed the first signs and was back a little from Mike as he did the base over apex manoevre, cleverly hitting soft ground and grass to cushion the impact on bike and body. All halted to lend assistance, Mike soon up and recovering with just a graze to a knee and a brake lever. Situation assessed, most resumed the circuit, Jamie, Simmo, Axel & I happy to accompany (at a reduced rate of knots) a shaken Mike back to see he got home in one piece.
Nick, Shorty, Cougs, Rocket, GG, Chops, FujiTrev and AvantiTrev headed south from Kialla on Wednesday, barely 8 degrees was the main topic for discussion but my focus was on FujiTrev's lack of focus (may need to paint a guide line for him to follow?) Pete lay ahead and joined in for stage 2 of Archer Rd, a smoother run up Mitchell Rd with a light breeze from the south. Greendawg and friend spied at the top end of Mitchell, the pooch brave (or balmy) without a headlight. Cats were seen filing into River Rd, Goats a distance behind (or was that the other way around?) but no sign of P&W's today. Mr & Mrs Somebody were northbound near the bridge as usual, GG was happy playing gatekeeper, tank a bit empty on a tough diet. The speed elevated for Channel Rd, Nick and Shorty applying the gas with race speed at kinder corner. Mr Impatient was keen to use our lane overtaking an oncoming bike (must be a chore to wait 3 seconds) but all arrived back into town with time to spare, the Mexican Bonanza sprint taking most of the discussion. The BM went in for it's new rear deraillier today (the previous Dura-Ace mashed by Mavic spokes), a headstem adjust and new bar tape to freshen the old girl up as a bonus. As always, rides like new out of the Avanti shop, all squeaks and rattles evaporated. A most amusing touch Trev and Nath, chain sitting on the little ring when I picked it up! (how foreign)
An early start at work prompted an earlier Thursday lap, a chill in the air and condensation on the parked cars gives an ominous warning of what's to come. Frozen fingers and toes (and other extremities) multiple layers of kit, booties and gloves, icy air to breathe and the post ride long thaw out till normal function returns. One wonders who will endure and who will succumb to the weight of the doona? A southwesterly brewed heading out Channel Rd, a treat until pointing west homeward. We beat the Boral Mack just lighting up in it's driveway, Pussycats on their usual course with a few P&W hitchikers vocal amongst them. Back into town avoiding the Mr & Mrs Citizens on their relentless and sometimes blinkered commute, sipping coffee, on the phone, checking make-up, whilst driving of course!
Some indecision looking at the trees bending over on Thursday arvo, the stiff southerly would test the willpower. A field of heavy artillery were waiting at the library, inflating the negatives, but nothing ventured nothing gained eh? Nath and Bomber stole the lead for the stage to Wanganui, then Numurkah Rd, and then to Lemnos Rd for good measure. Mitch kept the pace on at the main channel, maybe for Sprinter and I to enjoy, quite blessed to have Dalton roll over at the kennels to hand me the perfect tow. Hamish & Nath fired up the afterburners to the Emu, a string of bikes now single file behind (and with just 15k covered). Three new additions to the rear at the toaster, Sprinter & I served our time at the front in Old Dookie Rd, blown sideways with gusts up to 53km/h making life just a touch difficult. Axel and others jumped aboard at the channel, by Boundary Rd only 5 were active at the pointy end, my sole attempt (no better than 32) for just a few hundred metres drained the tank quickly. Caught in the string of backmarkers after the highway a big gap opened, little chance to get back on without strong teamwork. Searched for a few players to team up and toil together, but all retreated into Channel Rd, only Stew heading south. 300 metres in arrears, all the eggs were in one basket towing Stew (hopeful he'd work in River Rd for our survival) but the bugger bailed out south and homeward as River Rd was reached. Into solo survival mode for the next 23k, wind punishing physically and mentally, a bit peeved to have lost touch with the lads at the front (there'd be some hurt hanging onto them i guess) yet satisfied I had stuck out the full lap. Switched the thoughts into defiant mode for the many tortured minutes that followed until Steptoe's house was the sight for sore legs (50k in 1:30 ok for a blustery night, nearly half the lap solo) with a suprise chat beyond the Raftery bridge with Chris A in his ute drawing alongside.
Remnants of last nights gusts were still about on Friday morning, down to a more manageable 18km/h from the south, but 7 degrees spelt winter was ringing the doorbell . Arriving at SPC, Fox, Sootie, Meags, Choppy, Simon, Cougs and Minto were ready (when Simons light was activated) so out Old Dookie we ventured where Coug's light promptly de-activated. A social catch-up with the tenacious team albeit brief with a planned escape in Channel Rd (work beckons yet again). A pause for Cougs to reconnect volts to the light (a kerbside Cat cast aside cursing punctures) then westward ho to find the Sellmans German Shepherd on the chase again. (called Council to book yet another ranger visit) A little shelter offered by orchards but the southerly was evident on the open sections, back into town in good time to finish off the week. The heart rate monitor conductivity at an all time low today, a 56bpm average closer to unconciousness.
Week 16 428 km 12870 calories (648 Savoy biscuits) YTD 5,860 km
"It's good to have an end to journey toward, but it's the journey that matters in the end" Ursula K. LeGuin US novelist 1929-
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