Absence from the Saturday group ("the socialists"?) seemed longer than 2 weeks ago, good to be back, although the southerly did it's best in slowing my arrival. FujiTrev, Rocket, Cougar, Nick, Temple, AvantiTrev and new recruit Stew seemed to be the only starters, but with 2 minutes remaining the floodgates opened to see Jase, Pom, Tim and bro-in-law Dave, Tony, FeltMat and HBK attach themselves to double the team. I took the first shift with FujiTrev, muchly improved after a bike refit from AvantiTrev, the new position smoothing out his line well. Pom back into shape after the scalpel, though still adverse to the temperature (not bad today hovering around 9). Speed restrictions were relaxed with 18k's of southerly shoving us up Boundary Rd, HBK sweltering with armwarmers hoisted above the elbows. Tim brought brother in law Dave along, content to act as gatekeeper (a little spent after the MelbourneTri or unacustomed to bunches?), Stew and Tony rotating through assimilating themselves. A good run to the toaster and another windward assistance up to the Emu, Keeno spotted on a 5 minute breakaway from the Cats. Beyond Bondary we had unhooked Dave, fewer felines today on their quest east. Rocket was measuring me at the front, a hint of westerly about the southerly didn't help, FujiTrev struggled to take his turn, AvantiTrev quick to assist in pegging back the pace a notch or three. Usual critiques of the Ford Rd leg between Lemnos North & Grahamvale Rd's (try the chicken run!), but onward westward, Temple on short shifts, HBK and Rocket on long ones. Into Rudd Rd and into the breeze evaporated thoughts of a sprint finish, the cafe finish taking precidence. Lemontree has now layed on the PVC blind to sheild us from winter chills (and capturing the warmth of the new heaters) but we had plenty of hot air on ye olde race tactics, those with encouragement, those with sprint enthusiasm and plenty of politics as a side dish.
Managed to get a sleep-in (till 6 anyway) Sunday, laid plans of sneaking in a short lap then join the 8am tour. Twas fresh at 3.8 degrees, even a southerly at 13km/h and strengthening, but a hint of light in the sky started a reverse Saturday circuit at 6.30. A concious effort this morning to stay on the 17 sprocket, felt like a spinning top at 84rpm. Ignored the speed heading to the Emu, focussed on the gap between aaarrgh and agony, hitting the limit several times but careful not to recycle this mornings porridge. Quite prepared to throw away 10% of the speed heading south after the turn, but was chuffed to only give away 1.5km/h. West after the toaster and survived the porky pong of the piggery, dropped another k on the catagory 27 climb over the channel bridge, but back on the pace with the monster 1.5 metre descent beyond it. Wondered if I was about to knacker knees whirling like a dervish so the focus shifted to the clock, aiming at the Pub by 7.30, the Mexican Bonanza by 7.45 (pleased later to beat by 2 minutes and 5 respectively) Arrived at Archer beating Saturdays lap by 3 and a whisker minutes, celebrated going back into the favourite 56/14 cogs to ease the 80 rpm average aches with the musical irony of Tame Impala's "Be Above It". AvantiTrev had pulled the pin on the 8am lap, but the circuit well enjoyed with Cougs, psychologically warmed by the rising sun (a sweltering 4.5 degrees now). Two bunches spied on the circuit, one on the way in, the other setting out, the southerly (now at 18km/h) would change some minds but pleased ours, with assistance in Raftery Rd and on cue for Conrod to get us to Degani's post haste for a banana & walnut toast trophy. Legs quite loose after todays tour, wonder did the spin help?There's a good conversion chart to calculate gearing to inches (or more accurately 'metres of development' in the new language) on <machars.net/bikecalc.htm> for the number nerds. (6.9 metres for me today, a bit short for my taste) Great to take in the Giro highlights Sunday night, Brett doing Shepp proud with a great lead out for Matt Goss to take a stage win.
Heave ho on the doona at 5 on Monday morning, it weighed a ton on account of Mondayitis and 0.7 degrees!
No agony in the rectis femoris from yesterday but the atmostphere today was a bigger drag than being in the queue at Centrelink. The Gods frowned upon me at each traffic light (making sure I properly savoured the chill?) but eventually made it into Channel Rd. Cougs was chasing a foreign yet random squeak in the Oppy (rattles and squeaks are as frustrating as bindii) but it didn't prove to be cronic. Difficult to put temperature in the legs today, the whirr of the orchard frost fans over the music of the Mavics hasn't been heard for a long time. (Ahh, the memories of frosty gloves, frozen noses and bright red skin!) No huge crews lining the roads today, just the regular sized Cat pack approaching the Boundary Rd channel. We mowed down the Boral Mack (and kept him in 2nd place till Old Dookie Rd) just noticing a hint of easterly breeze to act as an escort. Coug's headlight battery retired suddenly (and so did the squeak!) so a cautious roll back to town till the emerging sun made navigation a bit clearer.
Tuesday attendees were as rare as a tailwind home from Dookie (many may have been clever looking at the radar prior to saddling up). Just FeltMat, Cougs, Temple, Nick, Jase & Pete committed. A quantum leap in temperature from yesterday, at least 11 degrees took the edge off the ENE wind against us in Channel Rd. Visitors Mark & Trish attached to the small assembly for half the lap. Slashers had left plenty of grass on the road at the S bends, a rare bit of traffic at Boundary Rd halted proceedings for a moment (though FeltMat squeezed through to set a breakaway). Caught the escapee at the bridges, certainly easier on the effort pointing west in Mitchell Rd but with a squadron of kamikaze moths to carve through. Mark & Trish bid adieu, my bonus was having the super smooth sit on Temple's wheel. Another pause at the highway for a few tons of metal to go by, Pete headed for home, only half a dozen to slog out the last 4k. Almost to Roubaix corner when a few spits of damp fell from the clouds, by Arcadia Downs it was quite regular, glossing the road. FeltMat ran out of neddies to roll over cresting the dip, Jase and Nick bolted with 500 to go (Jase scored the win), I was more than satisfied to tag with Temple, Cougs and FeltMat to finish in the top six. (get it?) The back was now feeling fairly damp, had a spotty view and coated in the grubby spray off the cars heading home. That feeling of soggy socks and a trickle down the grand canyon is none too pleasing.
Similar conditions Tuesday night (after cleaning the bike) so a night off absorbing the Giro and Sprinters' new Strava stages, the flying 130 & 320. Bike got the flick on Wednesday morning too, on foot again for a few k's to break the routine. Rear wheel bearing replaced (original gave up with 65,000 k's travelled) and some much needed freehub lube, chain (at max stretch) replaced too.
Took to the tarmac Thursday, a silent chain, smooth wheel and fixed HRM ticked a lot of boxes. No wind and a bearable 6 degrees got the ASMR happening (Wiki it, interesting). Came across Jase on the way and followed his magical mystery tour of the suburbs to the start; Rocket, Kenworth, HBK, Shorty, AvantiTrev and FujiTrev, Pete, FeltMat, Mark & Trish along again, even a visit from one of the originals, Vince, invited by Temple who promptly failed to front! Mowed grass to negotiate again in Channel Rd, FujiTrev quickly assuming the tailight role when Rocket and HBK paired up for action. Vince (possibly on remand from Supercat mischief?)played ball well until HBK taunted at half distance of Mitchell Rd, talk ceased above 40, hanging onto wheels became everyones priority. HBK resigned into Archer, Vince went on recovery and all had a chance to lower the hr with a long wait for traffic at Melbourne Rd. Just 5 of the 9 drove the train in the last 3 k (damn, those turns come around fast!) Rocket being hung out to dry when we pointed into Conrod straight. I took a few breaths and took pity on his toil when we plateaued with 400 to go, the honourable thing was to take the lead and let him recover. A short lead at 45 with h.r. at 195, gave him the elbow at 100 for his signature burst to victory, Jase mowing me down fast to (kindly) tie for 2nd. All over in 48 minutes, 20k covered at zone 3&4, 8k at zone 5. Nice to get some breath back rolling through town, a g'day to Tommygun on a run (bike's more fun!)
It's been a while since I've got a lap in with the Library bunch, quite a crew had assembled for the 6pm off. A dozen set sail out the Boulevard with the usual shuffling of the deck for position (sure as eggs, I was paired with Nath and the business end in Wanganui Rd). Like a magnet, the bunch kept drawing bikes in on the pilgrimage east, a calm evening and a most bearable 16 degrees. Counted 21 bikes at the Emu turn, pace making a yarn possible with Dalton, Clive, LegalSteve, Jamie, Mike, Paul, Trent, Trudy, OlympicSteve, Mitch, Bomber, Luke et al. A few cold patches on the course, felt quite cosy looking at LegalSteve's bare arms and legs as the mercury sank to 12. OlympicSteve, Jamie and Mike had a Channel Rd exit, I was pondering when the guns would fire, but nothing happened till most of River Rd was done, Mitch and Nath terminating the talk with a burst from Laws Dr onward. The rear wheel is (psychologically?) rolling smoother than ever, nudging 40 in Central Kialla Rd not as expiring as predicted. By Mitchell Rd some were chosing shorter shifts at the front (Bomber and a few of the heavy artillery had peeled off at the turn) the pack now down to 11 for the closing stages. Beyond Roubaix corner a couple had retired to become tail gunners, found myself with Nath again but it was better doing track turns. Deja vu into Conrod straight with ticker approaching burst level (192), rolled over Paul and hit 445 watts at the 400 mark. A light slowly gaining from behind was brightest with 100 left (this morning's history repeating itself), young Luke (with 36 years advantage) got past easily, but I was happy to end the effort in 2nd (again), heart rate average down 20bpm from this morning, thanks to a bigger bunch.
A P&W lap on Friday morning relishing a not so bitter 6 degrees and the wind switched off. Sootie, Minto, Wizz, Kyle, Fox, Meags, Fee, Choppy and Hayles set off with distant supercats tailights guiding the way. Minto a bit secondhand after a tough run programme (Gold Coast marathon soon), Kyle nursing a muscle injury and Fox openly admitting an attack of rust in the joints. Even the quick chicks were content to sit as gatekeepers. For all the training sessions preparing for recent IM's, I reckon a rest is just reward for these soldiers. An early collection of Kialla Couldabeens were heading anti-clockwise and approaching Channel Rd, it felt good not to be pushing into a wind for a change on our journey south and west, the River Rd Hurt Locker stage skipped for the familiar tarmac of Mitchell Rd. All pronto on the pedals for Raftery Rd, turns shortening (and sledging lengthening) with Wizz, then Choppy pulling out all stops for Conrod straight. Kyle launched an early break with 500 to go, Minto got in hot pursuit while I hung on to catch a little oxygen. His tank emptied at 350 so I put all eggs into the basket noting Kyle sitting up waiting. Too much gap to fill in the space remaining, I held on for second fiddle (again!) to finish a good week, good rides in good company.
Week 19 352 km 10,560 calories (96 double choc TimTams) YTD 6,881 km
"Most men persue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it" Soren Kierkegaard Danish philosopher 1813-1855
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