Only one degree to start Saturday, not the most inviting way to start the day, but the company of 10 likeminded crazies ready to roll made the effort worthwhile. A lot of discussion centred around yesterdays stack, numbers and causes were varied but relying on hearsay is not good judgement. Those who've had the misfortune of close liaison with tarmac (regardless of speed) wouldn't wish it on anyone. Captain RidleyTrev had a word to all along similar lines. I guess we all need to sharpen the focus on keeping things safe and upright. The first leg at the front was fresh till skin climatised and some internal heat was raised. Fitzy was back again, Dion and Stew making another appearance too. An unseen stick was mashed by Trav's wheel then flung to mine, mulching it. Long weekend plans were on the conversation list, but all were generally a bit subdued with the crash news (similar experiences exchanged) Two tailights in the Boundary Rd distance were presumed to be Nath and the Smuggler, but not confirmed till the railway line near the Emu. Steigy and an offsider were spotted as the advance party to the Cats, temperature maybe culling their numbers a little as eastward met westward near the kennels. Jase & Rocket crept up the rate in Wanganui (did RidleyTrev almost pull out a yellow card?) Nath most impatient nearing the golf course (thoughts of coffee and heater warming the enthusiasm?) Missed the verbals at the Lemontree with other obligations, as did several on long weekend commitments.
Sucummed to Sunday sloth when an early peer outside brought on a case of the can't be bothereds, a chilly morning on the bike swapped for a sumptuous sleep-in (well, till 7 anyway)
Maybe the guilt of Sunday's sabatical or the craving of kilometres shot the eyes open in the dark hours of Monday's holiday morning. Whatever the reason, pointed the bike onto the ubiquitous Toaster circuit (clockwise) a bit before 6, temperture matching that. Good to have a clear road to clear the head, lights out on the speedo but lights on for the h.r. / time / cadence / distance / temperature / FTSE100 and whatever else the Garmin can display. Quite enjoy a hidden speed, maybe motivates a little more pace than normal, but no dissapointment if it were slow (until daylight shows reality anyway) The chain sat in it's familiar 56/15 position for the long path to the Emu, calm conditions but trying to calm the ticker below 160. Felt some resistance heading south, tougher pointing west, now keeping the heart below 170 was the battle. Atoms for Peace was a good soundtrack to zone out for Boundary Rd, then faced the River Rd demons (not my favourite stretch of road) for a change, daylight finally lighting the speed in the final k (a pleasing pace for this old timer). The leg along Central Kialla Rd seems longer than 2k, strangely Mitchell's 4k seems shorter. The aim of a sub 1:30 Toaster lap on my 'to do' list was helped spying two tailights ahead as I approached the highway, a motivational measure if you like. Head down and tail up, Roubaix conquered (shaken not stirred) and caught them sooner than expected, but had made a task of maintaining the pace till Conrod's end. Legs were a little rubberised crossing the line but a 1:24:20 beat the goal. Rolled back into town and up to the Couldabeens start to join Rocket, Cougs, Shorty & Temple for a slightly abbreviated Saturday lap befitting a Monday holiday. It was a complete collection of Cosmic Carbons in chorus cruising Channel, a hint of a northerly heading up Boundary Rd and chewing over the long weekends' activities. Only a couple of bikes seen (headed south), the narrow stretch of Boundary and the thin line to avoid the ripple strips a reminder why this isn't the popular route. The vast expanse of Lemnos-Cosgrove was easier sailing, a steady tap along suited well. Traffic was still thin for the run to Wanganui and Rudd, had to dip out of the post ride coffee with other commitments, promised myself double time next weekend.
With the weeks' forecast looking dim and damp, took the Tuesday opportunity to join the Couldabeens for a faster foray with Kenworth, Rocket, Cougar, Nick, PistolPete and FujiTrev to tackle a light northeaster and hopefully reap the benefits of a breeze home. PistolPete had a half wheel on almost all who were beside him (still in apprenticeship?), FujiTrev did a turn or two before resigning to the rear, Kenworth the usual solid steady turns with tons of torque in reserve, Cougars' always supernana performance and Rocket, well he's just a Rocket. Some relief heading west in Mitchell (but not the help i'd hoped for) but down to the highway without much slack, PistolPete bidding farewell there. Rocket & Kenworth had power aplenty in the last 500 of Conrod to stretch away, but all regrouped for the collective tour through town, Temple on a Mazda instead of the Ridley today (driving to work), down to 4 degrees but suitably warmed up after a pacy 30k.
Fridays 51 stack was still on the agenda at Tuesday nights assembly of the hospital group, the story has more versions than Windows it seems. Dalton, TallDale, Tony, Dion, RidleyTrev and newbie Craig made 7 to set forth at 6 to add 7 for 42k in 12 degrees with 13 kays of northeast. Luke, Gools and Sprinter were first to be added, then Nath, with Bomber, Steigy and Sticks soon after. A fair push out to the Emu (Nath and Bomber bumping up the pace for the last k) and a bit easier toward the toaster (but not for Tony almost unravelled off the back) Steigy bolted a breakaway after the turn into Old Dookie (after saying he was happy just to tap around!) Bomber set off after him at the piggery but all others stayed as one. Steigy and Bomber had returned when we'd reached the Boundary Rd piggery, I had a good turn at the front with Mr Smooth (Gools), us more senior boys bathing in each others gratification. Harder to match Luke's youth as the next wheel beside me but survived, River Rd's pace as usual stepped up, Bomber then Nath the cause (Sprinter again measured). Yet another big turn beside Luke started to wear my engine, but was thankful big hits were reserved till last. Steigy sauteed Sprinter up MtNicolaci but all got to simmer for the slow at the highway. Noticed Dion drives well for one fairly new to the madness, all had cat and mouse turns leading up to Conrod waiting for the big guns to fire and choosing the best wheel to be on. I was lucky to be behind Luke when he launched late (but no hope of staying with him) although drew alongside Dion at 55 to call it a tie for 2nd. Interesting to Strava spy later on Sprinters h.r peaking at 175 when mine topped 193, I suppose we're all built differently. A good lap in 1.12.40
Reckon I saw an old bearded man gathering animals two by two on Wednesday, plenty of soaking rain to keep riders off the roads. A cloud had sunk to ground level on Thursday morning too, adding to the greasy road reason for another day of rest. Green bands across the radar kept the bike indoors in the afternoon, a good downpour at 5am Friday spelt the end of the bike week with a liberal dose of time off.
Week 24 236km (Coffs Harbour to Gold Coast) YTD 8,350km
"Life is like a 10 speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use" Charles M Schulz (1922-2000) US creator of "Peanuts"
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