It's downhill now to summer, but the same old winter rituals apply; hr strap, base layer, thermal, arm warmers, jersey, knicks, socks, coffee, breakfast, bathroom, neck sock, bandana, helmet, glasses, shoes, belgian socks, keys, phone, money, tyre pressures, batteries, Garmin, gloves......heaven forbid if something is overlooked in the dress routine! (reverse, replace then repeat as neccessary) Spoilt by a mild 4 degrees to start, and a little more at ease with a flea on top (helmet light to aim at vehicular projectiles fired from side streets) it was south to Saturday's start and some quality social time with the crew. Nick, Trav, Cougar, GG, Shorty, Rocket, Temple and Tim made the effort, RidleyTrev back after his hairy Honda hiatus, a little barked and bruised but easing back into the routine. Due consideration shown for our crashed captain, Tim's hockey hamstring, Shorty's fickle flu and Temple's miniscule motivation, it was destination Channel Rd and 40k to earn the end's bliss of internal and external warmth at the Lemontree. Ride #35 with these socialists (yep, nerdy on the numbers folks) has the course etched into the subconcious, but I still manage to find the odd pot hole to torture the palms and posterior. Temple's self imposed sabbatical hasn't slowed him (but his cadence could curdle cream) and Tim has recovered well, but just a little was shaved off the usual cruising speed to see all survived. Pigfarms, toaster and Emu passed, two pairs were seen today as advanced reconnisance for the Cats eastward expedition. (was one the always immaculate Princess, perfectly kitted in Lotto attire? Darkness defies eye-dentification). It was Trav's turn to have battery failure today, lack of light kept him keeping the rear seats warm. The 14k stretch to Rudd Rd seems a bit shorter heading home (Channel's 8k outward seems longer), Rocket making the duration shorter with a blast up the Col d'Wanganui (decision on banana toast consumption ratified quickly). Temple and Nick had pace unabated through town, didn't see the need with plenty of seats to go around at the finish. Coffee and conversation on corruption, speeding, registration and rehabilitation filled in till 8.
A day off the bike to cellebrate hump day (and rest the rump day?) on Sunday. Took to the Boundary Rd bike course (by car) in the early hours to satisfy an urge to capture photographically a dead tree in a muddy dam we all pass, possibly un-noticed, a few times a week. (see above)
Holidays from work inspired a short lap Monday, a quieter excerciser with Cougar on Archer, Mitchell and Raftery, enough to satisfy the craving for a little cadence (yes, ok, 60rpm). A hint of WSW blew a few spots of rain to dampen the enthusiasm and the tyres (but barely the road) with a little up tempo for the Conrod section (as a reminder for tomorrow's ride?) Thoughts of a rare weekday post ride coffee were quickly shelved with a gloss to the road highlighting the hurry home.
Much milder morning on Tuesday, numbers up on temperature but numbers down on attendance. Kenworth, Cougar, Nick, Temple, PistolPete and GG rolled away with Jase at the last minute to attach. A solid and steady zoom out Channel Rd with the odd puddle from overnight rain to spot the bike and body. The slightest suggestion of a northerly helped down Boundary Rd, plenty of long turns with a small bunch kept everyone tuned up. Mitchell Rd tempo was brisk too with the heart rate into zone 4 trying to keep level with the Kenworth. Easily through the Central Kialla intersection but a long wait again for Melbourne Rd's peak hour (2 cars, 3 trucks) where PistolPete signed off. Quite the big blanket of fog approaching Roubaix corner, fogging glasses and forward vision, but well navigated to Arcadia Downs for the anaerobic action in Conrod straight. Jase & Kenworth had jellybeans left in the jar for a spirited sprint, most others running on near empty for that seemingly endless last 500 metres. A 49 minute lap was a credible result for a small band. Stopped at Stephano's for a rare yarn with the Gatti de Micio, similar dramas with our highbeam moron and similar sledging with those deserving.
Into holiday mode on Tuesday night, skipped the hospital group in favour of a warm night indoors. Took to the hotmix in the darkness of Wednesday's 5.40am to un-wind on the anti-clockwise course with the Kialla Couldabeens. Only the seriously dedicated / OCD lunatics (strike out that which is not applicable) riders today; Rocket, Tim, Cougar and Nick, with a spirited warm up in leg 1 for the lads from Cougar. Pistol Pete joined on leg 2 to even the numbers (but not even in the lead) Promised attendance by some came to naught, succummed to solubrious slumber me thinks? A handful of P&W's speared south in Boundary Rd, felines wheeled west into River. Felt a little atmostpheric resistance northbound but delighted to have others take most of the toil till our turn into Channel. Speed built a little with a more sheltered direction, enthusiasm drove a little harder with a (female) tail-light ahead. No records attempted on the Mexican bonanza today, all content to tap around in winters grip.
Dispensed with tradition on Thursday and Friday, holidays from work (and bike) just for a change. A short respite rekindles the spirit and the muscles, absence makes the heart grow fonder as the saying goes. (i certainly missed the social fix). Reality strikes a blow watching the Tour, we're just a little bit off Green Edge's time trial average of 57km/h! Seems the Couldabeens mixed with Cats on Thursday morning, oil and water as far as rotations go i'm told.
Week 27 176km (OMG! a sensible distance! Childers to Bororen) YTD 9,268km
"The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community" Ann Strong (Minneapolis Tribune 1895)
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