A damp stretch of road Saturday morning just to force another bike cleaning session. (thinks chain no 3 for the year is due soon) Plenty of enthusiasm to put in a few kilometres with Nick, Jase, BigMat, Dion, Temple, Tim, Rocket, Cougar, Shorty, FujiTrev, GG, PistolPete and Craig (a Goat seeking assylum?) and Ross (a foreigner along for a tow) ready at the shop. 6am tolled and no AvantiTrev policeman to be seen (spied the damp track and rolled the doona over it seems) so the 15 set forth on an easterly trajectory assisted from the west. Just enough puddles to polka dot us all, a little cooler today forced warmer gear back out of presumptuous storage. Speed didn't get out of hand despite the lack of enforcement officer, maybe the Fruitloop distance tomorrow had a bearing? Up to Old Dookie Rd and pointing toward the toaster, an orange sunrise made a postcard across the hectares of canola, almost a trophy for those who've toughed it out over winter. Nath joined in on the journey to the Emu (is our feathered landmark tending Zeerust lambs?), the ubiquitous advance party to the Cats on cue eastbound. Copious Cats soon followed, a few minutes behind, the sultans of speed ; Fox, Sosso, Wizz and others. Our leaders were stretching the pack at intersections (in the haste for coffee perhaps?) a few chases in the 40's reassembled the bunch. Eventually arrived at Rudd Rd (even a light headwind makes the road longer) to cruize into town, a damp Canterbury Rd roundabout and a hot entry by FujiTrev equalled a horizontal outcome, thankfully no serious bodily disaster but Shorty was brought down too, a deraillier hanger the only casualty. After a little asessment all were back on track to the Lemontree, PistolPete's puncture a minute later quickly rectified. Fruitloop tactics, election candidates and auction items captured convivial conversation, Pom (still in ankle recovery) re-aquainting with the team.
A night at the Hospice Auction (a Fruitloop prologue) with many of the crew, HBK, Temple, Rocket, Cougar, Shorty, BigMat, PistolPete, GG, Tim and most with their significant other halves enjoyed an eager auction (FeltMat assisting) but Tim needed shackles on his wife's (successful) effort to secure the autographed GreenEdge jersey. Staright to the pool room i'm told, if he's allowed to build one! A great night with big efforts from Nath, Smuggler and the keen team, Hospice scoring well (23K) on generosity.
Lined up Sunday morning for No 10 Fruitloop, many familiar faces in park ferme readying for the 100 / 115k assaults (50 odd tough nuts had departed earlier on the 180). Several Couldabeens, and a few happy to be associated with them, rolled away at half 8, me keen to keep clear of the cram and confusion that dogs a mass start. Caught behind a few feeling their (maybe inexperienced) way, a tandem and a recumbant (only useful as landfill, unless disability dictates) opened up a large gap to the crew, but I wasn't keen to chase hard with 95+k to go. Happily teamed up with supernana to chip away steadily at the course, and as predicted, ones and two were steadily being discarded from the main bunch as the speed vs distance equation was calculated and reality struck. The tell-tale signs of expiry were showing on some even at the 35k mark (too much too soon or were the goals set too high?) but the smooth approach was working well for us on the long stretch to Yabba North. We could feel a hint of a southerly on the turn to Dookie but nothing to diminish the tempo much, a few more caught and passed as the yellow and green patchwork quilt spread over the hills drew nearer. A bit of a climb up to the church then down to the township, skipping the option of the schoolies circuit in favour of resfreshment and cherry slice. Cast the eye around for recruits to team with for the leg home, finding Blackie a worthy and steady contributor (rather than the many unknown and uncertain candidates) A ten minute break was enough (muscular melt down averted) so set forth west over the second (and last) big bump out of town. Down to the camel farm and on to the quarry, two ladies on bikes oncoming were just too fashionable for helmets (and intellect). Over New Dookie, past the quarry (minus magpies) then turned into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd for the big stretch home. Whittled away at the distance with the silo finally coming into view, a bunch of 6 from behind gathering us up at the Emu. Their turns at the front were a messy affair, not much rythym or predictability on show, so we bumped up the cogs and the pace to retake the lead (hopefully keeping them behind out of harms way), a long haul home at the front from the kennels was at least smooth and less stressful with our monopoly on the lead. (chuffed to have tapped away steadily prior, leaving enough in the reserve tank) A bit of duck and weave around some ambling 50k riders on the way back (at least Vince & Jodie on MTB's were respectable) we were back in town (with the 6 still in tow) in good time for a well earned feed.
A bit of creak in the joints and lead in the limbs on Monday morning (out of distance condition) warranted a quiet few k's on foot, then fell into slothful slackness Monday night, the motivation tank almost dry. Preparing for Tuesday Couldabeen / hospital bunch punishment my excuse.
A trade off in the weather Tuesday morning, 12 degrees was mild enough but the windy season is upon us, a few may be thumbing volume 4 of the book of excuses now. Trav, Rocket, Temple, HBK, PistolPete, Kenworth, AvantiTrev and Nick set off to have FeltMat make up an even 10. Easygoing with the wind behind, most no doubt pondering the work to be done in Mitchell Rd. A few others were creaking from Sundays effort, grateful that Rocket and co were considerate in the tempo to allow some running in. A bit of tree debris to steer clear of from last nights gusts, arriving at Boundary to sample a sidewind appetiser. A few were in fourth but Rocket was in 5th overdrive, i'd drawn the short straw to try to match the aero ace on the front, hr climbing to 180 in the attempt down Mitchell Rd with 18km/h of unwelcomed head wind, much relief to finally have the Kenworth a couple of wheels ahead to recover in the draft. (though his mechanical malfunction had him stuck in the little ring) By Archer Rd some had taken early retirement to the rear, across the highway and heading to Arcadia it was down to just 4 to provide shelter. Rocket, Kenworth and Nick edged away out of the Conrod dip, not enough urge left in my tank at 191. I'd had Trav attach with 500 left, grateful he took the front with 150 to go, we reeled in a spent Nick and an over revved Kenworth to finish 2nd and 3rd in 47:46:30, Rocket at a mere idle across the line.
The hospital boomgate had a good crowd on Tuesday night, regulars Clive, Ozzie, Sam, Andy, Tony, Hamish, Axel & Dalton were at the ready , Lance along for the journey too. An eager westerly blew us toward the Emu, collecting Bomber, Sticks, Steigy, Trent, Olympic & LegalSteve and Nath up to the main channel. An enjoyable roll in the low 40's to Cosgrove North Rd, the return to town wasn't on my can't wait list, wondering what sort of pace would be set. Some serious wattage dragged us to the toaster and I wasn't looking forward to the effort needed to pair with Nath in Old Dookie Rd into the WNW, but credit due, legs weren't torn to shreds. Sprinter was picked up nearing the bridge, Sticks and Ozzie drove us south in Boundary Rd with several now settling back into the rear seats. I held back for a k, expecting the pin to be pulled from the grenade in River Rd, but a steady speed remained, so ventured forward to do a shift. A brief reprive in Mitchell while Sprinter calmed the excitement but he was outvoted by many keen to get pronto nearing Archer Rd. My stretch with Trent drained the reserves, the big guns fired up Mt Nicolaci which gapped this old engine, Dr Dalton to the rescue with a fine prescription tow to allowing the bpm's to settle below melt-down. A regroup in Raftery saved the day for me and others, slowly back up to prior pace by Arcadia Downs. Andy and Hamish bolted for the finish line, the last 3k in zone 5 cooked me after this mornings' toasting.
A recovery for Wednesday morning with the (slightly sedate) Kialla Couldabeens, better with the breeze behind for a decent proportion of the lap. Nick, Shorty, Rocket, Cougar (with pockets full of Strava trophies), Jase, AvantiTrev and FujiTrev exited the roundabout, FeltMat latching on aboard a de-sqeuaked Felt. A whisker under 6 degrees was fresh after last weeks tropical a.m.'s, many having dragged out the winter gear in preparation. Jase must have had a high octane breakfast, firing along well taking aboard some Cougar sledging for good measure. FujiTrev was a touch battered and bruised after Saturday's horizontal hiccup , still needs a Chernobyl exclusion zone though (or a painted straight line to follow with distance ahead radar braking) No signs of peletons in Boundary Rd (maybe the express was running early?) but a pair at the bridges seen scampering south. The breeze made a headwind chore of Channel Rd, good load sharing though helped us westward, a few gasps from FeltMat attempting to level with Jase to the kinder. Special elephant stamps to Nick and AvantiTrev for the last leg of Channel to lead us home, legs suitably loosened.
Somebody turned back the clock to July on Thursday morning, just 0.8 degrees to start the day brought out most of the Antarctic gear to survive a ride. A great turn up for the routine Couldabeens thrash though, Kenworth, Cougar, Rocket, Nick, Temple, Jase, PistolPete, FeltMat, Chris A, Vince & Luke in a special appearance, AvantiTrev arriving as the flag dropped. The flight out Channel Rd had moments of split second distractions with picture postcard views of fog rising from the channels as the horizon lit up. Top guns were evenly spread amongst us mortals for a change, nice to see due respect shown to those on the rev limiter. Vince and Luke stayed the tail-light position as the bakers dozen rolled along the usual course, all those welcoming chilly patches to enjoy again, at least someone had pulled the fuse on the wind. Crossing Central Kialla Rd, Rocket and Chris had paired up to turn up the heat (still able to chat away whilst most devoted all their time to taking in iced oxygen) , nothing to rip the bunch apart though. Urgency was ramped up in the last 2k of Raftery, young Luke making a suprise appearance at the front. Just a few metres at the pointy end brought on case of premature ejection, Rocket, Jase, Kenworth & Chris adding more coal to the boiler to finish in that order, strong finishes too by Nick, Cougar & FeltMat.
Ventured south to the library Thursday evening, quite a chill to the air but had rugged up in a few warm layers. Bomber and Sticks had rolled away 10 minutes ahead of schedule, Kev too, 5 minutes early. Nine departed the library at 6 bells, FujiTrev at the tail-end (thankfully). Jamie was in summer kit and usual comical form, Oz, Harpo, Dalton, Simmo, Clive, Tony & Robbo made up a good starting grid to ply north to Wanganui Rd, my turn with Oz manageable (but I wish the heart rate wouldn't climb so quickly). Kev was collected at the transfer station (nursing a torn gastroch) a pungent pong collected from the treatment plant took a few breaths away. A rare treat to have a steady tap out to the Emu, Bomber & Sticks, Mitch, Sprinter and OlympicSteve hooking on but nobody on a record breaking pace. Sprinter volunteered his services at the front at the church as Mitch upped the ante, within a few hundred metres a double roll saved Sprinter from being toasted to a crisp. Another round of turns saw us at the Boundary Rd piggery, OlympicSteve and Mitch this time delivering the agenda. Sprinter again to the front (near the bridges) was toasted again, speed dropping for a bit to avoid explosion. A tame run in River Rd in the mid 30's dissolved a few concerns and nightmares, Bomber and Sticks dismounting at our Mitchell Rd turn. The manageable momentum remained until the exit of Roubaix, OlympicSteve steadily winding up the boost at the front, 3 minutes worth of mid 40's driving the whole train says it all. Look up machine in the dictionary and there's a picture of Steve. The tempo tortured Jamie & i (2nd & 3rd wheel), half a dozen moved past into sprint position, while Jamie & I swapped tows to survive a mid field finish, a long string of casualties behind.
Fridays focus was a quiet one, just to enjoy a relaxed ride without attention to speed, average, cadence or heart rate. A cool 30k tapped out with Cougs, the reward of a spectacular hot pink sunrise against the Mitchell Rd canola far outweighs a flogging on a freaky Friday in my book. Puts a bit of balance in the week and allows ancient legs a bit of recovery (needing more each week it seems)
Week 37 423km (Gregory NT to Kununnurra W.A) YTD 12,685km
"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered" Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918- )
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