A Cosmic trued and a chain silenced (with a long overdue lube) made the old faithful almost new again, content rolling south to a socialist Saturday. No cute ponytail or dead shopping trolley today, just the bedraggled one puffing away. Enough light to see a thin layer of fog over the lake, not quite enough light to cast off the lighting kit just yet (daylight savings to cast us back into darkness soon) A field of ten to start in a cool 2.8 degrees, HBK recovering the climate shock from a week in Qld, rugged up like Douglas Mawson, most out of character. GG making a comeback, Cougar from a gastric setback, even BigMat had returned from his Fruitloop frying. Suprised AvantiTrev turned up (below his temperature limit) Rocket on a final fix before two weeks leave. Paired with Rocket for the first leg, up to the limit in no time warmed up the legs, soon contrasted by AvantiTrev's shift, to the relief of the recovering. Good to have PistolPete as a Saturday regular, Nick,Shorty and Temple making up the team to tackle Channel Rd, Nath joining in at the Boundary FigFarm. Someone needs to shift the sun five degrees left, right in our eyes for Old Dookie Rd made navigation a challenge. Pleased to have Rocket roll over at the BP OTA line, but he needs three dozen pies in him to render any sort of decent draft now. A scenic run to the Emu with Mt.Major and canola topped with the remaining fog to distract the eyes, soon westward in Lemnos Cosgrove Rd with a hint of tail wind to enjoy. Vince was on Cat maintenance (or would that be mischief?) today, like many bunches, their group growing as the weather improves. A few misdemenours when PistolPete and Nath took to the front beyond the kennels, no wrath from the Captain though (felony unseen or favours for staff?) Almost difficult to contain the speed limit homeward, no movement at the treetops yet a wind favoured from behind. The west bit done then south in the Boulevard, no ease of speed through town, such was the lure of coffee to warm the chilled. The Lemontree heater a welcomed warmer of yarns on nightmares, football, previous lives and 51 stirrers, a large mob of Muppets, Gazelles & Goats left as Area arrived.
Fought off a fierce bout of procrastination early Sunday, arising and kitting up for solo lap at 6. The slightest noise from the windchime prompted a peek outside to ponder the direction, noticing the light shower and looming grey clouds behind it. Bugger! After the effort to rise it was a no brainer, back under the doona for an hour. Gave it a second and third chance up till 8.30, showers still providing the negatives. Started other tasks then the day improved, some regrets at the missed opportunity.
A short lap early Monday, a mild morning with a side serving of a light westerly to start the working week. Still trying to shake the last of the sniffles I had no records to aim at, boldly staying on the 17 sprocket to loosen up the limbs.
Tuesdays fine weather motivated a lap with the hospital bunch, although numbers were suprisingly low. Oz, Tony, Andy, Dalton and Simmo were the only starters, hopeful of a few more volunteers as the k's ticked by. First time in months it was short knicks and sleeves, puts a positive into the ride. Robbo was the first recruit just a k into the lap, Bomber found on a natural break beyond Matilda Drive. Soon after we gathered up Sprinter, LegalSteve, OlympicSteve, Trent and others, many hands make light work i'm told. Sprinter drew the Bomber straw for the task up front, a little hesitant despite an increased ride schedule including some intervals. Nought to fear as he rose to the task, a little speechless after his turn though. LegalSteve chuffed at his pace, a new speedo battery has increased his previous 17km/h maximum. Shared the front (part 2) with Oz for the Old Dookie Rd stage, feeling good but lungs are still a little limited. Tempo remained fast but smooth, Trent and OlympicSteve motivating the troops to River Rd, Bomber & Robbo doing likewise in River Rd. I got back to the front for the Central-Kialla Rd leg (with LegalSteve) then a k of Mitchell with Oz before the respiratory restrictions (a little like asthma) called a roll over. In this state i'd mentally cemented a place somewhere at the back for the remainder, a wise move with the artillery firing in Raftery Rd prompting an indian file anyway by most for survival. A few were going OTA in Conrod, but I had just enough jelly beans left to finish 6th, happy in the circumstances, delighted to at last find some comfort with some Fizik fine tuning, (a whisker down at the front) even finer than Clive Palmers' margin.
A super mild 14 degree Wednesday morning allowed another outing for short knicks, the light northerly aiding and abetting a roll to Kialla for a Couldabeens outing. 10 thought similarly, Nick, Shorty, Tim, GG, FujiTrev, Cougar, Jase, LegalDave and Luke at the roundabout for the off. FujiTrev somewhat sombre and solemn post prang, injuries behind him but the memory may haunt? Luke had fronted on a promised Temple attendance, (but no show) Shorty had found a moment without work getting in the way of a good ride. We picked up the PistolPete at the Archer rumble strips then faced east for Mitchell Rd and a corker sunrise to view. Jase the Cheshire Cat again from yesterdays Couldabeens (Rocketless) victory over the Kenworth, but it was GG digging deep today, all or nothing his usual practice. The northerly nudged off a couple of clicks in Boundary Rd (Luke hanging on by the fingertips) but a collective sigh for Channel Rd tucked away in the shelter of the orchards to hammer home. GG had a foray in the fourties for a fraction, surely trained by HBK with half an Oppy advantage over anyone at the front. Back home in good time, and again in great comfort (a welcomed feeling after a few months of gluteus grief, nice to get off the bike without the sting in the tail)
The early hours of Thursday started with a stiff wind and a light shower, ride plans abandoned quickly. Could have squeezed in a lap as it happens (sky was all talk and no action) but a morning off was a treat. A blustery day but convinced myself to stop sooking and tackle the Library bunch, even if the quick boys hit hard there's always the slow OTA train to catch home. Pumped with positives (to overpower the 40km/h wind gusts) I rolled down to the Library to find the car park deserted, bereft of bikes, not a punter in sight with 3 minutes till blast off. As six bells struck I pondered the softness of those who rank themselves tough, macho's have turned to marshmallows, only the geriatric bloke silly enough to brave the lap tonight. Tapped out the Boulevard (spotting Simmo southbound in search of the mythical bunch) and up to Wanganui for a breezy (WSW @ 22km/h+) tour to the Emu, only 23 minutes of tail wind to enjoy, over an hour of toil to follow (but put this thought quickly in the bottom of the in tray) OlympicSteve,Trent and Trudy were spied westbound in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd (no u-turn tonight, possibly in search of the bunch that wasn't?) but I lapped up the breeze from behind to prepare for the remainder. Got the cobwebs off the 17 sprocket headed to the toaster and stayed on it for Old Dookie too . A large rabbit held pace (33km/h) for two white posts before retreating to the undergrowth, nothing for me to hide under facing the music till Boundary Rd, but held pace. Better facing south in Boundary (apart from dodging a dismembered rabbit) with a few sheltering trees, the Pine Lodge Pub looked tempting but continued on the mission. The open spaces down to River Rd and the stretch west were relentless, a brief respite with a passing car (a 10 second draft) but the long, slowly diminishing tail-lights were a reminder of the tarmac to tackle. Heaps of Kamikaze moths threatened to fill any openings homing in on the headlight, zoned in and kept spinning (well, 81 cadence) away to finally reach Kialla Central. Mitchell Rd felt a fraction better (wind slowly dropping) but Mt Nicolaci felt steeper. As Raftery slowly veers to the north the task eased, weaved through the odd branches scattered near Arcadia Downs and got onto the favourite 14 for Conrod, able to lift the game for a respectable finish in 1:26:40 and quietly chuffed at winning the sprint on a Thursday night :-)
Wasn't expecting a one degree start to Fridays' lap, almost as chilly as a Kevin and Julia get-together. BigMat, Cougar, Temple and HBK formed a small pack in Archer Rd and headed south, fog on the fields to serve as a reminder of the winter (hopefully) behind us. BigMat has obviously undergone intensive HBK training and now half bikes with the best of them. A long serve at the front with BigMat then with the HBK master himself is enough to etch in a permanent inferiority complex, at least sharing the ride with Cougar and Temple is good therapy. A very distant rider in Mitchell Rd was slow to reel in, greeted Choppy, Fee and Sosso amongst the P&W's on their Boundary Rd mission south, the only bunch seen. The soup like atmostphere thinned a little in Channel Rd, eyes were peeled for an oncoming Sharon (the HBK boss) to join in, but no show. Our mystery rider ahead was eventually caught just beyond the Kinder, PistolPete the one hard to catch and hard to match. A brisk little effort to finish the working week.
Week 39 ; 282km (Turkey Creek to Moongardie W.A.) YTD 13,162 km
"Your body will argue there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call upon your spirit which fortunately functions independently of logic" Tim Noakes (1949- ) Sth African Sports Science Professor
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