Mostly deserted streets again Saturday morning, most sensible folk probably blowing out the zeds at 5.30? For a low i.q. amusement, some young imbecile leapt out from the darkness in front of me in McIntosh so I greeted him in a befitting manner. No sight of warmer weather yet but 6 degrees coaxed nearly a dozen out for the usual ride. Jase, Tim, AvantiTrev, FeltMat, BigMat, HBK, Cougar, Temple, Shorty & Nick set forth in Channel Rd, groundhog day in almost the same order as last week, haste with Jase pace a chase. A north easter sprung up to make Boundary and Old Dookie a bit of a workout, good to have Smuggler join in to make it a dozen at the figfarm. Deja vu in Old Dookie Rd sharing the front with Nick then Jase, elevating the heart rate (maybe yesterdays 153 km emptied the enthusiasm?) A sizeable clan of P&W's were out early southbound in Cosgrove North Rd, two large packs eastward bound in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd too. (Greendawg noticed in the first lot, many recognisable pussycats in the second.) The cruise control was set to the regulations heading back to town with an 11km/h breeze at our backs for the run to Rudd Rd. An odd infringement here and there from the usual culprits till Mt Wanganui inspired a Rocket blast. Plenty of forward thrust through town again to arrive for the customary conference at the Lemontree. BigMat swiftly on slices of sledge-toast while subjects of crit tactics, tourdefightbacc and Sundays route were chewed over.
Sunday's 7am start dispensed with the lighting kit, enough sunshine to light the way. Down to Harvey's to congregate with BigMat, Patrick, FeltMat, Temple and Rocket (freshly warmed from an earlier 30k). HBK dragged the chain as last to berth, all agreeing on a change of course scenery. The choice of an anti-clockwise 7 bridges lap had us in Watts Rd to begin, little traffic (but Rocket's pace) to battle on the way to Mooroopna. 8 degrees and slowly rising, a WNW swung westerly to test the tour to Tatura (already 6 bridges crossed) The Garmin speed sensor went back to bed swinging south into Dhurringile Rd (battery needing new volts) HBK and BigMat hoisting the mainsail in the high 30's to cruise with a now northerly wind behind us. Patricks' trusty tin Cannondale, FeltMat's belated Round the Bay prep and HBK's satirical sarcasm part of the chin wagging en route till turning toward the tour to Toolamba, the enemy wind slowly swinging to a NNE. Just the publican hosing down last nights' leftovers at the Toolamba Pub, we pushed on to the bridge (No 10) over the Goulburn toward Union Rd for posterior punishment. Coarse stone signalled few ratepayers are down this way, nice to reach the smooth surface of Central Kialla Rd but our spring wind was now a northerly again to make us earn breakfast. Over bridges 15 and 16 then a respite for Mitchell's familiar west leg home. The customary pace pick-up in Raftery had legs fairly unresponsive, a little tactical rotation had BigMat shoulder the wind coming at him at one o'clock for Conrod straight. Rocket teased a wheel ahead, HBK bolted (even forcing Rocket to swap cogs in pursuit) I could only dig enough for 3rd, but more than happy to finish a 60k workout over the 19th bridge in Raftery Rd. A post ride relax at Degani, egg & bacon sustinance aplenty. (Great work by OlympicSteve & Nev in the "Warny" on Sunday, 35th and 68th a fine result in a super tough race.)
A lazybones start on Monday (day off) with a sluggish 8am start, a new battery restoring the Garmin speed sensor for a 40k test run. Headed south down Archer Rd with yet another 6 degree start, a strong west-southwest wind buffeting the Mavics about (I'm almost used to them after 70+k use), much improved in Mitchell Rd with a little more sun and the wind behind, wheels singing on the tarmac. Back to wrestling the handlebars for a northerly attack on Boundary Rd, wishing there were more trees to hide behind. A distant mirage of something ahead kept the pace going (probably chasing a rubbish bin or letterbox?) by the Pub a small group of riders were in view. Nearing Old Dookie some went left and others right, I chose right or does the bike just know that way? Half a dozen were caught at the pig farm, some of the Adams family on a little longer loop. Carried on to the toaster then Emu, took Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd back to Boundary, down to Old Dookie then home, a diversion from the set circuit.
Another lazybones start Tuesday, even more tardy with an 8.30 roll around the ubiquitous Toaster loop. Just a tap around on the oft neglected 17tooth, keeping below 150bpm to preserve some form. A noticable influx of traffic (peak hour?) had wits sharpened for half wits (don't you just love the ones who must pass pronto, then jump on the anchors to turn left), nice to get out of the suburbs (Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd) where it's just a wave or two for the farmers on tractors or atv's. A bit of chill in the air at 7 degrees, a sign of a light northerly enthused the turn at the Emu. A pong free run past the pig farm in Old Dookie confirmed the northerly, south along Boundary flipping a coin for River or Mitchell as the chosen course. River Rd won, maybe a little more shelter but it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. A couple of degrees more warmth from the sun was uplifting, steady cadence in Central Kialla Rd, head down in Mitchell with wind strengthening. Didn't press the accellerator in Raftery, just held the average till the end of Conrod. Toast and coffee at the (strangely peaceful) Lemontree to ponder a big ride tomorrow.
Weather was ideal Wednesday morning, a hint of NNE and an agreeable sunrise to start a long held personal challenge. Pockets packed and hippocampus honed in Wyndham St, I hit go on the Garmin at Fryers St and headed south, the coarse surface of the highways' shoulder to put up with till crossing the Murchison exit. Kept the thoughts on the moment not the distant target, the neocortex negative little voice calling 'abandon ship' gagged and locked away in a dark room. Not a lot of traffic at this hour but a few came in waves of three and four. A few minor catagory climbs over railway lines till Wahring, had a chomp on a jam sandwich to keep the tank from emptying. Concentration on debris laying in the emergency lane and traffic at off and on ramps the big priority, it was onto the new Nagambie bypass section (specially sealed super rough but happy to clock a Strava KOM as recompense) Conservative climbs on the Avenel section to leave reserves for later, just a hint of a tailwind (9km/h) helped. Most impressed with the truckies, all very professional passing with space aplenty, even a friendly toot from a passing Pajero (do I know you?). Enthused in reaching the Hume in 2:05:58 (another Strava KOM to swell the head), the real concentration started with a Heinz range of obstacles to steer the Michelins' away from. One large (defunct) bottle jack, 4 large wheel nuts (hopefully not from one vehicle) 3 octopus straps, a disc brake pad, 3 fan belts, an XD Falcon, oranges, a sump guard, a watch and 9 dead kanga's. Most inconveniently, the sole narrow bridge south of Seymour (without a shoulder)had a slalom course of squashed skippy organs to negotiate. Yumm..... Finished No1 bidon at 95k to have a full No2 for the shorter remainder, a tank top up of fruitcake between on and off ramps nearing Flowerdale. The tail wind was slowly building (16km/h) but so were the ascents, down to the 21 sprocket at times, it seemed ages to reach the Great Divide peak of 357 metres at Arkells Lane. Enthusiasm and a grin returned knowing the gradual downhill from Wallan onward, just love the big ring at times like this (ticking over on the 12 in the mid 40's) Eyes peeled crossing the Northern Hwy on ramp then a billiard table surface downhill past Beveridge in the low 50's on the 11, no cogs left. Last chunk of fruitcake chewed before taking the Craigeburn off ramp (Citylink not kosher for bikes says VicRoads) with the CBD vista as motivation to press on. Felt quite foreign to halt at the traffic lights in Craigieburn but the backside was greatful of a short respite from four hours on the Fizik . A little squeezy in the emergency lane in places on the leg to Fawkner, passing Ford at the 4hr 20 mark. Wits were sharpened for trams and their tracks at Preston and beyond, nice to get a bike lane for Sydney Rd Brunswick (sometimes down to just handlebar width), but taxi's and opening doors are the suprise package. Nice to get onto bike nirvana in Royal Parade, a dedicated wide green band (even with tactile edgelining to shoo cars off) makes good progress possible. Several traffic lights to halt for in the CBD but the end was now in sight, sharing a lane with motorbikes certainly stops cars from giving you the squeeze. Finally stopped at Elizabeth & Flinders, the Garmin halted to record 173k in 5:07:32 (5:21 of stop light time) with a 34 average. Chuffed that attempt #6 was another PB (8 minutes off) , I ploughed into a big 98 octane Coke and the XL plate of sushi with a 4,455 calorie deficit to balance. Old faithful BM (hadn't missed a beat, Michelins unmarked) and me were soon tucked into the 12:52 train home (with gluteus glowing at defcon 3)
Creaks and squeaks the morning after but a gentle lap was to be done to prevent rigormortis setting in. A howler westerly and gloomy grey skies weren't inviting so a short lap of Ford-Lemnos/Cosgrove-Boundary and Channel was enough. Nice to be on familiar tarmac (sans trams and taxis) and pushed east with 20-30 km/h winds behind. 80 cadence eased the load on limbs but there was wrestlemania steering down Boundary. Sore bits were ignited pointing into Channel Rd, a full on head wind dictated bringing the 19 tooth cog out of the archive. Thoughts were directed to coffee and banana toast to motivate the leg home, even the Garmin gave up at Orrvale Rd, losing touch with satellites and ending data. Content that legs were operational, a Lemontree pit stop (unusually quiet) topped off the ride.
Decent weather arrived Friday and with another day off in hand, took executive hours for an 8am start to lap the old faithful Toaster loop. With legs and posterior returned to form, the push into a light north easter didn't cause conniptions, enjoyed a warming sun with London Grammar and Rufus to keep ears (quietly) entertained. A scattered Adams clan northbound in Boundary Rd were the only bikes seen, only a horse and an ATV to avoid on the 50k's. Heart rate variation was kept to just 12 bpm at the manageable zone 3, suprised to have recovered quickly from a 1000+k fortnight. Chose the Mitchell Rd course for variety, finishing in Raftery with a now northerly wind keeping the head down.
Week 42 509km (80 mile beach to Karratha W.A.) Y.T.D. 14,633km
October Great Cycle Challenge : 1295km covered
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working" Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Spanish painter/sculptor
Highly recommended reading "The lost art of the group ride" at <cyclingtips.com.au>
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