A most civilised start to a weekend, breakfast al fresco in a perfect 17 degree atmostphere, watching an Euskaltel orange dawn and contemplating the weekend ahead. Headed south to the start line, collecting Wozza en-route. A big turn out in festive spirit, maybe to burn some calories before the Christmas carbo loading session? PistolPete, Trav, Cougar, Jase, Shorty, Nick, Pom, Rocket, HBK, WhisperingJack, Supermario, BigMat, FujiTrev, AvantiTrev and a suprise (and most welcomed) inclusion of Tommygun and Weapon to the ranks. The constabulary were out in force on a nearby mission, WhisperingJack on a mission of force at the front of our pack, dragging Wozza unwittingly into a half wheeled battle. The mad rush settled soon after when I drew the short straw of a shift at the front with Pistol into the southerly, then intermission was called when AvantiTrev punctured just before the Cypress trees. (nobody to assist him change the tube but he winds up doing almost everyone else's) Underway soon after, speed restrictions were relaxed with a tailwind in Boundary (Trev's Christmas bonus?) adding Smuggler to the pack on the leg to Old Dookie, but losing BigMat on his early exit for family travels. A long line traversed to the toaster and enjoyed an easy breeze to the Emu. No evidence of Cats on our pilgrimage back to town (they'd avoided recent reseals of Ford by diverting via New Dookie) but WhisperingJack picked up the entertainment with another squirt at the front to silence most talk (no fines issued though). Ford Rd's reseal was quite bearable, just a few loose stones to keep clear of, so onward it was to Wanganui & Rudd, back to base via the Boulevard for a festive conversation of beards, cctv and police raids, Lemontree service back to normal but a defiant smoker spoilt the atmostphere.
Festive festivities occupied Sunday keeping the bike stabled, welcomed rain spoilt chances of a Monday morning fix. Christmas Eve's morning entourage was encouraging with a Couldabeens team of Temple, Trav, Nick, Shorty, Cougar, Rocket, Jase, Pom, HBK, WhisperingJack, FeltMat, BigMat, AvantiTrev, FujiTrev and PistolPete, many with tinsel, baubels, Santa hats etc to get into the spirit, BigMat one step ahead with carols on bluetooth speaker. Ange had been a last minute inclusion, delayed by puncture to a 51 appointment. Yuletide aerodynamics didn't hamper plenty of pace out Channel Rd, arriving at Boundary to give way to a small band of P&W's bearing south. We'd persued and passed them by the bridges, HWK, Stace and Comet joining in the rotations to make a bunch of 20. Yet another WhisperingJack attack (with BigMat) on the westward run in Mitchell. A big bunch meant less turns so there was no drama maintaining good momentum to the highway, Roubaix, Raftery then the Conrod thrash, new inclusion Ange took a challenge up to Rocket's back wheel but got no further. Many already in holiday mode opted for a Christmas Eve breakfast at the Lemontree, I squeezed in a few minutes for a social coffee while others kicked on with cooked breakfast, hydrated by champagne courtesy of FeltMat's generosity.
Temple, AvantiTrev, Shaz, Cougar, HBK and Zan made up a Couldabeens/Breakaway combo for a Boxing Day roll around. Another comfortable 17 degree start with a hint of northeasterly aided a roll down Archer to Mitchell, with a little effort to be expended east to Boundary then north up Boundary. Due consideration shown to Shaz & Zan, their turns well matched amongst several decades of experience. Christmas hadn't dampened Cat numbers, a sizeable pack storming west along Mitchell. The northeaster gradually built to become a bit of a chore, but hope springs eternal knowing there'd be a bonus for the homeward section. Good load sharing for the northward plug up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, the Breakaways extending their usual distance. Several sighs of relief on the turn west, just to have the breeze off the brow eases some stress. I'd say a few were feeling a little less guilty by burning a few calories from their Christmas dinner indulgence, a craving for Degani's banana & walnut toast may have motivated the steady roll home too. The quote "I ride to support my eating habit" had new credence. Back into town, a commute to the south to be seated and greeted by Luke (Degani's new captain), with some festive chat between toast tastings.
A bit of Fb negotiation organised a Friday lap, favouring a course to allow AvantiTrev to open the shop while most were in holiday mode. A 6am flag dropped for PistolPete, Rocket, Shorty, Nick, WhisperingJack, Temple, AvantiTrev and HBK arriving quite early (23 seconds to spare). Eastward bound (on Saturday's route) in Channel Rd at 6, on the front paired with PistolPete's pronto pace paid proper penance to yesterday's three and a half hour lunch at mum's (twas a sin to accept the extra slices of turkey and a second stab at the pudding) AvantiTrev's 35km/h peace accord broke down quickly, the pairing of WhisperingJack and HBK escalated into a 44km/h jihad by Channel's end. Rocket quickly shuffled the order to get to the front and impose a junta, sledging some punishment to Jack, rapidly expiring under the extended load. A southerly in Boundary kept momentum northward, Temple drove well up to Old Dookie nudging 40, I was glad Nick, Shorty and Trev had lower targets in mind. The Jack/HBK pairing struck again in the k up to the Emu, Rocket again inflicting duress upon the perpetrators. Speed settled soon after, back to the front with the heart rate hovering at 170 matching PistolPete was actually easier. Big chunks of scenery slipped by (concentration at speed erases sightseeing), soon with the coarse stone of Ford's new tarmac under the Michelins. Another hit by the militia nearing town fractured the bunch, my position mid field elected me (and PistolPete) the glue to hold the pack together. Many were greatful to halt for traffic at Numurkah Rd to catch up with oxygen intake, back into the pace though past DECA, a blast up Mt.Wanganui and home via Rudd, WhisperingJack turning the tables half biking HBK. Rocket took the trophy at the cemetery speed sign, I halted the Garmin soon after unknowingly at 1:00:00 precisely. Copious sledging at the Lemontree between the Schwarzenegger/DeVito twins (HBK/WhisperingJack) and a casual (light) breakfast was a great start to the day and end to a (short) bike week.
Week 52 : 201 km (Eucla to the middle of nowhere, 194k into S.A on the Nullabor) YTD 17,898km
"A word to the wise 'aint neccessary, it's the stupid ones that need advice"
Bill Cosby (1937- ) US comedian
A note of thanks to the many kind comments about the blog. Just a bit chuffed (and humbled) to
clock up 10,000 views :-) Word up for a special "2013 in review" edition mid next week.
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