Caught underdressed for a cool Saturday ride, a wardrobe miscalculation at 11 degrees, (doesn't quite rank as summer) could have included a base layer and arm warmers. Came across Jase on the roll down the main drag, a Faark Friday post mortem discussed on the way, collecting Cougar in Archer Rd. Nick, FujiTrev, Avanti(a new one)Trev, Dion, Temple, HBK and PistolPete lined up in the carpark for the 6am off, FeltMat arriving in the first 100 metres. A waskally wabbit bolted from Prentice Rd across our bough, missing by millimetres, then to add to the creature features, Darth Vader charged at the ankles toward Channel Rd's end. Quite the trippy view of AvantiTrev and Temples' flouro socks in unsyncronised cadence, FujiTrev taking tiny turns, Dion doing it easy and a few minor misdemeanors on speed limits by some (not mentioning HBK) on pace in Boundary Rd. Out front with Dion for Old Dookie then Jase for the leg to the church burned up breakfast, happy to let others face the music of the WSW home. Doc's strobing headlight unmistakable a k away, PistolPete and HBK were in for the long haul homeward, a packed Cat pack near Boundary Rd of 30+ on "a quiet roll over" (see also HBK's "quiet ride"). I reckon Ford Rd's reseal has had a smoother topping, harshness last week has made way for a smooth stretch. A distant solitary rider was gradually caught, Weapon (with 60 already clocked) on the pinkle projectile recently fitted and newly perched, Zipps howling on the coarse section. Dion headed for home at Verney as the pack continued west, on the limit for Wanganui, Rudd and the Boulevard (coffee going cold or did I miss the special sprint stage in town?) AvantiTrev, FeltMat and Temple on a mission of movement to the Lemontree. Blogs, Irongirls, BikeParty stunts and nicknames the subjects served up as Goats, Muppets and Gazelles set forth from Friars.
Time was against me Sunday morning so a short early lap satisfied the urge. On the familiar trail of Archer, Mitchell, Boundary and Channel Rd with Cougar and keen for a steady lap at an aerobic pace, I'd at least got the wardrobe right against the 8 degrees. No bikes about at 6.30 but a perfectly still morning begged a lap. Kept a smooth cap on h.r.(132-139), speed (30-33) and cadence (68), a nice change from the normal bumpy Garmin graphs. Rabbits were out in force darting about in Channel Rd but able to thread a path back home. A good sense of achievement to chalk up some steady k's without the excess exertion, a chance to enjoy a ride for it's pleasure rather than pain.
Pondered the strengthening Monday arvo wind, but Wozza was keen to loosen the legs, so chose an east then west course rather than face the southerly blast, more wind than a kilo of sourkraut at 5.30. Out of town on Old Dookie Rd fighting the wind gusts (37 to 52km/h) shoving at the wheels, Travis and Liam on an inbound course meant we weren't the only 'dedicated' (crazy?) ones. Left at the Toaster and right at the Church, we journeyed to Quarry Rd for a bit of variety from the usual circuits. The long leg back home in Lemnos-Cosgrove had challenge written all over it, the small swing to a SSW made it a big grind. Swapping turns didn't have a lot of advantages, but worth a try to gain something. Difficult to focus on a relaxed sit on the bike while handlebar wrestling, honed thoughts to gaining any shelter from trees, fences and buildings instead. The 20k west home finally ended at Rudd Rd, but a k worth of 40km/h headwind wasn't a fitting end (the cemetery was almost appropriate) Relief to be sheltered on the Boulevard to home, minus 934 calories. Again, similar heartrates with just 6rpm cadence difference.
Monday's southerly weakened a fraction overnight but was still a battle at 5.30. An internal voice called HTFU so set forth (with some effort) on the 6k trip to the Couldabeens start. FujiTrev, AvantiTrev, Kenworth, PistolPete, Rocket, Nick, DiscoSteve and Chris A set forth in Channel, two Trev's leading the way, the Fuji on it's swansong, a new Avanti about to replace it (and hopefully steering far better?) A right into Boundary to brave the elements of the 30km/h headwind tested the two Trevs, tactfully tagalongs today. My grand plans of a decent turn at the front with PistolPete evaporated with just a km completed, optomism flattened by reality. DiscoSteve peeled off to his driveway, Nick set up camp in the rear stalls half way down Mitchell while the formidable teaming of Rocket, Chris A and PistolPete were a fast act to follow. FujiTrev had disappeared when we reached the highway, only 5 rotating meant little rest for the weary. Gradually reaping the benefit of a tailwind by Conrod (and a great tow from Chris & Rocket) things were cooking with half a k to go, but the Pistol had a ballistic bolt off the front in the low 50's. A gap opened, Rocket kindly allowed me in behind Pete to hang on for a 300m tow, but on cue with 100 left, Rocket lit up the Cosmic's to fly to the front (his anti-biotics must be nitro methane), I stayed put (unable to add to 658 watts) allowing Pete a well deserved 2nd. Tuesday arvo's continuing strong wind blew away any enthusiasm for a Hospital bunch stress test, the couch beckoned.
The solstice passed just 16 days ago, already the darkness seems to be lengthening, the sun slow to get out of bed (but puts on a good show when it does though). Wednesdays Couldabeens attendance bettered Tuesday (no doubt improved weather played a part) with Rocket, Cougar, AvantiTrev, Shorty, Jase, FeltMat, HBK and Nick rolling off at 6, PistolPete joining just a k down the road. The base layer has re-emerged from the winter drawer to fend against cooler mornings, arm warmers too getting more use. Surely, not the end of warm mornings yet? 8 degrees out Mitchell Rd didn't affect AvantiTrev and HBK with arms bared. Copious sledges on the Pistol mullet from Kenworths' shame file, maybe more hair history is to follow? Skippy was on a similar course to us at the top of Mitchell but changed tack with our chat. FeltMat's complaints of cooked thighs didn't seem to dim his pace, a good roll to Channel Rd as we crossed paths with Nev. We'd steamed well westward (kept Nev at a distance till the kinder) for a collective finish back to town with time to spare.
Summer returned with 17 degrees Thursday morning (following my grizzles yesterday?) and the ranks grew with favourable winds (E-ENE) for the Couldabeens lap of Channel, Boundary, Mitchell and Raftery. Nick, Temple, AvantiTrev, Cougar, Trav, Jase, FeltMat, Chris A, Pistol, Kenworth, Rocket and Whispering Jack (back on comeback #276). The bell tolled at five to.........but soft! What light from yonder Archer breaks? It is the north and HWK is the sun! Arise fair sun.....but not 2 minutes late! Consideration was cast aside to make him work for his tardiness, I coupled with the formidable Chris A to drive out Channel, the gentleman of course refraining from tearing my legs apart. Team tempo followed on the roll-overs, Rocket, Kenworth and PistolPete taking the next turns till sympathy struck to slow for HBK, Rocket dropping back at the kinder to retrive him. A welcomed ease of pace till the S bend when Rocket and the snoozer latched back on, with a duck crossing thrown in to steer around. Flat chat Jack back on pack attack in Boundary, though his turn was brief. Five fowl fouled the pace nearing Mitchell (again!) but it was back on the gas headed west, matching Rocket in "masochistic Mitchell" in the mid 40's needed the chin on the headstem and clenching handlebars with teeth. The A league drove on, over the highway and up to Arcadia Downs, Jack went full bore again at the front in Conrod but burnt up on re-entry, Chris A taking the chocolates and all re-writing the record books for the fastest lap to date (45:23)
Usual protocols have returned to Thursday nights, start with a small bunch and watch it grow. 8 set off from the Library at 6 (Wozza, Paul, Craig, Clive, Tony, Coggo and Jamie) doubling the ranks as we go. A conservative slog in the low 30's against a stiff NNE breeze, LegalSteve and Dion joined in at DECA, Andy in Ford Rd, the Machine and Simmo out near the Emu, Sticks at the railway line, Axel in Old Dookie and Sprinter at Channel Rd., many wheels make light work. Momentum built from the Emu onward, cooking by River Rd in the low 40's with the northeaster blowing at 17km/h. Tony's planning an epic Tourdefightbacc #2, Sprinter running in the stealth Avanti, Andy's been off the bike and in the gym, Jamie's jovial jabber, all proof that tailwind allows conversation. The Machine, Sticks, Paul and others of big calibre drove the train well in Central Kialla and Mitchell, serious speed after crossing the highway sent most (including me) into indian file behind the usual drivers, Sticks and the Machine stepped aside at Conrod's start for others to blow off the cobwebs. One by one the contenders emptied tanks and found neutral (some were hung out to dry), Sprinter launched with 200 left, the Machine teasing his effort to the line. I'd held on for 4th with luck, the bunch had split into two, so rolled in with the rear guard sharing post mortems.
Fridays effort was a quiet one with Gumby gastroch's and tired touche. Nice and steady out Channel Rd in fine conditions, up to Boundary to view Freaky Fridays always entertaining show. Vince & the Rabbit were laying bait for the 30+ Supercats, the flying squad 51 in hot pursuit. P&W Part 1 approached the pub, Part 2 a kilometre behind. We'd arrived at Old Dookie to find a menagerie of Muppets & Goats occupying most of the road, halted for traffic. A good trek home with a feint northeaster, a recent Strava crown and a BigMat scalp motivating Cougars' pace, I just tried to keep up. The forthcoming weekend off the bike may be well timed.
Week 2 362km (Ceduna to Kimba S.A.) YTD 501km
"Gravity, without 'it' you're left with gravy" Anon
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