The creak and groan of lazy limbs Monday morning was only to manage a steady 25k, an attempt to loosen up the weekends' lethargy. Paired with Cougar to tap out the usual Channel-Boundary-Old Dookie course, a feral feline (not a galivanting Gatti di Miccio, one with fur, four legs and a tail) bolted across the flanks to put the heart rate into the next zone. Downscaled bunches today, many on Criterium convalescence me thinks, but Cougar had all cylinders firing with a light southerly motivating the motion. No wasted time back into town on Old Dookie, the flags now missing (along with the poles and the tractor shop) from the usual spot that spells the enemy's direction.
Sufficiently keen (and guilty) Monday arvo to put in another ride, joined Wozz to tap out a different lap, a change of scenery as good as a holiday. Eastward out Old Dookie and south in Boundary, pushing to the point of ouch (but not tears) to hopefully endure 50k's. Funny that the ouch subsides with perseverence, a slice of satisfaction that one's days aren't quite yet numbered. There's a whole lot of dry nothing at Tamleugh west and Karramomis, just an eye out for traffic on the skinny sections of tarmac, but it's hardly peak hour. A catagory 3 climb over the main eastern channel bridge on Karramomis Rd, the rotten wind swinging to us from a NNW to west. The long stretch of Central Kialla Rd seems to never reach Mitchell Rd (particularly with wind in your face) but finally into view for a turn west to the usual Raftery Rd return to town. There was enough in the tank for Woz to crank up a finish for Conrod, obliged, but 40 was flat chat. 28 degrees was a enough to ring the legs with a hint of red, sufficiently burnt the muscles to protest getting off the couch to go to bed, hopeful that Tuesdays Couldabeen thrash would be downgraded.
Almost a full house of Couldabeens at the shop in Tuesdays darkness, Jase missing and WobblyTrev could be an apology even if attending. 2 unknowns bore east 3 minutes ahead, our 17 set sail in Channel with a modest start to allow a traffic split in the bunch to repair. HBK was steaming 100 metres ahead but saw sense in the saying that fleeing is futile. Shane took a short shift, Kenworth, PistolPete and Rocket soon had the cruising speed set. The mystery Mr & Mrs were within reach at Channel's end, another pause to reform in Boundary when traffic delayed Temples trajectory. I had a keen eye on turns about to be taken by HBK then the BigMat / Whispering Jack combo, prepared for the addition of 5 km/h to the recipie. The anonymous pair ahead were consumed near River Rd and held on as tail-lights for a short distance I believe. My bike has developed a din in the low 40's, something for Nath to study soon (on cue arriving near the Mitchell dog-leg, but studying speed this morning) The BigMat / Whispering Jack pair bolted up Mt Nicolaci to silence the team (and score a 2nd for the Goat sprint #2 Strava section), SuperMario scoring a Nath helping hand to get back onto BigMat's wheel. Much motion out of Roubaix (airbourne?) and turns reduced as velocity increased, most went indian file on the kink into Conrod. Pussycat Phil appeared in the bunch, a few were burning up on re-entry, but a Rocket and Nath lead out let BigMat take the trophy.
Off to the Kialla start in the pre dawn Wednesday morning, having to thread my way through a collection of mobile chichanes (runners) occuping the McIntosh lane, all unlit and with little care (or brains for that matter), a brief verbal fracas on being seen confirmed their imbicilic iq's. (devil may care replies) Far smarter (and well lit) peeps on wheels were at the roundabout for the Wednesday reverse lap, SuperMario, LegalDave, Nick, Shorty, Cougar, Shane, Temple, RidleyTrev, Rocket, PistolPete and Jase to make up a dozen. The Breakaways were away 15 min earlier but pursuit wasn't on our itinerary, the welcome return of a mid week steady tap around to be savoured. The River Rd SuperCat express train was being mowed down by 51 out of the dip (caught and passed in Central Kialla, but a buster in Conrod according to Cat intel). Darkness was still on the horizon even when in Boundary Rd, a hint of north easterly arriving on cue as I got to the front. I'll have what LegalDave and Temple are having for breakfast, much motivation in their motion. AvantiTrev is yet again RidleyTrev as Rocket's Avanti is disadvantaged, so AvantiTrev has Advantaged Rocket by loaning his Avanti till the RocketAvanti is advantaged, so he's RidleyTrev again. A breeze assisted course home in Channel Rd put on some pace, the habitual squirt between kinder and school (instigated by Jase and Nick today) is begging for a Strava segment & title. All showed due caution at Doyles Rd, a strong turn by RidleyTrev on the last leg (plenty left in the senior tank) but no records being set for the Mexican Bonanza section, the increasingly populated Breakaways finally caught at Archer.
10 degrees turned doonas quite heavy on Thursday morning, just half of Tuesdays field braved the temperature and the stiff westerly, much contemplation of the cold in the months ahead till start time arrived. Only eight took to Channel Rd, Rocket easing back at the kinder to pick up a solitary trailing light (Chris A missing the launch time) while the bunch took a brief breather. Back on the tail winded tempo at the cypress trees, pondering the effort required when westbound. Turn 2 in Boundary with Nick was sensible (just wish the heart rate would reflect that) but the harsh reality of Mitchell Rd's headwind shifted my goalposts, 35 into a 28km/h breeze didn't equate to ease. (hopes wanted more but the heart, lungs and legs wouldn't deliver). Pistol Pete arrived fresh near Central Kialla to lend a hand, Rocket and Kenworth with the grunt to match him. I was ready to call my last turn on the Roubaix exit till Temple withdrew from active service, one more for the team at Arcadia Downs would be my swansong. Nick ran out of jellybeans to match Pistol (and tucked in behind) to leave me the task of getting past (touching 45) with a k to go. I felt a foreigner amongst the horsepower of Chris, Rocket, Wozza and Pete, unable to match their momentum could only offer a tow to Temple, Nick, Cougar and RidleyTrev for a jolly decent finish with a small crew.
Cleaned the bike, tightened the cassette (source of annoying rattle) and lubed the chain Thursday arvo in prep for a Library bunch ride, six weeks since last attending. Like the morning, only a small gathering yet an ideal 21 degrees begged for more. The 22-30 km/h south wester hadn't given up all day but Tony, Coggo, Luke, Robbo, Axel, Harpo, Clive and Oscar were ready for battle. The wind was a helping hand out to the Emu, picking up MachineSteve as we crossed Boundary. Young Oscar has all the right credentials, short, thin, musclebound, Columbian...and I drew the very short straw to match his effort on the front! (I wasn't born and raised at 2600 metres above sea level) A good steady roll of turns (with Robbo & Steve taking the lions share of the westbound) and plenty of work at the front with low numbers made it a good workout, Steve working Luke to a lather. Pace was simmering for most of the lap, no mad attacks kept all in touch. The compulsory Raftery thrash started at the horse stud, all single filed behind Robbo, Oscar and Steve as a matter of survival. A gap opened with 500 metres left, Steve off the throttle, Tony & I left to do the business in Oscar & Robbo's wake. Harpo cheekily took a late 3rd off the tow, all reunited and social for the post mortem through town.
A chilled 8 degree start to Friday, a change of scenery on a 51 lap (and held on to Area 51 for at least 51 metres!) Eggy, Tony, Mitch and the crew vanished quickly into the distance (with a feline target loaded), I ducked to avoid a low flying water crane in the darkness with a wingspan of an Airbus. Southbound in Boundary was a little easier on the limbs, the intention of a quiet lap quickly erased with a bunch to chase entering from Old Dookie Rd 1500 metres ahead. Crossed paths with 7 Couldabeens (with 2 Breakaways half a k in arrears) at the two bridges. A poofteenth of progress in pursuit prompted patience and perseverence, gradually whittling down 3 tail lights in River Rd. By Central Kialla had caught the triathlon trio of Comet, Stace and Sootie so joined in for Mitchell & Raftery as a fitting end to the week.
Week 8 : 330 km (Winchelsea to Shepparton + a Couldabeens lap) YTD 2,054km
Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are" Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) US singer "Nirvana"
Capped off a theoretical ride around Aust this week, (you may have seen the place names at the end of each weeks blog) a little goal set for the hell of it. 12,564k's in 9 months highlighted the after hours insanity
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