Saturdays turn-up was low like the temperature, another dip into the drawers for arm warmers and base layer may have signalled summers end. Only SuperMario, Cougar, Shorty, Rocket, PistolPete, RidleyTrev, Nick, HBK, BigMat and new dad Dion were prepared for the dark start at 6, maybe the sound of the 25km/h wind enticed some to remain bed ridden? My first shift on the front (again) was physically second hand, at least the BM is running like new without a squeak or rattle. Started to come good a few turns later, the now customary banter drenched in sarcasm with HBK, overwhelmed by the exhuberance of his own gratification. BigMat on a sit back with an entry in the Vets Open on Sunday, saving a little leg power for the hills. A keen southerly propelled us up Boundary into the infringement zone which seems to have been abandoned of late. The usual long stretch up Old Dookie with an aromatic end, around the toaster and a wind assisted leg to the north, finding 4 Cats oncoming in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, way ahead of their pack. Darkness is still with us at the kennels, just a few faces visible among the blur of 30 odd felines outbound to the Emu. HBK had the usual half bike on SuperMario, to his credit tenacious to the end, despite HBK making a roll over difficult. PistolPete punctured just beyond Doyles, many appreciating the chance to lower heart rates and absorb more oxygen. All were back on track a few minutes later, gradually up to speed for the last of Ford an an attack on Wanganui. Into Rudd and into the head wind, second wheel to Rocket and HBK spelt pain, but the Saturday socialist agenda stuck without a sprint, not that there was anything left to give in my legs (but stuck a half wheel ahead of HBK on the line anyway to claim a win) The Lemontree even had heaters ablaze to ward off the 12 degree chill, chat on Goat defectors, the Vet Open starting grid and speedos (not the swimmers) occupied tongues, Dion double dipping, exiting with the Muppet / Gazelle / Goat tribe.
Rigor mortis had set in Sunday, becoming commonplace lately. Running a bit flat in recent weeks, the bell tolls on 300 bike k's a week + 100k a week on foot at work. Maybe time to let the old engine recouperate? Monday's lap was a short and quiet one, just enough to loosen up in preparation for the bike and working week. Even the Fizik felt foreign after a day off.
A mild 18 degree Tuesday inspired a trip to the Couldabeens start, the favourable light northeasterly brought out SuperMario, Nick, Trav, Rocket, Cougar, PistolPete, Kenworth, BigMat, Temple, RidleyTrev, WobblyTrev and Shane. My early arrival meant taking the first wind resisted shift with BigMat, a big effort recording 210 bpm and unable to match him (told later that Big Mat was only trying to match me!) There appeared to be no draft till on the roll up right side of the bunch, thankfully I was spared another turn till the southbound leg of Boundary with the wind now favourable. Several took a permanent rear seat as the bunch steamed into Mitchell Rd, Kenworth muttered something about no draft from greyhounds, SuperMario comically calling "slowing" as he went up for duty at the front. BigMat was suffering Dookie legs syndrome (a big dip on Sunday's Vets Open), Temple quoting there was no rest for the wicked as we nudged 40. A clean sweep of Central Kialla and the highway, pace primed to pronto for the Arcadia Downs shuffle and warp speed for the Conrod thrash, well for Rocket anyway. Nice to hang on for a bunch finish just 40 seconds shy of the record.
Plenty of dark at 5.40am for the light to pierce, a southerly present to lift the heart rate for 6k's to the Wednesday start. Shorty, Shane, Nick, HBK, Rocket, Cougar, Wozza, RidleyTrev and WobblyTrev steered south on Archer, new roadworks causing caution with a half k of loose gravel (almost a rallycross section).
I'd had the short straw of the head wind for Archer, pleased to be towed for a bit in Mitchell to recover. Fasting overnight for a blood test has the "empty tank" psychology primed. Another big SuperCat pack climbed out of the River Rd dip, 35+ at a guess. HBK was off the leash at the front, WobblyTrev taking a turn at the pointy end beside Pistol Pete caused a moment, on the limit the waskally wobbler went wild. Calm was restored on the Boundary leg, Channel Rd shielded from the breeze kept the wheels turning. The usual thrash between kinder and school lengthened the pack, Rocket dished out some taunts to HBK's effort on the last length of Channel, a record average set for what once was recovery day. The three Breakways had just halted at the bus stop, seems DarthVader had stirred their progress at Sellmans (mass complaints to animal control planned)
Windchimes rang a harsh SSW 25km/h tune on Thursday in the wee small hours, the pages of Vol 2 book of excuses blew about reasons why bed beats bike. Despite the case for the affirmative, a firm resolve was to do battle with the elements and the Couldabeens, so charted a course south to the carpark with chin on the handlebars. Kenworth arrived ,almost airborne on the warm-up speed hump, Rocket, PistolPete, Cougar, SuperMario, Nick, Wozza and RidleyTrev made less spectacular entrances. Early arrival paid the price of first turn again, Kenworth's pace to equal today, at least shielded from the breeze. Gave it a good go yet the next few seemed to have way better pace. Nath was found at the top of Channel Rd, luck would have my next go at the front into 3k's of headwind in Boundary Rd. I was about to call Kenworth over after a fair shift at the business end of the pack when he offered, grateful to get the big draft for the heartrate to settle down to achievable. Side wind played havoc on the steering in Mitchell Rd, SuperMario putting in a tenacious turn between Rocket & Pistol Pete, despite the tumbleweed sledges. Several k's of effort turned to sighs of relief rounding Roubaix to have the wind finally behind us, Rocket, Wozz, PistolPete and SuperMario took flight in Conrod (in a league of their own), Kenworth (slowly losing touch) was picked up and towed by us remaining to finish.
Eeny meeny miney mo at the wardrobe Friday morning, ye olde knees can suffer the 12 degrees in shorts (but wished for 3/4's out the road) Archer was off the list with gravelled roadworks, Cougar & I set sail in Raftery for a reverse Tues/Thurs lap. Conrod seemed longer with 20+ km/h of southerly, Mitchell was far more agreeable even if fighting the side winds. A few lights spied in Archer Rd and some a distance behind but determination drove us on. Bunches large and small were incognito in the darkness, i'd guess SuperCats (by their mass, 45+) with a 51 attack ahead of them, amplified by the snarl of wheels under duress. The pre dawn red clouds ahead hinted at rain to come, a distant string of led's spied southward in Boundary possibly Goats or P&W's. We collected a little breath on the assisted passage north to save for expenditure in Channel Rd, the following bunch steadily making inroads on our lead. Thoughts of a steady tap around was slowly evaporating into a chase, but smooth and steady reigns supreme. Luck was on our side at Doyles Rd with a break in traffic, 20 metres ahead of the chasing Couldabeens at the bus stop put a positive to the end of the week.
Week 9 298km (YTD 2,310km)
"In the end it's not how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away"
Sheng Xiong Chinese 4th Viscount (Chu state) Zhou dynasty 1046-256 BC
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