Started the shortest day on a positive note with a near dry road, better than the forecast hinted. Met Wozza en route south in the main drag but spots emerged with just a k covered. The resolve and determination was strong but the raindrops grew in size and number. We'd tough it out to the startline to see if any other like minded desperat.....dedicated riders fronted. Jase had already berthed, PistolPete rolled in, and so did more light rain as the negatives prospered inside my head. Jase was our motivational speaker and with no others appearing on the soaked horizon we launched east on Channel Rd, keeping our escape routes close. Rooster tails of water soaked Wozz, Pistol finding a proliferation of puddles. The damp continued as we approached Orrvale Rd, a northbound route chosen (with plans to shortcut home in Poplar Ave) till spits suddenly stopped. It was forward to the highway, the course quickly modified to bear east till Hosie Rd put us on track to Boundary. An erratic rabbit zig zagged up the road as amusement but the going got tough on us into the northeaster. A vote to head straight up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was unanimous, I was right on my limit to draw level with PistolPete. A relief indeed to steer west and have the wind at our backs, Pete's poker face at speed gives no hint where the limit lies. The wet Wanganui Rd leg was ditched, a b line to the main drag and the warmth of coffee and breakfast was too great a temptation. Shorty, Rocket, AvantiTrev and Cougar (back from a 1200k Tour de Europe) joined as civilians for the usual Saturday chat, GoPro footage, Batman and TT's discussed. Got a thorough final rinse from the heavens on the way home as a solstice baptism.
Suprised to be fog bound on Sunday morning, but summoned an effort on the now clean and oiled bike. Time allowed only a short lap, joining Cougar reaquainting with the rapid roadbike and riding on the left. A pace of kindness on Cougars' rolled ankle, winters' damp doing little to motivate anyway. Two's and threes heading out as we headed back into town, crossing the Cats' (7 bridges?) path on the diversion around Raftery's continuing roadworks.
Almost pleased Monday and Tuesday were washouts, a chance for some serious couch time for limbs to recover. Some reflection on the k's covered over the years and the reasons for them (hasn't assisted the speed much but possibly preserved some sanity?) and what seems to be a gradual decline back to almost sensible weekly distances as the engine wears out. (attempting to keep pace with the younger and faster?) The odometer (7k) is long way short at the hump of 2014 than this time in previous years. (9k last year, 10k in 2012). Signs of softness signalled?
I thought an old bloke with a beard may be hearding animals in pairs to a big wooden boat by late Tuesday, but by Wednesday morning the sky had cleared a little and the roads were almost blown dry by a strong west northwester. I found Wozz in the first k to Killa for the 5k commute to the start, a chance to warm up for the test against youthful and more rapid muscles. Astounded to find BigMat waiting at the start and he was early! Inspired by Whispering Jack? (who seems to have retired again). PistolPete, Rocket, Nick and Shane were the only other warriors to take on the lap, lower numbers a part of winters attrition. The first time for BigMat navigating through the new Archer roundabout hinted at his lack of attendance. All were joyous with the helping hand of the wind in Mitchell and River Rd's, but what depth would we dig for the return home? PistolPete is becoming a regular attachment to my wheel, but I needed N2O to keep up as the wind enthused him along River Rd. Blacky was passed as we bore north in Boundary Rd, Wozz, Rocket, Shane and Pete taking us to Channel Rd (as I summoned the intestinal fortitude to take on the westerly slog home). Nick, BigMat and Shane vanished for a spell to the back seat leaving only four to burn the calories up front against a 20-28km/h frowner, Pistol shooting into the headwind like a bullet. Puddles spotted glasses, bike and kit, no records to be chalked up on the Cha Cha or Bonanza into this wind. The retirees reappeared after the Kinder to tough out the legs home, Pistol again ramping up the velocity (and my heart rate to 182) for the Doyles-Kensington stage.
Poking the head outside at 5.10am Thursday got it damp from a misty shower, cancelling plans to take on a Couldabeens lap. (as it happened, the shower quickly halted. Wozza and Pistol the only Couldabeens candidates had a wintery windy excersion it seems) The radar scared me off a Library lap in the evening, again the outcome was dry and rideable but had committed to another lazy evening.
Kept clear of the F%#k Friday fest and paired with the Wozz for a clockwise tour from Old Dookie Rd, coming across Fee, Princess and Meags laying in wait beyond the divisive drive called Andrew Fairley. The vote of a short lap homeward in Channel Rd won on majority, a steady little tap-tap finishing off a rather rain interrupted week of short circuits.
Week 26 : 138km YTD 6,986km
Word of the Week
"carbonaria" (noun) A melodic tune played by an orchestra of Mavic's, Zipp's, Reynold's, Gravity Zero's etc.
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