Temperature, or the lack of it, took the breath away Saturday morning, -0.8 caused an ice cream headache (without the cream) on the six k warm (?) up to the start line. When the going gets tough Cougar, Rocket, Wozza, PistolPete, Shane & Trav get going, but a sedate start to thaw frozen limbs, handlebars gripped tight as muscles contract in the conditions. At the end of Channel Rd it was duck the ducks, a pair in the middle of the road daydreaming suddenly startled and launched just over the helmet at the last second (but I wasn't about to start eating crutches). A fair amount of numbness helped leg rotation but the head wasn't too keen in the cold. Still, better than a getwaway to Gaza. Shane was in for long sessions at the front (a Makin mission?), I was keen to tuck in behind after a 3 k turn at the coolest end for the leg to the Toaster. But soft, what light through yonder horizon breaks? It is the east and it is the sun, arise fair sun and kill the envious cold, we are already sick and tired with chills. (Apologies to the bard of Avon) Trav tenaciously transitioned the temperature from Bali's 27 to the (now) minus 1.6, certainly excused for shortening his turns a little. I'd mentally braced for a headwind home but there was little to fight in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. Rocket comically translated Hobnkombahk on Shane's Katusha knicks to mean "kiss my arse", maybe my Heinz Beanz jersey meant "fear my flatulence"? The 14k iced haul to Rudd Rd was filled with thoughts of hot coffee and breakfast, only three bikes westward with Cats missing in action. Shane wound up the wick nearing DECA, advanced a wheel and, dancing up Mt Wanganui, had drawn the bunch long. An ease of throttle re-united the seven for a congregated cruise through town, Jase (with a crook "crankle") was warming the seats on arrival at the feed station and AvantiTrev, finally out of a warm bed, joined in yarns on Bali, Propels and stolen bikes. Temperatures even delayed the Goat's getaway.
Pinned down by the mental weight and warmth of the doona Monday, held hot and hostage, I eventually untensioned the ties of torpidity and loosened the lassitude to put in a few k's, carefully avoiding glancing at the temperature. This old engine was running on three cylinders in Old Dookie Rd, convinced there was a handbrake of breeze holding the speed low. Not a bike to be seen (sensible riders in bed?) but already a little glow of light from the Dookie hills dawn. Pointed into Boundary Rd squashed the myth of wind, just old legs to blame for a slow speed from a fast heart rate. Gave myself the benefit of a backoff, settling to tap out a lap without heroics. By the Channel Rd cypress trees the fourth cylinder was now firing, an improvement of effort, speed and positive thoughts multiplying the mood. A lighter sky lit up the white crusty grass at the roadside, but was saving the temperature data till I was home. Channel Rd's 8k passed fast, soon back to town to find mist rising from the gutters and all parked cars with icing. Reading minus 3 was only bearable when indoors.
It was sparkly grass and crusty cars Tuesday too, bracing breaths cranking the bike up to speed. The first k is the hardest, gets a little easier thereafter as circulation overcomes climate. Icelandic temperatures kept the Couldabeens numbers down, even Kenworth had a subdued arrival (not airbourne) to join Wozza, Rocket, Shane, PistolPete, FeltMat and Trav at the car park. The flag dropped at 5.55 for us to face the music, turn one with Wozz then turn two with Rocket almost imploded the lungs by Orrvale Rd, the atmostphere had no effect on Pete and Rocket though. There was a slight repose in Boundary Rd till the little Kittel added 10% to the speed (and subtracted 90% of my reserves attempting to level with his wheel). FeltMat and Trav took a back seat in Mitchell Rd, turns at the Siberian front were now frosty and frequent. Quite taxed by Raftery Rd's horse stud, I 'sat on' for a few turns, but guilt and compassion overtook me seeing Rocket left out to (freeze) dry on the front for Conrod straight. My valiant attempt at the front to give him a break only excited others to take flight, soon swamped by Shane, Wozz, Pete, Rocket and Kenworth. Shane's fuse burnt quickly, Rocket bolted into the distance, I was just pleased to cross the line and ease the exertion at minus 3.5.
Another pair of Michelins fitted, just 5,000k from the last set, rather hacked from winters wear. Lots of damp riding lets the flint stick and hack the tyres, Pro4's enduring the shower scene from Psycho.
Made a pilgrimage to the Goats Thursday morning, Coggo's cursed car/cycle collision caused cracks (ribs), certainly can't crush Coggo's cast-iron constitution though. (Hopes for a speedy recovery young fella.) Principal Skinner, Hommy, Sandy, Brendan, Snowman, Heady, Dipper, AvantiLeigh, Bickers and Big Paul set the wheels rolling through town and the rotations happening sensibly beyond Doyles Rd. I'm a bit green on track turns, an education in concentration and smoothness, but there's plenty of scholars in this pack. There was the odd retirement from the group of 14 to the rear stalls in Boundary Rd, 51's flashing l.e.d.'s lighting the route ahead. A dozen did the driving down to River Rd, reassuring to have the rear gunners do the roll call. Ten were left to put in the effort at the front for the slog to Kialla Central, reducing to 8 for Mitchell Rd. A blast up Mt.Nicolaci toasted a few, workers now whittled down to 5 by Arcadia Downs. Several made a comeback from the rear in Conrod straight, the Principal was quickly expelled (an A for accelleration but an E for endurance), Dipper and AvantiLeigh cranking up the cadence at the front. The bunch went rapidly single file at the dip, so I wound up the 13 sprocket to get to the front, lending a tow to the two young fellas for 200 metres until this old engine valve bounced. The young blokes pounced, I was happy to roll in 3rd. Interesting to note the higher sustained heart-rate from track turns (34 goes at the front in 32k's for the number nerds), no rest and recovery with the usual long turn rides. Variety, the spice of life.
A well populated bunch formed at the library Thursday night, 12 degrees and a very light WNW breeze an inviting formula. Axel, Juzza, SpecialisedTony, Robbo, Nath, Luke, Deano, Kev, Travis and young Liam rolled away at 6 to do battle with Boulevard commuters on the way home. A desperado driven ML Benz just had to squeeze past as we entered the roundabout, then turned off at the next street (all to save 3 seconds travel time). Swapped a little deep philosophy with Kev and a few chuckles with Robbo as we made our way along Wanganui Rd, picking up Paul (already tapping out 35k) at DECA. Trent, MachineSteve, Steevo and others swelled the population to 17 by the kennels, Nath was keen to spice the speed to the Toaster while I sat behind Juzza-jack-in-the-box. The Old Dookie Rd euphoria was being towed by 16 (Trent & MachineSteve at the helm) at 40 clicks, 125bpm at 64rpm. If only it was this easy at the front! My next turn came in River Rd, quite the contrast at 39km/h, 168bpm & 75 rpm. A contrast of ages sharing the front with young Liam, he had a 43 year advantage! A great call for a car at River Rd's end avoided a prang, suprised all managed to brake hard & halt without incident. Speed held in the high 30's for Mitchell Rd then wound up to a fast boil for Raftery, Axel, Tony & I content to witness the action from the rear seats. A flurry of legs and lights sped single file to the finish line, all I could picture was a simmered steak to fill the 1200 calorie deficit.
Should have had a big bowl of SAE 10W-50 and a cup of CRC to start Friday, quite creaky of limb and rusty of joint in the first few k's. At least 9 degrees felt balmy in comparison to Monday. Found Fox, Meags and Princess to tap out 30k's, an appetising little dessert after a week of spicy main courses, a fugue Friday rather than freaky. Kookaburras cackled the start of T.G.I.F. despite cloud dulling the dawn. River Road's long grey ribbon of tarmac begged 768 rotations of the chainring, Central Kialla was nearly gridlocked with 5 cars, Mitchell Rd not quite peak hour with 2. A cruisy lap in zone 2 was soon back to civilisation and competing with commuters to face the reality of work to end the week.
Week 32 272km YTD 8,515km
Word of the Week
"Reartired" (adjective) No longer active in bunch employment, a life of leisure (or hopeful of recovery) in the draft at the back of the peleton.
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