Found myself being a leaning post en-route to Saturdays lap, Wozza couldn't quite un-clip at an intersection stop, a horizontal halt averted. Another single-filed formation at the shop, all tucked in behind PistolPete till Cougar stepped up to the plate at exit time. (A rare BigMat and SuperMario double attendance but they'd seperated from battle together) An incident free roll out Channel Rd and a cool southwester made travels to Old Dookie Rd pleasant. BigMat hinted at a Strava segment sprint at the church, posters were even posted for the unaware. The dayglo green shoes of Nath were well visible from the Emu, joining in near the kennels as the cruising speed wound up homeward. Thoughts of a double up lap with the Goats (post Couldabeens) were shelved with posterior punishment peaked, the fairly pacy return home with the Wanganui Hill thrash fracturing the bunch was enough for me. A bon voyage to Wozza at the post ride caffine infusion, Strava studies taking precidence over the usual conversation.
All psyched up for a HurtLocker thrash early Monday morning, it was almost a relief to find P&W's Fox, Meags and Princess the only contenders at SPC at 5.45. Winding down for Christmas was the set protocol, a gentle roll out Old Dookie the welcomed alternative. Turning into Boundary felt like sitting on marshmallows, a puncture prompting pitstop proceedings. Fox came to the rescue with a long valve when I found only a short valve in my kit, 51 and Cats passing (and sledging) our halt . Underway at half pressure made tough work of even a modest speed, the choice of a short cut Channel road home suited, Fox's velocity ensuring I earned the coffee at Friars.
Seasons greetings shared with a flouro Matho (Cat bound) on the way to a Goat Tuesday, Capt. Phil, Jock, Matt and more Muppets included, festively filling the footpath. A few spits from the heavens (wasn't it timely cleaning the bike yesterday!) didn't dampen the spirits, the humidity to the point of toucans in the trees at 98%. Lots of chat interrupted a steady transition heading to the front for active service. the yuletide yap overpowering a tenacious tap. Big Paul highlighted a Channel Rd circuit (deja vu) to make way for a post ride breakfast, several sprinters keeping the speed keen back to town. My agenda prevented the breakfast social but allowed brief well wishes.
A craving to crank out k's Tuesday arvo blurred the reality of heat and wind (32 degrees, WSW wind @ 32-45 km/h) little wonder there was a no show at the Library by 5.58. Thoughts of a solitary lap were uncomfortably quashed with 60 seconds to go, Scott arrived to alert the nerves. Outbound on Boundary saw Oz and Andy inbound, Scott was pushing well ahead, so I u-turned to see what the defecting Renegades course was. Back to the Library I found no-one, so restarted the usual clockwise Toaster course, solo but at ease. The big southwester propelled the speed east, slowly enlarging the Scott speck ahead on the horizon. Oz and Andy were found slinking back west from the Emu, my tailwind honeymoon was over, bearing south and west amplified the effort. I'd caught Scott at the Toaster, the wind (incoming at 10 o'clock) testing, particularly beside Scott's wayward wheel. By Boundary, he'd tucked in behind for a tow, and here's me thinking the young fella had the bigger engine. Head on gusts at 50km/h questioned my sanity, wind tossing the Cosmic's about felt uneasy with Scott's overlapping wheel close behind. A clear highway pass at the Pub alllowed a mediocre pace to continue, but looking back, Scott had become a speck again, catagorically O.T.A. I'd had enough by Channel Rd and took the Harpo option short cut home, shelter from the trees heavensent, but dodging the fallout of sticks . Channel roads' car curse struck at Orrvale Rd, a kamakaze Commodore chopping the corner to face me head on, a timely swerve avoided becoming a bonnet mascot. The cruise home netted a Wilmot Rd trophy (but one wonders the Strava segment sense in the suburbs), a 134 suffer score warranted a multiple mince tart prescription for recovery.
Lights, baubels, tinsel and riders aplenty in the line-up for the Couldabeens Christmas eve lap. Cougars tail-light had jettisoned on the car park exit, I retrieved it but paid the price of a stragglers sprint with the late arriving Weapon to get back aboard the departing train (thanks Chris A for the considerate tow). Plenty of pace east on Channel Rd, a cool southerly aide to Boundary Rd. where Kenworth turned customarily right, but ours was a Saturday course left. The bunch bound back together and steered north, almost a full Couldabeens compliment save for Jade, jaded by sleep, Shorty, shortlisted for work and Jase, justified by (motor) bike bruises. Full steam ahead in Boundary and up Old Dookie to the Toaster, the thrash for the church-to- channel trophy was elevating a social ride into exertion. High 30's into a blustering southerly side wind with Shane, Pistol, Rocket and Chris A line astern, began to tax many for the long haul back to town on Lemnos-Cosgrove then Ford road, the train drivers oddly unaware of a fragmenting bunch at intersections, clawing their way back to the caboose. Eventually arriving at Rudd Rd after the battle of Wanganui Hill, calm was restored to retire to the Lemontree for a festive breakfast, K.O.M. comparisons and Christmas plans considered, Genesis and Mexican friends combined to cram the tables in cycling spirit.
Temple's solitary status Christmas day warranted a cruise of company, a 6.30 start for a half Toaster lap also compensated for the gastronomic assault later in the day. Roadside turkeys in Mitchell Rd whet the appetite but I stuck to spinning out calories at 78 rpm if only to make space for more at lunch. A perfect 15 degrees with a hint of southerly made the day, interesting chat on seating comfort, chamois and cream passed the time, albeit a little disturbing. Coffee at the Scottish restaurant concluded a festive week.
Week 52 ; 253 km YTD 14,235
Word of the Week
"Di-fault" (noun) A loss resulting from battery failure to change ("electronic" Di-2) Shimano gears
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