Prologues aren't so attractive as the weather descends in temperature but a chance to clock a few k's in double figures was eagerly taken up with Wozza and Jase, a 4:45 start near the top of town to see who dared at the Raftery Rd start (nobody as dedicated / delerious as us it seems!) Sticking to a steady 30's regime we worked our way south, the WNW'er a hinerance at first but a help in Mitchell Rd. A brief belt of misty rain was barely enough to gloss the tarmac, I stuck to the 17 cog to dry the legs (and teach them some cadence), a few rotations rolled to share the conversation around, enjoying a rain reprieve. The wind was a forgotten ally in River Rd, but an enemy in Boundary Rd, a massive grey curtain of cloud rolled low across the paddocks, the slim glow from town on the horizon. It was an effort to push west back to town on Channel Rd, another misting of rain certain to strip away some 6 am Saturday starters. All the way back to the regular starting grid, we were suprised to find decent numbers had formed, FeltMat, Temple, Nick, Pistol, Rocket, AvantiChris, Ange, Bo and Kel, braving the forecast. Away at 6, a split for traffic went un-noticed in the bunch, Wozz and I, Temple and FeltMat left for dead to charter a challenging chase. Into the 40's at Kensington Gardens, and nudging 50 at the kink, a red mist had descended on my specs making up the defecit, dummy discarded to catch the 7 minus a rear vision. I shot past the pack then spent a k calming the speed and emotion to rejoin at Prentice Rd., settling into the regular rotations. A squishy turn into Boundary Rd confirmed the suspected soft front tyre, the ballad of the bastard bindii had played again! A re-tube and fumble of C02 finally got me underway again, the pitter patter of little drops felt northbound, multipying to a shower by Old Dookie Rd. We tippy toed around the Toaster, rooster tails of H20 from wheels ahead were ascending up the nostrils, specs were smeared and socks soaked......what a joy! Pointing west at the Emu we had the added delight of a headwind, a hard drive home even behind the Wozz and Rocket engines towing. Like a date with Pauline Hansen, we just wanted it to end, burning up the energy in the hope of reaching the Lemontrees heaters sooner. There was little interest in the Wanganui hill sprint, all focus (through the drizzle) on intake of hot coffee and food. Jase peeled off home, Kel drew the short straw with a puncture in the Boulevard. Eventually back to base camp, Jase won the Nobel Prize for humanitarian aid fronting with towels for all to dry off.
The peal of windchimes Monday morning made a shorter precursory lap tempting, a 10k warm up on the golf course loop deemed enough. Ino the deep end of a 25 km/h headwind on the Boulevard hurt, but the drive east on Wanganui Rd was an ego booster, back to Friars sufficiently loosened to join Coggo, Tum, Phil and BigBen (at least we were his 3rd choice after missing two other bunches) . Concensus ruled a rapid lap, track turns the order of the day with BigBen being Casey Jones the train driver, hogging the length of Old Dookie Rd. Tum scored the side draft of Boundary to the pub, his progress unhindered by the hirsuit chin warmer. Coggo flicked me an elbow at Channel Rd, I took the helm to River Rd, happy in the high 30's. BigBen retook the reigns for River Rd, a long but tapering turn to the dip. Thoughts of a short-cut home were shelved, faster to stay with the group on the full circuit than slog solo home! Coggo, Tum and Phil put in great turns to Archer Rd, my go to the highway wore at the wattage. Turns shortened for the 3k's remaining, all surviving to the finish line in 52:10
The sky looked hopeful Tuesday morning so kitted up, breakfasted, tyres pumped and out the door ,to be greeted by starting showers. No argument, bed wins.
Twas a fresh 3 degree spin to the Couldabeens on Wednesday, FeltMat, Pistol, Nick, AvantiChris, Cougar, Temple, Rocket, SpinDoctor, AvantiTrev and Jase faced the cool music and a westerly chilling the bones, spearing south on Archer Rd, shame not everyone gets the echelon ettiquette. Temple, FeltMat and Cougar were ensconced at the back, AvantiTrev braving the front for a half turn in central Kialla. River Rd was a utopia with 15km/h of tail breeze making the "feels like -0.2 degrees" nearly bearable. Plenty of felines and a single filed pain train of Goats worked their way west and south, I prepared for the Channel Rd challenge of the headwind home (not nearly as bad as the imagination had painted it) Nick had emptied his jellybean jar approaching the kinder, I eased back to lend a tow to have AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Temple, Cougar and FeltMat all take up the tow too, Rocket, Pistol, SpinDoc and Jase the four with force to attack the Cha Cha (though not putting a lot of distance on us). A calm cruise for a k got me back to a speaking state to finish a lap at least social.
Out of town and missed a Thursday circuit, but a Friars fryer Friday fitted the bill. Coggo, AvantiLeigh, Tum, Sootie and Baz were the only contenders for a hot lap so all aboard at 6 and out of town without much ado, indian file called at Doyles Rd for Tum to take first shift. It took a bit to get the lungs & legs accustomed to 7 degrees after a day off but settled in on Coggos wheel till my number came up at School Rd for a turn to Boundary. We caught the Tina tail-light ahead at Boundary and worked well south (despite the breeze) with all putting in solid shifts. It felt a little easier in River Rd, pleased to get a couple of k's in at the front before the head said give up. Baz 'bout busted near River's end, (peeling off for a shortcut to coffee) but Sootie soldiered on, rusty from a three week bike reprieve. I wound up the rubber band for a squirt from Central Kialla to Archer, AvantiLeigh toasting us up MtNicolaci to the highway. Tina towed us to Roubaix, cranking up for the serious end of the circuit. Tum and Coggo wound up the heat to Conrod, I got inspired to catch and pass a solo Googs (missed the Cat express) which burnt my crust, Coggo, Tum and Avanti Leigh contesting the honours, me grateful to see the finish (50:43) to finish the week.
Week 20 217 km YTD 5,919 km
Recommended reading : Cycling Tips "Deindividuated" by Justin Coulson
(and check out Strava's "FlyBys")
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