Week 44 : New bikes the new black.

Post 315

Getting organised early allowed a calm cruise to the Saturday start line, likeminded pilgrims populated the peleton (AvantiChris, SpinDoctor, Hollywood, Rocket, Cougar, PistolPete, AvantiTrev, Tour de FightBaCC legends Troy and Ralphy, Jen, Trav, Jase, MasiMario and FeltMat (temporarily RidleyMat).  Six bells tolled, the first leg in first gear while AvantiTrev adjusted himself to vertical, settling into the traditional tempo a k later (enough to earn a second breakfast).  A SSE breeze in Boundary Rd motivated motion, Jen was the grinning kid with a new toy, the flouroAvanti now in permanent residence. Old Dookie's piggery perfume pickled Hollywoods nostrils, bacon funnily finding favour for my Lemontree luxury later. Just beyond the Emu, Hollywoods puncture propagated the pedantic personality, AvantiTrev taking charge of the pit stop so we could all get home before lunch. Nath got aboard the relaunch, sixteen spearing west in search of Wanganui hill honours or breakfast (or both).  Not surprisingly, Rocket took the win with sheer speed, at least AvantiChris and MasiMario were well positioned to keep him working.  Hay fever hassled my respiratories on the roll back into town, the murderous Mason St manhole minefield was blissfully belied by the Baum.  New bikes, Tour de Fight BaCC and bacon the table talk topics, the footpath filling with Genesis/51 and Tri Club bunches.

A westerly up the Khyber begged a PB Monday morning, a dip on the New Dookie disco paying up a 40.4 average to start the week on a positive.  Exertion earned exhaustion arriving at Boundary Rd, a calm crank south to tame the ticker was in order, and to get thoughts around the 25 km/h headwind home. Pleased I managed to maintain thirties westward, head down at the favoured 76 rpm and blessing the odd bit of tree lined shelter. Familiar white wheels from the west identified Pistol Pete approaching the dip, just 3 k's more till respite came on the southbound leg of Central Kialla. Nick and the quick chicks were eastbound as I wrestled west in Mitchell, the climb up Mt Nicolaci toughened by the gust from an oncoming truck. Goodness and mercy followed me in Raftery Rd, (no pussycat pursuit to persecute) gradually pointing north to have the wind at my side. Early home, narrowly avoiding a numbskull who doesn't comprehend give way.

The southerly had stemmed, birds were singing (not blown to Sydney) and the sun almost shining on Tuesday morning, conditions cool to convene for a Goat gathering (sorry Couldabeens, Tuesday's thrash is a few rungs too high) Coggo, Heady, Spiessy, Phillo, Belly, Brendan, Bickers, Dipper, AvantiLeigh, Sandy, Kate, Hommy and Snow filtered in, talk tumultuous till time tolled, taxiing out of town the traffic lights split the bunch.  Coggo and I tapered the tempo till the bunch reformed, AvantiAndy, JB and Tina jumped aboard.  Long turns got underway with some success, flowing smoothly with little hint of the dreaded rubber band effect at the back. I stole a spy on the scenic sunrise but eyes rightly reverted to Bickers wayward wheel ahead, a sentence or two amongst the Goats possible with the regular rotation reduced. AvantiAndy's puncture punctuated peace in River Rd, the enemy of time forced me to a solo soldier-on as the bunch berthed for repairs. Nowhere to hide for the slog home, dial up the heart rate and focus the fortitude, 17k's back to base motivated by a raisin toast reward if I was ahead on agenda (two slice treat)

Saddled up at 5 on Wednesday to break the habitual 35k routine, teaching legs and lungs a little longevity lesson. Rocket's familiar posture was just visible sneaking in extra k's in the half light of Wanganui Rd,  a golf course loop and a rip round Raftery my precursor to the usual Couldabeens circuit. Just a minute short of reaching the carpark after 28k's, I u-turned to join the bunch front, taking a little of the northeasterly advantage propelling me, but pairing with Rocket was the consequence. Hollywood, Trav, AvantiChris (....strike that, a new matte black and orange steed would make him ScottChris so I'll go with his long held monicker of Boof), Car+Mel, Shorty, Nick, AvantiTrev, Cougar, Cate, WhisperingJack, Choppy and FeltMat (recently RidleyMat and today MasiMat as he deliberates a replacement).  Boof's new beast is smoother and lighter than the retiring Avanti, just what we need, another fast guy updating to a faster bike!  Cate, Car+Mel performing admirably, AvantiTrev calling a brief pairing in River, Rocket raising the bar when I rolled over. There was an ease in Boundary avoiding a pair of skippy's, back on the boil at the bridges with Boof and Pistol providing the pace. Happily positioned at the back as we swung past Channel Rd's kinder, I advanced too quickly as the turns shortened and the speed spiked. Shorty kicked off the sprint proceedings (the Baum accelerated well past him but the engine needs more power), I served purely as a lead-out for Rocket, Hollywood, Pistol and Boof to blast by. A minute or two to compose the heart rate, then the social intercourse through the streets homeward (sorry I couldn't pause for the maiden journey puncture Boof, boss beckons)

Wozz had returned from respiratory respite on Thursday, a roll to the Couldabeens start found Rocket en-route, AvantiTrev, Trav, Shorty, Nick, Lynda, Pistol, SuperMario, Temple, Whispering Jack and FeltMat (aka MasiMat) assembled, the contentious launch time chewed over and finally rubber stamped.  AvantiTrev and I led leg 1, but an impatient imbecile interjected, storming past and cutting in as we reached the roundabout (the bravado of 2,860 kg's of Navara obviously outweighing commonsense).  Puffed at Pistols pace on leg 2, it was a delight to draft and let Trav and Shorty drive leg 3.  An unsignalled (hambone sized) stick got Pistols front wheel airborne and punctured near Sellmans, the pit stop pause a holiday from hyperventilation.  Repaired, regrouped and reloaded to ride rapidly, Rocket and Wozz took the reigns west in River Rd, MasiMario (heavily handicapped), Craig Lotsalumens (crawling cadence), Mexican Angelo (liquorice lycra) and Bomber (craving Cats?) were all singly slogging East, Jase joining us (missed the carpark launch) for our homeward mission.  My mental aim at reaching the dip beside Pistol was 200 metres further than the lungs let me (shooting for the stars only makes me see them), relishing respite in the draft till the next turn of duty.  Wozz and Rocket mounted Mt Nicolaci at 40, maybe the reason why just 6 were left working the front in Raftery?  Indian filed from Arcadia Downs, Rocket donating the draft (if you could hang onto it in the mid 40's) for Conrod straight, Jase pinching the chocolates in the last 50 metres. 

The bait of the Goat pain train dangled Friday, Carl, Tum, Belly, Coggo, AvantiLeigh, Dipper, Baz and Principal Skinner arrived at Frairs, all similarly smitten by a goal / test / vengance / company / conditioning / torture / or turning up by mistake.  Coggo set the swift standards in Old Dookie Rd to Dobsons, AvantiLeigh a solid turn, his body language translated "enough" reaching Central Ave. The ESE breeze on my drive to School Rd did it's best to dish up an inferiority complex, relief to show Tum my elbow and hitch a tow, gasping.  Baz and Belly burned bright (but breifly) battling Boundary Rd, but it's all for one and one for all on the pain train.....until the morals and rules are thrown out in Conrod straight!  The caboose uncoupled for Baz at Channel Rd, taking the cruise to cafe option as we speared south on an indian filed mission of masochism.  A copious cast of Couldabeens converged on River Rd's ripple strips, our morale motivated with encouraging words amongst the troops as each finished their desperation at the drivers end (replies short and sweet as lungs demanded precedence gobbling up the oxygen).  River Rd finished fast, my push to Mitchell at 40 scraped the bottom of the tank, but there was redemption in the momentary pause for traffic.  The crew was cooking in Conrod as Tum wound up the wattage,  Belly lit the afterburners with 100 metres left, Tum stood to reply (but legs refused), AvantiLeigh pounced, Coggo bolted, the two metre wide open gap at the left begged my sneak up the inside for a win.   Wrung out like a wet sock till mid morning, I was (sadistically?) satisfied to crank the solid lap with the genial gathering of Goats.

Week 44    275k's    YTD 13,208 km  

Week 43 : 43 years ahead but 43mm behind.

Post 314

An early shower but a clearing radar rushed the ride decision Saturday morning, breaking records to grid 5.9 k's away in 10 min.  There was no rest for the righteous with pace on from the start, Nick, Rocket, AvantiChris, Shorty, Fisky, MasiMario and Jase made up the few fronting. Puddles from the earlier 4am shower baptised the Baum, (no point being precious about a new bike, bought to ride, not to hide), a brief sentence here and there taxing the lungs that craved more oxygen (short replies to the chatterboxes so I didn't give the struggling game away).   MasiMario was up and down the cassette, Fisky still paying the price of a winter retirement, Nick and Shorty reaping rapid rewards of consistent circuits. I was on the tail end at DECA but opted to stay there for the charge on Wanganui hill, Rocket hit the blast-off button and eased at the base, but his peek back quickly prompted a second kick, AvantiChris within reach, bearing down behind.  A recovering FeltMat (aboard Temple's old Ridley) joined in on the roll along the Boulevard, weather wary Cate, Jen, Cougar, Mel (-Car) and AvantiTrev (all in civvies) joining the caffeine conversation on VW's, long waits, bike posture and the etiquette of duck vs cabana. 

A fresh Monday (8 degrees) for a solo prologue, comfortable on the drops for the first time ever but finding Fizik (Aliante R5) familiarity far from forgiving following forever on an Antares VS-X (running in the rump is a rudimentary requirement).  Approaching the Emu, navigation was by the roads edge, an oncoming 4X4 needing 4 driving lights and high beam to see, thankfully I was guided by the light of the round bailer working westward at the Toaster. Two, four then five bikes were exiting town east as I entered, the lights of the Goat peace train (Baz, Deb, Sandy, Hommy, Coggo, Principal Skinner, Brendan, Graham, Belly, Phil, Bickers, and CerveloJohn) turning out of the SPC roundabout. A quiet little tap around the track with the cruise control capped on comfortable allowed all to roll through, a 6.30 sun-up lit Rocket bearing East on River Rd (courting competitive k's),  but the peace train was a little behind my schedule at Central Kialla, so took the alt. route - Archer shortcut home. 

The Goat gathering grew Tuesday, Coggo, Spartacus, Joe, Belly, Dipper, Hommy, Kate, Phil, Deb, Brendan, Speissy, Travis, Liam, Phillo, Snow, Sandy, AvantiAndy and Carl making up a peleton proportionally populous.  A cruisy, casual crank out of town with rotations freezing in favour of long paired turns, calmed my beat to just 100 bpm. We gained JB and Graham idling near School Rd, turns rolling again with riders divided on the protocols. By Boundary's pig palace the regular roll overs had halted again, Joe took the pub to the bridges leg, plying the pace, I rolled across pairing with young Liam to River Rd, 43 years ahead but 43mm behind. Most put in a shift at the front in River Rd, inspiring to see Deb venturing forward for a dip in the deep end, Bare backed Joe (higher Knicks or lower Jersey?) having a close call or three to the wheel ahead. I had another coupling with Liam as we crossed Archer Rd, made for a push up Mt.Nicolaci at 40 clicks, picking up the heart rate (and the polka dots), but a pause at the highway and a bunch split for traffic dragged out the schedule to Roubaix. Plenty were still employed as drivers as we swung into Conrod, Carl set off on a presumptuous sprint with 450 metres to go, I played the waiting game about 9 wheels back to launch with 100 left.  The new rig was responsive to the wattage scoring me silver, second to young Liam a pleasing position. (good to see 'hipster Rooster Roscoe's return,  rolling a recovery through town)

Wednesday starters at the car park included Jase, Nick, Temple, Pistol, Wozza, Rocket, Hollywood, Cougar, Jen, Cate, Mel (-Car), AvantiTrev and AvantiChris, plenty of pace on the journey south to Mitchell Rd, courtesy of Rocket, Hollywood and Pistols performance. The warmth of 16 degrees bared most arms and legs, kindly carried by the light southwester helped a rapid roll along River.  A glance at the Garmin (39 km/h in Boundary) recalled Wednesday's once were the relaxed recovery rides (32 average in March 2013), but spring has sprung speed into the specifications as many find new form. A long turn in Channel Rd wit Wozz (from the S bend to the cypress trees) exorcised my energy, then a brief blast beside Nick ruined a recovery in the half K to the kindergarten. Hurtling toward Hopeful corner, Jen was postured perfectly prostrate, poised for power aboard the AvantiTrev flouro express, Cate had positioned at the pointy end prematurely and percolating, but luck and location (with wattage to burn) lay with Pistol, Hollywood and Wozz to thrash out the placings, Wozz winning (Rocket resting), the social cruise home as enjoyable as the challenge of the Cha Cha.

Thursday's southerly (20-35 km/h) howled for the affirmative in the doting da doona debate, but the "nothing ventured, nothing gained" argument won in the end.  "What was I thinking" bounced around inside the skull as legs complained at the cadence to catch the (impendingly indefensible) 5.45 Couldabeens start.  Only Rocket, Pistol, Hollywood, AvantiTrev and WhisperingJack braved the breeze, the driving left to few (four) while AvantiTrev (on seniority specifications) and WhisperingJack (recovering from an intensive 10 day Fiji training programme) sat in the rear stalls.  It was a fair flog along the 8k of Channel Rd, carving east through the orchards and veggie patches, thoughts on facing the head-on blast in Boundary simmering the psychosis.  Hooray for Hollywood calling Indian file south, dragging us to the Broken bridges and handing me the helm for the leg to one tree dam (abbreviated by Rocket's call for calm as the two in tow were jettisoned off the rear).   I relished the recovery to River Rd, the six pack reformed, Rocket and Pistol towing us along just a tad off the previous boil, and finding FeltMat (temporarily RidleyMat) tapping a tentative tour.  Paired with Pistol for central Kialla tested my tenacity, alongside Hollywood till Archer Rd took me to the end of my rigour rope.  Sitting second wheel didn't allow much recovery (42km/h @ 165 bpm) but I faced up for a final turn from the horse stud to Arcadia Downs.  Speed signalled single file in Conrod as I switched on survival systems ( dig deep, draft, dream of a dais and don't die!), Pistol putting in a powerful performance.  With 300 metres left and in another league, Rocket (nourished on Nutrigrain and nitrous?) powered ahead with Hollywood hanging hopefully to second. A glance back witnessed WhisperingJack (slipping back into early retirement?) a K in arrears. 

Almost addicted to adrenalin, I boarded the pain train Friday, Goats Coggo, Heady, AvantiLeigh, Dipper and Tum similarly hooked. Heady headed us headlong into Old Dookie Rd, me, Tum, AvantiLeigh, Dipper and Coggo following. I felt fresh for the first turn to Central Ave, a decent recovery time with 5 others contributing till the next shift came up. The head on southerly (17-24 km/h) hurt for my drive from the pub to the bridges (36 km/h), a bigger dig needed to catch onto the back of the train as Tum tore into the leg to River Rd.  A clan of Couldabeens cranked into Boundary as we wheeled west, AvantiLeigh, Dipper, Coggo and Heady took us to the dip (Trevaskis Rd), I took the personal trial of driving to River's end testing the ticker to 172 bpm. It was bums off seats for Mt.Nicolaci and a smooth sail across Melbourne Rd, luck had me at the front again from Roubaix to the horse stud, rewarded with a k recovery in the draft, ready for the Conrod pounce.  AvantiLeigh and Coggo motivated us into the mid 40's, Tum setting a luxury lead-out in slo mo to end my week with a win.

Week 43.   269 km  YTD 12,933 km

Week 42 A new mistress.

Post 313

Felt strangely naked liberating the arm warmers and gloves Saturday morning, at last weather that allows a quick kit-up!   A cast of Couldabeens converged on the Archer St shop to break attendance records, Wozz, Car+Mel, AvantiChris, Kel, Pistol, Rocket, Shorty, Temple, Nick, Trav, Cougar, Ange, Jen, Cate, Bo, Lynda, Hollywood, SuperMario, AvantiTrev, ChrisA and SpinDoctor packed the park.   Wozz and I rolled the train gently onto the first leg of Channel Rd avoiding a big bunch whiplash, quietly up to speed by the school but SuperMario's call of puncture shattered the rhythm (a peculiar ploy to pause the pack for a pursuing Nev)   False alarm over, the long length of lads and ladies legged it to Boundary Rd, Nath caught cruising at the fig farm on a Tour de FightBaCC precursor.  A hint of an easterly didn't deter Bo and Co from squeezing the accelerator, it was easy being drawn along in the vacuum of 25 other likeminded addicts.  Seems the daylight savings darkness is slowly weakening, daylight appearing a little earlier to see faces and bike bits while the social chat played musical chairs.  Not till the Lemnos-Cosgrove kennels did I get to the taillight position, attempting a head count needed binoculars. Frisky and friend were caught as we approached the soup tin, quick with a reason avoiding the start...again.  Seems to be my fate to get to the front of the pack in Wanganui Rd, the weight of a smooth wind-up heavy on Wozz and I as a line of hopefuls launched a lunge at DECA's track. The sprint cast offs were soon swallowed up by the midfielders while Hollywood triumphed (Rocket retired and rested at the rear, retaining wattage for the evenings Crit)   The usual roll back to town gained momentum as the urge for a Lemontree seat panicked a few, all easily accommodated though in a raid on all the alfresco furniture. A racket of conversations was punctuated by FeltMat and BigRon's arrival, second serves of coffee ordered for an extended pit stop.

A relaxed roll out New Dookie Rd on Monday, promising myself a tentative tap around with the wind swinging from SSE to East.   Zoned out on New Dookie's empty stretch, to the point of nearly missing the Boundary Rd turn. Idling along at 137 bpm was an easy start to the week, steadily down to the pub and over the bridges, noting lights a long way behind.  Craig Lotsalumens pierced the darkness of the River Rd dip, I was quickly swamped at the bridge by BigRon, Trent and the 51 express train (including CatPhil and ExArgon-not-Basso-but-ScottDave, the only felines to front ManicMonday).  Lured by the luxury of a tow home, it was off the Fizik to pound the pedals and climb aboard, so much for the tentative tap! There was plenty of effort just to sit on with ScottDave in the draft of the big engines at the front, into the mid fourties was going to get me home early. Pleased to see Conrod's end and calm the legs, lungs and heart rate, it boosted the appetite for a second bite of breakfast.

Goats gathered in the darkness at Friars on Tuesday, an affable assembly of Heady, AvantiLeigh, Hommy, Joe, Coggo, Dipper, Tum, Sandy, the slightly more senior Snowman, Belly, Spiessy, Phillo, Phil, Graham, Principal Skinner and AvantiAndy, picking up Tina on the exit of town.  An attempt to get the train evenly up to speed was a lost cause, the long turn vs rolling turn factions had resurfaced.    Coggo stalled the rotations in Boundary with an unannounced long turn beside me, next time round he blasted past to the broken bridges.  The mixed rolls, Phillo's lengthening exclusion zone and some weird lines adopted in drafting by others, made it Browns' Goats (instead of cows)  Some semblance of order was restored in River rd, calming the calamity, so I cancelled ideas of escaping an early turn-off for home. There was an audience with the recuperating Rooster Roscoe as we turned into Mitchell, then back to business for the westward leg to Roubaix corner.  The wind from behind beyond the horse stud was promising, but pace had pruned punters progressing to the pointy end to persistent peleton protagonists.  I had a seat in the privileged position (4 wheels from the front) with 500 to go, Tum, Hommy and Coggo lined up ahead to dispense the draft, so it was stealing candy from the Coggo, pouncing to the prime position out of the last dip. 

Just to satisfy the odometer OCD in me, I rolled away early Wednesday, 52k to clock to click over another 1,000k. It was one of those days that the kit decision was made difficult, braved the short knicks but shy keeping the arm warmers on. A steady tap on the Raftery-Mitchell-Archer course to intercept the Couldabeens corroboree, 16 assembled for the off at 6am.  It was Jase pace to chase single file to Kialla Lakes, a little selective positioning happening as the bunch paired into two rows on the town limit, down to Mitchell Rd before the feint breeze came (ESE-SE).    Comfortably sandwiched between slices of Cate and Nick, I had smooth sailing along River Rd, noting that shorts all the way up to Antarctic survival kits were in use for 8 degrees, Jen and Cate putting in a fine contribution to the driving.  A rare stroke of luck to be at the back of the bunch at Kinder corner, highly hopeful at Hopeful corner with 15 ahead to slice the air.  Spin Doctor inherited the front early, Hollywood was huffing, Cate eagerly but early on the gas as I scored the sweep up of expirees. AvantiChris bolted by in the final metres but Rockets' Cosmics howled from behind to pinch the podium. 

It was rather melancholy rolling back to town, for it was watershed Wednesday, the epiphany when I bid farewell to my Bavarian buddy, the Q8R BMW that's seen me down so many roads in all sorts of weather (physically and mentally).  Serving my bike apprenticeship (yep, still learning) till now......the stick incident ('09), over the bonnet of a car (2010), 10 Fruitloops, 4 Round the Bay's, 6 Murray to Moyne's (427k's in 14 hrs on one), the Eastlink opening, an Amy Gillett ride, 2 Ned Kelly's, 2 Benalla 'hikes', a Tour DownUnder, a Tat100, 2 climbs of Buffalo, an Arthur's Seat and a Mt Buller, a Shepp-Castlemaine-Geelong-Melb odyssey, four Fryers to Flinders, countless laps with Vets, Cats, bugs, OC's, Lake groups, Hospital and Library bunches, P&W's, Couldabeens, Goats and a few tows from HurtLocker and '51.  In 11 years and two months the old beast has clocked 193,002 k (4.8 times round the globe, or 3509 Toaster laps in local perspective), so hats off to makers Sachs and BMW and to the magic maintenance by AvantiTrev and Nath.  So the time has come to put pushy to pasture............. and start the k's clicking on a new mistress.  

I could only replace something different with something different, a choice made in November last year.  A phone call, a tour of the Geelong factory, a chat on bikes, riding style and preferences, colours chosen, a deposit, a subsequent 4hr fitting and measuring appointment, CAD calculations on frame, bars and saddle tailored to suit, and the order placed in a queue.....with 73 ahead of me.  After a long and patient 11 month pregnancy (the wait gave me labour pains) X742 was finally born last Monday,  a 1.4 kilo titanium Baum Corretto frame, made to measure, painstakingly crafted, beautifully welded and painted to see me through a few kilometres ahead. 

Like rising from a park bench and relaxing in a leather lounge, the Baum has comfort in spades over the 'ol BM, adjusting to a new position after 11 years (in the wrong one) will take a little time. I found Rocket gob smacked and Wozz  (my crafty confidant) grinning in the main street Friday morning, rolling to the Couldabeens grid in 18 degrees with an East northeaster something we've yearned for months.  The odd bump and pot hole soaked up with a satisfying titanium 'ping' was so much kinder than the BM's kick up the ar.......teria gluteus.  Shorty, Nick, Hollywood, Kenworth, Lynda, Car-Mel, Jen, Chops, Jase, SpinDoctor, AvantiTrev and Temple trickled in to grid, some stunned at Foss on a new perch.   The pace was on following Wozza's perfect pilot out of town, I was climatising to the new svelte steering before venturing forward. Finally at the front for a long one beside Shorty in River Rd, the oncoming Genesis/51 squad made a pass on the Cats as we crossed paths.  Couldn't resist the new found acceleration on the roll-over on Shorty (wish my engine could respond as well), but Rockets' arrival in the drivers seat put reality back into perspective. It was up tempo in Channel Rd making use of the ENE'er, turns rolling rapidly as the bunch approached the kindergarten. Shorty was first into Hopeful corner (me in his wake), but an early surprise attack by Rocket and Wozz 'round the outside caught many napping.  SpinDoctor dervishly in pursuit whipped himself into fluffy white peaks, Kenworth, towing the B graders, thrashed out the minor places. 

Week 42.  239 km    YTD 12,664 km

Week 41 Fast trains and daily doubles

An almost forgotten pleasure to kit up in record time, just a few pieces of lycra for 9 degrees, rather than umpteen layers of armour against winters elements. With a daily double planned, I set forth to the Couldabeens car park, some doubts on the speed accuracy with the roll oh so easy in the mid 30's (maybe my bike free Friday renewed legs?)   The Saturday regulars (Rocket, Pistol, Wozz, Ange, Lynda, Kel, Shorty, Trav, Cougar, Jen, Temple, SuperMario, AvantiChris and SpinDoctor) rolled up, Lenny and Lucy, special guests.  A little shuffling of the deck as six bells struck, wheels (complicit or co-operative) were chosen, a pacy first leg climatised the heart rate then settled to sustainable half way along Channel Rd.  but Temple's puncture at Darth Vaders' allowed all a respite and sledge. Lenny's mint '99 Saeco Cannondale still looks new, Lucy riding a Pinarello like a pro with just 6 months addiction.  SuperMario was given and giving plenty of 'car back' cautions, PistolPete poised pedalling posture perfect. A drive on Old Dookie alongside Shorty then Pistol seemed more than manageable at a mean momentum, did a Spanish doctor deliver me a transfusion? The turn west at the emu delivered a light ENE to carry us home, Cougar taking the reigns in a rare but restorative retort. A crowded Cat convention cranked East with lip service paid in Ange-like attitude, our tempo in the high 30's minimising the social slang.  SuperMario had kindly handbraked the sprint till he rolled across at DECA, SpinDoctor positioned for lead-out duties. A queue formed in the waiting room behind as SpinDoctor over revved at the pointy end, I jumped the gun but the gun (Pistol) was too big a calibre to match. 53 km/h and wheel to wheel at the base of Wanganui hill, we were but a slingshot for Rocket, Wozz and AvantiChris to use, showing how a sprint should be scored. I was speechless till 100 metres into Rudd Rd, the pack reformed to convene for caffeine, I bid adieu's to fraternise at Friars with Goats (Heady, Tina, AvantiLeigh, Snow, a rather second-hand Hommy (pre AFL final hydration) and a brand new Sandy).   Muppets AvantiAndy, Col, Matt and Min & co. toured away early on the track south to Raftery for an anti clockwise Toaster. Tina took the Goat reigns aiming sights at the distant Muppets, but it was 'wait for Heady' at the highway (a halt to sus his new speedo)   Unplanned, unspoken and unquestioned, a single file formed au naturale, a NNE building to put work into pleasure. It was a shared push along Mitchell, Central Kialla and River roads, Hommy impatiently breaking ranks to pinch the last (sheltered) leg of River (working off a hydration excess) with the bait of Muppets growing closer. Sandy powered the pursuit to the bridges, handing me the passing privileges up to the Pub, Bickers jumping the Muppet ship to our deck.  Onward to the fig farm Snow and Bickers were detaching from AvantiLeigh's wake, a dig deep for me to drop back and tow them back on board. Tina's idea to abridge the Toaster and Emu for a direct run to Lemnos-Cosgrove met with affirmatives, I got the driving duty for the last k of Boundary, then the westward home, heaven sent for all.   Leigh and I were elected the drivers back to town, surprised I felt  fit enough to keep the pace up in the high 30's, an icing for the 92k cake.

Daylight savings stole the sunrise Monday morning, warmer temperatures bringing short Knicks out of the cupboard but I'm still a bit soft wearing arm warmers. I snipped the golf course leg off the Toaster lap, straight up Numurkah Rd and East on an empty Ford Rd, adjusting irises to led light instead of daylight. 72 rpm to the Emu with the heart rate welded on 155, the only signs of bike life in ones and twos in Boundary and River Rd, not till Central Kialla did Nick and the quick chicks appear northbound.  The determination gauge was still set on high but the energy tank was running on vapour by Roubaix, two passing cars donating a draft that kept me on top of the 15 cog for Conrod. 

Like blokes buzzin 'round bike bling, a gaggle of Goats gathered at Friars on Tuesday, a mild 16 degrees with a complimentary NNE wind (15-20 km/h), a ripper ride recipe. Coggo, Phil, Joe, Dipper, AvantiLeigh, LegalAndy, Sandy, Hommy, Deb, Baz, Speissy, Bickers, Belly, AvantiAndy, Phillo, Principal Skinner, Heady, even a rare appearance by Matt departed East, unfortunately two different formulas were running (rolling turns vs long turns) which rattled the rhythm, the rubber band effect alive and well as some sat long followed by some doing short. Ticking away at 137 bpm with just the occasional visit to the pointy end made light work, far from the chilled challenges of winter workouts with just half a dozen but a few weeks ago. Coggo's acceleration to score a MtNicolaci KOM stretched the pack long, past the horse stud thirteen were still employed as drivers but only six remained 700 metres later at Arcadia Downs. The reality of Conrod and its headwind halved that number again, just Coggo, AvantiLeigh and I left into the first dip.  AvantiLeigh poured on the power in the closing 300, Coggo had resigned so I faced the flogging to the finish, all effort expenses paid to prevent Hommy for his usual smash and grab at the line. 

A howler Wednesday morning (southerly at 24-46 km/h) frightened many away, only Pistol, Hollywood, Rocket, Nick and Jen braved the blast, a single filed assault on Archer had the cream rising to the top, Rocket, Pistol and Hollywood sharing the driving to Mitchell. The rubber band snapped in Central Kialla, Jen then Nick dislodged when the tailwind excited the lads at the front, but the troops rallied to the rescue by tailing off the tempo. River Rd had the southerly to the starboard side, a human shield formed around Jen and Nick while Hollywood rolled obliviously ahead, minus speedo. More tailwind in Boundary stretched the bunch, I played go between with Pistol while Rocket and Hollywood drew a gap ahead. The Channel Rd charge was choked to the high 30's, the Cha Cha challenge shut down to keep the small pack from snapping. Another ADO allowed the luxury of post ride caffeine chat, Garmins and Strava trophies high on Hollywood's haves. 

The slog into the southerly Thursday morning caused a mental sook (a hangover from yesterday's windswept workout), Wozz and I reached an empty grid (1st in = 1st turn) to find only Rocket, AvantiTrev, ChrisA, Pistol and Trav arriving (the bell tolls on the 5.45 start). I jumped in the deep end of leg 1 (1600 metres) with Wozz,  leg 2 (900 metres) with Pistol pickled me prematurely. I relished the recuperative tow, but it finished too soon at the S bend, Trav, Temple and AvantiTrev sitting on put the front five on extra time. I struggled to survive to the Broken bridges alongside Pistol, grabbing a gasp while Rocket then Wozz took us South.  I'd almost resigned myself to the rear in River Rd till Temple's kind words inspired another go at the business end, a short shift (800 metres) to the dip with the h.r. at 165 and rising was enough, a lack of recovery time for this old engine with only 5 driving. ChrisA also took time out, Pistol, Wozz and Rocket more than capable of dragging us to Rivers' end and on to Mitchell. A few minutes in their draft was enough to turn the tide and try another turn, not till the horse stud did my number come up (by then the expectations in the 40's)  Good for only 500 metres, I did my bit then threw everything into hanging on, Rocket handing Conrod straight to Pistol, ChrisA and Wozz to thrash out. ChrisA's long turn was the perfect sit for Wozz, we could only witness the fitness of his 50km/h finish. 

Arriving at Friars Friday first gave me the unenviable task of taking the Pain Train into an easterly on the first turn of Old Dookie Rd, a glance toward my distant target (Dobson's bridge) had me questioning sanity. AvantiLeigh, Dipper, CerveloJohn, Belly, Tum, Sparticus (aka RetiredDave) Carl and (camera car) Coggo took the Indian filed turns (cursing Carl with the rear ranks in the gutter). Sparticus put in a great turn, Belly's as short as a HeadGoat comeback. Tum (the tank engine) put in a long turn to the Boundary Rd pig palace, CerveloJohn to Channel Rd. I'd overdressed for 14 degrees, cooking at the helm to the bridges, just a hint of breeze helped the westward leg into the 40's on River Rd, a crowd of Couldabeens cranking East.   9 players gave nearly a 5k interval between turns, cooled the heat off the heart rate to front fresh as a daisy to take the train out of central Kialla up to Archer Rd.  Carl put in a big effort beyond the highway, the sequence suiting me with Tum and CerveloJohn ahead, facing Conrods one k straight. Tum the tank engine eventually ran out of steam, CerveloJohn with wattage waining struggled to pass, Carl hit the go button from behind but I caught his draft, the last dip giving me the slingshot to steal the glory from a young'n, finished in 44.47, a solid effort by all to record a 39 average.

Week 41  325km.   YTD 12,425 km

Awesome effort by S.O.S. (one time P&W) on the Paris-Brest-Paris, 1200k's in 89hr 35min (the last 233k's in single speed mode with Di2 dramas)

Good luck to Oz, Dion, Ang, Wizz, Sosso, Nath, Doc, SpecialisedTony and the crew starting the weeks 1120k Tour De Fight BaCC.  

a watershed awaits........