Procrastinating over radar ramifications (the "will I, won't I" syndrome) stalled my Saturday start to 5:51, yet again another PB to be set reaching the Couldabeens carpark (5.5k in 9 minutes). I arrived spent, Rocket, Ange, Shorty, Jase, Pistol, Cougar, Kel, Temple, Boof and Bo were just 20 seconds away from 6am launch time, counting my blessings joining the rear ranks to recover and ready myself for the 26 km/h northeaster attacking those braving the front. 6:11 at the cypress trees was my turn to contribute beside Ange then with Kel from the S bend, destination Boundary Rd, 6:17 duely drained. The feline gaze of Kel's Cat kit distracted thoughts away from the wind, more than the usual turns taken as the battle in Old Dookie raged against the wind. 6:30 at the Toaster, 6:37 at the Emu (named orgasm corner today, senses soaring soaking up a tailwind home) and bumped up the knots, 6:43 the furrowed brows and gritted teeth of the 20+ Cat pack grinding into their trek East. 6:55 Bo and Ange took the reigns in Wanganui Rd all the way to the test track (where Ange's will wained), Rocket, Boof and Pistol taking the podium positions, I was happy to scrape up the crumbs of fourth. 7:10 Chicken legs, Couldabeens absentees and milk lattes were laughed over, the coffee guzzled and breakfast gobbled as radars were watched to beat the impending damp home and dry.
The head ruled the heart initially, weather, wind and attendance were negative in the skull but the prospect of combining sledging, alcohol and bikes overpowered in the end to join the 3rd annual Couldabeens Tour de Beer Saturday afternoon. A Peppermill pub prologue primed Temple, Pistol, Rocket, Jen, Bo, Ange, Kenworth, SuperMario, Trav, Wozz, Jase, BigMat, Cougar (providing the prerequisite pub puncture protocols) Hollywood, Ro, Boof and special guests AvantiAndy and MasiMario. Stage1 to Pistol Pete's was punctuated by Jase's spill (and loss of shin skin.....but he soldiered on, buoyed by beer). All fed and watered, stage 2 took Central Kialla and Union Rd to Toolamba for round three of hydration, Wozz continuing the tradition of pub punctures with a Continental injected by glass. BigMat and Ro withdrew on a camping campaign, 17 remaining tore into stage 3 on Toolamba-Rushworth and Dhurringile roads (shortened by strong and determined turns) with the 15-35 km/h NNE wind building a thirst, to Tatura. The publican provided hot chips (like 17 starved seagulls flocking over seven large bowls) our exit puncture punctuated (Boof deflating to the occasion). A hard drive on stage 4 to Mooroopna (Ferguson & Turnbull Rd, Midland Hwy) against the wind, MasiMario quantifying a quadrella with puncture #4 just shy of the Cricketers Arms. Refreshed and rehydrated, stage 5 returned to Shepp, terminating at the Terminus where the hardcore continued. (Next years event seeking JackDaniels AND Michelin sponsorship?)
A case of brain fade forgot the heart rate monitor Monday, removing a target I could avoid shooting at. I went easy on the old engine out to the golf course, slowly building the kilometres in the hour, was it a rain shower or smoke in the Ford Rd distance? (No, 93% humidity fogging the specs). Turning toward the toaster tested the thighs to tap the thirties, 15km/h of southerly trialled this flatlander (maybe 'cause I'm alp-less?). Westward on Old Dookie to the symphony of piggies partaking breakfast, there wasn't an oncoming Cat or Goat to be seen. A Channel Rd exit was considered for a moment but I toughened up on the River & Archer Rd option, Rocket (amassing Crit k's) greeted as we crossed paths. The six k's of River Rd was shortened with a stretch on the 15 tooth cog, time starvation dictating a truck route shortcut. A slow skirt around the B double Volvo that had tripped over, then savoured the tail wind following me on Archer to home.
Fresher than expected Tuesday morning (9 degrees) but it didn't deter 17 fronting for a cup day cruise on the Saturday circuit. Wozz, Shorty, Trav, Temple, Lynda, Kel, Rocket, Ange, Bo, Kenworth, SuperMario, FeltMat, Nev, Jase, Boof, Tucks and AvantiTrev set a smooth sail on Channel Rd but Jase's flat on the start to leg 2 paused all. Wit and sarcasm aided the repair, underway again the social rounds resumed as I progressed forward. Tucks tuckered out already from months in hibernation, FeltMat (temporarily RidleyMat and recently MasiMat) is now AvantiMat, looking to be locking in the new bike by the grin on his face. Ange and Bo turned up the tempo beyond the cypress trees, we were all pleasantly pushed along Boundary by the 20km/h SSW'er. Beside the bandaged Jase in Old Dookie Rd escalated the effort, arriving quickly to the Toaster for Rocket and Boof to drive us North. Nev and Kel took us to the Emu, off the throttle at the kennels for Kel to compose. I was gradually promoted through the ranks on our westward wheel to Wanganui, expecting to be at the pointy end (as usual?) as the sprint came up on the agenda, but Bo and Ange held the handbrake on the hurry, seemed the furious finish was flushed. Getting itchy feet within 150 metres of the hill I bolted, not a shadow behind me half way up but the cry of crucified Cosmics came quickly from behind, Rocket, Boof and Wozz taking the second peak honours. Saturday revisited rolling to the Lemontree, chat on chutney, camping and criteriums till time tolled to toil for me at the salt mines.
The Wednesday ritual to the Archer St car park found Hollywood, Pistol, Boof, Rocket, Trav, Jen, Cougar, AvantiTrev, Shorty, Cate, Mel (-Car) and Choppy keen to tour. Cate's light dismounted at the roundabout, Rocket and I both ironically punctured on the slow down, Rocket with a bindii, me with a tack. I felt well outclassed on the post puncture positioning between Hollywood and Pistol (and to face the headwind on Mitchell) but surprisingly rose to the occasion (avoiding glancing at the heart rate for fear reality would lead to mental abandonment). At central Kialla, Nev, Mexican Angelo and Liam were in a five man break from the Cats, the feline fraternity half a k in arrears, CerveloJohn o.t.a. from them. Our entourage ebbed eagerly East, Rocket and Boof providing the lions share of the tow, AvantiLeigh the solitary Goat on a westward mission. I plugged the pairing with Pistol and Hollywood in Boundary Rd, then we all ripped into the Devils lane dash courtesy of the East northeaster. AvantiTrev, Mel, Cougar, Pistol and I were gapped from the rear on the turn at the kinder, the long slog through the ranks rewarded me a bronze (towing Pistol) to take a 9th overall for the ChaCha, nice icing on the quick cake.
Thursday's rain tempted the taste for haste on Friday, a trip aboard the Goat pain train with similarly ranked riders was in order to calm the cranium cravings (gathering with group one stallions outclass this old hack) Heady, Dipper, Coggo, Belly, AvantiLeigh and Snow enrolled for duty (Snow self nominating as caboose captain). Coggo set the speed wheels in motion leaving town, Heady and AvantiLeigh following form. My crank from School Rd to Boundary got the old engine warmed up, glad Dippers turn South started calm so I could catch onto second last spot. All put in their money's worth till my turn came up again at one tree dam, arriving at River Rd wrung out and ragged, in time to greet the Couldabeens in opposite flight. I had all of River Rd to recover while Dip, Heady, Belly, Coggo and AvantiLeigh did their bit, my drive for Central Kialla, a thanks in return. Snowball rolled forward for a single slog at the front in Mitchell, turns shortening in proportion to propulsion in Raftery Rd as Conrod straight drew near. Heady inherited the front in the final 200 metres and was left to relish the win, a timely 47:17 for 7 to tap 30.
Week 45 : 291 km. YTD 13,499 km
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