11/2
Well, baste my quadriceps and sauté my gluteus maximus!, 24 degrees (75F) at 5:30 am was a steamy Saturday start, the roll south further humidified with a light shower from the heavens evaporating almost instantly from the hot tarmac. Nightclubbers still staggered the streets as I found Jase and Cate then TatPaul, BassoDan and BigBill en route to the carpark where a cast bigger than Ben Hur had assembled (the recall to labour my limbic system). Deep breath......Boof, AvantiAndy, Hoges, BigMat, Jen, AvantiTrev, Trav, Wozz, Temple, Troy, BamBam, HBK, Cougar, Rocket, Bruce, new recruit Leah, Popgun, Pistol, Shorty, Nick, SuperMario, Lucy, The Godfather and Lenny, MeridaJohn and Clive creating a Cat caboose (for a foreward to a feline fixture) and Beery who'd tacked on uninvited (Rule #19 old chap!) Temple had judiciously held back the rearmost 20 to form two controllable bunches rather than moving a manic mess, but inadvertently had created "chasers" and "the chased". By grid position I had been berthed with "the chased" (Hoges, BigMat, TatMat, TatPaul, BassoDan, Trav, Cate, Troy, BamBam, Cougar, Beery, Popgun, BigBill and the tiny trailer of TomCats), a pronto push to Kensington gardens but settling into some form of rhythm and gaining FeltMat to our eastward effort. Comfortably through the Wozza S bends (kindly swept of the loose gravel that VicRoads can't seem to move) that has haunted our smooth line through, then caution through the tyre thick stones littering Sellmans straight. Stewing over the subtlety of wind direction seemed silly with the W-WSW'er at just 7-13 km/h , reaching the front to pair with FeltMat was to be a long solid slog I hadn't counted on (dedication to the kilometres has paid him dividends). Beside BigMat in Old Dookie Rd was a shorter affair, daylight struggled to pierce the blanket of cloud but the piggery's pong stabbed the olfactories with a vengeance. The drivers seemed hungry for speed over the intersections and round the corners, quite the rubber band effect for a bunch of 17 (what would it have been like with 38?) Reaching the main eastern channel I got another turn in the drivers seat with FeltMat, then in Ford Rd with BigMat. A complimentary comment (what did I have for breakfast?) from TatPaul eased my stifled gasps of recovery, the slow for Grahamvale Rd and its' roadworks traffic control the chance to capture composure. In Wanganui Rd BamBam bolted to the front at the transfer station, slimming the squad to single file, Jase struck the second blow to DECA where Hoges let loose a marathon turn. I'd jumped to his wheel just as the fractures opened, and hung on to wait for his expiry.
Onward he pumped possessed, snatching gears as his legs faded, at 300 to go I gave it everything to get past, only for Troy, Trav and TatMat to hammer humiliation past me 50 metres later. Pistol, Lenny, Boof and Lucy suddenly shot past on Mt.Wanganui's peak, the "chasers" had caught "the chased" (thanks I'm told to Rockets lengthy lead-out). Insurance fraud, those on the up & up and doing what feels good kept tongues tattling, beer for Bo's birthday (we were well beyond the 16 degree rule) was my light globe moment for BigMat's attendance, I now dub him BeerMat in honour of his true allegiance.
13/2
Speissy, Sandy, Principal Skinner, RidleyCraig, Hommy, AvantiLeigh, Cate and Kate fronted Friars for the Monday Peace Train, Kate reserving the rear seat (with 7 months off the bike) but wasn't sure why RidleyCraig took a tow too. 
The weekends indulgences were compared with those circulating, Belly joined in at SPC, suffering sluggishness from excess weekend hydration. 13 degrees was a cool contrast to last week's heat, arm warmers suddenly standard uniform. A cruisy tap around mostly idling in zone 2 and 3, Hommy's puncture at Central Kialla the ride's entertainment. True to the Goat mantra, the ride wasn't a race.........till the end, I bumped up the tempo into Conrod straight which brought RidleyCraig to the front, but AvantiLeigh (with advantage youth) powered to the podium. This post ride chin wag and coffee habit is becoming addictive, Welsford St cafe the Goat trough of choice.
14/2
Rather inspiring to have a doubling of numbers turn up for Tuesday's turtles (Nick, AvantiTrev, TrekTrev, Temple, Shorty, FeltMat, Kel, Cate, Jase, Cougar and HBK), hoping it's a continuing trend though I'll bet winters chill sends most diving under doonas. There were enough volunteers to form two lines and rotate the task of slicing the SSW'er, Cate and Kel putting class amongst the commoners. Nick Temple and Kel were tough enough to grind into the Boundary Rd headwind (17-24 km/h), I'd been blessed with a berth at the back for a free tow to River Rd. I was coping rather well beside FeltMat with the wind coming in at 10 o'clock, finding the need to ease off a bit to keep FeltMat's wheel level. Temple, TrekTrev and Shorty seemed to be emptying the tank on their turns while I had a bit in reserve, let's pull hard on the handbrake of assertiveness before my helmet gets too tight! Peering through the roadside jungle of weeds we managed a clear passage across the highway, pressing on via Raftery Rd for the sweat and sprint sequel. The planets had aligned at Arcadia Downs, here's me sitting sedately at 5th wheel, HBK boxed in and Nick, Temple and TrekTrev doing the work, just Jase behind me to watch for. Out of the first dip and onto the 600 metre plateau, the speed wound into the high 40's while I waited for the moment to pounce. Confident with 300 metres to go, I arose from 3rd wheel on the 14 cog and, using the Rocket technique (chin over the front axle) stood on the gas to shake Jase off my wheel (no hope!). Gritting teeth and dialling up the stubborn screw as Jase pulled out from my draft I had just enough to ease ahead for the chocolates. I'm trying not to enjoy the post ride coffee and social sustenance 'cause I'll crave it going back to work next week, Grumpy's OTA, boat capers and Nev's birthday soaked up a lazy half hour before meandering home.
The dim image of a 5:30am bike commuter (wearing black and no lights) indicates she was dim in intelligence too, but the bright lights of Cate, Car+Mel were easily found on the way to Wednesday's Couldabeens lap. AvantiTrev, Kel, Bruce, Trav, Lucy, Shorty, BamBam, FeltMat, Pelly, Kenworth, Nick, Rocket, Wozz, Pistol, Jen and Nev exited the carpark at 6, I took sympathy on Shorty piloting the pack partnerless south, sharing the toil to the roundabout, Trav setting a swift standard on leg 2 to match. Peloton position seems to still haunt some, who would pull the short straw for the ChaCha sprint lead-out nobody knows. River Rd had a later sunrise but it was worth waiting for, 42 wheels working and many tongues tattling drowned out the sound of the truck and dog approaching behind, caboose lookouts might need a refresh on their job description?
Plenty of shift workers guaranteed only one turn for most, the ChaCha task turned up for Car+Mel and Cate to crank into Kinder corner, Lucy, Shorty and I to drag the pack to Prentice Rd. Shorty had the hard work to get round the turbocharged Lucy, I managed a brief burst beyond Prentice but was soon (again) swamped by the sultans of speed.
There were plenty of serious commuters (backpacks with a change of kit for work) and several massive bunches (50+) southbound, the smell of sea air and sights of a million city lights makes a change from channels and orchards ad nauseum. Brighton, Elwood and Middle Park passed by inheriting a couple of soloists on my wheel, traffic was building for the 7am starters but were most co operative with the metre matters. Up to Port Melbourne then a u-turn with the breeze to battle back, I took a moment to souvenir a snap or two then set about a determined drive south, collecting BrightonBarryBianchi to tow for a suburb or three (regrets selling his titanium steed). The big bunches had thinned (they were mostly now northbound) but caught and passed a few threes and fours, the neverending traffic lights were mostly green but the red ones made it interval training. Eventually back to the Mordialloc pier for a caffeine chaser, the 171 Strava trophies was a surprise bonus!
17/2
When you're on a good thing........ I had a repeat of Thursday's ride (can't get enough!) in better weather Friday but minus the wind assistance toward Melbourne's centre. The rise and fall to Sandringham knocked the wind from my sails (and lungs), it was off the seat for this flatlander to feel worthy (me thinks there'll be no avalanche of trophies today). A few waves of commuting cars vacuumed me a bit of pace while trying to divert attention from the luscious lycra jogging demographic beachside. Big bunches bolted south with northbound bikes rare, a solo workout more inspiring than slothful soaking up a tow. Nearing Elwood, bunches were forming in the side streets, I'd joined the Docklands Tridents for a short spell till fewer traffic lights allowed a safe pass. The squirt to St.Kilda had more distractions (Porsche GT3, Lotus Exige and a Diablo) but I pressed on to Station Pier before a turnabout for the trip back. Through the titilatingly titled Strava segments ('Cerberus lung buster', 'Go Go juice', 'EOS pimple' and 'Late for my wedding at Brighton Savoy') progress was pleasing even though I'd been passed by several others, Rule #38 needs to resonate often to keep the helmet size consistent. Pushing harder jellied the legs which embarrased any effort uphill but I reached the Mordialloc finish (driven by the coffee craving) pleased with a small handful of trophies for the effort (a paltry 123)
Week 7 267km YTD 1,696km
15/2
The dim image of a 5:30am bike commuter (wearing black and no lights) indicates she was dim in intelligence too, but the bright lights of Cate, Car+Mel were easily found on the way to Wednesday's Couldabeens lap. AvantiTrev, Kel, Bruce, Trav, Lucy, Shorty, BamBam, FeltMat, Pelly, Kenworth, Nick, Rocket, Wozz, Pistol, Jen and Nev exited the carpark at 6, I took sympathy on Shorty piloting the pack partnerless south, sharing the toil to the roundabout, Trav setting a swift standard on leg 2 to match. Peloton position seems to still haunt some, who would pull the short straw for the ChaCha sprint lead-out nobody knows. River Rd had a later sunrise but it was worth waiting for, 42 wheels working and many tongues tattling drowned out the sound of the truck and dog approaching behind, caboose lookouts might need a refresh on their job description? 
16/2
A few days in the big smoke was a magnet to ride the Beach Rd Mecca, fine misty rain the welcome mat at the Mordialloc start but a little damp didn't dampen my enthusiasm. Gradually up to a perky pace (helped by a 16 km/h SSE'er), I'd passed ones and twos northbound at Mentone, a few gradual ups and downs of elevation getting the ticker ticking. Little rooster tails off the Michelin's wasn't ideal but the billiard table hot mix could turn an arse to marshmallow! Confidence grew as the showers eased, passing plenty with only twos, threes and fours time trialling past (the aero helmets and full carbon disc wheels were a bit serious for suburbia)
17/2
When you're on a good thing........ I had a repeat of Thursday's ride (can't get enough!) in better weather Friday but minus the wind assistance toward Melbourne's centre. The rise and fall to Sandringham knocked the wind from my sails (and lungs), it was off the seat for this flatlander to feel worthy (me thinks there'll be no avalanche of trophies today). A few waves of commuting cars vacuumed me a bit of pace while trying to divert attention from the luscious lycra jogging demographic beachside. Big bunches bolted south with northbound bikes rare, a solo workout more inspiring than slothful soaking up a tow. Nearing Elwood, bunches were forming in the side streets, I'd joined the Docklands Tridents for a short spell till fewer traffic lights allowed a safe pass. The squirt to St.Kilda had more distractions (Porsche GT3, Lotus Exige and a Diablo) but I pressed on to Station Pier before a turnabout for the trip back. Through the titilatingly titled Strava segments ('Cerberus lung buster', 'Go Go juice', 'EOS pimple' and 'Late for my wedding at Brighton Savoy') progress was pleasing even though I'd been passed by several others, Rule #38 needs to resonate often to keep the helmet size consistent. Pushing harder jellied the legs which embarrased any effort uphill but I reached the Mordialloc finish (driven by the coffee craving) pleased with a small handful of trophies for the effort (a paltry 123)
Week 7 267km YTD 1,696km
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