Post 406
29/7 A split infinitive.
The social magnet of a team tap and tattle was stronger than the bureau's "feels like 1" on Saturday, Wozza, Boof, Mel, Cate, KillkennyPaul, Tina and Temple the only faces visible as lights filled the carpark darkness, the other
cyclusts identity to come with rotations. Plenty of northeaster (15-26 km/h) propelled the bunch out of town, I thought it timely to get a turn done before the headwind hurt. My shift at the front finished just in time for Wozz and Rocket to power east on Mitchell Rd, it was tough enough to hang on in their draft at second wheel. The headwind north through Central Kialla tamed the rush, but we were soon back into the groove turning east into River Rd, finding TatPaul, Kel, Shorty, TatMat, Bo, The Godfather (heard earlier but only just seen), Rocket, Manny, Merida-not-AvantiJohn and that endangered species BeerMat in the rotations, but we'd apparently lost Popgun and Cougar, tortured by tempo. Chains climbed a few sprockets as the bunch collectively calmed, samaritans Rocket, Wozz and Bo eased back to collect those split.
The pack chat increased now that oxygen wasn't so precious, Nath entered the fold as the accelerator was gradually pressed. There was a noticeable push into the wind when I'd arrived at the front for duty, stark contrast to the draft from a long bunch. Out of River Rd and into Boundary, Wozza, Rocket and Bo had rejoined the circulating crew, several attempts to tow the offcast had been unsuccessful. Carl climbed aboard nearing Channel Rd, the northeaster hammering those on the up-line after a shift of shelter in the down-line, should have rolled clockwise in the circumstances but anti is the Couldabeens constant (and safest, given the varied experience) The west turn to town was relief from the 26 km/h gusts and a breeze up the bum got the bunch buoyed into the 40's, silencing many (but not silencing Manny!)
Big gaps opened crossing Lemnos North Rd and I felt the hopes of many behind that I'd drag them back up. It was half a k of tough toil to reach the drivers, then to share the front to Grahamvale Rd spent my reserves. Several k's at a pronto pace had halved the bunch into drivers and survivors, by Ford Rd's end the caboose was crammed. Wozza, KillkennyPaul and I were quickly enlisted to tow others as we avoided the up-line, Wozza driving the lions' share past DECA as the bunch split from the sprinters.
As Wanganui hill drew near, several had been cast off the fast class, moving us up the rankings, the gasps soon subsiding to small talk as the bunch congregated to cruise the Boulevard to breakfast.
All but one joined in the social session of breakfast and babble, the art of staying smooth and straight, the nutritional benefits of smarties cookies and gran fondo preparations occupied conversation, special guest Nev (in shoulder re-co rehab) joining in.
31/7 The puncture train
With time up my armwarmers, a roll around the golf course loop would soak up the minutes before the peace train departure, promising myself a long, slow warm-up lasted a few seconds before the speed standard niggled at the ego. Tina, Heady, Coggo, Jen, AvantiAndy, Carl and Sly were at the Goat station for a 6am departure, a far cry from the 18 keen to ride 6 months ago. Sly seems CATarthic returning to two wheels (rueing the 'roo?) but eight got into rotational thing eastward on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. There's calm and comfort in the consistency on Tina's wheel (and I feel less possessed alongside her 400k / week habit), the k's clicking by to Boundary Rd to start the spin south. AvantiAndy is clutching the thin threads of winters' motivation, Heady was suitably inspired to do a turn, and when most Goats have gone into hibernation, Coggo's consistently cranking. It was Carl's turn to do the double deflation as we turned into River Rd, forcing me to break ranks and slog solo for home if I was to remain employed. For variety's sake, I steered north on Doyles Rd back to town, a change of scenery and a smooth wide emergency lane to use made a comfortable crank homeward.
1/8 Tenacious two (and a 'roo)
Hopes faded as Hares invaded the carpark Tuesday morning, it seems Temple, KillkennyPaul, HBK and Softa have turned to marshmallow from the 5:45ers. So, sole soldiers Cate and I set off with a positive to the pursuit, Hares would inevitably catch us but we'd see just how long we could hold them off. One degree restricted respiratories and there'd be pace to consider with just two doing turns, a reserve needed if we were to hang onto the Hares in a hurry as they passed. Still no sign as we turned south into Boundary Rd Cate cranked a solid turn into the southerly (already taxed after a 27k run Sunday), without HBK to go halves, I'd committed to River Rd's length in the drivers seat. Eagle eyed Cate called "Roo!" at the dip, so we slowed as Skippy bounded north to the paddock, then back into the rhythm to Rivers' end. The Hares were homing in, just a minute later all reserves went into grabbing the draft as Troy, Pistol, Wozza, Rocket, Hoges, Bo, Kel and Avanti-not-MeridaJohn streaked by. It was sit down, shut up and hang on as the princes of pace swapped shifts west toward Melbourne Rd, but Cate's Sunday run stung the legs out of Dave's dip. The Hares hold up for highway traffic allowed us back on the caboose but the rate out of Roubaix for the Raftery rumba uncoupled Cate again. Playing chaperone was the done thing (my legs concurred anyway) so we polished off the lap watching Hares hurry to the horizon (well, 400 meters ahead).
2/8 Zero tolerance
The time taken and the layers of insulation seems wasted when you open the door, the minus one chill grips you to question why ride through it at speed? I think Kel, The Godfather, Cate, Kenworth, Wozza, MeridaDanny, Boof, Bo, Troy and PistolPete questioned likewise, or do they brave the elements 'cause others do? I questioned why I took the first shift again as I cranked up to speed on Archer, building to the bridges to be paired at the city limit (surprise, surprise....with Wozz!) when two lines formed. It was a pleasant surprise to welcome Weapon aboard to join the frozen flock as we sliced through the chill, squinting into the infernal distance for the Sanctuary roundabout where roll-over and relief awaited me. It takes a k or two for the heart rate to settle down from 170, second then third wheel easing the effort to become gradually social and utter more than three words without gasping.
Wordsmithing was the spoken subject with Weapon as I got to the rear, the engines ahead puffing through the light fog as MeridaDanny (interesting winter knicks) worked his way forward. The Godfather co-captained his turn in the hot seat, but left him to cook a little too long. How rapidly the energy evaporates and the ego ebbs facing the front in your peloton apprenticeship. (Ponder your past, there's purpose to pain) So I contemplated that philosophy as I was promoted to the pointy end with the wizard of wattage (Wozza), but he's always the kind collaborator. A pink tint to the horizon beautified Boundary Rd, Goats now the endangered species (conspicuous by their absence). Darth Vader barked through the darkness in Channel Rd (too chilled to chase?), as I advanced through the ranks it appeared I'd be captain at the Kinder, but a few short shifted to put Wozz and Troy in the lead-out for the ChaCha.
4/8 The Friday Phew
Spooked by Thursday's radar (of rain that never came) I was keen as mustard to tap a Friday lap whatever the weather. Troy, Boof, Bruce and PistolPete rolled in to grid, great! a group of Gallardo's and here's me, the Getz! Second wheel to Boof out of town (plenty of cakes and pies would make him the dream draft) got up to pace, but winter's wet cursed his Continental with a puncture and pit-stop just shy of the roundabout. A fast fix (despite the fickle fit) had us underway again, I was happy to take the reigns (easy on the uptake for Boof's benefit) but the real reason was to preserve the reserves. Bruce played captain to Mitchell Rd where Pistol fired to Central Kialla, I thought there'd be a repeat of his locked elbow syndrome, but Troy tore into the northbound leg to River Rd, unperturbed by the breeze (WNW at 13-20 km/h) Even at third wheel the tempo was testing me, but the winds' push up the posterior in River Rd gave me the giddy-up to tackle the bridge to the dip. Thanks to the quick company, I scored a PB (8:41) for River Rd's 6k, but then it was battle in Boundary Rd as the wind whipped at our push north. Troy powered to One Tree Dam and Boof captained to the bridges, bless those who planted the trees up to Channel Rd, the shelter keeping my turn up to specification without scrubbing off too much speed. I had a big dig to the depths to catch Boof's wheel as Bruce steamed into Channel Rd, keeping up with these Hares is food for the soul, puddle sprayed and spotted, and having a filthy bike (yet again) now somehow seemed insignificant. It looked like I'd have the short straw of the ChaCha as Boof drove the train into Kinder corner, his elbow beckoned me ahead at Prentice Rd just as Bruce and his competitive cravings bolted by, sparing me the suffering.
Week 31 210 km YTD 7,801 km
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