Week 45 : Proportioning the pain.

Post 420
4/11 Pub prologue

Back to the old circuit Saturday, a trip down (short) memory's lane 'cause the afternoon's Tour de Pub was promising plenty of k's.  A condensed crew of Troy, Bruce, The Godfather, Wozza, Shorty, MyRideTrev, PistolPete, TatPaul, Rocket, Hamish, GTCraig, Kel, Lochy, CatCol and Bo toured east on Channel Rd, Wozz and I in the drivers seat putting a bit of warmth in the legs to counter the bureau's "feels like 3".  (glad I pulled the base layer out of retirement).

The speed seemed to settle as we neared Boundary Rd, ScottMatt then Nath climbing aboard as the appearing sun made a little psychological warmth.  The same old circuit is nearly always a bit different each time it's lapped, another conversation, a change of wind direction, a laugh to share, an observation to ponder, and maybe (one day) a little warmth to enjoy!  A calm and collected crank along Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and Ford,  the sprintless Wanganui hill was weird, Lochy with just enough wattage left to crest it.  Good to have the recovering Temple at the table for a yarn on ride preparation, bike brands, bogged cows and Cadillac's over the Lemontree's breakfast.

Tour de Pub

Prologue :  A stiff southerly took up the slack and provided a warm up to arrive at the MyRide grand departe, a Troy brew ready for rider hydration.   Kenworth, SuperMario, Nev, Cougar, Popgun, The Godfather, BeerMat, Boof, Shorty, Wozza, PistolPete, Troy, Rocket, Kel, Bruce, Leah, Bo and CatCol signed on for the fourth annual grand tour.


Stage 1 :  MyRide to Pistol's.

 (7k) A few took the special Archer St stage but most attacked the Raftery section and it's heartbreaker headwind (SSW 28-40).   Down to Roubaix corner then east on Mitchell was just enough to work up small thirst, quenched with quality at Pistol & Cate's.

Stage 2 :  Pistol's to Toolamba. (15k) A tough 5k leg into the wind on Central Kialla Rd choked the chat, I did my duty at the front to the bridge but Nev punctured soon after and gave us a rest. There was relief reaching Union Rd though the wind whipped from the left, quite a battle in the rear ranks to find shelter.  A dismount to cross the old bridge, then back to velocity to reach the Junction Hotel.

Stage 3 Toolamba to Tatura (16k)

A brew or two was enjoyed, an entertaining intercept with a young bunch on bikes (though hardly rated "riders") then all prepared for Stage 3.  Wozza, Rocket, Nev, Pistol and CatCol set up a chase from a late start, the rest of the pack (with ScottMatt and Lyn joining in) driving 7k's to Dhurringile Rd, several in survival mode with the wind still punishing the portside.  There was protests on pace from the midfield on the north leg to Tatura, the Bo and Godfather combination at the front spells speed.  Sprinting the streets to the pub whittled the bunch down, the chase group catching as we berthed bikes at the hotel.

Stage 4 Tatura to Mooroopna  (16k)

Tat pub's light and dark brews (& hot chips) went down well but the afternoon was fast fading, so the bunch departed town en-route to Mooroopna, but Bo double punctured (attention seeker!) just two k's out of town to force a halt.  Some seized the chance to continue at a calmer pace, a desperate dozen or so choosing to chase a few minutes later.  With the wind behind, speed standards were cast aside, full steam on Ferguson, Turnbull and Pyke Rd's to catch the breakaways and bolt (buoyed by beer?) Strava records aplenty, into town.  More hydration and conversation berthed at Bill & Beats solved the worlds problems, but reality and other tasks to tend called it quits for Pistol Pete and I to tackle Stage 5, a quick 7k's back to town.


6/11  The tempo tap.

November is the new September as the wind incessantly blows, whittling down the wattage (and the will to live!) to get to the Archer St shop Monday. "Just a tap" (on What's App) sounded perfect, Bo, Bruce, Kel, PistolPete and CatCol pulling in to park at the shop for a 5:45 getaway (out Channel and in Raftery would at least give us a tailwind home). Without a plan on position, I'd berthed behind Bo, the placing perfect as it was left to Bruce and Bo to face the headwind in Boundary (and again on Central Kialla Rd)   Among the super smooth wheels of PistolPete, Kel and CatCol, speed was still key performance criteria, lots of tempo now in the tap as we made our way to Mitchell Rd.  Rounding Roubaix turned it to tailwind heaven, so why rest!? Up the ante to Conrods' end for a little quality time on the rivet.

7/11  Cup day quickie.

Whether it's the Couldabeens camaraderie, good looks or just their unashamed modesty, crowds gathered at A Mart for the cup day Toaster lap (Kenworth, WhisperingJack, Softa, AvantiAndy, Bo, KillkennyPaul, Jen, Car, PistolPete, Boof, Kel, Rocket, Shorty, Wozza, TatMat, ScottMatt, TatPaul, TrackStan, Bruce, Gazzagrasshopper, Trav, Manny, Carl, Grumpy, Ralphy, BamBam and CatCol)  No surprise, a southwester blew to toughen my turn beside Wozza on Raftery Rd, this old engine outclassed, pain shortening the turn to 600 meters (just before explosion) then attempt recovery in the draft. Bruce's mechanical called a halt to proceedings, a cassette trying to part company with a hub needed car collection.  Underway again after just a stationary minute, the speed eased a little with the A team no longer pace setting, though the wind behind kept things brisk.  Nath's arrival made it a long line of 29 in River Rd, I'd be lucky to get more than two turns at the pointy end today.  Past the perfumed piggery, round the Toaster and up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, it was time to face the wind again.  Pairing with Softa's short shift suited nicely, but going the distance with Wozza was another story. Manny, Carl, TatMat and TatPaul were on lap two after the "moderate discomfort pain train",  Grumpy's back on a comeback, WhisperingJack as well with a new aero advantage and TrackStan's crazy cadence had me dizzy.

There was snap crackle and pop in Ford Rd as the rear of the bunch fractured, many escaping via Verney to breakfast (a shame for a 'social' ride)   A few like me were sitting out the sprint, so I kept an eye out on the rearmost to keep the survivors attached.  The pace kept climbing in Wanganui Rd despite the wind coming in at 10 o'clock, bits falling off the bunch back as Boof bolted to a win.  The urgency continued along the Boulevard, nudging the 40's was starting to sting, but breakfast, moments away, would cure everything.  The Couldabeens kit, a proposed weekend in the hills and cranky customers filled the table with tattle on a slowly warming public holiday.



8/11  Almost, nearly, maybe.....nope!  (well done Boof)

Wednesday wasn't so welcoming, feels like 4 degrees, feels like winter!  Although Boof, The Godfather, Goose, MyRideTrev, ScottMatt, Grumpy, Cate, NewAvanti-not-OldAvanti-not-MeridaJohn, Car, Chops, Nath, Robbo, PistolPete, Kenworth, Tum and Tina turned up for a lap.  Car headlights were out of fashion on an uneasy exit of town, Weapon joining at Kialla Lakes and the earlybirds (Rocket, Troy and Wozza) circling the Sanctuary roundabout awaiting a tow.   Chops was in the new kit, Tum (unconcious on the climate) in short sleeves and knicks, and in complete contrast, Kenworth was rugged up ready for Antarctica.  It was one of those days where any speed and every direction was a struggle, a battle to preserve pace on the front in Boundary Rd with a tail wind.

However, I had prime real estate by Kinder corner, just joining the up-line with Robbo ahead and many key players sitting out the sprint.  Suddenly, that previous struggle was history.  Oncoming cars held up proceedings till beyond Prentice Rd, so I pounced at the possibility when the tarmac cleared.  Off the seat at 94 rpm I'd over-revved, seated and up a cog got better (52 km/h). Almost to the finish, nearly there, maybe a win, but Boof bolted by, seemingly effortless.  My glance behind expecting to find a pouncing pack found wide open spaces, Boof and I well clear for a one, two, Cate a credible third.

9/11  Team tenacious.
The CBF's were creeping into the cranial cavities at 5, a bit of soul spanking over breakfast distancing the demons.  Down to the carpark for the Thursday thrash found KillkennyPaul (niggled by negatives), Cate, Softa, Grumpy, BamBam and Paul VanP in a more positive mindset.  The order shuffled a little as 5:45 flagged us away, taking the first turn now tattooed in my sensory neurons.  Compliments eased the distress reaching Doyles Rd spent, time for others to proportion the pain.  It's rather inspiring to witness all contributing their best (without the curse of comparison) and the fitness unfurling each week.  '51Nathan appeared as we neared the cypress trees and sat on for a spell, I felt bad handing the headwind bit (Boundary Rd) to Cate, KillkennyPaul and Softa but I'm sure I'll have that privilege another day.  Shortening turns a little helped velocity a lot, Paul VanP doing the handover at River Rd's dip, I found the knife edge balance of heartrate, breathing, cadence and speed to the bridge but then the breathing expired.  And so the turns rolled with '51Nathan now joining the toil, down to Mitchell then west with a clear crossing of Melbourne Rd.  A peek back guaged the Hares headlights at 30 seconds in our favor, so it was all stops out for Raftery Rd.  Placed perfectly as BamBam, Grumpy and '51Nathan towed us from Arcadia Downs, I let loose at the 350 mark in Conrod straight, but Paul VanP made it a big battle for line honours (pleased I pipped the young fella by a wheel).   The payout was the morning at work with that strangely satisfying sensation of legs wanting to collapse the moment you stand or climb stairs (I'll call it fragileg syndrome)

10/11  Just F-ride-day.

I was strangely solitary to the Friday Couldabeens congregation, serenely spinning the streets as the sunrise stalked the sky, a condensed crew collecting in the carpark (Boof, Sean, Nick, WhisperingJack, CatCol, SuperMario, MyRideTrev, PistolPete and Chops) for the Friday friendly.  With nobody joining Boof for leg one, I paired to Sanctuary roundabout where The Godfather then Pelly joined the bunch.  Pre dawn devotees Wozza, Rocket, Troy, Bruce, Bo, Kel and Trav appeared as we entered Mitchell Rd, the usual passing parade of pelotons in River Rd today had an addition, a Goat train of peace behind the train of pain (to act as a catcher's mit?)  SuperMario punctured in sight of the Broken bridges, our pitstop used to sort out the standards of a Christmas gig.  The order shuffled on the restart, the charge into Channel Rd soon cooled when MyRideTrev, SuperMario and Nick got to the drivers seat nearing the Kinder.   Half the field were sitting on, so I joined the attack squad of Boof, Troy and CatCol as they thrashed out the bragging rights for the ChaCha, blowing out the cobwebs for the weeks end.

Week 45        261km                  YTD  11,870