Post #473
10/11 The daily double.
With the warmer weather comes the bigger bunches (a fairweather fattening if you like) and Saturday's grid grew gargantuan with Temple, Shorty, TatMat, DeterminedDan, Cate, Travis, Grumpy, Col, Jen, AvantiAndy, Bo, Lance, MyRideTrev, TrekTrev, Nev, Liam, Kel, BeerMat and rarities Jase, KillkennyPaul and Softa ready to ride. Will and Lawrence sat sheepishly mid-grid un-invited but angling for admission (Rule #19 as homework lads!), and with early editions due, it would swell the squad further. Me thinks another breakaway to split the bunch (and remove the risk) would be on the agenda. The long thin line exited town at 6, dragging CatKel into the draft on course to Sanctuary's roundabout, I uploaded into the up-line with TrekTrev ahead and Nev behind (does that make me a brother burger?), the early edition of Rocket, Bruce, Wozza, Boof, Kreeky and not-so-newAvantiJohn about-facing ahead as we crossed the truck route.
Vince joined the fold from the south as I split leg 3 between TrekTrev and Nev, using Mitchell Rd as recouperation, Short sentences with AvantiAndy and Travis on Nev's empty posterior man satchel. Speed was on simmer through Central Kialla as the early edition eased to be caught in River Rd, slowly relegated to the rear, I felt the varied velocities a big bunch breeds. Frustration faced those seeking speed, the eager from the early edition percolating pace and rounded up the ranks drawing Travis, Grumpy, Col, Bo, TrekTrev, Nev, Liam and Kel into the break as the remainder settled into a cadence of comfort. With plans of a ton today and mindful of Tat200's toll next week, I stayed with division 2 (Temple, Jase, Vince, CatKel, BeerMat, KillkennyPaul, Shorty, Softa, TatMat, Cate, DeterminedDan, Jen, Lance, MyRideTrev, AvantiAndy, Will and Lawrence) and in part to support those on the comeback trail.
There was a sense of relief in the ranks that the fast and the not-so-fast were both in their element, though our hitch-hikers ruined rhythm by rolling to the front, did half a turn then dived for cover in the down-line. When in Rome lads...…. Speed had settled into the high 30's as those on a mission of motion drew into the distance. It's been many moons since Jase, KillkennyPaul and Softa presented to the peloton (two from injury, one from 'doon-itis'), good to have Lance back in the pack too, Vince's fashion of flouro warrants stronger sunnies, BeerMat's imminent Alpine Classic turns up his training, Shorty's celebrating a birthday on the bike and CatKel's just clocking k's and changing careers.
There was a hint of SSE breeze as we turned to the Toaster, the pork palace nasty on the nostrils and turning vegetarians vermillion.
Determined Dan was postured for pace toward the Big Ring but was in caution control as 'Will-I-or-wont-I" and 'Lawrie-lacking-legs' ducked and dived on their limits (a text book ad for "sit-on-and-learn") KillkennyPaul and Softa put in tenacious turns west into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, TatMat's tempo to be reckoned with, and Jen and AvantiAndy earned elephant stamps for effort .
Vince played perfect pairing partner on pace in Ford Rd, Cate cranking kick-arse to Grahamvale Rd as bravado brewed for the workout on Wanganui. Temple turned on his tempo toward DECA where TatMat thinned the lines to Indian file, but with head lowering and grabbing for another gear at the test track, I took pity on his position of being hung out to dry, so all my wattage was wasted to Mt.Wanganui on the front where Vince led the charge for line honours. Team spirit slowed for a regroup in Rudd Rd, then gently turned up again sharing the load to the Lemontree, a long table extended to seat 25 for chat on quiet holidays, natural breaks and preserving rhythm.
The post breakfast spin out Old Dookie Rd with Cate planned to intercept the Goats on their anti-clockwise crank of the Toaster circuit. We'd arrived at Boundary Rd early (thanks to Cate's haste) so set south in search of the group, u-turning at the bridge to join MeridaAndy, Dipper, Snow, HG, Coggo, Joey, Sandy, Shannon, Darren, Baz, Hommie, Phil and Heady to head north, the cycle-ology shifting to a slightly more relaxed rate. Baz, Snow and HG turned to town as we steered toward the Toaster, the south southeaster slowly strengthening. The pleasure of riding in something resembling warmth with daylight to boot makes up for all those cold k's cranking through the winter months. Up to the Big Ring and Joey retired from active duty but hooray for Heady still trying turns.
Shannon (on a furlough from Fitzroy) cooks up the cadence, his chain high up the cassette in mixmaster mode when others shift to the little cogs. I've seen plenty of Darren's activity on Strava so it was different to finally meet the man in person. MeridaAndy bid his adieu's leaving ten to knuckle down to Ford Rd and it's side wind, the likelihood of labour in Wanganui Rd increasing as the drivers decreased. Phil had the hurry-up leg at DECA as all tucked into his draft, pity felt again for the one left to dry, so I took to the front before Phil fizzled. Great intentions of a long lead-out faded like Hollywood's comeback, head on a mission the muscles wouldn't match. Surprisingly Phil came 'round for a second haul to Mt.Wanganui, but Shannon's youth had the hill, A relaxed roll back to town quietly craved coffee, arriving at Mandy's with 99.2 km on the clock beckoned to bike a block and round off the ton. Goat garble was enjoyed under the tree's shade on home renovation and Heady's sculptural structures as triathletes warmed up for Sunday's challenge.
12/11 Monday magnifique.
A mild Monday (10 degrees) was magnifique to start the week, barely a breeze and the carpark filled with Rocket, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Cate, Kel, Kreeky, Bruce, The Godfather, Jen, Sherls, Bo, Col and Nev. Gridding almost rearmost allowed me a proper warm-up before the fare at the front, The Godfather was somewhat silent and second-hand after bulk bevvies in Bright, Bruce victorious in the Vets, Rocket relaxed after a Sunday ton and Nev spoke of a broke spoke and wheel woes. BigBen then Pickles arrived from the east to join the Couldabeens clan, me matching not-so-newAvantiJohn not so nasty now that the old engine had warmed up by the cypress trees.
Jen was next up with a short but swift shift to the S bend, Cate and Nev towing us to Boundary Rd where the slightest of breezes eased us north. The sun peeked above the horizon to motivate Monday as Col captained the drive toward Old Dookie Rd, thanks to plenty of participants, my second shift wasn't due till Ford Rd's end, so speed stress wasn't an issue, words on the weekend's work, woes and weather the chat in the pack till my turn at the front beckoned. Half a k beside not-so-newAvantiJohn soon stopped my jaw flapping, Cate's short shift at Wanganui's water treatment works setting turns rolling rapidly toward the hill, but there was some comfort knowing Monday's sprintless standard ahead. Up and over Mt.Wanagnui, a regroup in Rudd and a steady tap into town made a most manageable Monday (surprisingly setting my second fastest time), fast fellowship the key to quickness.
13/10 Gathering Goats.
A tropical 21 degrees and a hair-dryer northeaster opened Tuesday's account, but only a small field gathered at the Goat grid. (Joey, Phil, Coggo, Jen and AvantiAndy) Coggo and I were tasked with piloting the team out of town (must get Coggo's breakfast recipe to keep up!) JB and DeepFry lay in wait at SPC's roundabout, Coggo slowly turning up the tempo to the truck route revised my ambition to drive to Dobson's. The northeaster handbraked the hurry on Old Dookie Rd, Spiessy then HG being passed then pasted to the posterior of the pack. We rounded up Will-I-won't-I (who stayed solo) as turns shortened for those wearied by wind. Pairing with Coggo again nearing School Rd, I sharpened the focus to reach Boundary, cadence up and head down with concentration on relaxation seemed to work (mind you, I averted eyes from the Garmin to prevent pace palpitations) Calm and collected in Coggo's draft on the favourable drive down Boundary Rd a cruising Eggman joined in the turns as HG sat silent in the rear stalls. Jen reckons she's slowly finding form, I reckon she's found enough as I murdered muscles to match her beyond the Broken Bridges. The wind massaged morale down to River Rd, echeloned westward to relieve the rearmost of the effort. HG and Spiessy went on the missing persons list as speed spiked the 40's toward the dip, AvantiAndy and Joey still providing the pace at the pointy end in places. It felt foreign to turn with the troops at River's end, time allowing me the full circuit today, Jen and Eggy towing us to Mitchell Rd for my turn to fall due again. Self preservation (for a podium?) plays a part in the driving distance as the lap's end draws near, Coggo still a force to be reckoned with as I called him across at Archer's intersection. The caboose gained permanent residents as the course turned gradually into the wind on Raftery Rd, another battle beside Jen to Arcadia Downs and with Coggo to Conrod straight was draining the tank. In less than a k I was back to the front again, all reserves used to roll across Eggy's turn as Coggo wound up to pounce for the podium, but DeepFry drawn along in his draft snuck by to pinch the position. All had taken refuge in Coggo's draft as he cut the headwind home through town, a sense of fairness driving me to the front to grant the guy some grace.
14/11 Damp dodgers.
Overnight drizzles didn't dampen the determination of TrekTrev, Kel, Bo, Temple, Boof, Cate, Tina, Nev, Kenworth and The Godfather rolling into Wednesday's grid for a soggy circuit of 30 k's to start the day, the 5am shower and glossy road turning all but the dedicated back to their doona's. Col and Rocket were the only two to tango the early loop, arriving from the south as we crossed the truck route
Without a thought, I'd joined the up-line early, no escaping the workload with only a dozen to drive today. I'd slotted in between TrekTrev and The Godfather, making my debut for the northbound leg through Central Kialla and was handed a hefty half wheeling from TrekTrev (thankfully he called his turn short to 900 meters), The Godfather continuing the insult to River Rd.
What I thought was Temple's old faithful Ridley turns out to be a new Focus now that there was light on the horizon, discs and 28mm tyres turning up the comfort and the standards.
Kenworth's squeezed the schedule to shove in more ride time, but Tina's spending more time in the caboose of late (nothing to do with near on 600 k's a week?)
Only a bike or two went west in River Rd (the peace train had stayed in the station and Sly was on a solitary) Bo and Nev hijacked the front seats for a long length of Channel Rd, not that the hint of an easterly helped, the word spreading we'd take the Poplar Ave deviation to dodge the damp of the ChaCha's channels of water. It was pleasing to navigate a different track as the nostrils took in the aroma of rain, on the front with TrekTrev (always ahead again) on Central Ave, at least The Godfather had learned to level to the truck route. We tip-toe'd through the town's roundabouts and the glossy well worn tarmac in an effort to keep vertical, the roll home talking tactics for the Tat200 with Boof and Cate.
15/11 The windswept and the winded.
Two new tyres and tubes and a clean bike spurred some speed (and confidence) but Thursday's southerly (24-33 km/h) soon slapped a slice of reality in my face.
Tina, Coggo, Belly, AvantiLeigh, Phil, Heady and Tum braved the bulk breeze to front Friars, our tour out of town collecting JB and DeepFry at SPC.
With the wind at our starboard side, Indian filed was the wisest way east, Phil, AvantiLeigh and Tum driving decent turns to School Rd, my turn to Boundary spent trying to hold a straight line as the southerly steered me snake-like. The turn toward the pub found Heady had busted off the back, so Coggo calmed the haste to regroup. The velocity varied (high 20's to mid 30's) as some suffered more than others at the front in Boundary Rd, my focus ever sharpening on the wheel ahead.
Fanned across the tarmac for River Rd's western leg, Phil set the speed to solid but Heady had gone awol again. Careful not to overlap wheels in close quarters in an echeloned environment, nine shared the joy of slicing into the side wind, some turns short and others long but the effort was all the same. Tum and I, tested for time, turned to the truck route toward town, the stiff southerly propelling pace (and amplified abilities to almost order a larger helmet) to get back to base post haste.
16/11 Friday frigidity.
Friday's frigid 7 degrees dragged another base layer from hibernation to set south to the carpark, Kenworth, Tina, Superman, Jen, Travis, TrekTrev, Kel, Bo, Nick, Boof, Shorty, The Godfather, Cate and Irongirl Laura (braving a bunch with some trepidation) turned up to whir wheels before work. A smooth and steady start kept the bunch line astern to the city limits, two lines forming to Sanctuary's roundabout where the early edition (Rocket, Wozza, Bruce, Kreeky and not-so-newAvantiJohn) could be seen about-facing to join us in leg 3.
Kenworth's chain did a dismount (too much torque) at the truck route which split the pack in two, the eager ahead eventually receiving the 'ease up' to regroup the crew by Mitchell Rd. Mindful of tomorrow's Tat 200, I settled in to a sedate and social spin, the sun already streaming through River Rd's trees to light our way eastward. The usual parade of pelotons passed our path on their way west, my berth between Nick and Jen easy on the effort (and likely to face the front just once). Most had braved short knicks (to will the warmth back again?) but fingerless gloves ('cause I'd retired the warm ones in a place now forgotten) wasn't so clever. Up to Channel Rd the caboose was filling fast, I should have contained myself to the rear seats but the ChaCha's lure had hooked me. Bruce bolted at Hopeful corner drawing two lines into one, not-so-newAvantiJohn running out of motivation to hold his wheel. The Godfather and Bo worked some overtime to reel Bruce in, Bo with the bragging rights at the line. Fourth was fine with me, time now to contemplate the lucky dip tomorrow may bring.
Week 46 302km YTD 12,193km
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