Post #576
12/12 Saturday sustenance.
Our paths had crossed by chance several times in recent weeks, he knew me but my recall was struggling till a mention of a very windy Tat200 back in 2018. In a flash, Emil's name rang true to the La Pierre he was aboard. A spy on Strava saw his solo habits and a suitably handy wattage with it, so I extended him an invite to take a spin with the Saturday squad, taking a punt he'd fit in. Bo, Col, PistolPete, Tina, Kreeky and Molly converged on Sanctuary's roundabout and with introductions done, Pistol set the speed south. The somewhat anti-social single filed ritual began again. The babble would have to wait till breakfast. Molly sat second wheel and for a moment I thought she was going to brave the front but her retreat when Pete finished his shift said it wasn't to be today. Tina fronted in Mitchell Rd but faced a brewing northeaster. The body language spoke volumes of what we about to face. A little shy of Euroa Rd, Tina had had enough but nobody was using a tape measure, each does what they can in this game.
Bo polished off the remainder of Mitchell as a warm up to his 2k drive north to River Rd. Sun-up had stirred Col to labor long on an eastward mission to the Angora farm, Kreeky similarly inspired to head the charge to Coach Rd, but that was just the intro to his determined drive north on Coach Rd. I don't think its a I-can-go-further-than-you thing, there's just an excess of fitness to burn off and the willingness to reward a reprieve to those who've yet to face the front. Still at it at the Broken bridges, Kreeky soldiered on to the highway before he sought refuge at the rear. Big shifts become infectious and my goal shifted further north, Old Dookie Rd was now my target, aiming to pace rather than pickle myself to get there (aided by the roadside trees lending a little shelter from that building breeze). Emil impressed with his maiden shift, a smooth spin to the Toaster earning an elephant stamp for preserving pace, kudos rightly deserved when he retired for PistolPete to take on the north assault to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.
The strength of that northeaster wasn't fully realized till turning west toward Shepp, don't you just love that serenity with the wind behind, the ease of turning those cranks and the unusual tranquility of a group without The Godfather! Tina tapped her turn of tempo to the kennels, Bo diplomatically driving a similar pace long to Lemnos North Rd. Col dragged us up to speed in Ford Rd just as the shop squad of 12 overtook on their mission to make breakfast an early one, so of course we hitched a ride to Grahamvale Rd in their wake. The wish to keep our crew as a congregation and not to be scattered o.t.a. eased the pace coming into suburbia, Col still driving the train to the highway for Kreeky to captain into Wanganui Rd. Knocking on 40's door past DECA at second wheel, I'd noticed just 3 shadows cast ahead, the tail-end had become disconnected. A call to Kreeky calmed the pace for the pack to re-unite, just enough respite for Kreeky apparently to do the distance of Rudd Rd and The Boulevard back to a Butter Factory breakfast. Cobblestones, abrasive people and old school riders the talk topics while filling empty tanks.
14/12 Punctures and pace.
Gotta love Summer! 3 minutes to kit up when it's 18 degrees. Begone base layers, arm-warmers, booties, leg warmers, thermals, balaclavas et al, it's just knicks jersey, socks and shoes and you're out the door! And today, a bonus breeze at the backside to speed the spin to Sanctuary's roundabout. Joe (not Tony), GreatScottSteve, Tina, a somewhat fragile Gazza, The Godfather, Kel and PistolPete rolled in for the 5:40 off, me taking turn one to Mitchell Rd for a change (that northeaster provided the incentive) Gazza may have been gunning for the top 10 shoot-out driving the high 30's toward Central Kialla, that northeaster (and certain indulgences at the Couldabeens pizza party) pegging his pace back within a kilometre. Kel took the reigns and took us to the fire station. Pace had settled to sustainable in River Rd, GreatScottSteve doing the driving to the dip as a somewhat softening sensation nagged at me.
Trying to deny all the signals of a puncture worked for 200 metres, but the feeling of sitting on a marshmallow couldn't be ignored any longer, a halt for repairs had the group's support. Some craved the oxygen! There's little comfort when nothing obvious proves the puncture so trepidation followed for 2 k's after the fix. The rumble strips at River Rd's end highlighted that deflation sensation again. I'd be stretching the friendship this time with another delay and seeking a tube donation, Bruce and Lenny (the shop squad of two) arrived to lend support (and a tube), this time finding a tiny piece of wire (no bigger than a 2mm long whisker) as the fiend.
Fixed, up and away again on Coach Rd, Joe (not Tony) kept the momentum manageable to the bridge but PistolPete had faster ideas when handed the lead. That 1200 metres to the highway was merely an aperitif. As he headed the line in the high 30's into that northeaster toward Old Dookie Rd, I recalled Pistol's predicament just 7 months ago (and who that were there wouldn't?!) I could be forgiven thinking this wasn't the same guy. Makes you appreciate the bonus of being in a bunch. Bruce had many gasping to Central Ave in the low 40's but there's nearly always a little more left in the tank when the reality of going o.t.a. draws near.
GreatScottSteve has hit his straps (his recent habit of hills and distance has tuned the engine to new levels), so there was no surprise that gaps opened heading to the truck route in the high 40's. Lenny saved the day acting as windbreak in the lower 40's where all could keep in touch to suffer that speed to SPC.
15/12 Heading Heady home.
The guy wandering the middle of Fryers Street spewing profanities at full volume was given a wide berth, another lap of Friars block the option for many as the lap launch time drew near. (and no, it wasn't Heady venting another o.t.a. occurence!) Sandy, AvantiLeigh, Belly, Snow, Phil, Heady, Furph and Dippa cautiously converged at the Goat grid but that colorful character had vanished with his verbs. Sandy called the 6am chocks away and with Heady hiding in the rear ranks, I was made martyr for the first shift out of town. And straight into an energetic east northeaster. JB joined and with a line of 9 behind, I had a performance review committee breathing down my tail-light! Dobson's bridge was a welcome sight, giving AvantiLeigh the task of driving to Central Ave while I retreated my way to the rear for recovery.
Furph, Dippa, Sandy and Belly divided the drive into short shifts to reach Boundary Rd so I wasn't imagining the eroding effect on energy (and ego) that wind had. Belly got the bikes rolling into Boundary Rd to give Heady the lead, but his turn was measured in millimeters before Snow was put in charge. I feel for Heady's struggle sometimes but the cure is so simple.....the words of Fausto Coppi summed it up when asked the 3 things needed to improve in cycling ; ride your bike, ride your bike and ride your bike!
Snow seemed to be in struggle street at the bridge so handed over to Phil, setting a swift example to the highway. Traffic cleared and wheels got rolling south, the temptation to continue the lap was keen but I was more keen to stay employed, so the Channel Rd exit was taken. Heady had the time but not the inclination to continue, so took the Channel Rd option too, the least I could do was head Heady home. With an eye on his shadow cast under my feet, I kept the pace reasonably keen for the lefts, rights and curves back to the city ; if he was going to sit in my wake he'd have to work for it. Mid to high 30's was taking it's toll at the ChaCha's end and he dropped from the rear, so I slowed to get him back aboard, slowly turning the tempo up again to town.
16/12 Wind worn Wednesday.
A head wind and quick company was the recipe for a workout before the 5:40 flogging started! South to Sanctuary and paired with Emil would certainly get me prepared for pace but it was mentally cooking me before the lap had started. PistolPete commenced considerately calm to the truck route, applying the throttle to Mitchell Rd with Kel, Tina, Kreeky, Emil, Col, Bo and The Godfather behind. Out of that headwind and onto Mitchell Rd would make things easier.....or would it? Kel kept progress pacy to Central Kialla, Tina tapping a great turn to River Rd ; and on the back of a hot 150 k's yesterday (I'd want a day off) My turn to front came bearing east, that wind coming in at the 4 o'clock position was of some help to the speed but little help to steering a straight path to the bridge.
2 k's worth of work was about my limit of labor, I wanted to contribute more but disrupting the rhythm with a shift at snails pace wouldn't make me popular. Kreeky would be perfect preserving the pace. Retreating to the rear at the bridge, Kreeky took command toward Coach Rd as the sun peeked from the Caniambo horizon. He's mastered the art of a long drive (though it will become an expectation if your not careful Kreeky!) Emil made his appearance at the front in Coach Rd, forging friendships with a smooth shift toward the Broken and staying on to reach the highway. He'll be invited back! Col wasn't subtle with his speed north (here's me expecting an easy leg to Old Dookie Rd?!), a line of legs spinning the speed behind. Bo had finally fronted in Old Dookie Rd, the days of his long drives seemingly over when he retired at School Rd. The Godfather was quick to sledge as he assumed the Captaincy. PistolPete took on a second turn to tow us to town, dragging many breathless to the truck route. All that effort for a coffee!
17/12 Thurs-day-javu.
That feeling of flogging a dead horse was back, the south southeast breeze was barely moving a leaf while this old engine was at full throttle just to keep above 30. I can see further contemplation is required on Rule #5. The roundabout had rounded up Kreeky, Tina, Bo, Col, Kel and PistolPete to ride, Kel setting sights south to Mitchell Rd with 6 in tow. This was ride repeat for me, a second serve of the 5:40 fling in as many days. If only to rattle the ride routine. PistolPete played pilot to Central Kialla, the effort a little easier out of that head wind so the speed subsequently upped to ensure all would earn their breakfast. Or their second breakfast. Contrary to his prior announcement of "sitting on the back", Bo headed our path to River Rd (and a little bit more for measure), Tina working us toward the bridge with Kreeky poised behind, ready to drive us further. It could be the scenery, possibly the wind in the hair or maybe it's Erythropoietin encrusted Weet-Bix that excites Kreeky to get into long-haul mode when he gets to the front ; to the dip then the Angora farm, the quarter horse stud wasn't enough so he pushed on to rooster corner while I mentally tapped the fuel gauge to see if there was anything left in my tank. Too bad if it was empty, duty called in Coach Rd! I couldn't sense any help from that breeze (supposed to be behind) while winding up to prior pace ; the aim to reach the bridges with as little hurt as possible. Well, maybe just shy of a heart attack!
Those bridges looked too far away till a passing car gifted it's draft to get me there, and still 10bpm short of a meltdown, I re-aimed my target at Channel Rd. The downhill off the bridge and another passing car helped me to scale that 0.017% ascent to Channel Rd, so what the hell Foss, let's make it to the highway! There was a sense of satisfaction to reach the Midland but immediate dread I'd go o.t.a. when Col commanded the rush on Boundary Rd (the fear unfounded as Col was careful with his wattage till passing Hosie Rd). The tarmac blurred below as the pace stepped into the 40's, looks like I was saved from another shift sitting 7th wheel this late in the game but Kel drew the short straw to storm Old Dookie Rd for her 2nd contribution. Good job too with that breeze niggling at the left side. 40's were commonplace as PistolPete's performance dragged us to Central Ave, feeling a bit stoked at that speed till the shop squad passed like we were the Muppets. Wattage was weakening in many, Pistol playing the diplomat and holding station as the fast fella's drew into the distance. The wish for calm toward SPC was denied when Bo kept us busy for the last 1500, Col clearly bored with Bo's effort when he sprinted the last 400.
18/12 Festive Friday (and a brewery breakfast!)
A Goat Christmas ride was sure to draw a crowd (some making their first comeback since Autumn!) so a cruisy (and cautious) lap was guaranteed. I put a 17k prologue on my to do list to put some work into the morning. The bait of sparkling red (the Goat elixir of life) was on the breakfast menu to draw even the most rusty of Goats out of hibernation! Brendy, Baz, Joey, Speissy, Belly, Sandy, Tina, Hommie, Dippa, Snow, Ranso, Macca, Phil, Heady, Principal Skinner, 'ol Pete, Roscoe, AvantiLeigh, Brother Andrew and even Joe (not Tony) jammed the starting grid for the 6am roll. A giant of a Goat gathering.
Sandy fired the starting gun to exit Friars, a most meandering, Brown's cows commencement to depart town vaguely resembling a formation of two lines east. I'd activated caution control as some chose a path contrary to most. The south southwester kept the effort easy although some chose to gasp instead of gossip. Things became serious steering south, that (almost) headwind making work for those rare to riding. Some dared not face the front! Channel Rd was the chosen route for all (which probably was the distance limit for some), the shortest way back to the brewery for breakfast. Priorities! Sparkling red was first on the menu for most, but the coffee, eggs and all the breakfast trimmings suited me. Coggo was welcomed as guest of honor (a lucky lad under the circumstances of last Wednesday), the ensuing social stuff topping off the week.
This week 278km YTD 11,113km
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