The head's handbrake on hurry.

 Post #594

10/4  Salubrious.

The addiction was famished!  I'd paid the price for taking Thursday off....preparing to ride Friday and the heavens opened.  So Saturday arrives and this junkie was now itching for a fix!  As if to make up for lost opportunities, eyes opened at stupid o'clock on Saturday, time to squeeze a few extra k's in before the 6am spin.  (Yeah, he's hooked)   The decision was Wouldabeens instead of Couldabeens today, for the social sustenance when a slightly slower speed was probably the real reason.  A loop north then south of town got a taste of the temperature and a west southwester that threatened to strengthen and a lap of the lake made amends for the fifteen minutes of premature arrival.  Feels like 8 was just a little too much like winter half way through autumn ; putting on another layer would have been sensible, just one was figured to inspire a better effort to keep warm.  

Once Couldabeens, now committed Wouldabeens  TrekTrev, Shorty, Temple, Jase, SuperMario, BamBam, AlmostRetiredTrev and Joe (not Tony) had enlisted Naomi, Crossy and Wendy to their cause, Gazza (punching well below his weight) along for Naomi reasons.  A dozen for a Saturday spin was breaking new ground and by virtue of first arrival, Jase led the line through the streets toward Sanctuary Drive.  With the peloton plentiful, I took the gamble of forming an advance line in Archer Rd, headlights casting my shadow ahead answering affirmative.  

I'd found myself alongside Crossy when Jase retired from the leadership beyond the truck route, a foreign co-pilot for me so I eased off the throttle to align wheel to wheel.  Compliance to rule #86 is just plain common courtesy.  Chirpy conversation and a dozen led's pierced the drive to Mitchell Rd though I wasn't engaging chat with Crossy too  much, he seemed keen to soak up the oxygen instead.  Westward to Central Kialla we'd absorbed CatKel into the fold (on a prologue to the Pussycats to dial up some distance) as the shifts  rolled westward, socially re-connecting with Shorty, SuperMario and Temple while being demoted down the left line.  Is it me or has darkness already crept back just a week beyond the change to eastern standard time?   

That west southwester made high thirties a breeze, though it seemed a battle for some as sentences became punctuated with a proliferation of pauses.  Temple and BamBam made progress pacy along Coach Rd but the red leds of a cruising shop squad still dissapeared beyond the horizon.  All Woulda's had served their sentences of speed (or suffering) at the business end by Channel Rd, Jase and I back at the pointy end again to drive to the highway.  Why is it me who draws the partner wanting pace?  Nine hundred meters to the pub seemed a little short for a shift so extended the effort to the bridge.  I'd shown my palm to Jase and restored a little calm for Crossy, observing the peloton's protocols on pace gets you an invite back instead of a knife in the back!  That wind had swung to a west northwester by the time we'd reached the Pine Lodge church, only catching the faces of BigBen and Cobbles in the blur of the '51 bunch crossing our path.   

TrekTrev and Joe (not Tony) dragged us to Pine Lodge Creek and Shorty seemed relieved as he handed the reigns to Jase at Boundary Rd.  Duty called for me again.  The Verney Rd route toward breakfast removes the work (and the worry) of Wanganui Rd, reverting to Indian file south as traffic complicated our course.  BamBam was stricken with speed nearing New Dookie Rd, the lure of breakfast including bacon the bait? Must have been infectious, SuperMario "in the zone" to sprint to BelCibo.   Flight simulators, vertigo and the corporate muscle of Westfarmers occupied the talk, a long black and muesli occupying the taste buds.  

12/4 Velocious!

The search was on for an extra base layer, knee warmers and gloves with fingers.   The first taste of winter had arrived Monday, and "feels like 1.5" was jumping in the deep end!  The extra effort to generate a bit of warmth soon dug into the reserves and lungs being squeezed by the chilled atmosphere had me well into zone 4.  And this was just the commute to the Sanctuary grid!  There I'd have some serious speed to deal with!  PistolPete, GreatScottSteve, Tina, The Godfather (and side-kick Greg), Emil, Bo and Kel had special guests Bruce and Wozza from the shop squad along to share in the suffering.   As sure as eggs, PistolPete led us south at 5:40 though the tail-enders took their time to get aboard.  I must have a suppressed sadism within ; I'd drawn Emil's wheel again!  

Pete considerately turned up the tempo gradually to Mitchell Rd but Emil's enthusiasm with a westerly behind dragged me into the top end of zone four early.  Mentally spent before my first shift.  It was pleasing to get back up to pace by the Central Kialla hall but disappointed seeing the curve to River Rd so far in the distance.  Up to speed, now it was about living up to expectation!   Five hundred to go and I'd set the bar too high, even the draft of a passing 4x4 wasn't enough.  A car approaching on River Rd was my scapegoat to slow ; now to pig-out on oxygen before Wozza launched west toward the dip.   A three k shift was a cruise for "the Croatian" and with Bruce as back up we were all treated to a tow to rooster corner (Still crows when its cold).  Greg was the foreigner in today's line-up, the big guy with the cadence of a Mixmaster stood out like the proverbial.  (did well for a newcomer to the addiction)  GreatScottSteve took on the role to reach the highway and Greg chose a Channel Rd exit to an early start at the coalface.   

It's easy to accept the call about traffic as gospel, but the reality is judging the coast is clear yourself.  So when silence came at the Midland it shouldn't have been a surprise to find a car almost upon us.  Why three sneaked through I don't know.  The hurried halt rattled a few but trust in other's guesswork is a fickle thing (We can be a complacent lot sometimes).  The line had regrouped by Hosie Rd for Bo to do the business north, but he'd handed the helm to Tina at the Fig farm to drag us to Old Dookie Rd.  The chore of facing the west southwester was left to The Godfather.  This would be both interesting and entertaining!  Building up the tempo carefully was kind, but riding the road's centre had the tail-enders checking the mailboxes on the north side of the road.  Bruce advanced to deliver some advice, The Godfather's raucous retort was hilarious!  PistolPete's smooth and swift shift to the truck route and Emil's energy to dash to SPC sounds like a broken record, though I reckon most of us are along for the consistency as much as the camaraderie. The pleasure of annual leave granted me the pleasure of post ride chat and caffeine, usually only possible Saturday's.

13/4  Gregarious.

About a hundred reasons not to ride flood the head when there's a hot coffee consumed and it's "feels like 1.3" outside.  Chocks away Foss, less I succumb to the lure of that warm bed!   Being a bit early out the door needed a little northern loop to absorb the surplus minutes rather than wait at the grid for any Wouldabeens.  I was guessing there'd be very few.  AlmostRetiredTrev wasn't one I was expecting (today's temperature well below his threshold) but next week's surgery has him clocking up k's before he spends a month up on blocks in recovery.  Jase and Joe (not Tony) had the commitment, BamBam's arrival right on the third stroke of six we've come to expect.  

This holiday lark allowed a lap of any distance, so the standard Channel - Coach - Mitchell - Raftery thing could be tackled without the threat of time hanging over me.  North to Channel and east to the truck route threw up a chilly challenge of four k's as my opening act, the team of slightly slower standards behind not so daunting as the Sanctuary specifications though.  Still, it was a comfort to tuck into the draft as Jase took over.  (Mmmm........I'd drawn the draft of the smallest guy again!)  Joe (not Tony) was captain from the Kinder to lead us to the cypress trees, BamBam driving to the S bend where AlmostRetiredTrev polished off the last of Channel Rd.    My second shift had a southwest breeze to work into and old habits had my aim at River Rd to the swing west; just as well I had a light globe moment beforehand to remember Mitchell Rd was this pack's preferred path.  

Jase was put in charge to guide us there, the sun struggling to rise above the fog but it put a little colour into the course.   Joe (not Tony) had the work west while I was finding comfort on the Fizik a little fickle along the testing tarmac.  It seems a longer 3 k's into a breeze to the dog leg, Joe (not Tony) halving his workload by handing BamBam the second half to get there. BamBam generously donated an extra k of towing. AlmostRetiredTrev was short of wattage to reach Euroa Rd so gave me the task, guilt giving the short shift gave me the incentive to go on to Pistol's place as a fair share.  Daylight showed us the path to Raftery Rd and I'd drawn the last half of Conrod to complete the circuit, but a sprint was cancelled due to lack of interest, the lack of temperature seemed to be the over-riding factor.  A long black at Degani gradually raised the internal temperature, chat on old age afflictions and insulation a convivial conclusion.

14/4  Efficacious. 

Stunned by the forecast of a sixteen minimum, I'd missed the prediction of early showers till the pitter patter of precipitation alarmed me readying to ride.  A peer outside, a peek of the (clearing) radar then the shower ceased;  just ride the head said, the north northeaster would dry the route to Sanctuary.  Today could see Wednesday's lap being capped at thirty five, one ride in the week at something slower than supersonic has been brewing within the ranks for a while ; there'd be some partners in the peloton along for the ride today too.  So there was a cruisy commute to the 5:40 grid with the wind behind, Emil with a cautious Kim along on her maiden weekday appearance.  GreatScottSteve had Tan in tow, Kel customarily chaperoning Bo : the rest of the grid filled with PistolPete, Tina and The Godfather. 

With PistolPete versed on pace, he led the Indian file south toward Mitchell, then took on an extra shift to Central Kialla, barely slowing for the turn east.  I was given the short straw into the wind toward River Rd and struggled to reach the new lower limit, so the call of "easy" was music to my ears for the tail-end to reconnect.   I could now get to River Rd with oxygen to spare.  The Godfather was captain for the way east, and of course he rode the centre of the road while the northerly blew the caboose into the gutter.  Bo's complaints only made matters worse, but the comedy of The Godfather's reply was first class!   Mr.Considerate Pete formed the second echelon for the four rearmost. 

 Bo restrained his enthusiasm north to the highway while GreatScottSteve and Emil served their draft to their "significant others", Kel and Tina partnering the pace to Old Dookie Rd.   GreatScottSteve was struck by the variable velocities to Central Ave (an affliction of elevation overload in the hills?), Tan retiring with him to the rear as PistolPete played pilot toward the truck route.  Pete seemed to be craving the standard speed 'cause he drew into the distance headed to SPC while Emil eased the speed for Kim (to avoid grievous bodily harm?)   This post ride coffee and chat thing is a social sweetener, and won't it be missed when the want for wages draws me back to work.

15/4  Obsequious.

Darkness and dwindling temperatures strip the Kialla Lakes grid of Wouldabeen's starters, and there's still six weeks of autumn left before winter erodes all traces of enthusiasm!  Only Jase and AlmostRetiredTrev had bothered to turn up Thursday so the slightly slower speed would be offset by more work to do at the front for the 28 k circuit.   Cloud cover probably saved us from a fate less than eight, Jase setting the wheels turning at 6. Last in line gave me several k's to harden up before doing driving duty.  No grizzles scoring the short guy again, a subtle west northwester helped us toward Coach Rd.  Jase took up residence at the rear while AlmostRetiredTrev took us to the Kinder, and as double shifts seemed to be de rigueur, I set sights on the S bend.  Jase finished off Channel Rd and took on the empty tarmac of Coach Rd to the bridges.  

AlmostRetiredTrev seemed distracted in the drivers seat, shaking the handlebars as if a puncture was perturbing his progress.  From my vantage point the rear GP5000 looked good, but by One Tree Dam Trev had called a halt.  A flat front. Bindii strikes again!   AlmostRetiredTrev has probably dealt with more punctures than I'd had hot dinners, but today the pressure (or lack of it) rattled him.  A second tube and a third CO2 cannister was successful.  Underway south again, AlmostRetiredTrev had almost retired reaching Mitchell Rd so I was blessed with the headwind westward.   Mr. Stubborn had set his goal at getting to the dog leg, maybe blinded by self confidence, but it lay 3 k's ahead.  Why I stuck to that target (when nobody knew I'd set it) I'll never know.  And wasn't I cursing that optimism with a k to go!  (Jase and Trev's draft was delightful to drag me to Euroa Rd)  AlmostRetiredTrev's tempo started sinking nearing Archer Rd, the Avanti would seem sluggish with the eighty odd psi a CO2 delivers and that would be the head's handbrake on hurry.  I did the towing to Melbourne Rd and Jase put in his performance to Galbraith's gate, the sprint struck off the agenda this time on Conrod straight, coffee at the conclusion was the craving.

15/4  Gracious.

An afternoon ride in the sunshine was as rare as finding Hollywood back on a bike, but holidays offered an opportunity to join the Doc's tribe for a tap of the Toaster circuit....clockwise a rare course for me.  I found Beery, Tina, Frizzy, Hoffy, the Doc, Keeno, Googs and the Sprinter on a search of Ford Rd for the start-line, my inclusion prompting the formation of an advance line to socialize with the wind whipping in from the west.  It's been years since swapping sentences with the Sprinter, Keeno and Googs et al, and this riding in sunshine is certainly sublime.  The turn south scrubbed off some speed as the wind stacked the pack across Pine Lodge North Rd, pouring cold water on any pretense of pace. This squad is more about the social stuff anyway.  By the luck of position in the pack I'd avoided the head wind along Old Dookie Rd but contributed my bit at the front with the Doc on Boundary Rd, treated to the blast of wind from oncoming trucks.   Quite the test to steer straight! 

The Mitchell Rd route was favored (deja vu this morning) and that westerly turned tougher to taunt us, Googs and the Sprinter driving a big turn to drag us to the dog leg but from there the shifts were shorter.  Beery seemed to struggle with speed, distracted by a persistent rattle at the rear of the squeaky clean Cannondale.  (My guess was a valve stem slapping around in a 60mm carbon rim)  A call came for calm nearing Archer Rd, Tina stuck in an insulin flat spot needing a short slow to regain composure.  Around Roubaix corner and up to Galbraith's gate the westerly became less off a bother, a little excitement brewing for speed as Arcadia Downs came into view.  The advance line had quickly failed to recruit any additions so I filled a gap growing behind Hoffy while Frizzy stoked up the speed at the front.  Hoffy searched for a gap to hide in the left line when he ran out of drive to advance, my job to find more acceleration to get around the excitable Frizzy.  (Fairly pacy for a pensioner!)  Five hundred metres to go and I'd hit the limit of labor, but from the confines of the caboose the Sprinter made a sudden comeback with Beery now primed too (The sight of a finish line unlocks previously unavailable powers in some doesn't it?)  I waited with a few rolling to the finish line to gather up the bits broken off the back, then made our way to Degani for yet another caffeine conclusion to the circuit.

16/4  Loquacious. 

There's just fragments remaining of a once big P&W bunch, so Friday's roll with the remnants (Princess, Kylie and Fee) was quite the retrospective ride.  (Hard to believe it's been nine years since a pack of Sooty, Stace, Chops, HWK, Muntzy (who could forget?), Dutchy, DrugRob, Tommygun, Fee, Meags, Simon, SOS, Princess, Comet and co would assemble at SPC).   

West into Wanganui's 5:30 darkness had a "feels like five" freshness about it, full winter kits favored by these three, not so fond of winter (and it's only autumn!)   I was already regretting the decision to brave short knicks.  

A sedate spin suited to end a big week of a several swift ones for me, a roll of recovery suiting the sentence swapping in full swing.  Princess and Kylie guided our long drive out to Boundary Rd while sociology occupied my time alongside Fee.  I was eventually put to work into the fresh southerly beside Princess for the tour toward Channel Rd, '51 forging past on their mission toward Mitchell.   A chance to serve a sledge at The Godfather northbound with the Sanctuary squad was as much fun delivering as receiving a reply!   Tri-bar aerodynamics had the girls low, Fee (typically) talking down her tempo when she's really doing rather well  (Some things don't change)  Kylie's got a half Ironman entry to keep her future motivated but Princess had only motivated himself aboard the mud encrusted Merida for the first time this week.  (His two wheeled Davidson gets more love)  A smooth spin along Channel got us back to the Lemontree for breakfast (might be the motivating factor for some to ride?), Col and Meags joining the chin wag session while having our heads toasted under the heaters.  And with a warm breakfast in the tank, doesn't that help the motivation to remount for the ride home in even lower temperatures! 

This week 376km    YTD 4,278km