As rough as hessian underwear!

 Post #638

19/3  The tranquilizer for torment.

Coffee, toast, h.r. monitor, base layer, knicks, socks, arm warmers (yeah, winter's closing in), jersey, tool kit, tube, $, phone, gloves, helmet, shoes.   Right on time.  Now, just the bike.  Damn! Flat front tyre! (I know someone that's having a chuckle right now)   A quick but quiet fix (don't wake the significant other at stupid o'clock!) and get out the door Foss  (Crikey I'm late!)    I doubt Emil would wait beyond the agreed 5:35 rendevous but went via the meeting point anyway.  (Not a soul.)  I'd need a dose of heads down, tail up with 18 minutes to cover the 10 km through town, but wouldn't need escape velocity to do it.  Just a considered pace if I was to have something left in the tank at the starting grid.  

The stars had aligned to give me green traffic lights all the way and thanks to the usual practice of leaving home early, the leeway had given me a minute or two's grace.  A Sanctuary Drive arrival at 5:59 was a relief and allowed a moment to stock-take on oxygen.  Kreeky, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Lenny, Boof, Molly, PistolPete, Wozza, TatMat and TatPaul formed for the 6am start, the numbers seemingly in steady decline, like the temperature.  It's a foregone conclusion that PistolPete would lead the line south and I'd found a berth between the Ninja and Molly as the order got sorted toward Mitchell Rd.  With several of the regulars missing it was good to have TatMat and TatPaul on board, aside from some new conversation, they'd reduce our workload a bit (although TatPaul looked to be under a fair load at the front) 

Time to earn my keep came at the Midland highway when the Ninja moved up a rung, though her shift was short calling me across at Boundary's bridge.  Molly had shied from fronting so I had PistolPete as partner for part two (and what a gentleman he was to stifle his speed to my poor pace)  A thin figure ahead turned out to be Weapon in search for the Wouldabeens, but defected to join in and become an honorary Couldabeen.  I'd made it to Old Dookie Rd without doing a Chewbacca impersonation ; just as well 'cause Pistol and Lenny were keen to get to the Toaster lickety split.  After yesterday's 100, the old legs were a bit rubbery but second wheel to Pistol's tempo soon provided the tranquilizer (I think it's called numbness!)   Wozza and Rocket kept the hurry up on Pine Lodge North Rd (I'll blame the south southeaster) and from there the speed seemed set in stone.  Molly, TatPaul and the 5ft Ninja had confined themselves to the caboose.

That long drive west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd passed quickly, Tat Paul taking the Verney Rd escape route as we approached civilisation. I was beside TatMat from Verney to Numurkah Rd then with PistolPete to Wanganui's water treatment plant (a perfume that'd curl the nasal hairs) and that was my limit of labor, remembering the need to have something left in the tank for the Lenny and Pistol performance to come.  Movement to Mt. Wanganui was brisk.  The bolt along the Boulevard tested the legs and lungs, particularly testing the head when Rocket drew the line single filed with speed (note race face in top picture)  The Ninja dropped off the back to roll in with Molly (now o.t.a.) and I began to lose grip of Boof's wheel as low 40's for the last km wore away my willpower to hold it. A red light at the town hall got me back in touch with the pack that had stopped there, so I was gifted a sense of finishing as part of the pack.  The rise and rise of real estate and WhatsApp censorship made the noise at the Butter Factory breakfast table. 

21/3 Comin' 'round the mountain.

New routes to ride was the motivator to get out of the holiday bed on Monday.  There was no bunch for company so the fresh courses around Castlemaine provided some enthusiasm to get wheels rolling at six (not so stupid o'clock on holidays!) Google maps showed me a clockwise circuit around Mt.Alexander (746 metres) and there was a little early effort with a climb to Harcourt ; only 34 metres of elevation but hey, it's steeper than River Rd!    (It's all about ignoring the speed and managing the heart rate for this flat-lander)  Climbing continued to Harcourt North and so did dodging the skippy's bounding about as light barely lit Mt. Alexander's outline.  Glad I wasn't climbing that 'cause I'm still getting therapy for the last time I did! (a nasty 10%'er for a couple of k's)  Sutton Grange Rd at 6% got me gasping though, the groans to get enough oxygen scaring the kangaroos away. 

The descent was the reward but there was caution on the curves on this unknown road in the dark.  Google had pointed me right at the intersection toward Sutton Grange but a k later the tarmac ran out and corrugated gravel replaced it! (how appropriate that the Strava segment was titled "WTF is this?")  It should only be about 2 k's worth, maybe worth enduring - the gravel converts like Bruce and Wozza rave about the dirty habit so I suppose I should see what all the fuss is about (probably not the best introduction on slick Michelin's at 110 psi though!)   

Baum's ti frame took some of the shock so I guess my dentist will fix the dislodged fillings!  The 'roo's weren't welcome while I tried to hold the crown of the road, corrugations aplenty, ruts and wash-outs to avoid, less I have a horizontal malfunction.  Sight of the tarmac on Sutton Grange - Bendigo Rd was Christmas come early although a bit more climbing was on the menu for the 17km to Elphingstone.  The sun made an appearance though I wasn't so keen to see the climbs to come.  Eventually to Elphingstone, the path to Castlemaine was familiar, a little uphill on the Pyrenees highway to score the 7 km downhill back to base (and that'd bump the average speed up from dismal)  The incentive to empty the tank through Chewton and into Castlemaine wasn't just driven by the delight of a downhill to savor, there was a long black and palatschinken at Das Kaffeehaus to savor.

22/3 Where the &#@% is Yandoit?

I looked for a box of Kellogg's Enthusiasm at the supermarket but they tell me there' issues with it's supply.  Shame, I needed a big bowl of it without a bunch to provide motivation.  On day two of solitary confinement I reverted to the blindfolded finger on the map trick for some direction, and it showed Mt.Franklin.  Elevation on the menu again. The southbound start on the Midland was a struggle, coping with the uphills before sun-up is a bit of a stab in the dark, without seeing the summit it's hard to pace yourself and fearing expiry before getting to the top puts you in conservative mode.  No complaints, it was just me to keep up with.  Through Strathloddon and Guildford the short but steady uphills eroded the ego a bit for someone expecting low to mid thirties glued on the Garmin (a legacy of living on the flat stuff I guess).   The silhouette of Mt. Franklin was a bit of a strain to see with the sun still yet to rise but I did find the road to Newstead in the half light of 6:45.  That 50 minutes of more up than down was history for a while, quite a few k's downhill elevated the abilities for a while and there was even a breeze at the backside to help.  

I'd memorized Franklinford and Clydesdale to check I was on course but where the &#@% Yandoit was I couldn't say.  Maybe it was an intersection that blurred by or possibly that little derelict telephone exchange at the roadside? The view across the rolling hills to Hepburn Springs as the sun rose with the fog settling in the valleys was a decent distraction, beats all that flat stuff on River Rd!   The reality of the uphills had returned approaching Strangways and that's when I turned from north northwest to east, bound for Guildford.  The helmet wasn't so tight now that  high 20's became the norm and I was free to gasp and groan on the sharper climbs without alarming a bunch (although the sheep and cattle were giving me odd looks)  Groans turned to sighs back into Guildford for the 12 km back to Castlemaine, the road mostly flat (with some slight descents) so the speed was at least satisfying at the finish.

24/3  Trial by temperature.

It's a treacherous thing to lay in a warm bed as the temperature sinks to single figures, the risk of succumbing to slumber cocooned by a doona's warmth is high when you're 30% into Autumn.  That voice in the back of the skull reminded me of yesterday's weakness sleeping in and there'd be a great sense of achievement to wallow in at the ride's end......it's just Castlemaine's cold and the work to do first that had my handbrake on!   Silly enough not to pack a winter kit, I substituted a t-shirt for a base layer and braved feels like 5 in short knicks.  It'd keep the cadence up!   Today's course was clockwise, west to McKenzie hill (a 3-5% heart starter for me) then northeast to Maldon for 13 km.  A south southwest breeze chilled the bones and plenty of ruts in the road firmed the grip on the bars and punished the posterior. ( Can't have it too easy Foss or everybody would be doing this!)  There's no cars to compete with before 7 but kangaroos were commuting early, 1700 lumens from the CatEye acting as a good repellent thankfully.  

Maldon was still asleep when I went through in a northeast search for Porcupine Flat, now almost climatized to the cold (though the sun-up was about to steal another couple of degrees)    Fogarty's Gap Road is another road as rough as hessian underwear, 16 kilometres worth of 3% up (and not a lot down).....and that did little to help the head.  Walmer (half way to Harcourt) consists of four houses spread over three k's so traffic wasn't an issue here either, the steady rise to Fogarty's Gap raised the engine temperature but the air conditioning came on quickly for the 8% descent.  Not the nicest of downhills with ridges, pot-holes and the draft from passing trucks so speed was cautious in the effort to stay upright.  The Old Calder Highway (now "Harmony Way") downhill to Harcourt bumped up the average (and the chill factor), and another 7 km on the A300 back to Castlemaine (at a 0.5% descent) finished up 48 k's with that assured achievement I promised myself.......now for the thawing out process!  (The Das Kaffeehaus Viennese breakfast helped)           

25/3      Feels like four Friday morning struck me with another case of the CBF virus.  Temperature and holidays had softened me twice in a week! (Time for more concrete in the diet)

This week 219 km    YTD 3,354 km    

The spectre of speed

 Post #637

12/3 Haunted by horsepower.

A free tow to the starting grid saved me from facing a southerly to Sanctuary Drive, so thanks Rocket, Emil and GiantAndy, I'll remember you in my will! A lap or three of the side streets absorbed our 6 minute early arrival but lining up at the roundabout found it unusually vacant....PistolPete was absent! Almost a dozen lights arrived behind in the last minute, who they were was masked by bright lights piercing the darkness.  Fingers crossed there wasn't a big bias of horsepower or I'd be hanging on the back chewing bar-tape for 50km!  (Those unknown would be revealed in the rotations to come)  Boof appeared from the blackness behind to pair with Rocket for the opening act to Mitchell Rd, Grumpy and the 5ft Ninja showing up too in the 14 lights pointing south.  

The standard practice of all the wattage rising to the top brought Wozza, Trav, Lenny and Liam forward, the clan complete with The Godfather, Lance and Tina in tow. (Lights hadn't lit The Godfather yet but there were cues to hint of his presence!)  I'd been relegated to the rear by rotation arriving in Central Kialla and had caught Liam's wheel in the advance ; a third my age and four times as fast made it a massive miss-match (and a mental mountain to get over) but he doesn't bite.  Rapid but respectful really. 

GiantAndy had stayed put in the caboose which was well out of character for the big engine ; excused when he said he was doing 3 Peaks tomorrow.  (4 years on and I've almost got over the 235 km and 4684 metres of elevation in 11 hours)  Lenny had another bike from his extensive stable, the recent Cannondale aquisition with bottom bracket bother (probably can't cope with the wattage!)   Trav and Liam led the way to rooster corner so pairing with Liam on Coach Rd with a breeze at the backside helped.  All the intention in the world to get to the highway at the front does nothing when legs go lax, lungs labor and the heart does the Hiroshima thing.  

I tendered my apologies and rolled across at the Broken bridges to inherit the Ninja alongside.  And wasn't she a life saver slowing a couple of k's for the drive to the highway. The draft (albeit rather low) got my view back in focus while she, Tina and Lance did their duty to Old Dookie Rd, so I could manage a sentence or two as Grumpy, Trav and the Ninja started the chat on the aroma of Old Spice (the waft from the pork palace got the subject started!)  Joining the advance as we swung west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd started the sequence again though now pace seemed more favored to the fitter, though I was convincing self a turn could be done again despite the leg power ahead.  There wasn't going to be a full throttle thrash to Mt Wanganui was there?  

Big horsepower drives long so I was still 3rd wheel at Ford Rd (and odds on favorite to face the front in Wanganui Rd)  Rumors of a bolt along the Boulevard were brewing and that wasn't helping my head, so entering Wanganui Rd and seeing Liam assume the aero position had me raise the white flag fast!  A berth in the final four or five would give me a better chance to get to breakfast and let the lads enjoy expending the energy at the front.  Others had shuffled the deck too.  Speed was keen along the Boulevard and why wouldn't it when breakfast beckons, luckily Lance and I were spared another appearance at the pointy end when Rocket and Wozza took on the task at Tarcoola to tow us to the Butter Factory.  Hills we've climbed, pedestrian eye candy and pointers on 3 Peaks had conversations competing the breakfast table. 

15/3  Labor Day ; light on labor.

Getting the wheels turning early was the ploy to slacken the stress of commuting to Sanctuary's start.  It'd be a solitary spin today so the spectre of speed wouldn't flood the headspace with negatives.  (That could come later!)  Grumpy, The Godfather, Tina, Kreeky, Wozza, Kel, Lance, Rocket and Lenny circled the side streets waiting for six on the clock, the labor day holiday prompting a longer lap (weren't we meant to be celebrating reduced working hours?) Considerate company brought comfort and starting almost at the back helped too! Lenny and Rocket opened with an innings to Mitchell Rd, Wozza doing the distance to Central Kialla while Rocket resided in the draft.  

Kreeky was coming to grips with being back in a bunch after a week off as The Godfather sided with Wozz for the 2 k's north, their pace a little more lenient....to Tina's delight.   Placed at third wheel on the turn east into River Rd, it looked like I'd have duty at the front fairly soon with Grumpy.  He's fair on old fossils, but the downside was facing an easterly to earn my breakfast.  The reality of the shift came at Laws Drive when Grumps rolled across and took away that 10 to 15% advantage of a draft.  Kreeky was on my wheel so I had considerate back-up too.  Maintaining motion didn't need the pedal pushed through the floorboards (that dates me!) and that was somewhat satisfying under the circumstances....the head often over-rules the reality of what's really possible.  

I managed a k or so with Grumpy so to keep things equal, called my roll across for Kreeky to co-pilot till my tank went empty, kudos from Grumps sparking something to aim further.  I took a guess at driving another k but the lack of legs eventually raised the white flag, regardless of the distance.  Kreeky and Kel finished off River Rd like it was a Sunday drive while the world came back into focus rather quickly for me.  Lance and Tina calmed the hurry a little as a little light came to the horizon.  The difference in the divisions stood out as Rocket and Lenny took charge into Old Dookie Rd, the headwind not hampering their hurry to the Toaster.  Encouraging words went in Tina's ear to keep her hanging on, the guarantee of a tailwind back to town probably helped too.  Grumpy and I had the tail breeze first when our turn came due into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, and using the tactical trick of holding half a wheel back calmed Grumpy's urgency a bit and kept the speed survivable.  

Woolshed Rd was half way for me, Kreeky called on for company as I aimed at Boundary.  I must have had the blinkers on with my aim, I'd missed a pair of  roadside bunnies threatening to run amok (glad they chose not to).  Tina was taking time out in the caboose but Lance braved a drive at the front with Wozz, the Rocket and Lenny combination getting heads down and cadence up and that got us to town post haste.  It seemed likely Grumps and I would be called on for driving duty again when we were promoted back into the advance line in Wanganui Rd but I felt fairly optimistic another shift was achievable (all down to a calm commute to the start?)   Others had worked Rudd Rd and the Boulevard in the aim of getting to breakfast so Grumpy and I had just the k beyond Tarcoola's roundabout to finish the lap.  Breakfast at the Milk Bar made a different base camp (gotta love their granola!), the chat of GiantAndy's 3 Peaks assault, real service and the Soviet steamroller whiling away the time.

15/3 Civil squirrels.

Gotta love the serenity! A casual commute to the Archer St shop with Kim and Jen felt guilty.  It was only a couple of k's off the usual pace but Emil's absence allowed a brief moment of bliss!  Tina and the 5ft Ninja made up a quintet to tap the squirrels circuit and I'd been elected as Emil's understudy to do the first shift to the truck route with an east northeaster to pour some energy into.  Setting the right speed can be a difficult task ; too slow and you risk being shunted (or deafened by the snoring behind), too fast and there'll be pained protests or a knife in your back (you know that "hell hath no fury...."  thing)   So a smooth and steady build up of pace tentatively set mid 30's as a trial tempo, and with lights still behind me, silence and no stinging sensation in the spine, I figured I'd got it something near suitable.  Kim was given the elbow crossing Doyles and receiving four kind comments said the pace was perfect.  Kim, Jen and Tina performed well to the expected shifts but the Ninja was on a mission at the cypress trees to make it to Channel Rd's end.  It was of little benefit to me when her head went down in determination to drive the last k ; thin as a pin (and only a bit taller) made it a dismal draft.  

Taking on the east northeaster headed north on Boundary wasn't too bad and I'd nearly pulled back the target to reach the fig farm till the weight of expectation extended it to Old Dookie Rd.  Harden up Foss, a bit of extra effort won't kill you! There was almost a tailwind home after all.  Kim got to New Dookie and Jen to Lemnos-Cosgrove, the turn west blessed with silence now that the wind wasn't blowing between my ears.  Tina found some inspiration pointed at Lemnos, and I reckon that breeze up the backside was responsible (she did the long drive to Lemnos North Rd)   The Ninja got a wriggle-on too for our introduction to Ford Rd, succumbing to the urge to round up the speedo numbers to an even 40.  I wasn't so concerned with even numbers when given the lead again at Grahamvale Rd, 36 or 37 would do to keep the five together. (the old engine was miss-firing from a lack of caffeine anyway).  Kim had the northeasters help to drive the southern leg to Balaclava. 

17/3  Without wind....What the?

Molly had returned, Emil had traded in the fishing rod for the La Pierre but Tina had back-tracked home to get the second Specialized (No #1 had suffered a tubeless valve malfunction)    The squirrel situation was normal otherwise, with Jen, Kim, the 5ft Ninja, Emil and I ready to roll at the shop.  Wednesday's wet had us all hungry to clock some k's.  Creatures of habit that we are saw the standard sequence start eastward - Emil, me, Jen and Kim driving the usual shifts to the truck route, Orrvale Rd, the Kinder and the cypress trees where Molly took over for a short shift to Beckham's bend and that's when the Ninja was let loose.  

Right at the point of leaning into the corner, residual gravel from roadworks at the S bend cause my front wheel to skip sideways, and that spiked the heart-rate for a moment.  The 5ft Ninja had her aim set at Channel Rd's end, a little more gravel at Sellman's had the rear wheel squirm and that made my grip on the saddle a little tighter!   

The Boundary Rd opener is a regular for Emil, so I sat in the smooth wake at 2nd wheel for the promotion to the front, taking an educated guess I'd be in the hot seat at Old Dookie Rd.  Tina was found at the fig farm and climbed aboard.  Emil's elbow put me in the drivers seat as predicted, and in a stroke of perfect timing, a passing truck provided a draft to help me to New Dookie Rd.  (Gotta get a break sometime!)  How dignified to finish a shift and still have oxygen to spare!  The 1700 metres to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was ably captained by Jen, Kim driving the west way toward town, leaving the last k to Lemnos to Molly.  The Ninja did the cork-out-of-a-bottle thing into Ford Rd while the tail-enders were towed carefully back into formation.  (The rubber band will only stretch so far...... )  Tina scored the Grahamvale to Verney leg so Emil finished off the lap with his signature shift to Balaclava Rd. 

18/3  A ton (for fun?)

I craved a change of routine. I was beginning to feel like a dead hamster in the spinning wheel! A different circuit and maybe mix with some familiar (but fading) faces to spice a little variety in life. There was a craving for kilometres too, seeing as Wednesday was a washout.  A lap with the Woulda's was overdue (and with winter fast approaching, they'll all be in hiding soon!)   I could add some distance after if the craving was still strong.  Laura, AlmostRetiredTrev, Jase, Nick, Pelly, Wendy, BamBam, Crossy and Joe (not Tony) made it a decent roll-up to Kialla, looking like a shop dispenser full of Life Savers in their colorful kit.   

Joe (not Tony) won the honor of hosting the first shift to Channel Rd and had a southerly blowing an assistance, but rather than take the easy way out, he stayed on to captain to the truck route.   It seemed Indian file was kosher till Jase formed the advance line headed to Orrvale school.  Maybe AlmostRetiredTrev had set the policy on pace 'cause mid 30's seemed to be the standard.  I was happy to play by their rules, particularly if I was to add extra k's after.  It wasn't till Coach Rd that I faced the front, straight into the southerly as my luck had it!   I was co-pilot to Wendy till One Tree Dam then alongside Crossy till River Rd, lower 30's now the fashion. (Keep to that party policy Foss!)   Pelly was taking care of the caboose today, a recent case of Corona had relegated him to respite at the rear.  It's been many moons since tapping a lap with Nick, almost unrecognizable with whiskers and a new bike!  

 With just 9 swapping shifts, another turn at the front came again quickly, there's none of that 3 or 4 k turns at the front Couldabeens style with this lot! Wendy and I were at the pointy end a bit beyond Mitchell Rd's dog-leg, determination driving her to reach Central Kialla.  Relief came rounding Roubaix corner in Raftery Rd with the wind now up the back passage, the party policy now dropped with some spirited speed toward Arcadia Downs. There was nothing so inspired as a sprint in Conrod straight but Joe (not Tony) broke into the 40's to cross the finish line, the tap into town headed straight to Degani's for the essential caffeine conclusion.   

With the coffee craving cured, the matter of k's came up, so a few k's solo steered me to Archer Rd in search of the 8am faction at Adam's Rd.  If I was to do a decent distance, it wasn't going to be at supersonic speed!   Hoffy, Chilly, Geoff and Beery were the only candidates at the Adams Rd grid, the more pedestrian faction having left 10 minutes prior on a shorter course.   8 bells set wheels south in single file, the southerly now a little stronger.  Grandma ued to say a guest should bring a gift, so I took to the front at Sanctuary Drive to tow the lads to Mitchell, low 30's set as the threshold (unlike other bunches, this one had some more senior than me!)    

Turns of 2 to 3 minutes were in vogue on Mitchell, through Central Kialla and into River, so when Hoffy gave me the lead at Laws Drive I set my target at rooster corner.  How pleasant to be at the front and not blowing a head gasket to keep tempo, nice to see what the road and surroundings looked like too with the sun now well above the horizon.  Pace lifted a little on Coach Rd as Beery got excited with a tailwind, even Chilly drove a little longer than 2 minutes with the advantage.  The tyranny of distance was beginning to tell, the sit site in a little distress now the standard 45k spin was well overdrawn.  (I spared a thought for what Greg was feeling after 8 continuous days of the Tour de Cure ; I'm sure his rear would be glowing like Chernobyl's reactor 4!) Hoffy led from New Dookie Rd and gave me the heads-up of the Hill Rd route west toward Lemnos ; I hadn't tapped this road for nearly a decade, it's pot-holes and ridges reminding me why!  

Back at the front in Wanganui Rd there was little interest in speed, so I capped velocity at mid 30's to the mountain, unbeknowns that Geoff had taken Kittles Rd as an escape route to the Boulevard (We intercepted a few minutes later)  vvI bid my adieu's in town (their cafe of choice certainly not mine) and headed homeward, a check of the odometer finding I was 3 k short of the century.  To satisfy the o.c.d. within, a few laps of the block were rolled just to get the ton recorded.

This week 316 km     YTD 3,134 km            

Hurt first, laughs later.

 Post #636

6/3 Paying penance.

Sunday's usually my sabbath.  One day in seven to ease the effort and give the old engine a holiday from hurt.  But with Saturday a washout, I needed to feed the addiction Sunday to log a few k's.  Yes, I'll admit I have the full blown variant!  

Superman's WhatsApp suggestion of a 7:30 spin was pounced on, most others have that dirty habit of going MTB on Sundays and a solo ride lacked any sort of appeal.  Even BamBam and SuperMario hinted an interest in attendance though I'd be a brave soul putting money on their arrival.  There was a penance to pay for riding on a Sunday though, a 26-43 km/h southerly lay in wait.  There were cruel k's to cover down to Kialla Lakes Drive and the conclusion was already foregone that Superman would be the solitary one at the grid.  At least the suffering would be shared.  I had no argument with him doing the first shift into the wind on Archer Rd (trusting he wasn't about to set a supersonic speed) but was happy to share the workload (we'd survived working together for wages 25 year ago).   The way to Central Kialla was easier but believing the Bureau that we had a southerly was difficult ; I sensed some westerly about it too. 

Superman did the drive east so I felt guilty getting the easy turn north to River Rd.  It felt wrong to be in the draft as Superman did the work to River Rd's bridge so I led the rest of River to rooster corner as a sort of compensation. (there were regrets reaching the rumble strips though, playing the hero hurt!)  Legs loved the northbound of Coach Rd, a couple of k's spent paired for a chat till getting back into Indian filed format at Channel Rd.  I could believe the Bureau now, wind was right up the Khyber!  Superman towed me north to Old Dookie Rd so I did the distance to Lemnos-Cosgrove, wondering what the work would be like bearing west.  As it happened, not so bad after all.  Captained by Superman to the main channel, I faced the front to Lemnos North Rd ; again sensing some westerly about it.  (it's possibly pessimism causing it)  Giving the task of Ford Rd's first leg to Superman, I did the Grahamvale to Numurkah Rd bit.  We'd halved Wanganui's length between us then did  shorter halves of Rudd ; neither of us so happy to be back into the headwind with 45 k's of wear and tear. Would I have tapped a Sunday lap solo? Doubt it.  And if I did, would the speed be the same? Nope! Was suffering that wind to get a lap done worth it?  Of course! Thanks Superman, having a partner for the pain paid off! Our paths separated at Tarcoola's roundabout to keep to the day's agenda, penance paid but the suffering shared.

 

7/3 The "bangin' your head against a brick wall 'cause it's nice when you stop" theory.  

Here we go again! Pushing the pain barrier into a headwind again, just to get to the start line.  (or is it just me that's wringing out the reserves of energy?) A sensible person would slow down and lessen the labor, but there's a magnetism (or is it masochism?) to this mob that charge around the back roads of town at stupid o'clock. You can count on Lenny, Wozza, Bo, Emil, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja, Bruce, PistolPete, Tina, The Godfather and Kel as the regulars to ride, and you can guarantee PistolPete will get the bunch rolling (there weren't many others keen to work into the wind for 3 k's). 

 Like several others, I'd positioned myself at the back to let those more capable have the distinction of driving, figuring I'd already served a sentence of hard labor getting to the grid.  Onto The Godfather's wheel in the advance line through Central Kialla, I had all bets placed on reaching the front with a tailwind.  Let's hope those ahead would serve a solid turn in River Rd to tow me to rooster corner.  A bike approached from the north but saved a u-turn to join us till we'd crossed paths (obviously had the horsepower to chase!)  It was JJ (more than able to get aboard) but the bunch slowed for a moment of courtesy.  Wozza and Emil took charge at River Rd's dip, my bet looking safe with that sort of wattage paired at the front.  The Godfather inspired their effort by whistling (Dixie?) at second wheel, but performed well himself when Emil rolled the turn at the quarter horse gates.  I'd got my wish of a turn with a tailwind, The Godfather being a compliant co-pilot into the bargain! Yeah, I could handle the speed that had been set with the wind at my posterior.....but those Garmin numbers had escalated by the Broken bridges. If this was to be a decent drive something was needed in the tank to reach the highway. 

JJ drew alongside to partner part two, and was on for a chat.  It's ok for the young ones to bolt along at supersonic speed, chatting away without a care in the world, but at three times his age, I was in oxygen deprivation mode!  A gasp of "Talk....(big breath)......later" was my reply.  The measure of fitness is said to be how fast your heart rate can settle from maximum, and I wanted that now!  The reality was feeling almost human a couple of k's later.  Others moved forward for their driving donation, some with ease and others with effort while the trauma of my turn slowly faded with the treat of a tow home. It does feel good when you stop, coffee afterward made the good even better  (yeah, silly enough to do it all again tomorrow!)

8/3  A wee waft of wind, grounds for divorce? and do I buy a gravel bike?

 

A southerly served up suffering again on Tuesday, and I thought September was the windy month!  At least some of the circuit steered north so a part of the lap would be easy.  30-40 km/h worth furrowed the brow and cooked the calves to get to the starting grid (though that was half the commute the 5ft Ninja had to do solo)  Kim, Jen, Emil and Tina converged on the Archer St shop, planning a suitable squirrel circuit 'cause half the Channel Rd section was layered in gravel.  The Sanctuary circuit substituted.  Starting early would put us ahead of  the Sanctuary squad but might have just made us their bait.  There were no arguments when Emil took the first shift south and just for a change, I'd scored 3rd wheel in the Indian filed procession toward Mitchell Rd. Eagerness enticed Emil to drive to the truck route and Jen championed the cause to Mitchell Rd.  How kind to be towed for the headwind leg, but fighting the wind at the port side to Central Kialla wasn't a lot of fun.  Tina had the treat of a tail wind to River Rd.  Punishment from the port side would be with us to rooster corner and Kim faced the ferocity first, handing the hurt to the 5ft Ninja at the bridge. 

 Holding a straight line was like a politician holding a promise as 40 km/h gusts whipped at the wheels so getting a great draft by overlapping wheels was a high risk occupation.  (Sit back and suffer in safety Foss!) The Ninja did well to drive beyond Trevaskis Rd (it's a wonder she wasn't blown to Sydney!), Emil taking on the task to reach rooster corner, though his eagerness became cruelty for Kim a k from the rumble strips. Coach Rd had a surprise layer of gravel applied too (a coating for it's new 20mm coarse stone re-seal...straight over the pot holes naturally!)   

The thought of 34mm treaded tyres suddenly sounded appealing (buying a gravel bike just for the occasion a bit beyond my budget though).   Slick 25's squirmed under the varied thicknesses of loose stone, hardly a feeling of security as Jen set a cautious 40 northward.  Doing a short shift from Channel Rd to the highway allowed Tina, Kim and the Ninja a turn with a tailwind ; I reckoned they deserved it from the prior punishment. The Ninja added another k west on Old Dookie Rd, Emil handed the reigns at School Rd to drag us to Central Ave.  Pace crept gradually upward.  Emil stayed on in the captains role and aimed at Dobson's but Kim had slipped from the slipstream and was relegated o.t.a.  (I believe it's explained in "How to Pickle Your Partner" by Emil ; available at your local bookseller!) Easing off the accelerator got the line back into the order (for a moment) so Tina and I combined to donate a draft for Kim.  A cruise to coffee was in order.

9/3  Sorta social.

A magical mystery tour of Sanctuary's side streets, guided by Greg, Bruce and Lenny, distracted the distress of driving into the southerly with Emil to get there.  Yeah, yet another southerly taxed lungs and legs to get to Wednesday's "social" spin.  (you'll note the cautious use inverted commas)  Grumpy, Bo, Rocket, Kel, Boof, Wozza, PistolPete, Tina, the 5ft Ninja and The Godfather appeared out of the darkness to converge on the roundabout and thanks to the kindness of PistolPete and Rocket, we were towed through the headwind to reach Mitchell Rd without serious psychological injury. 

How they managed to do that in the high 30's I don't know.  Fitness? Youth? Drugs? All three?  (I'm not greedy, just one would do me nicely!)  The Godfather sat a couple of metres off the wheel ahead, Grumpy did that shoulder thing and Kel smoothed the path ahead as I followed in the advance line, the stress eased bound for River Rd with the wind at our tails.  Feels like 11 had drawn a lot of arm-warmers out of mothballs (beats feeling like a steamed dim-sim last week I guess!)  Entertainment was provided free in River Rd as The Godfather distributed insults to those he passed in the left line, though there was silence when he paired with Bo for the northward leg on Coach Rd, today swept a little of the loose stuff covering it yesterday.  No drift demonstrations today!  

Kel and The Godfather provided pace on Boundary, so wasn't I blessed when Kel rolled the turn beyond the bridge ; scoring a tailwind helped to keep pace with Mrs Smoothie.  The distance to Old Dookie Rd was doable.  Tina tried a turn westbound and I was happy to hold her speed.  Something's better than nothing Tina (despite what Bo may say) but there was not a lot left in her tank to reach School Rd, so tucked in for a tow while I tried tempo with Emil.  PistolPete played co-pilot toward Central Ave, the cumulative effect of the town's lights in view and a caffeine craving had an effervescent effect on effort to finish fast. So much for the social standards!

10/3  A hint of winter to help h.t.f.u.

Of course a southerly blew again, but today "feels like 7" was the distraction from the wind of just how close winter is.  To cure the cold, an earlier search found a forlorn base-layer at the bottom of the cupboard.  It's probably timely to unearth all the other insulation.  A sign of the layering process to come. (better set an earlier alarm soon too!) The 5ft Ninja, Kim, Tina and Emil met at the Archer St shop with the decision to put Channel Rd back on the menu, now that most of the loose gravel had thinned.  The standard Squirrel sequence set east toward Coach Rd with caution on the cards at the cypress trees for the loose stuff.  (I reckon Coach Rd was worse)  Jen's absence meant all 5 had done a turn by the end of Channel Rd, the southerly (13-19 km/h) made Boundary Rd the bonus.  

Emil had it easy to Old Dookie, my shift to New Dookie without stress so Kim enjoyed the help to Lemnos-Cosgrove ; Tina and the Ninja missed out.  (Luck of the draw I guess). They performed well against the side wind on the west way to Lemnos though.  The increase in workload was noticeable with Jen and Molly missing.  Emil was odds on favorite to drive to Grahamvale Rd so I had the shorter shift to Verney - time today to harden up and add the southerly section to Balaclava as well.  Oh that's right, there was a headwind to face!  Martyrdom paid the price of pain by the time I neared Graham St and just as I was about to throw an elbow of resignation, Emil saved my day by taking on the lead role. 

11/3  Camaraderie and kit co-ordination.

Call me Mr. Despondant, I was almost ready to crawl back into bed hearing yet another southerly blowing Friday morning.  Really?  A weeks worth of wind?  Had I incurred the wrath of Boreas, Zephyrus, Notus and Eurus? *   The thought of keeping pace with Emil's enthusiasm for 10 k's straight into it quickly threw a blanket over my motivation, but the camaraderie of the clan was the magnet to get moving.  (Hurt first, laughs later Foss!)  The wind wasn't as brutal as earlier in the week but the battle into it seemed like a losing one, legs protesting all the way to Sanctuary Drive.  Lenny, Tina, Emil, Jen, PistolPete, Bruce, Kel, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja, Wozza, Kim, Boof and Bo arrived with kits coordinated for the Friday ritual and many were in luck that PistolPete and Wozza bore the brunt of the wind to Mitchell Rd (how come they can can drive into the wind for 3 k's in the high 30's unruffled? Oh yeah, a bucket full of wattage helps!) 

Almost at the back (my usual berth in the bunch in the beginning) in a sandwich between Jen and Tina, the serenity struck me as strange until the penny dropped......The Godfather was absent!  Speed continued through Central Kialla though the effort had eased a bit ; maybe because I'd become tuned into the tempo or that the wind was no longer head-on, probably 'cause calculations had me at the front with a tail wind.     Rocket, Lenny, Bruce and Kel took their turns at train driving to drag us to rooster corner, the way north to the highway commanded by Bo, Kel and the 5ft Ninja (Kim did a covert transition to the left line)    

Jen (still in rehab from a gastric malfunction) took a short shift to Boundary Rd's bridge when we crossed the highway, and that allowed me to keep pace without bursting a boiler.  Tina braved a turn toward the fig farm though Bo berated her call for Emil to roll early.  With power aplenty, Emil and PistolPete drove west to Central Ave.   The craving for coffee (to offset the "feels like 8") helped overcome the the hurt of forcing 40 out of the legs to SPC, but all was forgotten with caffeine in the system and the social sustenance that accompanies it.  

(*the Greek gods of wind if you missed that history lesson!)

This week 283km         YTD 2,817km