Dedication (or delirium?)

 Post #650

18/6 The want for warmth.

A free tow to the start line wasn't to be sneezed at, so a little extra effort to catch the draft of Boof, Wozza and Rocket at Benalla Rd was worth it. Being dragged along in the slipstream for 5 km meant a little extra in the tank for the Saturday spin, and that might be handy if hurry was on the menu.  The dozen at the Sanctuary grid (Bruce, Rocket, Trav, Boof, Bo, Emil, Wozza, the 5ft Ninja, Greg, Liam and PistolPete) were the usual soldiers that suffer this stuff, assembled for duty as the temperature gauge bottomed at 0.  Surprise, surprise, PistolPete had taken a long overdue break from the lead role so Bruce and Wozza guided our way to Mitchell Rd.   

I was leaning on the excuse of a recovering back strain to berth toward the back.  TatPaul arrived to make it a bakers dozen to Central Kialla, the speed set in the survivable mid to high 30's which kept stress suppressed (for now!)   I'd almost slipped into a comfort zone on River Rd ; speed had smoothed, limbs had limbered and it'd be several k's before I'd face the front, but a halt was hollered near the quarter horse stud for Trav's deflating back tyre.  The mandatory sledges soon faded as Trav's frustrations grew with world championship wrestling needed to get a stubborn Continental onto a Reynolds wheel (some wheel and tyre combinations aren't a pleasant pairing)   

Quips went quiet when a recalcitrant rear wheel wouldn't refit and the Jamis was close to being launched over the paddock's fence. (repairs in dark, damp and freezing conditions rarely go well)  The restart shuffled me down the order to be on Trav's (stubborn) wheel for the north leg of Coach Rd.  I'd found my second wind as the bunch crested Boundary Rd's bridge (frustrating when you're 3rd wheel and bound to be half cooked when finally at the front).  With winter's solstice just a few days away we'll be over the hump soon and eventually get longer days though a couple of months of cold still to come doesn't do much for enthusiasm. 

Traffic split the pack entering Old Dookie Rd so the call for a little calm gained me a few bonus breaths till Bruce and Trav wound up the watts again to lead the lines east to the Toaster (where I'd finally face the front).  A morning without wind was a bonus and a certain comfort comes with Trav's co-operative co-piloting ; we'd set the pace and other folks standards could go to hell!  (I was quietly chuffed to find 36's and 37's on the speedo anyway)  Liam was my partner for part two and he'd respectfully backed off the throttle so I didn't develop an inferiority complex.  The signs of Liam's 'Zwift-itis' was obvious as he faced the real world chill in the drivers seat, arms shielding his chest from the chill.  More muscle for momentum was needed as he and Emil captained the way west, bumping up the tempo to touch 40 (but that's standard Saturday practice when headed to town)  Not a bike or a bunch was found headed east ; too cool for Cats obviously.  The 5ft one had done a sneaky shift out of the advance and into the left line as the lads with lots of labor delivered long shifts to deliver us into the suburbs.  

Colour in the sky put a positive into the morning, shame the temperature was now in the negative. Speed stayed survivable along Wanganui Rd so being 2nd wheel in Rudd Rd wasn't like approaching Armageddon.  I was ready to face the work at the front beyond Canterbury's roundabout, but Boof saved my stress by leading the hurry along the Boulevard and as Indian file became the fashion to thread the line around parked cars, being relegated 4th wheel didn't tax an empty tank either.  Being towed to the start line then towed again to breakfast is being spoiled ; nice work if you can get it!   Beer festivals, podcasts and rising the ranks of the motorsport ranks captured conversations at the Butter Factory table (and distracted thoughts of facing the cold commute home)

20/6  Mild? Dry? This ain't June! 

For a moment I thought I'd been tele-ported to another planet!  A mild 8 degrees and dry roads was certainly out of character for June.  A recurrence of lower back pain got me grizzling just a k down the road and a northeaster would give me something to grizzle about in Mitchell, River, Coach or Boundary Rd's (and just my luck,  I'd get to the front somewhere along there). So what perfect timing it was to have Rocket and Wozza join the commute on Archer Rd ; it only took a fraction of a foot fumble at the Benalla Rd lights for Wozz and Emil to take charge of the drive south and tow this broken down old timer to the start. (Saturday all over again!) 

The standard winter squad (Kel, The Godfather, Rocket, Bruce, Wozza, Emil, the 5ft Ninja, Kreeky, Greg, Bo and PistolPete) had formed with a few feeling a little second-hand from the weekend beer festival (I have little sympathy for self-inflicted wounds!)  A rusty lower spine didn't allow great acceleration, so I'd slipped to 2nd last as Pistol and Emil set sail toward Mitchell Rd.  The northeaster felt far more easterly than the bureau's reckoning so I had hoped of being towed to River Rd's end before facing the front in Coach Rd.  Bruce, Greg, Rocket and Wozza did their bit to drag the pack through Central Kialla and well along River Rd to the quarter horse fence, Kel and Kreeky from there with the (mainly) easterly eroding energy fast (not a very nice birthday present for Kel!) 

Doing the last k of River Rd with Kreeky is a requisite of Rule #67 I guess (serving your term can't always be with the wind in your favor) so I should be thankful that part two (northbound) had the wind coming in at 2 o'clock.  Thankful that Greg had called "your speed" when he paired with me in Coach Rd, I could at least aim a getting to the Broken bridges as a thankyou.  Greg did me a second favor supplying a great slipstream, the Ninja (surprisingly) facing the front with Greg with a goal to get to the highway.  Intention is sometimes ruined by reality though, the Ninja quickly seeking a draft a bit beyond Channel Rd (10 out of 10 for trying at least!)  Cats had made a rare appearance southbound (mild temperature and a tailwind must have rallied them from bed!) while PistolPete and Emil, fast regardless of wind direction, started their second shift aimed at Old Dookie Rd.  That 8 k's westbound to town ended the woes of wind for most of the lap, so of course speed was dialed up in the pursuit of the finishing trophies...... caffeine! 

22/6  Well, that dampened the enthusiasm!

Blind optimism ignored Wednesday's forecast ; my money was on the almost clear radar to get a ride in after being denied by Tuesday's downpour.  Like Bruce, Greg, PistolPete, Jen, Emil, The Godfather, Tina, Bo, Rocket, Kel, Boof, Kim, the 5ft Ninja and Wozza turning up to Sanctuary Drive as spits fell from the sky, I recognise the signs of addiction!  Call it dedication (or is it delirium?) that drives the quest for k's in these conditions, faith in the rain abating set the 15 southbound on yet another lap to fill the endorphin tank.  Considering the damp tarmac and Kim and Tina's comeback, Emil and PistolPete set a social standard of speed to Mitchell Rd, lack of acceleration with that nagging back relegating me to the rear where The Godfather lurked from his last moment arrival.  Spits from the sky continued and turned the tarmac glossy, not quite to the level of making rooster tails from the wheels or making soggy socks.  Hope springs eternal! 

Central Kialla became the comfort zone when the drizzle stopped while Wozza and Rocket carefully controlled the velocity to keep everyone happy (nobody shied from joining the advance line)    Wind direction is normally the cause of contention but speed vs the damp was today's concern ; particularly on corners.  Those two thumbnails worth of contact with the road is my red flag.     Boof, Greg and Bruce showed considerable restraint in keeping pace diplomatic while Jen, Kim and Tina lined up for duty with The Godfather playing backstop.  Coach Rd wasn't so damp.  Kim and Tina made an effort in the drivers seat to the Broken bridges, The Godfather on his best behavior (away from Bo's baiting) resisting turning up the tempo when he was called to lead. Hadn't I scored well to be alongside to the highway. 

Officially over the hump of winter's solstice, the days are now longer (a whole minute per day!) though it will be many months before we have light in the sky at stupid o'clock!  The 5ft one paired with me to Boundary Rd's bridge (needless to say the Cats were noticed by their absence!) and I'd reckoned we'd be home and dry by the look of the high clouds lit by the city's lights, but of course another shower came to dampen the enthusiasm.  Into town, caution came back on the agenda to deal with traffic and the slick path to the Butter Factory, the damp and spotted squad particularly keen for caffeine. 

24/6 Racing rain.

For the first time in three weeks the old back had finally shut up, giving comfort to the commute to Sanctuary.  I missed that being stabbed in the back pain like I'd miss a prostate exam! Emil's absence had taken pressure off the pace but getting a lap done before the forecast rain was the doubt of the day.  

Numbers were down at the starting grid, a few probably gun-shy from yesterday's drenching, but the 5ft Ninja, Greg, The Godfather, Kel, Rocket, Boof, Bo, PistolPete and Bruce made up a workable team to form two rows southbound at 5:40.   Yet again I'd found myself on the Ninja's wheel as 10 got sorted into some sort of order, the northerly wind keeping progress keen down to Mitchell Rd and stacking the pack across the tarmac toward Central Kialla.  The Godfather and Rocket went toe to toe on tempo north to River Rd, the headwind of little hindrance to their speed (I'll have what they had for breakfast!) while I tucked into Greg's slipstream joining the advance, the plum position for a draft in this pack of short ones!   Fingers crossed I'd get my turn done before Coach Rd and the headwind in it)   Bruce and Boof had served their penance at the pointy end to River Rd's dip, so with gritted teeth and the appropriate cadence I faced the music alongside Greg with an aim of getting to the quarter horse fence.  

But thinking about the effort needed for part two, I soon shortened that goal a couple of hundred meters. Good choice Foss, the Ninja was a formidable force for the kilometer to follow.  There was little respite when Bo advanced and the 5ft one rolled to the left line; until I can get my head under the handlebars I'll just have to suffer the dismal draft!  Bo and Kel bore the brunt of the headwind in Coach Rd and Pisto[Pete had withdrawn from duty with a lack of lumens.  A smaller squad meant a second shift to serve so back into the advance I went while The Godfather and Rocket provided the shenanigans of speed toward the highway (Funny, The Godfather was strangely silent)  

I sought a seniors discount on speed from Greg when he merged left after a long drive with Bruce to Central Ave, encouraging words helping me to reach Dobson's bridge but where I'd find the effort for part two was the mystery. (I reckon I'd drained the tank dry on Greg's kudos)  Hoping the Ninja would do a short shift and I'd get a breath or two from the half draft thereafter was wishful thinking, Miss Determined was on for a drive to the truck route regardless. (my hopes had little faith in getting to the goal but stubbornness got me there).  Something more was found for the swift shift to SPC and how lucky we were to reach the Butter Factory bone dry for the essential pit stop to fuel up on caffeine, the first few spots from the sky coming on the commute home.  Perfect timing!

This week 215km   YTD 6,352km

That possessed Irishman Bryan Taaffe continues his 'round Australia epic, now nearing Port Lincoln in South Australia with 12,746 km covered in 37 days.  With 11 days left to reach Melbourne, a record may just be broken.                    

A blessed baptism

 Post #649

15/6  Tour de turtle

Ten days off two wheels would mean a tough return to reality.  Aside from a slow-to-recover back injury, I'd almost lost the habit of getting up at "sparrows flatulence" and the 'feels like freezing' temperatures would need serious contemplation of Rule #5.  A short and slow baptism back on the bike was figured to be a sensible re-introduction.  Swinging the leg over the saddle took a degree of care and once wheels got turning it took a while to climatise to the steering and seat height, happy to have hands on hoods rather than stretch to be down on the drops.  Speed was of no importance, an icy northeaster would punish pace anyway. (Do we really ride in this sort of stuff?  How soon it's erased from the memory banks!)  A short loop of the towns north would be enough to gauge to roadworthiness for today, though it's funny how seeing a snail-like speed soon gets some urge into the legs.  It was probably a good thing that the wind was fair in the face along Wanganui Rd 'cause it handbraked any hope of hurry ; the sting in the erector spinae was the reminder that I needed a carefully considered plan to get back to pace.  A tail wind down Verney Rd eased a lot of the effort and lengthy delays at the traffic lights lightened the load too so with barely 20 km covered a latte and laughter with the crew at the Butter Factory became the essential medicine to conclude.  Maybe something a little longer tomorrow?

16/6 (Frustratingly) fractionally faster.

Getting back into the cycle of stupid o'clock starts takes some effort, a similar effort applied to getting ready to ride in minimum light with minimum noise (don't wake the minister for home affairs if you know what's good for you!).  My top priority was not to confuse the Deep Heat used for the crook back for the chamois cream!   Not yet brave enough to join the bunch, a solo roll 'round the golf course loop got some warmth in the legs and a little confidence in the head when the northwester helped the path along Wanganui Rd.  The search was on for squirrels somewhere on Ford Rd to hitch a ride back to town, just to bring back briefly some sense of bunch riding (proverbially sticking a toe in the shallow end, but hey,  it's a start)   

With enough overnight damp to force a bit of puddle dodging, I'd barely got across Grahamvale Rd when three lights appeared on Ford Rd's horizon.   Half a k on, a u-turn got the northwester in the face while the head readied for speed something above my snail-like solo standard.  Only Emil, Tina and Jen had embraced Rule #9 and getting into the draft of three was a little like Christmas (just as well Emil's tempo was set at tame)  That short spin to Verney Rd in the mid 30's was a very short and subtle introduction to the work needed for a return to form.  I hoped for a bit more work to test the form but a bit's better than nothing.  Hardly earning the easier roll to Balaclava Rd, the brief shower that sullied the kit and got the bike filthy may have been the payback.  

17/6  Back to bunch business.

....."a carefully considered plan to get back on pace".  Yeah right! (just dive into the deep end Foss and get back to bunch business ; what could go wrong? (o.t.a. and a dented ego?)   The lure of a lap with the pack forced a fair bit of h.t.f.u. for Friday, besides I was already tiring of my own company sulking around on slow solo's.  So I braved the stupid o'clock start at Tarcoola's roundabout and intercepted Emil's commute to Sanctuary to join the clan for the compulsory kit day celebrations.  A rather wet Thursday night left the legacy of a damp tarmac so all all the effort of cleaning the bike yesterday came undone just a k south from home. A decent crowd of Bo, Grumpy, Kreeky, Emil, Greg, Wozza, Bruce, Kel, The Godfather, PistolPete, the 5ft Ninja, Liam, Boof and Trav converged on the roundabout for the 5:40 flagfall and of course PistolPete set the course south into Archer Rd's darkness.  

Cautious (chicken?) me tucked into 4th wheel (left line) while the brave formed the right row for the advance.  In the draft of three ahead had fringe benefits sheltered from the south southwester.  Feels like 2.5 had a good effect of numbing any back pain but most of my concerns were on how I might fair at the front.  Plenty of chat with those advancing for duty told me I wasn't running the old engine on the red-line so the more like social speed was a blessed baptism back into bunch standards.  Grumpy questioned the sanity of riding in less than ordinary conditions but being a fair weather rider doesn't fair well in the big picture does it?   Trav quite rightly questioned riding on the rivet all the time ; the pure pleasure of riding for the joy of it has it's place in anybody's schedule (unless you're a masochist!)  

Reaching the rear in River Rd had a moment of hesitation to join the advance but Kreeky ahead and the Ninja behind wasn't a bad berth at all, there was just the challenge of a decent view as specs fogged on the inside and were spotted on the outside from rooster tails of water sprayed from  wheels ahead  (here's mud in your eye without them!) Liam and Trav drove the path north to the Broken bridges, Kel and The Godfather introducing us to Boundary Rd (while just a solitary Cat rolled south) and when Zig and Zag, or is it Abbott and Costello? (Bo and The Godfather) paired to tow us to Old Dookie Rd, I suspected mischief.  Strangely, they were on good behavior!  Bo and Kreeky were in charge of the west way toward town so when Kreeky rolled across at School Rd I scored the SSW'er to suffer.  (Pessimism aside, I wasn't going too bad)   

Kreeky seemed to be running out of steam nearing Central Ave and I'd planned to roll across there anyway, I was certain the Ninja wouldn't crucify me for part two of the shift.  But the Ninja failed to front!   Emil was my new co-pilot and I quickly called Dobson's bridge as my limit.  The engine wasn't quite valve bouncing getting there but the relief in the draft was heaven sent. (Just the job of hanging on now for 3 k's to town)  With no pause at the truck route for traffic, the momentum helped to stay aboard for the squirt to SPC, the satisfaction of being within the bunch at the finish (and not o.t.a. in cloud of scattered feathers) was a confidence boosting conclusion to a short week.

This week 90km   YTD 6,137km

And that possessed Irishman still rolls along on his mission to lap Australia in record time.  10,532km in just 30 days is capital D for determination! Check out Bryan Taaffe on Strava in his effort to lap Australia (unsupported) in less than 48 days and 22 hours.     

Charging through the chill.

 Post #648

28/5 Pea soup and Holy Cow!

The outer layer was already damp from the fog at the end of my street and doesn't that apply a psychological handbrake. (Feels like riding through porridge already!)  But Saturdays have a certain social magnetism.  Expectations of a reasonable roll up weren't high but finding Wozza, Trav, Emil, Boof, PistolPete, The Godfather, Bruce, Lenny, GiantAndy, LiamM, Grumpy, Lili and Rocket at the starting grid wasn't so bad under the circumstances.  (although no Tina, no 5ft Ninja, no Molly.....in winter retirement already?) Deliberately positioning at 3rd wheel behind Pistol and Boof in the left line when the pack rolled south bought me some warm-up time before serving duty (I should stop taking the easy way out ; diving in the deep end first might stop the softening!) 

 Conditions weren't ideal but better than yesterday - fog wasn't so thick, roads were dry and good grief, we could see further than 20 metres ahead!    Trav, Grumpy and GiantAndy had braved bare knees ; clearly the rest of us are softer (or sensible?)      It was odd to find a light approaching in Mitchell Rd, the rarely sighted TatPaul arriving from the west to u-turn and get aboard.  The Godfather and Grumpy had the reigns in Boundary Rd but a sudden holler beyond the fig farm started a chorus of discs squealing.  A cow in the middle of the tarmac was the commotion. (kangaroos and rabbits are the usual chicanes so this was different!)  The Godfather's vociferous "Moooo!" had it dispatched rapidly.  

It takes a minute or so to settle nerves as the relief of all staying upright sinks in, but soon enough we were back to the business of the Saturday circuit, Toaster bound on Old Dookie Rd.  (TatPaul had taken an exit west to town.)   Lenny and Bruce led us to Pine Lodge North Rd for Lili's turn on the go pedal, Bruce serving up the encouragement for her to go beyond her comfort zone and aim for the church.  But that left her an empty tank at New Dookie Rd for part two of the shift.  My turn came up early.   Bruce played  fair beside me to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and I already knew there wasn't the reserves to drive west with Boof to the Pine Lodge Creek, so just help pace till the tank ran empty.  Fog seemed to thicken as the sun attempted to light the sky, that soaked sensation helped by water dripping from the helmets' front. (Part of that Rule #9 thing?)  

LiamM must have skipped an earlier shift, finally reporting for duty at the front near Boundary Rd ; part one with PistolPete had plenty of pace but part two beside Rocket he faded fast. (Hard to find that half time limit eh LiamM?)  On time constraints, GiantAndy headed homeward at Lemnos North Rd  but his absence wouldn't halt the hurry from Wanganui Rd.  (I reckon there were several ready to serve up some suffering nearer town)    Wanganui Rd wasn't so painful in the high 30's though no rest in Rudd Rd turned legs a bit like jelly, so when Bruce hit the boost at Canterbury's roundabout, the pace turned the bunch Indian file. Demoted back from 2nd wheel to 4th when two rows turned one put some luck on my side, the real bonus would be not to see an elbow to usher me forward.  Fog kept wits sharp to avoid parked cars on the Boulevard, at least the road and the roundabouts weren't soaked.  Despite the energy spent, there's always satisfaction to reach the Butter Factory for breakfast and refuel an empty tank (you only bang your head against a brick wall 'cause it's nice when you stop!), the chat on bones we've broken, mortgages and used cars distracted thoughts of thrashed legs. 

30/5  Emil's enthusiasm.

Plenty of wind and the threat of rain wasn't the warmest welcome to the week but there's something about this addiction that drags you back on the bike.  A narrow window on the radar had opened to let me, Bruce, Wozza, Kim, Bo,PistolPete, Rocket, Tina, The Godfather and Kel get our fix.  At least it wasn't foggy.  After failed attempts at getting a lazy Lezyne operating, Emil led the parade south into Archer Rd, sticking to PistolPete's standards of a prudent pace to the truck route but becoming rather enthusiastic with the tailwind to Mitchell Rd.  (I guess the lack of a speedo could be a reasonable excuse)  but Tina had been cast off the back.  An ease of speed to congregate the bunch worked in my favor ; it was my turn to front the drive east with a northeaster in the face  (and I'd only just talked myself into hardening up for an early shift!)   I could use my tame tempo as an excuse for letting those struggling get back aboard.  

Indian file had given way to two rows, PistolPete my co-pilot to Central Kialla Rd.  Humiliation wasn't so bad when Pistol and Wozz only raised the pace a couple of clicks to River Rd.  Wind had kept the chat quiet (The Godfather the exception of course) while Kel and Bo guided our path along River Rd.    Kim and Tina had locked themselves into the caboose so it was back into the advance line for me before I knew it. (Two turns today Foss, harden up old timer!)   Bo called enough at the Broken bridges so Bruce rolled across to leave me whipped by the wind (relieved he called "your speed") but I had little hesitation to hurry to the highway, something was needed for a respectable part two with PistolPete in Boundary Rd.   Respectable got me to the bridge where the white flag was raised.  The northeaster made the 8 k's west on Old Dookie like a holiday for hammered legs but rather than a rapid trip to suburbia, some decorum was saved for those who'd been working overtime just to stay aboard.

1/6 Winters wonderful welcome.

Being judged badass was probably the sole reason to ride.  Finding a few others at Wednesday's grid would help too..... if only to justify riding in feels like minus 2.8.   A west northwester at 20-28 km/h was our welcome to winter (as if we needed it) and that would give us heaven to Boundary Rd and hell back home.  Naturally PistolPete played pilot south to Mitchell Rd and despite a few attempts to form an advance line, Indian file stuck.  Boof, Kel, The Godfather, Bo, Emil, Wozza, Bruce, Rocket and Greg lined up astern. (none wanted a partner at the front facing the wind homeward obviously)  

Greg got the bliss of the breeze up the backside to Central Kialla though a hint of northerly fanned ten across the tarmac.  Single file certainly sucks the 'social' out of the ride but under the circumstances, focus on steering a straight line took priority.  The Godfather's torque took us to River Rd where Boof did the shift to the bridge.  Wozza's watts worked us to the bridge while my focus was a mental metronome for cadence as the crank sensor battery went on strike (and that averted thoughts of who might get the opening bout of headwind 10 k's ahead in Old Dookie Rd).  Rocket drove the train out of the dip but Kel had withdrawn from duty for respite at the rear (running on 7 cylinders from yesterday's migraine)  so i was moved up a rung to Bo's back wheel.  Emil had the northbound task along Coach Rd to the highway, doing the 3200 metre haul as expected ; a little easier on pace so the line astern could find shelter from the wind at the portside bow.  

Bo was trusted with tempo crossing the highway, my wish that he'd do a half turn so I'd avoid the head-on hurt in Old Dookie.  No elbow from Bo at the bridge and hopes sunk at the fig farm....he was doing the long haul to avoid the Old Dookie drama too!  (This must be International Harden-up Week!)   Given duty at the front, I was surprised to get 35 on the speedo heading toward School Rd but there'd be an ugly mess if I managed to get there at that pace, so the aim was shortened when effort nearly doubled to keep tempo 300 metres later.  I begged Bruce to take over just shy of the bridge (and just shy of blowing a gasket) so the last of the legs labor was used to get back aboard when Kel called me in.  Recovery wasn't going to happen in a hurry even in the draft to Central Ave so when Bruce's headlight did a dismount there was a few moments to overload on oxygen as he u-turned to retrieve it.  Funnily enough, the cold was of little concern for the 3 k's to the truck route, holding the wheel ahead kept legs and lungs busy enough to ignore the chill.  Coffee compensated for that later. 

2/6  Squirrels soft, so a swifter Sanctuary squad. 

No Kim, no Jen, LiamM and  Lili were on the missing persons list and Tina was in Queensland.  (How the squirrels soften!)  With only Emil, the 5ft Ninja and I parked at the Archer St shop, the executive decision was to take a spin with the somewhat swifter Sanctuary squad......safety in numbers if you like.  Greg, Bruce, Rocket, Boof, Kel, PistolPete, Bo and The Godfather formed at the roundabout in a fresh feels like minus 0.5 and Pistol had barely got us pointed south on Archer when Boof pleaded a pause for a puncture.  Such is the season.  (How much warmer it was being stationary rather than charging through the chill!)  

Underway again, single file was the chosen format, PistolPete down Archer to Mitchell and Greg across to Central Kialla.  None of that sedate social stuff today, high 30's is the spec for Tuesdays and Thursdays though that's probably a stroll for Boof, Rocket, Wozza......need I go on!  That sort of thinking was quickly cancelled 'cause it might be just me left when the calculations were done!   A garbled call from The Godfather (aren't they all?) of "Hupp hupp" into River Rd was guessed as a halt for another puncture, Bruce, Kel and Bo almost at a standstill when the translation was deciphered as a simple "Car up".   

Back on the gas, Kel resumed the hurry to River Rd's bridge, Bo given the reigns a little short of the target when Kel called "cooked".  I'd be in the box seat next so getting the head set for hurt became the priority (for all the good it does!)    Bo drove out of the dip toward Trevaskis Rd and for a moment I imagined being toasted at second wheel by one of his long drives, so I guess I should have been grateful when his elbow flapped shortly after.  With the tarmac blurring underneath I was almost pleased to see 38 on the speedo (a westerly breeze at the backside the bureau said - that was the deflating news much later in the warmth of the post ride post mortem) but just half a k later the reality of maintaining the pace slapped me in the face.   There's a heavy tax on tempo!  

 Aimed at reaching the next white post became the only motivation though the head hoped for something further when I got there, so the next white post became the aim......and so on till too much hurt said Halt!  (somewhat satisfied at that point to see the white fence in view ; the expected spot for the change of guard)   The Godfather took over, and so began the long and laborious huff and puff at the back to get the world back into focus.  The Ninja had a better idea, sit it out in the caboose!   Rocket made the northern leg to the highway look easy and with 6 still ahead of me, confidence grew that their long shifts would tow me back into town.  If not, my second shift would be shorter than the Ninja's headstem!  Bruce guided us west to Central Ave and Boof had no trouble with tempo to the truck route (a less than adequate tyre pressure from the CO2 doesn't seem to slow him down) but the slightly slower pace through town chilled the old bones - pace on the circuit had generated some heat.

3/6  Barely a breeze (but a battle)

Feels like 3 and a northeast breeze was probably the best weather we'd had all week!  Kit day provided some incentive to get wheels rolling, Bo, Greg, Wozza, the 5ft Ninja, Boof, PistolPete, Kreeky, The Godfather, Kel, Emil, Bruce, Kim and Rocket had arrived for uniformed duty which was enough players to allow two rows rotating (a rare occurrence this week, so choose your partner wisely Foss!)     PistolPete leading us south was a foregone conclusion, the bunch eventually sorted into two rows at the truck route.  I should have fitted the noise cancelling headphones, I'd scored The Godfather's wheel!  (Kim confined herself to the caboose)  

The breeze had blown us to Mitchell Rd so from there on we'd need some effort expended to Old Dookie Rd where there'd be the rare treat of a tail wind back home, though at 7 k's per hour it was hardly harrowing. (How much effort was needed I'd find out when duty called at the front.)  Kreeky had made a comeback from extended travels so was feeling the baptism of fire being back in the bunch ; he'd wisely positioned to be one of the last to appear at the pointy end.  

That breeze wasn't so subtle the closer I got to the front, how much horsepower it needed was difficult to judge from Boof and Wozza's demotion down the left line from serving their shift - a headwind had no effect on them!  Bruce managed a sentence or two with Greg in the drivers seat but then I'm speechless at the front with a tail wind!  I'd be dreaming thinking Greg and The Godfather would do the distance to rooster corner so there was no surprises when the big boy rolled across at the quarter horse stud.  (7 k's worth of northeaster? Felt more like 27!)  My shift shortened just as I'd started, getting to Coach Rd would be a big ask so a k alongside The Godfather used more than half my tank, thankfully Kel alongside was kind on the consumption to make it for the turn north.  

Kel had called Emil across a bit before One Tree Dam so she'd felt that breeze a battle too (difference was that she doesn't sound like the amplified asthmatic that I do terminating a turn.  Surely others have some sort of hell to go through facing the front [we know the ones that don't!] so maybe I need to keep a lid on the toll it takes?)  Emil and Bo took us to the highway but Kreeky and the 5ft Ninja couldn't escape the northeaster to the bridge and beyond in Boundary Rd, Rocket and PistolPete donated their slipstream to drag us to Old Dookie Rd.  (The Godfather had talked Kim into the advance line, tempted by the news of the tailwind back to town)  Wozza and Boof did the honors of leading the two lines to Central Ave, the responsibility of pace to the truck route with Bruce and Greg (they earned bonus points keeping Kim just inside her comfort zone), the long line laboring the short squirt to SPC)  We were all silly enough to stop and warm up on a brew at the Butter Factory, then get out into the cold again for a cold commute home!

This week 265km      YTD 6,047km 

(and ain't that diddly squat while I watch Bryan Taaffe aiming at a record time for an unsupported ride 'round Australia. So far he's covered 6,234km in 20 days! Want an OMG moment? Search him on Strava)