Post #658
13/8 Saturday satisfaction.
Bonus! Forecast rain at 6am had been rescheduled to 10am. There'd be satisfaction, not saturation this Saturday! The stars had even aligned to give me a northeaster for the 10k commute to the start line (I'd worry about the work into the headwind later). Boof, Emil, Bruce, Rocket, Trav, the 5ft Ninja, GiantAndy, Liam, Lenny, Nev, Bo, PistolPete and The Godfather made up a sizable squad, enough to get a reasonable break between shifts but I wonder what the speed standards would be? (GiantAndy might get excited with the expected east northeaster to blow us back home) Third wheel in the left line was a good spot to start ; there'd be plenty of harden up time before facing reality at the front. Naturally, PistolPete led the squad south, Rocket his co-pilot for the high 30's pace to Mitchell Rd.
Those three little pooches in Archer Rd have thankfully turned into homebodies but a bounding 'roo caused a sudden slow half way to Central Kialla. GiantAndy and Boof faced the wind to River Rd, holding the high 30's 'cause they can! (I'd be lowering that standard when I got to the business end!) Even at the back of the bunch there was watts to be spent against the windswept flats of River Rd, though the advance line were all smiles on the sheltered side (what timing I had to get the blustery advance line on Coach Rd and cop the side wind again?!) Facing the reality of Victorian winter from a FNQ furlow, Trav and Liam put the work into driving the distance to the highway, possibly primed by the flashing red led ahead (TatPaul hitch-hiking a lift at Channel Rd).
Bo braved the promotion forward to pair with Lenny for a part of Boundary Rd. Pleased that the Ninja trimmed something off the tempo, I partnered her to the fig farm where half time was called. Emil went easy on the effort alongside to Old Dookie Rd. What luck that PistolPete and Emil faced the 2 k's to the Toaster as the wind shifted east northeast! A little colour on the horizon spelled hope though grey curtains of cloud covered it soon after. (Was that a spit of rain on the turn west into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd? Was the forecast that fickle?) Wind whistling in (between?) the ears was silenced, the serenity of a tailwind was now the treat back to town so of course speed was spiced up accordingly! Gotta love that chorus of 30 carbon wheels into the 40's, paying a few PB's along the way to Wanganui Rd.
Predicting percolating pace as GiantAndy got closer to the drivers seat, Bo, the Ninja, The Godfather and I chose the caboose as safe shelter. (I know when I'm outclassed!) Wanganui Rd blurred quickly under the wheels and little time was wasted getting Rudd Rd done, but by luck and the effort into the wind on the Boulevard, speed stayed sufferable through suburbia for the distance to the town hall where traffic lights kept a cap on anything like a hurry to the Butter Factory. Skill shortages, old school mechanics and work ethics waxed lyrical at the breakfast table.
15/8 Heaven is a head wind......not!
The chase was on into Mitchell Rd. Wozza had the throttle well open for the eastbound leg toward Central Kialla (after a quick spin south on Archer with PistolPete) and Rocket was his cohort (when isn't he?) to get the bunch off their collective saddles. A northwester (15-30 km/h) had sparked some speed to start the week swiftly. Lenny, Bruce, Greg, Kel, The Godfather, Bo, Grumpy and the 5ft Ninja were probably expecting more effort to come 'cause Emil and Rocket were rostered to drive the shift north (and we all no that they're not restrained by headwinds!) Bums were off seats again to stay in touch for the spin through Central Kialla, eyes keenly peeled for the pot-holes (mini canyons?) of the winter worn tarmac nearing the turn into River.
I hadn't given a thought to my position in the pack at this point and how or where I'd fare for favorable winds ; clearly Bo and the Ninja had as they'd advanced early for a somewhat assisted shift along the east path of River Rd. (Looks like I'd be thrown in the deep end at Old Dookie Rd if the usual turns were taken) There's no doubt on Bruce and Lenny delivering a decent drive at the business end but others had obviously been burning candles both ends over the weekend when shifts turned a bit shorter nearing rooster corner (fair to say there was a fair bit of north in that northwester!)
The heart rate had a little holiday on the sheltered side for the north drive along Coach Rd but I was busy banking breaths for the expected effort on Old Dookie Rd I seemed likely to front. Hopefully Grumpy was one of the well worn by a busy weekend 'cause he'd be my co-pilot! Our up-close-and-personal truck driver cut the wind as we crossed the highway and that kept pace perky, The Godfather, Kel and Greg assuring there'd be no rest for the righteous to Boundary's bridge and beyond.
Second wheel to Bruce and Grumpy's drive to Old Dookie had the head full of hope and facing the front on the turn west, all the determination I'd mustered to aim at School Rd blew backwards (to Benalla I think) by the wind, now blowing east northeast. I had to call half time half way there and rely on PistolPete's pity with pace (never fear, he's the consummate courteous co-pilot) and I might have reached the bridge but implosion was imminent, so begged for his draft 100 metres shy. All went blurry till Central Ave, silencing my struggle for oxygen intake ; gasps (like they were my last) scare some folk. The last two legs turned legs to jelly when led by Rocket, Wozz and Emil into town, and despite my doubts of hanging on, we all survived the speed to SPC and through the streets as one to receive the elixir of life at the Butter Factory.
16/8 At least the rain started before I'd even opened the front door. Back to bed Tuesday to imitate being a normal person!
17/8 A peloton of plenty.
Lots of leds lit Sanctuary Drive on Wednesday, the damp Tuesday probably the reason. PistolPete caused cleats to engage at 5:40 and Emil was his partner in pace to Mitchell Rd, set diplomatically social. ('cause Kim was in the crew?) The wind-less morning made conditions curious. Lenny, the 5ft Ninja, Bruce, Jen, Kim, Rocket, Boof, The Godfather, Kel, Grumpy, Wozza, Greg and Bo had joined in the rotational duty for the usual circuit though Tina took leave of the labor at the front while The Godfather took his unique trajectory along River Rd despite co-pilot Grumpy's advice (no breeze to battle but an 'interesting' path was set). Bo sought the sympathy vote for his suffering, though I reckon several others had just cause to complain (but didn't) Kim had second thoughts on being in the advance line at the turn into Coach Rd and sought refuge in the left line ; though without the need to go to war with wind, I felt the going easy in any direction (and that's as rare as rocking horse manure!)
(Soak up the serenity Foss, September's suffering is just around the corner ; and we'll know what wind is then!) Grumpy ceased the sentences sometimes (to draw breath) and The Godfather's garble is guaranteed (when he's not on the front) so that combined with 34 wheels whirring along the tarmac may have hit the limits of the Noise Abatement Act? The Ninja seemed pleased there wouldn't be a headwind to hamper her hurry home later, Boof might have been happier if his Focus was fixed (doesn't going back to your old bike seems a big step backwards?) though many were just grateful to clock a few k's and not be soaked by rain that regularly ruins August.
(What keeps '51's number down and the Cats absent I don't know) What a difference to steer into Old Dookie Rd and not be whacked by wind and the workload with it ; I reckoned I'd face duty at the front soon enough but had some comfort that Jen ahead or the Ninja behind weren't the company that cook co-pilots. It was social Wednesday after all. Time came to serve at Dobson's estate and mid 35's wasn't too taxing to the truck route, there was even enough left in this old tank to lead to SPC a little faster but Pistol, Boof and Greg found forties a fitting conclusion.
18/8 The envisaged elbow.
My bets were on yr.no for a factual forecast (rain at 9am) though the Ninja took the bureau's radar as gospel and pulled the pin. Thursday was one of those days that riding carried a risk of being soaked if you did, but I'll bet if you didn't, it would stay dry. (The doubt you do, the devil you don't!) Standing outside at stupid o'clock and peering into the dark sky became my litmus test. (Have faith Foss, have faith) Emil backed up my decision to brave it and brought Kim into the gamble too, Wendy wasn't shirking the spin though wind was her worry ; a northeaster at 17 to 30 k's per hour wouldn't make life easy (Still, if you wait for ideal conditions, how soft you'd become! He / she who hesitates is lost). Four with faith forged south to the start line finding Tina had taken the punt too. Of course it's expected Emil takes the first shift to the truck route and he set the speed at diplomatic. Despite the bureau plotting the wind as a northeaster, it had more an easterly flavor when I faced the front to Orrvale Rd. and maintaining diplomatic needed some muscle! Tina took on the shift to the Kinder and Wendy worked the 1200 metres to the cypress trees, so Kim led leg five to the S bend and there wasn't much shelter to hide in.
Emil had the watts to tow us to Coach Rd and another epic turn in the drivers seat looked likely when he postured in the head down, pace up pose toward the highway. (That was definitely an east northeaster at the right shoulder). I wasn't going to be let loose at the front at the bridge or Old Dookie Rd, and still stuck at second wheel crossing New Dookie meant there'd be no changing of the guard till Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. (Won't it be interesting if the one minute turn is ever introduced!)
I had no complaints being given the reigns for the west drive toward Lemnos with the wind up my wastegate and setting the speed in the 37's didn't get any death threats. Still on speaking terms at Ford Rd, I gave Tina the front-of-house seat and retired to the rear for a free ride home. Wendy was elected to the effort at the front half way to Grahamvale Rd and continued to Verney. Given Emil's trademark turn toward Balaclava Rd, Kim set about the trek south and without a millimetre of movement from her elbow, Emil launched a take-over bid for the leadership role at Hawkins St and turned up the watts with it. So much for one team with one dream! Emil went off into the distance in an attempt to get that traffic light to green, but we know they're always red for our arrival. The halt got some oxygen back into the lungs and the halt at the Butter Factory got some caffeine into the bloodstream.
19/8 I probably qualify for membership to the Old Farts Bicycle Club!
A 7mm soaking of the streets put a dampener on Friday's 5:40 fling for me, though I bet some would be brave / silly / tough / heedless (strike out that which does not apply) enough to take it on. I had options. Time wasn't my enemy so I could wait for the westerly to dry the tarmac and soak up some sunshine a little later on a circuit of my choice in some sort of safety. A quiet tap with the Old Farts would finish off the week peacefully and their sensible o'clock start time had a certain appeal. Bucket loads of daylight felt foreign en route to the southside grid though there wasn't a lot of appeal in the west southwester blowing at 20 to 32 km/h. Chilly, youngBrian, Rik, DeepFry and a few other riding relics found their way to the Adams Rd start and nine bells got the procession underway.
DeepFry led a single filed pilgrimage south with most in the gutter seeking shelter. (There's a little dislexia in some determining wind direction) I got the reigns at the truck route and set a path on the crown of the road to provide some cover for the battlers at the back but my tempo was a little too optimistic, finding just one on my wheel arriving at Mitchell. (Whoops!) With a wind assistance east, two rows got sorted to Central Kialla, the call of "fast ones left and slower straight ahead" was news to me till advised of the squad's separation for speed. There were protocols for pace apparently.
DeepFry, Chilly and Rik had identified as quick, taking the River Rd course, all others said "snails" and chose Mitchell Rd to meander (they'd take a casual course to coffee) The River Rd route was the safest option for me (there's a lot of variables in meandering!) DeepFry delivered mid 30's as the speed standard to River Rd's bridge, though Chilly seemed to be chasing oxygen more than speed. He'd urged us onward at the dip, (he'd planned to connect with the squad of snails later). DeepFry seemed to delight in driving a hard bargain toward Coach Rd though Rik was on short shifts. I didn't receive any protests raising the bar a little to high 30's for the 2 k's to rooster corner, though tempo was tamed a little for the haul to the highway on Coach Rd. (a chain permanently on the 13 sprocket seemed to be Rik's struggle) Minty was found rolling quietly in search of the snails at One Tree Dam. Assuming the lead in Boundary Rd, I took a leaf from the Gospel according to Emil and set New Dookie Rd as a target.
There was silence behind, but no protest. Rik made a 300 metre donation toward the rail line (that's now covered by tarmac) and DeepFry took us Lemnos-Cosgrove where the fun would begin (30 km/h gusts fair in the face for the 10k to town!) Balancing heart rate with speed became an art form - too long in the red zone and speed would sink, too high in the speed and the heart rate would do a Hiroshima! (So much for a quiet Friday tap!) Low on watts and with the Garmin display blank, Rik found comfort in the caboose (volts maketh the Di2 and the speedo work apparently!) so DeepFry and I had the suffering to share to Mt.Wanganui. Rudd Rd was the respite and the east drive on the Boulevard was bliss. A tail wind for 3 k's to coffee seemed a poor reward.
This week 294km YTD 8,453km
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