Diverting the drama of distance.

Post #682

21/1 Saturday's super seven.

A change is as good as a holiday they say, so when a different course was proposed for Saturday it lit up some enthusiasm.  This might just relieve that r.s.i.? (repetitive Saturday injury)  Dare I suggest a once-a-month change of course?  Those that seem stuck on the same old Saturday circuit week in week out were amusing themselves in Adelaide, so Emil had dialed up distance as something different while the conservatives were otherwise occupied.  A loop of Toolamba, Dhurringile, Murchison, Meipol and back to Shepp drew seven to the Sanctuary start; Molly, Kim, Tina, Jen, Wendy and Emil getting the positives of a northeaster to help the journey south, a scenic sun up and a mild 16 degrees to start (Maybe we were ignoring the headwind homeward?)   

The single file format took the pressure off conforming to a co-pilot though it's a bit anti-social staring at the same butt for a few hours (pack of perverted proctologists!).  South on Euroa Rd got some new scenery into the retinas but Union Rd's surface to the highway could be called hard labor.  Picture a dirt track gouged by rain with a coarse stone and tar topping.  Obviously, there's no councillors or federal members living on that one!  Across the highway and through the trees lining the Goulburn river, there was a dismount to cross the old timber single lane bridge, gaps in the planks ready to consume a 25 or 28mm tyre.  Back aboard and headed to Toolamba, 'roos at the roadside became another distraction though once through the town the course cleared.  Emil's route was a curious one (in an effort to avoid the Murchison Rd) via Baulch, Langham, Orr and Hammond to make it to Murchison, roads I hadn't set a wheel on in many moons.  No complaints about the varied views but the posterior protested the punishment. Rough roads round here!  

The caffeine craving was strong rolling into Murch but the fix would have to wait ; nothing was open!  With bladders emptied and bidon's filled, the heartbreak of the headwind home was ours to face.  Emil took one for the team to lead us to Murchison East, that east northeaster swinging northeasterly at times to keep the hunt for the perfect draft keen. He'd continued to Moorlim though Tina took a back seat instead of the sting at second wheel (that became my role)  The tyranny of distance was catching up with me; shifting position on the bars and the sit site to get some relief from the rough road while still in the shadow of Emil's effort bound for Two Chain Rd.  Funny, nobody was keen to challenge his position at the front. (Maybe wind gusts of 30 km/h had something to do with it?) The distinct aroma of martyrdom filled the nostrils. This shift had epic written all over it as Emil continued beyond Two Chain Rd and I was guessing his aim was Miepol.  23km on the front, nothing much for a masochist really!  

I did get a taste of the northeaster at the business end on the Shepp-Euroa Rd, setting a suitable speed so all could survive the 15 k's to Central Kialla.  31's seemed survivable till Tina called an insulin intermission, a chance for all to get a few breaths back aboard for the final push home.  Mitchell Rd was the proverbial Yellowbrick Rd to escape the relentless wind and have it at the tail for 2 k's relief, heads hardening for the one more leg north on Archer to get home.  Probably like others, I was running on the thoughts of breakfast to come after 110km.   A Milkbar yarn on kit fit, keeping it smooth and the Poppa principal in 20 degree sunshine made a perfect post ride pit stop.

24/1.  Smoothsday.

The request for a relaxation of Tuesday tempo was granted - music to the ears of several who were feeling a little secondhand.  Majority rules.....unless you like riding solo!  There's nothing wrong with a relaxed lap at times anyway, every ride at the limit and you'll soon evaporate all enthusiasm.  A noticeably darker first shift to the truck route was Emil's domain and of course I was expected to play 2ic for the Doyles to Orrvale routine, though with speed a little slower I'd considered an extension to the Kinder, but sharing the standard shifts seemed the diplomatic thing to do.  A slight suggestion of a southerly wasn't causing any stress for Jen to take us to Central Ave and Wendy to tow us to the cypress trees.  

Kim did a double shift to reach the end of Channel Rd and handed Tina the job of taking us north while Molly sat out the circuit in the caboose (deserved after her first 100 on Saturday)   First light seemed late, Boundary Rd in darkness when just a few weeks ago the sun lit our path to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  (The nine weeks wait till daylight savings ends and a little light returns seems an eternity to wait).   The southerly faded as Tina, Emil, Jen and I finished off the northern shifts for Wendy to work west toward Lemnos.  This riding at the aerobic rate ain't bad; boiler not bursting, the scenery in focus, a few breaths up the sleeve....I could get used to this!  Kim made Ford Rd's first 3 k's look easy and Tina turned up the wick to Verney Rd so Emil had his signature shift south to Balaclava Rd (the bike lane almost a gravel stage with earthworks underway for the North Quarter development) and naturally there'd be a prod of the pedestrian button getting there. 

25/1  Back to bunch business.

A few familiar faces were back at Sanctuary's starting grid on Wednesday, probably pleased to be back on level ground and familiar territory though Bo was complaining something about excess baggage.  PistolPete got his fix getting bikes rolling south and whether this would be a two row or single filed spin was anyone's guess (it proved an anxious time for some - if it were two rows the choice of co-pilot would be paramount!)   Emil pairing with Pistol confirmed the two row format and Tina seemed comfortable on Greg's wheel in the advance.  Darkness made its' presence felt again (I guess that reminds me of winter), though 14 degrees was certainly welcome, the orange horizon a good distraction from Emil's and Pistol's pace to Mitchell Rd.  

Kel and the Ninja had lined up behind me so that would keep me on my toes somewhere in River Rd.  Greg had backed off the gas through Central Kialla, probably complying to Bo's complaints (won't be long till he's back half wheeling The Godfather though!) so Tina had a gentle introduction to the front with Greg for the east drive to the bridge.  I was looking forward to a gentle introduction myself till Tina reached the bridge and tucked into Greg's draft. Just a small lift of tempo felt like it used most of my watts so keeping up with Kel would be a challenge.  Determined to reach the quarter horse fence as part two was a little optimistic, the sight of that white fence 100 metres away was enough for me to call Kel across.  

The Ninja seemed to be running on empty too slowing nearing rooster corner so I gained a breath or two in reserve by Coach Rd (just as well 'cause PistolPete and Emil had their throttles wide open toward the highway).  Bo had found a little more hurry in his legs with Greg happy to oblige along Boundary Rd while I had to come to grips with another shift probably due in Old Dookie Rd.   School Rd was quits for the Ninja's turn so Greg and I paired to pace it to Central Ave.  I had little left in the tank getting there but taking the easy way out of a short shift gets you nowhere; time to harden up and suffer part two toward Dobson's estate if I wasn't to be labelled a softie. Kel was kind, tolerating my call for an end at Dobson's bridge, the Ninja stepping up to suffer to the truck route. PistolPete braved the last shift to SPC, kindly keeping the line gap free.

26/1  Oi Oi Oi!

The Australia Day holiday begged a longer lap for squirrels Thursday and I was careful with the route configuration (to make the most of the forecast south southwester) when tasked with the role of course director.  (Emil's Saturday route scored a horror headwind home so I wasn't being labeled a masochist with my mapping!)  Early work into the wind to Karramomus then (crossed fingers) a tailwind back to town, half of it on roads less travelled might divert the drama of distance? 

Couldabeens has posted (predictably) a Toaster lap, though Thursday's are sacrosanct to squirrels, a chance for the gals to put in their two bob's worth (and a chance for the Coulda's to let some steam off I guess)   Lance took up our invite, the circuit and the speed probably suiting him too.   A 6am start felt like a sleep-in, though Jen might argue the point, so a lap or two 'round Broken River Drive soaked up the time when Kim, Molly, Tina, Jen and Emil arrived early at the shop.   With Lance at the car park, Emil steered us south into Archer Rd at 6, his long opening shift down to Mitchell Rd not contested with that south southwester  (15-24 km/h) soaking up the watts.  

Being 2ic gave me the sidewind on Mitchell Rd but that's better than a kick up the posterior with a snow shoe (anything to avoid a headwind!)   Jen probably crossed me off her Christmas card list when I handed her the reigns to drive south on Central Kialla Rd but she's young and up to the task.  Kim was the surprise donating a long drive beyond Union Rd into the wind and Tina kept up the good work too (Hey, they're all young Foss!)   Molly had the last k to suffer till Karramomus Rd arrived where Lance let loose east toward the metropolis (a tennis court and a public hall)   This road must be related to Bells Armstrong; a thin strip of tarmac gradually narrowing to a goat track the further east you travel....and rough as hessian underwear near the end.  Lance and Emil shred the 6k distance and bless their cotton socks, gave me the tailwind introduction to the Shepp-Euroa Rd.   

36's was as easy as falling off a bike (but let's not cook our co-workers Foss) so I held that pace in an attempt to preserve a few friendships (they'd soon speed up if I was too snail-like)   Jen was given the helm and stuck to the speed too so my instinct wasn't too far out.  Normally yet another narrow and rugged road toward the main eastern channel, a recent resurface has given us a billiard table smooth stretch of hot mix heaven, barely a sound off 14 wheels rolling on it and svelte enough to turn the hardest arse to marshmallow.  Almost a delight to pay taxes for!  

All good things must end, though the k to the bridge and subsequent roll along Coach Rd was nothing to grizzle about, Tina in charge all the way to the Broken bridges was almost tagged as a tailwind thief!  Molly towed us to the highway and all got a share of the tailwind (Lance to the fig farm, Emil to New Dookie and the lucky last was mine to Lemnos-Cosgrove)  so Jen faced the music of that southerly at the side heading to Lemnos. We'd all have some more work to do to earn breakfast though (a tax for that tailwind?)  Emil kept heads down on Wanganui Rd, the tough task on Rudd Rd into the wind given an intermission when Molly's saddlebag jumped ship (read rule #29 Molly!)    Emil stayed on as captain for the Boulevard to spare us the wind but payment for his favor was a burst into the 40's to Knight St.   The MilkBar was the pit stop for Couldabeens and a few Wouldabeens to refuel.

27/1.  Kit conformity.

The snooze button would have been better than the off button, but something thankfully stirred the eyelids to open at 4:50.  Precisely my kit-up time if I was to ride 10 k's and catch the Sanctuary train.  Getting the old engine started on a mouthful or two of water would be the test; it normally fires up easily on caffeine and a piece of toast, but time (or the lack of it) was my enemy today.  It wasn't such a big deal to get the wheels rolling (something in the tank is purely a psychological comfort) though 'ol mate southerly was blowing again, just to give me grief on the commute.  

A dozen congregated for Friday's kit day (the 5ft Ninja, Bruce, Wozza, PistolPete, Kel, KnightMichael, Tina, Emil, The Godfather, Rocket, Bo and Trav), visitor KnightMichael excused for being out of uniform (at least conforming to KOS couture) but The Godfather's aubergine atrocity was well out of order.  Emil and PistolPete pairing seems to be standard operational procedure these days ; how they manage 37's into a stiffening southerly I don't know (second wheel to Pistol was hard enough). 

The Wozza and Emil partnership kept the pace in vogue to Central Kialla and from there the southerly kept speed spicy to River Rd.  Bruce and Rocket did a diplomatic drive east, calming concerns of a few that had joined the advance (the lucky ones might get to enjoy a tailwind on the northern assault of Coach or Boundary Rd's).  The sun was again slow to rise, the rooster yet to holler as we steered north.  The circus act was back in town and the pair (you know who!) were line astern and itching to taste the captaincy over the highway (their trademark tailwind assistance would expire at Old Dookie Rd).  

Their hijinks into the 40's probably gave Tina second thoughts at third wheel, speed fluctuations giving all a bit a grief anyway.  Kel, the Ninja and Tina tamed the testosterone and got a civil speed going west, my time to pay for the tow coming at Central Ave.  Tina did a decent drive to Dobson's where I was called to roll across, PistolPete now my partner for part two.  He was keen to lift the pace but I took my time turning up the wick so Tina could get a breath or two.  It's just 1600 metres to the truck route from the bridge but it seemed a world away, just a small price to pay for being dragged around for most of the circuit felt like a costly contribution.  Letting a few past at the roundabout gave me a little more draft to cope with Emil's 42 toward SPC, the drive to stay in touch driven by the craving for caffeine.

This week 346km

YTD 1,177km                   

A balancing act of effort vs explosion

Post #681

14/1 Started steady, finished fast.

The advance line could only attract Bo and The Godfather when PistolPete set us south at 6am.  The 5ft Ninja, Lance, Grumpy, me, Tina, Kim and Molly were firmly fixed in the left line, probably in wishful thinking of this being a single filed Saturday.  It seemed nobody wanted to follow the schoolboy antics of Bo and The Godfather, but Grumpy finally relented to join the queue beyond the truck route.  

It wasn't till Mitchell Rd that Molly took the plunge of promotion forward and that finally got the wheels of progress happening.  This would be two rows rotating after all. An east southeaster kept a hint of a handbrake on speed to Central Kialla though the two terrors played half-wheel hijinks anyway.  I wouldn't have expected anything less. A little calm came when Grumpy co-piloted The Godfather toward River Rd but Molly's short shift toward the bridge told of being cooked.  Tina and Kim drove to the dip while I waited for duty; I'd scored considerate company in the scheme of things.  Alongside Lance at the quarter horse fence, we took tempo under our control and to hell with anyone who didn't like it.  That wind became our excuse for 33's and 34's.  Lance called half time a kilometre on but then inherited the Ninja's hurry to match; she was serving speed , not sympathy in a charge to rooster corner.  Lance had little chance without the legs to match and struggled with what little draft he could get to Coach Rd.  

Bo and Pistol were back in charge and aimed at the highway in a hurry, that east southeaster had swung northeast but had little effect.  I thought I was suffering the effects of sustained speed till the shop squad hurtled past, GiantAndy leading a line of eight into the distance.  The two terrors fronted in Boundary Rd in another battle of I'm-better-than-you, the consequences of cooking a few at the back of little concern apparently.  Fractures in the line appeared beyond the fig farm when Molly ran out of determination, the decision for Tina and Kim to join her in a short cut to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd an easy one.  Bo and Grumpy had the tail-enders in the right gutter of Old Dookie Rd, the remaining seven in a shambles till PistolPete took charge of the lead and set a proper tack to the Toaster.  

Sweat stinging the eyes diverted thoughts from the sting in the legs (but 20 degrees and rising at 6:20 am is better than those 36 days in winter below 3 eh Foss?)  Pistol guided our path north to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd where the northeaster would help rather than hurt toward home.  Speed would get spicier of course.  Long shadows and big breaths were on the Indian filed agenda back to town, 40's now the benchmark with long turns from Grumpy to Boundary Rd and the Ninja to Lemnos North Rd.  Ford Rd's first 3 k's had Bo at the helm, though Surgio might be a better name when he started at 38 with bouts of 45 to Grahamvale Rd.  Why?  Ask Bo.   Depths of determination were dug by a few to stay aboard.  The Godfather's shift to the highway was far smoother, so I gained some breaths to take on the Wanganui Rd leg.  That 'they-can-go-to-hell' theory was applied as I set 38's as the standard (they could roll past if they didn't like it) though my own benchmark was being questioned at DECA's skid pan. 

That remaining k to Mt Wanganui wasn't worth looking at, the blur of tarmac 5 metres ahead was a better focus.  The mountains' cruel 0.6% ascent drained the tank dry so 36's humbled my heroics to get to Rudd Rd (if I could see it through the squint from sweat stinging both eyes)   Lance got his head down and the speed up south, but I'd missed the draft by wiping smarting eyes when five followed him toward the cemetery.  Thanks to Bo's glance back, the bunch slowed slightly for me to rejoin.  Knowing I'd avoid another flogging at the front brought some comfort on the Boulevard, 37's set by PistolPete was sustainable in the slipstream (and the mental stimulus of a forthcoming fruitbowl breakfast shifted the focus from my rubber legs)  Steepest streets, yukkas and Adelaide's attractions filled the Butter Factory's space with the already seated shop squad (Rocket, GiantAndy, Wozza, Troy, Boof, Emil, Gazza, Lenny and Liam).  My hurt became insignificant seeing their 41.7 lap average.

15/1  Edge 130+ & Varia RTL515 test.

A short spin on the sabbath was purely to test a bit of technology. Ye olde Garmin Edge 500 had reached the end of its' days, showing the scars of 176,000km of service, so it seemed timely to embrace the radar tail-light technology as well.  A quiet spin of the local block was purely to climatize to new controls and learn the radar signals of traffic behind.   I can see why this gear is flavor of the month.

16/1 Strangely serene.

I hadn't figured out the new Garmin's back-light yet (might read the instructions some day!) but it was probably a good thing not to see those numbers on Monday morning anyway.  Riding blind to the speed and heart rate was actually quite liberating.  (How we stew over the lows and highs of the engine's performance eh?)  The 130+ lit up for traffic behind though, a new and comforting feature that certainly justifies the price.   The Tour Down Under will be slashing the Sanctuary starting grid this week, many of the regulars over to Adelaide will certainly thin the attendance here.    So it was a surprise to find Trav, Rocket, Tina, Troy, Kel, Lenny, Emil, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Wozza, TrackStan and Grumpy forming two lines at a noticeably darker roundabout for 5:40's spin.  

Days are shortening already with Summer only just started!  In PistolPete's absence, Emil was stand-in for lead-out duty to Mitchell Rd, Grumpy his protagonist in pace for the 3k drive into the breeze.  The Godfather was noticed by his absence ; the serenity a shock to the system!  With nobody to bait Bo, pace was particularly smooth, but Rocket and Wozz could write a book on it, towing us to River Rd.  From left line to right, I joined the advance at the bridge, pleased guessing I'd get a turn at the front with a breeze up the backside (Tina ahead and Trav behind made mine a perfect placement).   I should soak this up; there might be some work to do in smaller packs for the rest of the week.  Bo and Kel supplied more draft to the Broken bridges, Tina and Kel on towing duty to the highway.  

Considering Tina's near empty tank for part two, I went easy on the throttle toward Boundary's bridge but Tina signed off at Pogue Rd for me to pair with Trav.  Gentle on the accelerator (to avoid a knife in the back from Tina) to 35's wasn't bursting the boiler thanks to the prevailing breeze, so setting sights at reaching Old Dookie wasn't out of the question.  The Ninja's shift on Old Dookie was short toward School Rd (seems like her Sunday was swift), Trav and Grumpy taking over the drive to Central Ave.  Many commented on the considerate pace, a 34.6 average not so shy of the usual, though that was probably pumped up a bit by Emil and Grumpy's hurry to the truck route.  Rocket kept the SPC shift smooth, not supersonic. 

17/1  Molly and the mozzies.

Emil had nearly bitten his tongue in half.  To the rescue of Molly and her punctured Schwalbe, the tube went against Emil's religion in the refit.  The tyre didn't want to remount so was persuaded with levers and the subsequent injection of CO2 went awol.  A pinched tube had Emil near explosion so Foss was summoned to fix.   I have changed a tube or two before (tant amount to heresy in Emil's tubeless theology).   Mosquitos had their feed of us at Channel Rd's ChaCha while I fitted another tube and thumb wrestled the testy tyre back onto the rim.  Success came with the second serve of CO2, so the squirrels set sail again, a little itchy from the mozzies and keen to get the lap done so that coffee could cure us.  

Since Emil and I had ridden our routine to the truck route and to Orrvale, Molly took on the shift to the Kinder, leaving Tina the south and east effort to the cypress trees (done well considering the east northeaster).   Wendy's two week NZ getaway hadn't worn away too many watts to get us beyond Beckham's bend and Kim was the dark horse with the horsepower to drive to Channel Rd's end.  Jen's Sydney sojourn had shortened her shift to Boundary Rd's bridge and I guessed Emil would extend his turn to New Dookie Rd.  Guessed correctly.  The wind had taken on a northeast flavour when I was handed the lead to Lemnos-Cosgrove, the gals behind pleased they'd get the advantage of its' help to work west.  

Another of summers' scenic skies backlit Molly's spin to the bridge where Tina got into the groove of 38's to Ford Rd.  The radar tail-light has delivered some comfort warning of traffic way  before it's heard (rather convenient when it's that dark car in the half light of dawn that hasn't optioned headlights).  Wendy worked her watts again on Ford Rd but  ran out with 400 metres remaining to Grahamvale Rd, a challenge gladly taken by Kim to finish the shift and press on to Verney Rd.  Jen drew the southward leg to Balaclava Rd and may have bribed Emil to stay at second wheel 'cause she was still in charge at Clarke Crt.  Ah, but wait!  Emil's itch was worse than those mosquitoes; it was only natural for him to bolt to the red light and poke that pedestrian button. 

18/1 Seven steamed Dim Sims.

A small gap in Wednesdays' radar was just wide enough to squeeze a lap in - though I reckon there'd be a few empty spaces in Sanctuary Drives' grid.   The sensation of being a steamed dim sim came with little effort, 20 degrees and 100% humidity was about as tropical as I could take after 25mm of rain yesterday.  Jen, Emil, Tina, Bruce, Troy and Lenny were the sole starters for what would be a single filed social, so when Emil got 38's happening to Mitchell Rd, I wondered what his definition of social was.  

As the watts wear away over the years my standards of social are slipping; happy to hurtle around not so long ago, social has sunk to something snail like! (or maybe these young whipper snappers are just getting faster?)  Lenny was put in charge of the eastern drive to Central Kialla and I was finding second wheel a struggle; I'd set the backlight to 'always on' yesterday but today had a screen of darkness, so had not a clue on speed (which was probably a good thing)  (Might have to set the backlight for each ride?Ah....read the instructions Foss!)  Clueless on pace and no clue on wind direction (I took guess at a west southwester when the wind hit me fair in the face as Lenny diverted for a broken branch on Mitchell Rd), I set sights north to River Rd, eyes peeled for puddles but more importantly, bits of branches decorating the tarmac.  Briefly under Central Kialla's only street light, I sneaked a peek at 36  (ok for an old fart?  Well, it was my idea of social!)     Tina had her head down and worked east to River Rd's bridge, Jen looking effortless, aiming long to drive beyond the dip and almost to the quarter horse stud before letting Bruce into the drivers seat.  The Bosi must have been packed for Adelaide 'cause the Trek was his weapon of choice to take us to Coach Rd.  But that must have been a short shift for Bruce; he continued the pace north to the highway before he let Troy take charge.  

I'd hardened the head expecting Troy to hand out some hurt but his elbow expected Emil to drive just short of the fig farm.   That and Bruce's big shift must have thrown down a challenge for Emil; a waft of burning martyr filled my nostrils as his chain stepped down the cassette and his head lowered for something swift to Old Dookie Rd.  (38's are his social standard).  Bums lifted from saddles to catch his work west; that challenge spelled Central Ave before he'd hand over.  Lenny needed little encouragement to maintain the pace.  With just enough daylight to see the reality on the Garmin screen, it was easy to understand the why legs labored to hold Lenny's wheel.  I'd definitely drive a social speed to SPC!   But Lenny was on a roll to reach it first,  a slightly slower speed through the streets seemed to get the sweat at full flow. 

19/1  Braving Buller.

Motivation is a hard thing to muster when solo and when the task is an uphill one it will evaporate in the blink of an eye.   So when Wendy sought some company for her mountainous training mission, I completely understood.   As much as I loathe climbs, there's nothing like company as a tool of persuasion. Stepping out of my well worn comfort zone was long overdue anyway!  An 11-32 cassette was an essential ingredient to get an old engine up a mountain and Mt. Buller was chosen as a not-so-tough target to aim at.  16 kilometres at 6.2% isn't the heartache of all hills but this would be two months worth of my normal elevation in a day!  We'd taken the car option to Merrijig then ridden the 10k to Buller's base as a warm up, hopes hung on a warmer temperature at the top that the 6am figure of minus 0.2 (and a feels like minus 7!)   Layering of insulation was the key - a few things to pocket or unzip for the climb and to then refit for the descent.  

The 10 degree start at Merrijg was a bearable introduction, the temperature bound to drop on the climb.  Under the load, this old engine would generate some heat.   Keeping within eyesight was the agreement with Wendy, but that might have been a silly idea given I climb like a snail.  Thankfully, Wendy likes the slow and steady philosophy.   My chain hit the 38 ring for the first time in ages at Mirrimbah and there it stayed for the next 90 odd minutes while a steady rhythm kept the heart form detonating.  The aroma of eucalyptus, cool and calm conditions on the sheltered side of the hill and birds singing their morning songs set a serene scene to get over the weird sensation of wheels only just rolling over the tarmac.  Just a slight increase in speed would quickly put my engine over the red-line.  It's a very fine balancing act between effort vs explosion.  That 100 metres of level ground half way up doesn't last long, just enough to get an extra breath or two before you're back into the 6 and 7 percents.  

The sharp rise on the apex of a few hairpins threaten to stall progress and closer to the top, the recall of the last 1300 metres at 8.6 % called for some conservation of watts for the last effort.  Though reaching that rise wasn't as bad as I remembered (way back in 2017), that slow and steady approach might have been the salvation?    A few minutes off at the top for the essential dose of caffeine and to lay on a few a layers (2.7 degrees at the peak) got ready for a conservative descent.  Wind gusts on one hand (SSE 26-33) and the urge to stay upright on the other kept speed on the downward sensible, remembering those hairpins and keeping clear of traffic sharpened focus for a far better average speed back to Merrijig.  I'll admit to it being an enjoyable ride; the descent being the sole reason to ascend!  (Thanks Wendy, I might need another step out of that well worn comfort zone). 

20/1 The Friday few.

Single file naturally formed with just five ready to roll on Friday, Tina stoked to score third wheel as Emil rolled out to lead the line into a 13 km/h southerly (she was a certainty to score a tailwind shift through Central Kialla!)   I wasn't doing too bad with the second wheel spot, only the wind to deal with at the right shoulder for Mitchell Rd though I was well worn arriving there with Emil's 37 km/h shift softening me.  I plied my pace east on pedal strokes, blind to the speed without that Garmin backlight issue resolved yet.  Positive feedback on the drive as I handed the reigns to Tina told me I'd passed the tempo test.  

Tina got her wish to have the breeze boost her shift to River Rd  and Lance followed for the eastern effort to the bridge, but the Couldabeens most senior citizen still had another k in him to take us to the dip (hope I can manage that effort at his age. Yikes! 18 months away!)   Most were prepared for the Ninja's opening salvo when she threw the watts into 37's out of the dip (Lance had wisely saved some horsepower to catch the tail) though my money was on the Ninja's pace petering out in a k or so.  A couple of hundred metres beyond the quarter horse fence the tempo tamed to 33's and 4's and that got a few breaths in the bank ready for Emil's effort northward on Coach Rd.  I'd pictured me pickled at the highway hanging onto his hurry for three k's and the expectation to drive another three to Old Dookie Rd would have me valve bouncing, so wasn't it a shock to have Emil's elbow shown to me at the Broken bridges.  

There'd be sharing of that joy that a tail wind brings.  One and a half k's to the highway wasn't out of the question with that southerly as an assistant.  Tina kept speed stoked for a k and a half too, the same distance to Old Dookie driven by Lance.  The work west was left to the Ninja, a short straw drawn suffering the southerly.  (Luck of the draw I guess).  With a moment taken to see all were aboard, Emil handed out the hurry to the truck route, and in a strange circumstance, I felt ready to deliver a decent drive for the finale to SPC.  Ah, but no heroics for you Foss, Emil had stamped his name on the shift and who was I to argue? (let alone equal his effort!) 

This week  327km

YTD 829km    

High on hopes, low on horsepower.

 Post #680

7/1 Mine's bigger than yours!

Setting a weekday alarm on Saturday was a brain fade moment; up and about half an hour earlier than I needed to.  So, what to do with time to kill at stupid o'clock? Ride of course!  A very casual tap to Sanctuary Drive, taking a magical mystery tour of the streets was a stress-free start, and with the shop squad back in action, there wasn't likely to be a mass of horsepower at the Sanctuary grid.   Troy, Jen, PistolPete, Tina, Lance, Kim, Bo, Greg, Molly, The Godfather and the 5ft Ninja filtered in for the 6am flagfall, Jen taking on the challenge of first shift with PistolPete (as if it would be anyone else!).   I got a good berth in the bunch with Troy ahead and the Ninja behind, though Troy's on fire and the 5ft one is a lousy draft (better than being sandwiched between GiantAndy and Rocket in the shop squad though Foss!)  

Duty called for me at River Rd's dip and finding 37's was the standard beside Troy had my head searching for something else to concentrate on.  The quarter horse gates would be an easier focus than the speed (and the strain that went with it).   Confidence grew when I wasn't close to explosion and that fence drew near; the surprise was Troy calling me across short of the mark.  The Ninja would be the issue on my half empty tank.  Known for her determined drive when she hits the front, I might need to get the white flag ready to unfurl fairly soon.  A positive outlook is hard to keep when the engine starts to strain a kilometre on, but the Ninja's speed was beginning to sink by then.  Far be it from me to half wheel a co-pilot, I was pleased to ease off the throttle and actually enjoy the last k to Coach Rd.  I'm usually bang on the red-line at shifts' end and worried about going o.t.a. thereafter.  This was a bit of heaven come early. The rooster greeted us on the turn north (an in-person appearance atop the fence no less) though there were a few rapid roosters in pursuit behind (the shop squad breed) to watch out for.  

The gals kept the testosterone calm toward the Broken bridges, the call of "bikes back" as we'd crossed them had GiantAndy, Rocket, Bruce, Boof, Lenny and Wozza shoot by with Emil (in his element) driving the train toward the highway.  Line astern in the advance, Bo and The Godfather would be up to their usual antics but I didn't expect Greg to bait Bo with a half wheeling battle on Boundary Rd.  (Boys will be boys eh?)   Some in struggle street didn't see the funny side of it.  

A little east southeast breeze gave Greg and The Godfather some grief toward the Toaster but it didn't slow their pace, thoughts of the tailwind home on Lemnos-Cosgrove made the hurt worth it.  The order had shuffled when Molly, Tina and Kim took a raincheck on driving duty so that put The Godfather on my wheel.  Broken glass and skid marks painted the scene of Wednesday's fatality at the turn west back toward town, my turn again at the business end, again with Troy.   I'd shortened my aim to get to the Pine Lodge Creek even though the breeze was in my favour, something said I'd have yet another shift before the lap was done (I could thank Tina, Molly and Kim who'd taken up permanent residence in the caboose)   The Godfather was gracious staying level with me to Boundary Rd; beyond that the 'boys will be boys' thing started again.  Nudging 40's on Ford Rd confirmed a few would be staying at the back.  

That third shift became a reality in Rudd Rd and I was keen to get it over and done with before getting the breeze in the face on the Boulevard.  I made Golf Drive my half way point where the Ninja returned to pair for part two, so reaching the roundabout at Canterbury Rd I was glad to let others do the driving toward breakfast.  A few were watching for bits breaking off the back of the bunch as the excitement elevated to Tarcoola though a dozen finished at the Town Hall almost combined, girls to the Milk Bar and boys to the Butter Factory to babble about old signs, building costs and Turks and Croatians.

9/1 A Monday for masochism.

Like a cork out of a shaken bottle, Emil and PistolPete had the bunch flying to Mitchell Rd, some hoping for a gentle introduction to the week would be disappointed for the next 48 minutes.  

One wheel ahead of the other, a show of who's most stubborn, Monday's frustration of going back to work or maybe an attempt to deliver some weird sort of masochism might have been the reason? Whatever the excuse, 13 behind were muttering something about big shots or just suffering in silence.  It wasn't much fun for me on PistolPete's wheel, but I'd be at maximum delay for a turn in the drivers' seat.  Lenny seemed to take the speed as the standard, nudging 40 on the eastern drive to Central Kialla (though Emil's effort alongside started to fade with a k remaining to Euroa Rd.   Thinking that slight slow of speed was the new normal was pure fantasy, Greg was on the gas north to River Rd and Troy rose to the occasion for his aim at the bridge. Some might abandon ship at this rate of knots though being a part of the bunch tends to be a powerful magnet.  Wozza and Rocket have this sort of velocity in their dna so my money was on Kel, the Ninja, BamBam, Jen and Tina (conveniently in procession) to take the edge off when they reached the front.  

Without any wind against us (not even a breeze to battle) velocity continued to the highway.  Oxygen wasn't so precious on Boundary Rd, some could be spent on social stuff as Kel and the 5ft one took charge with a speed something more manageable toward Old Dookie Rd.  Jen and Tina took aim at School Rd working west, and convinced that there was an easterly assisting probably erased my concerns of pairing with PistolPete to Central Ave.    

Deja vu last Wednesday.....only this time I kept eyes off the Garmin to conceal the facts. Legs went to licorice to catch the Emil and Pistol pairing toward to the truck route, masochism making a comeback when I mistakenly glanced at 42 on the Garmin.  

I'd willed a dozen B doubles to arrive at the truck route for 20 seconds worth of oxygen intake but that's fantasy too (Only a k worth of cruelty to SPC old boy.......get over it!)  Legs refused to deliver the drive to hold PistolPete's wheel, so I slipped down the order as plenty passed by (at least that boosted the slipstream).   What the head wanted was at odds with what the engine would give, so slipping off the back of the bunch through the lefts and rights of Shepp's streets en-route to caffeine wasn't an issue.  I caught them at the traffic lights. 

10/1 Four to the fore.

I spoke too soon about riding without the wind wearing you down; a south southwester sprung up to make a task of Tuesday's commute to the shop and although Boundary Rd would be blessed with assistance at the arse end, the rest of the squirrel circuit would be bearing the brunt of 15-30 km/h worth of work.   Absentees outnumbered attendees today, Emil, Kim and Tina were the few to face the starting grid, Emil (of course) the first to face Channel Rd bound for the truck route.  I'd struggled to keep 31 on the speedo to the shop yet managed Emil's 37's for the first two k's at second wheel.  Go figure!   Unsure at matching that pace when I got the Doyles to Orrvale duty, 36's was surprisingly sustainable for the 1200 metre leg.  Tina sped the Specailized to the Kinder where Kim drew the short straw of the wind in the face on Central Ave.  

I'll bet the eastern leg to the cypress trees felt better (still without a speedo, Kim judged the tempo to a tee).   Four swapping turns meant shifts would come around again quickly though Emil's long drive to the end of Channel got a few extra breaths in.  The wind behind in Boundary made the labor lighter and aiming at the fig farm might be a bit greedy (nobody likes a tail-wind thief) so I handed the reigns to Tina a 100 metres beyond the bridge.  She and Kim could enjoy the pleasure of pace without punishment, Emil could tough-out the side wind to Lemnos.  The call of "Car up" seemed strange till a charcoal coloured Hyundai emerged from the 5:45 darkness, minus headlights (the driver obviously still asleep!  Or maybe headlights were an optional extra?)   Emil predictably did the distance to Lemnos North Rd so that first 3 k's of Ford Rd was mine to drive yet again.  Talk about familiar ground!  

The shift went well till Mouser Rd, the reality of that distance remaining to Grahamvale turning up the regret of setting an over enthused pace. Orchards shielding me from the southerly was the saving grace.  Tina got lucky getting the short drive to Verney, Kim not so lucky getting the headwind to Balaclava Rd.  It seemed strange to see Emil restrained at second wheel for the long drive south while Kim kept pace precisely at 31 (kudos, minus speedo) to the traffic lights, even more strange to have them change to green as we got there.  Kim's magnetic personality?  Or do they just stay red for Emil?

11/1 A conga line of cruelty.

The shop squad had attracted some horsepower from the Sanctuary ranks, so the Wednesday grid had just PistolPete, BamBam, Tina, Lance, Molly, Kel, Bo and The Godfather lined up for the mid-week spin, so naturally the numbers formed an Indian filed format under PistolPete's guidance toward Mitchell Rd (me perfectly positioned in BamBam's draft at third wheel).  A mild southerly (10 km/h) had no effect on Pistol's 38 pace (and I thought this was social speed Wednesday!)   Smug as Rocket in the specials aisle at the bottle shop, I was banking on the Central Kialla shift with a tailwind.....till Pete did the martyr's thing and drove the second leg to Euroa Rd.  

But wait, there was more!  Pete took on Leg 3 to River Rd as well, a most effective way to cook BamBam at 2nd wheel.  Try as he might, wattage wouldn't come to BamBam bound for River Rd's bridge, his elbow eager to have me at the front just 300 metres into the shift.  The south southwester at the right shoulder wasn't doing me any favors but 35 wasn't bursting my boiler and a little martyrdom (from Pistol's epic effort) had rubbed off to inspire me to drive to the dip.  I arrived at the bridge in a reasonable state but turned somewhat secondhand by Laws Drive (high on hopes, low on horsepower Foss!).  Speed sank a fraction to reach the dip but that lowered the standards for Tina's turn.  The back of the bunch was bliss!  Tina, Lance and Molly provided a similar pace to Coach Rd so recovery didn't take an eternity, Kel's speed to the Broken bridges a little spicier (though that's kosher with the breeze up the backside).   

Bo's the tailwind specialist and he boosted speed to 40 of course, but shied from doing a 'full block', no doubt baiting The Godfather to go long distance to Old Dookie Rd.  Problem was, the variable velocity we had to endure!  Anything from 35 to 41 was murdering muscles at the back, wearing brake pads and rubbing nerves red raw (give me PistolPete's smoothness at almost any pace, anytime!)   Pete pointed us west on Old Dookie but that smoothness was a little swift for Molly, Kel delivering the news of the infringement to the front.  A social 35 returned to the agenda and made many happy, even to the point of BamBam fronting for duty to Central Ave.  So, I got the shift through Dobson's estate and took aim to the truck route, only attempted 'cause orchards saved me from the south southwester.  PistolPete delivered the final drive to SPC, keeping a considerate 38 cap on the speed.

12/1 Crank'n to Frankst'n.

With a decent dose of hesitation, I eyed the Nepean highway at Mordialloc as an alternate course while in the big smoke for a couple of days.  The repetitive route of  Mordialloc to St.Kilda and back was wearing a little thin but doubts on the safety of other untested courses played on the nerves when thinking of Melbourne's 5,151,000 crazy inhabitants! Beach Rd has bikes by the bucketload, though a few flashing led's were southbound over the bridge, Frankston bound.  What could go wrong with a spin on the three and four lane highway while the city woke and commuted south and north?   I stuck the mindset into solo mode, knowing I'd cook myself at 35's without a bunch to seek a slipstream from, so I'd just have to accept 31's and 32's as the standard to survive solo.  (No point expecting others to donate a draft).  Barely into Aspendale and I found a guy glued to my wheel, obviously he wouldn't mind being labelled a wheel sucker! 

With little purpose to putting him o.t.a. (and cooking myself doing so), I stayed at my pace through Edithvale and Chelsea, with traffic lights being the only interruptions to the rhythm.  Mr, Wheel Sucker was excused for hanging on the back; my pace and the bike was complimented in a friendly chat at the Bon Beach traffic lights.  The bayside sea air played a part in keeping the head happy, it distracted thoughts of the climb of Olivers Hill just the other side of Frankston. Mr Nepean's highway is as smooth as Boof's head, and doesn't that help to preserve the pace, though the odd parked car needed a glance back to check for following traffic.  Mr Draftalot had vanished and a pack of eight tapped past, seemingly without effort, to deliver a dose of reality about my snail-like speed.  Frankston is looking a little funky in places since I last passed through though Olivers Hill still has the 7% climb to get me into the heights of zone 4.  

Thinking of the pleasure of its' downhill got me through the curses on the climb, a couple of k's tapped to Mt Eliza before a u-turn pointed me north from whence I came.  Olivers downhill was a sweet start to the journey back, a light south easter at the posterior a positive too.   Bikes were as rare as rocking horse manure on the return, the waves of commuting traffic well behaved to keep the course comfortable, except the punishing pot-holes dotted about the left lane in Chelsea and Edithvale (must book in a spoke tension at the bike shop; these wheels have rolled 47,000 km without a hiccup).  Back to Mordialloc and Beach Rd was bike city, that light southeaster still soothing the ego up to the grand old Mentone Hotel.  Enough solo for me, coffee at Tour de Cafe was calling. 

13/1  Socially Southside.

Sneaking in a spin with the Southside Knights was an opportunity too good to pass up while in metropolitan Melbounre. This would be the usual eastern skirt of part of Port Phillp Bay, but travelled south then north, contrary to my usual tack.  Mobbed under Mr. Moon (Luna Park's main entrance), fifteen or more gathered for the strictly social trip to Mordialloc's pier and return in Beach Rd's bliss. Ness called the protocols of anti-clockwise rolls and short shifts at the business end with low 30's to fit the no-drop rule (a refreshing change from the bunch charge back home!).    There'd be very few 2k shifts at the front with this amount of players, a little labor into a light southerly on the way to 'Mordy' but the bliss of a tailwind back and caffeine to conclude.  Bollards separate bikes from commuting cars at random places through St.Kilda so wits were sharp not to have a horizontal malfunction with them, extra Knights from other suburbs lying in wait to join in.  

Variables in speed needed the sharpest focus - maybe the ups and downs of the tarmac played their part in pace though unfamiliar riders may have raised my caution a little.  (No cause for concern as it happened;  plenty of calls, hazards signaled and smooth trajectories built comfort in time).  It was just my luck to reach the front near Black Rock to face the breeze and an uphill with it, though the young Knight beside me was courteous with the velocity (probably pitying the pensioner's performance)   A lot like the Boulevard back home, parked cars became the problem as the bunch had space squeezed by passing vehicles, although bikes almost outnumber cars on this course.  

The sky looked like July but the temperature was definitely January, almost to the point of a misting rain, but it didn't. Beaumaris appeared sooner than I'd expected (a bunch knocks over the k's way faster than a solo ever will I suppose) so the Mordy u-turn was next; a brief pause at the pier for the riot act to be read (maintaining tempo for the benefit of those at the back) before setting sail north back to St.Kilda.  The tailwind was the treat, low 30's ditched for the high ones (with a few 40's thrown in on the downhills) back toward the metropolis, eyes wide open for the few slower soloist and the pairs intent on staying side by side as we passed.  More time was spent on focus ahead than on conversation.  Traffic thickened for the 7:30 - 8am rush but 20+ Knights arrived at the Esplanade where the craving for caffeine was cared for at Cowderoy's.

This week 300km

YTD 490km