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
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