Repeat prescriptions.

Post #690

18/3  Saturday singled.

It was high time I took an early shift. Most days have me hiding in an early draft anyway.  PistolPete was strangely absent on Saturday and I just happened to be at the front of the grid when Lili, Graeme, the 5ft Ninja, Lenny, Bruce, The Godfather, Bo and Kel lined up for the 6am spin. The call for single file meant I wouldn't have to match anothers' pace; just the expectations of all the others to do something decent in the drivers' seat weighed heavily on the head.  The 800 metres to the truck route wasn't so bad; a steady build up of pace didn't drain the tank over that distance, but maintaining the speed standard for the next 1800 to Mitchell made me regret setting the bar a bit high.  (I hoped Lili wouldn't drop me when she took on the eastern drive to Central Kialla).  Breathless, but reaching the target, I joined the tail somewhat satisfied I'd met The Godfather's "full block" standards.  A whisp of a westerly would speed my recovery (the perception earlier of a northeaster was pure fantasy, but it helped my hurry south).   Lili seemed cooked a k toward Euroa Rd and rolled to the rear, leaving the task of the tow to Central Kialla to Graeme.  

My attempts setting 36's were far outclassed by Lenny's 39's in River Rd, and just as the negatives brewed in the head about sustaining that speed, Kel's call for calm brewed some hope instead.  Lili was in Struggle Street, so the slow saved me.  The half k's calm was soon swapped for speed again, although getting a few breaths back soon recharges the battery.   The Godfather got into the drivers' seat on Coach Rd and got that diesel engine on the torque curve (53/13) to take us north for a long drive. (Time constraints turned Kel and Bo homeward via Channel Rd).  A call of 'car back' was in fact the shop squad passing at warp speed (suitable sledges promptly delivered).  The diesel was still going in Boundary Rd, his pace considerately controlled to keep all aboard.  

The bike ahead at the fig farm turned out to be Emil, ejected from the shop squad (big on speed, low on compassion).   Another contributor was more than welcome at half distance.  Keen to continue his captaincy to the Toaster, The Godfather's enthusiasm had dislodged Lili from the caboose at Old Dookie's bridge, the subsequent slow to regroup worked for a little while but Graeme's watts on the front wore away the cohesion.  My guess at 33's found favour, so I became the tow truck to the Toaster.  Graeme got the pace and the position perfect heading to the Pine Lodge church, Bruce setting a similar speed to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd (the broken rib didn't seem to trouble him, or does he hide the hurt?)  

Emil bumped up the velocity (and why not with the now south southeaster assisting) and to her credit, Lili laboured the load well, 40's to Boundary Rd and onward, burning my vastus lateralis in the process. Energy was evaporating quickly in The Godfather's draft along Wanganui Rd so my turn into Rudd Rd's wind emptied the tank of any reserves for extra efforts.  Big mistake.  A very thin thread held me to the caboose for the length of the Boulevard.  Being dropped at Tarcoola's roundabout when the hammer went down wasn't a drama seeing Graeme had succumbed too, the slow to 37's got the view on Knight St back into focus and found LiamM en-route to breakfast.   The realities of recycling, road rage and old school revenge tattled tongues while the empty tank was filled.

20/3  Warriors or weirdo's?

Tempting as it was to stay in bed and listen to the southerly blowing at 40 km/h, I knew the sledges for failing to front to Monday's ride would be relentless.  Besides, the regret of not riding would ruin the day.  (Facing the tough stuff is good mental ammunition for when weather turns against you anyway).  Wrung out half way to Sanctuary Drive, I was grateful Rocket rolled to the front and pair with Emil at Wilmot Rd, allowing me some respite at the rear where Tina was sensibly seated.  Wind blowing water (from a broken irrigation spray) across Waranga Drive gave us a free cold shower, and what a delightful drenching when the Bureau said feels like 10.   Greg, Troy, Bruce, Bo, The Godfather, PistolPete and Kel possibly wanted to be spared the sledges too and fronted the grid, Troy drawing the short straw to co-pilot the southern leg to Mitchell with PistolPete (who else?) though Troy's wattage and new wheels were fit for purpose.  

Christmas came early turning east but naturally speed got spicy without the wind head-on, Emil and Troy positioning well to shelter the next in line from the labour.  Tina and Kel had confined themselves to the caboose.  Bo and The Godfather were in cahoots on River Rd, their usual "my engines' better than yours" demonstration started at the bridge and continued unabated (How refreshing to see they'd positioned well to keep the rear out of the gutter).  Second wheel to Bo was testing my tenacity by the quarter horse stud but hey, it was better than heading into that wind!  The Godfather finally allowed Bo to roll across at rooster corner so I should send the two terrors a cheque for gifting me a tail-wind turn.  

There weren't a lot of sprockets left while 42's blurred the path north and I knew I'd hear that "full block" demand when I called half time to Bo at the Broken bridges.  This old bloke doesn't come with a long range tank (the oxygen consumption at this pace would run the tank dry by the highway anyway) so part two with Bruce to the pub was my limit.  Not surprisingly, few bikes braved the southern spin so The Godfather's greetings were minimal.  I spent the distance to Old Dookie Rd in hope I'd avoid a second term.  Pistol and Troy were on the front again for the west way to Central Ave so maybe I'd be lucky to score a tow into town?   The pleasure was the shelter from the southerly in the advance line while Emil and Troy took us to the truck route.  The want to echelon against the wind when the pack turned single file for the squirt to SPC was stifled with commuting cars behind, the western approach to SPC the only lane open at the roundabout so days of this circuit are numbered.

21/3 Where's the wind?

Uninviting as Channel Rd is at 5:30 am, seven speared into it's darkness, today with a little more insulation fitted against the bite of 11 degrees.  Emil had put 37's on the menu toward Doyles Rd as me, Molly, Tina, Jen, Lili and Kim lined up behind, keen to make a contribution to the team or maybe just keen to get the chore over and done with?  Of course, I got the Doyles to Orrvale shift and just for a change, I found the opening speed achievable (and not a tailwind to explain it!), the slightest of southerlies was hidden by houses, the Orrvale school and the orchards.  Molly had taken on Tina's usual drive to the Kinder, a shift to the usual routine.  

Jen was in charge from the cypress trees but slowed for a moment at Beckhams bend to let Julz join the line, then resumed her rush to get to Channel Rd's end.   Lili had the southerly breeze as a gentle aid to the highway but cut her shift short to finish it there.  In contrast, Kim had the hammer down on Boundary Rd (what you can achieve without a speedo to reference your pace!) but the lust for oxygen at the bridge had her hand over.  

The routine had returned with Emil at the front bound I guessed, for Old Dookie Rd.  Presumption correct; I got the usual Old to New Dookie shift with the bonus of that breeze behind.  Jen was on a mission to get to Lemnos, though a brief moment off the gas had Julz keen to captain.  Jen got back on the throttle again, testing Julz' will. Despite Jen's curved ball, Julz got down to business for the 3k length of Ford to Grahamvale, though the speed sank slightly in the last k as oxygen failed to keep up to the enthusiasm.  Always eager to lead the last leg to Balaclava Rd (and on to the Butter Factory for that matter), Emil jumped a couple of rungs (urging me to follow at second wheel) to donate the gals a tow into town but eager had dislodged Julz  in the last 400 metres so Balaclava's red light regrouped the seven again.

22/3  The mornings' moisturiser.

A fickle forecast kept some guessing (and kept some others in bed) but I had faith in the always reliable yr.no app of "all clear" for Wednesday.  Yesterday's half inch of rain had dampened the tarmac and 100% humidity made riding like pushing through soup.  Bruce, Tina, Boof, The Godfather, Wozza, Gazza, Rocket and the 5ft Ninja's spirits weren't dampened, lining up behind PistolPete, the lower attendance forcing this to be an Indian filed format. 

Second wheel to Pistol is usually the last to labour but today's eagerness to berth there made me 2ic.  Pete makes 38's look easy (but it makes me lame), the urge to keep the line intact drags out a few more watts worth though.  Using that urge early could be blamed for starting my turn already cooked, but if the rest didn't like the pensioner's pace, they could lump it!  Two k's to Euroa Rd seemed to be all uphill (I later discovered an easterly breeze was too blame) and emptying the tank to reach shifts end isn't a good idea, so with Tina's turn next, I had hopes she'd be kind on the throttle.  The measure of fitness is in the recovery they say, so when the world came back into focus nearing River Rd there was some hope left. Rocket took the tempo up a few notches in River Rd and Wozza followed suit, the focus blurring again a little by River Rd's end.  Gazza got into the drivers seat at Coach Rd to make his hurry and although his speed was swift, the smoothness limited the suffering.  PistolPete's not much of a draft but wasn't it good to have The Godfather ahead carving a decent slice through the atmosphere.  A puddle or two made a mess of the bike but better get used to it Foss, there's a lot more to come!  (I'd forgotten about the aroma of dead worms stuck to the bike, the fun of playing frog dodgem another of Winter's entertainment to look forward to!). 

A breath or two was gained on a brief wait at the highway but Gazza had cemented himself in the lead for Boundary too, aimed at Old Dookie, a test for the 5ft one sitting at second wheel.  My focus moved close on PistolPete's wheel, the peripherals blurred under the sustained speed (no complaints from me though; Gazza's long drive would save me from a second appearance at the front).  The Ninja was obviously toasted a touch from Gazza's 6 k's worth of martyrdom, her lead west into Old Dookie Rd faded a little shy of School Rd but Bruce did the duty to Central Ave with little signs of carrying a broken rib. The Godfather delivered his variable velocity to the truck route (a test for legs on the limit) but PistolPete's smoothness eased the pain to SPC.  Conformity with commuting traffic seems to be on the improve, though consistency could be better with some.

23/3 The therapy theory.

A pedal at a pedestrian pace would be perfect.  I must be getting old when most rides feel like I'm right on the limit, though I keep turning up for repeat prescriptions don't I! The theory behind therapy Thursdays is to let the legs recover and enjoy just one day of peace among the paced ones.  Another theory might be to fall back in love with riding again rather than each day being terrorized by toil.  The stars had aligned to treat the Squirrels to a tailwind back to town, so all that Kim, Wendy, Emil, Molly and Tina  needed was to battle Channel and Boundary Rd's and enjoy the bliss of Lemnos-Cosgrove and Ford with the breeze at the back. Crossy had crossed the floor from the Wouldabeens to make a guest appearance with the Squirrels, being read the riot act on taming his tempo to therapy standards (there's that FIFO factor again) so Emil was the educator to the truck route teaching a therapeutic 33.  I'd ranked the east northeaster as a wind more than a breeze though facing it for my Doyles to Orrvale session didn't really blow a head gasket.  Distant lightning provided us a light show.  

Tina tapped turn three to the Kinder and Wendy provided the draft to the cypress trees, Julz laying in wait at Beckham's bend to climb aboard the peace train.  Kim must have been minus speedo again, testing the therapy limits to the end of Channel Rd and adding a haul to the highway for good measure.  Crossy's debut drive showed considerable restraint, his regular head nod saying a watch was on speed (prevents a knife in the back!). Calling it quits at the fig farm threw the usual shift routine out the window but a bit of variety to the same old same old wouldn't go astray.  So Emil's shift ended at New Dookie Rd and I got the 2k leg to Lemnos-Cosgrove as a change of scenery.  Most had worked the wind over the distance if only for the treat of the help homeward, Tina and Wendy getting a taste of it first to Lemnos North Rd.  Keen to make her donation, Julz had a wind assisted passage to Grahamvale Rd.  Crossy was trusted with Emil's trademark drive south on Verney Rd and stuck to Thursday's standards, presented with the always red traffic light at Balaclava Rd. 

24/3 Full house Friday.

A check of the Bureau's observatory data (better the devil you know.....) told me there was an east northeaster but in the real world aboard two wheels at stupid o'clock, I'd put money on a southwester smothering my spin to Sanctuary.  Tactics to score an early slipstream to (at least) Mitchell Rd were on the drawing board long before reaching the grid.  Trav, Lili, BamBam, Rocket, Jen, Emil, Kreeky, Bruce, Tina, Bo, Wozza, Boof, Kel, LiamM, Greg, PistolPete, the 5ft Ninja and The Godfather packed Sanctuary's start line, obviously taking advantage of a 16 degree morning while it lasted.  The woes of Winter loom large! (I won't mention it's nine and a half weeks away).  PistolPete, naturally got wheels turning south, Emil eager to expend his energy alongside.  I'd got The Godfather's preferred place in the pack (last to serve duty, behind Pistol) so I'd be crossed off his Christmas card list.  I reckoned I'd earned the position having hurt for 10k's to the start.   Rocket reckoned I'd be getting a tow all the way to the Butter Factory given the size of the squad, but I've learned from experience nothing is guaranteed.  

Kreeky faced the front with Emil in Mitchell Rd where the wind felt head-on too, so hats off to him reaching Euroa Rd and doing the part two distance to River Rd too.  BamBam continues to earn frequent flyer points with the pack (hoping for election as the official Road Ranger?) and Trav had turned up to tap a few k's but where TrackStan has hidden is anyone's guess. (Succumbed to Zwift?)   Gazza and his development squad hollered a sledge on their westbound roll of River Rd (as if The Godfather needs baiting!), Lili successfully dragging LiamM back onto the bike after a long (work related) hiatus, but both optioned the observers role from the caboose.  Evidence of an east northeaster was debatable as I transitioned to the advance line in Coach Rd, the long line ahead allowing a headcount (18) so I could put names to the numbers later.  

Julz, or should that be Miss Mustard (keen as!) was waiting for the train near Channel Rd.  (19 now; won't get that in Winter!).  Rocket's guess of my free tow to town was fading as I came closer to the front, Jen and The Godfather setting a tough tempo to Central Ave. Rather than labour at their limits, I set my own speed at the front for The Godfather to (hopefully) comply to, and in a gentlemanly gesture of sympathy to a senior citizen, he did!  Tempting as it was to roll across at Dobson's bridge, I'd get The Godfather's wrath of "Full Block" then PistolPete's pace to live up to.  So I stubbornly stuck out the long drive to the truck route where my tactics were to ease the exit of the roundabout and score a tow instead of the part two of pain.  That worked a treat!  

A diversion via Mitchell and Williams to avoid the SPC roundabout road closure put caution into the commute toward coffee ; a decision needed soon on the circuit to stick to for the next three months till the roadworks are complete.  

This week 304km

YTD 3,520km 

Respite rescheduled

 Post #689

13/3 A laboured Labour Day.

When the thought engine is running at 5,700 rpm at 3:18am, there's only one remedy....ride!  (I wish the engine that drives the pedals went that well!)  A lap for Labour Day had been called for 5:40 at Sanctuary, but this was super-stupid o'clock, so a solo out New Dookie Rd to Central and back on Old Dookie soaked up some time, the random ride of the city's streets getting me on agenda into Rae St (but Tina was m.i.a).  A struggle into a southerly (13-20 km/h) down to Sanctuary readied the legs for a more substantial speed with what crew a public holiday could muster. Many regulars had left for the longer weekend but Wozza, Boof, Kel and Trav turned up and Lenny returned from a long lay-off (things are crook when work gets in the way of a regular ride!).    The Toaster lap was the holiday course so Wozza led a single-filed line about face at Sanctuary's roundabout and west to Melbourne Rd.  

A zig then a zag through the side streets, then south on Raftery got the circuit started at an enthused velocity (No idea what. I'd unwittingly cancelled my Garmin's back-light so was well and truly in the dark on pace.  Labouring lungs gave me a hint it was a hurry!)   Third wheel with Boof ahead had me thrown in the deep end early.  Wozza's introduction took us the length of Raftery south to the highway where Boof took the reigns.  Fingers crossed he'd lead to Central Kialla; there was a tail-wind waiting there for me! (my speciality!)   GiantAndy was found loitering near Mitchell's dip and attached to the rear as number seven.  Boof was a good lad to hand over on the turn north through Central Kialla, the tail-wind amplifying my ability to keep 38 on the screen (lit under the sole street light at the Fire Station) to the off-camber turn east into River Rd.  Kel was kind keeping her horsepower on hold till I'd caught Boof's wheel at the back.   The Bureau said feels like 10; legs felt like 50  under Kel's labour to the bridge and Lenny's long drive to the quarter horse stud. 

Trav turned up the torque for his turn to rooster corner.  I wasn't looking forward to sun-up; seeing speed and heart-rate in the heavens was likely to scare me!  Wozza worked his wattage north to the highway and GiantAndy's drive was diplomatic on Boundary to Old Dookie Rd, so Boof did his duty east to the Toaster to hand me another tail-wind turn.  I was blessed (but burning from holding second wheel at speed).  All the determination in the world wouldn't see me hold pace to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd so giving Kel the captaincy at New Dookie (with the excuse of sharing the tail-wind) might disguise my want for watts?  Lenny's head was down to slice the southerly for the first shift west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd but handed the hurt to Trav at the Pine Lodge Creek (6 weeks off the bike was beginning to show signs of suffering)  The tow to Lemnos was supplied (with speed) by Wozz, GiantAndy (just above idle) taking on Ford Rd.  The shift scenarios were predicting I'd be called to work again in Wanganui.  Trouble was, enough light now lit the sky to show me 39 and 166.  (They're only numbers Foss.......)   

Boof got the lead role crossing Verney Rd and despite him being a great guy, it was wishful thinking on my part to expect him to tow me all the way to Mt.Wanganui so, ready the head for hurt Foss!   (Or maybe I was wrong?  Boof was still stirring 38's and 9's at the Transfer Station so this might be my early Christmas present!) Nope, there goes Boof's elbow to put me in charge!  I should have given in to the warning signs at DECA's test track (blurred vision, legs like licorice, lungs ready to burst and that growling bear groaning) but stubbornness took over to deliver a decent shift when there wasn't the horsepower to back it. 200 metres later, survival instincts triggered an involuntary flinch of the elbow for Kel to put me out of my misery.  Off the saddle to catch the tail and legs buckled, a two metre gap quickly becoming ten.  

Prepared to take the tap of o.t.a. shame back to breakfast, my lifeline came from Wozza, GiantAndy and Boof's charity, easing their speed so I could rejoin.  Bless 'em!  The last drop in the tank was spent to get there, Kel's kindness in delaying full throttle till Golf Drive's roundabout just enough to gain a breath or two and ready for Trav's drive on the Boulevard.  Touching the 40's to Knight St was only possible with thoughts of breakfast filling an empty tank.  A PB for the anti-clockwise Toaster helped the head and the Milk Bars' granola helped the taste buds, chat on hills we hate, blood donation and GiantAndy's want for wheels shared in the sunshine, Julz and Greg (in from a not-so-laboured lap) joining the chat.

14/3 A swarm of squirrels.

The graduate from the University of F You was waiting for no-one.  Fifty metres from Channel Rd's 45 degree blind bend, Mr. Impatient (Dip. FW) just had to overtake us (Damn bike riders taking up 2 metres worth of the tarmac!).  Mr I was well alongside with 20 metres left to the apex, so when an oncoming car appeared it had everyone drawing breath and looking for an escape route ('Missed it by that much' as Max would say).  Wasn't it wonderful that Mr. Impatient was spared a 4 second delay).  

Kim, Wendy, Lili, Tina, Jen, Molly, Bruce and Troy settled their nerves while Graeme and Emil towed us to the truck route, the swarm of squirrels (unusually) in two rows.  Nursing a broken rib (get a gravel bike they said, it'll be fun they said!), Bruce was playing caboose captain today but Troy was apparently nursing a hangover.  The routine was well and truly rattled with two fronting and rolling anti-clockwise turns, so the usual change of shifts were well out the window too.  Change as good as a holiday!  By the time I'd found myself at the back with Bruce, I joined the advance behind Wendy with Graeme on my wheel.  Julz was collected at Beckhams' bend.  Wendy had met her match with Tina's strong turn from the S bend to finish off Channel Rd, so I had a bit of a breeze behind assisting pace.  

Garmin numbers looked good but the head wasn't happy (a hangover from yesterday's hurry?)    I called quits to Graeme at Boundary's bridge for him to pair with Emil (and that's a recipe for speed) .   38's were ok in the slipstream but a few were calling for leniency at Old Dookie Rd.  Lili seemed pleased with the slightly slower standard when she faced the front.  With a grin from ear to ear, Julz braved the advance; how she'd fare at the business end might turn the grin to grimace.  Jen and Troy towed the nine to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, Julz facing the reality for the way west toward Lemnos with Troy diplomatic on the throttle alongside.  To her credit, Julz stuck it out for part two with Molly too, nearly reaching the bridge.  Slowly and smoothly back up to 35's in Ford Rd kept the lines intact.  Wendy was the one to watch with watts to burn to Grahamvale Rd, the short shift to Verney with Graeme getting me well into zone 4.  A well graveled bike lane and commuting cars made the southern spin to Balaclava Indian file, one close call for the day was one too many, a second one out of the question.  Emil and Graeme turned the last 400 metres into a sprint, a race to get to that red traffic light, a queer conclusion.

15/3 Youthful exuberance.

The scales were weighted heavily toward the young at Sanctuary's grid (Hang on Foss, they're all young!) and when PistolPete and Wozz set the standard of speed to swift toward Mitchell Rd, it spelled vale Social Wednesday!   All the horsepower assembled line astern in the advance line, lucky me finding PistolPete's wheel available (in The Godfather's absence) as Tina and the Ninja lined up behind.  With busted bone, Bruce braved the back.  Wozza and Emil's energy took us east to Central Kialla, the saving grace being not a hint of wind was against us (Well, that was the perspective from anywhere in the bunch.....except the front.  There's always a headwind there!) 

Liam paired with Gazza to drive into River Rd, the boys brimming with brute force and obviously in for the long haul when the advance line stayed static at the bridge.....and at the dip.....and at the quarter horse fence (need I go on?)   Ain't youth a wonderful thing?  Boof, Grumpy and Greg were lined up for duty but Gazza and Liam were well into overtime towing us all to rooster corner. 40's was the fashion for the 6k drive.  I had no objection; plenty yet to serve their time in the drivers' seat meant I wouldn't reach the front for this lap (I'd need a gale force wind up the backside to do this pace anyway!) Up Coach Rd to the highway then 3k's of Boundary to reach Old Dookie Rd, I was no closer than fifth wheel on the turn west toward town.   Kreeky's attempt to settle the speed to something like social was welcomed....but short -lived.  Greg and Grumpy led the charge into town, witches hats and roadworks signs slowing the squirt to SPC (although this wasn't the roundabout closure expected.  Next week we're told.  A change of circuit is in the wind)

16/3 Julz on the juice?

This is the view from my office on Tuesday's and Thursday's, typically focussed on Emil's cassette as pace builds from the Archer St shops to the truck route.  It's the usual scene as I ready for that Doyles to Orrvale thing.  There was a little more spice in the speed than the usual Thursday therapy but we could blame the west northwester to excite Emil's enthusiasm.  Tina, Molly, Jen, Lili and Bruce had taken their place in the single filed line, expecting to collect Julz lurking somewhere in the dark on Channel Rd.  20 degrees was bliss (but that's due to disappear and make way for the joys of winter before we can say arm-warmers)   Bruce was continuing his rib rehab using our sedate speed as a medicine to mend.  I expected the enthusiastic effort east would soon turn to work for the way west.  Julz joined as usual near Beckhams bend while Jen kept the speed at a simmer to Channel Rd's end.  

Breeze turned to wind and swung to a northwester just in time for Lili to face the front north to the highway (an understandable reason she threw an elbow to Bruce passing the pub)   Bruce was granted a short shift considering the burden of breathing he bore, Emil taking the reigns at the bridge to presumably drag me to Old Dookie Rd.  Presumption proved positive, so the standard shift to New Dookie had that wind to wear me down to therapy standards.  Tina's found form in recent weeks and had no trouble with the task of towing us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Molly had her target set at the bridge but must have found it easy, adding an extra k before giving Julz the job.  Just the second week into her apprenticeship and 35's were on her agenda to reach Lemnos North Rd (most take months to find that form so maybe she's on the juice?) The first 3 k's of Ford was no trouble for Jen, Lili lucky to get the short drive to Verney.  The standard operational procedure of pace to Balaclava Rd was taken by Emil (though nothing too swift to threaten the therapy speed) and as a rare treat, the traffic light turned green on our arrival (something we rarely rely on). 

17/3 The specimen returns.

Well out of my comfort zone (and definitely out of my depth), second wheel to Boof in the advance line wasn't the place for an old fossil in Friday's fast introduction to the lap.  PistolPete was in his usual place, Grumpy, The Godfather, Kel, Kreeky, Rocket, Tina, Bruce, Bo, Lili, Greg, the 5ft Ninja, Jen and Troy had settled into an order behind, so I wasn't about to dive for cover in the left line now.  Figured I had to face the front some time!  Just as well a light westerly helped to get 38's on the screen headed to Central Kialla though I sensed a rapidly emptying tank and not enough energy to drive part two to River Rd so sought sympathy from Boof and rolled the turn early. I hoped a slipstream would save me in Euroa Rd.  (Instant "Full block" complaints from the recently returned Godfather of course!)   

Huffs and puffs to reach the corner probably drowned out the sighs of Boof's boredom at my sluggish speed but I was grateful for his compassion.  Cheque's in the mail Boof ;)  The Godfather was kind too, checking I wasn't in cardiac arrest before using the throttle north to River Rd with Greg, though a "Pop!" from the rear ranks of the pack spoke of a puncture to trigger an intermission.    

Grateful for the few minutes to get my heart-rate out of the heavens, a few waited in the relative safety of River Rd as Kel fixed her flat in a busier Euroa Rd.  Lungs complained as the ride resumed and 38's got back on the menu, but a few minutes in the draft and the hurt was history, the reshuffle getting me on the Ninja's wheel (an aerodynamic challenge) with Boof behind (a horsepower challenge).   Bruce had Bo as co-pilot in the caboose.  Grumpy and Troy kept the pace percolating from the quarter horse stud to rooster corner, the girls all lining up for their lead roles in Coach Rd.  The Godfather's return tested the eardrums of the oncoming bunches (they would have loved the serenity of the past week!) and I guess we can't complain about the return of free entertainment. With shifts shorter south of the highway, my promotion forward was fast tracked toward the business end on Boundary, so a second turn was inevitable. 

Rocket and the 5ft Ninja paired at Boundary's bridge and set their speed toward Old Dookie Rd, so when the Ninja rolled left at the fig farm I was on duty again.  Part one wasn't so painful with the (now) southwesterly at the side, part two with it head-on on Old Dookie wasn't so appealing.  Boof again pulled his handbrake on to keep his wheel level to mine as 36's became my red-line to reach School Rd.  The slipstream behind Boof and Greg was delightful till they soon spiced the speed to 40 to reach Central Ave, so respite was rescheduled to commence over coffee.  Witch's hats appearing again near SPC made the last leg less laborious and the now standard long stop at High St's red light had the aroma of baking bread to arouse the appetite.

This week 295km

YTD 3,213km

Amplifying the addiction

 Post #688

4/5 Bay play.

Braving the "Back to Black" ride was the intention but the civilized 7:05 start didn't agree with my Melbourne agenda; the 9:15 return didn't sit well with other tasks on my list.  Another day maybe.  So, it was stupid o'clock as usual for the usual Mordialloc start.  Few favored the hour or the direction north, just a handful were city-bound like me, but plenty would be southbound a little closer to sun-up.  More throttle was needed against a north northeast breeze though the head was happy thinking about the tailwind for the return. Closing in and passing many massaged the ego till a few gradual inclines nearer Black Rock reminded me I'm a flat-land specialist (with a particular penchant for tail-winds!)   

My erratic hear-rate monitor suddenly sprung to life , the good news of being below the red line was quickly corrected to get up there immediately.  Still passing and not being passed turned up the motivation (the downhills helped that too) while the familiar path through Sandringham and Hampton seemed to blur under the Michelins (the sea air almost adding a k or two to the tempo).  Southbound pelotons multiplied the further north I traveled and still bikes ahead were caught and passed (I'll need an XXXL helmet by journey's end!) Well ahead of schedule at St.Kilda, a lap of the Grand Prix circuit put a little variety in the u-turn near Port Melbourne, plenty of barriers and fencing already up for the April 2 race.  That breeze behind in Beaconsfield Parade started the southbound return on a positive pace, barely two minutes south and a TT Cervelo (with a young engine driving it) slipped easily by.  Let the hardening-up process begin Foss!  

The temptation to draft one of many bunches starting south was strong, but who wants a foreign wheel sucker among them (and where does 'sitting on' get you?) Rule #67 and #5 is the focus.  

Rounding up a team of eight seemed like setting the bar a bit high, though it does drag out the animal within to stay ahead; fingers crossed I'd get a decent gap before the next uphill dragged my speed back to snail-like. (must have been a pack of eight marshmallows; wide open spaces when I sneaked a peek behind)    Another spring chicken passed me at Brighton (black Factor / PasNormal kit) but I had him classed in a faster formula - apples with apples eh?    Ones and twos continued to be caught through Sandringham and Black Rock, even managed to shake off a wheel sucker of my own en-route to Beaumaris.  Big surprise at Ricketts Point was finding Mr TT Cervelo gasping up a rise and didn't that find a few extra watts to pass him!  The slightest decline past the Edgy and Mentone Grammar had the old faithful Craftworx humming in the 40's, what Tour de Cafe's long black would taste like keeping 37's on the screen for the last 3 k's to Mordy. The icing on the cake was to catch Mr Factor, whistling by him as the traffic light changed green just 500 metres from Mordialloc's pier.  Entertainment was provided by the blinguists and weekend heroes talk at the cafe, pleasant to pass an eye over a Bastion and a Passoni paired there too.

7/3 Easy east, work west. 

Just as well westerlies aren't a common thing in these parts; a headwind home isn't something to get excited about (though sharing it among friends is better than battling it on your own). A west southwester gusting at 35 km/h made staying in bed an attractive proposition so bunch therapy provided the motivation to get moving on Tuesday; a spin with the squirrels saving me from the softness of sleeping-in.  

Emil, Wendy, Tina, Jen and Lili formed an Indian filed line into Channel Rd's darkness, the wind at the backside making 40's a fair pace under Emil's guidance to the truck route.  I had doubts of equaling that effort for my usual shift to Orrvale Rd but that sort of wind gives a lot of assistance. Tina and Wendy were assisted too, doing their bit to the cypress trees for Lili's shift to start. Julz was waiting, ready and raring to get aboard at Hanlon Rd for week two of her apprenticeship (I wonder how raring for the headwind home?)      Jen got the reigns at Beckhams bend and took us to Coach Rd where the honeymoon ended, Emil taking us north at a reduced rate of knots with the wind to battle at the portside.  

34's seemed agreeable to the highway but the wind was wearing away the watts for Julz, trying to find shelter at the rear.  Diplomacy dictated that speed settle to 31's so the apprentice didn't resign.  Shifts turned short to share the load up to Lemnos-Cosgrove, duty at the front in small doses for the trip back to town too with some adjustments to pace so seven stayed together.  Emil was elected to the front at Ford Rd and couldn't resist the role of tow truck to town, plenty of eyes open to make sure there were no disconnections.  The usual halt at Balaclava Rd got a few breaths back in the bank.

9/3  Winters' hint?

Thursday brought a cruel reminder of winters' proximity.  The usual check of the bureau's "feels like" temperature quickly got a base layer on my list.  6 degrees needed some insulation, though I was reluctant to break out the knee warmers and full fingered gloves just yet; I needed some reserves ready for the ravages of June and July!  Rain had ruined the chance to ride on Monday and Wednesday so a couple of slow squirrel circuits would make this a soft week (no complaints though).    

Emil and Kim were found at Tarcoola, Jen and Tina in Rae, Molly making it a half dozen as we steered south toward the shop.  I took a guess that this was a therapy day.  6 degrees was beginning to bite and fingers were feeling like July already; going faster might get the blood flowing but the increased chill factor would be counterproductive.  All were in favor of Emil driving to the truck route (who would oppose it?), a little breeze behind adding a k or two to the therapy standard. What a change to do the Doyles to Orrvale thing without getting to zone four!  

Tina to the Kinder and Kim to the cypress trees put Jen in charge, and of course she did the distance to Coach Rd before handing over to Molly to take us north. (Julz had tendered her apologies for the ride.....and won't that amplify the addiction!)   Leadership was handed to Emil at Boundary's bridge, his constant check on speed taming the temptation to turn up the hurt.  As expected, I got the Old to New Dookie shift.  Respite at the rear while Kim and Jen towed us through the head-on breeze to Lemnos North Rd was a good gig, Molly taking the toil a k into Ford where Emil was given the task to take us to Grahamvale.  Of course that wasn't enough for Emil's eagerness; the short shift to Verney then south to Balaclava was his wish.  Certainly therapy for me (but would it mean lots of watts for tomorrow?) 

10/3  New recruits & old farts.

The feeling of inadequacy was overwhelming finding just 148km clocked for the week.  Somebody sensible would treat it as respite and use it to recharge the batteries, but I didn't say I was sensible!  The desire for distance as a measure of fitness is probably all wrong; rest and recovery is said to be better, but that doesn't feed the habit like kilometres do!  Emil had found Greg on the Boulevard on a super stupid o'clock spin so, for a change, I had a draft to Sanctuary's start rather than suffer the south southwest breeze in the face.  I could join Tina, Lili and Molly's grin in the slipstream too.  The arrival of Gazza, Rocket, Boof, Kel, Wozza, Troy, The Godfather, Kreeky, Bo, BamBam and newbie Strathy at the grid would make this a one-turn lap though PistolPete's absence had many rattled.  Wozza stood in for the first shift to Mitchell and without thinking, I joined the advance at second wheel to Emil (a truck about to enter Archer Rd at the time a car was overtaking us made the start startling).  

Emil's ease of effort allowed me to front up for the drive to Central Kialla though I had doubts of doing :"the full block" to River Rd with Kreeky (but the bunch split for traffic at the turn north, so backing off the gas till they caught up gave me time to overdose on oxygen and cope with part two).  Recovery took till River Rd's bridge while Boof and Kreeky towed us there.  Gazza had convinced Strathy to sample the squads' hospitality and wisely took the invitation to sit in the caboose, a place Molly and Lili took up, finding their labor lacking to front-up for duty.   

BamBam's attendance scores an A+ again and he braved the front with Troy (compliant alongside) headed to rooster corner.  As advocate for the full block, The Godfather took on the north drive of Coach Rd to the highway with Rocket, putting pressure on Bo to do likewise to Old Dookie Rd.  (Good news was that kept me from fronting again!) Maybe Kel called half time at School Rd on the work west in Old Dookie Rd but we'll blame Bo for taking a half turn.  Emil and Wozza paired again to drive from Central Ave to the truck route, so my slow exit from the roundabout dropped me down the order a few places where a decent draft was had to SPC (roadworks soon at this roundabout will rethink our route for a few months)  Strathy had survived his maiden lap intact, just the banter and sledging to get through at the Butter Factory as part of the induction. 

A long black in the tank surprised me with speed on a solo spin out New Dookie Rd (this was the addition to overcome the inadequacy) till I realised the south southwester was helping the hurry, heading down Central Ave to Channel Rd was the decent dose of reality at the right shoulder.   Daylight made this 28k intermission a rare treat.  Finding the vintage velocipedists  had arrived at Adams Rd for their 8am departure, I joined a good mix of Hoffy, Chilly, GB, YoungBrian, Frizzy and a couple of others when WobblyTrev punctured forcing his Channel Rd short-cut.  A single-filed formation was a little out of character (but safer) though the line settled into smooth 33's south to Mitchell and all the way east to Coach Rd (nothing like the unpredictable Brown's Cows rabble that their division two is famous for)  I finally got the lead role in Coach Rd and had the breeze behind as a bonus, so a step up to 34's and 5's didn't dislodge anyone (but kept them silent). 

The rooster at River Rd crowed his approval of daylight and 13 degrees.  E-Jim and IrishTony climbed aboard the caboose at the fig farm and there they stayed for the drive up to Hill Rd (that has no hill in it) for the way west to Lemnos.  YoungBrian, Hoffy, Frizzy and Chilly tapped out a reliable tempo for 70+ year old farts, so there's hope for me yet!  Frizzy flinched an elbow to me in Ford Rd so my drive to Grahamvale Rd a little bit faster had a silent following  (but none dislodged.) A few had chosen permanent residence in the caboose though.  

Hoffy led the line in Wanganui Rd, his slight slow at DECA taken as my hint to take over, so knowing this mobs' protocol is a sprint up Mt.Wanganui, I wound up the watts to Kittles Rd, but only had e-Jim using volts to keep up.  Such pleasure comes from dropping a wheel sucker for the win, particularly when a motor is needed to challenge (that should read cheat).   Hoffy was keen to hurry again along the Boulevard while others delighted in his draft so I swapped turns with him to Tarcoola before bidding adieu's to head home.  114 got the weeks' kilometres back up to respectable again.

 

This week 262km

YTD 2,917km