Post #699
27/5 Sluggish for some, swift for others.
It's easy to lose a minute or two in that layering process preparing for the mornings' temperature (although nine degrees was a welcome reprieve); a procedure easily forgotten when you've been spoiled by summer. Which gloves, beanie or bandana, what and how many base layers and I'd obviously missed the commuter train when I arrived at an empty Tarcoola roundabout at 5:31, so a solo spin to Sanctuary Drive at my speed was a change as good as a holiday. A few lights were circulating the side streets so the Saturday express hadn't left the station. Bruce, Bo, Julz, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja, Boof, Troy, GiantAndy, LiamM, Wozza, Lili and PistolPete converged on the grid at 5:59 and a moment's hesitation as the clock struck six put me on a chase to catch the eager entrants spinning south. An absent Godfather seemed strange. Two rows got sorted into a pecking order and I'd scored a good seat between LiamM and Lili as 38's settled into the standard toward Mitchell Rd.
The turn east to Central Kialla had Lili drop back a place, promoting me onto GiantAndy's wheel in the advance, a great draft behind but formidable beside (I should worry about that later - I might get lucky to have that westerly's assistance?) Cloud cover had kept the chill away but made the morning as dark as DarthVaders kit beyond the headlights' beam, the rabbit rushing from the roadside in River Rd a heart-starter for many. Effort multiplied on each promotion forward and ever closer to the red-line at second wheel had doubts raised on delivering the speed at the front. ("Suck it up Softie" that voice in the skull whispered) GiantAndy was of course the gentleman when duty called into Coach Rd.
38's wasn't such an ask headed to the Broken bridges as the big lad sheltered me from the side wind......but then reality kicked in. The fading symptoms of a man cold had lungs laboring barely 300 metres into the shift and those h.r. numbers were on an escalator to explosion 200 metres further. (Hate that; legs and head were raring to go but everything else was going on strike). The want to do my fair share drove me till the will to live started to fade (100 metres from the bridge); how I'd cope with an effort from Lili on part two I tried to suppress. (Lucky stars were thanked as her speed settled at 33's, then she called an early half time at the second bridge). Getting the h.r. back to bearable would have to wait for a couple of k's. LiamM and the Ninja were put in charge to the highway though that was soon shortened to Channel Rd. (Reality may have kicked them too?) Speed was on the rise again in Boundary Rd (some of those highly tuned engines can stall at slow speeds) but I'd found a breath or two by then so could survive. Real recovery might come at breakfast?
Bruce and PistolPete guided our way to the Toaster and returning to the advance line gave me some shelter from that westerly again. Facing the front (somewhere in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd?) and into the headwind would be a cruel contrast. Serious thoughts went into seeking respite in the shelter of left line but choosing the soft option has repercussions doesn't it! (I felt duty bound to do a shift when LiamM and Lili would be braving the advance again). Time in the drivers seat was a waiting game over Lemnos-Cosgrove's length while those with real horsepower sliced their way through the wind, not until Emil rolled left on the second k of Ford Rd that Andy and I got that job again. 1200 metres to Grahamvale Rd evaporated a lot of energy and my hope for a halt for traffic was dashed with a clear path through, so rolled left; something slower beside Lili would do me well.
The surprise was the Ninja alongside for part two (LiamM and Lili had taken the soft option). Half wheeled for half a k wasn't a worry but the Ninja soon took shelter behind, leaving me with Bo to head to Verney. A request for leniency got me his draft but when he and PistolPete turned up the pace I'd hit my expiry date. Bruce saw me in struggle street though his appeal for calm had no effect so holding on till Numurkah Rd was my only option (hoping there was traffic there!) A split in the bunch into Wanaganui Rd got some of that oxygen back on the slow roll to regroup, just enough to survive to Rudd Rd (but when speed spiked again for a blast along the Boulevard it seemed fair to let the lads off the leash and side with the spent to roll low 30's to breakfast). The culinary quality of Eighty8 in the company of LiamM, Julz, Jen and Kim explored half wheeled heroics, the fringes of medical science and flattering photos.
(From now I'll try to abbreviate the babble and spare you the strain of filtering all the b.s. I'm spending too much time on this stuff! A reflection on the quality of tv programs I suppose?)
A damp stretch of tarmac and a chilled westerly breeze wasn't such a warm welcome for Monday morning and after yesterday's rain, there'd be all those worms to collect on the circuit. (Ah, that aroma!) Still, these might be the conditions we crave when the real winter takes hold. I'd banked on other weirdos riding in this sort of weather and was proved right when Emil, Kim and Jen were found southbound to Sanctuary at stupid o'clock. There were plenty of similarly strange ones at the grid too. (Bruce, PistolPete, Troy, Kel, Rocket, BamBam, Wozza, Bo and the 5ft Ninja). Even The Godfather had appeared as Pistol started the southbound stuff with Emil at 5:40. By chance I'd berthed on BamBam's wheel as two rows got into order toward the truck route, the damp road and glossy tyres turning up the caution for the left / right into leg two toward Mitchell Rd.
The draft from four pairs ahead probably masked the effort needed at the front, but for now, I was pleased with progress. Under somewhat slippery circumstances, 35's seemed sensible. Despite the Bureau's statement of a light westerly, it felt like a northeaster on Coach Rd. I had the head ready for a drive beyond the highway when Jen paired with Kel but the call of duty came early when Jen rolled left at Channel Rd. BamBam seemed pleased with a slightly slower pace for my part two, though the approaching truck on Boundary Rd delivered a blast of wind that nearly blew us back to last Thursday. PistolPete and Emil made a mockery of our complaints about wind, forging ahead to Old Dookie unflustered. The earlier enthusiasm to ride was beginning to wear off (directly proportional to the energy used), the thoughts of a caffeine fix at the end providing the inspiration to tolerate the speed for 7 k's toward town. Two lines drew long and thin for the single filed thrash to SPC as it usually does!
Despite the respiratory restrictions of this man-cold that won't let go, and feeling somewhat second-hand anyway, the two wheeled addiction dragged me from the warm bed and forced the insulation process for Tuesday's fix. Wendy, Emil, Kim, Jen and Lili provided the incentive to rotate the legs south to the shop and as usual, it felt like climbing a mountain getting there (and there wasn't even a wind to blame!) Maybe Emil's effort at 37's to the truck route might get the old engine up and running? (more likely to cook me, but that's better than the regret of hibernating indoors overdosing on cough syrup!) An attempt to simulate Emil's speed for the Doyles to Orrvale thing was an effective decongestant.
The Jenerator (Julz' label, not mine) turned up the torque to complete Channel Rd which meant Emil kept his traditional tap of Coach and Boundary Rd's to Old Dookie. Sitting second wheel to get there became hard labor. I'd managed that short 1100 metres from Old to New Dookie ok but wasn't going to risk engine damage driving any further so gave Julz the job to take us north to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. Wendy was on form to muster the muscle for the long drive to Lemnos North Rd. Excess enthusiasm drove Emil to get to Verney where of course he'd drive south to Balaclava Rd. Second wheel was a tough gig again, particularly when that enthusiasm went beyond 40 at Graham St. A slightly slower approach to the traffic lights found them changing to my favoured colour.....green.
An extended shift by a few (that had the horsepower) in River Rd had delayed The Godfather's arrival at the front till the turn north into Coach Rd.....and straight into a headwind (orchestrated or coincidence? I don't know) So naturally a chorus of "Full blocks" was called. Troy (alongside) had set 36's on the menu so there'd be some peace at the front while many watched for a possible Hiroshima moment......
With the wind behind to motivate, I was happy to fill that role (concerns of keeping up soon faded when the bunch split for traffic at the truck route. The slow start to leg two saved me).
The Thursday therapy theory turned thin when Emil set 36's to the truck route, though a northwester should be blamed for that. Wendy, Kim, Tina, the Jenerator, LiamM, Lili and Julz might spin the west way home somewhat slower? Wind at the starboard side on Coach and Boundary hadn't slowed the tempo and I'd been gifted a different length of tarmac (New Dookie to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd) for a change. Wind shifting to a west northwester only built determination to fight it (RIP Therapy Thursday!) to Lemnos. A slight slow at the front caused the ripple effect of panicked braking at the back (How complacent we become when smooth is the standard). Wendy was in fine form for Ford Rd though Lili labored. Kim given driving duty for Verney Rd was a rare privilege and she made it an inspiring one with a pace of 37's toward Balaclava......but too little for Emil to hold station. Maybe it's his speed that triggers the traffic lights to shift to red?
Plenty of throttle needed (as usual) to get to Sanctuary Drive to find Greg, Wozza, Grumpy, Troy, Bruce, The Godfather, Boof, Lili, Bo, Emil, PistolPete, Tina and Kel ready for kit day, and in an almost carbon copy of Wednesday, I got the left line lead when PistolPete took to piloting the right. My lack of watts (or is it willpower?) had me call Pistol across for his draft for part two to Mitchell. Like most days, two lines had formed to share the workload, one degree a real introduction to Winter (and only three months worth of it to go!) Lili and Tina chose to sit this lap out in the caboose. Bo was up to something asking me if he could rejoin the advance to get The Godfathers' wheel. (These two should be separated in class). Just into a rhythm along Coach Rd, a sudden grab at the brakes had the bunch like Brown's cows (three kangaroos had leapt from the roadside darkness), the reaction time needed at the rear far too short for Tina and Lili who'd touched wheels and hit the horizontals.
That sickening sound of bodies and carbon fibre against the tarmac painted a painful picture. Tina was upright within seconds (minus some skin) but Lili was clutching an elbow in a lot of pain (an ambulance conclusion to the circuit was called (fractured wrist and elbow later reported) while I escorted Tina homeward, rather than seizing up stationary at the minus one roadside.
29/5 Welcome weather?
A damp stretch of tarmac and a chilled westerly breeze wasn't such a warm welcome for Monday morning and after yesterday's rain, there'd be all those worms to collect on the circuit. (Ah, that aroma!) Still, these might be the conditions we crave when the real winter takes hold. I'd banked on other weirdos riding in this sort of weather and was proved right when Emil, Kim and Jen were found southbound to Sanctuary at stupid o'clock. There were plenty of similarly strange ones at the grid too. (Bruce, PistolPete, Troy, Kel, Rocket, BamBam, Wozza, Bo and the 5ft Ninja). Even The Godfather had appeared as Pistol started the southbound stuff with Emil at 5:40. By chance I'd berthed on BamBam's wheel as two rows got into order toward the truck route, the damp road and glossy tyres turning up the caution for the left / right into leg two toward Mitchell Rd.
The draft from four pairs ahead probably masked the effort needed at the front, but for now, I was pleased with progress. Under somewhat slippery circumstances, 35's seemed sensible. Despite the Bureau's statement of a light westerly, it felt like a northeaster on Coach Rd. I had the head ready for a drive beyond the highway when Jen paired with Kel but the call of duty came early when Jen rolled left at Channel Rd. BamBam seemed pleased with a slightly slower pace for my part two, though the approaching truck on Boundary Rd delivered a blast of wind that nearly blew us back to last Thursday. PistolPete and Emil made a mockery of our complaints about wind, forging ahead to Old Dookie unflustered. The earlier enthusiasm to ride was beginning to wear off (directly proportional to the energy used), the thoughts of a caffeine fix at the end providing the inspiration to tolerate the speed for 7 k's toward town. Two lines drew long and thin for the single filed thrash to SPC as it usually does!
30/5 Cold constraints.
Despite the respiratory restrictions of this man-cold that won't let go, and feeling somewhat second-hand anyway, the two wheeled addiction dragged me from the warm bed and forced the insulation process for Tuesday's fix. Wendy, Emil, Kim, Jen and Lili provided the incentive to rotate the legs south to the shop and as usual, it felt like climbing a mountain getting there (and there wasn't even a wind to blame!) Maybe Emil's effort at 37's to the truck route might get the old engine up and running? (more likely to cook me, but that's better than the regret of hibernating indoors overdosing on cough syrup!) An attempt to simulate Emil's speed for the Doyles to Orrvale thing was an effective decongestant.
The Jenerator (Julz' label, not mine) turned up the torque to complete Channel Rd which meant Emil kept his traditional tap of Coach and Boundary Rd's to Old Dookie. Sitting second wheel to get there became hard labor. I'd managed that short 1100 metres from Old to New Dookie ok but wasn't going to risk engine damage driving any further so gave Julz the job to take us north to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. Wendy was on form to muster the muscle for the long drive to Lemnos North Rd. Excess enthusiasm drove Emil to get to Verney where of course he'd drive south to Balaclava Rd. Second wheel was a tough gig again, particularly when that enthusiasm went beyond 40 at Graham St. A slightly slower approach to the traffic lights found them changing to my favoured colour.....green.
31/5 The Godfather's grunt.
An extended shift by a few (that had the horsepower) in River Rd had delayed The Godfather's arrival at the front till the turn north into Coach Rd.....and straight into a headwind (orchestrated or coincidence? I don't know) So naturally a chorus of "Full blocks" was called. Troy (alongside) had set 36's on the menu so there'd be some peace at the front while many watched for a possible Hiroshima moment......
The mid-week ride had started well with a 15 km/h northerly helping my commute to the start line, lucky too to get a draft from Boof and Wozz from Benalla Rd. Positioning on the grid would be critical if I was to avoid that wind through Central Kialla, Coach or Boundary Rd. Of course PistolPete led the ten (Kel, Emil, Bruce, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Troy, Boof, Wozza and The Godfather) and for a moment it seemed the Ninja may take the left line lead beside him, till the reality had her retreat to the rear.
With the wind behind to motivate, I was happy to fill that role (concerns of keeping up soon faded when the bunch split for traffic at the truck route. The slow start to leg two saved me).
A shirt-load of stubbornness drove The Godfather beyond the Broken bridges to the highway, his part two scoring Bo beside him in Boundary. (What could possibly go wrong?) The season's dilemma of finding a dry line through the puddles of course got us all polka dotted. It's in Bo's d.n.a. to creep a half wheel ahead but Kel's castigation brought him back to showing a little respect for The Godfather's effort. (a swift 6k drive into the wind isn't like falling off a log) Bo and Kel captained into Old Dookie Rd, the sledges coming thick and fast when Bo called it quits at School Rd. Co-piloting Kel to Central Ave was fast but fair but I gave PistolPete the heads-up that Dobson's bridge would be my limit for the second bit. That left just enough in the tank to survive Pete and Boof's burst to the truck route. Blurred vision and spotted specs didn't help my navigation, but Bruce's reliable wheel helped with a draft to survive the SPC squirt.
1/6 The therapy thesis.
The Thursday therapy theory turned thin when Emil set 36's to the truck route, though a northwester should be blamed for that. Wendy, Kim, Tina, the Jenerator, LiamM, Lili and Julz might spin the west way home somewhat slower? Wind at the starboard side on Coach and Boundary hadn't slowed the tempo and I'd been gifted a different length of tarmac (New Dookie to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd) for a change. Wind shifting to a west northwester only built determination to fight it (RIP Therapy Thursday!) to Lemnos. A slight slow at the front caused the ripple effect of panicked braking at the back (How complacent we become when smooth is the standard). Wendy was in fine form for Ford Rd though Lili labored. Kim given driving duty for Verney Rd was a rare privilege and she made it an inspiring one with a pace of 37's toward Balaclava......but too little for Emil to hold station. Maybe it's his speed that triggers the traffic lights to shift to red?
2/6 A kangaroo calamity.
Plenty of throttle needed (as usual) to get to Sanctuary Drive to find Greg, Wozza, Grumpy, Troy, Bruce, The Godfather, Boof, Lili, Bo, Emil, PistolPete, Tina and Kel ready for kit day, and in an almost carbon copy of Wednesday, I got the left line lead when PistolPete took to piloting the right. My lack of watts (or is it willpower?) had me call Pistol across for his draft for part two to Mitchell. Like most days, two lines had formed to share the workload, one degree a real introduction to Winter (and only three months worth of it to go!) Lili and Tina chose to sit this lap out in the caboose. Bo was up to something asking me if he could rejoin the advance to get The Godfathers' wheel. (These two should be separated in class). Just into a rhythm along Coach Rd, a sudden grab at the brakes had the bunch like Brown's cows (three kangaroos had leapt from the roadside darkness), the reaction time needed at the rear far too short for Tina and Lili who'd touched wheels and hit the horizontals.
That sickening sound of bodies and carbon fibre against the tarmac painted a painful picture. Tina was upright within seconds (minus some skin) but Lili was clutching an elbow in a lot of pain (an ambulance conclusion to the circuit was called (fractured wrist and elbow later reported) while I escorted Tina homeward, rather than seizing up stationary at the minus one roadside.
This week 311km
YTD 5,913km
Let's know if this drivel is more digestable in 'extra edited' format..........
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