The encyclopedia of excuses

 Post #707

22/7 A Saturday smoothie.

Forecast fog and frost failed to front (thank f#@&!), turning a somewhat skeptical Saturday into something worthwhile.  If you believed the bureau, breakfast was about the only bait!  Two degrees and a dry road suddenly became bearable. The lap got started at 6 sharp, PistolPete and Rocket leading a dozen (The Godfather, Troy, Wendy, Julz, Boof, Emil, Bo, Wozza, Tina, GiantAndy and Grumpy) toward the truck route.  The opening k's at 34's was a sublime start (a few hoped that speed would stick).  A sudden slow in Mitchell Rd caught a few unaware; there was a touch of wheels, a shriek from shock and a few shattered nerves but all remained upright.  Seems a possum crossing caused the commotion (a heads-up holler would have helped!)  

Bo and The Godfather behaving ain't a common thing so maybe that rare occurrence inspired Tina into the advance? Julz played it safe calling the caboose home.  Grumpy had mixed allegiances kitted in Coulda's jersey and Cat's knicks but he's certain on copious conversation (reckon he needs to chat with the style police).   Cloud cover had been the savior from the forecast freeze though feels like two wasn't making this winter popular.  Emil did another early exit to collect the recuperating Greg while Wendy and Tina teamed for the tap to the Toaster. It wasn't long till Tina called an early roll so I felt compelled to go beyond the church and aim at Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd as a worthy contribution (it's the stigma of "full blocks" getting to me).    

I appreciated Boof's patience staying with my soft speed and I wasn't taking it personally when the pace picked up after (grateful I'm given some concession).  Somehow, the horsepower always congregates in the pelotons procession so Rocket, Boof, PistolPete, Wozza and GiantAndy fronting for duty had the pace percolating toward Lemnos.  Closing in on suburbia, the decision to stay at the back was easy; 38's to 40's wasn't a lot of work in the draft of a dozen ahead but the effort to slice through the atmosphere at the point end at that speed (unless it was downhill) would blow my gasket.   Determination was the glue that kept the team together (certain fellas staying in second gear helped), the smooth speed helping those of weaker watts to hang on along Wanganui Rd.  Hats off to the horsepower suppressing their speed 'cause fourteen stayed as one along the Boulevard......till an o.t.a. at Mason St. The treat of the week is the Eighty8 breakfast (and the social stuff that goes with it), certain cowboys, Lamborghini's and weird ones capturing the conversation.

24/7 Mild mannered Monday.

The Winter blues were Monday morning's battle, the only inspiration to leave a warm bed and face feels like one degree was mingling with the (mad?) mob.......well, I hoped there'd be some at Sanctuary.  Soloists at this time of year are as rare as a politician on point!  Tina, BamBam, PistolPete, Bo, Kel, the 5ft Ninja, Emil, The Godfather and Kreeky converged on the grid calmed concerns.  Ten turned south (after a brief insulin intermission) under PistolPete and Emil's guidance to Mitchell Rd, 33's a most civilized start to the week.    Dodging the pot-hole (marked <0) nearing Central Kialla, past the fire station (watching for the narrowing tarmac), around the proliferation of patches before the off camber right into River Rd, with an eye out for random rabbits and that big bump before the bridge, all part of the normal navigation.  (Anyone would think we've done this circuit before!)  

I'd got myself to third wheel in the advance with Tina ahead and the Ninja behind, the focus shifting from the social stuff to the predicted performance at the front.  Surprise, surprise; Bo and The Godfather behaved!  Luck handed me a tailwind turn in Coach Rd, up to kangaroo alley where Tina called it quits and the Ninja drew alongside.  Coughs and splutters told the story of her absence last week and explained the short shift ending at Channel Rd.  I'd developed a desire of 33's till PistolPete and Emil raised the bar in Boundary Rd, silencing any social stuff to Old Dookie Rd.  Kreeky's turn on the way west restored a little of the mild manners, a bonus to restore a few breaths till Emil's excitement to charge to the front at the truck route put the spike in the speed again.

25/7 Tropical temperature? 

The call of "no excuses" went out when the Bureau forecast five degrees for Tuesday; a positively tropical temperature in light of recent weeks, but a few must have delved into Bo's encyclopedia of excuses not to ride.  As predicted, LiamM was absent (rumor has it the tow truck didn't have the horsepower to pull him out of bed!)  Tina, Kim, Wendy, Crossy and Emil had no excuses, a light southwester the only hinderance to get to the starting grid.  Of course, Emil led the half dozen into Channel Rd and of course, I was expected to sit at second wheel.  Nothing near an icy blast, that southwester was a bonus.  Julz arrival gets earlier, today waiting at the truck route as I rostered on for duty to Orrvale Rd.   

Wendy, Kim, Tina and Crossy tapped their turns to complete Channel Rd, Julz cruising Coach Rd to the highway then adding a k to Pogue to make it a decent donation.  With my usual task on focusing a little lower than the Leyzene light on the LaPierre, it was hard to predict when I'd be given the lead role till Emil's elbow elected me to the front.  I'd guessed at New Dookie Rd (or maybe even later) but Old Dookie got the nod today.  There was enough south in the southwest breeze to make my shift seem reasonable.  Wendy needed no wind to get to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd to make her shift swift.   

Contrary to negative thoughts about the southwester for the way home, the trip to town wasn't so tough (the sustained speed saying so) The usual sharing of long drives (contrary to The Godfather's "full blocks") got the job done to reach civilization, Emil getting greedy with the lead role at Grahanvale Rd to lead us west to the Numurkah Rd then south on Wyndham, the chosen course to coffee.   

27/7 Pea soup for breakfast.

A damp road lay ahead and a billion microscopic water drops drifted into the headlight's beam......perfect conditions to indulge the addiction after softening to a sleep-in on Wednesday.  A smaller scurry of Squirrels (Kim, Wendy, Emil and the Jenerator) found their way through the 5:15am soup the Archer St shop.  Winter is certainly eroding attendance!  It was agreed speed be set at cautious given the saturated state of the morning so the opening shift to the truck route (led by none other than Emil) was quite comfortable at 33's (shame the feels like 0.2 wasn't so comfortable).    Julz turned up for work even earlier, just 2k into the lap (at this rate she'll be at the starting grid next week!)  

I'd read the Bureau's data before swinging a leg over the bike (doesn't everyone?) so had prepared to face an east northeast breeze when Emil elbowed me to the lead, but concerns were cancelled when I found that cautious speed didn't labour legs.   Wendy, the Jenerator, Kim and Julz didn't have any bother either to get to Channel Rd's end for Emil to steer us north.  That cautious speed only set Emil's time in the drivers seat longer so I wasn't expecting an elbow at Old or even New Dookie Rd; as I'd guessed, he couldn't be pried out of the captain's seat till Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd (no complaints from me though. I got the east northeaster at the posterior for the way west).  

Fog had thickened to set the specs at two wipes per minute and I'd passed the main channel bridge without even seeing it (between wipes?) so set aim at Lemnos North Rd instead.  Verney Rd was back on the ride route when Wendy and the Jenerator had dragged us there, so Kim set our path south.......but Emil chose to guide us past the witches hats, a dozen new patches on what was blissfully smooth tarmac, the security fences, the gravel and the roadworks signs to get us to that always red traffic light.

28/7  For a moment, Friday's radar looked almost clear to clock a few k's but rain arrived just as the coffee cup emptied. Lucky lad.

This week 207km

YTD 7,685km

Filing an official complaint.

 Post #706

15/7 Clans combined.

I had no argument with Emil's suggestion to "sit on" to Sanctuary Drive; thirties felt like a thrash, even with a north northeaster in my favour.  Yes, tyre pressures were ok and no, I hadn't left the handbrake on!   Having the speed of a snail was beginning to weigh heavily on the head : was it time to apply for Adams family membership or should I make an appointment with a Spanish doctor for a special blood transfusion? It was a bit late to bail out of the Saturday spin now, this might be yet another sit-on-and-suffer-the-consequences ride.  

Rocket, Emil, Boof, Grumpy, GiantAndy, The Godfather, PistolPete, Julz and Bo converged on the Saturday grid but it was Rocket's turn to suffer that deflation sensation.  The six minute repair (much to The Godfather's disgust) had a small Woulda's train (Nev, Wendy, Joe (not Tony) and Nick) arrive at Sanctuary's roundabout a moment before our restart.  (There's nothing like a few red leds ahead to entice a chase!)   38's to Mitchell Rd threw me in the deep end early and made the 'sit on' option a rather attractive one.  The Woulda's were of course welcomed aboard, lightening the load for others. (it's been many moons since Joe (not Tony) and Nick have been in this bunch).   Tempting as it was to join the rotation, I knew the reality would be certain failure at the front and besides, GiantAndy's approach to the business end confirmed the caboose as the perfect place.  With speed a similar concern, Julz kept me company.  

That hint of colour on the horizon at rooster corner brought hopes of longer days ahead, though the season's temperature was here to stay for a while (A bit more light is all the better for spotting wildlife).  Emil's exit west on Old Dookie (collecting a special guest for breakfast) hadn't slowed the speed east toward the Toaster, the Woulda's still surviving in the rotation but no doubt looking forward to the prevailing breeze back to town.  Naturally, pace picked up on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, relegating a few more to the rear, but thoughts became selfish on survival with the engine load high.  

Woulda's exited on Verney Rd bound for breakfast while Mt Wanganui beckoned our bunch, though the tenacity tank was rather dry reaching the highway.  Horsepower to hang on was put on hold when Julz went o.t.a. at DECA ; I had no hesitation dropping off the back to offer a tow (finally feeling useful instead of being the baggage at the back) A long turn in the drivers seat back to the cafe (albeit in the low 30's) delivered some degree of satisfaction and might have even earned breakfast!  Lili, the Jenerator, Kim, LiamM and special guest Greg (with new knee) joined in for what's become the standard Saturday long chat; penny farthings, the USA echo chamber and screen addiction thrown around the Eighty8 table.

17/7 'Cause it feels good when you stop!

A decent nights' sleep staved off contracting Monday-itis, but I reckon a few would abandon this mornings' ride seeing the Bureau's feels like minus 3.6.  The commute hurt (both tempo and temperature) to Sanctuary Drive (again) though the head was in a better space than last week.  It was no surprise the grid was thin in the testing temperature, just BamBam, Emil, Bo, PistolPete, Kreeky and Kel lining up meant the morning recipe was Indian file. (That'll snap me out of the "sitting on" habit!)  Of course PistolPete opened the account toward Mitchell though sitting third wheel behind Emil, I hoped Pistol's 37's weren't the expectation. (Emil easing to 35's to Central Kialla was a relief)   Chuffed to manage 35's to the Central Kialla Hall, I knew it wouldn't last another k to River Rd so tried to limit my losses at 34's to the cobbled section.....from there the legs and lungs wouldn't give more than 32 to the turn.  "Nice Foss, Good job, Great turn and luv ya work" helped the head on the retreat to the rear while BamBam took on the drive to the bridge.  

Kreeky's long shift to the quarter horse fence at 32's got a breath or three back in the lungs but Bo hit the boost button when facing the front.  (My imitation of the growling bear must have sent Emil to the front to tame Bo's pace).  The smooth drive at 35's to the Broken bridges was trademark Kel and with just a k to the highway, naturally PistolPete did the extra on Boundary to Old Dookie ('cause he can!)   My calculation was being given the lead at Central Ave, reckoning Emil would tow us there when Pistol handed over on the turn into Old Dookie Rd, so the head was readied for duty while the legs burned behind Emil's pace.  (What's that theory? If it doesn't hurt, you're not going hard enough!)  A moment's comfort came when Emil stayed on to drive the leg to the truck route but second wheel syndrome got me well into the red zone. I was saved by slipping back a few places and into BamBam's draft as Emil put the hammer down to Mitchell St.

18/7 Fog frolic.

The squirrel start stalled a few minutes while the Jenerator put a little extra air in the front tyre (who would have thought tubeless were trouble?) though the procession of Emil, me, the Jenerator, Wendy, Kim, Crossy and Tina soon started the spin eastbound into Channel Rd's fog.  Julz was found at the school while I attempted to push through the soup to Orrvale Rd.  It needed a wheelbarrow of watts just to make a pedestrian pace.   Rest at the rear was timely while the Jenerator, Wendy and Kim put there two bob's worth in at the front to get us to Beckhams bend.  Crossy put the variables in the velocity to Channel Rd's end (must have graduated from The Godfather's training camp?) while Tina confined herself to the back seat, climatizing to Victorian temperature from a month in Queensland.  

In the standard scheme of things, Emil took on the drive north.  Condensation off the helmet caused a case of the nods for Emil and Julz; my only symptom was feeling like a wet sock from the 100% humidity.  Julz was given the reigns at Old Dookie and started with plenty of pace but distance soon wore down the watts to something sustainable to reach New Dookie.  Slowly on the throttle toward Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd allowed the rarely speechless Julz to chat again at the back, that little northwester needing a little more throttle to live up to the 34 expectation.  

Comfort came getting back in the zone (you know, where legs aren't screaming, lungs weren't bursting, speed was sustainable and the h.r. department wasn't ready to quit)   The distance to Lemnos was split between the Jenerator and Wendy, the leg to Grahamvale Rd halved between Kim and Tina (finally fronting).  A foot fumble crossing the truck route stretched the line longer, the turn south onto Verney rattled by a truck turning (minus indicators).  The squad had split in two as a result and continued to Balaclava; group one halting for red light, group two's arrival getting the green light to head group one to coffee. 

19/7 The temperature test.

Only seven weeks into Winter and I'm sick of it already! (there's 7 weeks of it left to endure Foss so h.t.f.u.!) Thankfully (hopefully) there'd be a few dedicated (or should that be delirious?) addicts lining up at Sanctuary Drive to knock over a few cold k's. (They force me to do it Mum!  / How silly would I look doing it alone?)   The Bureau could have done a bit better than zero.  Emil, PistolPete, Troy, Rocket, Tina, Boof, BamBam, Grumpy and Kreeky proved their worth fronting up.   It's nothing new seeing PistolPete and Emil leading the two lines to Mitchell Rd, the tempo quite testing till a glance at the Garmin showed a modest 35. 

So, does a low temperature make a high effort?  The lungs reckoned so.  Tina was testing the deeper end of pace after shallow speeds on holiday while I was just pleased to see BamBam and Kreeky in the mix as two I could keep up with.  Joining the advance in BamBam's draft kept stress levels low; guarantee it'd be higher at the front!  BamBam and Boof took the lead at River Rd's bridge, speed somewhat social for a change.  The roll at the dip paired me with BamBam, a hint of westerly breeze in my favour, but BamBam's tank ran dry half way to the quarter horse fence.  Grumpy was my co-pilot till my lungs filed an official complaint a k beyond.   Kreeky and Grumps continued to rooster corner where Pistol paired to aim at the bridges.  

Two lines tend to scatter a little nearing kangaroo alley (all the better for sighting skippy......though it's likely wildlife can appear anywhere) but the formation soon got back into formation when PistolPete and Emil turned up the pace to the highway.   Some serenity in the squad and clear calls at the crossings spoke strongly of The Godfather's absence.  To escape driving duty at the front, BamBam did a sneaky dive to the left line en-route to Dobsons, though I reckon I'd escape the effort with Rocket and Boof driving to the truck route.  Temperature was no longer an issue with velocity in the 40's to Mitchell St, besides the internal heat of coffee would cure concerns when we stopped (to be tested again braving the cold for the journey home). 

20/7 Like the mother-in-law's kiss.

 

A family sized bucket of motivation had dragged LiamM out of bed and into a chilled Thursday to get acquainted with the Squirrels again, breaking the two months (plus) love affair with his warm bed. (would the motivation last or do we order a tow truck to drag him out next week? Maybe it could tow Molly back too?)   Tina, Wendy, the Jenerator and Emil played martyrs to the feels like minus 1.5, trying to ignore the crusty white windscreens in the streets toward the Archer St shop.  BamBam's arrival set Emil east into Channel Rd's darkness at a moderate 34.  The northeast breeze wasn't too bad....till trying to repeat Emil's effort when given the reigns at Doyles.  

Protests from the legs gauged it a 15 km/h wind to reach the left / right chicane, collecting Julz into the mob of martyrs en-route.  The draft from seven ahead sped the recovery at the rear while Wendy worked her watts to the Kinder.  The kilometre to the cypress trees had the Jenerator as captain, Tina braving the front to the S bend.  BamBam polished off Channel Rd for LiamM to (hesitantly) head the line to the highway.  The short shift must have weighed on his conscience 'cause he continued beyond the pub, but hibernation had hindered his horsepower to pull the plug at Pogue Rd.  Emil had his head down and determination up to tow us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  

The wind blowing at the right gluteus maximus stoked up speed for Julz to drive to the bridge, a subtle flick of the elbow putting me to the front 200 metres beyond.  I hadn't driven the shift to Lemnos North Rd for ages ; a different length of tarmac to drive almost as refreshing as the temperature.  Ford Rd's first three k's was shared between Wendy and the Jenerator, Tina given the task toward Verney but todays course to coffee was via Wyndham, with Verney Rd in ruin from roadworks (refreshing to ride a bike lane without the cubic metres of gravel and witches' hats!)

Oh, that 15 km/h northwester? The Bureau said a 5 km/h breeze. (Hate that!)

21/7 Succumbed to softness on Friday, enjoying more than six hours sleep. 

This week 256km

YTD 7,478km 

Avoiding Armageddon.

Post #705

10/7 Like jumping in the deep end.

Being back on the bike after three days sidelined by sinusitis was liberating; now to the business of keeping up with the bunch!  The stars had aligned for my comeback with an almost tropical ten degrees, even a west northwester to help me eastbound, though I just needed to position in the pack to avoid the hard yards west back to base camp.  A tow from Rocket, Wozz and Emil to the start line was a kind introduction to join Kel, PistolPete, Bruce, The Godfather, Troy, Bo and Lenny at Sanctuary Drive.  (Now to be taxed by bunch tempo!)  I should have berthed at the back to take advantage of the tailwind early, although sitting on Pistol's wheel (second in the left line) would delay the hurt for as long as possible.  

Long time absentee Lenny had made his comeback and positioned wisely rearward while Wozza and Bruce provided the pace north to River Rd.  It was my decision time to join the advance on the turn east and harden up for the hurry at the front......or make like a marshmallow and go soft in the caboose.  Despite being on the missing list for almost three months, Lenny was braving an appearance at the business end so my three days away was barely a blink in comparison.  Following Kel into battle meant I'd have a considerate co-pilot when I got to the deep end.  Lenny's turn turned short in Coach Rd, Bo obliging a draft just metres into the drive north, so I played the waiting game behind Kel and Bo's shift north to the highway.  

Kel called it half time at the Broken bridge (or did Bo beg for a break?) making it my turn to aim at reaching the highway; all going well till I stupidly looked at the heart rate numbers. well into the red.  The head pulled the plug on part two before I'd finished part one! (It's my usual disappointment of the engine not responding to the drivers' needs!)  PistolPete and Rocket were happy to drive the distance to Old Dookie Rd ('cause they can) while my lungs laboured a longer road to recovery.  Wozza and Rocket made that road longer with 37's to Central Ave, Emil and Bruce delighting in toasting The Godfather in the 40's to the truck route.  They're immune to headwinds you know.  (So where do I get that velocity vaccine!)

12/7 One in this bunch is not like the others!

More than three hours sleep brewed some enthusiasm to get back on the bike following another day off on Tuesday, though fitness running at 58% suggested I avoid driving duty.  I got lucky finding a free tow to Sanctuary Drive, courtesy of Boof, Wozz, Rocket and Emil.  Grumpy, BamBam, Kel, Troy, Bo, Kreeky and Bruce assembled behind PistolPete and Emil, Bo with the sharpest elbows cutting into the left line as two rows steered south to Mitchell Rd.  Grumpy had finally met the 5:40 agenda but The Godfather's late appearance through the fog in the first half k allowed him to select his wheel of choice in the formation.  

The opening tempo was an achievable 35, though some might find that rather pedestrian when they got to the driver's seat.  Kreeky and BamBam braved the advance line and although I was keen to contribute, reality had this old engine running on three cylinders (trouble was, I was in a field of V8's!)  I have to admit, the seat in the caboose was quite comfortable!  River Rd's six k's of tarmac seems longer in the dark, only those few visible landmarks blurring by gauged progress.

BamBam's contribution at the front slowed the blur a fraction.  The Godfather's hollers got some nerves on edge (and a few on the brakes) nearing kangaroo straight, though it was the usual indecipherable babble rather than a wildlife warning.  I'd waited for Troy's transition to the advance before joining the line myself; better to be midfield into town than suffer the whiplash effect at the back. Grumpy had a grizzle about the cold; funny coming from the only guy in short knicks!  Kreeky calmed the pace a little in Old Dookie Rd. allowing an extra breath or two for the charge beyond the truck route.   

13/7 And now for my next trick.......

An 80cm flat screen tv isn't something you expect laying in the bike lane of a dark and foggy street at 5:20 am and seeing it at the last moment needed a quick decision.  Emil alongside and Wendy, Crossy, Kim and The Jenerator behind meant a split second swerve wouldn't be popular. Hitting the tv fair in the HDMI 3 port was my only option.  I could almost feel half a dozen ribs breaking on the concrete gutter but previously unknown cyclo-cross skills kept the airborne bike upright to survive.  (Better buy myself a lottery ticket).  Well, that got the heart-rate peaking early!  Armageddon avoided, a couple of k's circling the shop block settled rattled nerves, finding BamBam soaking up the moments before 5:30 too.  

Emil's call for calm 32's translated to pushing into a northeast breeze at 34's to the truck route, but after my recent excitement, his pace didn't trouble me.  32's to Orrvale Rd was my reply.  Julz early arrival at the school had her berth at the back, the position I took on when Kim set her sights at the Kinder.  (I was happy the fog had effed off; I had hallucinations of flat screen tv's filling the shadows of Channel Rd!)  The Jenerator delivered the watts to the cypress trees, Crossy's drive to the S bend contravening the 32 cap, though the pace was bearable in the slipstream.  It was the same old circuit but an extra player or two in the pack changes the ritual.  

Wendy finished off Channel Rd and added the short shift to the highway so BamBam inherited Emil's usual shift on Boundary Rd (the expectation to reach Old Dookie Rd rubbing off on BamBam too)   I reckoned Emil's intention was to tow us all to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd but Julz stole the captain's hat at New Dookie Rd.  No complaints from me, I scored a tail breeze on Lemnos-Cosgrove.  Kim made haste to Lemnos Nth Rd where Ford Rd was fronted by the Jenerator, so Crossy scored the short shift to Verney giving Wendy the task to tow us all to Balaclava. (she seemed to relish the job)   Construction of the "North Quarter" estate has encroached on most of Verney's bike lane and what's not occupied by witches hats is layered generously with gravel, so it's a thin line to contest with commuting traffic threading between traffic islands. 

14/7  What? No Wozz?

A cocktail of amoxicillin trihydrate, phenylephrene hydrochloride and clavulanic acid in the tank got the engine running a little better by Friday; enough to inspire a lap with the lads (and lass) but not delivering enough watts (yet) to face the front.  Bo, Troy, PistolPete, Emil, Boof, Kel, Rocket, Kreeky, Bruce and Grumpy gathered at the grid, but without Wozz (or Greg, Lenny, Tina, BamBam, the Jenerator or the 5ft Ninja for that matter.  Am I missing anybody?)  Emil and PistolPete introduced us to the speed south toward Mitchell, the serenity quite special and even a north northeaster assisting.  

I'd talked myself into believing the earlier spin at 33's to Sanctuary was a struggle yet I wasn't blowing a gasket holding onto 38's with the bunch.  Go figure?  Maybe it's the mobs' motivation or could it be a  concrete deficiency in the diet?  With the tailwind honeymoon over, Mitchell Rd began the marriage to work on, Boof, Rocket and Bruce's watts being the saving grace to tow us east and north to River Rd.  That freeloader feeling in the caboose nagged at the conscience, reinforced by the anti-social status of being the odd one out at the back of five pairs.  Proper echelon etiquette helped to hide from the north northeaster but that highlighted the horsepower needed at the front (not such a bad idea to shy from the driving duty come to think of it!)  

Kreeky wasn't shy taking his turn in River Rd (and not shy in setting his pace.  Focus was sharp (and uninterrupted) in kangaroo alley (thankfully nothing to see), the velocity enough to limit my sentences to three words (with pauses between them) but seemingly easy for others to chat.  Like Wednesday, I wasn't keen to suffer the surge of speed at the back when pace percolated into town so I chose Kreeky's wheel as a safe bet to follow into the advance.  Plenty of power ahead yet to deliver their drive meant I'd avoid being fried at the front. I'd held on midfield to reach the Mitchell St detour and survived the posterior pounding roughness of Williams Rd. I'm looking forward to the SPC roundabout return. 

This week 201 km

YTD 7,222 km 

Similarly senseless?

 Post #704

3/7 The flog in the fog.

All the excuses to shy from a shift filled the head; the rust from two days off, a dose of Monday-itis and sandwiched between Rocket and PistolPete made the soft option of sitting-on a rather attractive alternative. (But where does that get you Foss? Nowhere fast!) BamBam had braved the front with Bruce (and naturally incurred The Godfather's holler of "Full Blocks!" when he shortened his shift) so why shouldn't I have a go?  Feels like 1.6 wasn't so inviting but there wasn't a breeze blowing and I was fairly confident that Rocket or Pistol wouldn't rip my legs off.   

Wozza, Emil and PistolPete had done their driving deeds to Central Kialla where Grumpy, nearest the start-line but last to arrive (via the truck route) joined in (wearing short knicks).  Kel had separated the diabolical duo (you know who) so the path to rooster corner was well controlled.  Eyes attempted to pierce the fog on skippy straight, an oncoming car lending a little reassurance of light at the roadside for wildlife.  Doing the distance to Old Dookie from the highway is the stuff of dreams for me so aiming at the bridge for part one might be my best bet.....and hope might get me to the fig farm for part two.   Rocket obliged my battle to the bridge and Pistol was patient beyond, but I was at a serious want for watts well short of the fig farm's fence. 

(What the head wants and the legs deliver is often at odds).  Pete put me out of my misery supplying a draft while I gagged the gasps to Old Dookie Rd.  Getting the scenery back into focus and a breath to spare would have to wait while Emil and Wozz kept 37's going to Central Ave.  From there, an extra wheel or two ahead sped my recovery toward the truck route.  The clear path through the roundabout helped to hold 40's for that cruel k to Mitchell Rd though fogged specs challenged the navigation to the Butter Factory. (nostrils led the way to caffeine) 

5/7 Moist masochism.

Collecting dead worms and frogs isn't a hobby of mine but it comes a standard when riding in the depths of winter.  A sensible person would sleeping-in at 5am on a damp Wednesday morning........but who said I was sensible?  It meant that Troy, PistolPete, Rocket, Bruce, Emil, Wozza, Boof and The Godfather were similarly senseless, lining up on a moist Sanctuary Drive.  There was a moment of relief when Indian file formed on the exit of the roundabout, I was well down the rungs of the horsepower ladder of this lot (alongside any of them would have me struggling while they would struggle to stay awake!)  Wozza led on Archer Rd's centre so all had some shelter from the west northwester, PistolPete cementing the speed sensibly in the 37's given the slick tarmac to ride on.  That second hobby of collecting dead worms was certainly successful.  

A rabbits' random path made a cautious start to River Rd but the tempo soon turned up to toast me.  Bruce kindly slipped behind so I'd get a chance of a tail wind turn somewhere before rooster corner, though labouring lungs weren't going to make my shift a swift one.  PistolPete's puncture was timely to get several breaths back during the repairs (no sermon on tubeless from Emil but the timely reminders from The Godfather were guaranteed)  Troy took sympathy on the poor old pensioner on the re-start, handing me the reigns for the last k of River Rd but then kept me at the top end of zone four holding on to his hurry to the highway.  (Getting a lap done in proper Rule #9 weather when others had failed to front gives a warped sort of satisfaction when the speed begins to sting)   

Bruce kept the hurt happening north to Old Dookie Rd.  The fluctuating pace west on Old Dookie is The Godfather's signature and that got me closer to zone five despite the draft at seventh wheel.  I wasn't finding much pleasure in this masochism (though it's meant to make you stronger isn't it?)  Boof's drive into the wind from Central Ave was smooth but swift (and faster than my slack shift with the breeze up my bum!) so something was extracted from within to keep up.  Grip at second last wheel was slipping as velocity entered the 40's on the last leg to Mitchell Rd but I'll blame Emil's energy for that.

6/7 Racing the rain.

Three spits from the sky as I stepped out the door put a dry forecast in doubt, but then most days in July have that risk of rain.  I ran the risk in the hope the forecast was right.  A small squad of squirrels took the risk too, the Jenerator, Kim, Emil and Wendy sharing my faith to roll to the shop with the north northeaster's blessing.  (We could all share the punishment pushing into it till the last 3k's of Verney Rd).   Convinced I'd have some watts to spend on the Doyles to Orrvale thing, the surprise was reasonable progress, despite the wind at the left brow.  "Spent from skiing" Wendy said but her velocity to the Kinder said otherwise, Julz' early arrival at Prentice Rd saying she'd missed the therapy after a week of nursing duties.  

The Jenerator's charge had ended at Beckhams bend so Emil was elected early for a second term.  He'd finished the eastern effort to Coach Rd and martyrdom was on the menu to tow us north (not that there was anyone else keen to face the wind).  Sitting second wheel to New Dookie Rd was starting to spend some watts so the lead role to Lemnos-Cosgrove nearly emptied my tank. Off the saddle to stir some speed, Julz got the back-markers busy to hang onto her hurry to the main channel.  The labour to Lemnos North Rd continued with Wendy keen to impress.  The Jenerator settled into a steady rhythm to cover Ford Rd's first 3 k's, the somewhat shorter shift from Grahamvale Rd to Verney kept swift by Kim.  Into his standard southerly spin to Balaclava Rd, Emil was reasonably restrained till the last half k's quickness cooked Julz, but that usual red traffic light got her breaths back.

This week 148km 

YTD 7,019km

At the suffering setting

 Post #703

24/6 Cruiz'n.

Feeling as flat as Channel Rd, Greg's call for a calm Saturday cruise came as music to my ears.  A short spell from the speed of the Sanctuary squad might be my medicine (Maybe I'm flogging an old horse to death or is Winter wearing me down already?)  Glad I didn't clean the bike from yesterday's damp, glossy streets weren't such a worry en-route to Channel Rd and no pressure to perform was as refreshing as the northeaster blowing at the backside (though that Garmin screen tends to nag "Is that all you've got?" to the subconscious doesn't it?).  Greg's tall profile was found in the dark near the Kinder, Julz located near the cypress trees; both emerging from a week off two wheels. I had hopes they were as rusty as me.   Barely more than a breeze, that northeaster seemed to tax what little speed the legs would give headed east, Coach and Boundary Rd's path north no better, but the social sentences distracted thoughts from the weak wattage. 

Choice of course was eventually decided on Boundary then the way west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, out of that northeaster at last but feeling a northerly now nagging at the side.  Positions shuffled, more for the social benefit than the slipstream, the path to Mt.Wanganui less stressful than usual.  It's been a month worth of Sundays since spinning a lap barely into zone three, maybe the therapy needed to survive an otherwise swift week?  Again defying the convention of a Butter Factory breakfast, the Eighty8 pit stop treated the taste buds while talking gluten-free gastronomy, video surveillance and breakfast cereal for dinner.

26/6  Tick, tick, tick........BOOM!

A 30 km/h west northwesterly blew the background music to my wrestle with the yeah/nah's at Monday's stupid o'clock; avoiding the front for the return to town finally winning over the defeatist's argument for a sleep-in. A new chain, cassette and tyres was hoped to make the effort easier.  Only seven at Sanctuary Drive's start line spelled single file, so slipping in at fifth wheel when PistolPete started the squad south almost guaranteed me a tailwind turn on River Rd.  (Fingers were firmly crossed).  A moment's pause to right a road closed sign from horizontal in the middle of Archer Rd got a breath back but oxygen was quickly spent again in the rush to Mitchell Rd.  36's seemed to be the limit with the tailwind to Central Kialla, sensible seeing a few small branches littered the tarmac.  

I'd almost prepared for the pain at the pointy end arriving at River Rd's bridge but Emil was being the tailwind thief to continue to the dip, getting me into the red zone before the hard yards started.  A k slower allowed the old engine to reach the quarter horse fence where the struggle for recovery could start while Kel led to rooster corner.  The cross wind crucified on Coach Rd till The Godfather's headlight abandoned ship near kangaroo alley (should it be called skippy straight?) so the slow got the heart rate out of the heavens. In The Godfather's haste, the bunch eventually reformed at the highway. 

Varied velocities had alarm bells ringing in my engine room while Surgio led the labour to Old Dookie Rd so PistolPete's smoothness to School Rd was a kind contrast (though my boiler was about to burst). Wozza's watts to Central Ave proved too much for me to hold Bo's wheel at the rumble strips, a big gap opening when the old engine started miss-firing.  PistolPete's watchful eye saved me, towing me back to the pack (set at sympathy speed) Just 20 seconds reprieve recharged a little energy.  Staying in the slipstream of Rocket's revised pace was possible though beyond the truck route a car crept forward from a side street to scare the speed out of me.

27/6 All the fun of the fog.

As if I needed something else to slow an attempt at speed , the fog felt like a handbrake headed to Tarcoola, feels like two making legs labour even more (but then who takes up this hobby 'cause it's easy?)  A better than expected grid had formed at the shop; Kim, Jen, Wendy, Greg, Julz and Crossy lining up in Emil's slipstream to exit town.  34's seemed sensible considering the conditions.  The boiler hadn't burst reaching Orrvale Rd for my usual shift from Doyles, though I felt like a wet sock finishing it.  Kim had made her comeback quick to the Kinder, giving Wendy the lead to drag us to the cypress trees.  Crossy had crossed the floor from the Woulda's to contribute to our cause and Greg was squeezing his last lap in before a knee rebuild would side-line him for two months.  

Speed seemed a struggle midfield while Jen drove the last 2 k's to Coach Rd, though the Garmin showed a social 34.  I had the shock absorber role when a few were caught napping at the back as Julz launched north to the highway.  Those knees seemed in fine form to me as Greg did a long drive of Boundary Rd to Old Dookie, Emil duplicating the distance to Lemnos-Cosgrove before I was handed the reigns.  The Bureau said calm but I could have sworn there was a breeze behind helping me to the channel bridge on Lemnos-Cosgrove, handing Kim the task to take us to Lemnos.  

Extras on duty meant the usual routine had a shake-up, Crossy put in charge of a well controlled shift to Balaclava Rd till an Audi passed with millimetres to spare - prompting Emil's angst to pursue for payback. (Audi escaped stage left while the red light halted us. Lucky Audi)    

I made the mistake of believing the Bureau's forecast of showers from the early hours of Wednesday morning and enjoyed a sleep-in till 7, but of course, it didn't rain. 

29/6 Squirrels 0, Sanctuary 10.

A deserted Tarcoola roundabout and an empty Rae Street said a squirrel spin was off Thursday's agenda.  The search for a sqaud in Sanctuary Drive would be the alternative to cycling solo (listening to my own grizzles would be unbearable!)  29's was the best the legs could muster on the journey south while I wondered if my days are numbered keeping up with this young clan.  Time to act my own age? (lawn bowls and bingo has little appeal!)     Bruce, The Godfather, Troy, Wozza, Kel, Kreeky, BamBam, Bo, Boof and PistolPete gathered at a chilled grid (feels like minus 2.2) to fly the flag of soldiering through the season.   

With a want to avoid the fresh westerly, starting near the back of the bunch was guessed the best tactic to score a turn with a tail wind.  Sizing up the horsepower in the pack at least found one or two I could try to keep up with.  Lined up behind Kel as Bo and The Godfather (there's that pairing again!) drove out of River Rd's dip seemed doable, particularly with wind at my wastegate, even better when Kel took a k off the hurry for the last 1500 to rooster corner.  Boof was kind holding his engine in second gear as I gasped north toward skippy straight but the reality was asking him to roll across half way to the bridge.   BamBam did his best with Boof but shelter in the left line beckoned by the first bridge where Pistol teamed with Boof to take the tempo up a few notches to the highway. 

Kreeky had taken a rain-check on driving duty so I wasn't the sole sufferer.  This engine was still labouring though at Boundary Rd'd fig farm but I was counting my blessings being in the draft while PistolPete and Wozz worked their magic to Old Dookie Rd.  It's rare to see Troy in Struggle Street but a deflating tyre gave the reason a k beyond School Rd.  With the tube replaced (but pinched), the CO2 inflation caused a small explosion, so exit tube one (in three parts) for the fitting of tube two. Emil's absence spared us the gospel according to tubeless. Well beyond The Godfather's 5 minute expectation, the crew finally got rolling at 34's back to town for coffee to conclude the circus. 

30/6 Horsepower for head winds.

I could get used to this solo spin to the start stuff; no early pressure on pace makes a pleasant change, but would bunch speed come as a shock to the system? I'd find out soon enough lining up with Kreeky, the 5ft Ninja, Wozza, Bruce, PistolPete, Rocket, Bo and BamBam at the roundabout.  Following Bo into the advance line with a 20 k west northwester blowing at the back might just make my turn decent, though hearing the Ninja behind me, I figured on having little slipstream in the respite after duty.  BamBam and Bo did the dip to the quarter horse fence, Bo's turn short beyond for the Ninja to score a tailwind turn.  Lucky me in the middle got the last 1500 wind assisted metres to rooster corner.  

A call for single file in Coach Rd put Pistol, Rocket and Wozz to the front and relieved the Ninja of part two of her drive but as I guessed , I had little slipstream to survive.  With the old engine on the red-line, I'd be slipping back a rung or two at the highway if I was to survive (if I could hang on till there!)   BamBam's wheel was a bonus near the back (the Ninja choosing the caboose for survival) on Boundary Rd though Rocket's pace to Old Dookie had me at the suffering setting.  Wozza worked a similar speed to School Rd, Bruce continuing the cruelty to Central Ave. (Hold on just a couple of k's more Foss where coffee would cure everything!)   Bo started the shift toward Dobson's with a little hope of recovery at 33's but beyond the bridge, 36's got my engine valve bouncing again.  A brief draft from a couple of passing cars limited the damage.  Striking an unseen stone beyond the truck route heightened the heart rate further but staying vertical and Kreeky's quieter 33's into town allowed me to look like part of the team.

This week 243km

YTD 6,871km