Post #711
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19/8 Saturday's circus.
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Saturday usually serves up a little more motivation than the usual weekday lap, or is breakfast the bait of the weekend's ride? Extra time on the social stuff might be the cure for the extra time on the bike? Who would turn up at Sanctuary Drive is always a lucky dip, Emil, Rocket, GiantAndy, Boof, Bo, Wozza, Troy, Bruce, Julz, PistolPete and Grumpy answering the attraction of a 6am start, The Godfather (positioning to pair with Bio of course) adding a circus-like atmosphere to the pack heading south.
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Winter must be becoming familiar; seven degrees felt warm! (though the stiff west northwester would make the return to town a tough one. My plans were to be at the back by then!) PistolPete sounded as crook as a dog but did his standard shift to Mitchell Rd without missing a beat, Grumpy had his chat into overtime while GiantAndy had barely got above idle at 37's to Central Kialla. The boyish banter between you know who distracted thoughts from the work waiting at the front. Eastbound speed was remarkably restrained considering the westerly blowing through the Khyber Pass but my guess was there'd be hurt when The Godfather and Bo finished their drive on Coach Rd. Missing the starters gun at Sanctuary, Nev arrived via Channel Rd to tag onto the team.
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The Bureau's data of a west southwester at 20 k's per hour told there'd be a battle at the left flank on the front, but when Bo rolled left over the highway I was convinced the hurt was head-on. What determination wanted and what the old engine would deliver was like Trump vs reality! No amount of h.t.f.u. was getting me to the bridge so I called the shift shorter a bit beyond Pogue Rd. Rocket showed sympathy for the senior citizen but the head had called it quits at the bridge. I pretended not to hear the holler of "Full Blocks!" (A dismal performance really, though nobody seemed to mind. Except me) Rocket and Boof's steady pace to Old Dookie was like Christmas come early.
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Tempo to the Toaster picked up a little but stayed in the confines of survivable, what watts I managed to save were being banked for the labour in Lemnos-Cosgrove to come. Praise be to the watts happening to reach the front for the way west to town; I'd booked a seat at the back (like Julz) for the flight back home! You can feel a bit like excess baggage in the caboose but could view it as being chauffeured in a Ferrari to a restaurant too. Can't help admiring the horsepower hauling us into a headwind at a similar speed to what us mortals do with a tailwind!
(Where their watts come from I want to know. Mine might be on back-order!) Uncharacteristically, PistolPete withdrew from duty to join the rearmost in Ford Rd; told you he was crook! .JPG)
There was plenty of power to pull us along Wanganui Rd although The Godfather blew a gasket nearing DECA (though had enough stubbornness in the tank to catch the tail). Us four spent souls had little to respond to the ten ahead when the hammer went down in Rudd Rd, so we chose to share the shifts along the Boulevard at a speed more survivable. The squad now splits for sustenance between Eighty8 and the Lemontree, Greg, Molly, Jen and Kim joining Emil, Julz and I to chew over the science of speed, secret meetings in planes and the scourge of cigarettes..JPG)
Convincing self to harden up and join the advance has become almost a daily argument. The case for the affirmative wasn't helped with Gazza getting 39's on the Garmin just a few minutes into Monday's lap, but if the Ninja and BamBam were heading to the front, why not me too? PistolPete's permission had been granted to Emil and Wozza to drive the first shift to Mitchell Rd, Gazza, Bruce, Rocket, Lenny, Bo and Kel assembling behind. As always, The Godfather timed his arrival to join the tail. Wozza had the watts to stay with Gazza's efforts to Central Kialla post haste and Bruce had the horsepower to reach River Rd in a similar rush, despite the northerly breeze. Any wonder I had second thoughts at doing a shift..JPG)
Some, slightly slower, had taken up the promotion forward so I bit the bullet, sandwiched between PistolPete and Rocket, to brave a turn.
There was little rest in River Rd, despite a few wheels ahead delivering a draft. The call of "car back" was on again / off again nearing rooster corner but I guess a vague call is better than none at all. Kel and the Ninja took on the head wind toward the Broken bridges, PistolPete patient alongside the Ninja till her part two was abbreviated 200 metres on. The northerly wasn't such a nuisance to the highway but resuming the speed in Boundary emptied my tank too quickly..JPG)
Rocket obliged by supplying the slipstream at the bridge, oxygen intake taking precedence over chat till Old Dookie Rd (I'd hoped for a more rapid recovery; barely 15 bpm better after 2 k's of draft) Fella's far faster had lined up for the 8 k's of Old Dookie's length back to town so exploring the limits of labour was a hard way to earn a cup of coffee. Those humbling thoughts of going o.t.a. brought out the watts to hang on though..JPG)
The forecast damp for Tuesday had a window of opportunity open by morning, just enough time to squeeze a lap (and a long black) and get home before being baptised. Wendy, Lili and Tina were excused and maybe Molly too, but LiamM's lost the love for two wheels it seems. Thankfully, Kim, the Jenerator, Emil, Julz and Greg can still be classed as addicts to the squirrel squad. August had teased us with a taste of Spring; eleven degrees could almost expose knees but Winter's chills had caught us all cautious. Beyond being a breeze, 15 k's worth of northerly would be a burden in Boundary Rd and most likely get Emil excited in Verney. The introduction to Channel Rd was calm with Emil going easy for Greg's knee niggles but soon got down to the business of Tuesday's tempo. A little shy of Emil's 36's, I managed 35's to Orrvale Rd though the Jenerator raised my performance anxiety driving to the Kinder at Emil's standards. (Ah, young ones; let's see how they perform at my vintage!).JPG)
Greg led leg four to the cypress trees and was still on the gas to Hanlon Rd before Kim was made captain. Anxiety eased seeing most were sticking to the 34's and 35's. Familiarity with the team and all on the same page of pace keeps the rhythm relaxed and makes the k's blur by; just try mixing it with the unknown masses on a big event for the opposite effect! The track turned damp on Boundary Rd as Emil guided us north, something about his perch on the La Pierre telling me this was going to be a long haul. Old Dookie Rd had blurred by and the guess at being given the reigns at New Dookie Rd was wrong. I had no complaints at avoiding the headwind and being towed to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd though second wheel syndrome was beginning to empty my tank. Heading west eased the effort a little but there'd be no heroics from me; I'd be sharing the distance to Lemnos with the Jenerator at the bridge. Greg got the Ford Rd leg to Grahamvale Rd and Kim the short shift to Verney but as Julz set her sights at Balaclava Rd, Emil stole the driver's seat to take us south. He was excused when Balaclava's red light turned green on our arrival..JPG)
The risk of expending energy early was that there'd be little left in the tank if the bunch got excited later, though that extra effort to catch Wozza, Boof and Rocket at Benalla Rd's green light would be worth it. There'd be a tow to Sanctuary's start, rather than ruin the old engine into the southwester getting there. Lights turning yellow as Emil and I arrived hastened the hurry, but that draft was a perfect birthday present. PistolPete's absence at the grid was weird; just as well Boof knew the direction to Mitchell Rd though limited numbers thinned two rows to one..JPG)
Sitting fifth in line gave me a little time to prepare for pain. East to Central Kialla thanks to Emil and north to River Rd thanks to Wozz, I followed Rocket into River Rd readying for the hard yards beyond the bridge. The smooth build of speed was the kindness before the cruelty 'cause Rocket continued on toward the dip (I thought Bo was the tail-wind thief?) It's probably all in the mind but the tank said almost empty when Rocket finally peeled off the front, the spectre of The Godfather breathing down my neck extracting the effort to get to the quarter horse fence. Respite wasn't going to be easy while The Godfather yo-yo'd the pace between 34 and 39. Fresh back from holiday, Kreeky called me into second last place. Kel's smooth shift to the Broken bridges restored some composure, BamBam's slightly slower shift to the highway gaining an extra breath or two..JPG)
Just as well, Troy was on a mission to make Boundary Rd hurt. (Isn't it funny how you think you're on your limit but somehow find that little bit more to hang on. The downside is legs go to jelly trying to accelerate at the next turn). With a few getting close to struggle street, Rocket called for calm at the front as Boof drew the lead role west, so the pleasure of dropping below the red-line eased the engine for the 8 k's to get to coffee and cake (a small birthday one).JPG)
Emil running five minutes behind schedule gifted Molly, the Jenerator and I a calm commute to the shop; not that rushing around in one degree temperatures is on my wish list! Julz and Greg arrived at the grid so social stuff was swapped till the captain clocked on at 5:36. More than just me were pleased that Thursday's therapy speed was set. Greg's new knee needs a gentle running-in period and Molly's emergence from hibernation doesn't need any hurry. Of course Emil assumed the lead role to the truck route and I'd be ex-communicated if I didn't take on the Doyles to Orrvale thing. The 2 k's to the Kinder was in the Jenerator's command and Greg took charge of the shift to the cypress trees (making a habit of a hurry to Hanlon Rd again).JPG)
Julz set sights on Channel Rd's end though Emil charged to the Coach Rd intersection on traffic watch. A new patch of gravel awaited our turn north. Where Emil's elbow would elect me to the front was anyone's guess; he'd gone beyond the Boundary Rd bridge and beyond Old Dookie Rd too, so I took a punt at being given the reigns at New Dookie Rd. The difference in temperature from second wheel to the lead is probably measured in hundredths of a degree but it felt like being locked in the freezer at the front driving to Lemnos-Cosgrove. (I'll bet LiamM was quite cosy in his warm bed!) Something stirred on the Jenerator to drive long to Lemnos and Greg had no dramas driving Ford Rd's first three k's to Grahamvale Rd (but don't tell his surgeon)..JPG)
I hadn't seen rain on the forecast but specs were suddenly spotty en-route to Verney Rd. The road wasn't damp but Emil's rear tyre was serving me a spray of sealant (and it wasn't living up to it's name!) Not the best argument in favour of tubeless. A halt, a fiddle with fingers and a couple of serves of CO2 had wheels rolling again (within the hallowed five minute window I'll admit) only to be halted again by the Balaclava Rd red light..JPG)
Emil and Wozza's round one to Mitchell Rd had me thinking social speed had made a comeback, though I think it was more to do with consideration for PistolPete's recovery. Rocket and Wozza's drive to Central Kialla was more like the labour I'm used to! Three degrees wasn't so therapeutic, but the lack of wind was wonderful. Couldabeens kit day had dragged Bo, Boof, Bruce, Julz, Kreeky, The Godfather, Troy, Grumpy and BamBam out from under the doona's warmth to fraternize in the fresh Friday temperature. The presence of BamBam, Kreeky and Julz eased thoughts that the scales were skewed toward the supersonic, so I might hold on..JPG)
Bo had been blocked from finding the easy berth in the bunch and PistolPete had locked in the rear-guard position, Grumpy naturally gasbagging at the front while a lot of hot air came in the midfield from you know who. BamBam's slightly slower pace at the business end inspired me braving the advance line, though I was in the league of watts with Boof ahead and Emil behind. Kreeky's holiday has hampered his distance in the drivers seat so he called quits at the Broken bridges (or was it a half a block from The Godfather?) The Pussycats peloton numbered two. I'd made it to the Boundary bridge beside Boof where hurt called it half time for me, Emil sympathetic with speed for part two but I couldn't quite get to the fig farm before mercy called him across..JPG)
Rocket and Wozza had the hurry on again in Old Dookie Rd (high performance engines tend to foul their spark plugs going slow) but having a few wheels ahead of me helped raise the slipstream and lower the heart-rate. Just enough oxygen was saved reaching the truck route roundabout to be spent on the speed to SPC .
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There was plenty of power to pull us along Wanganui Rd although The Godfather blew a gasket nearing DECA (though had enough stubbornness in the tank to catch the tail). Us four spent souls had little to respond to the ten ahead when the hammer went down in Rudd Rd, so we chose to share the shifts along the Boulevard at a speed more survivable. The squad now splits for sustenance between Eighty8 and the Lemontree, Greg, Molly, Jen and Kim joining Emil, Julz and I to chew over the science of speed, secret meetings in planes and the scourge of cigarettes.
21/8 Winter's waning? I wish!
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Convincing self to harden up and join the advance has become almost a daily argument. The case for the affirmative wasn't helped with Gazza getting 39's on the Garmin just a few minutes into Monday's lap, but if the Ninja and BamBam were heading to the front, why not me too? PistolPete's permission had been granted to Emil and Wozza to drive the first shift to Mitchell Rd, Gazza, Bruce, Rocket, Lenny, Bo and Kel assembling behind. As always, The Godfather timed his arrival to join the tail. Wozza had the watts to stay with Gazza's efforts to Central Kialla post haste and Bruce had the horsepower to reach River Rd in a similar rush, despite the northerly breeze. Any wonder I had second thoughts at doing a shift.
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There was little rest in River Rd, despite a few wheels ahead delivering a draft. The call of "car back" was on again / off again nearing rooster corner but I guess a vague call is better than none at all. Kel and the Ninja took on the head wind toward the Broken bridges, PistolPete patient alongside the Ninja till her part two was abbreviated 200 metres on. The northerly wasn't such a nuisance to the highway but resuming the speed in Boundary emptied my tank too quickly.
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Rocket obliged by supplying the slipstream at the bridge, oxygen intake taking precedence over chat till Old Dookie Rd (I'd hoped for a more rapid recovery; barely 15 bpm better after 2 k's of draft) Fella's far faster had lined up for the 8 k's of Old Dookie's length back to town so exploring the limits of labour was a hard way to earn a cup of coffee. Those humbling thoughts of going o.t.a. brought out the watts to hang on though.
22/8 Sync'd squirrels.
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The forecast damp for Tuesday had a window of opportunity open by morning, just enough time to squeeze a lap (and a long black) and get home before being baptised. Wendy, Lili and Tina were excused and maybe Molly too, but LiamM's lost the love for two wheels it seems. Thankfully, Kim, the Jenerator, Emil, Julz and Greg can still be classed as addicts to the squirrel squad. August had teased us with a taste of Spring; eleven degrees could almost expose knees but Winter's chills had caught us all cautious. Beyond being a breeze, 15 k's worth of northerly would be a burden in Boundary Rd and most likely get Emil excited in Verney. The introduction to Channel Rd was calm with Emil going easy for Greg's knee niggles but soon got down to the business of Tuesday's tempo. A little shy of Emil's 36's, I managed 35's to Orrvale Rd though the Jenerator raised my performance anxiety driving to the Kinder at Emil's standards. (Ah, young ones; let's see how they perform at my vintage!)
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Greg led leg four to the cypress trees and was still on the gas to Hanlon Rd before Kim was made captain. Anxiety eased seeing most were sticking to the 34's and 35's. Familiarity with the team and all on the same page of pace keeps the rhythm relaxed and makes the k's blur by; just try mixing it with the unknown masses on a big event for the opposite effect! The track turned damp on Boundary Rd as Emil guided us north, something about his perch on the La Pierre telling me this was going to be a long haul. Old Dookie Rd had blurred by and the guess at being given the reigns at New Dookie Rd was wrong. I had no complaints at avoiding the headwind and being towed to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd though second wheel syndrome was beginning to empty my tank. Heading west eased the effort a little but there'd be no heroics from me; I'd be sharing the distance to Lemnos with the Jenerator at the bridge. Greg got the Ford Rd leg to Grahamvale Rd and Kim the short shift to Verney but as Julz set her sights at Balaclava Rd, Emil stole the driver's seat to take us south. He was excused when Balaclava's red light turned green on our arrival.
23/8 Past the use-by date?
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The risk of expending energy early was that there'd be little left in the tank if the bunch got excited later, though that extra effort to catch Wozza, Boof and Rocket at Benalla Rd's green light would be worth it. There'd be a tow to Sanctuary's start, rather than ruin the old engine into the southwester getting there. Lights turning yellow as Emil and I arrived hastened the hurry, but that draft was a perfect birthday present. PistolPete's absence at the grid was weird; just as well Boof knew the direction to Mitchell Rd though limited numbers thinned two rows to one.
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Sitting fifth in line gave me a little time to prepare for pain. East to Central Kialla thanks to Emil and north to River Rd thanks to Wozz, I followed Rocket into River Rd readying for the hard yards beyond the bridge. The smooth build of speed was the kindness before the cruelty 'cause Rocket continued on toward the dip (I thought Bo was the tail-wind thief?) It's probably all in the mind but the tank said almost empty when Rocket finally peeled off the front, the spectre of The Godfather breathing down my neck extracting the effort to get to the quarter horse fence. Respite wasn't going to be easy while The Godfather yo-yo'd the pace between 34 and 39. Fresh back from holiday, Kreeky called me into second last place. Kel's smooth shift to the Broken bridges restored some composure, BamBam's slightly slower shift to the highway gaining an extra breath or two.
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Just as well, Troy was on a mission to make Boundary Rd hurt. (Isn't it funny how you think you're on your limit but somehow find that little bit more to hang on. The downside is legs go to jelly trying to accelerate at the next turn). With a few getting close to struggle street, Rocket called for calm at the front as Boof drew the lead role west, so the pleasure of dropping below the red-line eased the engine for the 8 k's to get to coffee and cake (a small birthday one)
24/8 Served chilled.
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Emil running five minutes behind schedule gifted Molly, the Jenerator and I a calm commute to the shop; not that rushing around in one degree temperatures is on my wish list! Julz and Greg arrived at the grid so social stuff was swapped till the captain clocked on at 5:36. More than just me were pleased that Thursday's therapy speed was set. Greg's new knee needs a gentle running-in period and Molly's emergence from hibernation doesn't need any hurry. Of course Emil assumed the lead role to the truck route and I'd be ex-communicated if I didn't take on the Doyles to Orrvale thing. The 2 k's to the Kinder was in the Jenerator's command and Greg took charge of the shift to the cypress trees (making a habit of a hurry to Hanlon Rd again)
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Julz set sights on Channel Rd's end though Emil charged to the Coach Rd intersection on traffic watch. A new patch of gravel awaited our turn north. Where Emil's elbow would elect me to the front was anyone's guess; he'd gone beyond the Boundary Rd bridge and beyond Old Dookie Rd too, so I took a punt at being given the reigns at New Dookie Rd. The difference in temperature from second wheel to the lead is probably measured in hundredths of a degree but it felt like being locked in the freezer at the front driving to Lemnos-Cosgrove. (I'll bet LiamM was quite cosy in his warm bed!) Something stirred on the Jenerator to drive long to Lemnos and Greg had no dramas driving Ford Rd's first three k's to Grahamvale Rd (but don't tell his surgeon).
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I hadn't seen rain on the forecast but specs were suddenly spotty en-route to Verney Rd. The road wasn't damp but Emil's rear tyre was serving me a spray of sealant (and it wasn't living up to it's name!) Not the best argument in favour of tubeless. A halt, a fiddle with fingers and a couple of serves of CO2 had wheels rolling again (within the hallowed five minute window I'll admit) only to be halted again by the Balaclava Rd red light.
25/8 Fraternal Friday.
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Emil and Wozza's round one to Mitchell Rd had me thinking social speed had made a comeback, though I think it was more to do with consideration for PistolPete's recovery. Rocket and Wozza's drive to Central Kialla was more like the labour I'm used to! Three degrees wasn't so therapeutic, but the lack of wind was wonderful. Couldabeens kit day had dragged Bo, Boof, Bruce, Julz, Kreeky, The Godfather, Troy, Grumpy and BamBam out from under the doona's warmth to fraternize in the fresh Friday temperature. The presence of BamBam, Kreeky and Julz eased thoughts that the scales were skewed toward the supersonic, so I might hold on.
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Bo had been blocked from finding the easy berth in the bunch and PistolPete had locked in the rear-guard position, Grumpy naturally gasbagging at the front while a lot of hot air came in the midfield from you know who. BamBam's slightly slower pace at the business end inspired me braving the advance line, though I was in the league of watts with Boof ahead and Emil behind. Kreeky's holiday has hampered his distance in the drivers seat so he called quits at the Broken bridges (or was it a half a block from The Godfather?) The Pussycats peloton numbered two. I'd made it to the Boundary bridge beside Boof where hurt called it half time for me, Emil sympathetic with speed for part two but I couldn't quite get to the fig farm before mercy called him across.
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Rocket and Wozza had the hurry on again in Old Dookie Rd (high performance engines tend to foul their spark plugs going slow) but having a few wheels ahead of me helped raise the slipstream and lower the heart-rate. Just enough oxygen was saved reaching the truck route roundabout to be spent on the speed to SPC .
This week 311km
YTD 8,659km
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