Whatever the watts

 Post #716

23/9 A somewhat sensible Saturday ('till the end!)

Tasked with tow truck duties to Sanctuary Drive diverted my usual complaints about the struggle to reach the start line, though Tina and the Jenerator could have done better towing me! The Godfather, Lance, Liam, Rocket, Bruce, Grumpy, Trav, GiantAndy, PistolPete, Bo, Gazza, Greg and BamBam swarmed the grid for the 6am launch.  When a swift but smooth pace is commonplace, a sudden slow is a shock to the system; an unseen kangaroo at Archer Rd's roadside causing caution with it's trajectory unknown (and subject to change without notice!) 

Tina tends to be my tail-gunner when the flag drops and positions get sorted for the spin south, so come time to transition to the advance, I've usually got the curly one to follow.  BamBam had drawn the short straw of GiantAndy's wheel (Andy's claims of being out of form might mean under 45 km/h).  With six pairs ahead, duty wasn't due for a while and speed had stayed in the realms of social, so fear of fronting was low.  Fog in the fields set a scenic view but attention quickly focused on yet another 'roo at River Rd's roadside. The Godfather's angst cleared our path.  A bit of social therapy distracted any worry of what work was to come while the breeze at the bum on Coach Rd camouflaged any performance anxiety. 

The helmet feels tight when it was easy to hold 37's.  BamBam's determination to drive to Old Dookie Rd stirred some drive of my own to reach the Toaster; Tina called half time at the bridge so the balance was two k's more alongside Gazza. Despite his call for a quiet shift he's still quick (and younger than my son!).  Speed was disappointing till the turn north toward the church felt like steering a Morris Oxford on cross-ply's (a soft front tyre signaled the reason for my snail-like speed).  Emerging from Winter's wet, the poor Michelin looked like it's suffered the shower scene from Psycho.   

A microscopic chip of glass was extracted and (old school) tube replaced to The Godfather's satisfaction of less than 5 minutes. (Getting gloves back on sweaty hands nearly needed more!)  A reshuffle on the restart aligned the wattage line astern, so with noses pointed toward town, nostrils flared among the thoroughbreds to make 40's the fashion for Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Legs put up quite a protest about pace though I'll admit the smoothness of speed made it sustainable.  No fear of that dreaded freewheel habit at this velocity!   

40's for the length of Ford Rd suggested a tougher tempo to come, so when Tina and the Jenerator called the choice of taking a Verney Rd escape I needed little convincing to join; the moment legs slowed for that stupid steel plate across the tarmac at the roundabout they refused to get back on the gas again! (besides, Eighty8's menu was firmly in my focus and the tank felt fairly empty!)   Three sharing a sensible speed south into town made a welcome change from what would be a brutal bolt along the Boulevard.  The road less travelled, seizing the day and celebrity sightings soaked up the sentences while breakfast blessed the taste buds. 

25/9 Monday made manageable. 

The sensation of starting on a flat battery wasn't there on Monday, though I wouldn't say it was fully charged.  Finding a bit more push for the pedals was a welcome change headed to the start line, with even a little oxygen to spare for a chat at the front with Wozz. (almost a first). No, it wasn't a gale force tail wind either! (I could get used to this sensation; not counting un-hatched chickens mind you)    Greg, Bo, Wozza, Bruce, KnightMichael, Kel, Kreeky, The Godfather, Tina and the 5ft Ninja were present at Sanctuary for PistolPete to pair with Wozz and lead us south, a breeze blowing from somewhere, no doubt to be discovered when I got to the front.  Headwinds usually find me when I get there! 

KnightMichael stood out among the regulars (bare arms and legs marked him as hardman) to work with Wozz to Central Kialla, that breeze now identified as an easterly when just a nose peeked out from the slipstream (not a hold-up for those two at the front though!)   Kreeky and the Ninja had confined themselves to the caboose till full fitness returned, so I got on the line of promotion to the pointy end with Bruce, The Godfather and Tina to serve before me.  I'd guessed The Godfather would stubbornly stay in the drivers seat from River Rd's dip, hopefully sparing Tina and I that easterly till the turn at rooster corner.  Fronting for the north trip along Coach Rd would be an easier effort. 

The Godfather graciously held tempo with Tina to the Broken (it's always the other one that sets the pace at the front isn't it?) so I stayed level likewise when Tina rolled to the left.  A kangaroo in the distance called for a little caution but it bounded toward the Broken.  Tina seemed toasted a few hundred metres on, so with PistolPete pairing alongside to the highway, we went easy on the gas for her recovery.  No such luck for me now second wheel in Boundary Rd; Pistol and Wozz worked up their watts to Old Dookie.   There's a certain serenity with the wind up the wastegate (The Godfather's garble shatters that though) but naturally the pace picks up accordingly.  Legs felt the sting of speed but at least the engine wasn't miss-firing.  Greg set a speed slightly slower from Central Ave so a few watts had returned in readiness for the spirited squirt to SPC.  (Made this Monday most manageable compared to others)

26/9 A rare sighting of the endangered 'Cyclus hibernatum' 

It took a decent serve of sarcasm to drag a hibernating LiamM from the comfort of his Winter long bed.  How easy it is to slip into a routine of soft starts to the day!  As sure as the day is long, Tina turned up in Rae St and Julz had a justifiable reason for her absence, so how dare others depart for holidays!  Greg made it four at the shop's grid, (a bit slim for a squirrel spin) so there'd be work to do.  The slightest hesitation at 5:29 had Greg take the lead, so of course I got the Doyles to Orrvale thing.  At least the school and Orrvales half dozen houses shielded the southerly from my spin.  Relishing the recovery was on my wish list 'cause another turn would come around soon (It's a shame restoring the respiratory system takes a little longer)  LiamM hadn't lost any form when Tina handed him the reigns at the Kinder (adding a couple of k's to the tempo didn't help my restoration) and that became infectious for Greg when given driving duties at the cypress trees. 

36's was the standard to the S bend where my number came up again, so 35's was my contribution, applying a pensioner's discount.  There was enough in the tank to continue to the highway but I wasn't getting greedy with the tailwind so handed over to Tina.  Liam was given the lead role when Tina elbowed him at the bridge, Greg given the task at Old Dookie Rd.  Fog in the fields conjured up thoughts of pushing through a soup-like atmosphere so 35's felt like a thrash to reach Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Tina found that feeling too but soldiered on to the bridge. Liam's shift to Lemnos gave Greg Ford Rd to drive so the shorter squirt to Verney was an easy shift for me (though it needed most of the reserve tank to get there).  I felt guilty giving Tina the headwind to aim at Balaclava Rd, but she dug up the determination to get to Graham St where Greg was the gentleman and took the towing duties to Balaclava (though the green light saw him coming and reverted to red)

27/9 Too fast? Too slow? (the crew's conundrum)  

The call for a cruisy speed Wednesday barely got a bite on What'sApp, all apparently cautious to commit to a speed something like social?   I guess the big engines risk stalling and the smaller engines risk over-revving, but the quick usually tolerate the not-so-fast and the not-so-fast usually finish the lap alive to tell the tale (and it's rare anyone is left to suffer an o.t.a. alone)  (Still, it's a free country to choose who you collaborate with.  It's the fellowship that binds the bunch together, whatever the watts).  The 5ft Ninja, Grumpy, Wozza, Troy, Greg, PistolPete, The Godfather, Tina, Gazza, Boof, Rocket, Bruce and Kreeky converged on Sanctuary's grid in the usual pecking order of pace; the fast at the front and the somewhat slower lining up in the lower order for maximum duty delay. 

The 3 k's to Mitchell Rd was probably cruisy at 37's into the south southwester for Wozza and Pistol, silence in the rear ranks said otherwise for the survivors.  Almost climatizing to the tempo, I was grateful when the pace was capped at 38's for the way east to Central Kialla then north to River Rd. It could have turned supersonic with the favorable wind so I guess this was social for the swift.  Gazza got greedy with the tailwind for a big drive on River Rd, doing little for the hopes of Tina and I of a turn with wind assistance (the swift would have to suffer our sort of social speed!)  A dead 'roo at the roadside was one less to worry about, a flat snake in Coach Rd a sign of the season to come.  

Bo's absence got The Godfather grinning though I wasn't smiling at my choice of fingerless gloves in feels like 6 (I was hoping Spring would deliver temperate temperatures. Silly me!)  Nobody grizzled at The Godfather's half block to the Broken, but Tina was given the distance directive when pairing with Greg on Boundary Rd. Bruce took an early exit via Channel Rd (tough when work gets in the way of a good ride).   I'd paired with Tina for her part two at the fig farm but had drawn the short straw of fighting the wind in Old Dookie Rd for my part two.  The Ninja had braved the front beside me but a skyrocketing heart-rate had her searching shelter swiftly. 

PistolPete was kind enough to accept my social 34's to the bridge but with Wozz set their 39's standard to Central Ave.  (Recover is over-rated anyway!) Troy's 6 days off had him at a hurry nudging 40's to the truck route, my grip slowly slipping to the wheel ahead when Gazza turned the hurry to hell at 43's to SPC.  My prayers to the new traffic lights were answered with red, halting those in a hurry so I could be counted with the crew again.  

28/9 Savoring sunshine. 

So much for Spring weather!  Feels like four forced a quick search for knee warmers and that extra layer of insulation on Thursday; an important part of the kit when it's therapy Thursday (a not-so-hot pace drops the engine temperature a bit).  All last night's encouragement enticing LiamM along had come to naught; only Tina joined Wendy and I in Rae St to head to the squirrel start. Just as well Julz and Greg showed their allegiance (obsession) arriving at the shop for 5:30's launch.  Julz jumped the starting gun to lead into Channel Rd, a south southwester blowing the tailenders in the gutter en-route to Doyles, but it inspired a bit more cadence to put temperature in the legs.  To rattle the routine, Greg got the Doyles to Orrvale leg, so I got my change of scenery to drive the 2 k's to the Kinder.  Strangely, it felt easier at the front than second or even third wheel. 

Guilt got to me handing over a headwind to Tina on Central Ave but it hadn't hindered her hurry to get to the cypress trees.  Nothing sluggish about Wendy's drive to the S bend either.  Coach Rd's tailwind extended Julz shift to the highway.  Sharing the breeze at the bum with the team, Greg's turn terminated at Boundary's bridge, so again, I had different scenery driving to Old Dookie Rd.  Tina hit the front with guns blazing to New Dookie Rd (seems my speed wasn't good enough). 

I had to wait till Lemnos before seeing the front again; once Wendy took us to Lemnos-Cosgrove and Julz and Greg shared the 3200 metres to Lemnos North Rd, the speed a little spicier than therapy standards but who was I to complain!  How rare to sight three Goats (Hommy, Sandy and Brendy) cruising east. The 1200 metres to Verney was taken by Tina so Wendy took on the headwind toward Balaclava unchallenged.  For a moment it appeared clear passage was likely through the intersection but that red got us again.     

29/9 A quality cruise. 

Suggesting a tap of the seven bridges circuit didn't get a lot of nibbles (some of the horsepower were headed for the hills for the public holiday) but it'd be the same old same old Sanctuary circuit if I'd kept my mouth shut.  (We'll wear out that tarmac before long).  The threat of stoning LiamM's roof got him out of bed and onto the bike in Rae St and Tina' always keen for k's, so we plied the path to Sanctuary's grid to find Grumpy, Julz, Greg, Bo, PistolPete, Troy, The Godfather and Kel circling the streets. 

Serves me right suggesting a different course 'cause I was ushered to the number one grid position as the guide, Troy pairing with me for the opening salvo to Mitchel Rd.  My suggestion of a tap meant a tame tempo of 33's, a standard obliged by Troy.  The Godfather punctured at the truck route, the opportunity to sledge almost irresistible, but we were ushered onward by Pistol, Bo The Godfather and Kel (time was against them so the Sanctuary circuit suited).    The sun set the scenery for our southbound path in Euroa Rd, the sedate pace finding favour even for the likes of Grumps and Troy (clocking a hundred on Wednesday and again on Thursday had earned them an easier effort). 

As expected, Union Rd was as rough as a hessian g string, the sun warming our backs (when it was just five degrees) dulled the discomfort. Across the highway, LiamM and I paired at the front to the bridge, walking the planks of the old Goulburn crossing so as not to lose a wheel in the gaps.  A slight southeaster raised some effort on the Toolamba-Rushworth Rd though with speed set at social, it barely raised a sweat.  With plenty of grins and a fair bit of gas-bagging, the delight of a suffer-free spin in zone three was almost a pleasure long forgotten (Reckon I've hit on a favoured formula to plan another).   With the blessing of the breeze, Dhurringile Rd lessened the labor for the tap to Tat, the town mostly asleep as Greg and Troy turned us east onto Ferguson. 

Temperature had doubled from the start and fingers and toes had now thawed as the appetite pondered what might be the temptation on the Milk Bar menu.  A diversion via Pyke Rd minimized time on the Mooroopna-Murchison Rd, though traffic was thin.  I got the job of pilot to steer us on the bike path to Shepp (how rough that's become) to finish with an al fresco breakfast to fill the 70k hole. 

This week 325km    

YTD 10, 030km           

Mr. Negative nagging

 Post # 715

16/9 Testy.

The solitary to Sanctuary seemed strange. There was almost a sense of guilt setting my own pace (crikey, I might even save a few watts to spend on a decent turn in the bunch!) though effort seemed excessive just to keep 30 on the Garmin (an all-too-often complaint of late).  That old chestnut excuse of cold air or a heavy road sounded like a direct quote from Bo's encyclopedia of excuses (old age and a few too many k's for the week more likely Foss!) 

GiantAndy, Wozza, Troy, Boof, Grumpy, Rocket and PistolPete at the grid set the standard high so finding Bo, the Jenerator, Julz, Greg and BamBam in the mix got the balance tilted a little more in my favor.  Starting at the back was part of my risk assessment programme.  Horsepower at the front meant a strong start, and that was little help to the (perceived) poor performance of late.  Greg nursing that knee might make a pairing with him at the front a little easier than the likes of Wozza's wattage, so joining the advance line wasn't so onerous.  Nev arrived via the short cut (truck route) at Central Kialla to join the party.  Still at 37's and 38's beyond River Rd's dip wasn't doing much for the nerves so the bunch would have to tolerate something slower when my turn came due. 

36's alongside Greg beyond the quarter horse fence was bearable, his slight slowing of speed nearing the rumble strips quite timely as my engine started to misfire near rooster corner. My part two partner was Nev and I was relieved he wasn't in a hurry (though expectations of doing a decent drive weighed heavy in the head). Prior pace didn't help either.  Legs delivering less than what the head wanted is the usual disappointment, frustration growing when the Garmin showed the engine was well below the red-line.  All those excuses in Bo's encyclopedia rolled through the pre-frontal cortex for an answer as I buckled and called for Nev's mercy.  Grumpy paired with him to the highway, speed slowly rising a k or so as the pair chatted happily away at the front while I did the gasp and groan of recovery (well out of your depth old boy!)   The Jenerator's shortish shift on Boundary Rd might have explained my earlier struggle but not a leaf was stirred by wind (so I went back to the index of that encyclopedia again!)   

Boof and GiantAndy made it look easy driving to the Toaster, but they're blessed with that bonus called horsepower aren't they!  I could swap a sentence or two by the turn north to the church though Mr Pessimism was already pondering rejoining the advance line with the spectre of escalating enthusiasm nearing town.   Julz and the Jenerator had retired from active service at the front, the thought becoming quite attractive when seeing speed sneak into the 40's to Lemnos (and being promoted even closer to the front).  Conscience wrestles between h.t.f.u. and survival at this point of pain, but it's being counted as part of the crew at the end that ultimately matters (heroics mean nothing when you're dropped!) so I took a gap in the left line as a lifeline crossing Grahamvale Rd. 

Julz shadow was slowly slipping backward in Wanganui Rd so a split between sprinters and survivors seemed likely.  The Jenerator and I chose to chaperone the struggler rather than the stress of sticking with the swift.  Greg had peeled off from the fast fellas on the turn into Rudd Rd so four, somewhat spent, shared a more sustainable speed back into town  (and were spared the shame of being relegated o.t.a).    Spring finally allowed an alfresco breakfast at Eighty8; smoking, proper supercars and Syndey's sights were on tongues between bites of breakfast (French toast the treat for a 300k week). 

18/9 Legs liberated.  

There's a lot of hesitation exposing legs after a long Winter (25 days of 3 or below etches a lasting memory) though I reckon it was a safe bet when 14 degrees showed up at stupid o'clock.  A northeaster motivated movement south to Sanctuary; dealing with it in the face for most of the lap would need some tactical positioning in the pack.  The Godfather and the Ninja were on the comeback trail from illness though several regulars were absent, so 11 (adding Bruce, Troy, PistolPete, Bo, Tina, Wozza, Kel and BamBam) made up the squad to share the struggle......better than none I guess. 

It could have been a brutal baptism to the week with that wind up the Khyber but PistolPete and Wozz were kind enough to keep the velocity below 38 to open the weeks work.  There was no escaping from facing the wind so I took a chance that River Rd might be the lesser of the labour; following Tina into the advance line at the dip wouldn't burst a boiler.....till she took to the slipstream of the left line and promoted me to The Godfather's wheel.  What was a northeaster had swung more easterly so fronting for duty shortened hopes of a shift worth sprouting about.  I'd got to the quarter horse fence for part one but watts had worn weak to drive something decent with Kel for part two. 

Barely a k was covered when the call to Kel of "cooked" saved my likely implosion, though recovery was put on the backburner as Wozza and Pistol unleashed their horsepower for the path north.  How you can drive at 38 into 20 k's worth of wind is the puzzle I need to solve (And how to maintain it for another three k's is another!)  The Ninja kept confined to the caboose while Troy matched Wozza's watts for another 3 k's to Old Dookie Rd.  (The term to use is "freaks" I beleive). A little composure was found on the westward way to town, the position near the back of the pack probably exempting me from another shift at the front (that wind built a little more excitement toward the truck route of course)   Tina was getting toasted when the hurry hit toward SPC but PistolPete (always on the look-out for those under load) and I joined in serving tow truck duties back to the bunch, SPC's new red traffic light helping to halt those in a hurry to close the gap.

19/9 Timing traffic lights 101.

With Captain Emil (and Kim) away, the Tuesday routine might get a shake-up, though numbers were were a bit thin at the shop; Julz, Tina, the Jenerator and Greg the sole squirrels to start.  The first shift to the truck route would be a pleasant change from that ever repetitive Doyles to Orrvale thing but Greg stepped in as commander of the first drive into Channel Rd.  Silly me slipped in at second wheel, thus confirming my standard shift.   Greg had set a popular pace (nobody hollering hurt or any o.t.a. occurrences) so reaching Orrvale didn't blow any gaskets (though a northeaster didn't make it too cruisy). Funny how the leaves were barely moving but driving a k felt like heading into a gale! 

Tina quite capably towed us to the Kinder where Julz cruised the Central Ave leg but had to work the way to the cypress trees. Avoiding the corrugations near Hanlon Rd that could rattle your fillings free, the Jenerator dipped into the depths of determination to drive to Channel Rd's end.  Greg was back in charge and didn't he charge ahead crossing the highway, giving me the role of shock absorber to get the three behind me back to his draft.  Looks like the Tuesday/Thursday ride ritual was set in stone; at this rate I'd be getting the Old to New Dookie Rd stretch yet again.   The northeast breeze felt like flogging a dead horse at the front so a k worth of cruelty was enough. 

The breeze at the backside probably prompted Julz to drive long to Lemnos after Tina had towed us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, and that rubbed off on the Jenerator to endure the drivers seat for 3200 metres to reach Grahamvale Rd.  Greg had scored the short shift to Verney so surely he'd copy Emil's effort to drive south to Balaclava Rd too?  What a surprise to be handed the reigns on the turn south! (a third shift on a squirrel circuit for me is as rare as a silent Godfather!)   That breeze seemed to have vanished when I wanted it 'cause lots of throttle was needed to keep 36's going for a couple of k's.  There'd be no Emil explosion of effort at the end on my watch (I hadn't the horsepower left!) but I was rewarded with a rare green light at Balaclava Rd (taking notes Emil?)   

20/9 Yeah, I'd weakened Wednesday and taken a day off. Something more than 3 hrs sleep would have helped.

21/9 Who's happy with head-winds? 

We'd had a small taste of Spring so of course, a Winter-like temperature returned on Thursday to haunt us.  Why should we get it easy?  A westerly blew to chill the bones as a bonus!  Only the die-hards (the Jenerator, Tina, Julz and Greg) fronted at the shop, the fair-weather faction still yet to firm up and show their allegiance (others, on holiday, chose to taunt us with scenic seaside views).   Colour in the sky and a tailwind to start the circuit made a motivational beginning, Greg stealing the first shift to the truck route again to keep me consistent on the Doyles to Orrvale.  With only five to swap turns, another shift shouldn't be far away, so recovery was put into fast forward while Tina, the Jenerator and Julz did duty. 

Shifts were standard to the cypress trees till Julz went long range to Channel Rd's end.  Second wheel to Greg gives a decent draft but he'd been hit with the long range virus too, Old Dookie Rd blurring by without a flinch of an elbow in sight. (Maybe it's an Emil infection?)  Permission to lead was finally granted at New Dookie Rd, the now west northwester giving a little grief at the left shoulder (but nothing like the work heading west).  That joy was for Tina as I handed her the reigns in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd; I had an appointment for respite at the rear. (Nice timing eh?)  

Reaching the bridge was enough for Tina, the Jenerator taking up the task to get to Lemnos. A small dose of the headwind in Ford Rd was plenty for Julz so Greg did the work to Grahamvale.  I'd hoped he'd go the extra k to Verney but he wasn't happy with the headwind either.  Sharing the suffering is part of the job description so I did my bit, albeit scoring the shortest shift.  The responsibility rested with Tina to take us to a green light at Balaclava Rd but by Graham St the Jenerator had the itch for swift and Greg needed no encouragement to join the thrash (but that hurry only triggered the lights to go red).     

22/9 A laboured lap (or is it just me?)

I struggled to see the sense in riding at stupid o'clock when the Bureau said feels like 1.9, particularly when the only thing that had appeal was crawling back to bed. Just as well there's always the memory of the regret of not riding, so concrete was consumed with coffee while layering the insulation.  Luck found Boof and Rocket at Benalla Rd lights so Tina and I were treated to a tow to Sanctuary Drive, shielded from the southerly.   

Extra horsepower (aka Kev) was ready at the start with The Godfather, Kreeky, Kel, PistolPete, Bruce, Grumpy, Julz, Greg and Bo, the wind of no consequence to Boof and Pistol's rapid pace to Mitchell Rd.  (Maybe I should have followed that earlier appeal.......or maybe I should get a box of tissues and have a good cry?)  Tina had braved joining the advance line early, so why shouldn't I?    Kev kept the tarmac at a blur to Central Kialla, and that hadn't silenced Grumpy or The Godfather (but what could?).  No chat for me (and some others), me and several had become preoccupied with oxygen intake.  Tina's determination to serve a turn wasn't helped by Bo's determination to keep a wheel ahead, a reasonable reason for Tina's short shift and Greg's slipstream to save her. 

35's needed a wide open throttle to the quarter horse fence, the effort to stay alongside Greg telling me there was little left in this tank.  Grumpy was a compliant co-pilot but as usual, my legs and lungs were nowhere near performing what the ego wanted.  Kel and Grumpy showed how a proper shift was done to rooster corner while I worked on my inferiority complex.  Almost broad daylight along Coach Rd seemed strange; just a week to go and daylight savings will rob us of the pleasure!  All should have been on high alert when The Godfather called the cross of the highway, "Have a look" sounding alarm bells, and finding a truck closing in rapidly from the west.  A chorus of disc brake squeals halted half the bunch as The Godfather and his cohorts cruised into Boundary Rd for others to catch up. 

(Hardly the stuff of teamwork).  Speed seemed super keen to Old Dookie Rd or was that just me being way out of my league? (Kreeky concurred pace seemed cruel; so it wasn't just Mr.Negative nagging in my head).   Kev stirred the performance pot for the west way to town, causing quite a few (including me) to find shelter in the left line when nearing the business end of the advance.  Kreeky, Tina, Julz and I became detached as the after-burners opened toward SPC but that new traffic light at Lockwood Rd turned red to allow us to rejoin.  

This week 259km

YTD 9,705km              

The shortest words possible.

 Post #714

10/9 Misty.

Left to my own devices, I'd probably make Sunday a lazy one and sleep-in, particularly finding it a damp and misty morning as I rolled the bike out the door.  Only the hardcore (or should that read headcases?) would tackle this rather ordinary morning solo, but I had Wendy to thank, saying yes to a suggested Sunday spin (the cravings after two days off had started but there wasn't overnight drizzle on the forecast).  Wendy might have called it quits too, sighting a glossy road and spits on the specs, so I guess we could blame one another committing to ride on a drab day.  Thoughts of plying a different course was shelved; sticking to a familiar route with optional short-cuts home was the best bet if weather worsened.  Squishy socks syndrome is my breaking point, but it was just puddles and spotty specs at 6:30.   

Clouds turning a lighter shade of grey gave some hope.   A squirrel circuit, but clockwise, seemed the best option; a different view of familiar ground and avoiding Verney's gravel section at the North Quarter development made sense.  It wasn't long before swapping turns became a clever idea too, the prospect of many turns lowering the tempo from weekday standards and avoiding puddles was on the priority list as I took the Ford Rd leg to Lemnos.  The Bureau said calm, this old engine saying a hint of westerly when the work intensified but speed stayed stuck at 32.  Wendy guided the Lemnos-Cosgrove course to Boundary Rd, pot-holes aplenty from Winter's wet.  Drizzle had stopped on Boundary Rd and even lighter grey clouds gave a silver lining to extending the lap a little longer than the planned short cut back via Channel Rd. 

River Rd wouldn't be risking much.  The guess of a westerly got some truth behind it as speed picked up bound for the dip, Wendy's consistent 34's making it sweet in the slipstream.  Sunday's lack of traffic was a bonus. Raftery Rd wasn't risky either with the tarmac mostly dry, the track back to town not tapped for many a moon so there was a little variety in the course after all.  The way via Wyndham was wet into town, getting bikes properly grubby, but coffee became the priority after 50 damp k's.

11/9 Chilly.

When the Bureau promises 5 and you get 1, I don't think you get a refund, but the search was on fairly quickly for an extra layer for Monday's lap.  Circling Sanctuary's side streets with Emil (till 5:40 forced us to grid) became a bit of a worry when only one other bike was spotted; 33% of the workload would be a harsh sentence for the lap to start the week.  Luck had Troy, Bruce, Wozza, Gazza, Rocket, Greg and BamBam join in from a side street to settle my nerves. 

Emil and BamBam got the squad started south as the horsepower formed the advance line while Greg, Bruce and I took to the left line of less labour , seeking maximum delay at driving at the business end.  The effort's inevitable, no point rushing into it, besides, it takes a while to summon the mental horsepower let alone the physical grunt.  (Bruce had been on holiday and Greg is running in a new knee.....I had no excuse at all!  I should borrow Bo's encyclopedia)   Spring had coloured the sky orange while a Winter temperature tested us (feels like minus 0.2), Gazza and Troy leading two lines toward River Rd in a strange serenity (but that won't last the week out)      Greg's draft helped the mindset nearing duty at River Rd's dip, his pace beside Rocket giving no hint of a new knee just 8 weeks ago. 

Huffs and puffs told a different story when I partnered alongside, so it probably sounded sympathetic when I called "As slow as you like".  (Truth be known I was short on oxygen too!)  Facing the front after a generous draft comes as a shock to the system.  A kilometre on, I'd found a spare breath and was about to call half time just as Greg said "Done", so the last k to rooster corner with Bruce reached my use-by date.  BamBam and Bruce bound for the Broken bridges didn't burst a gasket getting there, though I was banking a little oxygen in readiness for Emil and Wozza due for driving next.  

The pairing of Gazza and Troy in Old Dookie Rd lifted the heart-rate a little higher nearing town, so the old engine was well prepared for the throttle wide open to SPC.  Half a k to go and I was losing grip on the wheel ahead, the glance back finding Bruce and BamBam behind to inject a little more incentive to hold the wheel ahead.  I got my wish for Wheeler St's lights to go red, closing that 5 metre hole in the process. 

12/9 Steady.

Tuesday was five times better than Monday (in degrees) and a couple of absentees had returned to supplement the squirrels declining squad.  Tina was back from holiday and Julz was back from suffering sinus. Something like a titanic tow truck will be needed to return LiamM and Molly to riding!  Blokes were up first on the standard squirrel circuit, Emil and I in usual formation and Greg scoring the shift to the Kinder. 

Tina started strong at the cypress trees following the Jenerator's turn from Central Ave, but holidays had taken the hurry out of her by Beckham's bend (determination drove her to the S bend though)   Wendy worked the last 1500 metres to Coach Rd where Julz could soak up the slight southwester to the highway and beyond to Boundary's bridge.   Emil's aim was beyond Old Dookie Rd.  Call me chicken for calling a halt at New Dookie Rd for a fast-approaching car; we might have made it through in time but we lived to tell the story stopped (got a breath or two back into the bargain)   Gently on the gas pedal toward Hill Rd, I was soon judged guilty of putting Julz o.t.a. 

The ease back to 30 got me off on grounds of good behavior. Greg did a better job of turning up the wick toward Lemnos (seven stayed in formation), obviously nothing niggling that knee driving 3 k's to the rumble strips.   Ford Rd had the Jenerator in charge to Grahamvale and Tina took us to Verney but Wendy and Julz had their shifts hijacked by Emil's enthusiasm to bolt toward Balaclava Rd.  Greg and the Jenerator were keen to stir a sprint to the (relentlessly) red traffic light.  

   

13/9 Quantity. 

Thinking I was in some sort of form was a bit rash; starting slowly (and a little earlier) was kind on the old engine and I actually managed to stay alongside Emil for the commute to Sanctuary Drive (and didn't cave in to seeking a draft half way there)  This was just the casual cruise to the start mind you, nowhere near bunch speed, so I wasn't getting excited thinking I'd found fitness.  It just didn't hurt so much! 

A crowd had assembled for the 5:40 fling, Hawaiian holidaymakers Boof, PistolPete, Bo and The Godfather were back to face four degrees and young Jack joined in with Trav and Liam representing the western faction. The usual culprits Emil, Tina, Rocket, Wozza, Greg, Troy and Bruce made up the rest of the rabble.  Liam and PistolPete's opening effort to Mitchell Rd pushed the limits for some while I was subscribing to the theory that if you keep banging your head against a brick wall it eventually goes numb.  A couple of k's worth of pain and it disappears, doesn't it?  (That, or you're o.t.a. and contemplating finding slower friends!) 

After what seems like a long winter worth of black mornings, another colourful sky greeted us in River Rd, although variable velocities had returned.  Boof being baptized with sealant signaled The Godfather's grief with a deflating tubeless tyre (not quite God's gift to road-bikes the preacher spouts about when they anoint others, but I'll concede an injection of CO2 cured the problem quickly).  The restart near rooster corner shuffled the deck a little; pleased I got Greg's wheel in the advance while Trav and Jack propelled the pace north to the highway. 

Cats and '51 were served an overdue hearing test by you know who.  A steady speed for the last week or so is now consigned to the history books as fluctuations kept wits sharpened and fingers poised nervously over brake levers.  Ah, the want for persistent pedaling! Boof and The Godfather were on duty in Old Dookie Rd and hats off to The Godfather for driving a full block following nine days off. Greg paired with him toward Dobson's but called half time at the bridge, so I was finally called up for the 1500 metres duty to the truck route.  PistolPete's power served the squirt to SPC far better than I could.  

14/9 Foggy.

Convincing the cranium there was a breeze behind put an extension on the usual shift to the bridge along Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, driving an extra 1500 metres to Lemnos wouldn't be so tough (besides, this was therapy Thursday so speed standards weren't so swift)   Closing in on the rumble strips, legs weren't convinced. More watts were wanted than what the head reckoned (and the Bureau said calm, contrary to thoughts about a tailwind)   Still, there's little gain being concreted into the comfort zone.  The Jenerator, Kim, Wendy, Greg, Tina, Julz and Emil had been keen to front at the shop or was Julz birthday cake at the Butter Factory the temptation?   

Somewhat civilized temperature (6 degrees) had tempted me to minus a layer and swap to thinner gloves, though that seemed stupid feeling the chill from Channel Rd's channels as Emil dragged us to the truck route.  Heart failure hadn't happened reaching Orrvale Rd but there was a lot of pleasure in the slipstream afterward as Greg led the six to the Kinder.  A long drive to Channel Rd's end was the Jenerator's response to Wendy's determination to get to the cypress trees, so the usual order was well mixed up when Tina fronted for the drive to Boundary Rd's bridge. 

An elbow to Emil beyond Old Dookie Rd finished the birthday girls shift so wasn't I surprised when Emil ended his turn short at the top of Boundary Rd. My turn to work west.

Greg is well down the comeback trail with his fourth ride in a row, no trouble for him reaching Grahamvale Rd to hand Wendy the helm. The Jenerator was honored with driving that sacred shift south to Balaclava and (strangely) was unchallenged for the lead.....till Greg stirred up a hint at a sprint to the lights.  (Guaranteed to get Emil excited). Yep, lights were red again!     

15/9 Uniformity.

From a helpful north northeaster to get to Sanctuary Drive, the wind swung swifty to a westerly as the grid (Bo, Ralphy, Wozza, BamBam, Julz, PistolPete, Kim, Grumpy, Emil, Tina, Rocket, Wendy Boof, Kel and Bruce) formed to fly Friday's Coulda's colours. (Ralphy in the mix was a rare appearance; what's next?  BeerMat making a comeback?)   20 k's worth of westerly at the right shoulder didn't slow PistolPete and Emil's pace to Mitchell, though some sense of diplomacy was kept (less than 40) heading east to Central Kialla.  (Emil might have felt a sting if speed was too swift?)   

A squad of sixteen was sizeable but it does turn up the whiplash effect for those near the rear.  Double digit temperatures (at last!) had many brave bare legs but the all too recent memory of Winter's chill had me cautious keeping knees warm.  The patches over the patches over the pot-holes nearing River Rd gave an extra kick in the pants from the 10 psi increase (re-adjusting the pressures from two days of neglect has a side effect; hopefully the answer to a perceived poor performance of late)   Decibel levels were low in The Godfather's absence though Grumpy's gasbagging was making up some of the shortfall.  Escaping the advance line, Tina took to the left line on the turn north at rooster corner, a cautious start to the drive toward the bridges with half a dozen geese as roadside spectators.  (They sounded a lot like a certain absentee!) 

I'd been promoted to Grumpy's wheel while Ralphy and BamBam took a calm approach to the Broken.  Shifts shortened and put Grumpy and I in charge at the second bridge, but he was on for a chat while I became over occupied on oxygen uploading (I thought he'd get the hint with my one word replies.  And I was using the shortest words possible!)  The last k was hell, despite the engine data being below the red-line, so it must have been the stress in the head that called PistolPete across rather than face part two.  (I got away with the short shift; the preacher of 'full blocks" wasn't here to chastise!)  I needed to socially snub Rocket (alongside) while Pistol and Emil added a couple of k's in the hour to Old Dookie Rd.

What was a westerly became an east southeaster for the west way home and with the horsepower of Rocket and Boof providing propulsion, 40's was the fashion to get closer to caffeine.  Kudos to Tina and Julz holding on to the hurry.  That now familiar red light at SPC was a godsend to finally fill the lungs. 

This week 300 km

YTD 9,446 km