2023 : 326 Whopper's worth

 Post #724

Numbers usually tell a story;  6 tyres, 8 tubes (yep, I'm old school!), 3 chains, a DuraAce cassette, a pair of rear wheel bearings, 28 days of 3 degrees or lower (3 fewer than 2022 for the ones that reckon this year was colder) 26 days where rain stopped play, 33 laps of the Saturday circuit, 104 loops of the weekday ride, 82 spins on the shorter Squirrel circuit, 3 taps of Beach Rd and one to Frankston, once to Dookie and back, a Tat200, a climb of Bulla with Wendy and solo missions at Moss Vale and Clunes, a Bright to Mt. Beauty and back (with the torture of Tawonga Gap twice) and a mount of Mt. Buffalo. There were several days when the old engine wouldn't start and Sundays were usually stalled.  

2023 saw the usual pot-holes and wildlife (those Coach Rd kangaroos the cause of Lili and Tina's tumble), traffic lights sprouting at SPC and in Verney Rd, new bikes for Boof, Emil, Bruce, GiantAndy and Gazza and a new knee for Greg.  We said farewell to Bo's ponytail and Chris from the Butter Factory.  The year saw comebacks from Troy and Lenny and a rejuvenated BamBam, post surgery efforts from Greg and Lance the rise and rise of GiantAndy, Gazza, Jack and Julz (but some spinal struggles for Wozz, Kel and I)   Saturdays became a cafe of choice.  

This old engine managed 13,591 k's for the year (at a cost of 214,284 calories according to the Garmin numbers; that's 326 Hungry Jack's Whoppers worth).  Strava told me I totaled 150,000 k's during the year (though I'll ignore the pre-Strava 159,000 k's 'cause that makes me weary!)   

But it's the camaraderie and motivation of the bunch that's the highlight (as usual).  I doubt we'd do the distance solo.  Thanks for the encouragement, kudos and mechanical support through the year guys and gals, particularly for the free 'on board entertainment'!  I reckon I'll give next year a shot too. 

Best wishes for your prosperous (and upright) 2024.