Chain lube was the priority (deafened by a gritty groan Friday) Saturday morning, then a quiet (literally) circuit of Old Dookie, Boundary and Channel Rd was the precursor to the Saturday social. Almost arrived at the starting grid (500 metres shy) when the bunch approached; Chris A, AvantiChris, Shorty, AvantiTrev, Temple, Rocket, Pistol, Kel, Ange, Linda, Nev, Fisky, Jase, Cougar, FeltMat and suprise suprise, BigMat (not a hologram but a vaguely familiar face shooting at an August MTS goal). I was promoted through the ranks by rotation rather than ability (a peleton Peter principal?), social intercourse kick starting the weekend as I leapfrogged forward, a bunch long enough to only have two or three contributions at the front (but long enough to rubber band at the back). Motivating to see a hint of orange on the horizon, the long 14 k westward home on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd tempoed smoothly, not until a wiff of Wanganui did the speed sizzle. (positions per performance, need I name the winner?) Back to base camp, age comparisons, political perks and a Tour de Fightbacc whip around occupied the tongue, coffee, eggs and bacon rewarding the tastebuds.
An aimless roll out New Dookie Rd on Monday, if only to re-educate legs on rotation. Keeping below the anaerobic (210 - age + 10%) and soaking up the serenity southbound from the Pine Lodge church, there was even a feint glow on the horizon to see which way was up. Old Dookie Rd's pork house was lit up for breakfast, no piggy pong with the NNE blowing the aroma away at 17 km/h. I swung into Boundary Rd spotting distant Goat tail-lights slipping south but any ebuillence evaporated reaching Channel Rd, winging west back to town with eyes sharpened for Darth Vader (delighted the dog didn't show). Steadily steamed back home (just 3.5 km/h variation from average to max speed) to navigate through the 7am commuters.
Tuesdays tarmac was as inviting as a tax audit, overnight rain had glossed and puddled the Couldabeens circuit to feature (and frustrate) the folly of keeping a bike clean. Wound my way wistfully to the wanton warrior Wozza waiting on wet Wyndham, our punt that just 4 or 5 would front. Suprise suprise to find 10 at the starting grid, a Genesis influx (Nev, Bo, Kel and Ron) boosting the Couldabeens population of Pistol, Spin Doctor, Kenworth and Rocket. Wozz and Nev set a smooth standard in leg 1, I felt ok for leg 2 with Wozz but the heart rate was red-lining by the kinder with Pistol. Rocket and Kenworth advanced to go, but Ron and Kel were stuck on 'just parking'. Cat tail-lights were visible beyond the bridges as we turned into Boundary Rd, a red light bait to prime the pursuit. I'd advanced again to the pointy end just as we'd closed in on the Cats in River Rd, powering past I made the mistake of glancing at the Garmin (heartrate at 178) to suffer a speed psychosis and a mounting mental meltdown. 102 had climbed aboard (2 x 51's), Furph and Lateleigh also collected as we aimed toward Archer. Nev & Wozz syncronised a smooth cross of the highway, Kenworth, Bo, Ron and I resolved in rear-tirement. JK moved toward the front at Arcadia Downs, the pace percolating as Conrod came into view. A momentary slow rippled through from the front, a close call when wheels of Rocket and SpinDoc almost became intimate. Happy to finish mid field in such quick and quality company, it took half a k to regain the oxygen to talk.
Abandonded ideas of a ride Wednesday fearing the forecast wet, stayed dry as it happened, being dudded by <yr.no> is a rare event. A re-bore of the tympanic cavities had amplified my auditories Thursday, a cacophony of Cosmic carbon caused a cadenza (a catchy chorus composed by cadence) for a calm and cruisy crank of New Dookie Rd with a WNW breeze up another cavity for assistance east. South on Boundary then toured to town, suprised the head-wind didn't harry the heart rate too much back to Friars. A herd of Goats (Belly, Tum, Coggo, Kate, Joe, Dipper, Phil, Hommy, Sandy and CerveloJohn) had assembled (HG Phillo failing to front), decent numbers in spite of winters grip on the temperature (5). Speissy joined in at SPC, Tina habitually at the weighbridge, for rotational rituals to get underway, all contributing to happy days heading east, but south and west would take it's toil. I looked up smooth in the dictionary to find a picture of the resplendant Belly on a bike, good to have his wheel where others fluctuated. Those who've been up on winters' blocks were paying the penalty of perspiration at the back, ten drivers whittled down to eight in the course of River Rd, just six left by Melbourne Rd. Coggo called single at Raftery's horse stud, taxing CerveloJohn for a long go at the helm, leaving just Tum, Coggo and I as the tow trucks for the following dozen. Tum took the front out of Conrod's dip, and I just couldn't take candy from the baby (30 something), drafting to second on the line.
I sprung Rocket on an early warm-up in Wanganui Rd Friday, SpinDoc spied awaiting a 51 thrash at Verney's roundabout, just a quiet 15 k prologue for me to round up the Strava August MTS to 500. Down to the Couldabeens carpark, Cate, Jen and Cougar had lined up midgrid, Linda, Rocket, Wozz, Kenworth, Jase, AvantiChris and AvantiTrev squeezing in behind. There was no escape from the first shift shuffle, the lasses delivering a quality first turn in Archer. Two rows formed on the outskirts of town, Wozz, Jase, Kenworth and Rocket inflating the rate to Mitchell Rd, AvantiTrev and Cate stepped up to the plate, the WNW wind prospering pace in River Rd. Copious Cats wheeled west (8 degrees enticing many from under their winter doonas?) with Genesis/51 in pursuit. A perky, petite peleton of P&W's plied behind, a gaggle of Goats ground south on Boundary as we collected the effervescent Ange. Being between Kenworth and AvantiChris for the drive to Channel was some comfort, but predicting the turns to the Cha Cha put me in the hot seat of lead-out at the kinder. All squeezing the throttle nearing Prentice Rd, Cate (Cavendish) powered to the front as Rocket wound up the turbo, Wozza the only one able to stay with his launch. A calm after the storm, the quiet roll back to town reflected on yet another birthday for the old faithful BM. What's only an inanimate object has become rather a personal attachment, seeing me through separation, divorce, two retrenchments, several heartaches, turning a half century and a grandfather, a couple of Mt Buffalo's, 5 Murray to Moynes, 3 significant prangs, 6 treks to Melbourne, 3 yrs racing, finding plenty of friends but tangles with owls, kangaroos and other wildlife, 4 Round the Bays, 9 Fruitloops and don't ask how many Toaster laps. 190,148 k's in 4016 days amounts to a serious addiction, 47.3 k's per day for 11 years.
Week 33 259 km YTD 9,763
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Week 32 : Up the nose (and other orifices)
Plans for an early Saturday start were swiftly scuppered by a 5.10 shower (just as I pushed the bike out the front door), a few texts opting for the standard start time in the hope that rain cleared. Hope sprang eternal at 5.40, a niggling northerly drying the track a little for Wozz and I to travel south to the carpark. I was suprised to see ten keen and ready to roll; Rocket, Shorty, Temple, FeltMat, Jase, ChrisA, Pistol Pete, SpinDoctor (overly optomistic in short knicks and sleeves) Hollywood and Ange. Away at six bells and highly hopeful, it was a slow leg one to allow a tardy MasiMario to jump aboard, Saturday social scuttlebutt soon underway out Channel Rd. The tempo travelled tamely, FeltMat moving up the ranks but became mentally monstered by MasiMario whole biking him at the front (soon tucked in for a tow, tired of torment). Ange played fair with me into the wind up to Old Dookie Rd, I then snuggled into the draft of the echelloned bunch to the Toaster while Shorty, Rocket and Jase took the drivers seat east. A spit or two from the heavens welcomed us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, tempo turning toasty westbound as drops grew larger and more frequent. Nudging forty and stacked across the road against the NNE, rooster tails of water began to blot the kit and spot the specs (felt warm looking at SpinDoctor in a summer kit though) By Ford Rd, fountains of water were up the nose (and other orifices), soaked socks dampened hopes, driving drenched, hanging on to the thought of hot coffee and a cooked breakfast under the Lemontree's heaters was still 12 wet kilometres away. (and this is a hobby we choose to enjoy!) Several were spurred on by Wanagnui's ascent, the damp tarmac spelling a sprint sit-back for me (Ange and MasiMario in similar thought), Temple and FeltMat in more cautious arrears 500 metres behind. Finally Boulevard bound and damp as a drenched duck, I swung off home to a dry dock, then by car to the Lemontree for the aforesaid coffee and toast, an in-depth analysis on Tour de FightBacc, Tour Down Under and a totalisator on BigMats August MTS.
After a Sunday and Monday off, it was all aboard the ice-breaker Tuesday morning for a toaster lap, adjusting the mental calculus to intercept the Couldabeens at Channel Rd's end. (ETA 6.15) A 5.20 start and gently up to speed (to prevent snapping frozen body parts), the heart rate frozen at 58 bpm. Down the Wanganui hill at 5.28 and across Lemnos North Rd (5.37) the h.r. still not warmed up sitting on 70. Making the planned intercept on time kept the motivation simmering, the negative temperature having one positive.....no wind! To the Emu at 5.55 and the Toaster at 6, I was now doubting the mind's mathematics, so put the pace up in Old Dookie Rd. Early Cats had single filed into Boundary half a k ahead, not enough in my old engine to grab onto the Cats tail. I crossed the highway and reached Channel Rd at 6.13, (h.r. finally reading true at 148) no sign of the Couldabeens crew so continued on steadily, knowing I'd be reeled in. Curiousity caused a peek back on my turn into River Rd, a league of l.e.d.'s at the bridges bound to be them. No hope of outrunning the combined wattage, but I steamed on to see just how long / short my farce would last. Prolonged it to Melbourne Rd, I was rounded up at Roubaix, a gap left behind the drivers Rocket, Pistol, Wozza, Kenworth and SpinDoc to climb aboard (climatising to a 30% increase in throttle takes one's breath away). Out with the shovel to dig deep as Conrod's sprint loomed, Rocket and Wozz drawing away from us "also rans".
A damp driveway dissapointed desire, a drizzled disdain dominated Wednesday's windy attempt at a Raftery-Mitchell-Archer warm up, mimicking WobblyTrev at times as the wind whipped wheels sideways. A dim, dark and un-inviting horizon was a miserable motivator, though Mitchell Rd's tailwind was worth driving toward. Savoured the short reward on the 56/14 till Archer Rd spelt toil and a lower gear. I nearly made it to the Broken bridge, but u-turned to climb abaord the Couldabeens carriage, a short straw drawn slotting in between Rocket and Pistol. (they don't bite but repeated exposure can cause symptoms including mild paranoia, shortness of breath and cardiac convulsions) A subsequent rapid intake of oxygen in Mitchell Rd distracted me from avoiding the pot hole, hit fair and square to awaken the quadratus femoris. A calm descended on Central Kialla for Trav and Shorty to cut the headwind, but it was hoist the mainsail to storm River Rd with wind blowing up the behind. Spin Doc arrived from a clockwise (but unwise) windy workout, balancing the numbers to eight. I had an anaerobic slog on the wide open plains of Boundary Rd with SpinDoc then Pistol to the bridges, then tucked in to psych up for the Channel Rd grind home. Trav and AvantiChris set a steady speed, Shorty and Rocket adding 15% caused an AvantiChris kaboom at the cypress trees. I needed no better excuse than to drop back and offer a tow (shying away from the lead-out role for the Cha Cha). A few looked tactically back, guaging the sprintenders, two rows quickly merging indian file as Pistol and Jase scored the dubious honour of slicing the wind. (Rocket off the seat, humbling all in full flight) A steady tap back to town, SpinDoc analysing seat and sit position while his legs went into melt-down.
With the practice of prologues particularly pronounced, a 20k entree of Channel-Boundary-Old Dookie was perhaps showing up the O.C.D. (obsessive cyclist disorder) a bit. 3.5 degrees but feels like -0.4, it was easy eastbound on Channel but wicked westbound on Old Dookie with 20 km/h gusts to battle, pleasing progress despite my grizzles though. Finding Coggo, Hommy, Dipper, Heady, Snow, Sandy, Kate, Belly, Tum, Cervelo John assembled at Friars, all witnessed the return (from retirement?) of HG Phillo, Speisy and Baz. Idling out Old Dookie Rd an abyss opened in the bunch (HG Phillo's signature gap), with all being windswept to Boundary. The turn south commenced a reverse roll (a welcome back gift to HG?), making good of the sidedraft. (foreign to some, good for all, but awkward for a couple). River Rd rectified rotations back to anti-clockwise, whittling down to seven working the front as the comeback kids faced rehabilitation at the rear. Got into a good rhythm with Dipper, Hommy, Coggo, Heady, Snow and Belly at the business end of the bunch, but regrettably had to peel off at Rivers end to head early for home. A brief draft from three passing trucks on the alternate route was a short reprieve from the westerly wind, head down for the 8k's of Archer got me back to town on schedule, a brief chat with long-time-no-see Walshy on the traffic light interval training session through town.
Must oil the chain that complains, groaning on a Verney-Ford-Wanganui-Rudd-Boulevard warm up Friday, squarking as much as my legs (the Voight venacular venerated). Wattage wained with Wanganui hill creating cranial criticisms, hoping there'd be something left to contribute to the Couldabeens circuit. Finding Wozz at the usual spot, we pushed down to the carpark to find Cate and Cougar half way back on the grid, Hollywood, FeltMat, Shorty, Jase, AvantiTrev, Rocket and Kenworth arriving, and lining up behind. There was another swift shuffle on the roll out, Pistol Pete joining us at the bridge. Indain filed till Kialla Lakes drive, I paired with Wozz to the roundabout then with Hollywood to the Alt route, labouring lungs. Respiratories had recovered by Mitchell Rd and into the social chat of weekend plans, AvantiTrev shied from a shift the front, FeltMat was convinced to try one, Cate not backward in coming forward. I had a harried Hollywood half-wheel in River Rd (desperately disposing of dastardly Dookie dirt?), a mental menace to some, but it's best to keep tapping away at your own pace and avoid it getting under your skin (there's always payback at a later date). Rocket and Shorty took the reigns to drive to Boundary Rd, a small Goat train (one engine and four carriages) steamed south. Darth Vader had parked in the dark of Channel Rd causing a sudden slow (pleased the pooch's pursuit wasn't planned) , the eager then lining up to challenge the Cha Cha. There's not enough wattage in my old engine to feature in the placings, but I plugged away to put a spike in the heart rate, a cruisy roll back home regained some composure.
Week 32 272km YTD 9,504 km
Cheers for the pageviews Oman, USA and Russia, taking it to 25,500 hits to date :)
After a Sunday and Monday off, it was all aboard the ice-breaker Tuesday morning for a toaster lap, adjusting the mental calculus to intercept the Couldabeens at Channel Rd's end. (ETA 6.15) A 5.20 start and gently up to speed (to prevent snapping frozen body parts), the heart rate frozen at 58 bpm. Down the Wanganui hill at 5.28 and across Lemnos North Rd (5.37) the h.r. still not warmed up sitting on 70. Making the planned intercept on time kept the motivation simmering, the negative temperature having one positive.....no wind! To the Emu at 5.55 and the Toaster at 6, I was now doubting the mind's mathematics, so put the pace up in Old Dookie Rd. Early Cats had single filed into Boundary half a k ahead, not enough in my old engine to grab onto the Cats tail. I crossed the highway and reached Channel Rd at 6.13, (h.r. finally reading true at 148) no sign of the Couldabeens crew so continued on steadily, knowing I'd be reeled in. Curiousity caused a peek back on my turn into River Rd, a league of l.e.d.'s at the bridges bound to be them. No hope of outrunning the combined wattage, but I steamed on to see just how long / short my farce would last. Prolonged it to Melbourne Rd, I was rounded up at Roubaix, a gap left behind the drivers Rocket, Pistol, Wozza, Kenworth and SpinDoc to climb aboard (climatising to a 30% increase in throttle takes one's breath away). Out with the shovel to dig deep as Conrod's sprint loomed, Rocket and Wozz drawing away from us "also rans".
A damp driveway dissapointed desire, a drizzled disdain dominated Wednesday's windy attempt at a Raftery-Mitchell-Archer warm up, mimicking WobblyTrev at times as the wind whipped wheels sideways. A dim, dark and un-inviting horizon was a miserable motivator, though Mitchell Rd's tailwind was worth driving toward. Savoured the short reward on the 56/14 till Archer Rd spelt toil and a lower gear. I nearly made it to the Broken bridge, but u-turned to climb abaord the Couldabeens carriage, a short straw drawn slotting in between Rocket and Pistol. (they don't bite but repeated exposure can cause symptoms including mild paranoia, shortness of breath and cardiac convulsions) A subsequent rapid intake of oxygen in Mitchell Rd distracted me from avoiding the pot hole, hit fair and square to awaken the quadratus femoris. A calm descended on Central Kialla for Trav and Shorty to cut the headwind, but it was hoist the mainsail to storm River Rd with wind blowing up the behind. Spin Doc arrived from a clockwise (but unwise) windy workout, balancing the numbers to eight. I had an anaerobic slog on the wide open plains of Boundary Rd with SpinDoc then Pistol to the bridges, then tucked in to psych up for the Channel Rd grind home. Trav and AvantiChris set a steady speed, Shorty and Rocket adding 15% caused an AvantiChris kaboom at the cypress trees. I needed no better excuse than to drop back and offer a tow (shying away from the lead-out role for the Cha Cha). A few looked tactically back, guaging the sprintenders, two rows quickly merging indian file as Pistol and Jase scored the dubious honour of slicing the wind. (Rocket off the seat, humbling all in full flight) A steady tap back to town, SpinDoc analysing seat and sit position while his legs went into melt-down.
With the practice of prologues particularly pronounced, a 20k entree of Channel-Boundary-Old Dookie was perhaps showing up the O.C.D. (obsessive cyclist disorder) a bit. 3.5 degrees but feels like -0.4, it was easy eastbound on Channel but wicked westbound on Old Dookie with 20 km/h gusts to battle, pleasing progress despite my grizzles though. Finding Coggo, Hommy, Dipper, Heady, Snow, Sandy, Kate, Belly, Tum, Cervelo John assembled at Friars, all witnessed the return (from retirement?) of HG Phillo, Speisy and Baz. Idling out Old Dookie Rd an abyss opened in the bunch (HG Phillo's signature gap), with all being windswept to Boundary. The turn south commenced a reverse roll (a welcome back gift to HG?), making good of the sidedraft. (foreign to some, good for all, but awkward for a couple). River Rd rectified rotations back to anti-clockwise, whittling down to seven working the front as the comeback kids faced rehabilitation at the rear. Got into a good rhythm with Dipper, Hommy, Coggo, Heady, Snow and Belly at the business end of the bunch, but regrettably had to peel off at Rivers end to head early for home. A brief draft from three passing trucks on the alternate route was a short reprieve from the westerly wind, head down for the 8k's of Archer got me back to town on schedule, a brief chat with long-time-no-see Walshy on the traffic light interval training session through town.
Must oil the chain that complains, groaning on a Verney-Ford-Wanganui-Rudd-Boulevard warm up Friday, squarking as much as my legs (the Voight venacular venerated). Wattage wained with Wanganui hill creating cranial criticisms, hoping there'd be something left to contribute to the Couldabeens circuit. Finding Wozz at the usual spot, we pushed down to the carpark to find Cate and Cougar half way back on the grid, Hollywood, FeltMat, Shorty, Jase, AvantiTrev, Rocket and Kenworth arriving, and lining up behind. There was another swift shuffle on the roll out, Pistol Pete joining us at the bridge. Indain filed till Kialla Lakes drive, I paired with Wozz to the roundabout then with Hollywood to the Alt route, labouring lungs. Respiratories had recovered by Mitchell Rd and into the social chat of weekend plans, AvantiTrev shied from a shift the front, FeltMat was convinced to try one, Cate not backward in coming forward. I had a harried Hollywood half-wheel in River Rd (desperately disposing of dastardly Dookie dirt?), a mental menace to some, but it's best to keep tapping away at your own pace and avoid it getting under your skin (there's always payback at a later date). Rocket and Shorty took the reigns to drive to Boundary Rd, a small Goat train (one engine and four carriages) steamed south. Darth Vader had parked in the dark of Channel Rd causing a sudden slow (pleased the pooch's pursuit wasn't planned) , the eager then lining up to challenge the Cha Cha. There's not enough wattage in my old engine to feature in the placings, but I plugged away to put a spike in the heart rate, a cruisy roll back home regained some composure.
Week 32 272km YTD 9,504 km
Cheers for the pageviews Oman, USA and Russia, taking it to 25,500 hits to date :)
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Week 31 : Plenty o' punctures and endangered species
Finding a flat rear (tyre that is) ran Saturday's ride behind schedule, a revised warm-up lap of Old Dookie-Boundary and Channel with WNW assistance to start on a positive step. Came close to arriving at the Couldabeens start at 6, just short of Kensington roundabout (thanks to Channel Rd's headwind) when a thinned bunch arrived. (Bo, MasiMario,Trav, Ange, Temple, Cougar, FeltMat and Hollywood....his attendance compulsory to answer the Friday critics....but the critics were missing in action!) Bo and MasiMario had hogged the tailwind from the kinder to the S bend, I rolled to the front (out of sequence) to get the wheel of sharing turning. (rotations then commenced, but now battling the side wind on Boundary). Hollywood and AvantiChris pushed the pace toward the toaster, a little ray of imminent light on the horizon giving some hope that Spring may just be forthcoming. Each perceiving the others wheel was half ahead drove Bo & I to charge the leg to the Emu (spiking the heart rate), inturn inspiring MasiMario to power his westward turn in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. Commonsense soon settled the troops till Ford Road's end, puddles kept the wheels water fountains active spotting ensembles, dampening posteriors and turning beloved bikes to muddied machines. Wanganui Road's hyperactivity wound up behind me as I resolved to obstain from the sprint (more k's to come), the guns loading their speed artillery for the hill. Motion had motivated MasiMario, undertaking Trav on the ascent, the unwritten rule that's not often spoken was on this occassion. I plugged away midfield finding followers aplenty behind, kind words from Temple as the bunch reformed in Rudd Rd for their damp cruise to coffee.
I advanced to Friars base camp for quick caffine infusion, Belly, Joe, Principal Skinner, Coggo, Hommy, AvantiAndy, Sandy, Heady, Matt and Snow filtering in for a Tour de Goat. Eventually inspired to start, steeds were mounted, but my flat rear had returned. A bindii syringe was found and fixed (hands blackened by road grime), then away on a clockwise Toaster lap. The dozen got organised to roll rotations eastward, calmer than Couldabeens by 10%, AvantiAndy's rust restricting his contribution to front of house duty, others happy to do their bit in varying lengths. Coggo and I drew the short straw of Old Dookie Rd's headwind, time (or lack of it) dictated I continue city bound as the others legged it south on Boundary. The haul home was heavy, the northwester weakening will, but a couple of bumps hinted all was not well with tyre pressure. Grumbles, stubborness and curses maintained the speed as the rolling resistance built, anything to avoid a damp roadside repair. The rim was just off the road reaching town, the remnants of the CO2 cartridge inflating the tube enough to limp home (another bindii, a shard of glass AND a piece of wire extracted later).
A wintery westerly whipped the wheels Monday morning, massaging the ego on the New Dookie Disco (36.3 average), relief to end the push at Boundary Rd then calm concerns for the headwind hurt and one degree of temperature on Old Dookie Rd back to town. An 80 rpm spin limited leg losses back to Friars, Coggo, Belly, Phil, Sandy and Hommy the endangered species of Goat all that remains of winters cull. A late getaway after Belly wrestled with Phils Garmin gremlins, soon single filed to make use of the breeze behind. The boys battled Boundary's breeze while Sandy supervised from the rear, Coggo's engine in fine tune but Hommy's was misfiring from the weekend's rich fuel. River Rd forced heads down and heart rates up, Coggo took part one, Phil part two, my usual urge to surge gave a 3200 metre turn to the bridge as a swansong (clock cursed a follow through), peeling off at Rivers end to plug away on the alternative route and Archer home.
A spoilt sleep in Tuesday, out of the cot at 5.20 to kit up. Found birthday boy Wozza to make our way to the Couldabeens cardiac club, Pistol, Rocket, Trav, AvantiTrev, Nev, Bo, Kel, Kenworth, and Hollywood in attendance. A restrained start with Bo capitalising the front (again!) for three legs (much to AvantiTrev's pleasure) but tempo rose as the wattage of Pistol, Nev and Rocket made it to the front, me numbing the neural negatives o navigate Jameson Rd to the S bends with Wozz at warp speed, then Kenworths' killer kilowatts to Boundary Rd. Trav and Hollywood started the southerly trek with compassion, Pistol and Nev shouldering (sorry, bad pun) the headwind of River Rd, Rocket and Bo a strong follow up to the bridge. The last k of River Rd with Wozz alongside beseeched the biscuit barrels' bottom, Trav retired to the rear with AvantiTrev, Kel had no such option, bossily berated by Bo. Against my own better judgement, I advanced to the front again, my turn from Roubaix to the horse stud as short as a parliamentary speakers helicopter ride. There were more retirements than Whispering Jack leading to Conrod as the bunch went single, Wozza had a bid for a birthday win but regrettably, Rocket's rapid rate ruled.
I did a short 15k climatisation to Wednesdays' minus 1.2 degrees, crusty car tops to motivate motion and muscle movement before meeting Wozz for a Couldabeens commute, intercepting Jase in McIntosh. Cougar and Cate had fronted first in the last spot, Pistol, Rocket, Jen, Temple, Trav, AvantiChris and FeltMat lining up behind, almost into the dumpmaster (no avoiding the business end arriving first). Just 10 metres covered and the bunch shuffled into the wills and won'ts, down south to the roundabout beside Wozz, then the alt route with Rocket well and truely warmed me up. Just into leg two Cate called a halt, a staple spearing her Schwalbe. Captain chivalry Jase performed the pitstop, LateLeigh arriving on an anticlockwise Cat intercept. Underway again and attempting to atune to the arctic, I'd been juggled between Trav and AvantiChris, 10% kinder on the cardiac. I did the first k of River Rd with AvantiChris then tucked into the draft till duty called again in Channel Rd, kindly paced by Trav. Rocket and Pistol fired the shots in the Cha Cha, Wozz and Jase in the running for the bronze, Cate powering on for a fine 6th. A chilled tour back home, feeling fairly fit of late despite the cold, greater comfort on the Fizik too, about time the reward was reaped after many a k contribution. (hope it augers well for the upcoming GrandFondo, Fruitloop, Tat 200 etc)
Relished the sleep-in till 5 on Thursday, a slow paced breakfast and casual kit-up, a cruisy commute to the Goat gathering for a 6am launch seemed the lazy way to start the day . Joe, Coggo, Snow, Belly, Phil, CerveloJohn, Hommy, Kate, Tum, Sandy, Heady and the return of Dipper filled the grid, Joe minus light voltage assisted by Heady's spare. Bike business was called to order in Old Dookie Rd under the lucid leadership of Chairman Belly (this has been a paid political announcement in support of the Belly for HG party) all in favour of a motion steadily up to speed. I'd almost reached aerobic max when we turned south, a northeaster at the right shoulder bringing the heart rate back to a 120 idle. I had CerveloJohn's draft for a bit, a shift in order changed it to Heady's then Snow's for some velo-variety. It turned pacy progress in River and Mitchell Roads, a certain headwind for Conrod straight ruling rigor required to reap rewards. Dipper bailed out in the advance to the front nearing Arcadia Downs, I found myself at the business end as we swung the last kink into Conrod, the virtue of patience sought as the remaining seven developed the sprint itch (but how long do you scratch it?) My number came up again just 500 metres later, twas all or nothing with 300 to go. Crucifying cranks and resisting the urge to look back, there was some satisfaction to see the glow of lights behind slowly fade, reaching Steptoe's first to greedily gasp the oxygen till the punch-up bridge brought about the ability to speak.
Damp tarmac and fog to start Friday, an early solo assault on the Toaster lap to toughen the tenacity after bulk bunch bliss. Eastbound to the Emu evading the puddles, the h.r. flatlined at 150 staying atop the 15 cog, smoko was soon over reaching Pine Lodge Rd, back to work on the 17 south to the Toaster. Old Dookie allowed a return to the 15, a bonus of 10% added to the cruise control, pocketting the specs in the hope of seeing the tarmac. South into Boundary Rd I felt like the soggy biscuit dunked too long, 99% humidity causing a small shower off the front of the helmet. I summoned the watts to get on top of the 15, not till the 2nd k and smooth tar of River Rd did it get easy. Rain drops off the soaked trees but clear out in the open was weird, over the bridge the right psoas major was hollering hello hernia. Off the throttle in Central Kialla to preserve something to finish with, maybe that delivered a second wind in Mitchell Rd? Spotted the Couldabeens collection cranking east, a happy headspace for me knowing the last 9 k's home were tinselled with tailwind. The reward came at Raftery Rd's horse stud, but I can't see the logic in 78% rigor for 22% reward.
Week 31 351km YTD 9,232 km
I advanced to Friars base camp for quick caffine infusion, Belly, Joe, Principal Skinner, Coggo, Hommy, AvantiAndy, Sandy, Heady, Matt and Snow filtering in for a Tour de Goat. Eventually inspired to start, steeds were mounted, but my flat rear had returned. A bindii syringe was found and fixed (hands blackened by road grime), then away on a clockwise Toaster lap. The dozen got organised to roll rotations eastward, calmer than Couldabeens by 10%, AvantiAndy's rust restricting his contribution to front of house duty, others happy to do their bit in varying lengths. Coggo and I drew the short straw of Old Dookie Rd's headwind, time (or lack of it) dictated I continue city bound as the others legged it south on Boundary. The haul home was heavy, the northwester weakening will, but a couple of bumps hinted all was not well with tyre pressure. Grumbles, stubborness and curses maintained the speed as the rolling resistance built, anything to avoid a damp roadside repair. The rim was just off the road reaching town, the remnants of the CO2 cartridge inflating the tube enough to limp home (another bindii, a shard of glass AND a piece of wire extracted later).
A wintery westerly whipped the wheels Monday morning, massaging the ego on the New Dookie Disco (36.3 average), relief to end the push at Boundary Rd then calm concerns for the headwind hurt and one degree of temperature on Old Dookie Rd back to town. An 80 rpm spin limited leg losses back to Friars, Coggo, Belly, Phil, Sandy and Hommy the endangered species of Goat all that remains of winters cull. A late getaway after Belly wrestled with Phils Garmin gremlins, soon single filed to make use of the breeze behind. The boys battled Boundary's breeze while Sandy supervised from the rear, Coggo's engine in fine tune but Hommy's was misfiring from the weekend's rich fuel. River Rd forced heads down and heart rates up, Coggo took part one, Phil part two, my usual urge to surge gave a 3200 metre turn to the bridge as a swansong (clock cursed a follow through), peeling off at Rivers end to plug away on the alternative route and Archer home.
A spoilt sleep in Tuesday, out of the cot at 5.20 to kit up. Found birthday boy Wozza to make our way to the Couldabeens cardiac club, Pistol, Rocket, Trav, AvantiTrev, Nev, Bo, Kel, Kenworth, and Hollywood in attendance. A restrained start with Bo capitalising the front (again!) for three legs (much to AvantiTrev's pleasure) but tempo rose as the wattage of Pistol, Nev and Rocket made it to the front, me numbing the neural negatives o navigate Jameson Rd to the S bends with Wozz at warp speed, then Kenworths' killer kilowatts to Boundary Rd. Trav and Hollywood started the southerly trek with compassion, Pistol and Nev shouldering (sorry, bad pun) the headwind of River Rd, Rocket and Bo a strong follow up to the bridge. The last k of River Rd with Wozz alongside beseeched the biscuit barrels' bottom, Trav retired to the rear with AvantiTrev, Kel had no such option, bossily berated by Bo. Against my own better judgement, I advanced to the front again, my turn from Roubaix to the horse stud as short as a parliamentary speakers helicopter ride. There were more retirements than Whispering Jack leading to Conrod as the bunch went single, Wozza had a bid for a birthday win but regrettably, Rocket's rapid rate ruled.
I did a short 15k climatisation to Wednesdays' minus 1.2 degrees, crusty car tops to motivate motion and muscle movement before meeting Wozz for a Couldabeens commute, intercepting Jase in McIntosh. Cougar and Cate had fronted first in the last spot, Pistol, Rocket, Jen, Temple, Trav, AvantiChris and FeltMat lining up behind, almost into the dumpmaster (no avoiding the business end arriving first). Just 10 metres covered and the bunch shuffled into the wills and won'ts, down south to the roundabout beside Wozz, then the alt route with Rocket well and truely warmed me up. Just into leg two Cate called a halt, a staple spearing her Schwalbe. Captain chivalry Jase performed the pitstop, LateLeigh arriving on an anticlockwise Cat intercept. Underway again and attempting to atune to the arctic, I'd been juggled between Trav and AvantiChris, 10% kinder on the cardiac. I did the first k of River Rd with AvantiChris then tucked into the draft till duty called again in Channel Rd, kindly paced by Trav. Rocket and Pistol fired the shots in the Cha Cha, Wozz and Jase in the running for the bronze, Cate powering on for a fine 6th. A chilled tour back home, feeling fairly fit of late despite the cold, greater comfort on the Fizik too, about time the reward was reaped after many a k contribution. (hope it augers well for the upcoming GrandFondo, Fruitloop, Tat 200 etc)
Relished the sleep-in till 5 on Thursday, a slow paced breakfast and casual kit-up, a cruisy commute to the Goat gathering for a 6am launch seemed the lazy way to start the day . Joe, Coggo, Snow, Belly, Phil, CerveloJohn, Hommy, Kate, Tum, Sandy, Heady and the return of Dipper filled the grid, Joe minus light voltage assisted by Heady's spare. Bike business was called to order in Old Dookie Rd under the lucid leadership of Chairman Belly (this has been a paid political announcement in support of the Belly for HG party) all in favour of a motion steadily up to speed. I'd almost reached aerobic max when we turned south, a northeaster at the right shoulder bringing the heart rate back to a 120 idle. I had CerveloJohn's draft for a bit, a shift in order changed it to Heady's then Snow's for some velo-variety. It turned pacy progress in River and Mitchell Roads, a certain headwind for Conrod straight ruling rigor required to reap rewards. Dipper bailed out in the advance to the front nearing Arcadia Downs, I found myself at the business end as we swung the last kink into Conrod, the virtue of patience sought as the remaining seven developed the sprint itch (but how long do you scratch it?) My number came up again just 500 metres later, twas all or nothing with 300 to go. Crucifying cranks and resisting the urge to look back, there was some satisfaction to see the glow of lights behind slowly fade, reaching Steptoe's first to greedily gasp the oxygen till the punch-up bridge brought about the ability to speak.
Damp tarmac and fog to start Friday, an early solo assault on the Toaster lap to toughen the tenacity after bulk bunch bliss. Eastbound to the Emu evading the puddles, the h.r. flatlined at 150 staying atop the 15 cog, smoko was soon over reaching Pine Lodge Rd, back to work on the 17 south to the Toaster. Old Dookie allowed a return to the 15, a bonus of 10% added to the cruise control, pocketting the specs in the hope of seeing the tarmac. South into Boundary Rd I felt like the soggy biscuit dunked too long, 99% humidity causing a small shower off the front of the helmet. I summoned the watts to get on top of the 15, not till the 2nd k and smooth tar of River Rd did it get easy. Rain drops off the soaked trees but clear out in the open was weird, over the bridge the right psoas major was hollering hello hernia. Off the throttle in Central Kialla to preserve something to finish with, maybe that delivered a second wind in Mitchell Rd? Spotted the Couldabeens collection cranking east, a happy headspace for me knowing the last 9 k's home were tinselled with tailwind. The reward came at Raftery Rd's horse stud, but I can't see the logic in 78% rigor for 22% reward.
Week 31 351km YTD 9,232 km
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Week 30 Goat balls & vapourising vim.
Yet another cool start in the dark, no show by Wozza (suffering snooze button-itis) so it was a sprint to the Saturday grid, arriving to get a rare sighting of SuperMario, rumours of his wild card entry into basket weaving have been exagerated! The usual contenders lined up ; Jase, Shorty, AvantiTrev, AvantiChris, PistolPete, Cougar, Trav, Jen (resplendant in Couldabeens kit) Rocket and Ron (rainbowed in Genesis gear). I was the wilted lettuce leaf placed in the Rocket/Pistol sandwich (again!), our progress east on Channel Rd collecting Ange, Linda, Bo and Kel at the school, the short-cutting Wozza arriving at the S bend. Almost half the bunch were sitting on, double shifts for the eight driving the tempo will only widen the gap between pacers and puffers. A chilled southerly assisted the passage to the Emu, lights went out for Jen and Cougar on the westward leg home. I scored a super smooth tow from Rocket in Ford Rd, the reality of matching him at the front, not so super. The sprint for Wanganui hill honours fragmented the pack behind Pistol and Rocket, Bo kaboomed in the attempt to stay with them, I towed Wozz to the base camp where wattage won him bronze, content was I with 4th, attempting to regain composure in Rudd Rd. Ange, Ron, Bo and Linda vied for a special Lemontree sprint stage, a race for the warm seats and first rights to place a breakfast order? Conversation on Marz, mullets, Le Tour and swingers proved verbal variety.
Saturday nights innaugural Goat Ball was a hoot, many of the gathered Goats in fine fettle, the green jacket presentation (principal Skinner), Goat of the Year (the tenacious Tina) , Heady's ditty o' diatribe, an unveiling of the Head Goat mayoral chain, all washed down with copious grape hydration amounted to a sweet Sunday slumber (but a gastric eruption for some) .
The prologue habit was easy to break on Monday with a minus 3 forecast so it was a lazy roll to Friars in search of any Antarctic explorers. Only Coggo, Carl, Tum and Belly were in a fit state at 6 bells, so a frosty five found Old Dookie Rd to single file an effort east. Behind Coggo's smooth drive to Central Ave, I had a dip to School Rd, Tum took a tamer tempo that all could manage to Boundary Rd. Carl cranked a fluctuating shift, twas an effort to stay aboard tucking in after I'd flattened my batteries from a long go at the front. Belly took a short turn (hindered by the handbrake of Goat Ball hydration?) and so the turns alternated. The oncoming Craig "lotsalumens" roasted the retinas as we speared toward the Broken bridges, the miniscule rise from one tree dam to River Rd threatening the thighs. My go again when we steered into River Rd, concentration on a smooth speed and shifting the goal posts to "one more white post" driving a 3400 metre turn. Ready to peel off the front when a call of "car back" put me on hold, 170 bpm and waiting for the overtake took an eternity. I emptied the driving drawer catching the last wheel, great to get into the draft but muscles mimicked meltdown. There was just enough time in the tow to recover for the next shift starting at Mt. Nicolaci, an interruption for the traffic peak (5 cars) at the highway and on to the horse stud. Tum took the reigns as we swung into Conrod, he put in a mighty turn till the noddies told the end was nigh, but I couldn't take the candy from the baby, letting him enjoy the well earned chocolates.
I was almost charged with aggrevated assault on the snooze button Tuesday morning, dredging the depths of disdain to overcome winters apathy. A northeaster blew (13-20 km/h) to torment the trip to the Emu, watching the heart rate climb from 119 to 160 but ignoring the speed (may have shattered a fragile ego). Guessing I'd be suffering the k cravings if Wednesday's forecast came true drove me on, the turn south was bliss, the Toaster turn even better. Approaching Boundary, a Cat pack of l.e.d.'s were oncoming, steering south shifting my focus on being pursued. (or is pursuing better?) Distance is hard to define in the dark, seemed to be holding the gap heading south but the lights loomed closer in River Rd. Cate and Cougar braved the eastbound leg as I attempted some form of progress west, the glance back becoming a ritual by Central Kialla. Fleeing became futile as I turned into Mitchell Rd, lights even closer as I crawled up Mt. Nicolaci (but I held a little gap with a clean cross of the highway) Reaching the horse stud the Cat collective of 16 passed, so I took advantage of a free tow in Conrod witha a g'day to G and BassoDave as they sorted their pecking order to the finish line.
Wednesday's thunderstorm forecast came true (slumber training a rare treat), weird weather arrived Thursday, a mild 9.5 degrees, foggy, with a light northeaster blowing, an unusual combo for mid winter. Intercepting Wozza on the main drag to spin south to the Couldabeens, winter without ice prompted proper population (Tuesdays turbo tempo tests 'tendance) of Rocket, Cougar, ChrisA, AvantiChris, PistolPete, SpinDoctor, Jase, Trav, FeltMat, Temple and AvantiTrev. The first leg to Doyles Rd on the front with Wozz was an exercise in eternity, emptying energy early, elongating effort, essentially eroding ego's engine. Finally tucked into the delicious draft of recovery on leg two, others ventured forward for a dip at the deep end, inspiring to see Temple taking a turn but AvantiTrev, Cougar and FeltMat were luxuriating in the co-efficient of drag. SpinDoctor divulged he's been pushing the bigger gears out front ; still appears dervishly dizzy to me! Our flight south and west was bouyed by breeze north and east, River Rd's normally labourious length covered quickly and comfortably. It was a rare appearance for AvantiChris on a Thursday, Jase on a cold come-back but there's still many regulars missing. Exiting Roubaix and convincing the cranial critics to crack another turn at the business end, Pistol, SpinDoctor, Rocket, ChrisA and Wozz (line astern) bumped up the pace as the end drew nigh, evaporating enthusiasm and vapourising vim for me to sit back in the survival seat. Like lambs to the slaughter, Conrod crucified Pistol and SpinDoctor, Wozza and Rocket relegating all others to B graders, electing me as their tortured tow truck for the last 300 metres. The fog morphed to mist to saturate the slog home.
The slim window of hope was left ajar on Friday's radar, a gap to squeeze a lap in, prior to precipitation. Graham-Verney-Ford-Wanganui and Rudd was the warm up course, soaking up the northeaster was a soft serve start (not as soft as Hollywood's porridge though). Back into town for a little interval training (traffic lights) then south on Conrod straight pondering a Couldabeens intercept. The radical action of changing gear had to happen facing Mitchell Rd, 24km/h gusts were taking up the slack. Climbing Mt Nicolaci (and predicting Pistol's pace) the Couldabeens collaboration was cancelled, chasing the tail-light ahead seemed an easier option. A trip down memory lane (eastward along the length of Mitchell) caught and passed Craig, setting about growing the gap in spite of the wind hinderance. A lengthy string of Cat l.e.d.'s swung west into River Rd as I plotted a Boundary-Old Dookie course home, crossing tracks with Goats Heady, Coggo and Belly southbound at the Pub. A luxury leg home blown west along Old Dookie, back up the driveway just as the first spits of rain fell, heavens opening as the bike was parked, <yr.no> praised for it's accuracy.
Week 30 248 km YTD 8,881
Pleasing to get page views from China, USA and Oman, some of your weather would be welcome!
Saturday nights innaugural Goat Ball was a hoot, many of the gathered Goats in fine fettle, the green jacket presentation (principal Skinner), Goat of the Year (the tenacious Tina) , Heady's ditty o' diatribe, an unveiling of the Head Goat mayoral chain, all washed down with copious grape hydration amounted to a sweet Sunday slumber (but a gastric eruption for some) .
The prologue habit was easy to break on Monday with a minus 3 forecast so it was a lazy roll to Friars in search of any Antarctic explorers. Only Coggo, Carl, Tum and Belly were in a fit state at 6 bells, so a frosty five found Old Dookie Rd to single file an effort east. Behind Coggo's smooth drive to Central Ave, I had a dip to School Rd, Tum took a tamer tempo that all could manage to Boundary Rd. Carl cranked a fluctuating shift, twas an effort to stay aboard tucking in after I'd flattened my batteries from a long go at the front. Belly took a short turn (hindered by the handbrake of Goat Ball hydration?) and so the turns alternated. The oncoming Craig "lotsalumens" roasted the retinas as we speared toward the Broken bridges, the miniscule rise from one tree dam to River Rd threatening the thighs. My go again when we steered into River Rd, concentration on a smooth speed and shifting the goal posts to "one more white post" driving a 3400 metre turn. Ready to peel off the front when a call of "car back" put me on hold, 170 bpm and waiting for the overtake took an eternity. I emptied the driving drawer catching the last wheel, great to get into the draft but muscles mimicked meltdown. There was just enough time in the tow to recover for the next shift starting at Mt. Nicolaci, an interruption for the traffic peak (5 cars) at the highway and on to the horse stud. Tum took the reigns as we swung into Conrod, he put in a mighty turn till the noddies told the end was nigh, but I couldn't take the candy from the baby, letting him enjoy the well earned chocolates.
I was almost charged with aggrevated assault on the snooze button Tuesday morning, dredging the depths of disdain to overcome winters apathy. A northeaster blew (13-20 km/h) to torment the trip to the Emu, watching the heart rate climb from 119 to 160 but ignoring the speed (may have shattered a fragile ego). Guessing I'd be suffering the k cravings if Wednesday's forecast came true drove me on, the turn south was bliss, the Toaster turn even better. Approaching Boundary, a Cat pack of l.e.d.'s were oncoming, steering south shifting my focus on being pursued. (or is pursuing better?) Distance is hard to define in the dark, seemed to be holding the gap heading south but the lights loomed closer in River Rd. Cate and Cougar braved the eastbound leg as I attempted some form of progress west, the glance back becoming a ritual by Central Kialla. Fleeing became futile as I turned into Mitchell Rd, lights even closer as I crawled up Mt. Nicolaci (but I held a little gap with a clean cross of the highway) Reaching the horse stud the Cat collective of 16 passed, so I took advantage of a free tow in Conrod witha a g'day to G and BassoDave as they sorted their pecking order to the finish line.
Wednesday's thunderstorm forecast came true (slumber training a rare treat), weird weather arrived Thursday, a mild 9.5 degrees, foggy, with a light northeaster blowing, an unusual combo for mid winter. Intercepting Wozza on the main drag to spin south to the Couldabeens, winter without ice prompted proper population (Tuesdays turbo tempo tests 'tendance) of Rocket, Cougar, ChrisA, AvantiChris, PistolPete, SpinDoctor, Jase, Trav, FeltMat, Temple and AvantiTrev. The first leg to Doyles Rd on the front with Wozz was an exercise in eternity, emptying energy early, elongating effort, essentially eroding ego's engine. Finally tucked into the delicious draft of recovery on leg two, others ventured forward for a dip at the deep end, inspiring to see Temple taking a turn but AvantiTrev, Cougar and FeltMat were luxuriating in the co-efficient of drag. SpinDoctor divulged he's been pushing the bigger gears out front ; still appears dervishly dizzy to me! Our flight south and west was bouyed by breeze north and east, River Rd's normally labourious length covered quickly and comfortably. It was a rare appearance for AvantiChris on a Thursday, Jase on a cold come-back but there's still many regulars missing. Exiting Roubaix and convincing the cranial critics to crack another turn at the business end, Pistol, SpinDoctor, Rocket, ChrisA and Wozz (line astern) bumped up the pace as the end drew nigh, evaporating enthusiasm and vapourising vim for me to sit back in the survival seat. Like lambs to the slaughter, Conrod crucified Pistol and SpinDoctor, Wozza and Rocket relegating all others to B graders, electing me as their tortured tow truck for the last 300 metres. The fog morphed to mist to saturate the slog home.
The slim window of hope was left ajar on Friday's radar, a gap to squeeze a lap in, prior to precipitation. Graham-Verney-Ford-Wanganui and Rudd was the warm up course, soaking up the northeaster was a soft serve start (not as soft as Hollywood's porridge though). Back into town for a little interval training (traffic lights) then south on Conrod straight pondering a Couldabeens intercept. The radical action of changing gear had to happen facing Mitchell Rd, 24km/h gusts were taking up the slack. Climbing Mt Nicolaci (and predicting Pistol's pace) the Couldabeens collaboration was cancelled, chasing the tail-light ahead seemed an easier option. A trip down memory lane (eastward along the length of Mitchell) caught and passed Craig, setting about growing the gap in spite of the wind hinderance. A lengthy string of Cat l.e.d.'s swung west into River Rd as I plotted a Boundary-Old Dookie course home, crossing tracks with Goats Heady, Coggo and Belly southbound at the Pub. A luxury leg home blown west along Old Dookie, back up the driveway just as the first spits of rain fell, heavens opening as the bike was parked, <yr.no> praised for it's accuracy.
Week 30 248 km YTD 8,881
Pleasing to get page views from China, USA and Oman, some of your weather would be welcome!
Friday, July 17, 2015
Week 29 ; Pickle my pulminary's, a Pistol in my back!
A bleak Sunday morning had plenty pulling the pin on a spin, I got to Friars at 7.30 to find all had abandoned ship, so a solo ride it was. Pointed east on Old Dookie Rd after tip-toeing the greasy corners in town, a cloud parked on the paddocks made a misty trail to Boundary Rd. Cranking through pea soup speckled specs, vignetting the view. A pair of damp devotees northbound near the pub deserved a salute (justified my insanity too) just one other spotted eastbound on River Rd. (cloaked from Strava Flyby's) The sun finally pierced through the gloom at Central Kialla, vivid colours against the dark blue-grey clouds hanging low in the south. Well dampened by Roubaix corner, I activated the clothes drier of high thirties for Conrod straight to finish, did nothing but make me soggier.
I took the soft option of an anticlockwise lap Monday with a forecast southwester, keeping the breeze at my back for at least half the circuit. 77 rpm seemed to be the groove to sit in, Raftery Rd a chore till turning west into Mitchell. A howler helped along River Rd, superfluous sticks to swerve, Rocket, Ron and co heads down westbound. Wind whipped at the wheels, all fell silent when it swung directly behind, save for the Mavic music. Coggo, Carl and Tum were slogging south at the Broken bridges, I was bathed in bliss for Boundary, blown by the breeze behind, but the honeymoon soon ended turning to town on New Dookie Rd. (just for the change in scenery), the wicked wind had swung westsouthwest to make it masochist Monday. Suprised to make reasonable progress (77 rpm), just maintaining it was the big challenge, focussing a few metres ahead rather than the distant target, a pleasure to end the hurt arriving back in town.
Speared the Cygo into Ford Rd's darkness at 5.05 Tuesday, a tailwind to artificially inflate the ability, a headwind back to deflate and destroy. Out of the dark treetops swept a great egret with the wingspan of an
A-380, banking just above my helmet to scare the sh.....imano out of me, an adrenelin addition to the average. Felt the westerly's wrath at the wheels southbound, partaking the parfum de piggy (a nasal anemometer) at the Toaster, but felt suprisingly good into the headwind home, atop the 17 at 77 rpm seemed to be the cog of choice. Back to the metropolis, all the way back to Friars a minute before Goat flagfall for quick quips with Coggo, Kate, Phil, Sandy, Joe, Hommy Heady and Belly. The team toured east exiting town, regular rollover rituals on Old Dookie sandwiched between Phil and Heady. Once the echelon ettiquette was established, Boundary Rd progress was better than expected, Sandy taking a back seat with convalescent Kate. Into the nitty gritty of River Rd's headwind, we'd just got into a rhythm when Heady hollered a puncture. Time out of my favour, I tendered my apologies and continued solo, a slog along the alternate truck route (a welcomed brief tow from two B doubles and a semi, line astern) then the h.r. escalation on Archer for the drive home by 7.
Keeping condition and counting k's caused an early Old Dookie-Boundary-Channel Rd lap Wednesday (reminiscing the original Cat laps 7 years ago) , odd patches of mist from last nights rain but an eye on the clock to keep a 6am Couldabeens appointment. Concerns were cancelled arriving 7 minutes early, a roll to the bridge and back to prevent rigor mortis, then greet AvantiChris, Pistol Pete, Spin Doctor, Shorty, Hollywood, Cougar and Tucks, assembled for the usual 28k reverse lap. Off at 6 for a gradual dial up of tempo to reach cruising speed, on Hollywoods wheel with a Pistol pointing in my back. Calm was called on the turn into Mitchell (thank heaven after being cooked by Pete) but Hollywood punctured in Central Kialla, performing a pitstop pantomime in tiresome tyre tardiness, assisted of course by lavish servings of inuendo, hyperbole and sarcasm. Back underway just before someone called for coffee to be delivered, the bunch cranked into River Rd, Cougar with another loss of lumens. I had a second basting from Pistol on the Boundary Rd leg, 2800 metres of marinading in a spicy pace to pickle my pulminary's. We settled into Channel Rd bound for home, some champing at the Cha Cha as the mercury settled to zero, my legs fit for the fourties, while others fried in the fifties. An epilogue of a pacy push home making ammends from Hollywood's intermission.
All the signs said "Bail Out" Thursday, a stiff southerly (20-33 km/h), spits of rain multiplying and loss of satellite on the Garmin. Pessimism in the prefrontal spelt doom, defeat and doona. (but a feint call within the cranial cavity cried carpe diem). Waiting at the start (hoping nobody arrived?) it was just Rocket who turned up, a Ferrari fronting a formula Ford Fiesta race! Temple arrived and promptly turned tail for home as we layed tracks in a lightly glossed Channel Rd, bragging rights over the doona divers was the only driving force with the heart rate already at 160. A word or two with Rocket only added more, Rocket delivering unbroken paragraphs while my sentences were fragmented by oxygen intermissions. Rocket's compassion for the frail and aged kindly loaned me a tow when we steered south, a delight to be dragged in the drivers draft along Boundary. I'd zoned in on effort but out on location, arriving at River Rd sooner suprised. I tried the ride beside but lungs denied, legs fried and spirits died, back into the tow again. Two bikes bearing east (determined/ delerious, committed/certified, dedicated/deluded, strike out that which does not apply) were follwed by one a k in arrears, u-turning as we slogged the south leg of Central Kialla Rd, curiousity calling a calming of cadence in Mitchell Rd to identify the pursuer. LateLeigh arrived breathless (funny, he'd missed the Cat lap start), Rocket resumed his tow truck services, out of Roubaix in the fourties, nudging fifties in Conrod, enjoying a hard earned tailwind home.
A prologue of Ford, Lemnos North and Old Dookie roads was a warm up (?, 6 degrees) to the Friars frier, trying to keep below 138 bpm to preserve pace for later. Coggo and Tum were on the Friars grid, a lightweight Heady arriving at the last minute, with appropriate headwear. The quartet filed out of town, Heady handing me the reigns for the heart starter to Dobsons bridge. Tum's typical tempo tested us, good to be in Coggo's smooth tow till the breeze in Boundary needed cutting. (happy to be able to drive at 165 bpm for 2.1 k). The eastbound Couldabeens train was easily spotted eastbound on River Rd, a slow for traffic and their intersection arrival gave us a moment to top up the oxygen. Heady was suffering the speed as I peeled off the front, Tum took the lions share of River Rd from the dip to the end. Coggo dragged us to Mitchell, my go to Archer showed the strain, delighted to duck into the draft till my next shift in Conrod. I'd burnt all the beans by the last dip, handing Heady the chocolates, a quick quadrella quashed queries on quickness but quietly questioned qualm.
Week 29 312 km YTD 8,633
I took the soft option of an anticlockwise lap Monday with a forecast southwester, keeping the breeze at my back for at least half the circuit. 77 rpm seemed to be the groove to sit in, Raftery Rd a chore till turning west into Mitchell. A howler helped along River Rd, superfluous sticks to swerve, Rocket, Ron and co heads down westbound. Wind whipped at the wheels, all fell silent when it swung directly behind, save for the Mavic music. Coggo, Carl and Tum were slogging south at the Broken bridges, I was bathed in bliss for Boundary, blown by the breeze behind, but the honeymoon soon ended turning to town on New Dookie Rd. (just for the change in scenery), the wicked wind had swung westsouthwest to make it masochist Monday. Suprised to make reasonable progress (77 rpm), just maintaining it was the big challenge, focussing a few metres ahead rather than the distant target, a pleasure to end the hurt arriving back in town.
Speared the Cygo into Ford Rd's darkness at 5.05 Tuesday, a tailwind to artificially inflate the ability, a headwind back to deflate and destroy. Out of the dark treetops swept a great egret with the wingspan of an
A-380, banking just above my helmet to scare the sh.....imano out of me, an adrenelin addition to the average. Felt the westerly's wrath at the wheels southbound, partaking the parfum de piggy (a nasal anemometer) at the Toaster, but felt suprisingly good into the headwind home, atop the 17 at 77 rpm seemed to be the cog of choice. Back to the metropolis, all the way back to Friars a minute before Goat flagfall for quick quips with Coggo, Kate, Phil, Sandy, Joe, Hommy Heady and Belly. The team toured east exiting town, regular rollover rituals on Old Dookie sandwiched between Phil and Heady. Once the echelon ettiquette was established, Boundary Rd progress was better than expected, Sandy taking a back seat with convalescent Kate. Into the nitty gritty of River Rd's headwind, we'd just got into a rhythm when Heady hollered a puncture. Time out of my favour, I tendered my apologies and continued solo, a slog along the alternate truck route (a welcomed brief tow from two B doubles and a semi, line astern) then the h.r. escalation on Archer for the drive home by 7.
Keeping condition and counting k's caused an early Old Dookie-Boundary-Channel Rd lap Wednesday (reminiscing the original Cat laps 7 years ago) , odd patches of mist from last nights rain but an eye on the clock to keep a 6am Couldabeens appointment. Concerns were cancelled arriving 7 minutes early, a roll to the bridge and back to prevent rigor mortis, then greet AvantiChris, Pistol Pete, Spin Doctor, Shorty, Hollywood, Cougar and Tucks, assembled for the usual 28k reverse lap. Off at 6 for a gradual dial up of tempo to reach cruising speed, on Hollywoods wheel with a Pistol pointing in my back. Calm was called on the turn into Mitchell (thank heaven after being cooked by Pete) but Hollywood punctured in Central Kialla, performing a pitstop pantomime in tiresome tyre tardiness, assisted of course by lavish servings of inuendo, hyperbole and sarcasm. Back underway just before someone called for coffee to be delivered, the bunch cranked into River Rd, Cougar with another loss of lumens. I had a second basting from Pistol on the Boundary Rd leg, 2800 metres of marinading in a spicy pace to pickle my pulminary's. We settled into Channel Rd bound for home, some champing at the Cha Cha as the mercury settled to zero, my legs fit for the fourties, while others fried in the fifties. An epilogue of a pacy push home making ammends from Hollywood's intermission.
All the signs said "Bail Out" Thursday, a stiff southerly (20-33 km/h), spits of rain multiplying and loss of satellite on the Garmin. Pessimism in the prefrontal spelt doom, defeat and doona. (but a feint call within the cranial cavity cried carpe diem). Waiting at the start (hoping nobody arrived?) it was just Rocket who turned up, a Ferrari fronting a formula Ford Fiesta race! Temple arrived and promptly turned tail for home as we layed tracks in a lightly glossed Channel Rd, bragging rights over the doona divers was the only driving force with the heart rate already at 160. A word or two with Rocket only added more, Rocket delivering unbroken paragraphs while my sentences were fragmented by oxygen intermissions. Rocket's compassion for the frail and aged kindly loaned me a tow when we steered south, a delight to be dragged in the drivers draft along Boundary. I'd zoned in on effort but out on location, arriving at River Rd sooner suprised. I tried the ride beside but lungs denied, legs fried and spirits died, back into the tow again. Two bikes bearing east (determined/ delerious, committed/certified, dedicated/deluded, strike out that which does not apply) were follwed by one a k in arrears, u-turning as we slogged the south leg of Central Kialla Rd, curiousity calling a calming of cadence in Mitchell Rd to identify the pursuer. LateLeigh arrived breathless (funny, he'd missed the Cat lap start), Rocket resumed his tow truck services, out of Roubaix in the fourties, nudging fifties in Conrod, enjoying a hard earned tailwind home.
A prologue of Ford, Lemnos North and Old Dookie roads was a warm up (?, 6 degrees) to the Friars frier, trying to keep below 138 bpm to preserve pace for later. Coggo and Tum were on the Friars grid, a lightweight Heady arriving at the last minute, with appropriate headwear. The quartet filed out of town, Heady handing me the reigns for the heart starter to Dobsons bridge. Tum's typical tempo tested us, good to be in Coggo's smooth tow till the breeze in Boundary needed cutting. (happy to be able to drive at 165 bpm for 2.1 k). The eastbound Couldabeens train was easily spotted eastbound on River Rd, a slow for traffic and their intersection arrival gave us a moment to top up the oxygen. Heady was suffering the speed as I peeled off the front, Tum took the lions share of River Rd from the dip to the end. Coggo dragged us to Mitchell, my go to Archer showed the strain, delighted to duck into the draft till my next shift in Conrod. I'd burnt all the beans by the last dip, handing Heady the chocolates, a quick quadrella quashed queries on quickness but quietly questioned qualm.
Week 29 312 km YTD 8,633
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Week 28 : A winter investment
No takers beyond Wozz and I for a Saturday prologue, the committed (or should be committed) set a southerly sail on a reverse Tuesday/Thursday circuit, finding just the tap to Raftery Rd a workout, climbing Steptoe's hill near Conrod's finish line felt like a life's acheivement. There was a whole lot of soft suffering going on barely into the thirties, out of the seat to cross the highway felt like i'd loaned my legs as Hunter Sam's punching bags. On the 17 spin again to keep the momentum and warmth balance, River roads' seemingly endless length stretched ahead to torment us, yearning the arrival of those fourteen white dashes on the tarmac that signal it's end. North to Channel Rd and west back to town on the favoured fifteen put pleasure into the prefrontal, delighted to finally u-turn at the school and join the fifteen Couldabeens/Genesis brigade for a timely tow. A consolatory cruise allowed the social chat to the Emu, the bar raised a little westward to town but no complaints received. No chance of a sprint placement finding myself beside Nev approaching DECA, the tank well emptied before the Wanganui hill (but plucked off a few hopefuls out of stubborn minded achievement anyway). Rounding Rudd, I dropped back for a trailing light 50 metres in arrears, a tow for Linda back to the pack for the recovery roll to the Lemontree. Chat on chickens feet, BMI and French chateau's, Ange and MasiMario deep in philisophical fellowship. .
Put out an APB for motivation Monday, almost sucummed to the temptation of the doona till thoughts of contracting BigMat-itis put enthusiasm into gear. Grizzled my way east to the Emu at 5, the slightest hint of a northeaster (7 km/h) labouring the legs and putting pain before pleasure. Snuck the chain onto the fifteen heading to the Toaster, relief for the rector femoris with higher hopes heading west in Old Dookie Rd. Fortunately fortuitous finding the fourteen fine Boundary bound, steering into the smooth tarmac compressed by years of truck travel, just to make the most of it. Two bikes northbound in Boundary (pidgeons in search of Cats to be amongst?) a soloist Mexican south of the highway, three Breakaways in River Rd and Craig "lotsalumens" in Mitchell Rd the only oncomings. (thanks to Strava's "flybys") Mt Nicolaci emptied the energy (like the Mur de Huy for me), the last three k's of Raftery driven by pondering what form the calories would take in the post ride refuel.
What creatures of habit we are, dug up the enthusiasm to crawl out of a warm bed on Tuesday, finding myself Emu bound on the 17 cog, struggling for speed again.....some never learn! It was Groundhog day at the Toaster, pushing the 15 yeilded better momentum, back to town ahead of my e.t.a., making it to SPC's roundabout to join the Goats exiting suburbia. Belly, Coggo, Hommy, Phil, Heady, Principal Skinner Joe, Sandy, Kate and foreigner ArgonDave (no late shift for the Cats) now aboard a slick Scott (vale Argon, a crash crunched and crucified carbon last week). A svelte and organised rotation got rolling eastward to Boundary, I made a dud call at the highway for a car appearing suddenly, warranted a yell of stop but complacency called car left. Safely through though, the rotational roster resumed, Kate and Sandy as tail-light twins. A decent roll west to Central Kialla where time forced me to abandon for a short cut home (pondering the intelligence of those in black cars who can't use headlights half an hour before sun up.
Sanity was seriously questioned facing minus 1.4 degrees from a cosy bed, but then I should question Wozza's agreement to an early 30k prologue to Wednesday's Couldabeens habit. (I guess more than one riding in such temperature voids the insanity?) New Dookie Rd east, Boundary south and Channel Rd west, trying to warm from winters' woes, What's App pinging a flood of Goat apologies abandoning their ride, CerveloJohn the sole soldier. Wozz and I wheeled our way on Channel Rd, hoping the serious investment of winter k's will pay decent dividends in Spring. Early back to town, a casual cruise of Kialla Lakes metered the minutes till the carpark flagfall, just AvantiTrev, Cougar, Cate, Chops, Trav and Pistol ready for an Antarctic mission. A cruisy lap with most on a survival-circumventing-speed agenda, Cougar and Chops chatty in the rear stalls, Pistol somewhat sprint starved till the Cha Cha helped the hunger. Sensations lost in fingers and toes by the time we'd reached town but some warmth gained in the achievement over others who feared to tread.
Chewed the Tour fat with Wozz at 5.30 en-route to Thursday's Couldabeens, the small gathering of SpinDoctor, Temple, ChrisA, Cougar, Trav and Pistol a recipe for a relaxed ride. Ron and Nev rolled into Channel Rd just as Wozz and I led the petite peleton from the startline. (made sense for us to roll up behind and sit on) A calm and cruisy first two legs set a mellow mood, a salve of salvation from winters testing tempo of late. By the time i'd revisited the pointy end, Pistol had percolated the pace, slicing into a northeaster adding a little spice. I survived the next turn with Ron till Brokens bridges, time in the tow for respiratory recovery as Nev, Wozz, SpinDoctor, ChrisA, Trav and Pistol cranked their contributions. An easterly eased the effort in River Rd, 6 k's passing quickly to conscript me to the front again for the Kialla Central stage with Pistol. Ron rolled reaching Archer, almost euphoric tucked into his generous draft. Nev sweetly syncronised the highway crossing betwixt the B doubles, I was lamenting the length the legs would last as we rounded Roubaix, up to the drivers seat again at the horse stud calling a short shift to Pistol and a rapid Ron rollover. With the horsepower of ChrisA, Wozz and Nev advancing through the ranks motivation had resigned faster than a Greek finance minister, I took timely retirement just as Trav and Ron clocked out of sprintention. SpinDoctor hit his rev limiter with 150 left of Conrod, I sneakily snared 4th with Trav in tow. Paused at punch-up bridge for Conrod's outcasts, then a smooth roll through town enjoying the (finally) swept bike lane. (elephant stamp to Wozz for an e-ffective e-mail to the street sweep peeps)
Facing kilometre deprivation from a fickle forecast Saturday drove me to an early start Friday, Boulevard bound at 5 with a damp track to tap to. Bike was grubby anyway. What's become a tried and travelled Toaster track, Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was populated with puddles to ply, there's nothing quite like the thrill of chilled water up the inside leg! HR at 158 all the way to the Emu, a small NNE'r making a big difference southbound to the Toaster. On top of the 15 back to town reached the weighbridge by 6 but it was only Phil and Heady who had the testicular toughness to turn up. Happy to be the first volunteer, I drove the first leg to Central Ave, then in Heady's draft and on Phil's wheel, being spotted from the Vittoria's rooster tail, for a smooth but damp tow. To the fig farm from Phil, it was my drive to the pub (bit early for drinks), a moments halt for traffic. Heady and Phil shared the duty to River Rd, I was handed the reigns in River, so pushed the personal target to the bridge (4.5 k) as an internal measure. Funny how performance peaks in company but sags solo. Unfortunately, employment gets in the way of a good ride (just when we were all guaranteed a podium finish!) I retired reluctantly stage right at Rivers' end and pressed on via the truck route, Archer and northward home, scheduled to the minute to end the week.
Week 28 361 km YTD 8,321 km
Put out an APB for motivation Monday, almost sucummed to the temptation of the doona till thoughts of contracting BigMat-itis put enthusiasm into gear. Grizzled my way east to the Emu at 5, the slightest hint of a northeaster (7 km/h) labouring the legs and putting pain before pleasure. Snuck the chain onto the fifteen heading to the Toaster, relief for the rector femoris with higher hopes heading west in Old Dookie Rd. Fortunately fortuitous finding the fourteen fine Boundary bound, steering into the smooth tarmac compressed by years of truck travel, just to make the most of it. Two bikes northbound in Boundary (pidgeons in search of Cats to be amongst?) a soloist Mexican south of the highway, three Breakaways in River Rd and Craig "lotsalumens" in Mitchell Rd the only oncomings. (thanks to Strava's "flybys") Mt Nicolaci emptied the energy (like the Mur de Huy for me), the last three k's of Raftery driven by pondering what form the calories would take in the post ride refuel.
What creatures of habit we are, dug up the enthusiasm to crawl out of a warm bed on Tuesday, finding myself Emu bound on the 17 cog, struggling for speed again.....some never learn! It was Groundhog day at the Toaster, pushing the 15 yeilded better momentum, back to town ahead of my e.t.a., making it to SPC's roundabout to join the Goats exiting suburbia. Belly, Coggo, Hommy, Phil, Heady, Principal Skinner Joe, Sandy, Kate and foreigner ArgonDave (no late shift for the Cats) now aboard a slick Scott (vale Argon, a crash crunched and crucified carbon last week). A svelte and organised rotation got rolling eastward to Boundary, I made a dud call at the highway for a car appearing suddenly, warranted a yell of stop but complacency called car left. Safely through though, the rotational roster resumed, Kate and Sandy as tail-light twins. A decent roll west to Central Kialla where time forced me to abandon for a short cut home (pondering the intelligence of those in black cars who can't use headlights half an hour before sun up.
Sanity was seriously questioned facing minus 1.4 degrees from a cosy bed, but then I should question Wozza's agreement to an early 30k prologue to Wednesday's Couldabeens habit. (I guess more than one riding in such temperature voids the insanity?) New Dookie Rd east, Boundary south and Channel Rd west, trying to warm from winters' woes, What's App pinging a flood of Goat apologies abandoning their ride, CerveloJohn the sole soldier. Wozz and I wheeled our way on Channel Rd, hoping the serious investment of winter k's will pay decent dividends in Spring. Early back to town, a casual cruise of Kialla Lakes metered the minutes till the carpark flagfall, just AvantiTrev, Cougar, Cate, Chops, Trav and Pistol ready for an Antarctic mission. A cruisy lap with most on a survival-circumventing-speed agenda, Cougar and Chops chatty in the rear stalls, Pistol somewhat sprint starved till the Cha Cha helped the hunger. Sensations lost in fingers and toes by the time we'd reached town but some warmth gained in the achievement over others who feared to tread.
Chewed the Tour fat with Wozz at 5.30 en-route to Thursday's Couldabeens, the small gathering of SpinDoctor, Temple, ChrisA, Cougar, Trav and Pistol a recipe for a relaxed ride. Ron and Nev rolled into Channel Rd just as Wozz and I led the petite peleton from the startline. (made sense for us to roll up behind and sit on) A calm and cruisy first two legs set a mellow mood, a salve of salvation from winters testing tempo of late. By the time i'd revisited the pointy end, Pistol had percolated the pace, slicing into a northeaster adding a little spice. I survived the next turn with Ron till Brokens bridges, time in the tow for respiratory recovery as Nev, Wozz, SpinDoctor, ChrisA, Trav and Pistol cranked their contributions. An easterly eased the effort in River Rd, 6 k's passing quickly to conscript me to the front again for the Kialla Central stage with Pistol. Ron rolled reaching Archer, almost euphoric tucked into his generous draft. Nev sweetly syncronised the highway crossing betwixt the B doubles, I was lamenting the length the legs would last as we rounded Roubaix, up to the drivers seat again at the horse stud calling a short shift to Pistol and a rapid Ron rollover. With the horsepower of ChrisA, Wozz and Nev advancing through the ranks motivation had resigned faster than a Greek finance minister, I took timely retirement just as Trav and Ron clocked out of sprintention. SpinDoctor hit his rev limiter with 150 left of Conrod, I sneakily snared 4th with Trav in tow. Paused at punch-up bridge for Conrod's outcasts, then a smooth roll through town enjoying the (finally) swept bike lane. (elephant stamp to Wozz for an e-ffective e-mail to the street sweep peeps)
Facing kilometre deprivation from a fickle forecast Saturday drove me to an early start Friday, Boulevard bound at 5 with a damp track to tap to. Bike was grubby anyway. What's become a tried and travelled Toaster track, Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was populated with puddles to ply, there's nothing quite like the thrill of chilled water up the inside leg! HR at 158 all the way to the Emu, a small NNE'r making a big difference southbound to the Toaster. On top of the 15 back to town reached the weighbridge by 6 but it was only Phil and Heady who had the testicular toughness to turn up. Happy to be the first volunteer, I drove the first leg to Central Ave, then in Heady's draft and on Phil's wheel, being spotted from the Vittoria's rooster tail, for a smooth but damp tow. To the fig farm from Phil, it was my drive to the pub (bit early for drinks), a moments halt for traffic. Heady and Phil shared the duty to River Rd, I was handed the reigns in River, so pushed the personal target to the bridge (4.5 k) as an internal measure. Funny how performance peaks in company but sags solo. Unfortunately, employment gets in the way of a good ride (just when we were all guaranteed a podium finish!) I retired reluctantly stage right at Rivers' end and pressed on via the truck route, Archer and northward home, scheduled to the minute to end the week.
Week 28 361 km YTD 8,321 km
Friday, July 3, 2015
Week 27 Ice addiction and epilepsy
The automatic eye opener activated at 4.30am Saturday, no alternative but to climb aboard the bike at 5 and spin (76 rpm) out to the golf course and west along Wanganui Rd to soak up the time before the usual 6am bunch departed. Not a puff of wind, content to roll along in the low 30's, luxuriating in the new stretch of Verney Road (as smooth as Hollywood's head), but $2.1m only buys you 750 metres of comfort, back to the original torture track of posterior pounding before I knew it. Navigated a magical mystery tour of the suburbs (main drag, Kialla Lakes Dr, out Archer to the roundabout then back to the carpark) to arrive at the Saturday launch pad with 3 minutes to spare, Pistol, Shorty, Trav, Ron, Kel, Nev, Rocket, AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Jen, Cougar, Cate, Nick, Ange, Linda, Temple and MasiMario making up the mob. A calm cruise control was set east, post-op Nev back aboard, Temple finally flu-less (but Rocket in-flu-enced), Kel and Ron in bold new Genesis kit, Ange as subtle as ever, AvantiTrev negative on turns at the front but Linda all positive. All were upbeat on the mild morning (5 degrees), cloud cover sheilded the chill but put on a dull start to the day. Cougar went lumenless again, an eagerness for breakfast cranking up the pace on the westward return to town (crossing paths with a small catpack near the kennels) The bunch split at Numurkah Rd, an amble with Jen (waiting for those dropped at the intersection) reflected on the cosmopolitan composition of characters in the bunch. The sprinters and sprintenders getting itchy at the whiff of Wanganui hill, the plodders, the boysterous and restrained, labourers and professionals, old hands and new. A varied little slice of society but all with the common addiction / affliction. Grouped with the backmarkers, we steamed steadily toward the peak, plucking off the sprint-spent to reach the 2.8 metre summit, rounded Rudd and rejoined those silenced by exertion.
As a change from usual Saturday protocols, I did a dismount at Friars to await the Goat gathering, Sandy, Merida Andy (with visitor Phil) Dazza, Coggo, and Hommy (happily bearhugging all who arrived). It was a bracing half k climatisation to the cold from the coffee and cafe warmth, a clockwise toaster lap called by headgoat Belly ( an asumed role with Phillo's absence?) Nine toured the Boulevard out of town (now with Sharky aboard) slowly buiding momentum (till squeaks of protest were heard?) Sharky appeared spent before he'd made an investment, Sydneysider Phil struggling with the pace (not au fait with the flatlands?), i caught up with the bike news from Coggo, Dazza and the legend that is Belly, and tapped to the Emu with the mercury struggling to get above seven. MeridaAndy and Phil continued homeward on Old Dookie Rd as we speared south on Boundary, Sharky shattered by Channel Rd, who exited stage right. Sandy cemented her spot as rear gunner as the knots gained to River Rd (37+ eroding the energy) thankfully settling for our wheel westward. By Roubaix I took the towed option, bowing out of the rotation, A Coggo vs Hommy display for sprint honours was witnessed but the stomach was set on scrambled eggs and coffee to refuel the 2,406 calories spent from 116 k's.
Monday needed wipers to clear the fog, visibility down to the next white post on an anti-clockwise solo Toaster lap, finding the dips and rises by feel on the southbound leg of Raftery Rd. I was relying on the centre white line to navigate the corners, no mistaking Roubaix's feel. The illiopsoas psoas major was working overtime at 78 rpm, craving the 15 tooth gear but I'd put that on hold till River roads' end. The fog had cleared for the headlight to highlight the dips and bumps, it was a long 6 k to Boundary Rd and the bliss of a bigger gear. Happier at 67 rpm but the gastrochnemius filed an official complaint, at least pace was inflated by 10%. I pondered a possible pussycat intervention at Old Dookie Rd (6.10) but I was well ahead of their timetable, a hint of parfum de piggy on Old Dookie Rd well before the hog Hilton confirmed a southeaster was at work. Relief to point homeward at the Emu with the puff of wind a hint of help, a little light in the sky illuminating the crisp and crusty roadside. It was a crawl up Wanganui hill with jellied legs but I was bouyed by the current state of health and the palliated posterior, 56k before 7am regarded as a sufferfest by Strava.
Aprehension filled the void between the ears on Tuesday, it's been five weeks since facing the turbo team on torment Tuesday. Fears were compunded finding just Hollywood, Pistol and Rocket on the grid, it meant tough toil till the arrival of Trav, Spin Doctor and Nick promised the load would be better shared, I still took the soft option of left hand side second wheel to delay my duty. Wozz and Pistol drove a hard bargain for the first leg, settling a little on Nick and Trav's turn thankfully, the specs pocketted for the fog (or the heavy breathing?). Spin Doctor, Pistol and Wozz bolted in Boundary Rd, Nick then Trav retiring to the rear paired me with Rocket for River road. It may have been a psychological step too steep to satisfy standards (speed set at suffering suckertash!) so I gave a short turn at the hyperventilating end, then all stops out to hang onto Hollywoods' Syncro as he rolled ahead. Turns were shortening with speed in the 40's at Rivers' end, the metamorphosis to single file had Rocket driving the Kialla Central leg. I'd resigned to the gatekeepers role approaching Archer Rd, sitting on Spin Doctors wheel when he dropped the bidon, all appreciating the holiday for heart rates as he turned back to retrieve it. The train of eight (with five functional engines) was soon back underway, steaming to Raftery with the wattage of Wozz, Hollywood, Pistol, Rocket and the Doc towing the refugees, Rocket victorius with Wozz a super second. A bit of Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance Tuesday night, a new chain, change a slow leaking tube and fit new brake blocks freshened up the old beast for a 189,000k service.
Another foggy start Wednesday, a 10 k warm-up (minus 1.5) prior to the cursory Couldabeens circuit. Verney-Ford-Wanganui-Rudd and the Boulevard got the heart rate up to speed, Wozz emerged from the fog on highway 31 to carve our way south, Jase on a chase latching on with a k to go. There was just AvantiChris, Cate and Cougar waiting in the soup at the carpark, Pistol and Spin Doctor making up an octette for the antarctic trek to Mitchell Rd, Cate's mechanical malfunction halting proceedings in leg 2. I shared the front with Pistol for central Kialla and Jase to River roads bridge, nice to be in the fractionally warmer draft to recover as we passed Mexican Anthony. My DuraAce went on a (cold) snap strike refusing to swap cogs till the shifter was freed of ice, legs got a thawing with another shift beside Pistol at the pointy end up to Channel Rd. A call of easy rounding the bend, then west to the Cha Cha, Wozza in the box seat to take the chocolates in fine form while I struggled to hold second last . A wipe of the damp nose suddenly hurt, a good crust of ice on the gloves acted as sandpaper. Under the streetlights back in town, many found a frosting on boots, helmets, handlebars and certain sensitive parts as a badge of tenacity.
I hoisted the flag of optimism in the face of a few spits of rain Thursday morning, thoughts of an unwanted long hard road back from hibernation driving me onward. I was blown to the Emu by a strong northwester, thinking it like polishing the prize before paying the price, wondering what wattage would be warranted working (wearily) westward back to town. I got on top of the 17cog to get into the groove of 72 rpm, grinding into the now WNW, a distant tail-light pursued, finally found to be Tina en route to the Goat gathering. Heady, Tum, Kate, Coggo, Phil, Belly, Joe, Baz, Hommy and Cervelo John had set sail from the suburbs, the religious rites of ride rotation regulated respiratory requirements on Old Dookie Road, a swap of social sledges with the perspicacious population of the peleton then knuckled into the chore of Boundary Rd's side wind. Baz, Kate and Tina reargunners. The rhythm was ramshackled in River road, a headwind havoc till Coggo took the drivers seat (worthy of an HG nomination). I tendered my apologies at River road's end to keep a timeclock appointment, a misting of rain on the alternate route and Archer Rd dampening the enthusiasm.
Friday found five frisky fellows fit for a Friars fryer, Tum, Coggo, Heady and Cervelo John the only ones fronting (Belly bowed out.....again!). Exiting town, I ran the gap at the Doyles roundabout but the others baulked, a few moments wait then climb aboard the indian filed torture train. Tum got the boiler up to steam, I was on Cervelo John's wheel with his tail-light unfortunately angled at my eye, earning an eerie epileptic episode I was elated to escape. Heady's calmer cruise control was heavensent, a chance to catch breath before Tum's turbo tormented us. Peeling off the front almost spent, then the desperated dig to the depths to catch the draft from the last wheel is always an effort. Feeling fairly fresh for my next turn, we flew into River Rd (a flyby to eight Couldabeens eastbound), well worn though after a 2k dip at the drivers seat. Tum and Coggo drove hard to the bridge, another breather while Heady headed us homeward. A pause at Mitchell road for traffic then back on the gas to Raftery (avoiding the gaze into Cervelo John's hypnotic tail-light) passing a punctured Ange, just as my cadence battery quit. We all had another go at the front, I got the honours of last shift to the finish line, a solid lap in just under 50 min.
Week 27 382 km YTD 7,960 km
As a change from usual Saturday protocols, I did a dismount at Friars to await the Goat gathering, Sandy, Merida Andy (with visitor Phil) Dazza, Coggo, and Hommy (happily bearhugging all who arrived). It was a bracing half k climatisation to the cold from the coffee and cafe warmth, a clockwise toaster lap called by headgoat Belly ( an asumed role with Phillo's absence?) Nine toured the Boulevard out of town (now with Sharky aboard) slowly buiding momentum (till squeaks of protest were heard?) Sharky appeared spent before he'd made an investment, Sydneysider Phil struggling with the pace (not au fait with the flatlands?), i caught up with the bike news from Coggo, Dazza and the legend that is Belly, and tapped to the Emu with the mercury struggling to get above seven. MeridaAndy and Phil continued homeward on Old Dookie Rd as we speared south on Boundary, Sharky shattered by Channel Rd, who exited stage right. Sandy cemented her spot as rear gunner as the knots gained to River Rd (37+ eroding the energy) thankfully settling for our wheel westward. By Roubaix I took the towed option, bowing out of the rotation, A Coggo vs Hommy display for sprint honours was witnessed but the stomach was set on scrambled eggs and coffee to refuel the 2,406 calories spent from 116 k's.
Monday needed wipers to clear the fog, visibility down to the next white post on an anti-clockwise solo Toaster lap, finding the dips and rises by feel on the southbound leg of Raftery Rd. I was relying on the centre white line to navigate the corners, no mistaking Roubaix's feel. The illiopsoas psoas major was working overtime at 78 rpm, craving the 15 tooth gear but I'd put that on hold till River roads' end. The fog had cleared for the headlight to highlight the dips and bumps, it was a long 6 k to Boundary Rd and the bliss of a bigger gear. Happier at 67 rpm but the gastrochnemius filed an official complaint, at least pace was inflated by 10%. I pondered a possible pussycat intervention at Old Dookie Rd (6.10) but I was well ahead of their timetable, a hint of parfum de piggy on Old Dookie Rd well before the hog Hilton confirmed a southeaster was at work. Relief to point homeward at the Emu with the puff of wind a hint of help, a little light in the sky illuminating the crisp and crusty roadside. It was a crawl up Wanganui hill with jellied legs but I was bouyed by the current state of health and the palliated posterior, 56k before 7am regarded as a sufferfest by Strava.
Aprehension filled the void between the ears on Tuesday, it's been five weeks since facing the turbo team on torment Tuesday. Fears were compunded finding just Hollywood, Pistol and Rocket on the grid, it meant tough toil till the arrival of Trav, Spin Doctor and Nick promised the load would be better shared, I still took the soft option of left hand side second wheel to delay my duty. Wozz and Pistol drove a hard bargain for the first leg, settling a little on Nick and Trav's turn thankfully, the specs pocketted for the fog (or the heavy breathing?). Spin Doctor, Pistol and Wozz bolted in Boundary Rd, Nick then Trav retiring to the rear paired me with Rocket for River road. It may have been a psychological step too steep to satisfy standards (speed set at suffering suckertash!) so I gave a short turn at the hyperventilating end, then all stops out to hang onto Hollywoods' Syncro as he rolled ahead. Turns were shortening with speed in the 40's at Rivers' end, the metamorphosis to single file had Rocket driving the Kialla Central leg. I'd resigned to the gatekeepers role approaching Archer Rd, sitting on Spin Doctors wheel when he dropped the bidon, all appreciating the holiday for heart rates as he turned back to retrieve it. The train of eight (with five functional engines) was soon back underway, steaming to Raftery with the wattage of Wozz, Hollywood, Pistol, Rocket and the Doc towing the refugees, Rocket victorius with Wozz a super second. A bit of Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance Tuesday night, a new chain, change a slow leaking tube and fit new brake blocks freshened up the old beast for a 189,000k service.
Another foggy start Wednesday, a 10 k warm-up (minus 1.5) prior to the cursory Couldabeens circuit. Verney-Ford-Wanganui-Rudd and the Boulevard got the heart rate up to speed, Wozz emerged from the fog on highway 31 to carve our way south, Jase on a chase latching on with a k to go. There was just AvantiChris, Cate and Cougar waiting in the soup at the carpark, Pistol and Spin Doctor making up an octette for the antarctic trek to Mitchell Rd, Cate's mechanical malfunction halting proceedings in leg 2. I shared the front with Pistol for central Kialla and Jase to River roads bridge, nice to be in the fractionally warmer draft to recover as we passed Mexican Anthony. My DuraAce went on a (cold) snap strike refusing to swap cogs till the shifter was freed of ice, legs got a thawing with another shift beside Pistol at the pointy end up to Channel Rd. A call of easy rounding the bend, then west to the Cha Cha, Wozza in the box seat to take the chocolates in fine form while I struggled to hold second last . A wipe of the damp nose suddenly hurt, a good crust of ice on the gloves acted as sandpaper. Under the streetlights back in town, many found a frosting on boots, helmets, handlebars and certain sensitive parts as a badge of tenacity.
I hoisted the flag of optimism in the face of a few spits of rain Thursday morning, thoughts of an unwanted long hard road back from hibernation driving me onward. I was blown to the Emu by a strong northwester, thinking it like polishing the prize before paying the price, wondering what wattage would be warranted working (wearily) westward back to town. I got on top of the 17cog to get into the groove of 72 rpm, grinding into the now WNW, a distant tail-light pursued, finally found to be Tina en route to the Goat gathering. Heady, Tum, Kate, Coggo, Phil, Belly, Joe, Baz, Hommy and Cervelo John had set sail from the suburbs, the religious rites of ride rotation regulated respiratory requirements on Old Dookie Road, a swap of social sledges with the perspicacious population of the peleton then knuckled into the chore of Boundary Rd's side wind. Baz, Kate and Tina reargunners. The rhythm was ramshackled in River road, a headwind havoc till Coggo took the drivers seat (worthy of an HG nomination). I tendered my apologies at River road's end to keep a timeclock appointment, a misting of rain on the alternate route and Archer Rd dampening the enthusiasm.
Friday found five frisky fellows fit for a Friars fryer, Tum, Coggo, Heady and Cervelo John the only ones fronting (Belly bowed out.....again!). Exiting town, I ran the gap at the Doyles roundabout but the others baulked, a few moments wait then climb aboard the indian filed torture train. Tum got the boiler up to steam, I was on Cervelo John's wheel with his tail-light unfortunately angled at my eye, earning an eerie epileptic episode I was elated to escape. Heady's calmer cruise control was heavensent, a chance to catch breath before Tum's turbo tormented us. Peeling off the front almost spent, then the desperated dig to the depths to catch the draft from the last wheel is always an effort. Feeling fairly fresh for my next turn, we flew into River Rd (a flyby to eight Couldabeens eastbound), well worn though after a 2k dip at the drivers seat. Tum and Coggo drove hard to the bridge, another breather while Heady headed us homeward. A pause at Mitchell road for traffic then back on the gas to Raftery (avoiding the gaze into Cervelo John's hypnotic tail-light) passing a punctured Ange, just as my cadence battery quit. We all had another go at the front, I got the honours of last shift to the finish line, a solid lap in just under 50 min.
Week 27 382 km YTD 7,960 km
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