Week 38 Fruitloop'n

Post 309

Hopeful of a cruisy lap, Wozz and I set off for the habitual Saturday ride, keen to preserve some wattage for Sunday's Fruitloop. We took volunteered the first turn with the rear half of the grid congested (Rocket, Pistol, Trav, Jase, Nick, Shorty, Ange, Lynda, Cougar, Bo, Kel, Temple, Jen and Saturday specialist SuperMario), so much light to now navigate by, buildings long forgotten in winters gloom now almost unfamiliar sighted with the sun up. The Saturday social slant certainly satisfying, most weekdays seem to be all speed and survival, SuperMario's body language spoke struggle, once a week outings is jumping in the deep end. We'd made up ground on a solo bike in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, found to be Fisky, frisky on a slightly earlier getaway (toughening up to 4 degrees?), Ange gave his usual restrained greeting to the Cats as we crossed paths.  Sprint interest was off my list (mentally handbraked by the next days 180k) but I gave in to a little squirt up Wanganui hill (3rd fastest a surprise), Temple again finding my wheel for a tow. MexicanSteve joined the Lemontree breakfast table, chat on hot rods, ice and magpies blending with tank fillers of bacon, eggs and banana bread.

Sunday was number 10 Fruitloop for me and the BM, the sixth long one to challenge old bones, 40 had enrolled to do likewise on the 180k. Flagged off at 7.05 with police to smooth our slice through intersections, one big bunch tapped to the toaster, thanks to paramedic Gazza on point duty. Eastbound to Dookie, I copped a blast from some S-Works sausage, unhappy I'd sat up the road to echelon the bunch into the light southeaster (obviously he had no idea on aerodynamics or bunch decorum).  MexicanAnthony and Nev captained the ship to Dookie, spring turning on a postcard vista, the bunch staying together till Nalinga's rolling hills sorted the climbers from the chaff. There was a halt for Nath and I to tend repairs to Wozza's Foil, a jammed centre bracket collar fixed by saviour Nath (clever carrying a multi-tool for a cranks-off fix) Mobile again, Wozz, Nath and I swapped tempo turns to Violet Town, collecting and towing a few in for the brief break to fuel the tank for Harry's Creek Rd, (and to remove a layer with the sun doing its spring thing ; 17 degrees).  Back aboard two wheels, I made a deliberate move to hang back from the bunch, climbing (not my forte) best left as a solitary struggle ( a one-on-one with my hill demons). Eventually finding a rhythm for the hill (a 252 metre climb in 9.3 k) I was surprised to catch and pass a few (18km/h average), the three or four sharp hairpins a test (stuck defiantly on the 56 ring of course!), juggling of cadence, speed and heart rate the delicate balance. Happy to reach the fork onto Boonie Doon Rd, I'd long forgotten the next two k climb, turning legs to jelly. A pickled possum and an upside down wombat awoke the nostrils, an up and down 8k to Boho South school then one more 2 k climb till the downhill delight to Strathbogie. There wasn't enough recovery time for the uphill to the fire station but the Kelvin View descent was worth the previous ascent. I kept conservative at 63 km/h, the brave (SpecialisedTony and Clive) into the mid 70's, Nev the master blaster at 85. Troy joined Clive, SpecialisedTony and I to work the headwind back to Euroa, a food stop to strive toward. Wozz and others had berthed a few minutes before, Coggo, Sosso, Wizz, Paul VanP and more trickled in, a waiting game started to form a bunch for the slog home. Carl and Emmet were added to the fold to make up a lucky 13 sharing the 50k home, a 17-24 km/h northeaster as our foe. A solo ApolloSteve (Baccus Marsh) was being dive bombed by magpies as we reached Meipol, he was delighted to have our bunch catch and tow. The relentless headwind eroded enthusiasm for work at the front, a sense of teamwork urged another turn, then another, the alternative of taking on the elements alone unthinkable. A puncture within sniffing distance of Mitchell Rd brought all to a compassionate stop, a chance to draw breath for many and pass wind for others. Underway after repairs, respite form the wind was brief in Mitchell Rd, Archer Rd's 6k's seemed like 60......so near yet so far. Finally to town with the lure of a feed and a cold beer driving the street speed to the finish, thanks went all round to the co-operative crew, like banging your head against a brick wall, it was lovely to stop, 180k in 5 hrs 30 needed 3900 calories replaced. 

Like the creak from the Munsters' front door, the legs were reluctant to bend on Monday, a touch tender in the toosh too, but nursing a niggling knee was a priority. A quiet 28k roll was the prescription, out against a light northeaster on Old Dookie Rd bearable, the bonus of a breeze behind promised little effort on the return home....a fairer finish than yesterday. Quietly back to town and legs now loosened, Jen, Car+Mel were found in ArcherRd to make a social sequel.

The 4am shower struck a few off the start list, a wicked westerly (24-39 km/h) scared many more under their doonas, only Coggo, Belly and Heady fronting Friars on Tuesday, a 30 second drizzle retreating any others.  We gained CatKev at the SPC roundabout, forecast frightening felines, furtively failing to front?  I'd assumed the front of the Indian filed quintet, cranking up the tempo when we were clear of Doyles Rd.  The westerly assistance inflated egos, 80rpm and 140bpm @ 45 km/h seemed easy. Everyone had a slice of the tail wind cake (and Strava trophies for Old Dookie : 42 average) but there was work to be done for the rest of the lap.  Head down and tail up in Boundary Rd, I was as pleased as Malcolm Turnbull glancing at the speedo, far better than expected with wind whipping at the starboard bow.  Turns had gone full circle by one tree dam, back to me for another shift plus some overtime of a rigorous rip into River Rd for a k, then handing it to Heady ( struggling with the speed but scores an A+ for effort), the h.r. comparison of my 144 to Belly's 278 (not that he's prone to exaggeration). Coggo's legs were as Fruitlooped as mine but he drove a great turn to the dip, CatKev our saviour to Rivers' end. I found Central Kialla kinder with a little shelter so added a k of Mitchell to make my share fair, and a helping Heady hand.  Belly and Coggo took on MtNicolaci and the open plains to the highway, CatKev to the horse stud where the wind was easier port side. Feeling in fairly fit form, I aimed to reach Arcadia Downs, then extended it to the start of Conrod, then again to the first dip before showing Heady the elbow. There were few eager near Conrod's end, my competitive side hunting down Belly as he poured on the power in the closing metres.

And Lo,  a great calm fell upon the Wednesday (the Tuesday tempest, I shall not want), smooth was the tarmac and thy Fizik did comfort me, surely fitness and mercy would follow me for the lap? The Couldabeens grid was filling from the rear again, SpinDoctor, Nick, Pistol, Rocket, Temple, AvantiChris, ChrisA, Jen, Cate, Shorty, Hollywood, Car+Mel, Cougar, Jase and Trav eventually moving up when I parked 10 metres ahead in No1 spot.  WhisperingJack joined at Kialla Lakes (brewing a breakaway), I got dizzy with SpinDoctors cadence (98) beside me (67). Calm conditions created a quick crank along Mitchell, A Genesis/51 train full steamed west, Cats behind with a subtle Ange greeting attached, good to see the P&W's back in action too. Cate is impervious to 4 degrees in short knicks, SpinDoctor had a queer query on hydration, comparisons on the Fruitloop held with several and most are wishing winters grip on Spring would loosen. A pairing with Rocket up to the Broken Bridges bumped up my h.r. but there were few turns to do in the populated peloton (18). The pot of anticipation brewed at the Channel Rd kindergarten, the bunch boring into Hopeful corner (Hopeful of the draft at 6th or 7th wheel / Hopeful of being Rockets' bridesmaid / Hopeful of hanging on!) for the Cha Cha.  I had a good position to pick off the early expirees and puff my way to 5th, gaining composure on the recovery cruise back to town, caught coy copping Cate's complimentary comments. Great work by Car+Mel to dive into the deep end of a quick lap.

A southwester niggled the neurosis on Thursday for the ride South with Wozz.  Pistol, Rocket, Shorty, Nick, WhisperingJack, Trav, Cougar, AvantiChris, Temple and BigMat (remarkable reincarnation!) lined up at the car park in upper and lower house sittings. It's been a while since I took on a double shift as an opener, recalled the suffering fairly quickly when half way through leg 2 though. Voices from behind called me over just a few turns later, only 7 locomotives pulling a train of 13 today. WhisperingJack's swan song in Boundary Rd lasted to the bridges, I found it hard to match Pistol's pace then Wozza's wattage driving to River Rd (southwester didn't help).  As AvantiTrev appeared from the west, I was hoping Pete and Wozz would tow us all the way home (that was as likely as a Palestine peace plan) but my turn came up again at Laws drive.  Pushing the limits of mental abandonment, I lasted a k, grateful of AvantiChris' tow in Central Kialla. Yet another turn came up at Archer Rd, fewer locomotives and more carriages to climb Mt.Nicolaci.   It was only Rocket, Pistol, Wozza and I swapping turns from the highway, a final fling out of Roubaix to the horse stud, then all my energy eggs went into the basket of 'hanging-on-for-grim-death'. The usual 40 cm gap to the wheel ahead had chasmed to 3 metres as Wozz, Rocket and Pistol applied even more power, my view now a vignetted Greta Garbo soft focus. There's something deeply primal happening calling for more when the body says "forget it!" but something extra is found as the fear of failure looms, trying to keep others aboard the express while playing gatekeeper bearing a weight of responsibility. There was some relief as Conrod swung into view, but a further kilometre of survival was the rude reality. Wozza took the reigns out of the dip and threw himself on the sprint sword at 45 km/h, Rocket timing his launch at the last dip to finish the mornings ritual.

Friday......all aboard the train of pain, the bus of fuss, the truck of fu.....tile endeavour. The only punters, Belly, Heady, Coggo, Tum and Joe (ironically, Friars outdoor speaker playing Powderfingers' 'Passenger') mounted up, a tentative tour out of town, preparing for pace. Heady, Tum, me, Joe, Coggo and Belly filed singly East, Heady warming the hot plate, Tum dialling it up to ten (I always seem to get the wheel on a mission!) Driving duties were shared for Old Dookie Rd, Tum back at the helm in Boundary from the pig pen to Channel Rd (burning the legs after cooling them most of the week), so I felt my contribution was to crank to River Rd, heart rate on an escalator but the Garmin speed frozen at 36.5 (flat cadence/speed sensor battery?)  A well populated Couldabeens bunch were bearing North as we swung into River, Joe became the passenger (previously Powderfinger predicted) as Coggo set the tempo. Belly was uncharacteristically mute driving to the dip (h.r. At Zimbabwe's inflation rate?), Tum burying himself to Rivers' end, my privilege cutting the headwind to Mitchell.  We'd made ground on a six pack ahead as we reached the highway, rolling out of Roubaix we'd caught P&W's  Meags, Fox, Fee, Princess and co.  A polite pause behind till the coast was clear at the horse stud, then speared onto Conrod, Heady (by a short head) heading the finish.

Week  38 ;   432km.   YTD 11,509 km

Week 37 Drivers and survivors

Set forth on solo clockwise Toaster lap (with Quarry extension) at 5.40 Saturday, the aim to join the Goats on their anti-clockwise spin, a tester for next weeks 180k Fruitloop.  The Boulevard darkness evolved to eastbound enthusiasm, watching a scenic sunrise, a blue over orange sky slowly revealing the hectares of yellow canola waist deep in fog.  Aiming at Mt.Major's silhouette with the heart rate locked on 138, it was well worth the effort to arise to see the start of day 21,198 of life on the planet.  76rpm suited the legs and lungs, but my presence didn't suit the telephone exchange magpie, tapping several "move on!" reminders on my helmet.  Cows chewed the Kellogg's cud, Cosgroves canola patchwork distracting the distance ahead, the mini mountains of stone at the Quarry pointing the way south.  A hint of SSW wind (5-11 km/h) was just beginning to niggle at the nerves when New Dookie Rd's welcome steered me west, a sudden whip crack of feathers announced magpie #2's annoyance at my space invasion.  Kept my head (and retaliation) down, sights were set on salvation reaching the Pine Lodge church. Not a lot of fuel used reaching the Toaster, a reasonable rate of knots getting to Boundary Rd, but a slog South to River Rd with the odd rearward glance, realising I was just ahead of Saturday's pussycat express. Nev and Ron were cruising northbound, four k's of effort for me to finally reach River Rd. Burning calories westward I crossed paths with Craig Lotsalumens, almost unrecognisable in daylight minus his billion candlepower headlight. Savouring the forecast tailwind for Raftery Rd drove the Mitchell Rd motivation, though Mt Nicolaci hammered the hamstrings. Relief rounding Roubaix to enjoy  the assisted passage back to town but magpie #3 meant business beaking the Bell, multiple flyby's with claws raising my hat in disgust at the intrusion (nerd note to Garmin- radar magpie sensor?). Back to civilisation, I had eyes peeled for southbound Goats, not till reaching the lake did the long line appear. I hooked a u-turn to join Coggo, Belly, CerveloJohn, Speissy, Heady, Dipper, Hommy, Tina, Sandy, RetiredDave (or should he be labelled Spartacus?), Snow, Carl and AvantiAndy, with Ky immigrant Manny aboard a suave SLC01. It was a gift to be towed in comfort shielded from the southerly, the dream draft of Belly only surpassed by his charismatic aura (embellishment will get me places he said!)  Mr Carl bloke broke a spoke reaching the highway, diverting home to perform a wheel swap as we wheeled Mitchell Rd, long turns at the front out of usual character for Goats but enjoyable to feed on small slices of social stimulation after 65 k's in isolation. A GrandFondo post mortem with AvantiAndy, a yarn with kilometre queen Tina ( 470km last week) and the now inevitable h.r. comparison with Belly, 150 to my 119. In an opposite flight path, the odd bike devotee or three had been drawn outdoors by sunshine and blue sky, we'd had the Hommy heater applied in Boundary Rd when he sniffed the front (flushing last nights excess alcohol hydration?) silencing the growing population in the rear carriages. I started to feel the drain of distance driving Old Dookie Rd beside Belly, how many more turns I'd tackle would depend on the homeward knots in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Round the Toaster and up to the Emu, rolling turns started as wheels went west, feeling a little obligation I continued contributions at the front till Ford Rd when mental and posterior limits begged to be towed. Concentration on gate keeping distracted the distance dilemmas till others retired too, the rear carriages see sawing somewhat. The Wanganui Rd atmosphere effects Goats like Couldabeens, a sprint to the hill well underway at the transfer station (Goat motto : it's not a race........till the end!), the speed surge unhooking several of the rear runners, including me. Retired Dave, Speissy, Sandy, even Tina were left to defend for themselves, chivalry inspiring me to tow Tina and Sandy to the Rudd Rd regrouping. A cruise back to Friars to feed my flat white, eggs and bacon craving, chat in the sunshine on MachineSteve and Weapon's international hopes, but turbo tongue's testing, tenuous tech tattle 'twas tortuous. 120k and 2400 calories clocked.

Spring was stolen Monday, fat grey clouds rolled low across the darkness of Ford Rd, a strong NNW chilling the bones. No intention of exertion this week but an hr of 82 was too soft. A pause to adjust the strap rectified realism, back to the casual crank to Boundary Rd. Crossed New Dookie Rd to see Goats steering south in the distance, the breeze swinging WNW forecasting a push home in Channel Rd. A northbound Craig Lotsalumens has unfortunately found the strobe function, almost inducing epilepsy. Pointing west on Channels' meandering tarmac soon shifted the focus to determination, something about a headwind that draws out the fighting spirit to triumph over nature (stimulating the stubborn streak?) Eau de blood and bone fertilised the nostrils to flare further, by Orrvale Rd a restrained rage was driving the legs to finish, a quick backflip on the original intent. Carmen, Jen and Mel were found in Archer Rd, cruisy conversation for the roll home.

Those couple of extra minutes normally kept up the arm warmer had vanished on Wednesday, finding myself at full steam south to reach the Couldabeens grid for the 6am launch. The heart rate and monitor were working well (finally) reaching touchdown with a minute to spare, the front half of the grid vacant, the rear half crammed with Cougar, Mel, Jen, Carmel, Rocket, AvantiTrev, AvantiChris, Temple, Hollywood, PistolPete, Jase, Shorty, Trav, Nick and WhisperingJack.  Pistol fired the first shot, shooting the train into the breeze (SW @ 9-13) of Archer Rd, in the pairing I drew the long straw between Trav and AvantiChris, Hollywood drew the short straw of a Rocket roasting. SpinDoctor returned to the fold in River Rd,  climatising to cadence from two weeks off two wheels. Jen wasn't backward in going forward for a dip, WhisperingJack powered to the pointy end but the glory was short lived, a quick rotation preventing an explosion. A cautious crank into Boundary Rd minimised stretching the bunch rubber band, Goats grinding Indian file southbound. The usual sprinters were getting itchy by the cypress trees, and outclassed by speed and trying to preserve energy for Sunday, I stayed midfield for the Cha Cha, the social epilogue following most enjoyable. 

I was better organised on Thursday morning, enough to amble the commute to Friars, spring bringing out a large cast of Bickers Snr, Heady, Dipper, Hommy, Sandy, Tum, Kate, CerveloJohn, AvantiAndy, Baz, Deb, Snow, Belly and (under particularly tough circumstances) AvantiLeigh and bro Kim.  Coggo was an unusually late arrival at SPC, Tina typically at the weigh bridge, TravE appearing as the rotations commenced.  A few percolated the pace, Coggo calling for calm for the comeback kids (some already in the reality of resuscitation at the rear), an ironic feeling of payback when a magpie became a speed bump nearing Boundary Rd.  There's all sorts in the bunch, offering views, good tows, interesting styles, humour and some with challenging techniques.....variety being the spice of life. Fewer locomotives were towing more carriages in River Rd (Kim cracking under the tempo), Belly's 160 bpm outdid my 138 as eight engines drove west. There was peak hour traffic heading to the highway (well, 4 cars anyway) one definitely Mr Angry as we crossed Melbourne Rd.  The first whiff of Conrod had Tum and Hommy locked into a sprint battle (albeit about 500 metres premature) TravE and I playing the waiting game six wheels back till their vigour vaporised.   At the last dip we were off the seat in sprint synchronicity, but Trav had the (younger?) superior speed.

A pair of new Pro4's had tested and tormented the thumbs, a tight fit on the Mavics but a smooth roll on New Dookie Rd Friday morning (and a ripper reassurance of ripe rubber for Sunday's Fruitloop) The tarmac was more noticeable under the new Michelins, the 20mm stone quite harsh on the arsenal. Steamed along to Pine Lodge church, down to the Toaster and back on Old Dookie, Cats but a distant flicker as I steered south into Boundary Rd.  Hard to avoid a squizz at the sunrise, 6.05 and already an orange band lit the horizon. Westward in River Rd, feeling like fresh fodder for a frisky feline feeding frenzy, eyes were in search of the Couldabeens, Craig Lotsalumens pulsations were seen at the dip, the Couldabeens constellation of CatEye's and Cygo's cranking East at the channel. Climbed aboard the collection of Pistol, Shorty, Kenworth, Rocket, Jase, Wozza, Nick, AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Cougar, WhisperingJack, Lynda, Jen and Hollywood, slotting into the prime real estate behind Kenworth. Adding 30% to the solo pace takes a little adjustment, the bunch segregated again between the drivers and survivors (though the upgrade is only a little leap of faith away)  An orange ball of sun sitting atop the canola craved a photo, up to the front with Kenworth at the Broken bridges then with AvantiChris to Channel Rd's S bend was enough tax to pay for me.   The question at the kinder was who was offering themselves as sacrifice to the sprint gods? Pistol, Wozz, Hollywood and Rocket were obvious candidates, all others queued quickly behind me when I refrained from the dash.  Calm collected the crew at the school for a steady roll back to town where southerners swung socially for coffee, the northern working classes (Wozz, AvantiChris, Kenworth and I) wheeled our way to work.

Week 37 ; 296km     YTD 11,077 km

Big congrats to MachineSteve, UCI amateur road racing world champion (50-54)

Week 35 The hell of the north (east)

A chilled and foggy start Saturday, venue variety for Couldabeens Cate, hubby Mario, Jen (with domestique AvantiAndy) Ange and Lynda, Rocket, Wozz, Pistol, AvantiChris and I, riding the SamMiranda Grand Fondo. An easy paced team start amongst the 190 entrants, plenty of heroes and wannabee's passing us by but quickly kabooming in the reality of solitude or work on the front.  Mountain monster Cate QOM'd the first crest at 15k, then wisely settled in to pace the h.r. thereafter. The course turned to 2.5k's of gravel at Bullocks Lane (Greta South), a posterior awakening for me, whacking the bridge pot hole dead centre, AvantiChris ejecting two bidons. Back onto tarmac again, Recalling the sharp pinches ahead, I dropped back from guns Pistol, Wozz and Rocket to leave fuel in the tank for the torment to come.  I had one of the startline heroes (ChickenLegs, a wafer thin version of Daniel Tekleheaimanot, minus the gatrochs), sitting on my wheel for a few k's, 50kg wringing wet he should have murdered me in the hills but went OTA in a flash on Myhree hill.  Digging my depths of effort, tongue dragging, furrowed brow and in a lather of sweat, the course photographer grinned, snapping me at my most unflattering. Gasping over the crest, I spent the short 2 k descent recovering from the 180 heart rate, preparing to crank the famed/feared Strade Nero (5k's of compacted gravel climbing 350 mtrs).  Defiantly glued to the 56 ring (thereby preserving the reputation), I kept eyes off the h.r. read-out (for fear of a mental meltdown), just plugged away trusting the cranial calculations of where the effort red line was, picking the smoothest line through the corrugations and grooves carved by winters rain.  AvantiChris  caught me, but I ushered him on suggesting I'd be later to the Whitfield break (suprising to find he didn't get more than 100 metres ahead before the 5% gradient whittled him down).  A long slow grind for 3 k's then the relief to see the summit, shifting the chain onto the 11 to push the smooth tarmac descent to Whitfield in the 60's. 
Wozz, Pistol and Rocket had not long arrived (ego inflation arriving just 3 minutes behind the A team), a brief sugar load (and flatulence fracas), then regroup to slog the 50k's to the finish.  Into the groove after a natural break, the rhythm of several k's in the mid 30's was shattered by gravel stage 3 (Top Plain Rd), large stones scattered on an inch purée of sand, turning steering to mush. Five punctures popped around us in 200 metres (one being Wozz) so we paused to preserve our petite peloton whilst Wozz tended to the tortured tube. Away again threading our way between stones (some big enough for garden features), sand and potholes, the senseless 9k's of gravel ("the hell of the northeast") finally finished, back onto sweet tarmac again (albeit 20mm rough stuff). A crank to Moyhu with wind to the starboard side, not looking forward to slogging the 17k to Oxley into a headwind. With five outsiders in tow, (one heard to criticise our turns were shortening.......leeches!) the k's ticked by, Pistol, Wozz, Rocket, AvantiChris and I sharing the toil, the 17km/h wind emptying the tanks. AvantiChris retired rearward, me soon after, Pistol soldiering on till the 4k mark, powerhouses Wozz and Rocket taking the towing duties to the finish (a top 30 result)  A cracker complimentary feed of ratatouille, penne pasta, cachatorri and pumpkin salad relished and replenished, the country's most exclusive Coke ($4 can) bumped up the glycogen levels from Strava's epic suffer score of 289.

A stiff southerly stung sinews setting sail Monday morning, legs a little lax after Saturday's hills. I chose the soft option (avoiding a Goat grouping and a Couldabeens congregation) for a solo tap to release the rust and enjoy the smoothness of bitumen. A Channel-Boundary-NewDookie lap suited, idling at 130 bpm and 75 rpm preserved the ride enjoyment. Bliss in Boundary Rd with wind blowing up the behind, don't you just love the serenity (amid the crooning Cosmics) a tailwind offers.  Turned west, rode and relished the super smooth stretch of New Dookie Rd nearing Lemnos, Tina's trucks tamping tarmac to a tranquilly tarred tabletop. If all roads were this good we'd have gooey glutes.  Pentels perfume, a distressed diesel and the saleyard stink was an olfactory omnipresence back in town.

Out with the cold and in with the wind, September (and magpie mania) is nearly here. A happy band of vegemites assembled at Friars on Fryers, Coggo, Principal Skinner, Heady, Snow, Dipper, Phil, RetiredDave, Belly, Spiessy, Sandy, Kate and Hommy departed East, Tina awaiting on Old Dookie Rd. A reverse roll made the best of the southerly till the work began heading to River Rd, headwind toil made a little easier by the constant roll (though Heady could have sat up a little so I could get some draft) Ten contributed to the velocity in River Rd, a distant pair of tail-lights boosting the enthusiasm to Central Kialla. FeltMat and AvantiTrev (refugees from the Couldabeens tornado Tuesday) were caught and added to the carriages on the turn into Mitchell Rd.   Belly was boxed in from a Mt Nicolaci blast, Coggo and I left to crank the climb. A cruise to Roubaix allowed the bunch to reconnect, up and Adam to the horse stud thinning the drivers to seven. I got to the front as we lined up Conrod straight, a glance back finding the right row was now deserted, all Indian filed and electing me the lengthy lead out. I'd run out of jellybeans with 150 metres to go, Coggo taking the chocolates while I had a closing Hommy to deny a second place.

Coffee, toast, base layer, knicks, jersey, socks, shoes, phone, keys, specs, gloves, helmet, pump, headlight, Garmin, bike........damn!, a flat rear tyre. A rapid replacement of tube then an h.r. overload PB to the Couldabeens start line, 6k's in 9:32 to find AvantiChris, Pistol, Shorty, Cougar, Trav, Cate, Nick, Hollywood and AvantiTrev at the ready.  LateLeigh lived up to his namesake hooking on as we departed, the Kialla Lakes Drive suprise was WhisperingJack, amazingly out of retirement again, to make up a dozen heading south.  FeltMat was caught at the alternate route, clocking 'round the bay k's,  I shared a short shift with Shorty, a shade shagged matching his tempo.  LateLeigh peeled off to fraternise with felines as we exercised east, AvantiTrev joining WhisperingJack in the caboose while AvantiChris and Pistol towed us north to Channel. I had the best seat in the house coming up to the Cha Cha, a great lead out by Pistol, AvantiChris and Shorty for my launch at Prentice Rd, Hollywood unable to resist the chase, but was weighed down with pseudoephedrine, Cate (Cavendish) looming close keeping us both busy. 

A mysterious morning mirage magically materialised, a marvelous metamorphosis (many may mock) made WhisperingJack's a two-days-in-a-row effort, Wozz, Rocket, ChrisA, Cougar, Nick, Pistol, Temple, Trav, Shorty, AvantiTrev and FeltMat similarly stunned at the Couldabeens car park on Wednesday.  Rocket and ChrisA opened the account with a double shift, my dip with Wozz from the kinder to the cypress trees and Trav to the S bend hadn't burnt all my biscuits, a little wattage remaining for a change. Pistol and Rocket bore the southerly breeze in Boundary, Temple tentative in taking turns in River Rd, but was talked into one. To Laws Drive and it was time to tap to the front again, a 2k turn with the heart rate on an escalator to 171.  Trav, Shorty, Pistol, Rocket, ChrisA and Wozz diligently did the driving duties while the rear stalls filled with permanent residents, all getting a bit squeezy in the narrows of Mitchell Rd with semi's approaching and behind.  Over the highway and round Roubaix, I had another go to the horse stud but was out of horse power by Arcadia Downs.  PistolPete got the big guns blazing in Conrod but ran out of ammunition after a long lead-out, Rocket and ChrisA thrashing out the finish with Wozz a split second behind (if my blurred vision got it right?). 

With a supple solo or a social spin available, something chose the Friday pain train, maybe mental masochism? Coggo, Belly, Tum, Carl and CerveloJohn (first to suggest, last to arrive) stretched forth from Friars at 6, eventually grouping single file at the SPC roundabout, collecting Tina in Old Dookie Rd. With my engine running fairly well, I had the first shift towing the team to Dobsons' bridge, Tum, Carl, Coggo then CerveloJohn took us to the piggery, Belly and Tina to the Pub.  I set my mental target to reach the Broken bridges in the drivers seat, the head optomistic but the lungs pessimistic. Tum's "you're an animal Foss" was taken as a compliment as I gasped to the back, finding an oncoming Couldabeens clan at the turn into River Rd.  I was kindly towed its' length with generous turns by Carl, Coggo, Belly (bravely bare legged) and CerveloJohn (flash new carbon Zipp tubulars). My next turn in Mitchell (to Archer) wore down the wattage, just enough time to recover when the horse stud in Raftery summoned another go. Shifts at the front shortened till I drew the short straw out of Conrod's dip (again!), managed a bit of a blast for the line but couldn't match the young Carl's throttle.

Week 35 :  317 km     YTD 10,398 km

Week 34 : Frigid frosts and annointments

A long lap set for Saturday, climatising for next weeks Grand Fondo.  Wozz and I set sail south at 5, finding Rocket at Raftery for the prologue to Saturdays ritual. Pace was up with three to share the load, driving into a little southerly keeping the cadence up. River Rd resembled the black hole of Calcutta, moon and stars curtained by cloud, there's still that long drag till the relief of rumble strips spells it's end.  Easy going north and Channel Rd's orchards veiled the breeze, but Darth Vaders' stormtrooper (the dog next door) woofed a heart-stopper at my ankles in the darkness, if only to spike my heart rate. The long line of Couldabeens headlights were found approaching Doyles Rd, Ange obviously audible from a k away. We attached to the back of the bunch, gradually rolling through, greetings to Jase, Ange, Linda, Bo, Kel, Ron, Shorty, AvantiChris, ChrisA, AvantiTrev, Fisky, Jen, FeltMat, Temple, Nick (on a flu fightback) and super-suprise, DiscoSteve, a reappearance from reclusiveness! JamisShane, Dalts and exArgon-not-Basso-but-ScottDave were amongst the clan (on a distance mission to join the Cat feline fraternity in Lemnos-Cosgrove).  Our travels north were piloted by a tail-light ahead, figured to be Nath at the usual intercept.  Inspired by the tangerine light breaking on yonder horizon, I drove the Old Dookie Rd leg with Wozz then to the church with Rocket, enough to harry the heart rate. Out of obscurity and obsolescence to complete a comeback hat-trick, HBK was the light ahead finally caught.  Done with front of house duty and comfortably cocooned in the convivial crew, it was time to trial tongue training in intervals, with Jen on girl-flu (ten times man flu), DiscoSteve on mining motivation, Ange on salami structure, Dalts on hills and AvantiTrev on defeatism, rediscovering the taste of HBK's 2013 Chateau Sarcasm (matured in natural hyperbole with strong acid overtones)  There was speed infringements as Bo and Ron raised the rapidity in Ford road, then approaching Numurkah Rd, Wozz and I realised we'd drawn the short (lead-out) straw for the Wanagnui waltz. The order had rolled quickly by DECA, ten in the pecking order for hill honours.  I left the gate open for Rocket's launch, managing to pick up the pursuit pieces as they fell by realities wayside, fourth behind  the Rocket, ChrisA and Wozz podium a rich enough reward for me. Bo, Ange and Ron bolted for the Special Seat Sprint Stage (first to Lemontrees' warmest chair), chat on Flyby's, myotherapy and GrandFondo tactics musing the minutes.  A post caffine cruise of 30k with Wozz (to round up to 100 clicks) as GrandFondo prep, went on New Dookie-Boundary and Channel against a brewing SSE, legs lamenting 8976 revolutions (132 minutes @ 68 rpm) and crossing paths with the Goats.  Nice to enjoy riding in daylight for an illuminating change.

With a chance to sneak in a few solo k's Monday, I slipped between Cats and Goats (does that make me a Coat?) on Old Dookie Rd and idled away the leg east at 120 bpm, a distant spec of red l.e.d. figured to be feline. 75 rpm seemed to suit south, closing in on a solitary bike in River Rd ramped up the enthusiasm. Craig Lotsalumens was rounded up at Trevaskis Rd, tap tap till Rivers end then the alternate route and Archer topped off a gentle intro to the working week.

A frigid frost, few figured forgotten for 2015, froze fingers and frosted Fords, flattened faith and freshened faces, biting at toes and ears on Tuesday, but minus 1 didn't deter a Goat gathering of Coggo, Speissy, Belly, Phil, Heady, Hommy, Sandy and CerveloJohn.  Rolling away from Friars at 6, I sat my bachelor in Belly bunch by-laws, receiving rotational rules and regulations from the giant on a Giant. The anti-clockwise ritual of sharing the slicing of chilled air got underway, Sandy sensibly supervising, sitting sweet in the rear seat.   Chat was rare (limiting lung exposure to the frost?) as we cranked east past the orchards en-route to Boundary, parfum du piggery pickiling the nostrils as the pub came into view. CerveloJohn stretched the pack as we crossed the highway, sooon recongregating to reunite the rigour to River. It took a few k's to fix the fluctuations, but I was happily ensconced in Belly's draft to smooth the transition from dragged to driving.  Heady's pace pooped half way along River Rd, Phil's fast philanthropy fading to join Speissy in reartirement at the back.  Belly bolted the Mt.Nicolaci descent, rubber banding the bunch, then traffic split the pack at the highway, a pregnant pause to re-unite at Roubaix. Drivers were as rare as politicians honesty reaching Arcadia Downs, only Coggo and I left to swap turns as we crested Conrod's dip. I put in a tenuous turn till 100 to go and left Coggo to take the chilled chocolates at Steptoe's finish line.

Out the doorway with just 12 minutes to lift off set a swift target to reach the launch pad 7k's away on Wednesday, winters grip on temperature (minus 2.5) had struck again, freezing the frisky factor with just Cate, Pistol, AvantiChris, Cougar and SpinDoc at the carpark. (made it with 30 seconds to spare)  SpinDoc took the helm to drive out of town, I hesitated to pair-up, but finally went forward, backed by Pistol.  FeltMat appeared in central Kialla but stayed in the rear (fractionally warmer?) stalls with Cougar and Cate.  There was smaller numbers in the oncoming entourages, daylight almost measurably longer with the earlier dawn. I received the SpinDoc questionaire on frames and sit position before taking a long shift with Pistol to Rivers end, a brief respite till my number was drawn again on the turn into Channel Rd. A second wind helped for the long haul to the  cypress trees, feels like minus 5.8 was almost surmountable.  A chance to catch some breath as the Cha Cha loomed but there was no sprint interest today, puffing along in the high 30's was enough.

A quiet crank to Friars on Thursday, 3 degrees almost balmy after two days of minuses. Belly, Tum, Kate, Speissy, Phil, PrincipalSkinner, Heady, Sandy, Dipper and Joe congergated, odd and eerie with Coggo a no show. Tina jumped aboard as the formalities got underway beyond Doyles, a little east northeaster to extend the effort (deputy HG enjoying a free tow as tail-light).  At the tame turn into Boundary I was annointed by Speissy's nasal expulsion (do I need vaccinations?), much easier going south and blessed to have Tina's svelte wheel in the rotation, Belly finally firmed up to front with the driving.  River Rd's effort was ecstatic (eased by the easterly), an h.r. comparison with Belly had him at 150 whilst I idled at 140. A calm at "wait for David" composed a few, 8 tapping the tempo till Belly blew the head gaskets of many blasting up Mt.Nicolaci.  Attrition had trimmed the drivers to Dipper, Heady, Tum, Phil, Belly and I working the front till Arcadia Downs, Tum igniting the afterburners in Conrod's dip but burnt up on re-entry with 400 left. Dipper arose from the seat just as I hit the boost button, catching him for a perfect slingshot to pounce the podium.

Met Wozz for the cruise to the Couldabeens Friday, occupying 600 mm of the left lane distressed the drongo driving behind (I guess it takes a lot of effort to turn a steering wheel 50mm into part of a vacant right lane).  AvantiChris, Cougar, Jen, Kenworth, Rocket and Temple were pondering the toil of the usual anti-clockwise lap into the northeaster (17-28 km/h), altering course to clockwise was quicker than a Liberal Party policy backflip. A pause to consider Pistols arrival (no show) then chocks away into Channel Rd threw AvantiChris and I into the headwind deep end but double digit temperatures and a spectacular sunrise made the glass half full.  Almost speechless by Orrvale Rd, it was Christmas on a stick to draft behind Rocket and Wozz to the kinder.  Take two at the pointy end for me from Hanlon Rd to Channel's end, another breath breaker to ensure I was properly awake. Twas sweet to spin south with the breeze up the behind, River Rd inflating the aspirations with no effort to cruise along at 40. A solitary oncoming light slowed, Pistol u-turning to complete his search and rescue mission. Enjoyed the ride to Cenral Kialla and along Mitchell, bracing for the slog north to town, the bunch splitting in search of coffee to the west, the working classes north. Forecasts had finally fined for tomorrows Fondo, a big hill on the big ring to ponder.

Week 34   318 km    YTD 10,081 km

           

Week 33 : A serious addiction

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       

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 :)                  

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