Week 24 : On the brink of boom!

Post 401

10/6 A ride up routed
Throwing the doona off is the toughest winter workout, it gets easier with warm fuel in the engine and kitting up in umpteen layers for a ride, but opening the door to zero degrees is a cardio killer!  But the Saturday drawcard of bikes, banter and breakfast with buddies negates the numbing cold. The tempered team of

TatPaul, BassoDan, HBK, Jase, Wozza, Boof, Avanti-not-MeridaJohn, AvantiTrev, Trav, Cougar, Shorty, PistolPete, Grumpy, Car+Mel, Temple, Cate and Softa assembled at 6, a mystical drive through the moonlit patchy fog on Archer made a different start to Saturdays lap.  We're almost on the hump of winters solstice, the days can only get longer! A berth beside Jase bumped up the Garmin graph in Mitchell, the 2.2k Central Kialla turn to River Rd was seemingly endless (and breathless) beside Shorty.  Relief was so sweet in the draft at second wheel as Shorty and Temple drove to the bridge, effort easing as 86.7% of the crew cranked a contribution at the fresh front.  This uprooted route felt foreign for Saturday, a chance for a few extra k's with the Old Dookie and Cosgrove North Rd bridges on a rebuild. It was time for another turn as we swung west into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, the main eastern channel bridge was my target with Jase (ironically about to call the same limit too) then to the distant Lemnos North Rd cooked me pairing with Shorty.  Full of beans into Wanganui Rd, 8th wheel, 130 bpm, 72rpm and just rolling the 56/14 gear put my sprint confidence to new highs.  I got around Jase at DECA, but the pack went Indian file behind, how quickly the wattage waned and heartrate hurtled at the fresh front!  Boof, Wozza, Grumpy and Avanti-not-MeridaJohn built a head of steam to the sprint train as my drive died, flat chat to Wanganui hill demoting me instantly midfield, and by Rudd Rd I was second last. Oh well, there's no trophies!  Old ancestry, carbon's fragility and porridge perfection made up the breakfast blab at the post ride parliament

12/6  Cold, Caniambo, Camels & Couldabeens

For the sake of variety and a few extra k's, I called a camel farm loop for the Monday holiday which drew Shorty, Wozza, Rocket, Boof, Pistol, BamBam and Softa to the carpark.  With the mercury at zero and fog aplenty, we cranked the familiar Archer Rd trajectory but continued east for the length of Mitchell Rd.  Wozza, Rocket, Pistol and Boof must have fuelled on Kellogs Kadence,  plenty of pace putting some in the "at risk" category.  The old stretch of Mitchell brought back memories, the length of Bells & Armstrong Rd triggering Pavlov's dogs responses, 12k's of narrowing and roughening road to smack the resolve senseless.

Sharing the burden was some sort of bonus though Softa was feeling the pinch of a small bunch and a bigger distance than he was acustomed too.  At the front, Shorty, BamBam and I lowered the speed a touch in the interest of self survival (no doubt earning praise from Softa),  Cosgrove-Caniambo Rd finally appearing through the atmospheric soup as an occular oasis.  Over the Midland highway and into the shadow of Mt.Major, kangaroos bounded away as we prepared for the assault on the Col du Caniambo, a category two climb of three meters over a 450 meter distance (felt like the Tormalet after 38 k's of pancake pavement).  West on Kellows Rd, camels chewed the cud complacently at us cranking toward Cosgrove, my turn beside BamBam began to wear away the wattage but he called the roll as I drew breath to do the same. Nearing New Dookie Rd alongside Boof, I'd just hit my limit as he called a change too.  What timing!

Shorty (did well considering two rides in a week) had taken up residence in the caboose with Softa, BamBam now showing the strain as Wozza, Rocket and Pistol seemed immune.  The length of Lemnos-Cosgrove eventually turned to Ford, turns at the front now so frequent were fueling my fatigue.  BamBam bid bye bye breaking off to Verney Rd, by Wanganui Rd thoughts of a warm breakfast so near was all that encouraged effort.  By DECA, any advance was out of the question, my drafting essential to scale the heights of Mt.Wanganui (3.6 metres).   My guess at 58 k's was wrong (70 really) but the Lemontree e.t.a. was just a minute off, a sweltering 1.8 degrees at the dismount.  Breakfast was bliss, exotic cars, drugs and AFL the babble, before facing the fresh ride home to thaw in the shower (looking like a lobster)

13/6 The awesome foursome
Tuesday tryers are now almost extinct, only Temple, Cate and I at the grid.  Thankfully, HBK had arrived at the third stroke of 5:45 to make a quadrella, a little single filed train escaping east out of town.  Me, HBK, Temple and Cate were the order of the day, just a 3k rest before duty called again needed mental preparation.  Temple and Cate did the legwork in Boundary Rd, a light headwind being the blunt end of the stick.  Engines run better on motivation, so encouraging words were offered around....though they were used sparingly on HBK so his helmet didn't tighten.  Back in the drivers seat as we turned into River Rd, I squeezed the accelerator gently up to speed sensing some were on the brink of boom.  My mission was a long haul to distribute some respite for all to survive, the target distance clouded by fog.  The first k hurt till the smooth surface of the 2nd k handed me a 2nd wind, on past the kennels slicing through the soup, aiming for handover at the next white post became the one after, and another, oh to hell with it!, another one to the dip. Compliments of "animal" and "machine" helped me to catch the last wheel as HBK took over an equally energised effort to finish off River Rd.  Temple tore into the Central Kialla leg, but Hares were homing in.  Cate cranked a great turn to Archer, I got the helm as Hares drew by, so dug a bit deeper to catch their draft.  8 slicing the atmosphere was a big help but the tempo taxed, up to the highway traffic had halted our hurry, the huff and puff helping our heart rates.  Up and away headed for Raftery, the bolt to get back on the tail was testing a few, around Roubaix 3 had been cast off, so I eased back to assist their finish.  HBK, Temple and Cate sat in the wake till I'd reached Conrod's dip for a solid finish of solidarity.

14/6  The polar peloton
I thought we were early to an empty carpark but the dying minutes to 6am saw Boof, Pistol, AvantiTrev, The Godfather and SuperMario join Wozz Car+Mel, Cate and I for a 0.8 degree flagfall.   BamBam, Pelly and Grumpy jumped aboard as Wozz captained the crew south, I felt it my bunch duty to pair at the pointy end (how many times does he take the first shift while many draft for an easy warm up?).  It was a good idea at the time till 400 metres later the labor pains started ; lungs full of iced air, legs protesting the pace and the heart rate on an escalator, and there was 1000 meters till the Sanctuary roundabout!  Like a grenade without a pin I'd just got around Wozza to glance at my next partner in pace.....Pistol!  (this was going to hurt)  Blurred at the edges, the truck route finally came into view, the delight of a draft as legs went to jelly catching Pistol's wake.  One word replies to BamBam and Grumpy's greetings as oxygen became a precious comodity, two unspoken minutes was enough to restore myself from a gasping stupor.  SuperMario and AvantiTrev advanced to the front and suppressed the speed, but a once-a-week-ride and a skewed MTB bias maketh a muscle massacre on a road bike as the temperature zeroed.  SuperMario pleaded for a peace on pace as Wozz and I returned to the drivers seat, it lasted about 3.7 nanoseconds till we turned up the wick.  Onward the bunch of 13 sliced through the arctic atmosphere, up Boundary to Channel and west toward town, the peloton promotion to the pointy end was hastening at the cypress trees. It was a struggle to reach the Kinder matching Wozz at the front, tougher repeating the process with Pistol to Hopeful corner.



15/6  Bay by bike.
Ten degrees felt foreign, well worth soaking up on the bike mecca of Port Phillip Bay whilst in the big smoke. Mounting up in Mordialloc, the rise and fall of the track to Black Rock tested this flatlander Foss, but the super smooth tarmac was a gift to the gluteus maximus.

Past rows of bayside architectual monstrosities of concrete and glass, at least the grand old Edgy and the Mentone Hotel eased the eye.  Uphill losses always have a downhill profit, progress was generally good on this bike utopia, onward to Sandringham passing a few twos and threes of various shapes and sizes, only being passed by one pack of six. Soon sharing the road with an R8 an M6 and a GT3 told me I'd reached Brighton, several bike bunches now forming in the side streets readying to ride. Lots of jogging eye candy pounded the St.Kilda beach paths (eyes ahead Foss!), pelotons aplenty now steaming south lapping up a tailwind, northbound traffic helping me against the headwind (9-14 km/h) with momentary drafts.  "Woody's wheel", the "Cerberus lung buster" and "Gone in sixty seconds" were among the dozens of Strava segments en-route, scoring 71 trophies certainly soothing the soul.  Up to Port Melbourne's pier (an obligatory souvenir snap with the tub to Tassie) then about face to soldier on solo southbound. There were plenty of bunches berthed at the coffee pitstops of St.Kilda but that pleasure I postponed till the finish (too hard to get started again!), a promised espresso trophy at the Mordailloc finish.

16/6  Meandering MelBaum
Still in the state's capital (and still a mild 8 degrees), variety pointed me south from "Mordy", a few that were Carrum bound were a guide to stay on the track most traveled (this metropolis not the place to ride uncharted territory).  I worked turns with Paul and Marcus via Aspendale, Chelsea and Bon Beach to Carrum, u-turning at Patterson Lakes when the bike lanes evaporated.

Northbound into the breeze (9-11 km/h) back to Mordialloc then Beach Rd bound back on familiar ground.  The sea air in the nostrils and thousands of  lights edging Port Phillip's pond makes for a different scenery, not so many bikes citybound today and half the packs of yesterday southbound.  Those slight uphills buckled the brow but the downhills massaged the ego.  How do these local councils make manhole covers sit so smoothly in the hotmix? Barely a bump!  A scenic city skyline tempted a pit stop, a technicolor row of 1860's Brighton's bathing boxes enticing a photo for the alBaum.  Enough of the tourist trumpery, time to tap back to the pier, and curse you Strava tempting tempo for PB's en route!  The feint tailwind was my pace partner for segments like "The Bursty Bit", "Half Moon Hill" and "BB Attack", two wheeled heroes were thinning as commuting cars invaded the roads, but mutual respect was shown on this two wheeled nirvana.

Week 24      300k      YTD 6,053 km         

Week 23 : A sandpaper orchestra

Post 400

Winters warriors wheeled in to the cold carpark Saturday, whittled down to the hardcore heroes (or is that the deliriously desensitised?) to face the task of propelling oneself into the darkness at minus one. Temple, AvantiAndy, Rocket, Wozza, Jen, The Godfather, TatPaul, Jase, TatMat, KillkennyPaul, Boof, Bruce, Popgun, Softa, PistolPete and MeridaJohn were the tough to tap a lap, though the peloton personality had altered with a few regulars missing.  My careful berth at the grid escaped the early effort at the front, a chance to warm up (ha ha!) before a push at the pointy end.  Unseen at the start, Trav and Weapon were surprise appearances in the rotation, a chasing headlight at the cypress trees appeared as Nev, somewhat speechless from the pursuit.  Bridgeworks have shaved 6k off the Saturday course, at least all were on the same navigational page today. Slotting in between the sultan of smooth (Nev) and the Raj of reliability (Temple) was peloton position perfect, how rattled is the mindset when placed behind the ramshackled rider with the willy wagtail wheel!  Captivated in its comfort, the new helmet (a 319 gram Giro Savant) has some auditory aerodynamics, wind whistles when the skull is skewed (or is that the hum from an empty vessel?)  Frost has fickled felines to a few, our fat pack crossing paths with just 3 Cats eastbound on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.    Well into the forties at DECA, our bunch thinned to single file, Nev (my saviour) rolling across to donate a draft just as I readied an elbow.  Team Tat (TatMat and TatPaul) launched an early effort that was hard to hold, I was just on top of the 14 cog and surviving when Rocket's Zipps sang "catch me if you can" as he powered past, a symphony of carbon under duress (Wozza, Boof, The Godfather etc) following to hammer the hill.  Spread and fragmented 300 metres behind, the bunch eventually reformed for the Rudd Rd rehab, a chat along the Boulevard but a special stage in Mason St to sprint for the warmest seats at the Lemontree.  Recycling, Greyhounds and sporting meltdowns captured the confab over breakfast huddled under the heaters, ScottMatt (previously punctured) and Tina (about to jet off to ride the Dolomites) joining the noise. Turtle time revisions went on the agenda as we mustered the motivation to ride homeward, thoughts were with just two Goats (Coggo and Principal Skinner) departing into the frost from Friars.

5/6. Fog stomp

Umpteen layers of kit as insulation takes some time to ready for a ride, all hopes were pinned on others being tough enough to turn up Monday, minus Celsius was hardly the feature attraction! Most inspiring to find AvantiAndy, Jen, Coggo, Cate, Hommy and Sandy front in the fog to Verney's misty roundabout.  Turns rolled a bit sooner with just six facing the frosty front, Sandy suffering from Queensland one day, caboose the next.  Most landmarks were camouflaged in fog, another navigational challenge to find Boundary Rd in the soup. Back on the front again picked up the heartrate, specs needing a wipe every 500 metres and oncoming cars blowing a bitter breeze through the layers. I was delighted to relinquish the lead for the cosy confines of second and third wheel, at least 0.0002 degrees warmer away from the -0.6 front. There was little chat (preservation of bodily warmth?) en route to Central Kialla, the repetitious roll from the frozen front to a brief recovery in the bunch continued to the highway.  Hommy hid in the rear ranks as speed built from Galbraiths gate, hopes of a steady roll home evaporating.  Coggo drove the lions share of Conrod straight as six thinned down to Indian file behind, I took over the drivers seat in sympathy when volunteers vanished.

My wattage waned at the icy end so Coggo captured the chocolates, fingers ached numb at Mandy's for a post ride coffee thaw.  A week off work allowed another 40k solo (to satisfy Rule #5), preparation for a glacier get-away if one appears on my to-do list. South on Archer and east on Mitchell, the sun was but a 40 watt globe in the fog, so why do black cars plough through it minus lights?


Gloves iced over but the scenic surrounds spurred on the speed, tapping out a pleasing tempo in view of the conditions.  Ears out at the intersections 'cause the view went no further than 100 metres, across the Midland and New Dookie before a cautious steer west on Lemnos-Cosgrove for home, mentally consumed with sensations that hot toast and coffee bring.






6/6 Hare splitting

5:40 Tuesday Turtles were extinct, but Temple, HBK, KillkennyPaul and Softa had assembled for a 5:45 flog (hunted by Hares starting 5 minutes behind).   Weapon was a welcome addition as we steered into Channel Rd, HBK taking the lead role to Doyle's Rd.  7 degrees felt almost tropical compared to the week just past, a WSW'er (13-20 km/h) making east easy and west a workout.

KillkennyPaul labored leg 2 (a sleep in, then a sprint to the grid pickled his preparation), Temple taking the turn to the Kinder.  It was my drive donation to the cypress trees, but then Softa led all the way to Boundary, a tax to torture him later.  Weapon crescendo'ed the TT Avanti's disc wheel on Boundary's damp for a big 2k turn of tenacity, HBK a k of River Rd for Temple to take over to the kennels. Primed, per se in the drivers seat, I put the head down and urged up the tempo 2km/h, the almost head wind inciting effort to the dip and beyond, but Softa popped at the pace (a brief slow kept the crew connected)   Hares were homing in behind as HBK took the train south to Mitchell, 8 reverently passing at Kialla Central.  Weapon jumped ship to leave Temple, HBK and I to tow KillkennyPaul and Softa to town, a relief to round Roubaix and get the breeze up the bum from Galbraiths gate.  Temple towed us to Conrod straight leaving me my compulsory crank to the finish, wheel sucker HBK pouncing at the 150 mark for the honors.   Post ride latte's and dialog on bicognition and tenuous Turtle times was the bi-partisan banter at Kiala lakes cafe with Weapon and the Hares. 

7/6. Wednesday whiparound

Volunteers for the first shift would be as rare as a BeerMat, WhisperingJack AND Hollywood arrival,  a head-on south southwester would set a stiff standard for the first leg of Wednesday's lap.  Wozz, Mel, Cate and I cruised into the carpark, Boof, Rocket, Jase, Pelly, AvantiTrev and Weapon arrived as Pistol berthed with news of a puncture at Kialla Lakes.

A slow roll south had Grumpy join the fold, finding Trav south of the bridge finishing repairs to Cougar's Continental.  In two shakes of a new tube we were all aboard the southern express as Pistol and Wozz towed the train to the roundabout, but the bunch was split in disarray on speed or slow, Cougar u-turning for a recovery roll.   An overtaking Toyota Impatient charged by as we approached the truck route, braking hard for the forgotten traffic island that blocked his manoeuvre (all that instead of a 2 second wait?). Frazzled and fractured, the bunch finally reconvened for leg 3 to Mitchell Rd, Rocket and Trav unperturbed with 17 k's worth of breeze on the brow, but wait! a car on Mitchell suddenly stopped (despite having right of way). Welcome to wacky Wednesday!  The bunch tail grew long and thin as some hung on to a simmering speed, though there was a chance for many to draw breath with the tail wind to River Rd.  Boof turned up the heater as I paired with him to the channel bridge wearing at Weapons wattage behind me (relinquished for rear recovery),  Mel stepped up for a turn at the dip but it was Trav , Pistol and Rocket who took the train all the way to Boundary, just as the Goat express turned west.

Buoyed by the breeze behind, the pack powered toward Channel Rd, sentences being swapped for silence as oxygen intake took precedence. The first k of Channel was carpeted with grass mounds, someone keen mowing the roadside didn't have a catcher (a job for Wozza's broom?)  It seemed I'd be challenged with Boof at the Cha Cha till a few ducked for cover in the down-line, beside Boof to the Kinder was kinder but it forced my early roll.  Hanging onto the draft as the big engines fired got me on Trav's wheel, but his fuse fizzled at Prentice Rd (so it was dig deep to grab Pistol's tow).  It was a peloton in pieces as we rolled recovering to the school, Pistol and I pausing to gather the remains for the roll back to town.

8/6  Goatless wonder
"What's App" pinged a few early withdrawals from Goat Thursday, temperature testing the resolve of even the hardcore now. The wait at the roundabout was in vein, only Cate & I tough enough to take on minus 2. And so it was a 40k tap for two,  if only to honor Rule #9 and earn bunch brag points. Funny how progress seems slow slogging through the soup (count the telephone poles to put a value on distance covered....or fence posts if that's not enough progress!)  Again, the landmarks are easily missed in the mist, there's a sense of being lost in the wilderness till 'ol mate Boundary Rd sign appears.  Spec swiping saved the sight south, ice formed on the fingers and (without thought) a casual nose rub drew blood.  Low 30's was plenty 'o pace sucking in iced air, without the benefit of a bunch draft spelled proportional effort to me.  The odd passing car gave a few seconds reprieve in their wake, it's the bone chiller gusts from the oncoming ones that you grit teeth over.  Along Boundary and River Rd's length predawn light showed the fog thickening, a chuckle or six about what crazy urge drives us to do this kept spirits up. Fingertip sensations were lost to make gear changes a challenge, Raftery Rd soon appearing to trigger the auto impulse of pace.  Legs, head and heart said more but the lungs held the handbrake in Conrod straight to the finish, it took several minutes to unclip the helmet and untie the shoes when home while fingers unfroze, the complete thaw happened about 10am I reckon.

9/6 The Friday friendly (and an Adams addition)
A damp road put bike cleaning on the agenda (yet again!), but it was the Friday friendly that overpowered that chore.  BamBam, Trav, AvantiTrev, Jen, Boof, Troy, Cate, Avanti-not-MeridaJohn, Car+Mel, Rocket, Bruce, Pistol, Pelly, Nev and Jase formed two rows in the carpark, almost tropical at 5 degrees with no fog! Troy and Avanti-not-MeridaJohn were the rare few to form the up-line as we speared south, a string of pace ponderers behind when we were half way to the roundabout encouraging me to join the queue for a shift at the breezy end.  We were working east on Mitchell by the time I'd got to the front, wind at the starboard stern making life a little easier to pair with Avanti-not-MeridaJohn then stay somewhere near Rocket.  The workload was shared north and east, puddles making a mess of kit and bike (though some bikes looked like some love was well overdue!), all relishing the gift of celcius in positive figures as the customary trains of Cats and Goats pounding the clockwise course.  A sandpaper orchestra played as 34 calipers gripped gritty wheels to slow for the turn onto Boundary Rd, a scenic moonset to the west on our course north.

The breeze had cleared the grassy knolls on Channel Rd so it was full steam to the cypress trees, passing a pussycat punctured.  Four Cats backtracked as Avanti-not-MeridaJohn and I swung into Central Ave, a short burst to the Kinder then with Nev to Hopeful corner, the spray from puddles splattering the view as Boof, Bruce, Jase, Cate and Mel cranked to the front.  Ranks thinned into the roaring forties for me to rejoin the up line, a finish fifth not so bad for a old bloke in young company.  Time off from the salt mines allowed coffee with the ladies of the peloton, a smooth brew at the new Brother Pablo enjoyed with Jen, Cate, Car+Mel to top off part one.
A k craving put me on a solo southern roll to Raftery, a loop down to Mitchell Rd for an Adams family addition, finding Norm, Jimbo, Hoffy, Barnsey, 'ol Col, The Trotter and Wobbly Trev, pensively plugging south on Archer.  There was a juggle with pace as Norm, Barnsey, Wobbly Trev and I drove the eastern leg of Mitchell, four just hanging on in the rear ranks. A new Cervelo steers straighter than WobblyTrev's old Felt, Norm still the standard for smooth and Barnsey still with the trademark knee knock on the downstroke. (How many moons ago did I ride with the Saturday OC's?) The southerly's (15-24 km/h) salvation came in Boundary Rd as Jimbo, Hoffy and The Trotter (going great for 82) came to the fore, 'ol Col off song, opting for a casual cruise home.  With 80 k's clocked, I bid my adieu's to exit stage left (Old Dookie Rd), the portside wind playing havoc with the trajectory back to town (or was that a WobblyTrev infection?).

Week 23     327km                YTD 5,753

Post number 400 is a bit scary, bike and blog obsessions getting too much? Let's know.  Leave a comment.

    

Week 22 : The warriors of winter

Post 399

27/5. The routine ramshackled.

I felt spoilt having 8 degrees and a dry road to commute to Saturdays spin of sociology, great to have Wozza back aboard after a labouring lung layoff, Mel and Cate joining in the roll to assemble with the regulars and rarities, the Saturday soloists and distance demons, amongst the committed Couldabeens.   AvantiAndy, Boof, SuperMario, TatMat, TatPaul, Jen, BassoDan, Temple, The Godfather, PistolPete, HBK, Popgun, Trav, Cougar, Shorty, Nev, KillkennyPaul, Jase, Tina, BigLen, MeridaAndy, MeridaJohn, Bruce and AvantiTrev making up the motley mass.

28 toured into Channel Rd, the body language fascinating, from the perfectly poised and predictable to those ramshackled and wrecked....and it was only the first kilometre!  MeridaJohns puncture pitstopped the peloton just beyond the cypress trees, AvantiTrev in prime position to crew the repair, the team halt-and -help ethic appreciated.  It takes some time to get the train rolling smoothly again, with 28 seperate reactions just centimetres apart, the rear rubberband syndrome was obvious. (Seems some don't realise the slightest ripple causes tsunami's at the rear). There was a diversion from the Old Dookie Rd course, previously advised bridgeworks and a less than subtle electronic roadworks sign still caught some turning ones out! (another try at train tempo all over again!)  The rumble strips on our Boundary Rd shortcut were enough to rank as roads of Roubaix, a light northeaster of nil nuisance to Nev and Cate driving us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  I finally faced the front for work at the main eastern channel, partnered with BassoDan, swift and strong from the Rule #5 ritual of suffering solo slogs (what a difference from his pickled performance just 3 weeks ago).

Turns short and long followed in Ford Rd as the sprint finish drew closer, a few veering via Verney for an early breakfast berth.  I was almost back to the caboose as we worked into Wanganui Rd, delivered the delicious duty of having Mel, Tina and Cate in tow as the warriors of wattage wound up the tempo at the front passing the transfer station. Mid fourties at the test track was popping a few OTA, our up-line still in the tow as we neared Wanganui hill to drag us into a top ten position, but breathless.  Chillies, weight loss and kangaroos kept the noise levels up at the Lemontree long table for the social stimuli that's almost as important as the ride.

29/5  Faarctic 
You'd have to ask a therapist why you'd dress in just 4mm of clothing and propel yourself into 1 degree at 35 km/h.  Do we do it for the brag factor or a frosty flagellation fantasy? Maybe because others do it?

I'll go for Rule #5 to justify my actions (and use the "never took me to the circus when I was a kid" argument)  It's reassuring to find like minded masochists arriving at Verney Rd's peace train station on Monday morning,  Hommy, Tina, Belly, Sandy, Coggo, Phil, Heady, Cate, Jen and AvantiAndy were enough to justify the habit.  Heady and I found ourselves captaining the crew to Grahamvale Rd, adrenalin driving cold legs to go faster and warm up, counterproductive to the wind chill factor.  It felt psychologically warmer being off the front and gradually demoted down to the caboose, or was the hot air of weekend chat acting as a heater? Hommy and Sandy were somewhat silent, adjusting to tropical Bali one day and frosty Grahamvale the next.   One of motorings' brains trust bolted by in Boundary Rd then immediately braked to turn right, so glad he'd saved 2.7 nanoseconds of his journey to get around us!  I had a bit of mental preparation to face the OMG factor at the front in River Rd though Cate and Coggo were kind with their wattage.  Are we down to the hardcore at 1 degree or is there some still to drop off and succumb to their doona ?  (or soften to Zwift?!) Belly seems to think we've reached critical minimum.  A day off allowed a rare ride of the full circuit and and be socially inclusive, 2 k's south to Mitchell Rd then 4 k's to Raftery for the Conrod crescendo. It was peak hour at Roubaix corner with a car up and one back, position predictions placing me near the pointy end in the last k again.  I'd just rolled across Heady to take the lead out of Conrod's dip, squeezing the accelerator gently so I didn't break the bunch, my long lead-out favoring Coggo and Belly to pounce for the honours with 200 left.  There was a relaxed roll back to town with the rare treat of a weekday post ride coffee and chat.

31/5. The hypothermic hardcore

It's down to the hardcore now with a bureau "feels like -0.8 degrees", Kenworth, Jase, Wozza, AvantiTrev, Boof, Rocket, Cate, Shorty, Car+Mel, MeridaJohn, and ScottMatt turning up at the carpark for Wednesday's workout.  Trav joined the frosty force at Kialla Lakes, Wozz and Rocket diligently driving to Sanctuary's roundabout then Boof and Pistol equally energetic to Mitchell Rd.  Double white lines meant nothing to the inpatient passing prat as we slowed to bear east into River Rd, the tempo tamed to tranquil at the channel bridge, AvantiTrev (muscles murdered by MTB) putting a damper on the drive till Car+Mel and Cate wound up the wick again. It was a treat to have Kenworth tow me to my first shift at the kennels, pace now in the high 30's (a K.P.I. for the next turn with Wozza).  The icy WSW'er  helped me to Boundary Rd, then to dig a bit deeper to hold onto Wozz, Rocket, Boof and Pistols' pace as they set sail to Channel Rd. (I'm sure they're working hard, it's just that they make it look so easy!)  A bit of a headwind and lungs protest at consuming iced atmosphere trimmed the tempo headed west in Channel Rd, I'd lucked the turn from McFadyens Rd to the Kinder with Wozz, giving me a few seconds  to ready lungs and legs for the ChaCha.  The turns shortened, four were sitting this one out, so I found myself quickly back in the up-line at Prentice Rd with just 7 ahead.  Wozz and Boof had stitched this one up a treat, I'd managed promotion to 3rd as several popped off the front, tested by tempo & temperature.

1/6  Winters' wistful welcome

Here we go again on a frosty flagellation, maybe because we'll feel better when we stop?! Winter welcomed us with 1 degree, gutsy Goats Heady, Coggo, Jen, Phil, AvantiAndy Belly, Cate and Tina turned up, MeridaJohn and Burlsy (the only Cats to brave the bbrrrrrrrr) joining the herd as they were feline free.   Deja vu, Heady and I headed the crew to Grahamvale Rd, MeridaJohn pairing with me to Lemnos North Rd at a more spiced speed.  It's inspiring to see AvantiAndy and Jen on a diet of concrete cranking in the cold conditions, gives credence to the diehards Coggo, Belly, Tina and Cate to continue .  I'd sniffed all the way back to the caboose before an olfactory offload, surprising just how soon we'd reached Boundary Rd to frigidly face the southwester. The patient motorist (as rare as rocking horse poo) was given the thumbs up hanging back till oncoming cars cleared at Boundary's bacon barn, down to the pub, a momentary wait for peak hour traffic (2 trucks and a car) to clear before cranking back up to cruising speed toward River Rd.  Nice to turn out of the breeze (albeit a meagre 4-7 km/h) but the chill factor was high, onto the smooth-as-TatMat tarmac of River Rd, forcing myself to ease beside Heady (respecting Rule #86) who's just under the staying-in-tune radar. (More of the bike in your work/bike balance Heady!)   Today was another opportunity to lap up a full lap, a thin carpet of fog under the willows making scenic the sun-up swing into Central Kialla.  And around the turns rolled to Mitchell and beyond, Heady now cosy in the caboose as the speed built for Raftery Rd. The urge became urgent pointed into Conrod's long 1200 metre strip of bitumen, mid forties my limit at the front as lungs restricted from iced air. Coggo and Phil had the prime real estate to hit the front fresh, Cate with the cadence for 3rd. A roll back through town somewhat chuffed as conquerors of the cold, a draft from a passing truck inspiring a lake sprint.

2/6. F...f....f....frigid Friday

-0.8 degrees gripped the lungs and legs to half capacity Friday, and we've only got about twelve more weeks of this to endure! (and the joy of a windy spring afterward!)  Boof, Pistol, Bruce, Cate, Kenworth, Shorty and Nev were the silly/stubborn/super (strike out that which doesn't apply) souls to assemble at the carpark, time for me to harden up and take the first shift to Sanctuary's roundabout, a 3k turn of torture particularly with a PistolPete pairing for the 2nd half.  It was a test of temperature, eventually into the tow I was speechless till the truck route, real recovery taking till Mitchell Rd before a sentence could be properly produced. And so we scythed our way through the soup of a foggy, frosty morning, passing the bustling metropolis of Kialla Central (a dozen dwellings) then east on 6 k's of River Rd, the slightest suggestion of an orange horizon all we could aim at (other than trying to keep pace with Pistol)  Kudos to the well attended Goat train slogging south on their quick quest, my thoughts of turning lobster-like under a post ride shower and quaffing caffiene was the hope homeward, wondering if the sprint would be cancelled due to lack of interest (and inspiration) till Pistol fired the sprint shot at Channel Rd's kinder. Temperature tied the tempo to mid forties for the ChaCha, the sense of overcoming winters worst (?) carrying us homeward.

Week 22  196 km       YTD 5,426 km

Week 21 : The lapse from the lack of laps

Post 398

20/5 Saturday sociology

The four and a half year Saturday habit continues, arising in the weekends' early hours to tap out the k's with a buch of like minded cyclusts in a social soiree with a breakfast banter to finish.  The characters have evolved over 80 Saturdays, not many originals left amongst the turn-up of  KillkennyPaul, TatPaul, Popgun, Boof, Rocket, Car+Mel, Shorty. Trav, PistolPete, The Godfather, Cate, Kel, Tina, Bo, AvantiTrev, ScottMatt, Jase and TrekTrev arriving at the carpark from all directions for the 6am launch.

Two rows pedaling prostrate into the darkness of Channel Rd swapping social sentences (save for the engine drivers toiling to tow us).  Its a lucky dip of position for peloton partners as the workload is shared like musical chairs, I'd lucked Cate ahead and Nath behind (joining the bunch at the highway) to make my debut at the front as the bunch bore north toward the Cosgrove church.  It had to be a 30 km/h headwind that hampered my push to Emu corner, or was it Nath's rapid reputation messing with my perception? (bureau said calm!)

There was less stress tucked into the tow on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, less again when Popgun puncture pitstopped the peloton as we reached Boundary Rd.  Repaired, saddled-up and rolling again, the order was shuffled, finding my position as caboose crossing Lemnos North Rd (maybe scoring me a sweet spot in the sprint 8k's ahead?)
But the turns at the front grew shorter as the town and the sprint finish drew near, Bo baulking and diving for cover in the down line as we slowed for Numurkah Rd.  I'd been promoted to HBK's wheel in Wanganui Rd, but his turn was as short as WhisperingJack's comeback, so inherited the lead at the transfer station.

Partnerless at the pointy end (sooks single filing behind), I made the mistake of glancing at the Garmin (46 km/h) which made myself a mental mountain, on and on to DECA's gate with muscles melting and heartrate hysterical, I'd been left hanging out to dry with the finish line a long k away.  Rocket, Boof, Pistol, Nath and the Godfather had timed their attack to perfection, bolting by as I hit my limit, Shorty and TatPaul creeping by were my salvation to score a draft of recovery up the hill.  A sprint post mortem was talked over (when breath became available) in the Boulevard, breakfast banter at base camp (early FDC's Grumpy, Wozz, Troy, Ralphy and Nev already berthed) revolved on Playstation with pedals (Zwift), 3 peaks and PistolPete's wardrobe.

22/5  A slog in the fog
The prescription for Monday's man cold was rule #5 and a ride, the peace train a perfect panacea.  Heady, Cate, Coggo, Tina, AvantiAndy, Phil and Jen was the get-together of Goats, patchy blankets of fog laying on the 36k course.  The sole feline (CatPhil) turned tail for home at 5:55, we got Goat going at 6 but my attempts to get to cruising speed was ruined by respiratory restrictions (and maybe the porridge like atmostphere?), Tina untroubled by tempo to Grahamvale Rd.  Others were unphased (I should have had Kellogs Koncrete for breakfast!), so it was head down and harden up as Coggo and AvantiAndy set the speed east.  Finding Boundary Rd with bearings lost in the fog proved interesting, the reflective roadsign our saviour to steer south.  My mindset on laboring lungs and a nose like a dripping tap gradually faded on the trek to the pub, Phil and Jen settling into a steady tap but Heady's shifts seemed to shorten south of the bridges.

Stars lit the clear sky to River Rd paired with Jen, our westerly way a smooth surface for more than a peaceful pace. Coggo's 80mm wheel sang a song of speed (Phil's SL's in harmony), the lethargy of a man cold was now history, but the minutes had amassed to turn me homeward at River Rd's end for a solid slog through the soup, made pleasant with a postcard start to the day

23/5  Playing chasey
Having a trial separation from the Turtles attracted Temple, HBK and Cate into a game of chasey on Tuesday, a start line 2k's behind enticed a chase challenge at 5:40.  As instigator, I took the first shift to Channel Rd and felt fit enough to drive the first leg of Channel Rd, the rather distant flashing lure of led's seemed a world away.  Cate kept the speed standard on leg 2 but Temple's time off two wheels showed in leg 3 as speed sagged.  With just four playing, it was crucial to keep the team together, the calm used to recover and revitalise till HBK took the helm to the cypress trees.  A light easterly blowing kept heads down and effort up, the hopes of  a tailwind down River Rd keeping spirits up.  Temple's tempo tuned up in Boundary Rd, Cate commanding from the bridges and I took the shift from One Tree Dam to River Rd.  Energised and enthused by the easterly, HBK ramped up the Ridley all the way to the main eastern channel (a  4k turn), respite for all to continue the chase, Turtle lights now tantalisingly closer. My glance back saw Hares a distance behind but closing, Temple driving the last leg of River where Cate took a smooth and swift shift to Mitchell.  I took the drivers seat in Mitchell Rd, balancing the fine line of effort vs expiry, the lean and lengthy limbs of the soloist ahead unmistakably Weapon, caught at Dave's dip.  Our slow for Melbourne Rd traffic let Turtles slip ahead and Hares home in, HBK put in another hot turn (but may have cooked himself in the process), the Hares hammered by at Roubaix, my wattage waining working from Galbraiths to Conrod.  My elbow brought Cate to the fore, surprised it was just she and Weapon left to finish the killer k.  (HBK and Temple off the back in recovery rate)  A sense of satisfaction in 4 averaging 36 (doubling the Strava suffer) despite not quite catching the bait..

24/5  Wet & wormy Wednesday
Roads dampened by overnight rain didn't deter Pelly, Kenworth, SuperMario, BamBam, Trav, PistolPete, Troy, Cate, Rocket, Boof, Mel, TrekTrev, Shorty, Mixmaster and Rene arriving to Wednesday's ride. There was a calm cruise to Kialla Lakes for the now almost habitual bunch split on the carpark exit.  Still with the hangover from a cold, I was happy stay in the draft and let others advance, puddles making a mess of bikes on the southern slog to Mitchell Rd.  PistolPete presented posh with yet another coiffured kit, I was in the draft of dreams tucked in behind Kenworth, shielding me from the toil of the northwester in Central Kialla.

SuperMario struggled with speed at the pointy end (the lapse from the lack of laps) being murdered by Mel, I eventually fronted beyond River Rd's dip to put in a contribution.  Lines of leds southbound on Boundary Rd was something scenic, Cats and Goats half a k apart on their clockwise mission. Fast forward to Channel Rd, I was close to the front again as the bunch swung into Central Ave, Mixmaster in a cadenza of cadence at the front with BamBam bearing down behind.  Cranking into Kinder corner, BamBam cut loose to turn the front end single file, I tucked in for a tow waiting for BamBam's boom, but the cruelty of hanging a defenseless creature out to dry weighed heavily on my concience....it was my turn to suffer! Flat strap approaching Prentice Rd got the Cosmics humming, surprised the legs kept on delivering the goods 200 metres later, but it's the inevitable Boof bolt that was brewing. At 250 metres to go my placing was pickled as Boof, Troy, Pistol and half the field in tow shot by, sprayed with the rooster tails from puddles as a thankyou for the lead-out.  Calm and composure came a k later to cruise back to town, mud, worms and road grime the legacy of the lap.

25/5  Gritty Goats
Nothing quite prepares you for the first turn at the front in the cold, takes your breath away just when you need it most! The added effort needed to match young AvantiLeigh put me close to the limit (though the h.r said otherwise), just 8 Goats in the bunch meant there'd be little rest for the hour. Coggo was the next young fella to match as the shifts revolved, keeping my cadence up (78 rpm) to put some warmth in the legs as 3.6 degrees did it's best to chill.  Belly, Phil, Tina and Cate followed through (all to quickly for me) whilst Snow was a no go hanging on in the caboose.  Boundary Rd arrived sooner than I'd expected, time to serve a turn again at the front with AvantiLeigh to New Dookie Rd then Coggo to Old Dookie, the erratic h.r. monitor lazing at 120 bpm (I wish!).  By my next shift it was up into the 150's, suitably warmed up now (physically and mentally) to cope with the tempo of youthful exuberance.  The bellissimo bitumen west on River Rd was a tonic in the temperature, fog misting the specs to soft focus the view.  Exit stage right at Rivers' end to solo homeward, happy with the tempo when the start was a struggle.

26/5 Dark + damp + dreary + dirty = dedicated!
Here we go again on a damp, dark and dirty track, another early morning soak guarantees a grubby bike. Car+Mel, Boof, Rocket, Cate, TrekTrev, Shorty, AvantiTrev, PistolPete, Byron and Dalts were the dedicated to bunch at the carpark, the exit was almost a clean getaway aside from TrekTrev and Shorty's spirited sprint to catch on.  Weapon blended into the bunch at Kialla Lakes, promoting me to pair with Pistol at the front for leg 3 to Mitchell Rd.  It was a struggle through the soup of 99% humidity though the erratic h.r. monitor showed 78 bpm (time for a new strap), Cate short shifted leg 4 giving me a chance to stock up on oxygen and settle the stress.

I gave up avoiding the puddles, I was already spotted from cranium to cleats as 26 wheels sprayed and spread the damp.  Only the dedicated were out today, one wonders how low attendances will sink when the real winter tightens its grip? Rocket's in recovery from a masochistic massage, AvantiTrev just rolling the legs in prep for Sundays MTB 3hr, even Boof was finding the atmosphere a chore. The long length of River Rd ridden east, a long length of lights in Boundary had Cats and Goats in one train, The Godfathers' greeting as subtle as always. Rocket proposed the sprint be struck off the agenda (votes in favour with a saturated surface), all having an extra turn or two this lap (less numbers = more work) but that's what's needed to stay in tune. Many set a course for coffee back in town, a 7:30 start at the coalface denying me that pleasure.

Week 21         235km                 YTD 5,230km

       

Week 20 : The taste of a chase

Post 397

13/5 Saturday sanctity.
Relieved to be rid of another working week, Saturday's social sanctity was to be relished riding with another copious crew that wintery weather won't wear away.  KillkennyPaul, TatPaul, TatMat, BeerMat, Boof, Bo, Bruce, Pistol, Popgun, AvantiAndy, AvantiTrev, Kel, Cate, Mel, Jen, Leah, Dalts, Shorty, Rocket, Wozz, Temple and The Godfather made the peloton pilgrimage for the 6am flagfall, two dozen lights snaking from the carpark to spear into Channel Rd.  It was a sedate start compared to previous weeks, but I guess it's set by those who happen to be in the drivers seat,

Softa has emerged from an unseasonal hibernation, BeerMat on his once-a-month appearance, Leah braving the bunch ride, a rather reflective AvantiTrev, TatMat soaking up the last days of long service and AvantiAndy still to cave in to the cold.

 Nath turned up at the Pub on comeback #3, my heart rate running at an idle being towed along in the bunch's draft, just into zone 4 at the pointy end matching The Godfathers' pace (spells a dying battery or freakish fitness ; I suspect the former).  Old Dookie's porky palace was particularly pungent (assisted by atmostpherics), tempo now turned up as the young guns set the cruise control higher.  There was a noticeable social spark to the lap (almost like a binding brake had been released), the wintery 5 degrees of little consequence as the weekend's possibilities perked up the peloton.
A chance to add to previous conversations as the troops took a second push at the pointy end, many (like me) pondering who'd get the taxing turn for the sprint finish.
Into Wanganui Rd, TatMat and I cranked a standard 1000 meter turn, Rocket turning up the torture with a long lead-out (the squad now skinny in Indian file) to DECA's gate.  Nath spearheaded the second battalion to take the lead and turn most to toast, 8 contenders now charging at the hill for honours with the rest hanging on or dropping off.  Boof took the chocolates atop Mt Wanganui, the long line now compacting as all settled into a cruise to breakfast.  Chinese food, motor pacing and Turtle times (a cruisier crew at 6?) were on the talk topics as the Lemontree heaters and hot coffee confined us to quarters.

14/5  A Sunday saunter
The need to break ride repetition (a week of 30-40k laps) begged a distance and scenery change Sunday, pace off the agenda in an attempt to season the sit site to longer laps.  Cate (on a Grand Fondo mission) joined in to tap eastward on New Dookie Rd, patches of damp from an earlier sprinkle darkening the tarmac (and uncleaning a bike).  A waft of the aroma from Old Dookie's pig pen (2k's south) inspired a short burst of pace, but Sunday's sedentary specifications set a subtle speed to Cosgrove and onto Kellows Rd.   Up to Mt Major's base and steered south at the Camel farm onto Cosgrove-Caniambo Rd, not a lot needing to be said, just to soak up the scenery and whittle away the k's in company of a like-minded addict.   The slightest rise and fall of the road was felt with a southerly on the brow, a mental build up underway for the relentless length of Bells-Armstrong Rd as we crossed the Midland highway.  We swung onto the rugged and narrow strip of tarmac called Bells, coarse 20mm stone roughly glued onto the corrugated base was the worst first, it turns best west.  The k's clicked by passing the thistle farms, the road gradually growing wider and smoother as it graduated to Armstrongs. (funny how the surface plays a part on a riders' mindset).  12k's on, we'd made it to Mitchell Rd, back on familiar ground for the tap home via Raftery, with an obligatory burst in Conrod straight to sign off a 65k total .

15/5  The Tat 'n back tap

The road less traveled begged again Monday, an early getaway working west across the causeway and onto the Midland highway to tap to Tat.    Recent roadworks had built hopes for smooth sailing against the southwester, but the course was coarse, with plenty of loose stuff to snap, crackle (but hopefully not pop) under the Michelins.  The clench of teeth, the furrow of brow and a grip like Tarzan's on the 3T bars did nought for a calm karma, the mindset murdered for the 10k trek to the Tat turn-off. It was almost a gift to turn into the now SSW'er toward the township, the headwind was heaven with a billiard table tarmac soothing the seat site.  Through Tat's main drag as the early papers sold, eastbound on a quiet Ferguson Rd with a hint of help from the breeze, it was a steady spin (78 rpm) with Cosmic's crooning making the return home almost worth the earlier battle. Blown even better NNE back to Mooroopna, traffic was light to crank the "Causeway crusher" (who creates these Strava segement titles?) back to town.  


16/5  Turtle turbidity
The Turtle turn-up slowly dwindles as an approaching winter whittles down the disciples, some on a comeback, some on a workout and others just for a tap.   KillkennyPaul, Hoges, Softa, HBK, Cate, AvantiTrev, Cougar and Temple lined up for duty, AvantiTrev and Softa taking the first shift, setting a sedate scenario. KilkennyPaul raised the tempo in leg 3, Cate, Temple, HBK and I then putting spice in the speed, but the cadence calmed as Hoges howled the MTB rubber and AvantiTrev and Softa resumed their pace toward the S bend.  And so the see-saw of speed continued on Channel and Boundary Rd, I was happy to play ball as each did their bit, but there was a holler to handbrake when Temple and I ripped into River Rd.  Lights behind drew closer as we drove to the dip, an FDC trio of Grumpy, BamBam and Ralphy soon slipping by.  The competitive craving gnawed inside me (3 were pacing better than our 8) but consideration for the cruisers and the comebackers kept me at bay.  Temple and I were handed the reigns in Central Kialla, quickly finding ourselves bunchless as several dropped by the wayside, so it was off the throttle till the Kialla hall, eventually congregated the congregation. The FDC's, half a tantalising k ahead, ignited several to now squeeze the throttle in Mitchell Rd, silence (save for the whine of wheels and lament of lungs) gripped the group into Dave's dip and up to the highway, the FDC's momentary pause for traffic bringing the lure into nibbling distance.  Hoges and AvantiTrev took us to Roubaix, but the taste of a chase got me in the drivers seat to draw our pack single file (glancing back once or twice to see the bunch didn't bust).    I put the head and the hammer down in pursuit, feeling a hint of their draft at Galbraiths gate inspired my drive on past Arcadia Downs and into Conrod.  Legs and lungs were burning into the dip and out again, the head desperately trying to over-rule internal protests, but reaching the 400 metre mark was the mental meltdown, so I gave Temple the elbow to take over.  I was both spent and stoked at the finish line, not quite catching the FDC's but reaching town ahead of Hares.

17/5  The two turn tango

9 degrees felt almost tropical saddling up Wednesday morning,  a big bunch almost assured as many turned up for one or two turns.  Jase, Kenworth, Wozz, Shorty, Troy, Boof, Cate, Trav, AvantiTrev, TrekTrev, Weapon, Nick, The Mixmaster, Rocket, Rene, Car+Mel, Dalts, PistolPete, Kel and Bo proving there's safety in numbers.  Wozz and Pistol opened the southbound account, the usual speed freaks (Rocket, Troy, Boof et al) filling the upline as the B graders chose their partners carefully to advance.  There was a fair wait at the truck route for B doubles to clear, then hot footing to Mitchell where a light easterly felt stronger than the bureau's 9 km/h.  Personal insulation varied, some braving knicks while others cooked in jackets, darkness now shrouding our usual landmarks for all the anticlockwise lap.

Turns had shortened in River Rd as the easterly sorted the tuned from the tested , Pistol about faced at Boundary on an early exit for employment. North to Channel and west to town,   Mixmaster toiled toward the Kinder but dropped the wheel as the turn rolled (sending a ripple through the ranks), positions promoted quickly to the pointy end as we shot forth to Hopeful corner.  Jase and Shorty cranked toward Prentice Rd and, with the wattage of Wozz, Troy and Boof behind me, I let loose early (no hope for a podium placement so I put in a burn and bust to make them earn the chocolates). Surprisingly 50 lasted a hundred metres but my kaboom came quickly when Wozz, Boof and Troy passed like i'd hit reverse.  Jase and I held station as many bolted by, a roadside rabbit playing kamikaze bounding between our wheels.  3rd last in an instant didn't bother me, the lungs want for more oxygen took precedence.

18/5  An Egoat trip
A slow warm-up Thursday with my legs legarthic for a few k's, navigating the beaten track of Verney Rd's roadworks to reach the roundabout.  AvantiAndy, AvantiLeigh, Belly, Cate, Coggo, Temple, U.S.Ben, HBK, Phil and Tina were the Goats gathered, an ESE'er ensuring an early effort on Ford Rd.  All 10 served duty to reach Boundary Rd, U.S.Ben finding comfort in the caboose after one turn (at least he had a go.

 Remember the effort needed at the front in your early ride days?)  Credible contributions were cranked by all as we wrestled the wind whipping at the wheels on Boundary Rd, AvantiLeigh made sure talk was off my to do list at the front.  Temple had taken up the caboose captaincy (U.S.Ben no longer with us) as a the comeback from a cold labored his lungs, nothing holding Tina and Cate back braving the pointy end with the bunch bound for the Broken bridges.  The wind, now easterly, was a bonus in River Rd,  just rolling the legs over in high thirties with the heart rate at 120 was soothing the psyche (bit egoatistic eh?)  All too soon time summoned my exit, Temple and HBK on a coalface curtailment too, so a team time trial homeward kept us on agenda (and kept HBK nearly speechless)

19/5  The radar, the rain and the rule #9
A narrow window of hope opened at 5am Friday, could a lap be squeezed in before the radars' green threat soaked the circuit?  Many weren't that hopeful (maybe they were just clever?) as only Bruce, Pistol, Cougar, Shorty, AvantiTrev, Cate, Nev and I converged on the Couldabeens carpark for the 6am
start.  It was a calmer single filed southbound escape from town (more than two turns today!) just as two lines got organised the spits of rain started, a few became many as I paired with Pistol to the truck route, the rooster tails of water turning the mood miserable. (though rule #9 was inspiration to continue).  Approaching Mitchell, the call went out to divert right, a shorter lap via Raftery to save us from a soaking won the vote.  The showers stopped (of course) when we'd committed to a reduced ride (if we'd tackled the usual lap a drowning would be assured).    For the sake of worthwhile k's, a loop of Arcadia Downs put variety into the dismal day, the 25 km/h wind shifting from NNE to NNW turning my turn a toil at the front with Bruce. An early end allowed time for coffee (and celebrations for Cougars' significant birthday),  a decent drenching on the ride home strangely a bit of fun.

Week 20     295 km                    YTD  4,995 km    

Week 19 : Dedicated or delirious?

Post 396
6/5 Peloton populism

A perfectly syncronized arrival of Wozz, Tum and I at our Saturday morning rendevous, a chat southbound to collect felicitous femmes Mel & Cate, and then to commute to the Couldabeens grid, found yet another populated peloton forming in the 6am darkness. (Jase, Troy, Ralphy, TatMat, TatPaul, BassoDan, Kel, Rocket, Trav, Bo, AvantiTrev, Shorty, TrekTrev, Jen, AvantiAndy, Boof, Temple, ScottMatt, Popgun, Pistol, Merida-not-AvantiJohn, The Godfather and Cougar)   Early arrivals had cowered to the caboose (front phobia?) for Tum and I to lead leg one, ever so gently on the accelerator till the Kengsington roundabout (to congeal the crew and calm the critics).  A push up to Doyles Rd then into the draft, I started the headcount of the steadily rotating cast, BassoDan struggling with the speed in the drivers seat.  Sunrise is now noticeably later as the rows worked east through the darkness, velocity varying as some salivated and some suffered the speed at the pointy end.  The Godfathers vociferous traffic reports, Jen's statuesque sit, Temple finally conquering a cold, Kel's delicious demeanor, The king of kilometres (TatMat) return, Cate's genuine grin, AvantiTrev pickled by pace, boisterous Bo (a party imminent) and ScottMatt's stool study (spare me the details!) all part of the Couldabeens culture.

On comeback #2, Nath appeared at the Boundary Rd pig pen, while at Old Dookie's pork palace there was a symphony of squeals for breakfast time.  A northerly on the nose made work to Emu corner, but the westward way home promised pace.  I scored a second turn at the front on Lemnos-Cosgove Rd swift and smooth beside Cate, but a short shift as TatPaul rolled early in Ford Rd.  Hey, how smooth & steady is TatMat?  To hell with velocity variations as Ford Rd ended, Wanganui Rd beckoned a blast.  I'd almost reached the bunch rear at Cleaves when AvantiTrev ushered me to the up-line, getting closer to the front and closer to the hill, the sultans of speed (Wozz, Pistol, Boof, Rocket et al) saved my toil at the pointy end by blasting by, the front now unreachable.  Composure came on the Boulevard roll back to base, bike intimidation techniques, our riding apprenticeships and seat position were the talk topics while the Lemontree heaters, coffee, warm porridge and funny fellowship made for a difficult getaway

8/5 A piece of peace
Enthusiasm ebbed to a new low Monday morning, a chilly WSW'er clamped the lungs in its vice like grip, muscles seemingly hamstrung by the cold.  At least I was out facing the reality instead of taking the soft Zwift option.  Heady, AvantiAndy, Tina, Coggo, Cate, Hommy, Sandy and HG formed the Goat peace train, Principal Skinner just catching the roll out from Verney Rd's roundabout.  Its refreshing to tackle the new track of Ford - Lemnos-Cosgrove and Boundary as a different route, but the legs were in no mood for motion, struggling to make the usual progress (winter woes?)   Turns were swapped and weekend activities compared in our clockwise crank, several k's covered before a flicker of enthusiasm was felt (thoughts of those turning to marshmallow under the bed covers was an aide memoir).  Principal Skinner came out of the caboose to serve a shift in River Rd, Heady rugged up for 4 degrees like Douglas Mawson, Tina still tapping tons of k's and HG making rides rare.  Time ticked my usual shortcut to face the westerly solo on the truck route, a handful of semi's line astern eastbound almost blowing the Baum backwards.

9/5 Turtle tenacity
Running late elevated the h.r. to the Turtle grid Tuesday, a good preparation for forthcoming pace (the rush uneccessary as it happens ; first to arrive!)   Cate, AvantiTrev, Jase, Cougar and KillkennyPaul were the only punters, so Indian file ruled for the 30k lap.  Slowly up to pace kept me on speaking terms with most,  silly me taking the first (and longest) shift to Doyles Rd.    Cate headed leg #2 and KillkennyPaul put in a good contribution on #3, despite being off shore and off the bike for a week.  Jase took us to the cypress trees and with a bit of a shift shuffle, AvantiTrev tamed the tempo to the S bends.   I went easy on the accelerator as I took the drivers seat and wound up the speed to the end of Channel rd, a light southerly didn't deter Jase and Cate to keep up the pace to River Rd.  Surprisingly KillkennyPaul took the reigns again, and so the turns swapped to Central Kialla, Cougar even putting in a turn on Mitchell Rd.  KillkennyPaul's body language translated toil on the ascent from Dave's dip, the first signs of headaling, changing gears, shoulders rocking (the several glances at the speedo doing nothing for positive thinking), but determination drove him on to the highway.  It was my turn from Melbourne Rd and, tempered by the tow, set off on a long drive to Conrod straight (but protests of pace pegged back the wattage a little at Roubaix).  "All good" was called soon after (AvantiTrev and Cougar content on a cruise home) so continued on to Conrod, giving the elbow for Jase and Cate to drive to the finish, happy ahead of the hares back in town.

10/5 Roundabout rumba

All the layers came out Wednesday as armor against 1.6 degrees, a large lunar lamp lighting the way to the carpark in the south.  Troy, BamBam, Pelly, Wozz, Boof, Car+Mel, Pistol, Weapon, Shorty, Cate, SuperMario, AvantiTrev, Kel, Kenworth, Avanti-not-MeridaJohn, Hollywood, Cougar, Rene & the Mixmaster, Trav and Dalts were proof that temperature doesn't drive down attendance, the carpark exit again fracturing the formation till Kialla Lakes.  Wozz then Boof formed the up-line, the wait for followers....forever!   I made up the 40 metre abyss and settled into the up-lines' tow (and mental preparation for the front) approaching the Sanctuary roundabout.  It all turned suddenly uneasy with a quick and rare appearance of a car from the right, a holler of "slow" caught Hollywood (taking a swig) and Troy (locking brakes) off guard, Hollywood horizontal and Troy shunting to a halt.  After a pause for composure (no injuries apart from a small dent in Hollywood's pride) the train got rolling and steadily built up to cruising speed, a huff and puff for me matching Boof to Mitchell Rd.    Mixmaster wasn't being social but BamBam was talking up his efforts, the joys of winter plumbing were mused with SuperMario and Pistol Pete's panache paraphrased with Weapon. I'd reached the pointy end with Boof again at the Broken bridges, the patchy fog was like pushing through soup as we sped to Channel Rd.  BamBam looked like he had lead-out duties for the ChaCha, a tough gig with Troy ahead, but the following fellas were well endowed with wattage, Boof and Wozz fighting out the finish honours.

11/5  Too cool for Cats?

And so it was the dedicated (or the delirious?) that faced the elements of Thursdays chill (feels like -0.2), Joey, Heady, Cate, Coggo, Tina and Belly huddling at the Verney Rd roundabout for a Goat spin. Insulating layers were compared till the 6am gong, those first few hundred meters taking the breath away till climatised to the cold.  Belly defined hardman in short knicks as we worked east, a mouse scampering across our course on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Coggo, in for a long haul in the drivers seat, burnt the fossil fuel south to New Dookie Rd, others seemed to put in shorter turns which had me back to do it all again beyond the Pub. At least several turns at the front flourishes the fitness, a lap with just one or two (Wednesday & Friday) seems to only tread water on condition.  A foggy River Rd soon passed and time tolled for my early exit, the sudden desire for change steering me north on the truck route back to town, an ample emergency lane and a change of scenery was life's spice homeward.

12/5 Friday's fresh frolic
Sitting midfield in Friday's bunch escaping town, I was careful to chose a partner as the up-line formed, Troy, Boof and Pistol (nice guys that they are) are just a bit too quick for this old engine on an early turn, Merida-not-AvantiJohn chosen as a considerate contender.  20 had populated the pack of Couldabeens, Grumpy, Pelly, BamBam, SuperMario, Rocket, Shorty, Nick, Kel, Bruce, Dalts, Cougar, TrekTrev, Mel, Jase and Cate rolling through the rotations, all contributing a grizzle about the winter weather that hasn't really started yet. Merida-not-AvantiJohn and I had the reigns in River Rd, I was well toasted reaching the bridge when Bruce drew alongside. I'd ruggedly resisted calling a roll at Laws Drive (read Rule #5) as the Garmin numbers inflated, overwhelming relief when Bruce did what I'd been thinking 100 meters later.  Suppressed gasps of recovery in the tow were soon calmed, kit exclusivity conversed with Kel, the TFIF factor compared with Dalts, TrekTrev talked taming illness, and the logic of tackling testing temperature analysed with BamBam.

It was relief to finally get at the bunch back for some olfactory download, though 'tis the season where sniffing is almost socially acceptable.   Caution and space were given to a few bikes roadside as we neared the Kinder corner, seems Cats had tangled with a dog causing Cam a calamity (the death of a carbon frame).  Around Kinder corner, BamBam launched an early attack, futile with the big wattage still brewing to reach the front.  Pistol was left to cook at the front as the pace percolated to Prentice Rd, the bunch front growing fatter as one after another rose to overtake.  I sat (sauteed) in Merida-not-AvantiJohn's wake (as he sat in Boof's, as he thrashed it out with Troy), working up beside Merida-not-AvantiJohn in the dying metres to have a photo finish for third as Boof and Troy photo finished first.  The huff and puff of recovery went way beyond the school as I tried to keep pace with Troy on the roll back to town, still not enough oxygen and legs of jelly till we reached the starting grid.

Week 19         232km             YTD   4,700km

And so Amanda Coker tackles day 354 of the World Highest Mileage Record in Florida as I post this blog, 138,000km is beyond epic (that's 389km/day), an inspiration when you read her history. Have a look at goamandacoker.com
            

Week 18 : The fleas of a thousand camels

Post 395

29/4. Crickey! It's the comeback kids.

A delayed rendezvous with Cate, Car(curtailed)+Mel meant a workout for Wozz and I to reach Saturday's grid for a 6am launch, but there was two minutes up our arm warmers arriving at the carpark.  Once-a-month BeerMat and once-in-a-blue-moon Whispering Jack were the surprise additions to the crew, Boof, PistolPete, TatPaul, Jen, Nick, Weapon, BassoDan, Rocket, Kel, The Godfather, Popgun, Manny, Bo, Avanti-not-MeridaJohn, MeridaAndy, TrekTrev, Trav, Bruce, AvantiTrev, Nev, Jase, Dalts and Carl making up a bunch bursting at the seams.  It was a pleasant change to join the grid's rear rather than the usual first shift on the front.  Despite the masses, there wasn't a break in the bunch, steaming out Channel Rd remarkably rhythmic considering 30 separate reaction times.

An orange horizon through the patches of fog was additional eye candy to my peloton position, two long lines of red leds to guide my passage east and north toward Old Dookie Rd before serving sweat at the front. Through the ranks past Weapons' lengthy luscious legs, The Godfather on a mileage mission, Kel passionately purple, Popgun fearing the front, the tall timber of MeridaAndy, Dalts and Avanti-not-MeridaJohn on a prologue to the pussycats, ride-before-run Jase, smooth operator Nev, rumour-monger Bo (says BeerMat reckons I'm 'creeping' ; to incite me to serve up a half wheeling?), TrekTrev battling

bicognition and PistolPete dapperly dressed in yet another coiffured kit.  Nath joined us at the fig farm, climatising to ride a road bike from his mtb passion.  4 months into the new year, I'm still trying to adjust to a less obsessed life / bike balance (mindful to remember Rules #4 and #11) after last years 300k/week target, but the recent epic efforts by Goats, the grinning gals, Mexicans, TatMat and many others aren't helping! Numurkah Rd's traffic split the bunch prior to the Wanganui workout, just as well 18 rode into the distance as I didn't fancy being tangled up in a 30 bike sprint.

When the cars cleared, Rocket and I became the tow trucks for the remaining handful, matching Rocket's rapidity in the 40's beyond the test track was taking its toll on me, legs turning to jelly within metres of the hill. A short recovery at the rear recharged the battery to catch the main bunch at the Canterbury Rd roundabout, saving my pennies on the Boulevard allowed an attack in Mason St to reach the prime Lemontree seats first.  Wheel suckers (rule #67), reality vs Zwift and curious creeps were the tattle topics whilst many sized up for the new kit and The Godfather guzzled grappa.

1/5  Tour-lamba

The road less traveled urged me from bed Monday morning, that spirit of adventure and discovery offering much more than the umpteenth Toaster lap.  Westward ho to Mooroopna taking my chances with the three cars on the causeway (rather than braving broken glass, bindii and the wildlife on the shared path) then south onto Murchison Rd, corrugations in places that would loosen fillings.  Cloud cover kept the temperature mild (12) but pitch darkness enveloped all but the Cat-Eye's lumens.  A PB for the Mooroopna-to-Toolamba turn-off boosted bravado, but the NNE'er (17km/h) would soon crush the cockiness on the remainder of the lap.  A 3rd place for "nut cracker" hill (wow! A monster 3 metre ascent) kept hopes up, through the Toolamba metropolis and onto Bridge Rd with the wind blowing its business through the trees.  Up to the bridge in the 30's and, pickle my grandmother! it's lost it's tarmac topping! Still at speed, a quick foot unclip (for balance insurance) then rattled over the red gum planks, the varying gaps threatening to masticate my Michelin's while I threaded the thin line across.  Over the bridge with a gasp of relief, I pressed on east, Union Rd no longer the rough ride I remembered, psyching myself to face the NNE to Central Kialla.  Sparse trees on the eastern side of Euroa Rd offered rare moments of shelter but the 7 k drive to River Rd burnt the rectus femorus to add to the suffer score. Twas better eastbound on River Rd but the prior push had taxed the tendons, focussing now on keeping the h.r. at bay till Boundary Rd's burn.  '51, Cats and Goats were relishing the roll south, I'd made great mates with the 17 sprocket to spin (78) the momentum up to New Dookie Rd, dreaming of the wind assistance home to dull the pain. The Cosmics hummed a happy howl west on the smooth bitumen to Lemnos, pushing up the tempo back to town, but a sliver of glass made a Michelin marshmallow a k from home.

2/5. Fast fourplay

Who'd be on the Turtle grid Tuesday has become a lucky dip lately, temperature (and toil?) has seen popularity plummet.  Just Jase, AvantiTrev, HBK and Hoges were ready to roll, but an uninvited Josh (Byron bro) had held the launch up readying to ride.  Chocks away finally at 5:43, but he'd gone OTA at Kensington gardens barely a k away, Hoges and HBK (hampered by honeymoon?) staying with the young lad to guide him around.  Jase and AvantiTrev had tucked in behind my push to Doyle's Rd, so wasn't Weapon a sight for sore eyes to make a foursome.  We set about single file swapping turns (relative to recovery) out Channel Rd, but  fate had me face the force of Boundary Rd's head wind from the Broken Bridges to River Rd,  (grateful that AvantiTrev trimmed 15% off the pace in River Rd which hastened recovery time).  Weapons rhythmic push to the kennels was backed up by Jase's swift shift to Laws Drive for me to finish off River.  AvantiTrev had revived to take on the southerly stretch through Central Kialla, another workout from Weapon in Mitchell but Jase was showing signs of wear and tear topping Dave's dip and up to the highway.  I took a long drive from Melbourne Rd to Galbraiths gate to offer the troops some respite before Conrod, Weapon and Jase finished off the final k, a sprint was off the menu but the trophy was beating the Hares home. 

3/5

Saddling up early allowed an amble through the streets to Wednesday's ride, Hollywood, Kenworth, Shorty, Cougar, AvantiTrev, Weapon, PistolPete, Rocket, Nev, Kel, Boof, Rene & the mixmaster, Merida-not-AvantiJohn and Trav filled the carpark, Grumpy, Wozz, BamBam, Pelly and CatCol flew in from a frantic FDC foray.  Setting sail at 6, somehow the bunch fragmented exiting the carpark, compassion keeping me back to tow the tail enders up (no need really with the big engines of PistolPete and Rocket amongst them), almost reaching Adams Rd before the fragments formed as one.  With an up-line formed, layers of insulation were compared amongst the clan as winter-like temperatures tested the wardrobes and Rule #5.  It was surprising to count twenty in the pack with the mercury at 4, such is the social draw card of the bunch I guess.

Two almost straight lines (there's always one or two who just can't hold a line!) speared into River Rd, Kel's svelte trajectory just a delight to follow, long-time-no-chat to Hollywood (3 rides in a week is a record!) CatCol salivating a sojourn to Spain soon, Kenworth layered like an onion and Rocket taking a sprint sabatical.  I had a short turn beside Kel to Channel Rd, Kenworth likewise brief to Sellmans which returned me to being towed whilst the others toiled.  Karma played kindly as the bunch neared the ChaCha, I had a prized place of tenth wheel in the up-line as the pack powered into Kinder corner, promoted to 5th as Prentice Rd blurred by.  As Grumpy rose from his seat to launch the sprint I grabbed his draft and sat in the wake, (waiting for the bubble to burst), then driving to the front as the finish line drew near.  It was Wozza's wheel I could hear homing in for the kill in the last 50 metres, happy I made him work to earn the chocolates, privileged to run second to the fast fella. 

4/5 Doing time in the cooler.
That craving for expedition bit again on Thursday, all the layers needed to shield me against 1.5 degrees.  Around the golf course loop then up to Congupna, the road to myself while most sensible folk were still asleep at 5am.

Back to town via Grahamvale Rd to New Dookie Rd, sharing the road with the pro's now (truck drivers 99.9% courteous).  Back into town, I steered north on Verney and cruised up to the roundabout to see which Goats would take on the temperature.  Coggo, Tina, Belly, Merida-not-AvantiJohn and a new recruit (U.S.Ben) were the only tough ones to front, so, paired up with Merida-not-AvantiJohn, we set sail east on Ford Rd but U.S.Ben had dropped off the back in leg 2 (so it was tap tap in the twenties till there was unity).  Coggo's Indian file suggestion made sense, so we got into a rhythm on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd with U.S.Ben cringing in the caboose. Down boundary Rd and just 60 metres from the Midland highway, a half-wit tradie with ute & trailer stormed by within centimetres, forcing an oncoming car off road, only to grind to a halt to give way to highway traffic. May the fleas of a thousand camels infest you underwear Mediterranean Tiling!   With panic passed, we got back in the groove southward, a good drive to the Broken bridges by Merida-not-AvantiJohn left me the leg to River Rd (deja vu Tuesday), but U.S.Ben had gone OTA and escaped via Channel.  Luck would have the drive 6k's west divided between Coggo, Belly, Tina and Merida-not-AvantiJohn to tow me to my point of departure, the usual crank via the truck route and Archer to reach work on time.

5/5  Rue de Kanga
Blessed with the company of three grinning gals (Cate, Car+Mel) to commute to Fridays' Couldabeens, we found Bruce, Trav, Nev, Jen, PistolPete, Rocket, SuperMario, BamBam, Boof, Pelly, Ralphy, Wozza, Weapon, Grumpy, Dalts, Kenworth, Hollywood, AvantiTrev, TrekTrev, Shorty, Jase and Kel crammed into the carpark.

Kenworth captained the crew exiting town, I got the urge to be first to form the up line, Rocket the next (from the back blocks of the bunch).  Others eventually took the hint to kick off the standard peloton practice of rotation, Weapon aboard a brand new Corsa, SuperMario actually aboard a bike (first in a fortnight) and Hollywood continues the holiday weight loss program.  A slow turn out of River Rd and onto Boundary had a whip-crack effect at the back as 25 sequentially got up to cruising speed. We'd almost reached the Broken bridges when a ripple of reactions ripped through the bunch for a pair of roos bounding across Boundary, disaster narrowly averted, it was back to bike business to Channel Rd with heart rates a little higher.  Picked up by a wheel ahead, a stone bounced from bike to bike till its' exit at Sellmans, fervour now brewing with the ChaCha just a few minutes ahead.  Positioned poorly this time at the pointy end apexing Kinder corner beside Rocket, legs and lungs were near their limit in the high forties by Hopeful corner.  Advancing troops were rare by Prentice Rd and I'd run out of urge, just content to hang on midfield to the finish then soak up the social sauce on the roll homeward.

Week 18     278km            YTD 4,468km