Predicting pain.

 Post #641

11/4  9 little Indians, all in a row.

Three days off two wheels was an eternity.  I might have forgotten how to ride in that length of time.  Friday and Saturday had dampened hopes (literally) and Sunday had other stuff on the agenda. The craving for k's was strong.  The bike could be covered in cobwebs laid up for this long though strangely, tyre pressures were ready for a ride Monday morning.  I felt rusty rolling the wheels again though a north west breeze even helped the spin southbound.  Circling the streets with Emil near the start line found the Ninja plagued by a puncture, but she had Lenny, Tina and Greg with her as pit crew so Emil took the news to the starting grid while repairs continued.  (Fiddly things these disc brake skewers.....)    Soon rolling to the roundabout, I was surprised it was just Bruce, Wozza, Lenny and Rocket waiting with Emil - numbers were thin considering a mild 15 degree Monday.  With 5 ahead and 3 behind southbound to the truck route, any wonder the line stayed Indian file behind Bruce doing the first drive to Mitchell Rd.  

Mental preparations alter a bit waiting in line for duty when there's a single line, there's not the problem of keeping pace with somebody else, just living up to the expectations of all behind ; no pressure then! (at least there'd be the draft of 8 when duty's done)    Wozza did the 2nd shift to Central Kialla, that northwest breeze feeling distinctly westerly for the 2k length or was that Wozza's wattage dragging us there?  Emil was given the reigns on the turn north and we should have laid back on the couch with a box of popcorn, this could be a feature length show.  He was still fixed at the front in River Rd at the bridge, Tina's head now lower in search of a better draft (sitting forth wheel wasn't doing her any favors while Emil continued his drive out of the dip).  

Lenny was finally allowed into the drivers seat beyond Trevaskis Rd and slow isn't in Lenny's language, he'd set his sights at reaching rooster corner and Tina (now 3rd wheel) was looking toasted.   With a k to get to Coach Rd, Tina retreated to the rear for recovery so I went a rung up the ladder behind Rocket as he became captain at River Rd's end.  Now to survive the second wheel syndrome. (wasn't I lucky that Rocket just idled at 38 to the highway!) I'd switched the Garmin to the second display, the one that hides the heart rate ; what I don't know won't hurt me right?   Rocket made it look easy.  

It was my turn crossing the Midland and that northwester wasn't helping but I'd made it to the bridge (my usual stumbling block) and with something still left in the tank, set the fig farm as a target.  Greg must have been bored behind me (or wanted to put me out of my misery?) and passed, towing the team behind.  No protest from me, oxygen intake was well overdue.   Tina let me in at 8th wheel for the k north to Old Dookie Rd, Greg fairly keen to keep the velocity west but Tina was losing her grip on the caboose.  A holler of "Easy!" sent Bruce to the front to apply a little handbrake to the hurry.  Ideally a team that starts together finishes together and that's how it stayed to the truck route, though it turned into something more like  t-o-g-e-t--h--e---r in the squirt to SPC.

12/4  Winter's hint.

You know the season is on the turn when the "feels like" becomes the priority first thing in the morning.  Ahh, those weeks of Winter's woes are almost on us again.  The joys of frozen fingers and numb toes, and the umpteen layers of insulation needed to survive a few k's outdoors.  There's some satisfaction in riding the real k's though ; (Zwift taking the easy way out!)  A base layer did the job for Tuesday's feels like 6.5, the other Antarctic rated ones can stay in storage for the colder weeks to come (Finger-less gloves might have been a bit optimistic in the reality of the ride though)  I'd be hoping for a bit of squirrel speed for warmth.  Kim, the 5ft Ninja, Tina and Emil made up a smaller squad than normal, the routine set in stone with Emil taking the first shift to the truck route.  Mid 30's was a kind introduction so my usual opening act to Orrvale Rd was a little less taxing as a result.  Tina scored the super smooth length of the Cha Cha for her first appearance at the front (remember those days of the westbound thrash into the high 40's where most just hung on in survival mode watching Rocket, Boof or those of similar disposition sprint off into the distance?  I suddenly feel more prehistoric ; that was years ago!)   

Now, where was I?  Oh yeah, Tina took us to the Kinder to hand Kim the lead into Central Ave, a tougher leg to take on with the south southwester to fight.  Kim reckoned she was struggling today though the speed didn't show it.  The Ninja was fifth in line for labor at the cypress trees and set her sights at Channel Rd's end, so it was probably the the long struggle of a headwind from home to the start line that trimmed her tempo to reach Boundary Rd.  Emil started the northbound leg gently and built the cruising speed higher over the highway.  I smelled a long turn brewing so settled in at second wheel expecting a lengthy wait, so wasn't I was woken from a trance when his elbow flapped early at the bridge (I took that as a hint to share the tail-wind around). 

A drive to Old Dookie Rd was something different and from there Tina could enjoy the breeze behind to New Dookie. Kim won the leg to Lemnos-Cosgrove so the Ninja missed out on the tail wind and had the west way to Lemnos instead (she was excused for throwing in the towel at the bridge)   Getting to Lemnos North Rd was easy for Emil so his addition of driving to Grahamvale Rd was understandable, and for a moment I thought he may martyr the drive to go further, but I was handed the reigns at Grahamvale Rd.  I reached Verney and stayed at the front to save Tina the torture of a headwind into town but Emil launched a take-over bid for the lead (and I didn't flinch an elbow) to tow us to the caffeine conclusion.

14/4  Emil on EPO?

That'll teach me to bang on about winter! Thursday had a feels like 5.8, so out came another layer, the knee warmers, long fingered gloves and the neck warmer, and with it the extra minutes needed to get all this stuff on!  I gotta admit the extra warmth made it bearable though all the others had braved bare legs.  I must be softening.  Tina, Jen, the 5ft Ninja, Kim and Emil had assembled at the shop, the standard starting sequence getting underway at 5:30, Emil carefully turning up the velocity to the mid 30's bound for the truck route without stretching the line long.  I had no idea where the breeze was blowing from but my drive to Orrvale Rd wasn't such a battle.  It turned out to be Tina taking on third shift to the Kinder and Kim the forth to the cypress trees.  The standard Tuesday / Thursday scenario.  Jen had a bit more spice to her speed than last week but called it quits at the S bend, the Ninja predicted to take us to Boundary Rd's bridge but she shortened her shift to at Channel Rd's end.  

I was ready for Emil's turn to end at the bridge so the 1400 metres to Old Dookie Rd was driving deja vu.  It wasn't hard to keep high 30's on the agenda so that suggested a southerly was helping me (and my ego).   Tina, like Tuesday took the Old to New Dookie drive.  I'd better get a rubber stamp made 'cause Kim got the 1200 metres to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Jen must be on the go juice 'cause the long drive west to Lemnos North Rd blurred by under her wheels.  The Ninja wasn't so enthused, the first k of Ford Rd was enough and Emil was given the reigns.  I wonder what he had in store for us today?  Pace was preserved to Grahamvale Rd so I sensed trouble was brewing.  Yep, he lit the afterburners to get velocity into the 40's toward Verney Rd but I wanted the nice guy vote and stayed at 37's, the girls happy to stay in the draft.  Emil had eased to a speed more sensible for the southbound drive to Balaclava (probably preventing a knife in the back) to conclude the lap on a calmer note.

15/4  Is Friday. Is good!

A public holiday and perfect weather (no wind!) drew a crowd at Sanctuary Drive for Good Friday and the customary trooping of the colour (kit day of course!)   Was it a later 6am start or the Raftery Rd introduction to a longer lap that was the attraction?  An almost mild 12 degrees might have done it too?  Bruce, Rocket, Lenny, Wozza, Boof Gazza, Emil, Tina, TatPaul, Kreeky, Kel, the 5ft Ninja, Greg, The Godfather, PistolPete and Bo rolled away from the grid and immediately u-turned to travel Sanctuary Drive west to the highway as a big shift from routine. 

The left and right via Cormorant and Seven Creeks Drive led us to Raftery Rd for an anti-clockwise attack on the Toaster circuit, a rare ride these days.  As expected, the big horsepower had conveniently grouped at the front to set the cruise control high and that may have turned up the intimidation factor for some.  A dash of orange in the sky before sun-up spread enough light  to view what wildlife might lurk beyond the headlight's beam.  It's a Raftery reputation, thankfully proved wrong today.  

Greg ahead and Kel behind meant I had plenty of muscle to match but my number wasn't going to be drawn for a while with Wozza, Rocket, Gazza, Bruce and Emil still to do duty.  A northerly breeze had sprung up so guess where I'd be when drive time came?  Right into it on Coach Rd! Lucky Greg had given me a pensioner concession on velocity and matched my slower wheel to the Broken.  The next 1800 metres to the highway keeping 36's on the screen had my own silly determination to blame ; you'd reckon aiming a bit lower would be a wiser move?  Kel was kind to stay level and not fuel an inferiority complex. 

Tommygun's tardy start had used Channel Rd to intercept the crew but he'd already resolved to confine himself to the caboose.  The Godfather had manouvred his way onto Bo's wheel with the sole purpose to heckle, and so the circus act started as they paired at the front Toaster bound on Old Dookie Rd  (unfortunately timed to to test Tina at third wheel)   Riding in daylight is a rarity with this mob's stupid o'clock starts so sun-up was a treasured moment to be tapping out the k's.  (Shorter days to come will deny us the delight).  A holler approaching the Pine Lodge rail line made a sudden slow for a 'roo on the road, but he'd bounded out of harm's way for a clear path to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  

TatPaul, Tina and the Ninja provided a little less hurry as a welcome intermission before the tempo was turned up toward town.  So it's not just me thinking tactics as the bunch bears west toward breakfast ; who was ahead?, would they drive long?, and where would I be if I hit the front again?, already racking the brains of Kreeky and Bo as far out of town as Boundary Rd!  So I'm not the only one to predict the pain to come!   Those blessed with brute force fronted again for the rapid transit to town and maybe, just maybe, there were enough long drivers to get us to breakfast and spare me the suffering of another shift.  It seemed to be touch and go when I was third wheel on the crest of Mt. Wanganui, Bruce, Gazza and Emil delivering the long shifts to get us into the Boulevard.  

But there wasn't to be a free tow 'cause my number had come up at Tarcoola's roundabout ; just the last 1400 metres to the Town Hall but on labored legs it would be a measure of masochism.  (Greg's kudos helped the head but the legs and lungs loathed the labor)  Still, a couple of contributions at the front for 60 k's worth of slipstream is pretty good value when you think about it!  The hat was passed around for the Royal Children's Hospital Appeal, the babble at the Butter Factory over breakfast was on the cat & dog theory, social inadequacy and the entertainment on bike events, but that was cut short with the angst of a drug using alcoholic on the footpath (angry at bikes parked near her walk way for heaven's sake!)   Society's shortcomings on dealing with addiction was the thought to take home.

This week 226km      YTD 4,412              

     

Softness probably.

 Post #640

2/4  @ effort's end.

Of course there was a struggle into a southerly toward Sanctuary's start, most of the week had a head-on to deal with so why not Saturday too? It's meant to make you stronger but it's sending me to the therapist for the nightmares it brings on!  I was glad Emil was on a quiet commute (he was riding the Giro Della Donna tomorrow) 'cause I could get little more than 30 out of the old engine to get to the grid.  Strange that PistolPete was absent at the roundabout, though Wozza had made a tentative comeback nursing a recovering back injury.  The Godfather, Molly, Bo, TrackStan, the 5ft Ninja, Boof, Lance, Bruce, Nev, Rocket and Greg lined up behind.  

I try not to get choosy when the flag falls at 6,  but by chance, I'd drawn Lance's wheel as the order got sorted.  Someone of similar speed (and seniority) took the pressure off with a bunch heavily biased on horsepower.  Substantial speed south had Molly at full throttle (and losing grip on the wheel ahead) but Emil performed the chivalrous duty of donating a draft till Bruce, Rocket, Boof and co eased off the gas in Mitchell Rd.   Tempo had already tested the water and there'd be more measuring of limits to come I'd guess.  

TatMat and TatPaul jumped aboard at Central Kialla.    Boof and Nev got to the front at River Rd's dip and both had determination by the bucket-load to drive to rooster corner (that's good; closer to a tail-wind turn for me!)   Nev seemed to be softening Lance with labor to the Broken bridges so I took care to keep wheels level with him  when we paired to the highway (Don't burn a team mate when he's toasted already!)  I had some reserves left to pair with Bo to Boundary Rd's bridge and that's where The Godfather played co-pilot with Bo and the high jinks commenced (half wheeled to Old Dookie Rd, but Bo wasn't taking the bait).  TatMat had the horsepower to cope with The Godfather's shenanigans to the Toaster. The southerly (17-26 km/h) was going to be a nuisance on the hurry back to town so rejoining the advance on Lemnos-Cosgrove wasn't so inviting.  At least Lance wouldn't kill me.  That long stretch of Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd didn't take that long to travel with the horsepower at the front, a few at the rear somewhat silent with the speed.  Closer to  town meant closer to breakfast where the effort could end but another contribution at the front was near. 

Nev and Lance headed us into Wanganui Rd though Nev messed with the routine turning up the pace early and encouraged Lance to tuck in behind, so my turn arrived a little earlier (and a lot faster) than expected.  Shortened my expectations of survival too!  So a short shift it was to DECA's gate before calling for Bo's draft, the trouble being The Godfather was up to making Bo's life miserable headed to Mt. Wanganui.  Mid 40's at second wheel put me in struggle street nearing Kittles Rd and a gap slowly opened, making up the deficit was judged impossible till Bo's resolve snapped 50 metres later. Only then could I find the extra oomph (lower case oomph in my case!) to get back into the slipstream.  Even though legs were complaining and lungs were trying to burst, something extra was found at the bottom of an empty tank to hold onto the bunch toward breakfast on the Boulevard ; I reckon it was the thought of being dropped that provided the urge.   What motivates employees, non-payers and magic wands carried the conversations over the breakfast table. 

4/4 Hark! What light through yonder horizon breaks?

Darkness was still the greeting at Sanctuary Drive despite the shift to Eastern Standard Time, though a little early light should come half way around the Monday lap (well, that was the motivational factor to break my lethargy at breakfast)    It felt odd that PistolPete wasn't parked at Sanctuary's grid at 5:39 so Emil and Bruce took the lead role at the start-line.  Pistol arrived a moment later with Kreeky, Lenny, Wozza, Tina, The Godfather, Kel, Rocket and Greg lining up behind.  Placed 2nd wheel in the left line as the order got organised toward the truck route meant I'd be the last to hit the front, so I had plenty of time to prepare for the exertion.  

There might even be a little help from that southwest breeze when I got there too?  As if to fuel a feeling of inadequacy, Emil and Bruce set high 30's into the wind (I guess if you've got the wattage you may as well use it)  A serve of speed first thing Monday is like diving in the deep end but none of us turn up to the start expecting a dawdle around the circuit!  A little colour on the horizon in River Rd sparked some enthusiasm - wasn't it nice to see something a bit further beyond the headlight's beam.  Lenny's the latest emerging from a weeks Covid isolation and despite the time off the bike there's no sign of slowness!  Again spooked by speed, Tina chose to sit at the back and command the caboose when I swapped lines to join the advance.  

Lenny and Pistol drove the train out of the dip while the thought of scoring a tail-wind slowly slipped from my hopeful list.  A long line of lads and a lass were yet to do duty.  Rocket and Wozza (there's that potent pairing again!) took charge in Coach Rd though Wozza cut his shift short rolling across at the Broken (saving something for Tuesday?) so Kreeky did the co-pilot job to the highway.  Things were swinging back in my favor again, some of my turn would have the breeze behind (a miserable 4 km/h worth.....but every bit helps....)  

Kel and Kreeky led from the highway though it was surprise to see Kreeky call it quits at the bridge (worn out from the weekend?) so I had the job of getting smoothness and speed up to Kel's standards to Old Dookie Rd. (just trying to copy that smoothness helped me to do the distance)  Emil graciously eased his effort while I gasped to drive part two of the shift west, calling for the mercy of a draft at School Rd. What little reserves that remained were spent on the speed that the PistolPete and Emil combination delivered to Central Ave.  The slow for the intersection gained a breath or two to survive the speed back home.

5/4 Partner provocation 101. 

A bike just serviced seems to glide smoother, quieter and maybe slightly faster, a purring chain and hum of the wheels certainly put a positive into the ride (Now to get the clunks, creaks and rattles in the old engine fixed!)    Feels like 6.5 makes you draw a bit more breath and turns up the adrenaline getting up to speed, the bonus of barely a breeze blowing probably prevented being frozen.  I'd attached to the Archer St commute with Emil and Kim, Jen joining en-route to spin the streets southward where Tina and the Ninja were found at the shop.  With the squad gathered and 5:29 on the clock, Emil set the path east with plenty of vim in velocity to the truck route.  Not sure I'd be reaching his standards for my drive to Orrvale.   

A slow build up of pace after crossing Doyles (giving the impression I was letting all get in the draft) was hoped to leave some sort of energy to go the distance, the last 50 metres running right out of steam giving the impression I was exercising caution for the intersection.  Tina broke tradition doing leg 3 to the Kinder but Kim took on the tradition of leg 4 to the cypress trees.  Jen had delayed her appearance at the front till now and drove leg 5 a little slower than usual (not the Jen I know) but was determined to reach Channel Rd's end.   The change of order put a new perspective to the same old same old.  The 5ft Ninja faced the north drive on Boundary Rd and with 1300 metres to the bridge being enough expenditure,  handed Emil the reigns.  Faster was the next order of business. The acceleration was spared till the 5ft one got into the draft, then he served up the huff and puff to nudge the 40's, the air seemingly charged with "What have I done to deserve this?" from some behind me.  (Yeah Emil, it'll make 'em stronger....but at some personal cost to you!)  His enthusiasm continued to New Dookie Rd before I was promoted to captain. 

I eased a k or two for the drive to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd 'cause my legs weren't going to match Emil's energy (and I'd be ranked as the nice guy as a result).   There was no stress about speed for Tina when single filed at the front (just a couple of k's faster and paired with someone at the pointy end might be the repellent to Monday's, Wednesday's and Fridays?) setting a decent speed to the bridge for Kim and Jen to share the load to Lemnos-North Rd.  The Ninja cut her shift short for Ford Rd, handing the helm to Emil just a k into it  (was she privy to what was to come?)    Mid 30's was ditched for a dash in the 40's beyond Grahamvale Rd, so by Verney Rd there'd be copious cussing if it weren't for the hurried intake of oxygen.  Emil may have felt a burning sensation from the glares behind 'cause he'd backed off the bravado to lead the way to Balaclava Rd at a more conservative and considerate pace.  (Must loan him "How to Win Friends & Influence People"!)

6/4  Don't ya just love the serenity!

PistolPete was awol and that made the start line strange. Rocket and Wozz had occupied the drivers seats so thoughts of a lap at social speed seemed doubtful.  Ah, but I was a bit quick to judge, the pair were most diplomatic with the accelerator to the truck route and fair setting the cruising speed to Mitchell.  Maybe a Wednesday social spin was back on the agenda?  (Let's not get too excited Foss, the sight of SPC seems to incite speed!)    

River Rd had a red skyline as I'd reached the rear, Bo and I convincing Tina to join the advance finally getting a nod.  (fingers crossed the social speed would stick)  With the sedate speed came plenty of chat, all swiftly silenced by The Godfather's retorts of course.  It sounds like a calamity unfolding but we've learned it's just crying wolf (and it's given the same credence as his calls at intersections!)   The sky lit up as Kreeky and Bruce led us to rooster corner, Trav and The Godfather keeping some calm toward the Broken. It felt odd to have a view in focus and be able to speak a sentence or two close to the business end.  Crossing the highway, the combination of Kel and Jen together at the front across could have spelled hurt, but they'd conformed to the Wednesday protocols too.

The turns rolled in favor of Tina having assistance from the southerly breeze to Old Dookie Rd and I took care to keep wheels level for our pairing west toward School Rd, but Tina's tank was empty just a few hundred metres later (well, almost empty, just enough left to keep pace in the draft) Emil stuck to social specifications too for a while till the speed was slowly dialed up beyond Central Ave.  Clear of traffic at the truck route, the pace got spicy to SPC (of course!) , but all were safely slimmed to single file to stay clear of the cranky commuting in cars.

7/4  Thrash therapy.

By circumstance, most squirrels had reason to be absent on Thursday so the Sanctuary squad became the default setting.  I'd had Wednesday night to harden up in preparation for the faster lap and by luck, wind wasn't going to wear me down, not even a breeze was blowing at stupid o'clock.  Why the commute to the south of town barely breaching the 30's was a battle, I'm not sure.  Softness probably.  (Do I need a warm-up prior to the warm-up?  Getting up at stupider o'clock is hardly worth it!)   Emil and I paused at the squirrel start just in case anyone showed but the shop car park was vacant at launch time, so we did the spin to Sanctuary for the 5:40 foray.    PistolPete, Boof, Wozza, Greg, Rocket, Bo, Kel, Kreeky and The Godfather rolled south from the roundabout, and for a moment I thought Indian file was the format as PistolPete and Emil led line astern to the truck route, but Wozza then Boof soon formed the advance.  

(Single file would have let me set my own pace at the front but that's taking the easy way out.....now I'd have to match someone else at the pointy end!  Thankfully this is a considerate crew ; they do concessions for the aged!)  High 30's and low 40's got the engine temperature up but hopes weren't up of doing a turn as long as this lot ; I'd just try the tempo at the front till the engine spluttered in protest then call for a draft before the meter expired.  There were a few still to serve time so I could sit back and enjoy the show (and do a lot of oxygen stocktaking).  The Godfather and Bo measured each other to the quarter horse stud, Kel then Kreeky rolling the rotations to reach rooster corner where I'd face the front.  Mid 30's wasn't hard to reach out of River Rd and into Coach but getting three more k's out of the legs really emptied the tank.  I wasn't shy in admitting my shortcomings to Kreeky and rolled the turn at One Tree Dam, the hard part was part two trying to reach the bridges before the boiler burst. 

Emil was kind to apply his handbrake for a while but I couldn't ignore the signals of stress a bit shy of the river.   The heart rate was still on a high as Emil and Pistol made the 40's to the highway look easy.  Pistol and Wozz kept the pace percolating toward Old Dookie Rd and as Wozz rolled across for Boof to front, the dead rabbit on the road wasn't seen.  Emil and I whacked it, kicking my front wheel a few inches sideways, as if the heart rate wan't high enough! (I might need a tyre lever to get off the saddle?)  Staying upright was a bonus.  There was some consolation to be nearly last in line on the turn west into Old Dookie, full gas was needed to catch the bunch but there'd be no more punishment at the pointy end for me.  Legs and lungs wanted the suffering to stop but the challenge of surviving the Thursday thrash was therapy in itself, though finishing with the bunch would be the big test as Greg turned up the torment with speed to SPC.  How lucky was I that PistolPete had hung back a few metres from the pack through the streets toward the Butter Factory where I could use his slipstream to survive.

8/4  Rain stopped play Friday, and I'll admit the sleep-in felt like Christmas on a stick!

 

This week 266km       YTD 4,186    

                 

The hurt head-on

 Post #639

26/3  Back to the Flat Earth Society.

Back on the flat home soil after just a week away in the hilly stuff and I was already wanting a downhill for recovery! It's only 10 k's to Sanctuary Drive but the sustained speed took some adjustment.  (How quickly we soften!)  Lovers of the steep stuff often ridicule the level ground as "no challenge" but there's work in both (depends what you're used to I guess)   Trav, Grumpy, Bruce, Tina, Emil, Rocket, Liam, Molly, The Godfather, Kreeky, Lance, the 5ft Ninja, Greg, GiantAndy, PistolPete and Nev had swelled the Sanctuary start-line, so with those sort of numbers it shouldn't be a brutal baptism back to bunch riding.  Nev assigned himself as caboose captain with not a lumen to light his way while I braved joining the advance line early behind Trav.  

10 degrees felt nearly tropical compared to Castlemaine's 5 two days ago, though being properly insulated on this occasion helped.  Being vacuumed along in the mid 30's made a change from last weeks solo struggle too, the company makes the biggest difference though.  (Almost a week of listening to myself was getting a bit scary!)  The Godfather reckoned he'd kept the circus tamed, PistolPete's style hadn't faltered a fraction, Rocket's still at an idle in the high 30's (a bit like GiantAndy primed from 3 Peaks), Greg's embraced Rule #33 and is fitter than a Mallee bull post Tour de Cure, Tina's  still stressed about speed but gets in and does her turns anyway and Grumpy's chat rarely takes a holiday.  (It was great to be back in the thick of it all)   

Time came to face the front and earn my keep in Coach Rd with the consumate gentleman Trav, his call for a cruisy turn most reassuring ; he'd even predicted my want to roll across at the bridges (or perhaps someone had pinned 'Caution ; 3km range' to my back?)  Kreeky made it considerate co-pilot number two for the drive to the highway though I was surprised he called for more calm paired with Grumpy over the highway (surely I wasn't too fast?)   Back in the draft after the effort at the front is a little like the descent after a climb, though I wasn't about to get too comfortable, another shift would come due before the lap was done.  The Emil and PistolPete pairing at the front was bound to be brisk, the silence in the pack confirming the uptake in velocity on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  (Funny how the fastest always seem to congregate).  

GiantAndy took his leave nearing Lemnos and simply rode off into the distance (it'd be nice to have that sort of horsepower but then youth probably helps!)    My foot fumble at Numurkah Rd dropped me a rung down the ladder so I paired with Kreeky at DECA to drive to Mt.Wanganui.  I was expecting to be swamped by sprinters before we got there but those with that sort of wattage were remarkably restrained (maybe they were saving their pace for the Boulevard?) Sharing the front with Grumpy in Rudd Rd had the task of facing the southerly too but I managed the short shift to Golf Drive before admitting the tank was empty.  Well, almost.  I'd saved a bit in reserve for what may come on the Boulevard.   Technology vs physics, wary welcomes and the J curve of heart rates had tongues tattling at breakfast .

28/3 The Emil exuberance.

Let's not get our hopes up Foss. A 10% better pace to Sanctuary Drive wasn't down to a tail-wind and topping up the tyre pressures 8 psi this morning couldn't make that much difference.  I reckon it was luck rather than a freakish burst of fitness (I'll guarantee there'd be the feeling of the handbrake being left on tomorrow!)  Bruce, Greg, PistolPete, Tina, Lenny, Trav, Emil, Kreeky, Rocket and The Godfather made it to Monday's grid, Corona virus and a bad back excusing three regulars from riding.  There'd be a little extra work than usual, and it started early.  Speed was straight onto the order of business for leg one, most unlike PistolPete's smooth start,  so thankfully I had Trav's smooth wheel to draft me (and Tina) gradually back to the bunch.  Emil's exuberance had kicked off early.  The Godfather had calmed the hurry a fraction by Central Kialla and by luck,  I had Bruce to follow in the advance with Trav behind (they do discounts for seniors!)  

By River Rd's dip Bruce had rolled across to the left and that's when the east northeaster made it's presence felt.......fair in the face!  I could cope with high thirties but my shift would be shorter under the circumstances ; not quite to the quarter horse stud I called half time to Bruce for Trav to pair for part two.  It was hardly a gale force wind to deal with, it had barely rated as a breeze, but with my limited legs and lungs the tank had drained fast.  Another k and I called it quits, recovery was the want to rooster corner where I might feel  human again and have some energy to catch the rush into Coach Rd. It's said you only really miss something when it's gone, so I really did miss that breeze when we;d swung north (missed it like a bout of anthrax!) 

 Rocket and Trav were on tow truck duties to the bridges, Kreeky captaining to the highway while a light globe flickered in my head (that east northeast wind meant there'd be a tailwind home....and odds on Pistol and Emil would be driving it!)  Kreeky did well to take on part two to Old Dookie Rd while I saved the few measly watts I had for the work to come.  With all pointed west and the breeze at our behinds, the Emil and Pistol show got underway. Most would be doing the 7 k's back to town like falling off a log but a few (me included) were getting close to maximum effort.   We're lucky to have a team tolerant of varied velocities.  Of course we all made it back to town as a team, but few were talking on the way! 

29/3  Southern comfort.

It's the same old recipe.  Emil to the truck route, me to Orrvale Rd, Jen to the Kinder, ,Kim to the cypress trees and then Tina takes over.  But consistency is a good thing.  Satisfies the o.c.d. within.  And predictability is what's wanted when you're line astern in the high 30's concentrating on the derriere just a metre in front.  Tina was in for a longer drive today, still steaming along at the S bend, but barely to Sellman's and her elbow said enough (What the head wanted the legs wouldn't deliver eh Tina?)   The 5ft one (including cleats and helmet) extended her shift to Boundary Rd's bridge so as Emil turned up the tempo (blame the breeze behind) I'd settled in at second wheel reckoning he'd go to New Dookie Rd.  Wrong! I was handed the reigns at Old Dookie for the 1400 metre effort to the New one. Jen would get the leg to Lemnos-Cosgrove so Kim and Tina missed out on the tail-wind treat (they did a great job taking us west to Lemnos North Rd though).  

Consistency was back with the Ninja doing Ford Rd's  first leg while Jen and I played the shock absorber to get Kim and Tina back to Emil and the Ninja's eagerness to keep the pace up.  Emil put his rubber stamp on the west drive to Verney then south to Balaclava so to balance the contributions, I took on the lead toward the Butter Factory (clearly not fast enough for Emil who bolted to the High St lights.........to have it change red). 

30/3  Social Wednesdays.....remember them?

'Ol mate PistolPete just loves a head wind.  Nearly every morning he's the guy to face the first shift and nearly every morning there's a southerly for him to drive into.  And it does nothing to slow him down!  I'd suffered 10 k's worth of it to the starting grid so wasn't about to challenge him for the lead role.  Bruce had the muscle to match him while Rocket, Greg, Tina, Emil, Boof, The Godfather and Kreeky lined up behind waiting for the relief steering east to Central Kialla. Convincing Tina to follow me in the advance line on River Rd was mission impossible, speed was a bit too spicy for her liking (mine too .....but I was counting on the wind being behind when my turn came due)   She'd convinced herself she couldn't and that was the end of it. The minds' resolve is often unshakable (some call it stubbornness!)  Yet we've all taken a dive into the deep end sometime....and have lived to tell the tale, more often than not with reasonable success.  Overcoming the defeatist inside is harder than the task itself!  (Tina will, one day).  

I'd followed The Godfather being promoted up the ranks at River Rd's dip, my turn at the business end coming at the quarter horse gates with a side wind to fight. But if I applied Rule #5 to rooster corner there'd be a tail wind for part two.  I'd ignored The Godfather's wheel staying ahead, I was doing this at my speed.  Emil had eased his enthusiasm (for Tina, worn by wind) which became my bonus ; I could reach the Broken bridges before I burst!    PistolPete paired with Emil for the drive to the highway, a red led ahead (a red flag to two bulls!) providing the bait for more pace......as if the tail wind wasn't tempting tempo enough.   It took a couple of k's to catch Jen (arriving from an alarm malfunction) even with 40's on the menu ; so much for the social Wednesday thing!  Well, at least we're not dropping bikes off the back and leaving them to find their own way home.  There's some compassion in the crew (note; does not apply to Tuesdays from the shop!) 

31/3 Wind woes.

Thursday's wind would have me stay in bed if it weren't for the lure of a lap with the squirrels.  The sound of 37 km/h gusts was hardly the stuff of motivation.  Still, suffering is better shared than solo so joining the development squad didn't need a second thought (I can sustain their speed a little longer anyway!)  It was a surprise to find the Ninja at the shop, I'd be second guessing a 16k solo into a southerly to the start (7 k's of it in company with Kim and Emil was work in itself)   Rolling the customary block around the Archer St shop had us to Channel Rd right on 5:30 so in a shuffle of protocols, I got the first drive to the truck route.  

It's 900 metres longer than my usual Doyles to Orrvale effort so the htfu factor needed to happen in a hurry.  Steering a straight line against the wind pushing at the port-side was far better than the hurt of it head-on!  I took a guess at mid 30's being kosher (that's about all this old engine was going to give for the first shift anyway!)   I must have set the pace right, Emil took over to Orrvale Rd at a similar speed.  Jen's absence put Kim in charge for the turn to the Kinder, Tina having the hurt in Central Ave for 600 metres till the turn east toward the cypress trees.  The Ninja was next up to perform east and lucky me had her dismal draft! (pleased she wasn't pushing 40 to Channel Rd's end though) Turning north onto Boundary Rd was Christmas come early with the wind now behind but I set the shift a bit short to the bridge to share that tailwind among friends.  Emil did likewise to end his turn at Old Dookie, Kim enjoying the help to New Dookie and Tina with no complaints to Lemnos-Cosgrove.  The Ninja missed out ; and after the toil to the start line too!  Maybe next time?    

It's hard to predict how long someone's shift will last unless the body language gives the game away ; the Ninja didn't go noddy headed or go grabbing at gears when the legs went licorice, the pace didn't falter either, but an elbow at the bridge confirmed enough was enough.  A  couple of k's to Lemnos North Rd would do me, the wind was starting to hamper my hurry and I could nearly smell a tow back to town from there.  Emil was next to drive west and Kim was given the leg to Verney. Tina braved the work into the wind south toward Balaclava but Emil took pity on her toil and took on the captaincy for the 2 k's into town.

1/4  Foolish Friday.

Bo & Kel had made a comeback from Covid to lift the numbers for Friday's get together, Grumpy on his occasional visit as well offset the Lenny, Rocket and Wozza absence.  PistolPete's practice of leading to Mitchell Rd had Emil join as co-pilot (so hang onto that wheel folks!), feels like 7 kept the cadence up too!  A sigh of relief could be breathed turning east now that we weren't at war with the wind and I'd found myself among the gals at the back as the rotational order got sorted.  Seeing the pace on the Garmin had spooked Tina, she'd bowed out of joining the advance.  And that became contagious, Kim caught it too! 

 

I had the aerodynamic advantage of drafting a matchstick with Jen ahead, so having the wind behind in Coach Rd was a bonus.  Maybe I'd get lucky and get a turn done before the west way back on Old Dookie Rd?   Kel and the 5ft Ninja led at the Broken bridges but the the Ninja's earlier 16k solo into the southerly to the start had worn away the watts, her pace fading near the highway.   Jen played considerate co-pilot toward Pogue Rd but was called across as the Ninja's watts evaporated.    So Jen and I felt the weight of expectation of the pack behind ; to be towed at a reasonable tempo toward Old Dookie, of course!  Commonsense (and limited resources...like horsepower!) told me my turn should end at Old Dookie Rd, so I called half time to Jen near the fig farm to take on part two with Greg. (I'd missed the hard yards of Old Dookie and it's wind, Greg, PistolPete and Emil were better equipped for that.  As if Pistol and Emil didn't provide enough pace to the truck route, The Godfather stretched the line long with a hurry-up to SPC.

This week 300km    YTD 3,654km