Wind up the waste-gate

Post #687

25/2  Seeking sustainable Saturdays.

A little like crossing the floor to vote with the opposition, Saturday's last moment decision to lap with the Wouldabeens felt like betraying the bunch.  There was little motivation in the muscles at stupid o'clock (self inflincted with a 320 km/week habit?) and the usual Saturday spin with it's history of hurry had drained a lot of enthusiasm.  I guess being social could be an excuse to swap squads?   I found Wendy in the Boulevard and Crossy in Corio on the commute via Joe (not Tony)'s but he'd found a reason to abandon the ride.  The curious course to Kialla Lakes Drive found a few others (Shorty, Weapon, TrekTrev and ChrisS) but a wait for others proved fruitless. (I'm a fan of Rule #    but, when in Rome......)   Shorty showed us the way south via Waranga, Wendouree and Sanctuary to Archer Rd, Crossy taking his shift to Mitchell Rd where the northeaster's help became hurt for TrekTrev's turn.  

13-20 k's worth of wind at the left shoulder slowed progress a tad and just as I thought TrekTrev would tow us to Central Kialla, his elbow put Weapon in charge.  Wind direction isn't obvious to some but was as subtle as a sledgehammer to me to stay left and give the players behind some shelter. They'd have the pleasure of driving into it soon.  Mitchell Rd is the favored course of the Woulda's and I had it's bland views unobstructed to the dog-leg, careful to keep all aboard at a diplomatic pace.  It's the FIFO factor.  

Wendy followed up at a similar speed for another couple of k's  and elected ChrisS as captain.  New to the addiction and probably a probationary in the drivers seat, watts were wanted just shy of Coach Rd so he handed the job to Shorty.  A concession was called soon after for ChrisS to upload oxygen so the throttle was eased to River Rd but Crossy was keen to ramp up the velocity again on his mission to reach the Broken bridges.   The 1600 meters to the highway was TrekTrev's task.   Weapon seemed to struggle toward the Boundary bridge so it was no surprise to see her elbow electing me to take over.  34's and 5's left enough in the legs to do the distance (and didn't score me any knives in the back) though I'll admit it was great to hand the reigns to Wendy 3k's later and enjoy sitting second last wheel.  (Weapon had commandeered the caboose)  

I suffer the usual Saturday speed yet just a couple of k's slower seems sustainable. (Time to suffer some more then I reckon!)  Another call for calm went to Shorty on his hurry to the Pine Lodge church while ChrisS was occupied with oxygen.  Wind up the wastegate motivated speed west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, TrekTrev setting the standard to Boundary Rd for me to continue.  Targeting Lemnos North Rd is standard single file stuff (might not aim that far with someone alongside), posterior punishment avoided with the fresh coat of paint on the rumble strips.  Wendy took care of Ford Rd's 3 k's and Wepon had quit the caboose to drive the shift to Verney so ChrisS steered us south toward Balaclava (No worry of Wanganui Rd with this lot)  Rumors of a sprint finish amouted to nothing.  A Belcibo breakfast occupied the taste buds, dodgy caravan parks, outdoor ed and radar tail-lights occupied the tongue.

27/2 Monday's motivation muster.

Those moments (minutes?) between cancelling the alarm and your feet hitting the floor are dangerous.  Too long and Bo's book of excuses opens in your mind, too soon and there's a horizontal malfunction to start your day!  Motivating movement on a Monday is hard enough at the best of times and stirring old bones at stupid o'clock makes it more of a challenge, but once up and about, the engine slowly splutters into a rough idle. Coffee smooths it.  I try not to sit too long on mornings like these or reasons to abandon a ride begin to multiply (Bo's book comes in several volumes you know!) so the kit-up procedure started before the cup went empty.  

A slight southwester didn't delay the spin to Sanctuary drive, The Godfather, Jen, Wozza, Bruce, Emil, Kreeky, Bo, PistolPete, Kel, BamBam, Greg, Tina and Rocket finding the motivation to meet for the 5:40 shindig.   The Godfather's charge to get Pistol's wheel (therefore the last in the order) was almost predictable as PistolPete's lead south, the bunch sorting themselves into order toward Mitchell Rd.  A hare and a snake were avoided but Wozza struck something to sharp half way to Central Kialla to pinch a tube and cause a pause for a fix.  Emil assisted but there wasn't a reading from the gospel according to St.Tubeless. Underway a little later than The Godfather's expectation, the southwester provided pace north to River Rd and east toward rooster corner, most assuming their previous order (though The Godfather grabbed the gap ahead of Bo, concentrating on conversation rather than the wheel ahead.  There was a chance of a circus act to follow and being on Bo's wheel wasn't the perfect position.

Some comfort came with Kel behind; conformity, consistency and no clowning around for part two!   As expected, The Godfather put on a show of pace in Coach Rd, a little less ballast and a tailwind assisting his bid to bust Bo, but he behaved for the best part of the shift to get us to the highway, team intact.  Doing a 'full block' beside Bo crossed my mind for a moment then common sense took over, I'd have just enough to do half then Kel could run my tank dry to Old Dookie.  I'd rolled to the left line nearing the fig farm and thought Kel was just being kind keeping her wheel level but 38's seemed to be showing some stress when I sneaked a peek.  That explained her short shift against the southwester with Kreeky to School Rd.  

Tina braved the wind with Kreeky to Central Ave where pace picked up on Pistol and Emil's watch to the truck route.  Speed stayed stable though for the shift to SPC, the competition with commuting traffic retraining the usual thrash. 

28/2 Many missing, one returned and a new recruit (and a second spin)

No Wendy, no Kim, no Molly, no Graeme and no Tina!  Just as well Emil and Jen turned up Tuesday and, after a long absence imitating a speedboat       (a 24km swim in 6:39), Lili returned to spin with the squirrels.  Well, what's left of them!  Tuesday became this weeks' therapy session to not only transition Lili from the water back to two wheels but for new recruit Julz to get a gentle baptism to bunch riding.   Lili was having headlight issues so stayed at the back while you-know-who got the wheels rolling toward the truck route.  I got the Doyles to Orrvale Rd thing, for the 681st time!  

Pleased with the 'therapy tempo', Jen took us to the Kinder and Emil found himself in charge again but his Leyzene's backlight was out of action (though he'd guessed the tempo well).  My heart-rate strap went haywire in sympathy, though I'd like 59bpm at 33 km/h anyday!  Julz red led flashing at the cypress trees said she was braving the bunch and joined the rear at a conservative distance. Trust will get her closer in time, for now our job was to make her introduction to the addiction a pleasant one.  (going OTA on your first 'bunchie' isn't an ideal start).  27's and even 28's was the guess to be diplomatic though the benefit of the slipstream soon made 31's no bother.  I was given the lead at the S bend and kept speed within specs to Coach Rd. (that "hell hath no fury" thing sounded in the skull)    Jen drove into the darkness of Boundary Rd to the bridge where Lili's light started to behave and let her lead.  The difficult task for the day would be to get the grin off Julz face; what a happy little Vegemite in the draft!  (We won't tell her what waits for her at the front yet!) Emil handed me the New Dookie to Lemnos-Cosgrove shift , Jen working west for the 3k's to Ford Rd.  A hint of south southwester wasn't a worry at social speed and variety came with the usual order mixed , Emil on duty to Grahamvale and Lili back at the front for the drive to Verney so again I was trusted with Emil's shift south to Balaclava Rd.  Traffic lights were as always, red.

That 50k repetition had got to me again, the urge to teach the legs something like distance got me doing a second spin.  Perfect weather made the choice easy.  A lap of the Sanctuary circuit is the same old same old, but it suited my time limitations. (I did catch The Godfather up to his elbows in a puncture repair on the exit if town ; seems tubeless has it's limitations too!)   Pressure was off without a bunch to keep pace with and the breeze made the most of the anti-clockwise course.  With little traffic to contend with the solo spin was certainly peaceful,  riding in daylight the pleasure I'd almost forgotten.

1/3 Windsday.

A free tow to Sanctuary Drive was worth a sprint to Benalla Rd's lights rather than suffer the south southwester blowing at 24 km/h for another 6 k's.  Boof and Rocket were the saviours with the horsepower to tow me there, Emil sheltering me from the wee bit of west in the wind. Troy, Grumpy, PistolPete, Kreeky, Greg, BamBam, The Godfather and Bruce arrived for Pistol and Emil to drag us south at 5:40; where they find the watts to drive at 37's into the wind I'd love to know (I want some too!)   I had no hesitation joining the advance line early; getting a turn at the front before Old Dookie Rd was the priority (through Central Kialla or somewhere on Coach or Boundary would be fine.  I don't want much do I?)  Hopes hung on Boof playing nice when I did reach the business end.  Grumpy and Troy lucked the northbound path to River Rd, remarkably restrained given the south southwester boosting us from behind but 38's seemed to be set in stone for the eastern legs to rooster corner. 

Rocket and Boof kept the momentum moving to the dip and my imagination (that there was more of a westerly flavor to the wind)probably helped me to face the front.  The Garmin must have read faster than reality 'cause 38's stayed fixed to the quarter horse fence (and didn't that make the helmet a tight fit! Calmed the performance anxiety too)  Or was the new set of tyres rolling better than the old ones with 7,000 k's done?  Satisfied I'd put in a reasonable part one, I rolled to the left line and had BamBam partner for part two.  1500 metres passed fast, BamBam calling half time and had The Godfather co-pilot (and wasn't that a sweet slipstream for my recovery!)   Kudos to BamBam doing the distance to Coach Rd though just like me, he was probably thanking his lucky stars that was the one and only contribution for the day.  For the first time in many moons, this was an all male mob, the testosterone kept in check though north to the highway with The Godfather and Bruce in charge (Bo's absence may have been the benefit?)  

The long drive to Old Dookie Rd by Greg and Kreeky delayed my promotion to the advance again, in fact it was perfectly timed to happen steering west into Old Dookie so I scored the sheltered side.  38's was the standard stuff west toward town (maybe this is social speed +gst?) but how you drive into a ssw wind at that pace still has me guessing (it's called horsepower Foss!)   Emil and Grumps towed us to the truck route, so with Rocket and Boof still to serve, I was let off the hook of hurting at the front again.  When traffic split the pack at the roundabout the slow spin to SPC for others to rejoin was a fairytale end. 

2/3 Aiding another addict.

Although it drags an average average down a tad, the recent habit of a snail-like start a few minutes prior to the usual launch time is becoming pleasurable.  It's said you shouldn't rev a well worn engine when it's cold so this ritual might prevent me blowing smoke or throwing a rod on the circuit? Today was a treat though, the second therapy session for the week.  Kim was on a comeback and Julz was bitten by the bike bug to join in again.  Another addict in the making.  The slightest of a south southwester made some work to get to the start so a sedate circuit speed and the breeze mostly at the back might be my blessing?  Wendy was worn out, Molly still struggles with spoke malfunctions, Graeme was m.i.a. and Tina's tending to her dad but Lili and Jen appeared in Rae St for Emil and I to do the tow truck duty to the shop.  The standard scenario started the circuit at 5:30; to the truck route by Emil, to Orrvale Rd by me, to the Kinder by Jen where Kim scored the breeze in the face on Central Ave but at the starboard side to the cypress trees, far from a "totally useless" turn she'd quoted at the shop. 

Julz' red led ahead was Lili's aim bound for the S bend, though half a tree half way across Channel Rd was an oversized chicane to deal with.  Emil's sense of fair play gave me the lead as early at Boundary Rd's bridge, the tailwind shared by all up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. Julz, still in her apprenticeship, felt comfortable climatizing in the caboose.  I reckon within a week, she'll be itching to get into the drivers' seat.  32's found favor on Tuesday but 34's were kosher today - not a bad improvement in the scheme of things.  We'd got to Lemnos North Rd thanks to Emil and my role was to lead to Grahamvale Rd so Lili got the short shift to Verney but it put Kim back into the headwind again bound for Balaclava Rd.  Emil knew what was good for him, taking the lead at a suitable speed to tow us all to that red traffic light. 

3/3 The circu is in town!

How strange.  A southerly was blowing to break the spirit getting to Sanctuary Drive! Not the greatest start to a ride.  The sprint to catch Wozza, Boof and Rocket at Benalla Rd caught a red light instead though Emil kindly provided a draft to Kialla Lakes to shelter me from 28 k's worth of headwind (I might just have something in the tank for the circuit to come).    Gazza, PistolPete, TrackStan, Kel, The Godfather, Grumpy, Bruce, Bo, the 5ft Ninja, BamBam, Greg, GiantAndy and Troy massed at the grid for kit day, though the Ninja and GiantAndy got demerit points for uniform malfunction. Only Grumpy braved the pairing with Pistol to head south into the wind.  

I had no shame in hiding at the back of the bunch after a 10k battle with the wind and I reckon the Ninja deserved a sheltered spot after her commute of 17 k's solo, but Bo seemed to think the 'shirker' title fitted (says he with a tailwind to the start and taking a rear seat too!)   Onto Troy's wheel when joining the advance early put my faith into getting a tailwind turn, though that wind at the starboard side wasn't much fun along Mitchell Rd.  

BamBam was earning his frequent flyer points with the bunch and TrackStan had appeared in the pack again; a stand-out among the two straight rows headed toward River Rd (Rocket's caution hanging a metre behind must have been part of the risk assessment?).   Gazza's vocals would give Grumpy a run for his money but I had better use for the oxygen to hold 39's with the wind whipping at the right flank.  A big branch on the road near the quarter horse stud made a surprise chicane, the lads with horsepower (Troy and Boof) driving the long shift of Coach Rd to the highway, so I would get my wish of wind up the wastegate for the turn at the pointy end.   Julz was waiting to jump aboard at Channel Rd (the addiction is strong in this one)   Elected to the drivers' seat crossing the highway, Troy gave me a pensioner's discount on pace; 38's had the tank half empty at the bridge so called half time to have GiantAndy partner for part two (pleased to hear he was running at half throttle in recovery.  I could keep up with him to the fig farm).  

My dodgy heart-rate strap had died, so that dreaded number on the Garmin screen showed --.  (What you don't know won't hurt you eh?)  Quite the comparison to see GiantAndy alongside the 5ft Ninja at the front.   Bo had paid the penance to get the southerly at the side on Old Dookie Rd and Kel kept him quiet to School Rd where he called it quits (so much for driving the 'full block').   Julz had done well to hang on to the hurry to town, the halt at the truck route getting an extra breath or two in but getting back up to speed toward SPC had some legs buckling.  A few eased off to keep Julz company back to coffee, witnessing a Browns' cows procession ahead.  Time to tidy up our act folks if we want some respect from the motoring public. 

A little courtesy costs nothing but earns heaps.

This week 334km

YTD 2,655km 

Hello zone five!

Post #686

18/2 As good as a holiday?

How civilized! A sumptuous sleep-in till 6:30, a casual coffee and a cruise south for a 7:30 start.  Makes a change from supersonic speeds and stupid o'clock. A change was craved from that standard and to be frank, Saturday's lap had gone a little stale lately.  Rhythm is rare and a hint of 'big shot' syndrome was beginning to get under my skin.  A spin with a different squad would rattle the repetition and might even measure my worth? (Probably highlight the advantages / misgivings of the usual mob too?) That spice called variety is worth a taste sometimes.  I found DeepFry, GiantIan and Simon steering into Channel Rd at 7:30 (Hoffy on holidays it seems) so I sought a berth in their regular Saturday spin.  Permission was granted.  Four made a single file format sensible, though Simon confirmed the caboose was his residence for the ride, so three swapping turns meant work to do (though 33's wouldn't mean torture)  

DeepFry led to Orrvale Rd (shifts a little longer than what I'm accustomed to) and GiantIan took on the drive to the cypress trees, keen to keep the pace percolating even through intersections (I favor the slow-in, smooth-out method ; prevents tsunami's at the back)   Noting this mobs methods, I kept 33's on the cruise control and set sights on reaching Coach Rd as an equal share (bunch riding 101 really; fit in or f off!)   Satisfied with my serve, DeepFry did the northbound Coach and Boundary bit, the light southwester stretching the speed to 35's (as it should).   Simon selected a short-cut straight to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd when all others pointed east onto Old Dookie Rd, GiantIan using plenty of throttle toward the bridge.  Two oncoming bikes u-turned at the pork palace, surprised to find it was JB and eJim getting aboard (why eJim on an eBike chose to stay on as caboose is anybody's guess; maybe a lack of volts?)  

I got the job of the northbound legs to Lemnos-Cosgrove, with the precautionary slow at New Dookie in the middle (roadside grass taller than GiantAndy camouflaging the view)    35's seemed to be set in stone for the way west too, JB driving a hard bargain to Boundary Rd into a now strengthening south southwester.  It felt like Christmas finding the resealed section to Lemnos had been swept of loose stones, GiantIan doing the drive to Lemnos, albeit with a slightly slower standard.   I was put in charge of Ford Rd's first 3k's and turned up the tempo to JB's standard (speed's always spicy nearing suburbia) 

A short shift by DeepFry to Verney was followed by JB's effort to the highway though he stayed on to DECA's driveway.  The sprint to Mt.Wanganui is ancient history to me but was game-on for this clan, GiantIan turning up the wick to Kittles Rd and throwing me the elbow to continue.  As a visitor in a foreign land, I applied the 'don't be a dickhead' rule and held station (being casually deliberate), DeepFry hungry for the hurry up the hill while eJim broke all morals and standards trying for line honors (All should be burned at the stake for contesting the podium without so much as a contribution to the lap.......but this attempt with motor assistance too?)  Braving another shift into the south southwester on Rudd Rd had GiantIan running on empty, so I offered him respite at the golf drive roundabout by taking the drivers seat.  None seemed keen to want this position at Canterbury's roundabout so I continued the Boulevard tradition of tempo to Tarcoola.  GiantIan had uploaded oxygen by then to pour on the power to Knight St. A social conclusion at Noble Monks satisfied the Saturday habit.

20/2 Horizontals, helmets, headlights (and the half-wit without one)

Kel's horizontal malfunction when Bo (to her right) went left, hadn't transferred any skin to the tarmac on the warm-up lap of Sanctuary Drive. The Ninja had a light globe moment as she arrived (realizing her helmet was home) as the congregation (Greg, Wozza, Kreeky, Emil, Tina, Troy, Grumpy PistolPete, The Godfather and Rocket) formed for Monday's ritual, so there was a slow introduction on the drive to Mitchell Rd as PistolPete hurried homeward to collect a helmet for the Ninja's conformity and well being.  (It's what gentlemen do).  Proper pace got underway toward Central Kialla (I was just getting to like the lazy start too!) but barely a k was covered when Pistol's headlight abandoned ship.  Another slow would qualify this ride as interval training!  Bunch order was shuffled again.  With the pack back in action at Central Kialla and speed up to the 38's, I'd been berthed on Kreeky's wheel with The Godfather behind, the hint of a southwester of little labor to head east.  

Grumpy had returned from a week away but there was still no sign of Lenny, the long dark 6 k's of River Rd led by Troy and Grumps to rooster corner (crowing again with a glow on the horizon now in the distance). Finding fog in February was freakish as lights lit Coach Rd north and only now joining the advance line, I guessed duty would call on the west way to town, not that the breeze was a worry (pairing with The Godfather might be!)   Kel's earlier incident hadn't hampered her pace with PistolPete on Boundary Rd and speed stayed stable when the Ninja berthed beside her at the fig farm.  Ten out of ten to Tina braving the drive to Old Dookie Rd, her bonus being Greg's slipstream as The Godfather held a length ahead of him to Central Ave. (I wondered if I'd get the same treatment?)  Luckily The Godfather levelled with me to Dobson's bridge so I stretched his charity to call half time there.  

The call of "Car back" was welcome (the slipstream to come would keep 38's on the speedo for a while) but the oncoming bike with rider head down (and without a headlight) was on a collision course with our overtaking car.   Luck had him look up with a millisecond to spare; a sudden swerve left and an accident was avoided (within centimetres)   Experience had Kreeky and I not miss a beat and continue the work west, an urge to slow would have had wheels into wheels in an instant.  I was chuffed to keep 38 as the standard to the truck route but was close to detonation getting there, so allowed half the field to pass (purely for their draft) when the line went Indian file to be dragged to SPC. 

21/2 Watts & wind.

Just one day without wind wouldn't be asking too much would it?  You guessed it, a southerly blew again (with a hint of west in it) and that got the determination dialed up to get south to the start line. The northern leg of the squirrel circuit would be sweet, the rest there to suffer.  The usual Tuesday team (Molly, Tina, Wendy and Emil) made the pilgrimage to the shop, Graeme making his late arrival with a minute to spare.  Naturally Emil led the six into Channel Rd with his usual enthusiasm at 38 to the truck route, my enthusiasm only getting 36 on the speedo to Orrvale Rd (if I could see it in the dark.  6 weeks till eastern standard time gives us a little light.  For a week or three)   Tina had no trouble getting to the Kinder at a better pace but Molly had resigned herself to the rear as an observer.  Shift 3 from the Kinder to the cypress trees is first half hurt, second half helped by the wind, Wendy coping well with both halves to deliver her drive (though I wondered if Graeme was ready to launch some labor for his turn due next.  Hopefully Wendy had some torque left in the tank to respond)   

In a very smooth swap of shifts, Graeme was light on the throttle to Beckhams Bend then turned up the speed slowly to finish off Channel Rd.  Textbook stuff. A rare halt for traffic allowed a little more oxygen into the lungs for Jen to set us north to the highway (a little more oxygen taken on board there too while a car and truck crossed our path) then on to Boundary Rd's bridge.    Speed was smoothly applied to 38's.  Second wheel to Emil's pace is usually nearing me to the dreaded red zone, though that south southwester saved me a few bpm's to do a decent turn when I was given the reigns at Old Dookie Rd.  Tina took over at New Dookie for the drive to Lemnos-Cosgrove.  Although the west way to Lemnos is now swept, the new surface would loosen fillings in your teeth,  but Wendy did the work to the bridge and Graeme towed us to Ford Rd.  The 3 k's to Grahamvale Rd is as smooth as Boof's head in comparison, so Jen's drive there seemed to need a lot less watts.   The short shift to Verney Rd was Emil's but clearly it wasn't enough, the southern leg to Balaclava had his name on it (and he was welcome to its' headwind too!) though Graeme spiced up the speed for the last 400 metres for a sprint to the traffic lights (they changed red for us, of course)

22/2 I'm givin' her all she's got Capt'n!

Just for a moment, the idea of going back to bed was very appealing......till the six spoonful's of  h.t.f.u. in my coffee kicked in (glad it did; the regret of not riding would ruin the day)  The commute to Sanctuary wasn't so cruel; a light east southeaster didn't bother me on the 10k drive south but keeping 32's on the speedo did.  

Kreeky, Wozza, TrackStan, Troy, Grumpy, Bruce, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Emil, Tina, PistolPete, Boof, The Godfather and Greg lined up waiting for the big hand to move to eight.   PistolPete and TrackStan led the way south but TrackStan's drive was depleted a little beyond the truck route so Emil stood in for the speed.  Nearly becoming sandwiched between Wozza and Rocket in the advance line, Bo took a dive to the left line, incurring Rocket's wrath (Lucky he escaped The Godfather's view).   Well down the left line through Central Kialla, I just hoped my turn would come somewhere after rooster corner; that east southeast breeze felt more like a wind.  Wozz and Rocket  mastered  the gradual build up of speed entering River Rd, a turbocharged sprint to catch the tail not required today.  

Following Tina into the advance line should make part one of my duty at the driving end manageable; I had fingers crossed Bo would do the same for part two.  Bruce had dragged himself from the sick bed but chose to sit this lap at the rear, Grumpy making another appearance for a lap but Lenny is still on the missing list.  Kreeky and Tina took over the lead role at the quarter horse stud with a couple of k's discounted from Troy's prior pace.  Tina's got a serious dose of determination of late, driving the distance to Coach Rd and calling half time half way there.  When I was promted to the front, that east southeaster was more like a brick wall than a breeze, or had that h.t.f.u. worn off by now?  The last 1500 to hear the rooster crow wore down more watts than I wanted.  North toward the Broken bridges wasn't much easier, despite Bo behaving, and when an oncoming truck provided enough wind shear to take my wheel south to Seymour, it was hello zone 5!  

I wanted to call "Done" but the bridges weren't far away, so I delayed raising the white flag for another 200 metres (though that probably exceeded my safe working load).      Greg sided with Bo and preserved pace till the downhill off the bridges and there started the battle of Bo vs Greg and who's wheel came first.  Just what I needed at 175 bpm!  I (just) held on to their hurry, hoping the slow for the highway might keep me from heart failure.  Something approaching normal returned by Boundary Rd's fig farm (apologies for no replies to those who served me a sentence beforehand) but no sooner than breath had returned, it was time to spend it again for the way west on Old Dookie Rd, 42's emptying the tank quickly to Central Ave.  (Just as well I was a long way from the front as excitement built arriving near town).  Traffic slowed the exit from the truck route and that got muscles burning to build up to 45's but I'd survived the sprint to SPC (albeit third last) and squeezed a few words in with Bruce when the High St lights halted our hurry.

23/2 Three therapy.

No southerlies to haunt me Thursday........but there was a northeaster instead (just to make most of the squirrel circuit a struggle!)  Maybe Mother Nature hates bike riders too?  (If we pay rego, will the wind go away?)  Kim cancelled, Wendy went the sleep-in option, Jen and Molly were nowhere to be seen in Rae St, Graeme was a no-show, Lili and Liam's rumored comeback might be next week but Tina and Emil just couldn't stay away.  And I certainly wasn't going to miss my therapy session.  A wait at the shop till 5:30 struck was out of courtesy to any late-comers but it yielded none, so Emil got the wheels rolling east to the truck route at the prescribed pace.  The first 2300 metres wasn't enough apparently, an extended shift was on his wish list.  Still at the front arriving at Orrvale then the Kinder, there was no stopping him at the cypress trees or even the S bend.  

To Coach Rd and even beyond the highway told me Emil was on an epic (the boy behaved though, sticking to the speed limit).  I was allowed into the drivers seat at Old Dookie Rd though, the northeaster quite a surprise after so long in the draft at second wheel. I suddenly felt duty bound to stay in the seat after Emil's effort, (though not of the proportions he set), delivering Tina to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd for an (almost) tail-wind turn.  She'd earned it.  Ford Rd was Emil's to drive and for a moment I thought this might be epic effort number two and my free tow home, but an elbow was shown to me crossing Grahamvale Rd.  The short shift to Verney seemed a lack-lustre donation so I braved stealing Emil's signature shift to Balaclava Rd (I guess he could launch a take-over bid if he didn't like it).   But he didn't.  Lucky me got the 2300 metre drive to the Balaclava Rd lights, for a moment thinking they'd stay green.  But of course they changed red.  Just for us.

24/2 Precision timing by the tail-wind specialist.

BamBam's puncture just short of the Friday grid allowed time to contemplate if I'd be lucky enough to score a tailwind turn but whether I did or didn't, there'd be effort at the front regardless.  So why worry?  All I needed was a co-operative co-pilot when I got there.  I'm sure Emil was preaching the gospel according to St. Tubeless while repairs were underway but it didn't bother Grumpy, Greg, Troy, PistolPete, Jen, Wozza, The Godfather, Kel, Bruce, Bo, Rocket, Tina, Boof and the 5ft Ninja who waited out of earshot at the grid.  Puncture problem solved five minutes later, Pistol and Bruce started the circuit south, hopefully without the urge to make up lost time.  Just how many fingers can I cross?  Trav arrived to join in near Mitchell Rd, the way east and north feeling the wrath of the 17 km/h wind, even at the back of the bunch.   Just as well there was horsepower at the front to drag us mortals along.  Deja vu Wednesday arrived finding Tina ahead and Bo behind when I'd joined the advance for the journey toward rooster corner.  

Grumpy's attendance for the week earns him an elephant stamp and Bruce seems to be on Recovery Rd fronting for duty again but BamBam was doing his (usual) once-in-a-blue-moon thing.  Quite a lot of freewheeling ahead made a mess of the rhythm at the rear and coupled with an echelon across River Rd, it was a pleasure to move further forward.  In a similar scenario to Wednesday, oncoming traffic on Coach Rd carried a weeks' worth of wind behind them so those at the front bore the brunt.  Getting closer to the business end at the Broken bridges, Grumpy seemed to think I'd get the dream turn with the wind behind in Old Dookie, though I wasn't that optimistic. Boof and Jen led into Boundary and Jen chose a short shift, calling it quits a bit beyond the bridge, so Tina paired with her to the fig farm then elbowed me to join her for the k to Old Dookie Rd.  (Grumpy got it wrong). The work into the wind wasn't worth a grizzle, Tina's tenacity to do twice as much deserved the attention.  

In a masterclass of perfect positioning, Bo came alongside for our drive west, just enough north in the northeaster to set the line in the centre of Old Dookie Rd. I could manage 37's and 38's with a little shelter and had set a goal to reach Central Ave (call me Mr. Martyr) till Bo decided School Rd was his half time (So much for "full blocks"?)   Maybe he was bored with my tame tempo? He and Kel built up the pace to 40.  When the Ninja paired with Kel aiming at Dobson's, speed had settled a whisker, the stability of 38's more manageable so some watts had returned for the squirt to SPC.

This week 295km

YTD 2,321km 

The stuff to suffer.

Post #685

13/2 Oh, the woes of wind!

I should have been the cork out of the shaken bottle after three days off the bike, but the southerlies were blowing again to haunt me for the ten k commute to Monday's lap (and handbrake any attempt to keep thirty on the speedo).  Emil was kind enough to halve his horsepower and stay alongside, Wendy, Tina and Jen having no complaints glued to our draft.  Troy, Kel, The Godfather, Wozza, Kreeky, PistolPete, Bo, Greg and Rocket converged on Sanctuary Drive for the 5:40 habit and with my tank almost empty from the drive to the start-line, I'd softened to take the last place in the order (though with just thirteen others in the pack, this wouldn't be a free ride 'round.  I'd probably miss out on a tail-wind turn but really, it's a bargain if you drive a couple of k's and get towed for the other forty)   

PistolPete and Emil weren't exceeding 35 km/h to Mitchell Rd but it wasn't a return to social speed standards, 35 km/h gusts head-on hampered any more hurry.  A collective sigh of relief came turning east, Emil and Wozz adding a couple of k's to the tempo toward Central Kialla.  The 2k's north to River Rd were bliss and of course 40+ blurred the bitumen getting there.   An approaching car meant we couldn't skirt around the patches on the patches on the pot-holes (400 metres before the turn east), the experience earthquake-like and a pain for the posterior.  You soon appreciate the shelter of the left line when it's time to transition to the right, the southerly making steering a straight line a precision operation in the advance line.  (Banging elbows with the rider alongside isn't the ideal scenario).  A few were running out of gears toward the Broken River, Bo and (later) The Godfather timing their turns to get the advantage of the wind up the waste-gate. They're good at it!

Rocket complied with Jen's want for a short shift on Boundary Rd, invoking the "full block" demand from The Godfather.  Tina made the most of the southerly heading north to Old Dookie Rd where my turn west became due.  A fair amount of labor was needed toward School Rd till Tina raised the white flag half way, PistolPete the consummate co-pilot while I wore down the watts for the "full block" (as payment for the draft till now) to Central Ave.  Emil's pairing with Pistol beyond there raised the stakes higher ('cause they can!) and traffic split the pack at the truck route , so what's usually the squirt to SPC was but a trickle till the team re-united.  Holding the wheel became a challenge through the lefts and rights of the course to coffee, the thoughts of the tailwind home keeping me on the tail till a red traffic light detached me. 

14/2  Snap, crackle, pop.

I'll be diagnosed with RSI soon.  The Repetitive Southerly Injury is showing signs of physical and mental stress; wind is almost constantly against me the moment I swing a leg over the Fizik.  Maybe electroconvulsive therapy is the answer to convince the cranium a headwind is good for you?  Wendy, Emil, Jen, Tina and Graeme seemed to enjoy exposure to it, turning up in Balaclava and Rae St for another stupid o'clock Squirrel session. 

31 was my red-line to the shop; I could have managed a higher pace to be honest, but mentally, I needed something left in the tank at the start-line if I was to contribute something like a fair share to the workload.  After 8 k's worth of wind in the face, Emil's 2k introduction to a 37 km/h standard was a big ask, though a couple of k's with the wind at the starboard side is bearable when there's 8k's worth of sitting in the slipstream to follow.  A couple of k's to the Kinder with Tina in charge commenced my recovery at the back, but when Jen opened the throttle into Central Ave's headwind, the respite went on hold till the ease of effort east to the cypress trees.  Wendy's work to the S bend was steady and h.r. dropped to mid 140's though Graeme's eagerness to finish off Channel Rd ruined the recovery again.  

Emil went easy on the accelerator to the highway and careful again to get up to pace on Boundary, though sitting second wheel had little of the draft available in the caboose and 40's became the stuff to suffer. I'd expected to be handed the reigns at Old Dookie and found the front a little easier for a while.......till preserving the pace began to use up the watts.  A passing truck delivered a draft to save me.  A little hesitation for westbound traffic on New Dookie Rd stretched the line long; silly me waiting for the tail-enders made mine a challenge to catch Tina's hurry to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  The fun began westbound toward Lemnos with Jen leading the way, the road recently resurfaced and coated with plenty of loose stone.  Just a few millimetres off line from a cars' wheel tracks and bike tyres squirmed for traction, the snap, crackle and pop of coarse Cosgrove stone under high pressure rubber got gloves gripping the bars tight.  

An echelon to seek cover from the southerly became a high risk activity.  Jen did well to follow a line less gravelled, though rumble strips now camoflaged by the re-seal awoke the posterior with a start.  Ford Rd felt like a billiard table in comparison and the relief of Wendy's shift to Grahamvale Rd at 33's allowed nerves to settle.   Too settled for Graeme it seemed; he bolted to Verney at 38's, the breaking point for Wendy attempting recovery at the rear.  A moment off the gas to regroup and Emil built the speed to something all could survive to Balaclava (but Graeme got itchy again to sprint to the traffic lights).  Yep, red again. 

15/2 Flogging this dead horse.

This shift would be short.  Feeling a little guilty as others did their duty at the front urged me to join the advance line when reaching rearmost in River Rd, though Tina (sensibly) took the rear-gunner's role as tempo climbed to 38's.  I wasn't sure I'd have the watts to power this sort of pace when promoted to the business end but going beyond the comfort zone is part of the job description when you take up this habit.  I might not meet the k.p.i.'s for long, particularly as an east southeast breeze brewed to become a northeast wind, but a small donation is better than none isn't it?  

Greg was being half-wheeled by The Godfather to the dip and my time with him was up next.  Kreeky (behind) for part two would hopefully grant me concessions on compassionate grounds.    PistolPete, Wozza, Emil and Rocket had set their standards so far while Boof and the 5ft Ninja were waiting in the wings for their turn to come.  I have seniority over The Godfather though I'm outranked in watts, but the young fella took pity on this pensioner.  Hopes of co-piloting with him to the quarter horse fence was pure fantasy as this old engine spluttered at his speed, reality rolling me across at the half way mark to seek Kreeky's kindness for part two.  Dropping a k off the velocity was my only hope.  Kreeky was compliant alongside to the fence, his drive with Boof to rooster corner showing fine form (though he wasn't talking much as the Ninja and Boof drove north on Coach Rd).  

The Godfather's greetings were gushed to the southbound bunches as we crossed the highway, Boof, PistolPete and Emil typically quick on the northern path to Old Dookie Rd (they must have immunity to headwinds?).     Speed is no longer a worry when wind whips at the backside, so 42's to Central Ave in Rocket and Wozza's draft was sustainable.  With a clear path through the Doyles roundabout, the afterburners were lit toward SPC, 45's became the norm till a sudden slow for an approaching van turning in front of us to head south.  Catastrophe avoided, 37's seemed snail-like on the commute to coffee till High St's traffic light let the lungs refill.  My hopes were that dead horses could be revived by coffee.

16/2  Like silk..... 

Kilometres seem to evaporate when you get in that zone.......a smooth speed (under the cardiac danger zone), trust in the wheel ahead and barely a breeze to battle had the tarmac blurring under the bike so smoothly for Thursday's lap of luxury (no gasps and groans, no legs like licorice, not on the brink of heart failure and the views were actually in focus!)  Thursday's 35 limit works well and has most in the comfort zone where facing the front isn't a fear.  I'd done my duty to Orrvale Rd as usual and settled into the draft at the back, well below the point of implosion and still with oxygen to spare!  I could get used to this. Emil had restrained his rush on the first drive to the truck route and Tina took us to the Kinder at the same steady rhythm.  

Nice when everybody is on the same page (Is it me or is that a rare thing?)   With broken spokes replaced, Molly had returned to Thursday's therapy and did her time to the cypress trees for Wendy to lead us to the S bend (without the concerns of Graeme's acceleration thereafter).  Kim's care at keeping the cap on speed kept the six stuck together to Coach Rd for Emil to lead us north.  The northeast breeze wasn't really a bother when Emil elbowed me to the lead at Old Dookie Rd, those few k's below bursting point making my time at the front almost enjoyable to New Dookie. 

After Tuesday's gravel fest on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd the joint decision to use Hill Rd as a diversion was less stress to Lemnos, Tina and Molly dividing the distance to the old shop.  Wendy piloted the brief roll on the super smooth stretch of Lemnos North Rd and was keen to take on Ford Rd too with the pace less tortuous than Tuesday.  So the squirrel ritual was preserved when Kim did the drive to Verney 'cause Emil got his trademark turn south to Balaclava Rd (and the red light that comes with it).  Looking forward already to the next therapy session!

   

17/2 A Friday to favor the fast.

Tailwind assistance to the starting grid is as rare as rocking horse manure, though something to help my hurry is always welcome.  Where I could hide from the headwind for most of the anti-clcokwise lap was the real issue though.   (Take a concrete pill and harden up Foss, escaping that effort is nigh on impossible - I just needed to choose a compliant co-pilot!)   The choice was out of PistolPete, Emil, BamBam, Greg, Tina, The Godfather, KnightPaul, Kel, Graeme, Kim, Kreeky, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Jen or Troy who'd made up the Friday squad, though the order of arrival doesn't always give you many options.  Lining up on the Ninja's wheel wouldn't have much aero advantage but Jen (behind) can be counted as a smooth operator.   PistolPete and (birthday boy) Emil got wheels in motion at 5:40, the tailwind down to Mitchell Rd setting a swift precedence on pace.  Why that tempo became gospel into the headwind I have no idea!  

It's alright for these young guns untroubled by wind, regardless of the direction - my trouble is that most of this mob are young!  This would be a Friday for the fast.  Rocket, Wozz and Boof were noted by their absence, Bruce has been on sick leave and Lenny's listed as a missing person but KnightPaul had made a special guest appearance again and BamBam made a comeback.  Greg and KnightPaul had the horsepower to haul us through the headwind at Central Kialla, Troy and The Godfather lengthening the line into River Rd (yet another thrash at the back to stay aboard).   I'd hoped for something a little slower than 38's toward rooster corner although being in the advance line at least had some shelter. (poor position really, I'd be exposed to the northeaster advancing to the front. Reversing the roll would have made sense but that gets complicated for some).

25 degrees at 6am said Summer wasn't quite finished. BamBam ran out of watts at 3rd wheel and withdrew from the advance to take residence in the caboose nearing Coach Rd, Kim taking the left line option as Kel and Bo took us toward the Broken bridges.  Tina had braved an appearance at the business end and drove well (with some verbal motivation from behind) to reach the highway. Part two of her shift was understandably short so Jen and I took our medicine in Boundary Rd.  (Were the gusts of 34 km/h just for us?)  I called half time a bit beyond the bridge and despite preserving pace, the Ninja had ideas of fronting faster and whole biked me to the fig farm.  When I didn't respond to her new standard she rolled across, though PistolPete turned the tables when her speed sank back to the previous pace in the last half k to Old Dookie Rd.  With wind almost at the back door for the way west to town, enthusiasm (and naturally the speed) built toward Central Ave and although legs had had enough, my head drove the incentive to hang on (the cure of coffee wasn't far away now). 

Almost o.t.a several times this week, I was determined to hang on for the squirt to SPC and although being slowly demoted toward the back I made it to the roundabout. but the numbers didn't add up ahead arriving there.  BamBam, Tina and Kim were 30 metres in arrears so duty and diplomacy had me drop back to keep them company for the commute to coffee. 

This week 244km

YTD 2,024km