A cool Saturday circuit with 16. Bo & Kel slept in and had a long chase to catch the bunch. Didn't slow them down in the sprint though...had to hit the N0s button (54km/h) to fight off the Ant for line honours! A good bunch and enjoyable coffee after. Ticked over 9k for the year. Looking forward to a day off, a very sore throat and dull headache taking the gloss off the day.
As it happens, rain takes over Mondays ride. Grateful really, enjoyed just laying in bed (sleep stops at 4.30am anyway) and a chance to get over the bug. A bit better for Tuesday morning, nice to turn the pedals with 7 couldabeens. News of a pussycat crash (just a touch of wheels resulted in a broken collarbone for one, a broken elbow for another) makes you think how complacent we can become. Tuesday nights hospital group was a well paced lap, the southwesterly quite chilly. (kept clear of the sprint with a throat feeling like it was wire brushed). A quiet 20km wednesday morning helped the recovery too.
Feeling really good by Thursday morning. 30km with the couldabeens was good fun despite 6 degrees and a chilly southerly. Down to the real battlers now, a few hibernating over the colder months. Cool again Thursday night and just 11 in the library group. The odd spit of rain (and thoughts of getting soaked on a chilly night) forced a turn down Channel Rd. A smooth wind up in the last km and held on for 3rd. Taking the sprints carefully with the 13 & 12t sprockets a little hooked after 28,000km (chain jumps sometimes at full noise). Waiting on new replacements. (new 10sp DuraAce not as tough as the old 9speed)
Great to get a P&W fix Friday. The last ride for Bart & Pete for a while (crazy buggers off running some marathon) Good to be with the tough crew again and a great 34.3km/h average in 2 degrees of cold & soupy conditions. An easier week with rain and a little illness.
Week 21 337km 12,435 calories (83 VB's Ayto!) 32.2km/h average
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Week #20
Still autumn, but winter is just showing off way to early. Hard to get used to and i still haven't found where to buy 4 litre casks of motivation! The doona is getting so heavy to throw off. A few missing on Saturday from the usual OC bunch, off enjoying the biting wind and showers near Wangaratta instead. Those who did front were of exceptional standard and character, a nice 45km tapped out in light south westerlys, with coffee and tall stories enjoyed after.
Phone ran hot Saturday with the tragic news of yet another cyclist death, unfortunately one i knew. Peggy just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Makes us all think deep on just how vunerable we are, and how valuable life is. Time for us all to take even more care whilst on two wheels or four.......
A happy little crew of 5 at the lake on Sunday morning and perfect weather to roll around the 55km loop. (Note to self....the venerable toaster is missing from the tree) Again, the caffiene addiction was fed, conversation on safe travels understandably high on the agenda.
Mondays lap with the P&W's typically enjoyable, a special day for me, the 8th anniversary of kicking the tobacco habit. (35 a day for a few decades). A milder morning (hardly balmy though) of 10 degrees and a fine 34.9 average. Tuesday's 10 Couldabeens also good company, beating the Cats to the finish.
The hospital group comprised the usual roughnuts and villans, suprising that 16 fronted up in very fresh conditions. The DeanMachine launched a big attack just after Channel Rd, me and 5 other mortals hanging on in desperation at 45km/h till we were left in the Robbo/Bomber wake just into Mitchell. Managed to maintain 38km/h down Mitchell and Archer to finish well spent. Great work by Brendan and Nath.
To harden things up, Wednesday was just 1 degree for a P&W lap. Slowing at the end of Boundary for a family of ducks meandering across the road, then brakes on again to avoid a dead fresian on one side of Mitchell and a live one the other side. Tour de Fauna! A good 34 average and managed to get the chocolates in Raftery Rd. Customary carbo loading on Wednesday night with my boys.
Thursdays circuit had 8 Couldabeens in high spirits. Only 6 degrees but at least without the icy wind. Birthday girl and Super nana Marion taking a bronze medal on the line. The library group on Thursday night started with 10 and picked up several on Ford rd. The usual scallywags with a few very young riders, spinning away in the little gears they are limited to. My legs hurt just watching! Poor Ryan has just one chainring with just 36 teeth! Birchy measured me on the Old Dookie rd leg at 40km/h to stir up the bunch. A big sprint finish in Archer Rd (so many mice scuttling across the road!) fizzled in the last 100 metres, so kept on the gas to win "hollow" chocolates.
Todays P&W ride started a bit earlier (to avoid crazy overtaking moves by others) but i miss-timed leaving home for the start. Got caught at the boom gate and had a big chase to catch the clan 500 metres ahead. Interval training? Good to see the die-hard crew including the ever thinning IronmanAyto and THM, both a.w.o.l. in recent weeks. The RPG (rocket propelled grasshopper) made an old boy nearly bust a head gasket at the finish. Flattering remarks from Chaddy (yeah, i reckon i'd do him too!) wound up a great week.
Weeek #20 - 467km 17,232calories (5.34kg of McDonalds frenchfries Ayto!) at 33km/h average
Phone ran hot Saturday with the tragic news of yet another cyclist death, unfortunately one i knew. Peggy just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Makes us all think deep on just how vunerable we are, and how valuable life is. Time for us all to take even more care whilst on two wheels or four.......
A happy little crew of 5 at the lake on Sunday morning and perfect weather to roll around the 55km loop. (Note to self....the venerable toaster is missing from the tree) Again, the caffiene addiction was fed, conversation on safe travels understandably high on the agenda.
Mondays lap with the P&W's typically enjoyable, a special day for me, the 8th anniversary of kicking the tobacco habit. (35 a day for a few decades). A milder morning (hardly balmy though) of 10 degrees and a fine 34.9 average. Tuesday's 10 Couldabeens also good company, beating the Cats to the finish.
The hospital group comprised the usual roughnuts and villans, suprising that 16 fronted up in very fresh conditions. The DeanMachine launched a big attack just after Channel Rd, me and 5 other mortals hanging on in desperation at 45km/h till we were left in the Robbo/Bomber wake just into Mitchell. Managed to maintain 38km/h down Mitchell and Archer to finish well spent. Great work by Brendan and Nath.
To harden things up, Wednesday was just 1 degree for a P&W lap. Slowing at the end of Boundary for a family of ducks meandering across the road, then brakes on again to avoid a dead fresian on one side of Mitchell and a live one the other side. Tour de Fauna! A good 34 average and managed to get the chocolates in Raftery Rd. Customary carbo loading on Wednesday night with my boys.
Thursdays circuit had 8 Couldabeens in high spirits. Only 6 degrees but at least without the icy wind. Birthday girl and Super nana Marion taking a bronze medal on the line. The library group on Thursday night started with 10 and picked up several on Ford rd. The usual scallywags with a few very young riders, spinning away in the little gears they are limited to. My legs hurt just watching! Poor Ryan has just one chainring with just 36 teeth! Birchy measured me on the Old Dookie rd leg at 40km/h to stir up the bunch. A big sprint finish in Archer Rd (so many mice scuttling across the road!) fizzled in the last 100 metres, so kept on the gas to win "hollow" chocolates.
Todays P&W ride started a bit earlier (to avoid crazy overtaking moves by others) but i miss-timed leaving home for the start. Got caught at the boom gate and had a big chase to catch the clan 500 metres ahead. Interval training? Good to see the die-hard crew including the ever thinning IronmanAyto and THM, both a.w.o.l. in recent weeks. The RPG (rocket propelled grasshopper) made an old boy nearly bust a head gasket at the finish. Flattering remarks from Chaddy (yeah, i reckon i'd do him too!) wound up a great week.
Weeek #20 - 467km 17,232calories (5.34kg of McDonalds frenchfries Ayto!) at 33km/h average
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Week #19
Winter has arrived a month too early! Hard to get motivated now the cold is here in bucketloads. Just wish we'd had a bit more of fine Autumn sunshine to lead us gently into winter, A new pair of cleats started the week (what a difference, only noticed the old pair were so worn by how positive and stiff the new ones are!)
A good Saturday lap with the OC's, knew it would be a minor placing with the machine that is Neville in the bunch. No matter, feeding the caffiene addiction was a pleasant and satisfying finish. Enjoyed a rare sleep-in Sunday (if 6.30am is a sleep-in) Monday's P&W lap at 33.5 was a kind start to the working week. The urge to get out Monday night for a solo circuit was questionable, just 7 degrees into a south westerly made me ask why afterward. Endorphin addiction? It was Tuesdays lap with 8 couldabeens at just 1 degree that really tested. Got turned around in Mitchell Rd by the police (car fatality had closed the road) so had a few extra k's to get home. Tuesday nights Hospital group (only 16, down to the die-hards now...a far cry from the 30+ in warmer months) started quietly, but wound up a rapid finish. Kept out of the sprint with a quickly failing headlight (forgot to charge the blasted battery!) but managed 5th.
Nice to roll quietly round a 30km circuit on Wednesday morning. (Carbo loading on chips Wednesday night as usual) Winter struck hard again on Thursday, only Leon & i braving the 1 degree temp. All others wisely tucked up in bed. Picked up Fitzy in Boundary Rd, wound up doing a big turn at the front in Mitchell Rd, but felt good for it. Dull & drizzly all day, so had a hard workout watching telly at night! Fridays P&W ride picked up the average (35.6). The Cats were quite scattered and, after a pause for Kelly's puncture, found we had a few foreigners join us. Grasshopper, keen to stir up the sprint, encouraged an early lead-out, so i went silly with 1km to go.(much cursing by Cats!) Used up all the jelly beans way too early, but Matty pleased with a fine win.
So week #19 totalled 349km, 12878 calories (9.5 Capricciosa pizzas, Ayto!) at a cool 32.5km/h average
A good Saturday lap with the OC's, knew it would be a minor placing with the machine that is Neville in the bunch. No matter, feeding the caffiene addiction was a pleasant and satisfying finish. Enjoyed a rare sleep-in Sunday (if 6.30am is a sleep-in) Monday's P&W lap at 33.5 was a kind start to the working week. The urge to get out Monday night for a solo circuit was questionable, just 7 degrees into a south westerly made me ask why afterward. Endorphin addiction? It was Tuesdays lap with 8 couldabeens at just 1 degree that really tested. Got turned around in Mitchell Rd by the police (car fatality had closed the road) so had a few extra k's to get home. Tuesday nights Hospital group (only 16, down to the die-hards now...a far cry from the 30+ in warmer months) started quietly, but wound up a rapid finish. Kept out of the sprint with a quickly failing headlight (forgot to charge the blasted battery!) but managed 5th.
Nice to roll quietly round a 30km circuit on Wednesday morning. (Carbo loading on chips Wednesday night as usual) Winter struck hard again on Thursday, only Leon & i braving the 1 degree temp. All others wisely tucked up in bed. Picked up Fitzy in Boundary Rd, wound up doing a big turn at the front in Mitchell Rd, but felt good for it. Dull & drizzly all day, so had a hard workout watching telly at night! Fridays P&W ride picked up the average (35.6). The Cats were quite scattered and, after a pause for Kelly's puncture, found we had a few foreigners join us. Grasshopper, keen to stir up the sprint, encouraged an early lead-out, so i went silly with 1km to go.(much cursing by Cats!) Used up all the jelly beans way too early, but Matty pleased with a fine win.
So week #19 totalled 349km, 12878 calories (9.5 Capricciosa pizzas, Ayto!) at a cool 32.5km/h average
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Week 18
About time i did a proper blog instead of a mass of numbers. A weekly prose may inspire more words than statistics. It's all your fault Ayto....you super scribe you!
A good start to the week with a new pair of Fortezza Tri-Comps (@140psi) and a shiny new Dura-Ace chain. The temperatures are almost winter spec now, started the week at 11's and finished at 3. Thank the technical gurus who invented the amazing base layer....what a saviour to us warm blooded wimps!
Saturdays OC lap had 20 starters, using the newly sealed extension to Boundary Rd (north of Hill Rd). A keen eye out for stray dogs in Ford Rd (that brought Norm down last week, smashing a helmet and cracking ribs).A good circuit with the usual chats, sledges and laughs. The Laffy weapon had joined us (along with young'n Adam) so 3rd was quite acceptable. A good amount of tall tales and laughs over coffee after, makes this ride. 33km/h av. Bo & Kelly suggested a 30km Sunday ride, the young whipper snappers kept the pace up all the way to justify their youth! 33.5av. Coffee after was good recovery.
The Monday lap saw 10 die-hard P&W's for the usual 30km. The typical smooth lap (if you don't count Muntzy! but he IS improving) with copious sledging. Nearing the finish i inherited the front position way too early (800metres to go) so gave it the gas anyway to make sure everyone was working! Got swamped of course, but hey, it's all in fun. Tuesday morning's lap with 5 couldabeens faced a stiff southerly wind (18km/h), all seemed pleased Bo and i played tow trucks in Boundary Rd. Newcomer Vince had a bit of a struggle, but to his credit, kept the hammer down and finished well. Jumped on the back of the Cats as they passed and "stirred up the pot" in the sprint, Grasshopper taking a fine win.
Tuesday night Trevor's watch must have been in another time zone, the hospital group leaving a bit early. Flew down Graham St at 40km/h to jump on the tail end. 400 metres further a puncture by one of the group stopped us, though some 'taggers-on' kept going. Once fixed the group rolled out, picking up several waiting out the road, the pace warming up well. Killer launched a breakaway just after Channel Rd and 5 (including this silly bloke) joined in. 38km/h into a head wind in Boundary Rd, 40's in Mitchell then 43's in Archer Rd emptied the jellybean jar! The "pocket rocket sprinter" Brendan reckoned he owed me a lead-out so who was i to argue. Managed to get the honours by a length, so quite chuffed. Great work by breakaway boys Nathan, Jamie, Killer & Brendan to bring up a 36km/h average.
Very pleased to put in a quiet circuit Wednesday morning. Legs were quite rubbery. Wednesday night carbo loaded on chips with my boys! Thursday morning the southerly was still there though a bit weaker. A great lap with 10 couldabeens (must remember earmuffs to endure Ken's grizzles!) good to have Hoffy back, Marion taking the sprint victory in fine style. Thursday nights tour with a mass of Bookworms was well behaved, though a bit of surging with varying abilities (33.2km/h av) but turned rapid with the light tail breeze in Archer Rd. Found myself at 5th wheel with 400 metres to go (and egged on by Nathan) gave the young fellas a belt for the finish. Suprised to take the win, really suprised to see the max of 57km/h.
Friday was a very enjoyable circuit (but a fresh 4 degrees) with nearly 20 P&W's, even managed to pass Leigh's group in Boundary Rd! (i won't let on they were rolling gently waiting for the Cats) A steady smooth pace, smooth roll overs (there's no better group for it) and lots of laughs to boot. 35.3km/h av.
So week 18 finished with 443km, 16346 calories (that's 64 Krispy Kreme custard filled donuts Ayto!)
and a 33.4km/h average.
Foss
A good start to the week with a new pair of Fortezza Tri-Comps (@140psi) and a shiny new Dura-Ace chain. The temperatures are almost winter spec now, started the week at 11's and finished at 3. Thank the technical gurus who invented the amazing base layer....what a saviour to us warm blooded wimps!
Saturdays OC lap had 20 starters, using the newly sealed extension to Boundary Rd (north of Hill Rd). A keen eye out for stray dogs in Ford Rd (that brought Norm down last week, smashing a helmet and cracking ribs).A good circuit with the usual chats, sledges and laughs. The Laffy weapon had joined us (along with young'n Adam) so 3rd was quite acceptable. A good amount of tall tales and laughs over coffee after, makes this ride. 33km/h av. Bo & Kelly suggested a 30km Sunday ride, the young whipper snappers kept the pace up all the way to justify their youth! 33.5av. Coffee after was good recovery.
The Monday lap saw 10 die-hard P&W's for the usual 30km. The typical smooth lap (if you don't count Muntzy! but he IS improving) with copious sledging. Nearing the finish i inherited the front position way too early (800metres to go) so gave it the gas anyway to make sure everyone was working! Got swamped of course, but hey, it's all in fun. Tuesday morning's lap with 5 couldabeens faced a stiff southerly wind (18km/h), all seemed pleased Bo and i played tow trucks in Boundary Rd. Newcomer Vince had a bit of a struggle, but to his credit, kept the hammer down and finished well. Jumped on the back of the Cats as they passed and "stirred up the pot" in the sprint, Grasshopper taking a fine win.
Tuesday night Trevor's watch must have been in another time zone, the hospital group leaving a bit early. Flew down Graham St at 40km/h to jump on the tail end. 400 metres further a puncture by one of the group stopped us, though some 'taggers-on' kept going. Once fixed the group rolled out, picking up several waiting out the road, the pace warming up well. Killer launched a breakaway just after Channel Rd and 5 (including this silly bloke) joined in. 38km/h into a head wind in Boundary Rd, 40's in Mitchell then 43's in Archer Rd emptied the jellybean jar! The "pocket rocket sprinter" Brendan reckoned he owed me a lead-out so who was i to argue. Managed to get the honours by a length, so quite chuffed. Great work by breakaway boys Nathan, Jamie, Killer & Brendan to bring up a 36km/h average.
Very pleased to put in a quiet circuit Wednesday morning. Legs were quite rubbery. Wednesday night carbo loaded on chips with my boys! Thursday morning the southerly was still there though a bit weaker. A great lap with 10 couldabeens (must remember earmuffs to endure Ken's grizzles!) good to have Hoffy back, Marion taking the sprint victory in fine style. Thursday nights tour with a mass of Bookworms was well behaved, though a bit of surging with varying abilities (33.2km/h av) but turned rapid with the light tail breeze in Archer Rd. Found myself at 5th wheel with 400 metres to go (and egged on by Nathan) gave the young fellas a belt for the finish. Suprised to take the win, really suprised to see the max of 57km/h.
Friday was a very enjoyable circuit (but a fresh 4 degrees) with nearly 20 P&W's, even managed to pass Leigh's group in Boundary Rd! (i won't let on they were rolling gently waiting for the Cats) A steady smooth pace, smooth roll overs (there's no better group for it) and lots of laughs to boot. 35.3km/h av.
So week 18 finished with 443km, 16346 calories (that's 64 Krispy Kreme custard filled donuts Ayto!)
and a 33.4km/h average.
Foss
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