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
Foss old mate,
ReplyDeleteI thought I might have had you and old Grasshopper this morning, as i had the wheel and felt pretty good......but both you boys kick like the proverbial mule and left me high and dry!!!!