Week 26

15 OC's fronted Saturday morning, 6 degrees a little "milder" than the past few days. A calm 31.6 average and a gentle wind-up for the finish. The Butterfactory was crammed with riders from 3 groups. Got a seat though, good to follow everyones news and views.  The regular crew were keen for a Sunday lap, lots of sms's to organise a toaster loop for what is becoming a regular habit of 'brunch' after.  Nice to have 8 mates along with  a couple of Grahams from the lake group. Leon, Bo and Nath kept the pace up for a decent 33 average, and back home before the freshening northeaster got too much.



Sundays bunch heading to the toaster

 Only 5 P&W's Monday (the cold kept a lot under their doonas) but with great work from Grasshopper and Scotty we were back into the main drag well before the Cats.  Hard work fighting the reasons not to ride on Monday night, but stubborness won over and dragged me out on a solo 45k's. A night where the cold wind cut straight through to the old bones.  Hard to get warm. A little motivation via the mp3 (Queens of the Stoneage ; Songs for the Deaf) put out a 33km/h average (a slight tail breeze up Boundary Rd may have helped)

Tuesdays 5 Couldabeens braved zero degrees and an errant rabbit spearing through the middle of the bunch. A blood curdling scream from Kelly took years off it's life, running between Leons wheels to escape! Great work Kel!   Tuesday nights hospital group was very well attended, 19 in all. Some quick lads attending too. No short cuts down Archer Rd either, all the way in Raftery.  The young Allemand rocket launched a big breakaway with nearly 2km to go. Ouch! Not enough jellybeans in my jar to catch on, but stretched the bunch out with 1km to go. Got caught in the last 200 metres but got a brief tow to kick again for 3rd.
 
A calmer lap with Marion Wednesday morning, 6 degrees felt mild. Quite a few heading the other way. A rousing cheery greeting from the P&W's, barely a grump from the Cats.
Thursday was hump day (30/6) and the odometer read 11,280kms for the year so far. Way over the predicted 20k year target. Better order tyres and a chain again! 8 Couldabeens turned up and tapped out a good 33 average.  Back in town with the train still sitting at the station!  Thought about heading out with the library bunch on Thursday but just wanted a solo circuit. A two wheeled therapy session of sorts. Left a little earlier with Bjork, Josh Pike and Radiohead for company on a 50km toaster loop. Fought a niggling southeaster for a 32.6 average.

Fridays team P&W had a good roll up of 10 for Grasshoppers' send off. (We'll miss the little missile) The God of cycling must have smiled upon us with a light northeast breeze. Beat the Cats and the train for a good finish to the week, 34km/h average.

So, "over the hump" this week with 510km, 18,819 calories (8.3 black forrest fudge cakes....mmmm) 
32.5 average