Just 10 legends turned up for Saturday's circuit. Mostly the Tuesday & Thursday Couldabeens. Where are all the others? (Soft & mushy doona snugglers i reckon!) Chauffering the soccer legend this morning so missed out on the coffee but really missed the truth stretching session at the Butterfactory.
Didn't have any starters for Sunday, so an early lap with my new mate the i-phone (& MapMyRide app). Pondered life's dramas out to the emu (me thinks it's an ex-emu, haven't seen it for ages) with Regina Spektor & Jeff Buckley into a light northeaster, then upped the pace with the Chemical Brothers (definitive music to time trial by) down Boundary & Mitchell. Very happy with a 34.3 average over the 45km. Rolling back into town i nearly became a Ford Focus front bumper! (The same Welsford/Fryers St intersection as my last close call) The "turn left at any time" is read, it's the "with care" that's ignored! (Seems it's just too hard to slow a bit and have a decent look)
Monday's P&W session had Bart, Minto, Chaddy, Meags, Coogs, Ryan & Scotty, a good lap enjoyed by all. A fine 34.3 average to beat the train again! Some much needed head therapy inspired Monday nights lap, a good way to iron out cerebral troubles. A freshening northeaster (again!) made hard work but concentrated on Bjork & Jonsi instead. (love my new i-phone) Felt quite a burn in the rectus femoris (Wiki that!) but i only do it 'cause it feels great when you stop. 33.4 was pleasing. There's a nice hum from the new Fortezza Tri-Comp's (slicks this time....roll very nicely @ 140psi).
Tuesdays Couldabeens (Leon, Matt, Vince, Marion, Bo, Kel, Rob & Paul) set a rapid pace, no doubt inspired by a favourable breeze from behind in Boundary Rd. Great teamwork resulted in a 34.2 average (a new group record) just sneaking under the boom gates before the train triggered them to close! Tuesday nights hospital group had 17 line-up, another 9 of Leigh's lads expanded the bunch even more. Some big guns riding together had everyone working hard in the last 5 km, i scored one of the best wheels in the business (and a great guy too) Chris Allemand. Trouble is, when he stands on the gas it's like chasing an RPG, but try i did. The youth of Chris (1st) and Mitch (2nd) are just too much for an old dinosaur (3rd) but a 57km/h max was something to cheer about (and an excuse to cook chicken kiev & chips for dinner!)
One of the nicest rides is Wednesday, at a slightly easier pace with my little buddy. At least the wind has eased. Thursday's Couldabeens had the same cast as Tuesday + our elder statesman Chris. And there were more records to be broken! Yes, a strengthening NE wind helped a bit, the mild 14 degrees was kind, but the whole team had the afterburners lit to post a 35.2 average. Nice work boys and girls, the train driver was still in bed when we crossed the rail tracks.
17 turned up for Thursday nights library bunch. Wow, 17 degrees for the first week of August! Even had the short knicks and fingerless gloves on! Big guns Killer, Bomber, Nath and Dean launched a tough attack in Mitchell Rd which split the bunch. Caught on the back at the time, i figured chasing was futile, so teamed up with Nick, Graham, Brendan, Axle & co to drive us 10 home. Launched off the back in the final 200 to wave a red flag at Brendan. Twas a rapid pace, 35.4 average even for us tailenders was satisfying.
A good ride Friday too with the P&W's. Some tough talk amongst the hotshots saw Chaddy, Bart, Sootie and the Rabbit bolt off into the distance for a chest-beating excercise amongst the testosterone fuelled boys. Stayed with the quality end of the field, all the quick chicks, Ayto etc, even had THM with us! As has become the norm, we thrashed the train again @ 34.8 av (didn't hear the honk till well up past the lake.)
A big week of 516km 19040 calories (31 x roast lamb, gravy, potato, pumpkin & peas dinners)
34.2 average
Quote of the week "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling" (James E Starrs)
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