Week 35

Had a great laugh for the start of week 35. Lined up to head Saturdays ride was "Uncle Martin" Ken with half of Radio Australia on his helmet!  (Zip wheels and zip ties! Haw haw....better zip my lip) 14 turned up, nice to have improving daylight and temperatures above freezing, (5 degrees with a light north easter) great to have Mr Smooth (Norm) and Nick in the pack too.  Lots of chat on the circuit till the wick got wound up near DECA. Turning into Rudd Road, the little assasin Kelly hit the nitrous, (sending a panic amongst the sprinters) Vince hooked on for the tow then overtook her , but got smoked by Matt for line honours. The early posse was already seated at the Butterfactory, so enjoyed the suns warmth outdoors telling / hearing tall stories with the Cats. Drank coffee for an hour!

Rolled up to the lake Sunday morning and had Ro, Chris, Kelly & Bo, Graeme and Scott's company for a steady toaster loop ("steady" isn't in Bo's dictionary!). Only 3 degrees but some good laughs on the way. The favourite Butterfactory haunt was full as a boot, so Hudsons got the nod for coffee and toast. (not as good) Had a great group of  P&W / Couldabeens mates around to celebrate this neolithic almost turning jurassic. Some good looking sorts in regular clothes for a change!

Monday's P&W attendance was just 8, but a decent ride enjoyed. The Fox's worn knicks were subject to much scrutiny, brought some good laughs. We held off both the Cats and Area 51 to get home first , train beaten too!  Stayed off the bike but on the couch Monday night.

Tuesdays Couldabeens had quite a turn up. 13 must be a record for winter. Great to have Norm back, newbie Steve on a shiny new Avanti. Even welcomed back Travis, struggling to climatise from 2 weeks in Bali !  A southwester took up the leg slack in Boundary, but a good team finish. 

Tuesday's hospital group started with 10 but swelled to 24 when several small bunches tacked on in Lemnos Cosgrove Rd.  Gav even came out of winter hiding, but felt the push.  A 12km/h southwester made hard work in Mitchell Rd particularly when the young fellas turned up the heat. The last 8km had us rolling over faster than Japanese governments, well into the high 40's at Arcadia Downs. Mitch kicked sand in our faces in Conrod straight, but pleased to get 2nd (deja vu ; last week)  Suprised to read a 36.2 average and 53.5 max.

Nice to roll round a 30k recovery lap Wednesday morning.  The BM rolled over 120,000 km this morning (scary..... it clocked 100k late last September) reliving memories of unpacking Part No
#80 91 0 139 773 from  BayericheMotorenWerke's cardboard box and putting the bike together according to Clauss's "Prufprotokoll". Should i trade in the old girl when it's run in?  Wednesday night enjoyed scoffing Kens wine at his bike safety campaign. A few ideas circulating for everyone to chew on. Good old common sense and a bit of consideration will go a long way. Again, good to see riders dollied up in something other than lycra.

Thursdays Couldabeens turn up was even larger than Tuesdays! 15 in all, importing Peter from an anti clockwise group too. Another new face (Glenn) on an Oppy is really testing this old memory for names! As usual, a good steady slog finishing as a team. 

Only 7 started from the library Thursday night, but as always, lots of vultures were circling out Ford Rd and beyond. A few juggled positions early (maybe to avoid the view of Dales well worn knicks? What a plumbers grin!) with the long missing Andrew and Jamie joining in. Up to 22 in total by the toaster, Leigh & Co adding the horsepower,  a little breeze against us down Mitchell. A small group turned off down Archer (including Trev, a bit flat from a blood donation) but 16 stayed for the battle down Raftery. Only a few of the big engines were driving the train by Arcadia Downs, most had gone very silent and very single file, hanging on in the 40's. There were big gaps to fill rolling up to the front but i drew the lottery when Dean rolled in front of me with 400 to go. Hung on for 100 then put all eggs in one basket, standing on the gas. Managed to take the chocolates thanks to Robbo's lead-out (and thanks to Nath missing!.....riding up Kelvins) a healthy 34.8 average over the 48k's.

10 P&W's present on Friday morning (Ayto, Stace & Meags missing doing an early 60k). Dazzled by Barts' new Merida bling and good to have quick chicks Fee, Cougs & Erin on board.  Another new (un-named) face appeared, but a bit rusty in technique from a long hibernation. A nice distraction heading out Old Dookie with the beginnings of an orange glow on the horizon lighting up a low blanket of fog on the paddocks. Rabbit did his usual taunt riding past, only tempting Bart to dissapear into the distance. The remainder plugged away through the chilly (zero) patches to the Conrod finish, Fee hitting the turbo to gap us all, Peter playing mobile chicane by sitting up with 300 metres to go. Yikes!

This week;  455k  16,789 calories (4.7 kilos of jellybeans - 1,678 if you want to count 'em)
33.2km/h average

Quote of the week  "Life is like riding a bike. It is impossible to maintain your balance while standing still" (Linda Brakeall)