Legs (and other tender parts) are a little better today, the forecast fairly average though. A gentle roll down to the start in the 53/19 (heaven forbid soiling the little chainring) to compare opinions on weather and what makes the world go round with the OC's. The dedicated and hardened legends were there (missing the ace characters of Temple, Matty, Leon & Daniel though) 8 earlybirds had flown the nest at quarter to, but the 7.00am express departed on schedule with 14 (with a young and new passenger Liam) aboard. A nice muscularly empathetic start, but the Vince & Bo torture team had many suffering into the headwind of Boundary Rd. (several none-too-subtle reminders brought them into order) Lots of internet forecast comparisons were being discussed, none included the dark clouds forming around ahead. The reality of rainfall arrived, the wrestling with negative thoughts as tough as the 20-30km/h northeaster. Optimism finally won (heard a couple suggest a likely and imminent Old Dookie Rd shortcut) but the team pushed on northbound. Many sighs of relief to feel the shower subside and the breeze at our back turning into Ford Rd. Yep, hope springs eternal. Brilliant to see the quick chicks driving the big train at a great rate of knots, Cougs and Kel the double barreled shotgun of the day. Vince & Bo did their (blatantly obvious) rotation manipulation to gain a favorable sprint position for Rudd Rd but all was in vein, Kel took a mighty win (girlpower reigns supreme) which brought out further quotes from Bo's book. An enjoyable "post mortem" over coffee, the average a bit calmer this week (32) with wind and rain. Great to have the Butterfactory's Adam remember nearly everyones' name and caffine of preference (a worthy nominee of customer service king)
A short and sweet lap of 25ks on Sunday morning, opting for an anti-clockwise circuit Monday morning too (the strong southwester making it an easy choice) Just Minto had braved the P&W start (saw him battling the elements southbound in Boundary Rd.) Just a kilometer behind Rabbit, the Fish and Nev had amalgamated to hunt him down (glad I wasn't in that battle!) Enthusiasm was low on Monday night so a bit of gardening was completed instead (see, I do have some life off the bike!)
16 Couldabeens assembled Tuesday, missing a few essential characters though. Not quite the same without Leon, Daniel, Cougs, Temple and Matt, (Christmas takes it work toll). Patrick returned but struggled to hold on. Noticed a pair chasing us when we turned into Boundary Rd, finally at Archer Rd it was Rabbit & Bart that hooked on. With 3 k to go they'd recovered to take turns, the tempo went hard at Arcadia Downs to prove who was who. (gave a knowing grin to Rob set up the tactics) Spent all my pennies in the final 200 meters to allow the little rocket a brief respite to load his killer final punch. A great win scored, easily disposing of Mick & Bart, leaving us all humbled in our 50+ km/h attempt to stay with him.
I'd envisaged Tuesday nights blustery 30-45k southerly as a precarious bunch ride, so optioned a solo anti-clockwise toaster loop. So hard to hold a straight line, thoughts held out for the relief of tail wind help in Boundary Rd. (the only motivation to beat the head and side wind struggle). Reflected on a 32km ride in 55 minutes achieved in 1972, grateful i can still match it despite the 30+ year tobacco abuse in between. Saw the hospital bunch wrestling with the wind near the emu, happy to be solo tonight rather than dodging other wheels being tossed around. A very hard 15k slog home but relieved to clock 33 for 50k's.
Wednesdays recovery loop was more than welcome (waited for Norm, but he'd missed the start) Cougs and i taking in the tail wind with great pleasure. Good for tired legs to have a restful ride. Newto must have missed the Area 51 start, seen hammering out Old Dookie in a futile attempt to head them off at the pass. Low numbers in this pack recently (a fracture in the faction?)
14 at the Couldabeens on Thursday and only a light southeaster to contend with. A stray stick near the cypress trees in Channel Rd was flicked high in the air off a wheel, landing perfectly atop my helmet with a thud. (me and sticks.....!) Matt, Leon & Daniel still absent with work commitments unfortunately. Graeme made the Mooroopna migration again (a regular attendee now) not long ago full tilt at 30, now driving the engine in the high 30's. Great to witness the Kel & Cougs guns firing at the front, a great team spirit amongst this crew. Rubber stamp a Rocket win again, a regular mid 30's average notched up by all.
Quite windy and quite warm (28 degrees, summer finally here?) on Thursday night, 13 plugged into the 13k ENE to the Emu. Collecting 9 more in our travels, the wind swung to a 20k southerly (just as i scored a second shift at the front with Bomber....mmm, is it penance for something?) 2 or 3 had dissapeared from the pack when we reached Mitchell Rd, at least the side wind gave a chance to draw breath for a yarn with Gools, Axel & Dalton. At the business end of Raftery Rd, Deano worked a mighty shift on the front, waltzing away with the chequered flag. I collared 2nd spot (maxed at 60 mind you) so will need something illegal to do better!
Quite a huddle of FAG's and locker boys near the SPC roundabout early Friday, obviously conspiring to belt out hard and early. The established P&W crew held ranks though, the 5.05's of Ayto, Fox, Hayles, Ruley, Stace & Wizz embedded in the pack. The good old days of chuckle & chat had returned yet a solid speed prevailed. Choppy's humour and the teams' spirit was in abundance, the big fang down Conrod too (35.8average). I was down the back of the bunch at the finish, happy to be surrounded by quick chicks (and a pat on the back by Mo and Eggy for the last k's tow) so missed the podium positions. Legs creaked loudly all morning at work but the head was happy with a great finish to a 417k week burning 15387 calories (3.7kg of Milo) at 32.8 average.
Quote of the week "Winning is about heart, not just legs. It's got to be in the right place"
Lance Armstrong
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