Week 51

On the home stretch now, not much left of the year. Quite a balmy 17 degree start for Saturdays OC cruise, good to join the crew of 15 for a lap with some verbal intercouse. (Noticed the puddytats were strung out across Mitchell Rd in several bunches, lots of speed served up at the Pine Lodge pub I'm told.) An echelon was organised for Boundary Roads' northeast wind, lots happy to tuck in out of the breeze. A collective sigh of relief turning into Ford Rd, Bo, Daniel, Ryan & Nev primed for the 40's pace homeward and eastward. The hit-out after Numurkah Rd didn't give many a chance for all to get across together, but i was happy to group with a few for the push home. Nev took the chocolates, Bo relegated to bridesmaid again. As is customary, an enjoyable yarn and coffee followed.

Off the bike on Sunday, but helped out at the 250/8/2 Tri. Witnessed Goose & Greeny having a good dip in friendly rivalry, Danny cranking his new Felt TT well, Stace & Hayles proving to be quick chicks on their feet too!

Rolled up to SPC on Monday but seems the locker lads had put the usual P&W spirit & teamwork on hold for a suffer session. Better to let them burn up some testosterone, so paired with Cougs for a steady circuit. Mild again at 17 degrees, bike grubby from last nights rain, but an enjoyable 30k's @ 32.5 in the bank. A new set of brake pads as a Christmas present for the bike, better than grinding the Cosmics thin.

Good Couldabeens attendance again on Tuesday. Newbie Nick hung onto 15 for the circuit, great to have Tim back again (but where is Matt?) A fairly brisk ride out Channel Rd and into a light southerly, sure enough the Bart & Rabbit roadshow was ahead today dangling the carrot. Teamwork prevailed, though there were some tired legs in Mitchell Rd. Norm, the two Tims and Nick were getting hungry for horsepower (but by the time i assumed the tow truck role, Norm was well off the back)  No further victims, we grouped together for a conrod straight finish with 35.5 recorded, Chris scoring an excellent 2nd behind Rob who's cemented his podium finishes.

Tuesday night was another windswept torture test, southerlys howling from 32 to 43 km/h sent to test the resolve. 16 rolled off from the hospital in a mild 22 degrees. The detestable twirp with a litanous streak posed his cocky presence again, but all ignored him and was quickly OTA less than a km later. Back to a great group with a few variations of speed (must buy Nathan a speedo for Christmas so he can read the punishment he deals out!) but a very chatty & friendly ride, Graham welcomed back from drilling duties in 2 states, Gools and Brendan hooking on in Ford Rd. Anything southbound was painful, leveling with Jamie at 34 was hard yakka.  Danny hit out solo on the new TT Felt, but by the time Melbourne Rd had been reached we'd reeled him back in, though a few were perishing by then. Gools was firing on all cylinders in Raftery Rd, lots prepared to have a turn at the pointy end.  Had the box seat behind Jamie with 250 left and hit hard to the front, but 59km/h  is just not enough to keep young Nathan at bay. No shame in second to a young fella (but it took about a k to get the heart rate down!)  34.3 a good result for 50k's.

The annual P&W Christmas ride for Wednesday, nearly all tinselled up for a quiet and very friendly  circuit (down the original Channel Rd route) with appropriate refreshments after.  Griffo with flashing red nose, Choppy with baubels dangling from handlebars and seat, Fee in a Santa sack, Cougs in Mr Cringle's attire.....a proper celebration and heaps of laughs (especially after a couple of champagnes at 6.30am!) A great breakfast at Friars after, Ayto awarding the golden sledge to Blighty for outstanding services to sarcasm through the year.

Thursday morning was another chrissy extravaganza, 20 Couldabeens showing the Christmas spirit. Steve in a full Santa kit mut have lost 3 kg in sweat, Kel in the elf suit, Ryan with flashing Christmas tree lights on the Janis, Cougs in santas little helper kit, Vince sporting reindeer antlers.  A festive spirit to the ride with the pace pegged back a little. Great to have Matt back, Norm was back to former form, another new recruit Jason along too. A lot of Christmas and holiday chat around the loop, even had Col hook on for a tow home. Turning into Conrod, Gav launched a super slo-mo break, plenty joining in if only to gain an insight on how Rob crucifies us all. A 34.1 average, letting the train through first for a rare change.

The familiar bunch assembled at the library Thursday night, a humid 30 degrees with a medium west-southwest. The Boulevard had been re-sealed so a new course was set via Knight St and Hawdon / Verney to avoid riding on marbles.  A little jockeying for position saw me draw a short straw with Deano. No drama heading out to the emu, but the Cannondale went off like a cannon into the wind. Couldnt match Robbo's 40km/h , but held 38 till back-up arrived at the church. By the toaster i'd regained heart rate control and could breathe again. We'd turned into Boundary Rd when Steve was noticed some way back attempting to catch on. A brief ease of speed and a good tow from Dean & Chris saw a re-assembly to proceed. Mitch appropriately appeared in Mitchell (road that is) and it was full steam ahead at Raftery for the finish.  Legs were complaining in the high 40's with a kilometer to go so didn't contest the finish (but rolled through a sixth anyway) Thoughts were set on a cold drink and dinner, 35.2 for the 50k done and dusted.

Team spirit was back with the P&W's Friday morning. The FAG's had been let out of their cage early and rolled past, our crew departing at the usual time with HWK and Minto escorting us out of town. A touch of an easterly made duties at the front hard on my jellied legs, thankfully Princess wasn't keen on a hot tempo either. Great quick chick presence with Fee, Stace, Cougs and Meags along, Ryno, Scotty and Sosso completing the boy section. At Melbourne Rd Area 51 flew past (a bold move, scaring the solitary rider oncoming s*#tless)  with Deano, Nev, Chris and Mitch amongst the pack. (Team Cervelo's Brett L took honours of course) The collective decision to make it a P&W ladies day saw us steadily build up speed in Raftery Rd, good team rolls into Conrod and a great burst at the finish from Cougs to grab the win as an early Christmas present. Its a great ride when everyone can have a go and to finish as we start...together. 35.7 a great end to the week.

Week 51   379km  13985 calories ( 14.3 family sized packs of chips)  34.4 average

"Adversity causes some to break, others to break records"  William Arthur Ward