Week 6

Days are noticable shorter now, will need a few lumens to get to an OC start in the next week or two. Axel a suprise guest today (courtesy of a sleep-in that prevented a Cat attendance) Forgey back after a hospital strength bout of dehydration, newish Tri member Kylie keen to seek speed, Blackie back after a prolonged absence too. Dave joined in half a k out (had already tapped out 30, and a promised 25 after.) After much discussion last week, it's an extended tour from now on, taking in the toaster / emu loop to add an extra 6k.  The now standard precautionary stop at Euroa Rd (New Dookie & Numurkah too) appears agreeable.  The usual large bunch of Cats were westward in Mitchell, little sprinter Brendan left on his lonesome to repair a puncture (and contemplating team spirit?)   Interesting chat on proposed nick-names raised a laugh or six, lots talking of Steve's recovery, the 10k south easter of no concern.  Easier to negotiate the rumble strips on the wider Pine Lodge Nth Rd, very easy to negotiate the westward road home. Quite pleasing to note all careful to keep the bunch together up to, and after, Numurkah Rd. Kylie drew the short straw turning into Rudd Rd , lots hesitant to take the plunge of inspiring the sprint.  With 700 to go, waiting was too much for Vince.(Call AMI for that premature problem Vince!)  I figured it wasn't going to last, but the big 30m gap opening up made a chase somewhat an urgent matter. Almost within reach at the 200 mark i started to run out of steam, thankfully Forgey went past a little early (unwittingly serving up a great tow) . Lunging at Vince in the last few metres, and the sound of Nev's wheels looming up to my right, at 52km/h all went quite blurry on the line. The gentlemans agreement was a three way tie (may need some photo-finish equipment for future rides) 33.8av Another packed house at the Butterfactory, lots of laughs, serious discussion and technical tips to  boot.

Volunteered for duty at the 250/9/2 (or 500/18/4) Tri on Sunday, many familiar faces having a go (in perfect weather).  Greendawg, Danny, Kylie, Grasshopper, Choppy, Goose & Jo performing superbly on this tough discipline. Hilly took the honours, Danny a great 2nd spot.  One can only guess at the mental strength it takes to finish a 3.8/180/42 Ironman distance!  Great to see an inspired effort by the young ones too, some future stars for sure.

Down to 12 degrees at 5.55 Monday morning. Only Meags, Cougs  & i for the P&W lap (others keen to tough it out time trialing)  Great steady turns by the quick chicks, despite the niggling southwester.  The TT brigade passed after Channel Rd, Shirms with us for a bit, recovering from being shot out the back by Eggy and Nev horsepower. Our little trio soldiered on with wind freshening, Cats reeled us in near Archer, but passing with courtesy and commonsense.  A 32.4 average at the finish, great work for just 3.

A different route late Monday arvo, although hard to dig up the motivation with the west-south-west blowing at 20. Nike's slogan repeated inside the head (knowing i'd feel better for slogging out a solo effort) but there was a fair bit of mental reluctance.  Headed to Mooroopna in the low 30's and was rapidly rounded up by Matty doing mid 40's! (oh, hang on, he was riding a Commodore!) Turned down Toolamba Rd, then west to Tatura, telling myself it would get easy homeward (ha ha, the power of suggestion) Turned north onto Undera Rd, not a bad stretch of tarmac (three flattened snakes though) with the wind pushing from the left. Blinked and missed the metropolis of Gillieston, crossed the Kyabram Rd and up to negotiate peak hour at Undera. A 130 degree turn at the pub (mmm...a beer would have been heaven)  right onto Echuca- Mooroopna Rd and had the breeze pushing from the right (and i thought i'd get a tail wind somewhere!)  Flattened turtles now, flattened muscles too, trying to retain some tempo. Finally back to civilisation (sprung Jamie & Sean westward into Mooroopna) after negotiating daydreaming pedestrians on the bike track, 60k in the bank at 34.  Dinner consumed with gusto.

Great to have Steve back with the Couldabeens Tuesday morning, Gav too back from holiday. Rob, Vince and Daniel halted talk with bursts of speed in Channel and Boundary (despite a headwind to the contrary), decent calls on traffic from the back looked after the group of 16. A good steady lap as always. We may have left a minute late, (did the felines leave a little early?) but the Cats had slowly closed the gap (maybe due to our commonsense at a couple of intersections, but well worth our self preservation) and passed only in the last half k. Vince unwilling to allow them success, bolted in the last 70 metres taking a solid and defying victory for the team. 34.8 worth noting.

Only 8 turned up for hospital bunch duty Tuesday arvo, maybe the 24k south west breeze had frightened a few away? Never fear, a magnet seems to attract others out the road, we were soon joined by Mitch, Steve, Brendan and the usual challengers. Shirms and company latched on near the kennels to take attendance up to 17, I had little draft (but good company) with little Trev ahead of me.  Gools & Norm were added in Old Dookie Rd, effort added in Boundary Rd with a tough breeze oncoming.  Copped a blast and a close shave with a passing Pajero, no calls of car back was piss poor. (take note tail enders, there's always a big responsibility to look back and look after others, particularly with a bunch stacked up the road) Some of the shortest turns on record on the front tonight, but rhythm returned in River Rd.  Bomber and Birchy had the sledges firing to keep us amused, thankfully a smooth transition into Euroa Rd then Mitchell with favourably light traffic. With 3k to go in Raftery, many went missing from frontal duty, mind you Nath, Mitch, Bomber & co set a high standard. There was little muscular incentive tonight, 55.5km/h only good for 4th against Mitch's victory, Birchy's 2nd and the suprise attack in the dying moments by Brendan (hadn't he scored the ace tow)  34.2 for the 42k's was decent considering the gusts of 35km/h.

Little sleep overnight for some reason, woke at 4, thoughts lighting up the neural activity.  Out of frustration got up and had breakfast, but as a creature of habit, the bike beckoned.  Took a gamble some of the P&W's would be on an early mission at Ford Rd (Cougs on a well deserved sleep-in with the Oppy in service) and rest assured, HWK, Stace, Fee & the Fox were there.  I was the only one in knicks (all others sensibly in 3/4's) and the only one with standard road bars, but as always, was warmly welcomed into the fold. Temperature hadn't reached 10 but at least there was little wind to deal with.  HWK's classic 4 spoke Spinergy's hummed along, harmonising with the crickets, an enjoyable and brisk pace for the 25k back to the SPC start.  A late call of 'truck right' at Doyles roundabout (difficult to see oncoming vehicles with trees and fencing obstructing)  caught Fee by suprise, locked a wheel and glanced off Fox's wheel to plaster herself on the road.  Thankfully, no injuries, scratches, scrapes or mechanical inflictions, Fee was dubbed Ninja Box thereafter!  Met up with Chops, Grasshopper, Minto, Meags, Guysy and Chaddy at the 6am start, all but Meags were on for a TT though.  Just Stace, Fee, Meags, HWK and I opted for the standard menu, rolling out under a full moon to put 30 under the belt.  The TT's weren't seen till we'd crossed Melbourne Rd (and were appropriately sledged for dragging the chain) us 5 completing the 25 and 30 at 32.7 & 32.5 repectively  before 7, before the Cats and before the train. 

It's not two weeks into February and the 3/4 knicks come out of hibernation already!  Only 10 degrees, but 20 Couldabeens fronted up Thursday morning, Matty was motivated to get out of bed, a special guest appearance from Nev too.  The cool Cougs (bare arms, standard knicks) fired off the first leg in great form, Vince & Rob did their cardio session on the front further out, Greendog & Goose would have paid anything for gloves, Daniels legs were glowing on the 38/16 at 40.  We've been short changed for 2012, this time last year it was 18 degrees.  Anyway, a great turn out made all worthwhile,  down Boundary and into Mitchell at a decent rate, shame a few drivers can't operate headlights when the sun hasn't even risen. We picked up Glenn just after the chicane (a puncture leaving home had him miss the start), the obligatory stop at Euroa Rd then homeward, double time today.  All got lively in Conrod straight, with 350 to go i hit the front with the tenacious Temple, and thought it high time the sprinters all needed to work for their breakfast. Gunned it to 52 but couldn't hold it for long, the reality of  Rob Nev and Vince winding up behind took over to demote me to 4th.  Quite pleased with 35.7, great to have the whole team finish together, victorious over felines and locomotives.

10 at the library Thursday arvo, all chicken to head up front with Robbo, so i joined him, he doesn't bite (just a nice guy with a fast reputation) A freshening northwesterly to contend with, Robbo took us up to Wanganui in the high 30's, (and i'm silly enough to take the first leg, all 3.7k of it!) All other turns much shorter, good to get a draft to recover. The usual rogues joined up throughout the course, an easy eastward leg to the emu with the wind behind. Conversation had shuffled the deck a bit, the aromatic one half wheeling Robbo up front....bad career move, quick way to get your legs torn off! Driven into the wind to 38,  and between gasps for mercy,  he was allowed  to roll over. Normal play was resumed soon after the Church, we picked up Trev, Laura & Nath in the straight to the toaster. A little variation in speed (dependant on ability of those on the front) helped most regain breath and composure, but windy again southward on Boundary Rd.  Another deviation via River Rd, mid 30's the task, taking the lead again for the last half k, then the turn south. Picked up the pace for the leg to Mitchell Rd, intent on serving up a little more to the pungent one (now with me....or trying to be) All settled back to normal duties for the return to town, of course speed elevating in the closing stages.  The speedo didnt drop below 48 for the last 2k, Mitch left to drive the big red car with 800 to go (gave a huge effort but was a burnt offering with a 100 left.) Robbo stepped on the gas to take No1, Bomber went with him for 2nd, my old engine wouldn't go over 54.5 but held 3rd.  A fairly hot average of 36.3, keen to fill up the tank with dinner. 

A good conclusion to 7 days with a dose of P&W family for 30k's. Choppy, Stace, Grasshopper, Tommygun, Cougs, Nico and Guysy as fine company to tap out the course.  Jeramy hooked on the rear but kept silent. Just 22 days left till IMNZ, the training peaking tomorrow with a huge bike swim, bike, run in preparation., a welcome taper for a few weeks for the tough nuts who've entered.  Tommy's back on the bike after a fair lay off, Chops recovering from intense footy training last night, but Grasshopper back to previous fine form. A great steady pace for the circuit, no sign of TT devotees today, just the 51 train passing respectfully after Roubaix corner.A smooth ramp up of speed in the closing stages, Stace powering past Grasshopper for a win, Cougs on a great roll for 3rd. 33.5 to wind up a big but highly enjoyable week.

Week 6     494km  18,228 calories  (2,441 Savoy biscuits / 38 boxes) at 33.9 km/h average.

In matters of self control, as we shall see again and again, speed kills, but a little friction can save lives"