Week 11

Bike transition area at the 2011 Shepparton 70.3 Ironman


A somewhat momentus occasion with a change of route for Saturday's lap (but with the same characters) a change of scenery quite refreshing (just like the temperature)  16 set sail on the usual course for the first 6km, but then turned southbound down Central Kialla Rd.  Good to have Dave back from a short absence, Axel welcomed again on his second appearance. A bit of effort needed for a 7k stretch against the light southerly, hopeful that Newtons Law of motion would halve the effort northbound later. Turned left into Karramomus Rd which narrowed half way, echelons impossible.  The exuberance of Daniel, Nev, Vince and Steve on the front stopped a lot of chat, but most took in the metropolitan sights of Karramomus (well, the old hall anyway). Bit narrow too on the first few kilometres northbound in Shepp-Euroa Rd (widens after the creek) but the tailenders were on good watch.  An unusual feeling coming through the Mitchell Rd intersection with the right of way for a change, the breeze gaining in strength helped progress too. Did an exit via Channel Rd on another mission, but news reported Dave launched an early attack (his speciality) to be caught by Vince and Nev in the closing stages.  A definitive finish line is yet to be decided, but one clear of driveways and intersections preferred. Maybe the 90 sign before Dobsons?  A great yarn after, a great serve of laughs too.

Joined Kel, Daniel, Temple & Bo for an early toaster loop Sunday, an unusually calm and collected start by Daniel & Temple, Bo raising the bar gently till Euroa Rd (but his old ways returned soon after, half-biking) We'd reeled in a couple of slower riders by River Rd and held the mid thirties up to Old Dookie. Bo attempted the half bike measure again but I squeezed the accelerator (only to keep level) for two kays, a Bo 'kaboom' resulting.  (me thinks the fishing trip had lowered his horsepower) All  decent for the remainder of the course, until Daniel pulled a grenade on Bo up the Col de Wanganui.  Enjoyed the sun's warmth rolling back into town, pleased with 50 @ 33 on the scorecard, more pleased with coffee and scrambled eggs for a second breakfast. 

Monday's holiday was a perfect time to try the new & extended circuit, chance to study a start point too.  A great turn up of a dozen with cloud cover taking a little chill off the morning. Speed demons Vince, Rob, Bo and Steve bumped up the muscle temperature by the 5th km, just as Chris (running late) latched on.  Good to have some fresh sights accompany good company, pace moderating when the rotation relegated the guns off the front.  Some great rear guards in Karramomus Rd calling the cars back, but the big guns struck again soon after, into the 40's on personal battles, not quite in the team spirit.  Again, the majority settled the pace back to manageable.  Boundary Rd seemed very short, arrived at the highway in no time. Great call by Cougs on a car left, missed by the 6 rolling through.  Another belt above 40 by the chargers (escaping the vapours of the pig farm?), a few verbals bringing them back in line. Into Old Dookie for the homeward leg, the general consensus for the finish line being the 90 sign at the bridge, keeping things sweet away from tangles with traffic.  I drew the short straw arriving at the front too early, Rob, Vince and the guns bearing down behind spelt futility.  Had a dip anyway from 300 metres out (figured they needed to work for their breakfast) but youth pounced as my power curve turned flat at 52. Pleasing to clock a 34 average, even better to enjoy a great second breakfast with the clan.

16 gathered for the Couldabeens on Tuesday, Goose and the Dawg reappeared after a long absence but Temple & Daniel were a.w.o.l (on a secret mission maybe?)  Wish the season would settle a bit, 9 degrees was a fresh reminder of winter forthcoming. An odd warm patch amongst trees was a relief.  Nick, Jason, Steve, Vince, Leon, Bo, Kel, Cougs, Gav, 2 Glenns, Trev, Goose and the Dog set sail on the regular track, Rob and Vince did the signature hit in Boundary Rd, Trev's experience cooled the tempo to let all survive.  Glen took an early Archer exit with Leon, Bo & Kel withdrew at Melb Rd on cue. Soon after Roubaix corner Vince throttled us into single file, turning the pack quite lengthy for the last k.  Greeny launched an assult on the front but a big kick from the Rocket ended his aspirations. I was content to finish with a 35.5 and home to get toast warming the inside.

Almost perfect conditions Tuesday arvo, 29 degrees and a light northwest breeze.  A few had assembled at the hospital boom gates, good to see Graham back from interstate mining duties, Neil almost a regular, Mike, Scott, Nath, Dave in the mix too.  A little more relaxed lap in store, minus many of the guns who usually dish out punishment. Gools had a little chase to jump on, Brendan was acting as solo forward reconnisance all the way to the kennels, but Mitch and Steigy were socialble joining on near Cambells. Some good driving up to the emu (is the big bird still alive?) when I scored the front with Steigy (now he can push a big cog). A couple of turns later Mitch and Nath had the tempo hot, felt good though despite the steadily increasing wind. Down Boundary and into River, Gools and I shared the front into the wind (what a smooth strong lad he is) By Archer Rd Dave had an attack of itchy feet and launched his trademark early break (an awesome effort considering injuries stop him getting out of the saddle) It looked like he was going to steal a win when traffic held the bunch up, but Mitch, Brendan, Gools and I set about chasing with 3k remaining. Success almost guaranteed with Mitch slogging out big turns in the high 40's (ours at bit lame around 44) so Dave was duely caught just before Arcadia Downs (suprised we'd gapped the bunch with a quick glance back).   Not a lot of fuel left in the tank in the last metres of Conrod straight, Mitch the deserving victor, Gools a strong 2nd, this bloke wrung out in 3rd (fighting off Dave & Brendan at 54) The 36.3 result  inspired the appetite, a pleasant mild evening just the ticket rolling back through town sharing some laughs.

Heaps of bunches spied on Wednesdays deserved recovery lap.  Supercat tail-lights viewed south of Channel Rd, a cheery P&W greeting near the pub,  silence from the TT boys, one vocal amongst many quiet Cats, then a small gathering of Goats mustered a good morning near Old Dookie. A very mild start to the day, mild work on the muscles thankfully, but the mosquitos were oh so friendly with the blood supply.

Thursday's 6am get together in a humid 21 degrees had 15 Couldabeens assemble, still missing Daniel & Temple, Rob away too (many hopes of victory brewing with a Rocket absent) Good to start midfield and enjoy a tow for the first few kilometres, ably done by Leon & Steve.  It was Vince on Valium day, a sore gastrochnemius acting as a rev limiter.  Phil had hooked on the back in Boundary (a puncture denied him a pussycat lap, so a fast lap in proper style with legends would have to substitute!) The easterly tending to northeast blowing at 20 favoured south and westbound roads, Jason & Glenn G bumped us into the 40's but stretched out the group in the process.  Speed settled a bit for the second half of Mitchell, not a lot of chat though, so pace was plentiful.  Vince bailed out at Arcadia Downs to rest the limbs, lots got keen sniffing victory with a field of pop guns instead of cannons. Copped a hammering with Ryan on the front, found just enough to edge ahead in the last 50 metres but Jason pounced to score his maiden victory.  35.5 a good result, lap done in 47.30.  

Gave Thursday night a miss (attempting to get an early night and keep the k's sensible too) and was suprised to see a clear sky and stars at 5 on Friday (forecast was grim), all augered well for a lap with the P&W's.  Just Chops, Grasshopper, Cougs and Stace  ready to roll from SPC at 5.55.  A smooth steady pace for the circuit in almost ideal (19 degrees, very light north easter) conditions.  We got all the way to Roubaix corner before Area 51 humbled us with their pace.  Finished with a 33.3 over the 30, but got well baptised in the downpour rolling back through town, at least avoiding the lightning strikes.

Week 11   439km  16,199 calories (67 Cherry Ripes) 33.7km/h average  YTD 4296 km

"Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do" John Wooden  (U.S. Basketball coach 1910-2010)