It's a lucky dip in the weather barrel lately, out with the arm warmers and 3/4 knicks again! Suprised to see 14 degrees on the lake clock, felt like 10 rolling down to the Kialla Lakes Dr start for the last time. (A new ligne de departe next week) A cast of thousands turned up for the swansong, 24 almost a record for a cool March day. Great to have Fee, Meags and the Fox join in, Robbo for a "warm down" prior to racing, Clint and JB back after some absence too. There was a some exertion required into the light southerly, no trouble with a mass of volunteers to drive the train down to Karramomus Rd. A little water across the tarmac before the turn (but no wet feet). Steve did a rallycross gawking at flooded paddocks but recovered to return to the blacktop without harm. 50 wheels were humming eastward in the 40's soon after, the bunch well stretched in Shepp-Euroa Rd too. It took almost 3k's to catch onto the back, thankfully rythym had settled to achieveable by then. A last minute exit to Mitchell Rd by Kel, Bo & Leon suprised a few, but no dramas, all stayed on track toward the highway, Hoffy, head down putting in the effort, undaunted sharing the lead with the Robbo machine. An abundance of gesticulations directing a left into Old Dookie Rd. the bunch kept tight for 2 k's but Dave's itchy feet took him on an early breakaway, too much for Daniel, bolting in pursuit from the back. They both paid the price of traffic delay at the crossroad, the second pack armed with the Nev & Robbo double barrelled shotgun closing down their ideas. Of course the aforemetioned took the 1,2. and most navigated to the Butterfactory for the post mortem and caffine (catching the earlier group too). Maybe there's some fine tuning of the finish line to get done, but a thumbs up from all on the new course. 33.7 a good average to kick off the weekend.
Had committed to assist with the last of the summer series Tri's on Sunday (a brilliant excuse to have a day off the bike) so watched the legends in action: Jo, Soph, Fox, Tommy, Grasshopper, Goose and Greendog, even Princess and Mino having a dip. Many hacked big chunks off their PB's (Dawg and Goose reporting more than 4 minutes, awesome!) Tommy had a cable malfunction which locked him into the little ring (an accessory i find uneccessary on a bicycle!) but the day belonged to Fox on the new stealth bomber TT Giant, carbon's and singles howling under the horsepower, slicing slabs of time off Ruley's effort. As always the un-assuming gentleman of the sport played down his great go. Hats off to the aero Princess and Mino with a great stab at their maiden Tri.
A short and quiet ride Monday morning to break the routine, even a gently paced 50k Monday evening hovering around the 30 -33 km/h soaking up some cruisy tunes via i-pod. Variety is the spice of life they say. A cheery g'day to Grasshopper out solo in Boundary, lots of others solo and paired enjoying a mild evening. 50 @ 30.4 just perfect to justify a big dinner. A tyre rotation to make an exciting evening at home, 3,000k's in the past 7 weeks has flattened out the rear.
17 Couldabeens faced 14 degrees and a light northeasterly Tuesday morning, a big hit (almost de rigeur) from Vince and Rob at the end of Channel Rd prompted a grizzle, the rubber band at breaking point on the back.Teamwork came back into fashion in Boundary Rd though, a good leg south bidding adue to Steve at the intersection. Chris A's smooth style worthy of commendation in Mitchell Rd. a well harmonised group soaking up the k's in the high 30's. Numbers reduced to 12 for the Raftery Rd finale, lots low on steam in the last few hundred metres. Rob had timed a last minute victory to perfection on Chris, Cougs paced a strong finish to whip a suprised Greendog in the dying stages, and all seemed pleased to be in with 35.9 recorded over the Cats and train.
8 grouped up at the hospital Tuesday arvo, some frightened off by a north east breeze possibly? Newcomer Gerrard joined Axel, Dalton, Dave, Nath, Clint, Mike, Scott and I to roll calmly out the road, Brendan, Bomber, Gools and Birchy latched on, so too Leigh and miniLeigh. A little relief turning to favourable breezes at the Emu, just in time to deal with Birchy's torque. Recently resealed sections of Boundary were challenging (lots of loose stones made for interesting steering, particularly into River Rd) Had another driving shift with Birchy (while a few took a break from the chores out front) in the last k's of River Rd, then pleased to get a tow till Raftery signalled yet more work at the front. Nath, Birchy, Gools and I were left to drive the last few kilometres into a tough head wind, Brendan making use of the draft to kick us in the dying stages. 36.6 was a fair slog, temperature perfect, wind a pain for Conrod straight.
Diminishing P&W numbers inspired attendance Wednesday (normally reserved for a recovery lap) finding Ayto, Grasshopper, Princess, Stace, Hayles, Cougs, Fee and Meags ready for action at SPC. Ayto, Princess and Grasshopper elected to TT, but who was I to argue, scoring an ace lap with 5 quick chicks as my harem! Consistent smooth turns were on the agenda, the kilometres ticking away easily for the very attractive bunch (only me to spoil the cosistency) A mild 19 degrees was most welcome. All for one and one for all was the key, all doing good turns to beat Cats, doughnut dawg Ayto and the train (by a handful of seconds) home with a 32.8.
A couple of Couldabeen absentees Thursday (Vince lured to 51 again) but 15 a good sized crew. 14 degrees felt like 4 but we had quite the smooth run out Channel and a cautious roll over the gravel on the Boundary Rd reseal (stones belting many legs and my right ear) Only just around the bend into Mitchell, a large branch on the road in the darkness was spotted late, causing much braking and swerving. Reaction times at the back were down to milliseconds, then the horrible sound of bikes and bodies down, poor Leon hitting the deck and Bo unavoidably using him as a landing pad. (a few other shunts in the pack amazingly having safe and upright outcomes) I just managed to avoid using Leon as a speedbump and quickly pulled up, to find a truck and trailer bearing down behind us all! The driver was sharp though, on the anchors smoothly to avoid drama. Fairly clear Leon had done a collarbone, Bo copped a wallop to ribs and wrist and several grazes. Ambulance called, Steve (lives nearby) mustered to rescue bikes. Puts a big down on the group and the ride, but crashes are an inescapable part of this past-time. A dozen people balanced on bikes just a few centimetres apart, each with road contact of just 2 five cent pieces multiplied by 35km/h, spells trouble everytime. Greendog had quit the Cats to kindly lend assistance, all a bit taken aback by the ordeal. With the injured tucked away in the warmth of Steve's car and ambulance visible, the bunch gingerly rolled home via Archer to meet work commitments. (Leon's collarbone diagnosed later to need a small plate and screws, Bo sporting several grazes and some rib and wrist punishment. Both bikes in need of a little adjustment and repair of course)
A quiet lap on Friday in view of Thursdays prang, naturally a bit cautious of large bunches. Hard to stop the memory replaying prior bingles. A couple of drivers (not yet awake) with brains in neutral, bringing home the fact we are all quite vunerable.
Week 12 353km 13,025 calories (163 bananas) 33.2 km/h average YTD 4649 km
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference" Winston Churchill 1874-1965
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