Second day of winter and the season lives up to it's reputation. Just 1 degree tests the will and enthusiasm. Every traffic light on the way went red too! An omen? Only Axel & Cougs tough enough to face the music today. (to be fair, Temple had a late night, Hoffy away, the Oppy race took priority for Bo, Kel & Nev, Steve on a Dookie mission with Vince & Chris, and others had just reason) I'll be amused with others' reasons though! Axel had electric socks on to toast tooties, perfect against the morning's temperature. The trio rolled along the length of Raftery, Dave at Roubaix corner a welcome sight to add 25% to the bunchette. With just 4 pushing through a foggy soup, the route was reset to take on Mitchell in leiu of a doubtless pea-souper Karramomus Rd. Double, even triple the work to do today, my first turn on the front lasted 15k's, good to share the load with a quality quartet though. A dozen or more Cats were oncoming in Boundary and a rising sun at least psychologically warmed us. There was no snoring fighting the friction of a damp atmostphere (like someone had pulled the handbrake a notch or two) so there was relief in reaching the end of Old Dookie, could almost smell the coffee in last few k's. We were welcomed at the Cats table for banter and buls+%#, great to have Leon drop by, recovered from the collarbone break and soon to be back with the clan.
Took a short lap Sunday, enjoying a toasty new pair of gloves (Nath's preference for Ziener duely seconded) in cool but sunny conditions. No records to break today, just the enjoyment of riding (and to justify consuming toasted banana bread) Ones and two's were rolling quietly about eastern circuits as seems to be the norm for a winter's Sunday. Arrived for the compulsory dose of caffine to find Daniel & Temple already seated, Graeme and Chris arriving soon after to group for a lively and enjoyable discussion on bunches, protocols, experiences and recent controversy.
Possibly over optomistic of a good P&W turn-up on Monday, so it's dissapointing when numbers are so low. Only 3 to face the music, but great to share a lap with Fee & Cougs (far more attractive and stylish than those homely looking Cats too!) Lots of turns at the business end of the bunch by all keeps up the fitness. A real pea-souper of a fog to contend with, had to rely on the dotted middle line to guess where the road went. (the solid white line on the roads' edge dissapears 3 k's out of town, when funding stops?) Heaps of moisture in the air fogged the glasses, dampened the arms and legs, grubbied the bike, made the chain growl and set off a chronic case of helmet raindrops. Ahh, the joys of winter cycling! The tenacious little trio held of the dozen Cats till Melbourne Rd, happy to continue our tempo as the felines passed. Finished Conrod straight (Cats still in sight) and into Melbourne Rd where both Fee's and Coug's headlight battery life expired almost on cue, thankfully not back in the fog earlier.
My not so subtle dig at bike lane funding (see link photo) caught the attention of a resplendant and well connected mate earlier in the week, who's got it under the nose of the Transport Minister's chief of staff. (and it seems, we are not amused!) Nice one Bourkey. And speaking of roads, Vic Roads has finally patched the lakeside excavation we've been pointing at for 11 months and 2 weeks. Well done lads. A testament to just asking nicely at the town hall (4 weeks ago), things do get fixed.
Only Steve, Rocket & Gav fronted on Tuesday morning, many understandably shielding themselves indoors from a tough 33km/h southerly. Steve had already clocked 35, Rob had cooked his legs on a Sunday arvo mission, so there was a chance for me to hang on. Channel Rd was bearable, particularly shielded by the few orchards remaining, but the reality of Boundary Rd hit hard. The mathematics could be expressed cadence + Cd x speed - wind velocity = hurt! Steve peeled off just after the Broken bridge, by River Rd Gav had hit the limiter. Happy to back off (and regain feeling in the legs) and join Rocket in sharing the towing duties for the remainder of Boundary and Mitchell. Really appreciated one oncoming cars decision to re-engage high beam at us (may the parasites of a thousand camels infest your scrotum) The decision to head for Archer Rd met with no argument, applying just gentle pressure to the cranks gave a 36km/h result. Good to get home 5 minutes early, a 32.8 average in such ordinary conditions quite satisfying.
The hospital group attendance was down Tuesday evening too, the wind had eased a fraction (to 30km/h) but it kept a few regulars away. Axel, Scott, Hamish, Kev, Nath and Rob took on the elements, enjoying the eastward leg to the emu (passing the cycling club puncture pit-stop) but some serious work to do on the southbound sections. 32-33 seemed to be the red-line (Rob happy to remain the rear guard), a relief to turn out of a headwind and into River Rd. I fluked kicking up a stone from my back wheel which glanced off Kev's wheel and shot into the side of a passing car, loud enough for all to hear above the wind noise. There was some tired legs by Raftery Rd, Nath graciously moderating the speed increase till the last of Conrod. He and Scott had jumped on cue with 300 to go, by the time i'd got out of the bunch 3rd was the only option. Still, a 59km/h max was a bonus, 43k's in the bag at a 33 average.
Very fresh for a recovery lap Wednesday morning, 3 degrees wasn't going to warm much. At least last nights wind was a shadow of it's former self, down to 15km/h. It was peak hour arriving at Boundary Rd, Supercats followed by TT boys followed by the P&W girls followed by 2 solo followed by Cats followed by Area 51 attack pack followed by Area 51 chase pack followed by 2 goats. And all heading into the breeze! Legs were greatful of some leniency today, or was it mental relief from 30k+ winds?
Just a week into winter and the freezer door gets left open. Minus 2 hardly welcoming, but it was great to welcome back Leon after a 11 week collarbone repair and recovery. 9 others tenacious Couldabeens rolled out a lap, much discussion on the post ride warm up routine and just how special a hot shower is. Pace was most considerate in the interest of survival by all, the wind chill factor may have proved lethal. All had a crack at the front but then the bunch started to whittle down with Leon & Temple exiting in Archer, Bo & Kel up Melbourne Rd and Vince to Arcadia Downs (all craving hot toast, hot coffee and a hot shower to thaw out i'd reckon) Just 6 left to complete the course with Rocket showing us the way it's won. Just pipped by the train but the arctic expedition was completed sucessfully.
The reliable crew of Fox, Meags, Cougs & Stace lined up for P&W duties on Friday. A chirpy greeting from Bo, Kel & Steve embedded in the supercat pack, rolling out early. A 5 degree start almost seemed bearable (could we be hardening up to winter?) and the light south wester nearly kind on the journey to Boundary Rd. Passing Channel Rd we picked up Goose & the Dawg (the intent to join the supercats deferred by a press of the snooze button) Steady progress in Boundary & Mitchell and all the way to Raftery before 51 passed (most considerately, thanks Nev) and down to the finish line with the regular Cats just metres off our tail, but some just had to pass as we cruised to the bridge (to satisfy deep personal insecurities?)
Week 23 347km 11,798 calories (33 slices of lemon meringue pie) 31.6 average YTD 9056km
"It's cold out folks. Bonecrushing cold. The kind of cold that will wrench the spirit out of a young man, or forge it into steel" Diane Flolov & Andrew Schnieder 'Northern Exposure'
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