Week 24

I tried to remain optomistic for an encouraging roll up to Saturdays ride (last week was understandably low in numbers) and the positive thoughts paid off. A great roll up of the regulars, good to have Hoffy back (the "Hincape" of the team who's engine defies its age) Matt on another (?) comeback, Vince respectfully revisiting his roots, and the super tough Kylie (tougher than carbon fibre that girl) that won't let her big battle beat her. Kel & Bo on the gastro recovery trail, Leon steadily gaining former power and the regular legends made up a good team for 7 degrees in the SSW wind.  Our honourable member for Toolamba joined in near Mt Nicolaci (suspect he may be grandstanding for political mileage in this parable?)  The journey south to Karramomus Rd was made bearable with frequent rotations, nice to have the sun a few degrees left avoiding a head on glare eastward.  There's a lot of grooves embedded in the narrow section of road that hammers the posterior, good though to rarely encounter traffic (1 car in 13 weeks) on this skinny track. Back onto the Shepp Euroa Rd, and nearing Union Rd, Hoffys horsepower flagged but solidarity kept the train together.  A wall of fog in Boundary plumeted temperatures and strengthened resolve, the thoughts of hot coffee at the end no doubt motivating most.  The heavy artillery fought out a battle for line honours in Old Dookie Rd, Vince took it at the first 60, but his premature elation drooped when all others aimed at the usual 2nd 60 sign, Bo heading off Steve for the honours.  A stretched bunch regrouped for the tour through town and a welcomed brew at the Butterfactory (a sizeable Cat pack there, the Adams family had shortcut with their low numbers)

Contemplation of a ride Sunday morning was mentally shelved in the wee hours, 13 consecutive cold early morning rides had taken it's toll with a bad case of the can't be f......  bothereds.  As payback, I had legs of lead the whole day. Go figure?

Kel had posted suggestion of a holiday Monday toaster circuit with breakfast following, and who could refuse!  Suprised to find 16 others couldn't resist, despite a very cold 7am start.  Daniel stunned with the quote "it IS cold" (long sleeves and long knicks chosen as his kit of the day) even Chris had gone against his religion (cold aint kosher) to socialise. Good to have Shorty, Tim, Glen, Matt & Nick along, even Simmo temporarily inducted for the day.  The honorable Member of Toolamba again fronted (300k clocked for the long weekend worth a cheer) but was casting aspersions at my 3/4's....he can't hack the cold I think  (and can't quite matchTemple's driest of wits) GG unleashed the GG's in Mitchell Rd , Vince, Bo and Steve not shy either, but a bit of muscular masochism took the mind off the minus 2.3.  Between turns at the coldest end, time allowed a bit of chat amongst the clan, many in holiday mode (but questioning what drives us to embark on such frosty missions) Lots of queries were posed on a likely finish point, the aspiring sprinters eager to show who's boss.  The pro's and con's resolved, a DECA driveway finish line was selected(Rudd Rd and its' squeezy roundabout off the agenda), Bo & Vince drove the locomotive, Rocket lapped up their philanthropy to take the laurels.  A brilliant breakfast followed, replacing lost calories and adding a bit of mental and social stimulation. (see photo)

A minus 1.3 temperature had kept the numbers down on Tuesday, only 10 at the carpark for a 6am exit. A low 30's start with Leon at the front, he & I attempting to warm up in an unforgiving atmostphere. Kel ran out of headlight volts half way up Channel Rd, commonsense relegated her to rear guard. Halfway into Boundary Rd  Bo & Rocket hit the nitrous hard to 39, the bunch stretched double length fighting temperature and tempo. With Mitchell in sight a few were dropping off, so lifted the throttle myself (leaving riders behind on their own doesn't sit comfortably with me, not a part of the bunch ettiquette either, or at least I thought so)

A chilly Tuesday night could only inspire 8 to start at the hospital, good to have Dalton at the start now he's a city boy.  Just a kilometre into the circuit a sharp stone quickly stole my front tubes' air, so it was an early pitstop, the respectful bunch u-turned to shed light on the scene (but particularly to sledge!) The stop allowed a late running Kev to join in, and once underway, Mitch and Steigy hooked on a few k's out, Bomber too near the kennels. 9 degrees dropped to 6 but there was enough hot air in the bunch to survive.  Down to the church we came across Sam in wait, 14 now rolled to the toaster then east to Boundary Rd.  The waft from the piggery convinced most that bacon was off the menu.  Dalton did a Channel Rd exit, the remainder headed south and turned to River Rd.  Mitch and Sam slowly wound up the knots to silence most, then Steigy and Bomber took the second shift but eased a whisker to keep the group grouped. Bomber then Sam peeled off homeward leaving the rest to take on Raftery Rd.  Mitch, Scotty and Axel had the beans to sustain mid forties for Conrod, slowly pulling away from me in that order to finish 44k's at a 35 average.  My ticker redlined at 188 for 4th, but it was really set on a hot meal (without bacon).

You know you've lost your marbles when 0.7 degrees feels mild.  Wednesdays' "tepid" temperature suited a calm ride, watching the world (& bunches) go by.  Interest appears to have flat-lined for the P&W's, most training in the confines of cosy gyms in these silly temperatures.  It was a morning you could swear a breeze inhibited progress, yet not a flag was moving in town.  Nice to give the legs a little respite after recent quick rides, but the rising sun dropped the mercury for the last few k's home.  A satisfied grin rolling wheels over the repaired patch at the lake, one less obstacle to watch out for. 

Thursday had turned positively tropical, 7 degrees was mild enough to force Daniel back into shorts and even get Trev out of bed and to the start line. Eleven were drawn out to enjoy the heatwave, deja vu with Leon & I on lead out duty again.  The 15k north easter may have been responsible blowing Shorty's pump off, at least word went out for an ease up to regroup.  Bo & Kel had crossed the floor to lap with 51, Vince back though, playing fair.  The breeze managed to peg back pace in Channel Rd a bit but there was a bonus of some relief for Boundary & Mitchell.  Daniel was cooking in long sleeves, his attempt to un-glove on the move resulted in a halt to retrieve a dropped mitt, Vince assisted in the catch up.  A good feeling of unity today, not stretched to the max, a chance for a brief chat here and there. With our couple of delays the pussycats caught us just before Archer (a ten out of ten scored for passing manoevres, policed perfectly by Kelvin) Vince turned up the speed heat in the closing stages of Raftery, Rocket quick to grab his shirt tails for a tow up to his kick point.  For the rest of us, a great average to beat the train.

Meags, Cougs and I took off from SPC Friday morning, Grasshopper, Wizz, Fox and Minto delayed their start a few minutes to hammer the River Rd course. Single file was de riguer, Meags' sharp new TT Avanti going through the usual adjustment stage (a dazzling tail-light to mesmorise anyone behind)  Another high beam half-wit in an oncoming car made life difficult, but the girls tapped out long strong turns to keep up positives in the damp 9 degrees.  The River Rd TT crew passed near the Broken bridge, we continued the Mitchell course with the Cats rolling past at the chicane (another ace overtake, Vince, Temple & Daniel cheering us on) Nearing the Kialla Central Rd we witnessed the 4 TT'ers turn into Mitchell Rd ahead of us and soon after, a big 51 train in pursuit .  Beyond our sight 51 soon rounded them up, but an over-enthusiastic 51 tail end clipped Grasshopper's wheel in the manoevre, bring he and Wizz to the ground (a buckled wheel and sore limbs the hangover).  There's been a few close calls like this in the recent past, a good argument for the passing pack to hold the right lane till well & truely clear. Happily all finished intact, a good chat with bike & gym P&W's at Friars to wind up the week. 

Week 24   344km  12,384 calories ( 3.3kg porridge) 32.9 average  YTD 9,400km

"How can we win, when fools can be kings"   Matt Bellamy (Muse) "Knights of Cydonia"