Week 30

Dookie hills July 2012  by i-phone (with wide angle lens)

Don't you just love the serenity! Saturday morning at 6 is strangely peaceful (just a hollow sound between the ears), hardly a car about. 2.5 degrees with a south southwest breeze slowly running out of steam made it quite ride-able. Good to have some numbers back for the start ; BigMat (on a flash black Avanti), Liam, Cougs, Hoffy & Kel  were ready to roll (Bo's blowout retired the Ridley home to board the Bianchi) but all paused to await the promised attendance of Temple. Start time having expired, the 6 rolled out Raftery only to ease at Arcadia Downs when Daniel, Temple & newbie Teo were noticed chasing, afternoon shift had arrived! Back to cruising speed, gathering up Bo at Roubaix corner (relearning the old steed) for the journey east.  Mass confusion struck at Central Kialla Rd, some headed south, some continued east, previous weeks shortcuts had confused the agreed course.  Votes were for a Mitchell-Boundary-Toaster-Emu-Boundary-Old Dookie course (magical mystery tours in recent cold weeks) so straight out Mitchell it was.  Somewhere approaching Boundary we'd lost Bo & Kel (an urge to fraternize with faster felines?) a Catpack near River Rd gave a g'day and Liam exited in Channel with a Melbourne mission. Quite the scenic sunrise to view turning toward the toaster, liberal application of sledges between Daniel & BigMat kept the team amused. Up to the Emu and west to Boundary, south over the rumble strips and down to Old Dookie started to knock the wind from Teo's sails, compassion for the remainder the order of the day. A sprint to cap off 40k won well by Daniel, BigMat 2nd and Coug's a fine 3rd. Great post ride analysis, caffine and tall stories in abundance in a somewhat peaceful environment, bereft of the usual exhuberant Cats.

The urge to ride was too much in the early hours of Sunday, sleep not coming easy. Headed south through town a bit before 6 with a planned toaster loop, was off the traffic light inductive loops though, every set was red with not enough metal in me to trigger a quick change. Finally out of town, I set the course on auto pilot and i-pod to auto shuffle,  thick fog up Mitchell made even the road edges barely visible.  Tapped away east to a magic sunrise (ironically to Caribou's "Sun") well worth the effort of crawling out of bed for, despite just 1.5 degrees. The hint of a SSE breeze had fizzled out arriving at the Emu and the dawn horizon distracted all cranial concerns (enough to snap the picture above). Not a bad part of the world here, eh?  The fog slowly lifted to navigate easily home, chalking up 50k before 7.30.

History records low numbers for P&W's mid year (this year is no exception) just Cougs and Chaddy at the start on Monday. To be fair, the mercury at zero probably kept most regulars wrapped in doonas. A steady lap of the usual course proved ideal (particularly for Chaddy's introduction back to reality from a weeks' holiday) pussycats passing politely at the Mitchell Rd chicane.  Princess' preparation for his first 70.3 in just over 12 weeks will be epic (all the best young fella) he's already gone aero, minus several kg's.

Gently built up speed down to the Couldabeens start on Tuesday, (the Steve, Kel & Bo trio were northbound for 51 duty) takes a bit longer to warm up lately (hopefully the 0.9 degrees is to blame and not age). A turn up of 10 diehards in the carpark, Daniel in a long kit a rare sight, great to have Tim back (his 3rd ride in 7 weeks apparently) but where's the come back kid; BigMat?  A bit of a push out Channel Rd but worth the slog to reap the benefit of favourable winds for the southern and westward legs, Ryan & Nick putting in great turns.  Rob's impeccably timed sprint (and victory) is of course de riguer, Jason a fine 2nd with a closeknit pack only metres behind. A great team ride, over the rail lines before Cats and the Melbourne bound loco too.

Dalton, Sav, Rob, Kev, Trev and Nath (on a vintage Diamondback but with 10 speed make-over) were at the hospital Tuesday night, 9 degrees and just a puff from the northeast, ideal weather. A few hearts sank sighting Bomber (predicting punishment?) at the Ford Rd roundabout, but he & Steigy were left to do their own thing 100 metres ahead. A tempo convivial to conversation lasted till the Pine Lodge church, Sprinter and Gerrard joining in, Bomber & Steigy finally easing to blend in too. Things were cooking after the toaster (excuse the bad pun) chat cut back to bare essentials, breathing taking priority.  A few brave souls ventured up to pair with Bomber (entrenched at the pointy end) most retired behind though. Liam managed to hook on to bring the numbers to a dozen, I dug deep to survive a 3k lead duty to River Rd. Just the noise of wheels humming and most selecting the big gears to survive, did another 3k turn again with Bomber for the last bit of River Rd then the 2k of Central Kialla.  Got brave to roll across entering Mitchell, ending his dominance but not the tempo. More pain approaching the highway with more 'front of house' duty, but by Roubaix corner the biscuit barrel was emptying,  all had gone single file now. (cheers to Nath handing me a little respite with a tow) Only 5 had survived after the highway and taking the lead was both rare and short lived. Bomber took the spoils of victory of course (well earned considering he did the lions share) , i just hung on for 2nd (52km/h @190 bpm) with Kev and the wily Sprinter nipping at my heels. Double dessert earned tonight.

Early to bed now with le Tour over (no withdrawals though from the Swisse / Eftpos / QBE / Skoda / Avanti /
Eli Lilly saturation........perhaps those 'romantic moments' will occur anytime now?) so a chance to get proper sleep, well until the Vuelta anyway. Nursed a few Tuesday night aches Wednesday morning, the roll south made pleasant with an aromatic waft of bacon cooking at Sebastians, a big dose of au de fresh baked bread from Higgins, all then shattered with Foott's garbage compactor passing.  A 24km/h NNE made hard work of Channel Rd and there was no respite in Boundary either, the multitude of oncoming peletons clearly taking the soft option of a tail-wind advantage.  At least there was relief on the westerly leg home but not much relief from an abrasion giving a little hell lately  (suffice to say I could be mistaken for a papio cynocephalus ursinus) 

Wednesday nights downpour left us a sloshy Couldabeens course for Thursday. Gav had punctured before turning a wheel in anger, his tube change was duely lampooned by all watching at the carpark. The 10 finally rolled out at 6.05, wary of less than ideal conditions (some were lining up puddles though to ensure all had a decent shower before work). Good to have Steve, Bo & Kel back in the fold, Shorty firing on all cylinders too. As we were a little behind schedule, the Cats were just ahead in Boundary Rd. Bo, Kel, Steve and Rocket took us smoothly up to latch on and join in the rotation.  Straddles, Sly, Simon, Steve and a few others were driving a smooth feline train and made us welcome by ramping up the pace. Long turns in Mitchell at 40 kept us all occupied, but several of us had early work starts, so I joined Shorty, Leon, Cougs and cat Simon to bid adieu to the bunch for a shortcut up Archer.  Took the soft option on Thursday night, a hint of an approaching evening shower spelled a sofa sabbatical.

A fair old downpour overnight gave us a bleak sky and saturated roads Friday morning, chose a sinful sleep-in till 6.30, to avoid a drenching, surely purgatory will follow. Penance was cleaning a filthy bike. 

Week 30   333km  12,287 calories (72 cups of Coco Pops)  32.7 average  YTD 11,406km

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results"   
Albert Einstein 1879-1955   

     

Week 29

Broke with tradition on Saturday (recent low numbers may have played a part) and rolled a short circuit at 7. At least a mild temperature gives some hope than there's warmth on the horizon.    Liam & Matt were the only 6.30 starters as it happens, and caught up with them at the usual post ride pit stop. Others filtered in to join an enthused conversation on all manner of subjects, a second coffee enjoyed, plans laid for a Sunday lap too.

Quite foreign to spend a leisurly Sunday morning, a relaxed breakfast and a slow amble to the library for a 9am start. Dalton, Liam and Nathan made up a quadrella, an anti-clockwise lap of the toaster circuit agreed to.  A west-northwest breeze made the eastward leg a bonus but yesterdays rain handed us a greasy road to get bikes grubby. Liam's transparent bidon showed a strange green brew (Schleck's "poison"?) Nathans white bottle disguised a probable measure of nitrous oxide. The long run out Mitchell had us slowly reeling in a trio (caught near River Rd) but the strengthening wind (26km/h) blew a change of course into the mind, just a one degree increase in an hour had cooled enthusiasm too . An exit via Channel Rd was agreed to.  Young Nath's boundless energy is hard to match, pointing into the head wind burnt up the reserves. Eased up on the pedals to kept the quartet together in the closing k's and negotiated a sea of Saturday nights' stubbies smashed onto Archer Rd (suprisingly without punctures)  A long yarn at the Lemontree, copius taxation tips from Liam, copius cups of coffee shouted by those towed on the leg home.

No starters for Monday (winter has many trawling the depths for motivation i reckon) but jumped aboard the two wheeled Prozac-mobile, even if that rotten west-northwest was still annoying (except for the Old Dookie stretch).  A random drop of H2O here and there, a few random creatures lit up by the headlight scuttled into the weeds.  Brewed over many thoughts within the cranial filing cabinet and glanced back once or twice expecting to be hunted by a pack of felines, but the lights were mere pinpoints away in the distance. The drops from the heavens became a little more frequent, quite a fine mist at the start of Mitchell (funny isn't it....rain always threatens at the furtherest point from home) but as soon as thoughts of a drenching set in, the drops subside.  Nearing the highway the horizon looked particularly grim so I set sail up Archer to avoid a bath.  Copped another heavy misting on the entry to town but not enough to saturate socks. 

A great roll-up of 15 for Tuesdays' Couldabeens course.  10 degrees had Daniel in short knicks and short sleeves, most others sensibly attired. A few were back after brief lay-offs so heard of holidays, ailments and what drains motivation (a common affliction) . After a dodgy traffic call at the end of Channel the hammer went down in Boundary, the north-wester aiding forward motion. Steve, once dropped off the back to peel off for home, now blasts off into the distance with a big dose of enthusiasm.  A keen pace kept conversation to a minimum, lots doing well despite recent time off.  A big day ahead at work made the Archer exit viable, Daniel, Leon and Cougs on a similar agenda.  The mid 30's average was a great start for the day.

Nath, Graham, Craig, Dalton and Dave had gathered at the hospital boom gates Tuesday night, 10 degrees and a NNE blew at 15k's. Kev joined at Pine Rd, Bomber and Steigy soon after spelled an imminent workout.  A high 30's pace set to the Emu, great to have Dave along, suprisingly soon after surgery.  Graeme and Nath must be on the Dimethylamylamine (stock up you crazy Jack users, soon to be a restricted schedule 9), the wheels were certainly humming toward the church.  This surge only lit Bombers fuse, all fell silent and single file after the toaster, only serious horsepower on the front now. On the turn into Boundary there was a whole 20 metres of reprieve before the action started again, I'd finally recovered some breath to resume front of house duties after the Pub (the thoughts of a Channel Rd exit had crossed my mind several times but Jens Voight's quote, "shutup legs" inspired continuation) Graeme had the jacket unzipped to avoid boiling, flapping about like a loose spinnaker.  Another short 50 metre intermission regrouped the pack at the River Rd turn, was chuffed to have got my second wind to do a k turn at 40.  Bomber was inspired to continue beyond his usual Kialla central exit and Graham bolted up Mt Nicolaci (like Bashar al Assad out of Damascus) to take KOM but emptied his tank doing so.  We'd lost Dalton somewhere earlier, many others understandably resigned from turns up front electing to hang on for grim death.   Lead duties came up again and again, by Arcadia Downs my decision was one more long turn. Gave Nath a flick of the elbow at the last kink and was suprised to see a gap of 10 metres between us and the rest. Big Bomber stepped into overdrive for the final 300 relegating Nath to 2nd,  I could just hang on for 3rd (the NNE limiting the max to 47, the HR to 188)   Pleased it was all over, pleased with a 37k / 150 hr average over 45k too.

A very slow build up in the first few k's to a gentle cruise on Wednesday morning, ankle and knee ligaments protesting at last nights punishment till warmed up, then were stretched a bit more under Coug's pace. Almost an endless stream of l.e.d.'s from the regular bunches headed south in Boundary Rd, the  howl of carbon under stress quite clear from Area 51. Could swear the sun is rising a fraction earlier, hope of warmer sunnier rides ahead? A good steady tempo home did wonders for muscular and mental recovery. The warmth (?) of 10 degrees an added bonus. 

Another early start at the coalface on Thursday meant missing the Couldabeens, a shorter earlier ride the order of the day.  Yesterdays mild 10 was a tease, back to winters frost with a minus 1, helping to numb a sore sit site. Ah, the joy of frozen fingers, iced ears, tingling toes and lungs of frost. Lots of others out enjoying the same experience says something doesn't it? Went marshmallow-like Thursday night (Liam reported another fast one with Robbo Bomber & Steve supplying the boost) with a TdeF couch session.

A close call on the way to SPC on Friday, a car sans headlights (and sans sense I think) narrowly avoided. A great reunion of the P&W harem at the start though, Meags a victim of Vietnamese buffet, Fee on a RPM respite, Stace clearing a few cobwebs but Cougs well on the pace. Chris a welcomed entry to make up a team, and with no records to set, enjoyed a steady ride with great company, a cautionary detour via Archer chosen to avoid the flooded Raftery bridge (closed yesterday) . A brief social chat over coffee topped off the week perfectly.  

Week 29  323km 11,918calories  (2.9 litres of Foie Gras)  YTD 11,073km 
(and the blog clocked up 3000 page views this week, thanks for enduring the prose)

"Let's have a moment of silence for all those who are stuck in traffic on their way to the gym to ride stationary bicycles"  SBS Cycling Central       

Week 28

The ravages of winter have pushed all but the hardcore under the warmth of the doona, just 16 weeks ago an attendance of 23, now reduced to two. Only supernana and I fronted up for a Saturday lap, minus 2.7 may have had something to do with it! With just two having the casting vote, a revised course was taken, Mitchell Rd, Boundary and back via Channel, the silver lining a crystal clear sky, Mt Major and the Strathbogies seemed almost within reach.  A few good morning moos from cows huddled under the trees, Cougs calling attention (quite unnecessarily) to the ice capped puddles at the edge of the road.  A pair of foxes scampered across the paddocks, a dozen Cats scampered south on Boundary Rd.  (Simmo & the Sprinter had exited via Channel) A rising sun smudged the horizon orange and dropped the temperature to minus 4 if only to inspire thoughts of hot coffee. Easing the pace back in town for traffic was the hardest part, core temperature drops, muscles lock up, almost shivering awakens aches in old wounds. Thank heaven for a hot flat white to thaw out (and then another to prevent refreezing), a great chat with the few Cats and 51 team brave enough to venture outdoors, a small Adams assembly arriving late worthy of a sledge too. 

The bike addiction is well and truely evident Sunday morning at 7am , minus 1.6 feels almost mild! What is the psychiatry of thinking it's warmer? A Pavlovian conditioning? Whatever the reason, try telling muscles to perform at their peak! A bit of a push heading west, almost sensing an easterly building up (confirmed a little later in the morning). Funny how we become a weather station out in the elements, the slightest hints of wind direction and temperature fluctuation stand out, or is that for survival?  Got a great laugh at the Boundary/Channel intersection, the 51's had daubed the tarmac with a sledge of a suggested exit for BP. A reference to going OTA also appears at the Old Dookie Rd piggery. (apologies to the non-bike savvy readers if this sounds foreign, the vagueness is intentional; for litigation reasons! Personal explanations upon request)  Minto and Chaddy spied doing a toaster loop so at least there are other addicts about to justify the lunacy.  Lower body temperatures are supposed to increase lifespan by the way. Maybe the gastroch's and glute's had thawed a little, the return leg in Old Dookie was completed at a good steady speed. The cycling addiction was topped up with a caffine addiction, a kick-start to the day and an excuse to squeeze in a snooze later.

Break out the the shorts and iced water, it's a heatwave! Almost sweltered in 7.4 degrees on Monday morning. A lot of cloud cover and wind from the northeast made the past few chilly days a distant memory. Kept the head down heading east, grateful of a little shelter here and there. Came across an oncoming Mr Inconsiderate who can't drive on low beam (wished I'd had Sprinters 1600 lumen headlight to offer a bright hello) An impressive string of Cat headlights turned into Boundary Rd from Old Dookie, I'll bet Steve, Kel & Bo enjoyed the assistance of a tail breeze heading south. A good return leg home, with a distant (and chained) greeting from Pickles.  A big downpour from 9am cancelled any plans of rides till Wednesday, nearly took that long to clean a grubby bike.

A 10 degree Wednesday brought hope that winter has run it's course and we're on the road to warmer days. (poor misguided fool!) Well, at least it's positive thoughts. Roads still damp from yesterdays precipitation (a cautionary approach to corners with compensation for marshmallow-like brakes and next to nil traction) A clockwise loop today to unwind and put a little wear on the right side of the tyres, down Boundary and took the BP exit in Channel Rd.  500 metres in, out of the darkness shot a black dog growling and snapping at the heels, taking about 6 months of the lifespan. One for the authorities to follow up before someone hits the deck.  Despite the northwester, a good mid 30's tempo home (perhaps driven by canine inspired adrenalin?)

Seems ages since the last Couldabeens ride.  Headed south to the start Thursday morning enjoying the northeasterly, Bo, Steve and Kel were headed north for a 51 workout.  Ryan, NIck, Matt, Vince, Temple (back from holiday) Glen, Rocket and Chris (returning after a long hibernation) were ready to roll.  No errant dog to tackle  this morning (maybe thanks to Coug's contact with the constabulary put a warning in the right direction) but keep an eye on 840 Channel Rd if you're out that way, the police would appreciate reports.  Easy on the legs headed south in Boundary, due consideration shown to those a bit off form.  Rocket punctured at the Mitchell Rd dog-leg, Chris, Matt and Glenn stayed for moral support, others moved on single file to meet work requirements.  Quite a pace built up for the rest of Mitchell then into Raftery (40+ according to a later check) , but with 2k's left to go Temple was Fiji'd off the back. Good teamwork reformed the petite peleton (Vince exits stage left to make work on time) to finish with a 34.5 recorded.

Ummed and ahhed at the weather Thursday night, the forecast and the radar weren't on agreeable terms. Gave in to a gut feeling all would be well and turned up to the library, only Bomber, Steigy and Graham there. (Other regulars struck down with an outbreak of severe softness I think).  Felt like a Lada entered in an F1 race and swallowed lots of mental concrete when Steve joined in at DECA. My 5k turn at the front with Bomber then Steve setting the tempo nearly blew a head gasket , shaking off a cold has halved the lung capacity.  Another turn at the pointy end from the Emu to the toaster bumped up the heart rate to 179. Sprinter and Gools (towing a pair of new lads) were caught at the BP OTA line to fill the ranks to 9, but it was Steve's 36k turn on the front (while others just had short turns alongside) that was most impressive. (if that's not enough, he'd done 70k's solo just before this ride!)  The last 2 k's stretched the bunch out, the new lads turning to toast with a stint in the low 40's. Sprinter took the honours (credit due to Gools lead out) I was just happy to finish with 4 ahead,  happier when the cold and sniffles are behind me. The 36k / 148 hr average earned a feed, plenty of dinner aromas to inspire the tastebuds on the way home. 

Fine drizzle and low cloud finished the week with yet another decadent sleep-in. That's two in one week!

Week 28   263km (Tour stages 9&10)   9704 calories  (63 cups of Ratatouille) 32km/h average
                  YTD 10,750km

"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken"  Oscar Wilde 1854-1900         

    

Week 27

"Now is the winter of our discontent" wrote Shakespeare and I guess we should be hopefull. The depths of winter has frozen enthusiasm and  fostered sniffles (and man flu's) to minimise bike numbers.  A few apologies via text, a few in sunnier climes (Fiji takes the cake though Temple!) meant there were just 5 starters for the usual Saturday ride.  A consensus between Liam, Hoffy, Norm and Andrew agreed a downsized distance would suffice, 2.8 degrees and a slowly building north east wind was going to give a decent workout.  A damp road did a great job of turning bikes grubby, Liams' youth providing the horsepower for others to be towed. The cold caused lambs to bleat, but a few laughs were about to make the energy worth expending.  A downsized bunch of Cats gave a greeting in Boundary Rd, a few of our clan finding the wind a nuisance. A bit of co-operation got the group home (winter even squashed thoughts of a sprint finish) early enough to be first in the Butterfactory doors to warm up on coffee and banana bread. Joined by a small collection of Cats and Adams family the yarns and bullshit flowed in abundance.

Fine mist, fog and cold on Sunday morning urged a retreat under the doona (staying up for some of last nights' prolog took the edge off too) but snuck a look at the under 19's criterium racing at the showgrounds. A slippery road caused a few spills (without serious injury) but the speed of these young fellas was worth watching. Ah, to be young again! 

No takers for Monday, some taking on RPM in warmer conditions, some on holiday, some struck down with colds.  A westerly breeze made Channel Rd a delight, even took the soft option of heading north up Boundary Rd to make Old Dookie the home straight for a 25k lap.  Happy with the wheels humming till the turn west when the real toil began. Nearly had the chin resting on the headstem to cut through the 24km/h workout, trying to maintain low 30's was an increasing struggle. Satisfied with a 34  average, more satisfied with the second course of breakfast.

Reflecting either enthusiasm or madness, a bunch of 13 lined up for a Couldabeens circuit in the wee hours of Tuesday.  Bo & Kel back from Queensland's warmth, Matt inspired (again), Tim and Jase digging deep to have a go.  A light southerly took the edge off the speed in Boundary Rd, but didn't seem to slow Bo (a week off hasn't taken the edge off).  Some long and short turns taken (dependant on the level of rust in the muscles) but a co-operative effort kept us close-knit.  Said our hoo-roo's to Leon at Archer Rd but Kelly and Bo still in holiday mode stayed on for the duration of Raftery (and turned yet another lap after finishing). The need for oxygen kept things quiet for the sprint stage in the last kilometre (some electing to stay at the tail end) turns shortening relative to speed. I was blessed with a short draft from the Kenworth with 150 to go, just enough to wind up for a big attack. Trying to hold off the horsepower (& youth) of Rocket & Bo needed the bum off the seat, 55 clicks and the heart valve bouncing at 198. Single digit centimetres seperated us on the line, probably the first and last time I'll scalp the young blokes, unless I pay Gav for another ace tow. Thoughts of young Kylie today, a big operation for the tough girl (they'll need tungsten carbide instuments, but i'm sure she'll be back better than ever)

More chilly conditions Tuesday night, 8 at the boom gate discussing who will join in and hit hardest.  Newys Sav and Craig content to hang on the back of the pack while we gathered the guns out the road. Steigy and Bomber provided the gasp factor at 40 for a good stretch of Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, i'd scored a slightly tame Nath (cold recovery) thankfully, to pace a more achievable target.  3 more joined in the darkness at the church shuffling the deck and relagating me to the olympians (rock steady but speedy) wheel . Almost due to do a turn with him, there was a mass exodus of 9 (most with an attack of softness?) for Channel Rd, thereby I inherited turns with Steigy's torque for the course to River Rd.  The little sprinter had a relaxed turn in the low 30's only to be contrasted by Bombers launch to 40 with Graham rising to occassion matching him. Things settled for Mitchell Rd and there was thankfully a pause for breath at the highway for traffic.  Sprinters' 1600 lumens of headlight upset the odd oncoming car down Raftery Rd, only 4 or 5 working the front now.  At the critical point Graham had the legs to kick hardest, little sprinter in his wake for second, my tired old engine only good for 3rd (may have blown a head gasket this morning).  34.7 a fair effort for a cold night, inspiring a warm feed to fill the  empty tank.

I look forward to a quiet lap on a Wednesday, but agree that a warmer climate would be ideal (don't want to calculate how many weeks till spring)  Bo, Steve & Kel were northbound for 51 action, just rolling the legs round suited me. Plenty of other addicts circulating the track to lend credence to the sport (or does it verify the insanity?) An enjoyable no pressure lap, back with plenty of time to prepare for the daily toil.

Enjoyed a fair slice of stage 4 of the Tour on Wednesday night, it didn't help another early start for work Thursday though.  Rolled out the Rue de Chanelle for a catagory 2 climb up Cote du Orrvale, a short stage for todays' GC points.  An errant rabbit darted from one side of the road to the other, then back again (almost under the front wheel) to kick up the heart rate. Had a bonjour from Matho in the Cats squad oncoming on the Champs E'Boundarie , Team 51 just 2'07" in pursuit behind.  No plans for points on sprint stages today, trying to keep the hobby as enjoyable as possible in antarctic conditions. Quite a chill in the still air (0.1 according to the observatory stats) a bit of light fog felt like pedalling through a souffle, deja vu for this time of year. 

Pushing the perserverance on Friday, minus 3 to wake up the senses. A few e-mails and texts spelt no go for most of the "hardcore" squad, just Cougs ready to tap out a steady lap.  Noticed a large block of ice for sale at the side of the road (comes with a car at no extra cost apparently), even the wildlife was dormant today, like many riders I guess. 'Pickles' struggled to bark (frozen jaw?) in Old Dookie Rd, no sign of Goats, Muppets or Gazelles either.  When the going gets tough........

WEEK 27   278km (Stages 18 & 19 to keep that in perspective!)  10,258 calories (114 frogs legs) 32.1 av 
                   YTD 10,487km

"Two things are infinite. The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe" 
Albert Einstein 1897-1955