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
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