Week 38

An interrupted morning routine caused a late get-away Saturday morning, head down and tail up to reach the Peppermill in time (and of course copped every red light on the way). Certainly bumped up the heart-rate, Mr Garmin informing the effort for the 4.8k's to the start line. Arrived with 33 seconds to spare to find Daniel inflating an errant tyre. Temple and Andrew had fronted, a great roll up of P&W's (Fee, Meags, Sootie, THM and Hayles) meant there would be some respite from the roster at the front. Temple beckoned (pleaded?) me to take the first shift, whereupon Daniel made sure the oxygen wasn't used for much chat! The WWW (whole wheel wizard) kept at least half his Ridley ahead till the first rotation 3.2 k's out, just in time to greet Dave's arrival. A little calm restored for the Mitchell Rd journey, but into Boundary and approaching River Rd up it went again. Cats were right on time and as usual Greendawg and Goose were lurking at the back with carbons on song (the little pooch carved 'em up at the end i'm told). THM dug deep shaking off the rust of not riding, the quick chicks performing admirably as always. Bit of a fight against the southerly when we turned into Ford Rd, but steady turns and steady pace ruled to get us home. Julie's swansong at the Butterfactory today (new owners next week), hope the hospitality stays.  A great gassbag to end a great ride, the intimate details of hirsute legs discussed. To wax or not to wax? That was question!

The Fruitloop had come around again (No8 for me) the 100k chosen with Couldabeens as company. Plenty of familiar faces in parc ferme, a sea of bikes in all shapes and sizes.  Teamed up at 8.30 with BigMat, Ro, WWW, Cougs, Weapon (made an honourary member for the day) Hoffy, Kylie and hubby Steve, letting the over-enthused take off, us to keep a smooth pack together out of harms way. At the Toaster turn we had 30+ tagged on the back (no doubt overwhelmed by our smoothness and class!) Took 20k's for WWW to finally commence rotation, unfortunately outsiders then eventually filtered through to the front to wreck rhythm. Always an uncomfortable feeling to share close quarters with unknown riders, especially those who cant hold a straight line, freewheel, yo-yo the speed and clear nostrils without consideration. (this feeling peaked with a brief inclusion of the aromatic one with the mobile chicane son) Several ones and twos were slowly being ejected from the front bunch (holding the high 30's i'm told) as we cruised toward the Yabba North metropolis.  Even a big arrow pointing right on a bright yellow card needed subtitles for a few at the front (overshot the turn and would have continued east) With this bedlam, our team became fractured, infused with foreigners, so a bit of searching was on to re-unite.  Saddleback sorted the bunch, a patchwork of green and canola was a good distraction from climbing. Into Dookie the cake and coffee was way more appealing than climbing hills, chose a brief chat with a few Muppets,  a coffee to rejuevenate, a nature break then back on the Fizik for the trek west. Grouped up with Iggy, Weapon, Hoffy, Cougs, JT, Jum and Shawy to share the load, catching Simmo at Cosgrove (left behind from a bunch ahead and cramping). The rumble strips woke up the posterior, pleased to have a few k's of smooth tarmac thereafter. A steady pace for the run to the camel farm, down to Boral's quarry then the big haul of Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. Hats of to the quick chicks and Shawy sharing the slog at the front (while others sat back), still catching & passing a few sufferers. Caught Rob near the Emu, showing signs of Mt Major wear (re-co hip on the horizon, all the best young fella)  and passing a few still on the 50k gave us a great sense of achievement. Wanganui Rd was a welcome sight, Rudd Rd even better, Cougs winding up the pace to the cemetery (keen for sustinence as we all were)  A big feed enjoyed, more familiar faces returned (well done Craig, Rob, Lance and many more taking on their first big distance). Another great Fruitloop (250 odd entrants)  with tons of support, sponsorship, volunteers and community spirit to benefit Hospice. Liam had tangled with Axel's axle on the road home, both arrived bandaged, minus some elbow skin (but sense of humour intact).  Great effort by Kev, Graham, Nev, Robbo and co tackling the 180.

The posterior was glowing a dull red Monday morning but legs weren't too bad. To avoid seizure, rolled up to the P&W's and had a great lap with the hardcore harem. Weapon & Cougs were tough enough to join in after a big effort yesterday, Fee, Stace & Meags made up the most attractive team.  A considerate tempo was maintained, 9 Cats single filed past after River Rd. Avoiding the birdlife seems to occupy us all in the early days of spring, but at least they're visible. A good lap ended to start the working week, a great prescription to restore the legs. 

Tuesday's forecast looked grim on Monday, an invite from Sootie to tap out an evening lap was appealing. Two new Tri's (Coota & Mick) fronted, Hayles along too (to show us all what smooth is) A mild 17 degrees inspired a toaster circuit with an abbreviated finish down Channel Rd.  Mick rides a most unusual position, towering above us all (6ft5 and not so spinally flexible?) on a monster frame, Coota still a bit Muntzy-like in his apprenticeship, both having a go though, entering November's 70.3.  35k knocked over just as the evening chill set in, (a cleansing for the boys on a bender last night) a steady little ride bound to prosper as warmer and lighter evenings increase. 

Quite low on kilowatts Tuesday am, no match for Couldabeens torque, so an early get away to roll out 25 at a moderate pace.  An epic sunrise to watch heading out Channel Rd, big bunches of Cats and Goats in Boundary Rd, and a mentally challenged ute driver hell bent on not wasting a nano second overtaking between oncoming bunches. The skyline looked pretty ordinary heading home, a sense of urgency came 3k from home with the odd spit from above (a brief chat with Eggy shared a similar dislike of suffering a soaking) but we beat the wet home, the comfort of toast and coffee and the smug warmth of denying the elements their retribution.

I was the last to roll up to the P&W lap on Wednesday morning (cut time a bit fine) Meags, Fee, Stace, Weapon, Hayles and Tommygun were better organised, ready and waiting. Underway out Old Dookie in mild conditions, 9 degrees was quite a contrast for Tommygun, last week in Nevada's 34+ degrees must seem worlds apart. (top effort finishing an IM in that heat)  Into Boundary Rd the TT's caught us near Channel Rd, we caught Fitzy and co-pilot at the bridges, Greendawg caught us in Mitchell, Cats passed us soon after, then Cats chased the dawg, we chased Cats, bunch split, TT's passed us, then we chased TT's..........follow me? In all the chasing and surging we'd lost Fitzy & partner and Meags so waited after Central Kialla for some distance. Fox had eased off the TT to assist, so it was full steam ahead again for Raftery.  Some great assistance from Grasshopper, Minto, Sootie & Wizz up to Conrod straight and in the final few hundred Stace put the hammer down for the line, but Fee was the dark horse, and at full gallop, took the honours.

The drip drip drip from the downpipe in the early hours of Thursday morning spelled a sleep-in (a sneak peek out the window confirmed a fine mist falling) The rain did stop before 6, but i wasn't keen on a greasy road or cleaning the bike again. A east-northeast wind blew at 22 most of the day, probably scared many off the library group because only Robbo, Nath and Hamish turned up. Rolled out the Boulevard at 6 and collected Steve at DECA for a tough slog to the Emu. I found the going tough for a while, the young fellas  had 2 or 3k better top end than my ordinary 33km/h, at least single filing allowed a little recovery (Steve happy to clutch on to the tail end) Quite a relief reaching the Emu, Hamish horsepower didn't let up though. I'd regained some composure when i had the lead again from the church to the toaster, then came more work hanging onto Robbo and Nathan in the mid 40's for Old Dookie. Steve started to drop in Boundary Road, no doubt the aroma of a nearby barbeque was a lure. The lads graciously eased the tempo to keep him on board (won't deny I was grateful too) and all had a chance to recover for another push after the highway.  Speed steadily built in River Road, the big carrot was our progress at reeling in a bunch of 6 ahead. Sean, Jamie, Craig, Brendan, Paul and Gools were caught in Central Kialla Rd (some had set off at 5 on a long 75k lap) Sitting on behind them for a minute or two helped, Hamish & Robbo re-ignited the fire though at Archer Rd to test the tenacity. Volunteers for front of house were in short supply near the end and the bunch stretched out (worn down by distance and/or speed) behind Hamish to end 48 hard kilometres (36av, HR 154) with a good yarn rolling home. 

The wind had dropped a little Friday morning (11-17 km/h) , 12 degrees was bearable, so was the company of quick chicks Meags, Cougs, Stace, Fee and Hayles, Dan the man showing up too, all ready at the roundabout at 5.55. A helping hand with the wind behind out Old Dookie, but work was to be done for the return home. All had a big dip for the next 22 clicks, the absence of Cats and 51 noted (only Supercats leaving town at 5.50) The weeks kilometers had added up in my legs and sit site, feeling decidedly second hand in Boundary and Mitchell, but such is the smoothness of the girls that a second wind came in the closing stages (despite a decent half biking by sockless Dan) There's still a few impatient drivers keen to fly past with centimetres to spare. Short on time for a coffee and chin-wag at the end, will enjoy making up for that chance Saturday. 

Week 38:   440km  15,840 calories (211 heads of iceberg lettuce)  31.5 average  YTD 14,611

"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are"  Norma Jean Mortenson (Marilyn Munroe) 1926-1962