All ship shape Saturday, fed and kitted up early (with multiple layers now de rigeur) so a quiet roll down the main drag for the ritual ride. Barely a k covered when a pesky puncture pessimistically prevented progress, promptly prioritising punctuality. A rapid change of tube (a bonus being under a street light) and a hasty pace got things back on schedule, a higher heart rate getting to the start than on the ride itself! Only 2.4 degrees but the keen bunch of Rocket, Shorty, Cougar, Temple, Tony, Tim, Trav, Nick, Fitzy (an early arrival this week), DiscoSteve and TallDale (BigDale now extinct?) took to Channel Rd, driven well by the Cougar. I'd paired again with Tony then Rocket in a carbon copy of last week, no Captain AvantiTrev today, but standing rules were preserved. Good to get a bit of chat in rather than the 'head down and shut up' of some other rides, a few would be missing from the usual post ride yarn with commitments elsewhere. An odd patch of fog here and there (if only to fog the specs) and a close call with TallDale getting up close & personal on Rocket. Tony tore up the tarmac of Old Dookie Rd, inspiring Rocket likewise, silence overwhelmed till all got northbound with a less exhuberant lead. Nath was solo in wait beyond the Emu, no show by Smuggler, a snuggler of doona today. As much as weather is the hinderance, mother nature puts on a great show at this time of year. A monster yellow moon hovered over the fog on the western horizon, a sight missed by the puddy tats bearing eastward. I reckoned it felt a bit easier headed home, or maybe it was the view and prospect of coffee and social intercourse to come, the increasing light showed us locked into the limit. No traffic dramas to deal with, just the odd odours from the Wanganui transfer station and overcoming the solar semi-diurnal tide (technical talk for the temperature drop at dawn), it was a collective finish in Rudd Rd. but news hadn't filtered through to Tim & DiscoSteve, still at lap speed through town (maybe avoiding frozen veins or hunting down a pair of Muppets en-route to their start?) No battle to secure warm seats today, just 6 to seat and articulate over road accidents, corporate take-overs, murder and Garmins.
Eyes opened typically at 5am on Sunday, the head had no interest in activity though. A little voice nagged at the guilt to do something but it took an hour just to intice movement. After much procrastination I finally swung a leg over the BM, attention more on the temperature (1.7) and not on the speed (Garmin even having a day off), I rolled out Old Dookie Rd soaking up the scenery, in no mood for effort. Turned into Boundary Rd to witness another brilliant start to a day with the sun cresting the trees through the fog, inspiring enough to halt and 'smell the roses' with a snap for posterity.
Funny how little things swing your focus. Rolling again with enthusiasm rekindled, I picked up the speed a little to get the blood moving (the brief stop quickly cooled the body temperature) and turned into Channel Rd, a touch of warmth from the rising sun (I read that human skin can detect as little as quarter of a degree change) a good tonic to be now rolling along at a good rate of knots. Got back into town early, Cougs was again the only one with drive to put in a lap. A reverse of the previous course (to even bias on tyres?) the familiar run along Channel Rd to Boundary Rd watching fog thicken, putting a psychological click or two on the mental handbrake. Only a small menage of Muppets seen today (headed south) most others probably toasting themselves under doonas or in front of heaters (i know of a few sore headed riders recovering from Ayto's 40th last night) 25k was tapped smoothly away thanks to Cougs good tempo, a machiato reward at the Lemontree for chalking up 50k before heading home to indulge in part 2 of breakfast.
A short 20k Monday morning, enough to satisfy the addiction, the only mission to keep condition without attrition. A modest roll down Archer, Mitchell then Raftery with little traffic and the peletons yet to pound the pavement. Passed a highly intelligent kid on a bmx bike on the way home, black jacket, no lights front or rear, a beanie for a helmet (a real helmet hanging from the handlebars) and riding no hands so he could text a little easier. Yep, a future genius, if he lives.
Small pickings on Tuesday's Couldabeens effort, only Nick, FujiTrev, Cougar, Kenworth, Pete & Temple to put in a lap. A somewhat favourable northeasterly should have attracted a few more but it was quality rather than quantity. Consideration and self preservation kept us united, there was a lot more work to do with half the regular numbers. 7 degrees was bearable and we certainly felt the wind in the final 300 metres of Channel Rd. Some relief heading south (if you were starboard side of the short train) but not the expected advantage in Mitchell Rd. Cougars battery suddenly went out to lunch (most inappropriately), Temple's chivalry acted as a guiding light, but the unseen pot-hole at the chichane whacked the Mavics severely. Nick, Kenworth, FujiTrev and Pete continued on the usual course, Cougar, Temple and I headed homeward via Archer, seeing our quick chick got home safely in something more than darkness. A good lap regardless, breeze picking up as we rolled into town.
A cool Tuesday evening didn't stop many from rolling up to the hospital. Axel back from holiday, Jamie, Mike, Clive, Paul, TallDale, Kev, Dalton and Tony commenced the lap adding Sprinter & Gools (after a long absence) then Sticks, Mitch, Bomber, Steigy, OlympicSteve and co to swell the numbers to 16. A bit of a yo-yo pace nearing the main channel (Sprinter applying the handbrake of survival?) but all was back into order by the kennels. Around Emu corner, Bomber bolted at the railway line, TallDale nearly took off in pursuit till Jamie pointed out the folly. With no takers, Bomber soon drifted back to the bunch. A chance to share a bad joke with Jamie (guffaws with gusto), a little gratification with Gools, h.r. techtalk with Dalton and hear of race agendas from Steve. The steady tempo was but a waiting game, most expecting a hit at some stage soon. Turned into River Rd and still the steadiness stayed. Most odd. About a kilometer passed then the throttle was slowly squeezed to the floor (peering to the front, I saw the big guns had grouped to elevate heart rates), by Laws Drive 11 metres were passing each second (42km/h), Sprinter being the ritual sacrifice on tonites rotisserie. Newcomers were relieved to see Bomber peel off at the Kialla hall, old hands knew others were likely to mimick. Pace was on again after the turn, Axel opting out of a front seat position, up to me to match Mitch in Mitchell. I could only deliver a short turn but it set a pattern of track turns to follow (all the way to the finish) Crossing the highway those rotating were varied & shuffled, many now missing in action (throwing out tow ropes I'd guess) it was down to Mitch, Dalton and me driving a fast k before Conrod. Witts get sharpened at this rate, focus a bit blurred, field of view narrowed, the slightest surge amplified, turns out of order, fighting to keep a wheel and gaps opening up. (I was the lucky lad to have the diesel Dalton's wheel) Out of the Conrod dip a few finally fronted to add their contributions (many burning up on the re-entry) but I was out of watts to make any impression for a place, 6th perfectly acceptable with so many young ones ahead, Mitch taking the honours. 43k's in 1:10:40 was plenty for this old bloke.
Gently on the 19 tooth sprocket to warm up on Wednesday morning, coaxing the legs from rigormortis into some sort of speed to head south. Found Cougs in Archer Rd and set off in Channel Rd for a short circuit. A bit of a push against 13km/h of north easterly, egged on for more speed had me searching for the shovel to dig deeper than the legs wanted. It was good to eventually settle into a rythym (and into a little shelter from a few trees) and the sting in the thighs to finally ease, but the north leg in Boundary was exposed a little more to the elements. Over the highway (a gentlemanly Graeme greeting from within the Supercats) there was a sense of achievement beating Borals truck to the tar, pushed onward to Old Dookie with the unleaded-cats (?) and 51 southward. A relief to have the wind help rather than hinder heading back to town, the tempo was wound up a little more. By Dobsons estate wheels were singing, toes chilling, head sweating and legs swearing, crossing the line I was soundly pipped for top speed by the supernana, a great ride to possibly end the week (if forecasts are to be believed).
Thursday morning had a mild 12.5 degrees in store with a side serve of NNE east breeze at 15 clicks. The forecast rain had yet to arrive so there was a chance to squeeze in a lap before rain stopped play. The crew of Rocket, Kenworth, FujiTrev, Cougar, FeltMat (back with better back), Nick, Temple, AvantiTrev (inspired out of bed with a double digit temperature) and Pete lined up in the carpark, all single filed behind Rocket with Kenworth out on his own. It's not the deodorant KW, just a formidable pairing of top guns frightening the troops. Underway on schedule with Temple spinning like a mixmaster, some were a little overdressed for the out-of-character temperature. I cranked up the cautionometer to 8 with FujiTrev ahead and alongside (Muntzy = 10), the variable trajectory is unfortunately back in vogue. All drove well in Boundary Rd, but Mitchell was a bit of a drag with the breeze anointing those on the starboard side. Close attention avoided the chichane pot-hole, no traffic to deal with at Central Kialla Rd, no exits to Archer today, all glued together for the long haul but we were hauled to a halt for highway traffic. Nice to have Pete along till Arcadia Downs, Rocket and Kenworth shifted into overdrive in the last 500 of Conrod, gapping us all, I was happy to pair with Temple and let them go, others voiced no protest to stay on board team two for a group finish. Recovered some oxygen in the remainder of Raftery but drops from the clouds quickly increased to a steady shower (predicting a soaking all the way home) but the road had just developed a shine when the shower stopped, a rewarding reprive from the Gods.
Miserable winter weather on Thursday night, same again Friday morning meant there were cobwebs starting to form on the bike, and rust taking hold on the joints. Tis the season.....
Week 22 311km (Young to Wallabadah) YTD 7,787km
"Bicycles are almost as good as guitars for meeting girls" Bob Weir (1947- ) US singer songwriter "Grateful Dead"
Up in the wee small hours of Saturday again to persue this crazy pastime, but hey, could do far worse than seeing another day start enjoying a laugh with a group of mates. Down the traditional tarmac to the starting line, some buildings going up, others being pulled down. Just the dedicated one or two runners pounding the pavement these days, the bakery aroma filling the street, polizia patrolling it and broken bottles decorating it. 4 degrees of temperature to start the ride, Rocket, Jase, Shorty, Tony & Stew on a 4 ride apprenticeship, Cougar, Temple, Avanti & FujiTrev, Tim and HBK were about to kick off but for a text to AvantiTrev to wait for one more. A few minutes wait to have Fitzy finally join in, shaking the cobwebs of the bike. I'd paired with Tony to lead the first leg, quite the chill as we picked up to the speed limit. Nath was wrestling with the flu but had delegated Smuggler as a stand in, rolling in wait down Boundary Rd. The weeks comings and goings were chewed over in the process of navigating past the toaster then the Emu (or more correctly, "the lambs" these days) Unusual to have AvantiTrev aboard a set of Zipps, a wave to a reduced Cat pack eastward in the last 2 k of Lemnos Cosgrove Rd. Greendawg was a very distant rear-gunner, maybe putting in the solo k's in tri preparation? Tim teased the tempo on HBK in Ford Rd, and how could HBK resist? The dual duellers soon gapped the pack by two lengths but were promptly brought back into line by the captain. A no show by Nick today, could be on the BigMat (doona) training programme? Tony had intentions of reaching coffee a wheel ahead of me for Wanganui Rd, but he took a quick roll-over on Rudd Rd. A scramble of musical chairs this morning to get the warmer spots under the Lemontree heater, three good cheers (and cake) for the supernana Cougar's birthday. Enthused chat on award ceremonies, civil libitarians, investments and mafia as Muppets steered east from Friars. Rolled across to Mooroopna after coffee for the ride of silence, joining Cats, Goats, Muppets, Bugs and everything in between to remember those injured or killed on bikes. RobMac had things well organised for a massed silent ride back to Shepp, an eerie sensation but an effective message. Strange there's only this and one in Bendigo for the nation. There was plenty of social discourse on completion, good to yarn with PeteMcK, Gools, Andy & Tania, RobMac and co at a packed Friars, quaffing yet more caffine.
Partook of a minor sleep-in on Sunday, felt odd throwing the doona off at 5.30. A minute or two of internal arguement on the positives and negatives of getting a ride in, but determination finally won. What drives us to do this? Plenty of layers to insulate against 2 degrees, I set forth on the Boulevard (golf course bound) through blankets of fog with a time mission. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy roundabout (near your place Kylie) and not a car to be seen, the edge of the road equally invisible. A number 2 fog filter view today (but hardly the close up of Grace Kelly in "Rear Window") , grateful that Zeiner had cleverly put towelling on the gloves' thumbs (to wipe lenses) A bit like riding through soup with the air so sodden, the effort reflected in a 174bpm for much of the journey to the "lambs." A little hunting between the 15 and 17 sprockets to pick the ideal rpm, kept a close eye on the dotted centre line too with no hope on seeing the roads' edge. A feint tint of orange in the sky defined direction a little better, turned at the Emu and again at the toaster, speed invisible. Passed the piggery (still manage a little chuckle at the "bp ota") and down to Boundary with Husky as a calming soundtrack, but effort wasn't calming the h.r. Must have zoned out well for the stretch to Mitchell Rd, seems to have passed by with little thought. The soup was turning to custard heading west, but fog told me wind was absent. A bit of daylight showed reasonably good speed, just needed to make the mind overpower the messages from the legs. 2 lads emerged from the white blanket headed east as I approached Central Kialla, only a few k remaining (but legs were negotiating strike action) Out of the seat to scale Mt.Nicolaci (thighs went to rubber) almost to a halt for the highway traffic, then on toward Roubaix. A shape in the distance (thought to be a walker) was in fact Skippy in the middle of the left lane, quickly vaulting the fence at the sight of some weird old creature aboard a pair of wheels. A fairly empty tank for the last 3k, crossing the line at Steptoe's, pleased to overcome the original negatives to finish 50 in 1:25. (5 minutes less than the target) I'll put the 170 hr average down to the fogs' co-efficient of drag, 40k in zone 5 was a workout.
As is winters' whim, a lazy Monday morning with H2O making a mess of the road, the pros can ride the Giro in the rain, but they get paid and don't have to clean bikes! Tuesdays' fog was as thick as two short planks, pocketed the glasses just 100 metres from home after 10 wipes. Navigating to the Archer Rd shop was difficult enough, but Rocket, Kenworth, Nick, FeltMat and Chris A found their way. Understandably small numbers for such average atmostphere we set forth in Channel Rd (or where we thought it was) far better in a group than solo, given the lack of visiblity. Puddles and a damp track quickly made a mess of bike and body, calls at intersections needed a keen eye (and a disclaimer of liability), the next white post barely visiible. A fair pace for Channel Rd, into Boundary and over the bridges, Rocket and Chris took the lead and engaged warp drive. FeltMat, fickle back, no attack, felt flat, fell back, Nick tact, sitting back, Chris & Rocket paddy whack, give the boys a tow! Off the gas at River Rd to let Nick & FeltMat catch on, a k at an easier throttle, then a revised max for Mitchell to keep solidarity. Totally lost in Mitchell Rd until the chicane appeared, Kenworth getting cuddly with Chris having lost sight of the roads edge. Our two recovering riders were now engaged in quite a chat on the back, a couple of clicks soon added seemed to minimise the noise. Rocket & Chris put in the hard yards after the highway doing the lions share, Kenworth and I on much shorter shifts. Gloves and gear were quite soggy from the fogs 99% humidity, Conrod straight was a big test to hang onto the youthful exhuberance of Chris & Rocket dead heating on the finish. Mid 30's average for four working in pea soup was a pretty fair effort.
Things to do and places to go Tuesday evening so put in a ride at 5 to keep to the agenda. Without a hampering breeze the decision was an anti-clockwise Hospital bunch circuit, maybe a chance to sling a bit of cheek as they cruised clockwise. Suprised to be holding a fair speed south and east (I wonder would the return home payback with pain?) perhaps the Pro-Race 4's hadn't been worn on the left side with so many clockwise rides? Light faded in River Rd, kept a 160bpm lid on the h.r. (pleased to have scored a Strava p.b. on the download later). 13 degrees at the start had now halved for Boundary Rd and beyond, so set the concentration on time, the 160 limiter and absorbing Flying Lotus as the soundtrack. 6pm turned into Old Dookie, 6:05 at the toaster, a 6.10 turn at the Emu, spying a bike 200 behind as I entered Lemnos Cosgrove Rd. The Hospital bunch had a decent dozen (sailing by a little beyond Boundary Rd) but didn't sledge, I kept up the tempo with this new target behind me, get to town before them. Approaching Ford Rd another goal post appeared, a distant red flashing light to aim at, but guesstimated as a k ahead. A sneek look confirmed the bike back was a mere speck of light in a distant galaxy (probably punctured?) but the forward aim wasn't quite reachable when the roundabout appeared. Headed south down Shepparton's world class extreme BMX track (Verney Rd's bike lane), right into Graham St and stopped the clock at the hospital, happy with a solo lap at 1:17.
A little too much crook fuel in the tank on Wednesday night caused a missfire Thursday, not travelling too well in the digestive department making the search for enthusiasm a little more elusive. 10 k's of southerly supplemented the struggle. Joined Cougs (back on two wheels after a break) for a short lap, a sensible roll around to run in the engine without breaking a crankshaft. Starting to climatise to the recent temperatures, 4.7 degrees not feeling too vicious, or is it "no sense, no feel?" We'd beaten Boral's Mack to the Boundary Rd tarmac, a couple of greetings from Supercats (gentleman Graham of course), not far behind 51 were single filed in pursuit, then a long string of lights (presumably regular Cats?) turning in from Old Dookie Rd. Darkness is the other riding partner all the way back to town these days, sun not out of bed till the walk to work.
A marked improvement in matters gastrinomical later in the day (though the head was 2nd hand) so a Library bunch prescription was filled. The warm afternoon diminished to 11 degrees by 6pm, down to the library to find 10 loitering with intent. AvantiTrev moved away (a few minutes early) Jamie, Dalton, Clive, Dave, Nath, Mike, Paul, Dion and Tony saddled up too for the leg to Wanganui Rd. Mitch, Bomber and Luke joined in at the homestead with a light south westerly to aid and abet. A flashing red light ahead proved to be a carrot called Sprinter, then another beyond the soup tin easily i.d'd as Kev (ponytail a dead giveaway), missing from night rides for 6 months. A bad joke from Jamie (of course) picked up the mood, turned at the Emu, the SW breeze shortening Sprinters turn (too much on the windtrainer, not enough in the real world?) Tony put in a good go at the front, all bore west at the Toaster to head for Boundary Rd but we'd lost Mitch and Bomber (punctured apparently) by the turn south, a collective sigh of relief from many? All survived with the bunch intact for River, Mitchell and beyond (a nice change from hanging on by the fingertips), crossing the highway some serious speed started, albeit in shorter turns. The rider sequence was getting a mix up as several elected to sit it out in the rear stalls, out of the Conrod dip things turned single file with lambs led to the slaughter up front (Sprinter miscalculating his jump point to become a kamikaze lead-out). I had the perfect sit 4th wheel, but a 52km/h sprint (valve bouncing at 194bpm) couldn't catch the muchly youthful Luke. 2nd fiddle was plenty, 1:23 a good time with good company.
A solitary spin on Friday, the mercury just touching 1.4 degrees chilled the motivation. A few waves exchanged with 51ers on their way to the launch pad, I headed east on Old Dookie a little early to make an early start at work. A car had kindly halted at Dobson Rd but when I was a mere 20 metres away, he decided to pull out heading east too! Locked a rear wheel and burnt a hole into his mirrors with the headlight, avoiding a buster. Thanks very much "KEEGO", may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your underwear! Panic had settled a k later, settled in to rythym to push through random fog patches. Up to the Toaster, fog was laying above and below the eye line, an eerie monochrome Dr.Who opening sequence if you like, the odd waiting rubbish bins at the roadside may have passed for Dalek's. The pace was fairly brisk (to match the temperature?) good thinking time in the tranquility of a day about to start. Back to town clocking 30k to end yet another week, hearing my neighbour hacking on his Horizon heart-starter when I got home reminded me of 10 years since quitting, it's not bad being alive eh?
Week 21 360km (Shepparton to Young) YTD 7,476 km
"Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle I have hope for the human race" HG Wells 1866-1946 UK Sci-Fi writer
A post script best wishes to Weapon on her quest in the 70.3 Ironman in Nice, I'm sure France will suffer a national shortage of vanilla slices for the next few weeks to drive a great engine!
A good turn up for Saturday's loop, GG back in action (again) , visitor Pat on an Adams defection, Trav, Pom, Rocket, Dion, Tim, Cougar, Jase even BigMat, (on comeback #375?) made it two days in a row! AvantiTrev rolled in as the green flag dropped, only threw the doona off 10 minutes earlier! Great to have the wind switched off, a cool 6 degrees but an orange horizon to start the day. We picked up DiscoSteve in the opening stage (minus the disco through lack of volts) a couple of small blankets of fog lay about Channel Rd, and Cougar gained a repetitive wheel click which had the experts guessing. This morning's carrot was Smuggler and Nath on secret mens business a k ahead, but by Old Dookie road's channel bridge we'd reeled them in. Trav lamented swapping car k's for bike ones, Dion in good form, Pom seems to have bounced back and Pat travelling well. Rounding the Emu corner Cougar's click became a puncture (humbling the experts) but the TeamAvanti pit crew had deflation done and dusted in minutes. Whilst the tube swap was underway, a moment to savour a clear calm morning with the sun about to crawl over the horizon, don't you just love the serenity? Silence was soon shattered, the noise of cleats engaging, carbon wheels humming and chatter resuming as we plied west, the cat pack rolled by with Greendawg as tail-light (a permanent position dawg?) Rotations took me to the back of the bunch nearing the soup tin, so snuck a look behind for approaching cars. Instead, a magic orange sunrise cresting the white blanket of fog on Lemnos Cosgrove Rd to enjoy. Speed was steady to the highway and beyond, Rudd Rd came quickly but there were none in sprint mode. A few Muppets on their way to begin a lap as we finished ours, the most welcome luxury of seats and tables warmed by the Lemontree's overhead heaters. Muppets en mass set forth from Friars, our table tattle was of career changes, pimp my BigMat ute, dodgy servicing and coffee cuisine.
Eyeballs opened early Sunday, scuttling solubriously serene slumber schemes. Set forth on Ford then Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd with no aim but to roll around the track and iron out thoughts. The Garmin lay dormant and the speedo was in darkness, nice to shoot the breeze (northeaster) without a target for a change. By Old Dookie Rd a poofteenth of light lit up mid thirties on the dial, which lifted the spirits. A walking native African in Boundary Rd caused an hr peak, emerged from the shrubs to suddenly startle. As expected, no riders about at this silly hour, just a car or two. The long lengths of Boundary and Mitchell passed by, a glance back for cars showed another awesome start for the day like yesterday, (dragged the i-phone out for a happy snap).
Worth getting out of bed and spending a few calories for? Took the Archer exit off the toaster loop and rolled back into town. Met up with Cougs (the only one with any Sunday urge left it seems) and tapped east on Old Dookie Rd, suprised to see the African walker arriving into town (9k covered on foot) The beginnings of a light north easter made the next 20k a bit easier, bikes now out and about (the sensible hours maybe the reason) with some extra momentum gained predicting how good coffee and banana & walnut toast would be, 65k well spent for a Sunday. Good to keep a bit of variety in the rides lately to prevent climatisation, familiarity and repetitive strain injury.
A slumber did finally arrive, Monday morning's drizzle meant an extravagant sleep in. Weather did improve a little during the day, wind had dried the tarmac by 5, so set forth after work to put some k's in. 12 degrees was tolerable but 15k of WNW wind meant there was work to do at some point. (It's nice to plan for a tailwind home but not always possible, or feasable) It was the Boulevard - Rudd - Wanganui - Ford - Lemnos-Cosgrove line for me, euphoria with the winds' helping hand, the struggle could come later. Was passed by a Cruize just metres from the Emu corner, who immediately indicated and stabbed the brake to turn left. (licence off a Weet-Bix packet) After a brief doubt to his parentage, I pressed on to Boral's big pot hole at Cosgrove, hooked right to Quarry Rd, then right again to bear west on New Dookie Rd. The wind did well to spoil the fun, 6k to the church felt like 16, hunting between the 15 and 17 cog trying to find the ideal cadence. A short reprieve from the Church to the toaster, then grit the teeth to plug away for Boundary Rd ,grateful the speed wasn't visible to reek dispair (Mr Garmin lit up 165bpm though) Less stress southward in Boundary, but I was procrastinating on the rest of the route. Plans for a Karamomus course were getting objections from the pessimist, but the optomist / adventurer eventually won. At least I had Mr Considerate Corolla pass me in the narrowing Shepp-Euroa Rd, he slowed to 40 then passed cautiously by without a shower of stones. Finding Karamomus Rd at night wasn't easy (fooled by Union then Wilkinson Rd, it felt far longer than 8k from the main channel) but finally located, turned west (just as the wind swung directly from the west :-/ ) for a hard push back to Central Kialla Rd. A farmer was fixing his tractor in a field (lit by Landcruiser), so I wasn't the only one at toil. Pitch black sky had hid the Hall so was pleased when the channel bridge came into view (thinking I had a few more k to go) Legs were protesting in Central-Kialla Rd to get north, hr into the anaerobic was wearing me thin. Couldn't remember how many bridges to count, but Mitchell Rd finally appeared like a long lost friend, but wind was the enemy all the way to Roubaix (Mt Nicolaci was a catagory one climb tonite!) As Raftery bent more northerly, the grin improved, resolving to stop the clock at the city's first red light. Suprisingly, travelled uninterrupted to the cop shop before a red finally halted me, bang on 80k covered in 2:25
Legs weren't screaming too loudly at 5.30 Tuesday, the 5 degrees felt way cooler though. 80rpm stopped the blood freezing on the southerly trip to the Couldabeens start, turned up at the cafe to find Trav, Cougar, Kenworth, Tim, Rocket, FujiTrev, Shorty, Pete and Jase prepared to put in. Pete had had lessons from HBK, got him at the front for the first stage but will forgive, given his limited time with bunches. 4.7 degrees kept the senses alert, at least there wasn't wind to battle. FujiTrev was choosing turns carefully and Jase wound up the wick after Boundary's two bridges, stretching the pack a little longer but unhooking Cougs in the process. I backed off a k to keep supernana company homeward, (not the done thing to leave people solitary in this neck of the woods at this time of year) letting the lads go, who only gained a few hundred metres anyway. Locking the speed in without fluctuation is a good excercise in rythym, quite a level data download on hr and cadence for the run home.
Unsure of which way the weather would swing on Wednesday (yr.no was predicting a 7am shower) chose to knock a few k's over on foot (keeps the bike clean) for a change nearly as good as a holiday. No lengthy kitting up with multiple layers of lycra either, trackkie dacks and jumper speeds the process. A short lap on Thursday (needed to be home earlyish) a delight to be shoved east with a strong westerly but some energy expenditure to tackle the head wind (22-30km/h) home. The intention of a Thursday session with the library lads was flushed down the tubes with the 4.30 downpour, a little zen and the art of cycle maintenance instead, new Michelins to fit, Fortezza's now extinct. Shame really, 6,300 trouble free kilometres on the final set, not even one puncture.
Made the pilgrimage to the P&W's on Friday, lined up at SPC with Sosso, Fox, Sootie, Wizz, H, Minto, Cougs, Princess, Meags, newbie Tim & Kyle. After negotiating the cars that can't give way (a Wheeler St free-for-all) we set forth with some westerly aid in Old Dookie Rd, a chance to socially update with the boys and girls. Mumblings of a time trial for River Rd shuffled the deck in Boundary Rd, thought there was three or four for the traditional route but found all but Cougar had turned for the thrash west. We soldiered on into the 15km/h head wind of Mitchell Rd, 5 degrees not a great motivator. The locker lads turned into Mitchell a k ahead at Kialla, Sosso & Meags cast off in their pace. Cats were steadily closing in but we'd reached Archer ahead, a turn for home to satisfy employers. Plugged away for the haul home, the westerly unrelentling. Meags and Sosso caught up for a quartet tour through town to ice the cake for the week.
Week 20 335km (15,778 wheel rotations) YTD 7,116km
"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realise fishing is stupid and boring" Desmond Tutu; South African bishop (retired) and social activist 1931-
Absence from the Saturday group ("the socialists"?) seemed longer than 2 weeks ago, good to be back, although the southerly did it's best in slowing my arrival. FujiTrev, Rocket, Cougar, Nick, Temple, AvantiTrev and new recruit Stew seemed to be the only starters, but with 2 minutes remaining the floodgates opened to see Jase, Pom, Tim and bro-in-law Dave, Tony, FeltMat and HBK attach themselves to double the team. I took the first shift with FujiTrev, muchly improved after a bike refit from AvantiTrev, the new position smoothing out his line well. Pom back into shape after the scalpel, though still adverse to the temperature (not bad today hovering around 9). Speed restrictions were relaxed with 18k's of southerly shoving us up Boundary Rd, HBK sweltering with armwarmers hoisted above the elbows. Tim brought brother in law Dave along, content to act as gatekeeper (a little spent after the MelbourneTri or unacustomed to bunches?), Stew and Tony rotating through assimilating themselves. A good run to the toaster and another windward assistance up to the Emu, Keeno spotted on a 5 minute breakaway from the Cats. Beyond Bondary we had unhooked Dave, fewer felines today on their quest east. Rocket was measuring me at the front, a hint of westerly about the southerly didn't help, FujiTrev struggled to take his turn, AvantiTrev quick to assist in pegging back the pace a notch or three. Usual critiques of the Ford Rd leg between Lemnos North & Grahamvale Rd's (try the chicken run!), but onward westward, Temple on short shifts, HBK and Rocket on long ones. Into Rudd Rd and into the breeze evaporated thoughts of a sprint finish, the cafe finish taking precidence. Lemontree has now layed on the PVC blind to sheild us from winter chills (and capturing the warmth of the new heaters) but we had plenty of hot air on ye olde race tactics, those with encouragement, those with sprint enthusiasm and plenty of politics as a side dish.
Managed to get a sleep-in (till 6 anyway) Sunday, laid plans of sneaking in a short lap then join the 8am tour. Twas fresh at 3.8 degrees, even a southerly at 13km/h and strengthening, but a hint of light in the sky started a reverse Saturday circuit at 6.30. A concious effort this morning to stay on the 17 sprocket, felt like a spinning top at 84rpm. Ignored the speed heading to the Emu, focussed on the gap between aaarrgh and agony, hitting the limit several times but careful not to recycle this mornings porridge. Quite prepared to throw away 10% of the speed heading south after the turn, but was chuffed to only give away 1.5km/h. West after the toaster and survived the porky pong of the piggery, dropped another k on the catagory 27 climb over the channel bridge, but back on the pace with the monster 1.5 metre descent beyond it. Wondered if I was about to knacker knees whirling like a dervish so the focus shifted to the clock, aiming at the Pub by 7.30, the Mexican Bonanza by 7.45 (pleased later to beat by 2 minutes and 5 respectively) Arrived at Archer beating Saturdays lap by 3 and a whisker minutes, celebrated going back into the favourite 56/14 cogs to ease the 80 rpm average aches with the musical irony of Tame Impala's "Be Above It". AvantiTrev had pulled the pin on the 8am lap, but the circuit well enjoyed with Cougs, psychologically warmed by the rising sun (a sweltering 4.5 degrees now). Two bunches spied on the circuit, one on the way in, the other setting out, the southerly (now at 18km/h) would change some minds but pleased ours, with assistance in Raftery Rd and on cue for Conrod to get us to Degani's post haste for a banana & walnut toast trophy. Legs quite loose after todays tour, wonder did the spin help?There's a good conversion chart to calculate gearing to inches (or more accurately 'metres of development' in the new language) on <machars.net/bikecalc.htm> for the number nerds. (6.9 metres for me today, a bit short for my taste) Great to take in the Giro highlights Sunday night, Brett doing Shepp proud with a great lead out for Matt Goss to take a stage win.
Heave ho on the doona at 5 on Monday morning, it weighed a ton on account of Mondayitis and 0.7 degrees!
No agony in the rectis femoris from yesterday but the atmostphere today was a bigger drag than being in the queue at Centrelink. The Gods frowned upon me at each traffic light (making sure I properly savoured the chill?) but eventually made it into Channel Rd. Cougs was chasing a foreign yet random squeak in the Oppy (rattles and squeaks are as frustrating as bindii) but it didn't prove to be cronic. Difficult to put temperature in the legs today, the whirr of the orchard frost fans over the music of the Mavics hasn't been heard for a long time. (Ahh, the memories of frosty gloves, frozen noses and bright red skin!) No huge crews lining the roads today, just the regular sized Cat pack approaching the Boundary Rd channel. We mowed down the Boral Mack (and kept him in 2nd place till Old Dookie Rd) just noticing a hint of easterly breeze to act as an escort. Coug's headlight battery retired suddenly (and so did the squeak!) so a cautious roll back to town till the emerging sun made navigation a bit clearer.
Tuesday attendees were as rare as a tailwind home from Dookie (many may have been clever looking at the radar prior to saddling up). Just FeltMat, Cougs, Temple, Nick, Jase & Pete committed. A quantum leap in temperature from yesterday, at least 11 degrees took the edge off the ENE wind against us in Channel Rd. Visitors Mark & Trish attached to the small assembly for half the lap. Slashers had left plenty of grass on the road at the S bends, a rare bit of traffic at Boundary Rd halted proceedings for a moment (though FeltMat squeezed through to set a breakaway). Caught the escapee at the bridges, certainly easier on the effort pointing west in Mitchell Rd but with a squadron of kamikaze moths to carve through. Mark & Trish bid adieu, my bonus was having the super smooth sit on Temple's wheel. Another pause at the highway for a few tons of metal to go by, Pete headed for home, only half a dozen to slog out the last 4k. Almost to Roubaix corner when a few spits of damp fell from the clouds, by Arcadia Downs it was quite regular, glossing the road. FeltMat ran out of neddies to roll over cresting the dip, Jase and Nick bolted with 500 to go (Jase scored the win), I was more than satisfied to tag with Temple, Cougs and FeltMat to finish in the top six. (get it?) The back was now feeling fairly damp, had a spotty view and coated in the grubby spray off the cars heading home. That feeling of soggy socks and a trickle down the grand canyon is none too pleasing.
Similar conditions Tuesday night (after cleaning the bike) so a night off absorbing the Giro and Sprinters' new Strava stages, the flying 130 & 320. Bike got the flick on Wednesday morning too, on foot again for a few k's to break the routine. Rear wheel bearing replaced (original gave up with 65,000 k's travelled) and some much needed freehub lube, chain (at max stretch) replaced too.
Took to the tarmac Thursday, a silent chain, smooth wheel and fixed HRM ticked a lot of boxes. No wind and a bearable 6 degrees got the ASMR happening (Wiki it, interesting). Came across Jase on the way and followed his magical mystery tour of the suburbs to the start; Rocket, Kenworth, HBK, Shorty, AvantiTrev and FujiTrev, Pete, FeltMat, Mark & Trish along again, even a visit from one of the originals, Vince, invited by Temple who promptly failed to front! Mowed grass to negotiate again in Channel Rd, FujiTrev quickly assuming the tailight role when Rocket and HBK paired up for action. Vince (possibly on remand from Supercat mischief?)played ball well until HBK taunted at half distance of Mitchell Rd, talk ceased above 40, hanging onto wheels became everyones priority. HBK resigned into Archer, Vince went on recovery and all had a chance to lower the hr with a long wait for traffic at Melbourne Rd. Just 5 of the 9 drove the train in the last 3 k (damn, those turns come around fast!) Rocket being hung out to dry when we pointed into Conrod straight. I took a few breaths and took pity on his toil when we plateaued with 400 to go, the honourable thing was to take the lead and let him recover. A short lead at 45 with h.r. at 195, gave him the elbow at 100 for his signature burst to victory, Jase mowing me down fast to (kindly) tie for 2nd. All over in 48 minutes, 20k covered at zone 3&4, 8k at zone 5. Nice to get some breath back rolling through town, a g'day to Tommygun on a run (bike's more fun!)
It's been a while since I've got a lap in with the Library bunch, quite a crew had assembled for the 6pm off. A dozen set sail out the Boulevard with the usual shuffling of the deck for position (sure as eggs, I was paired with Nath and the business end in Wanganui Rd). Like a magnet, the bunch kept drawing bikes in on the pilgrimage east, a calm evening and a most bearable 16 degrees. Counted 21 bikes at the Emu turn, pace making a yarn possible with Dalton, Clive, LegalSteve, Jamie, Mike, Paul, Trent, Trudy, OlympicSteve, Mitch, Bomber, Luke et al. A few cold patches on the course, felt quite cosy looking at LegalSteve's bare arms and legs as the mercury sank to 12. OlympicSteve, Jamie and Mike had a Channel Rd exit, I was pondering when the guns would fire, but nothing happened till most of River Rd was done, Mitch and Nath terminating the talk with a burst from Laws Dr onward. The rear wheel is (psychologically?) rolling smoother than ever, nudging 40 in Central Kialla Rd not as expiring as predicted. By Mitchell Rd some were chosing shorter shifts at the front (Bomber and a few of the heavy artillery had peeled off at the turn) the pack now down to 11 for the closing stages. Beyond Roubaix corner a couple had retired to become tail gunners, found myself with Nath again but it was better doing track turns. Deja vu into Conrod straight with ticker approaching burst level (192), rolled over Paul and hit 445 watts at the 400 mark. A light slowly gaining from behind was brightest with 100 left (this morning's history repeating itself), young Luke (with 36 years advantage) got past easily, but I was happy to end the effort in 2nd (again), heart rate average down 20bpm from this morning, thanks to a bigger bunch.
A P&W lap on Friday morning relishing a not so bitter 6 degrees and the wind switched off. Sootie, Minto, Wizz, Kyle, Fox, Meags, Fee, Choppy and Hayles set off with distant supercats tailights guiding the way. Minto a bit secondhand after a tough run programme (Gold Coast marathon soon), Kyle nursing a muscle injury and Fox openly admitting an attack of rust in the joints. Even the quick chicks were content to sit as gatekeepers. For all the training sessions preparing for recent IM's, I reckon a rest is just reward for these soldiers. An early collection of Kialla Couldabeens were heading anti-clockwise and approaching Channel Rd, it felt good not to be pushing into a wind for a change on our journey south and west, the River Rd Hurt Locker stage skipped for the familiar tarmac of Mitchell Rd. All pronto on the pedals for Raftery Rd, turns shortening (and sledging lengthening) with Wizz, then Choppy pulling out all stops for Conrod straight. Kyle launched an early break with 500 to go, Minto got in hot pursuit while I hung on to catch a little oxygen. His tank emptied at 350 so I put all eggs into the basket noting Kyle sitting up waiting. Too much gap to fill in the space remaining, I held on for second fiddle (again!) to finish a good week, good rides in good company.
Week 19 352 km 10,560 calories (96 double choc TimTams) YTD 6,881 km
"Most men persue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it" Soren Kierkegaard Danish philosopher 1813-1855
The whole weekend off the bike was a little out of character, maybe i'll pay the price for such sloth and lethargy? Nice to sleep in till 7 though, even a lazy arvo on the couch (but not eating cheezels off my fingers) was a bonus, maybe i'll pay for it spending a week to get back into shape? Even questioned the usual effort (addiction?) or is that the winter blues setting in? Needless to say, the posterior and the Fizik were complete strangers on Monday morning, felt like I rode like Muntzy for the first k, unable to hold a smooth line. Just as well it wasn't a week off! After a couple of clicks was suprised to find the usual cruising speed wasn't killing me, but a cautious approach taking a quiet 25 lap felt right. The familiar Monday am course crossed paths with the Cats southward in Boundary, a few 51ers on board maybe?
Tuesday morning was a winter wake up, the mercury a tad below 4 degrees would test the circulation. Kenworth, Rocket, Cougar, Trav, Nick, HBK, FujiTrev and Pete justifyably had a little sook at the temperature in the opening stages. My guess is lower numbers from now, temperature drops, doonas become heavier, motivation becomes as rare as a policy statement from Palmers' United Australia Party. HBK put some heat into all the legs for a section of Channel Rd, bumping up the pace 3 notches, Rocket matching of course. Others took the edge off to allow survival, legs were protesting at the poor working conditions, skin chilled, lungs refrigerated, muscles burning. Pete's enthusiasm shows, gapping riders as he rolls over, a tactful word may be needed. A hint of breeze from the south southwest made Boundary a battle, a fraction easier for Mitchell. Daniel departed to Archer Rd, Rocket did a long shift at the pointy end, even Nick showed signs of wear and tear up Mt Nicolaci. Over the highway and 'round Roubaix the excitement brewed but my legs weren't keen. Stayed back to see a copybook Rocket round-up to finish the lap in 48 minutes, thankfully the hole beyond the Raftery Bridge is now patched (maybe with National Tiles?) Looked forward to a lap with the hospital bunch at 6 on Tuesday night, a light 5.30 shower put it in a bit of doubt, the long stretch of green nearby on the radar set it in stone, a solo tour de couch tonite.
Wednesday morning had the leftover damp from the night before, not a lot of enthusiasm to start the day, even Higgins were off to a crook start with parfum de burnt toast in Wyndham St. A tour with Cougs on a short lap with just 4 degrees to motivate muscles, but a plethora of peletons in Boundary Rd to entertain. Supercats, Hurt Locker, a couple of soloists, P&W's, Cats and finally, Area 51, last but certainly not least. Cougar upped tempo for the closing stages of Old Dookie Rd to get us home in good time, a few drivers unable to muster the energy to turn headlights on despite the sun still below the horizon.
Thursday morning was a carbon copy of Wednesday (minus the plethora) , not a lot of enthusiasm to hammer a lap hard, just to enjoy a ride without headgasket failure and to preserve the desire to continue for a few years yet. Something inside the cavernous space of the skull was saying go easy, so who was I to argue. Interesting to hear a "Chris" from Shepparton ring Dr Karl's radio science show to hear the mathematics of effort riding into a headwind, no explanation of how to turn it off though! Even broke with the tradition of riding Friday, four k's on foot at six am was a refreshing change.
Week 18 148 km 4,440 calories (222 figs) YTD 6429 km
"Listen, or thy tongue will keep thee deaf" American Indian proverb
