I always look forward to a Saturday lap, a chance to knock over a few calmer (karma?) k's and exercise some post ride social interaction instead of the weekday bolting to work syndrome, there's something about the weeekend's freedom anyway. The familiar south course down the main drag, a balance-challenged bloke necking a paper bagged bottle, a clubbed out quartet looking a bit second hand, a mid-life runner raising an early sweat, the baker cooking crusts, all part of the early morning entertainment as most hibernated under doonas against 13 degrees. Shorty, SuperMario, Nick, Cougar, Temple, Trav, Jase, RidleyTrev, Rocket, Dion, WhisperingJack and WobblyTrev had gathered at the shop for the 6 o'clock off, at least our constant cursed companion (the wind) had failed to arrive. Nearly all reported a busy week as we cadenced Channel Rd, climbing aboard two wheels seems to be the escape from work worries, daily dramas and life's curved balls, a chance to clear the cobwebs from the cranial crevass, maybe flush the hippocampus of drudgery with dopermine. The seasonal cusp brought out all varieties of kit today, from short legs and sleeves all the way to full covered longs, depending on the fortitude of the wearer I guess. All contributed to turns at the pointy end, Nath found at Channel Rd's end. Whispering Jack dialed up the pace which became infectious to Temple and Nick, highlighted the odd chilly patch along the way and made good the escape from the eau de piggery in Old Dookie Rd. A few bikes in ones twos and threes from the Toaster onward, all were just the trailers though to the feature Cat pack as we crossed Boundary Rd (but a long weekend seemed to have trimmed their numbers) The return home was cranked up with a few enthused drivers at the front, the sun even later out of bed, finally rising as we reached Ford Rd. Dampish tarmac threw a caution at the Canterbury Ave roundabout, Shorty understandably nervous with WobblyTrev close by. All remained upright to make base camp at the Lemontree, a quiet word in the right ear extinguished the fag being puffed by the defiant patron, sparking chat on smokers, fly-in fly-out jobs and Garmins' complexities.
A long weekend enjoyed off the bike, recovery possible for parts better left unsaid. Has the corner been turned on previous efforts and a slow decline begun? The old engine not up to the task anymore? Maybe it's just a respite till motivation grips again? Tuesday morning was a wake-up call to early wake ups, swinging the leg over and the effort needed to propell old faithful to a reasonable rate. A mild 18 degrees helped creaky muscles climatise, down to the shop to find Trav, Kenworth, PistolPete, Rocket, RidleyTrev, WobblyTrev, Cougar, Shane, Temple and HBK ready. At the third stroke, two Trev's jumped the queue and hijacked the lead, a calmer start for the seniors was the first item on the agenda. With the shuffle of the deck I'd inherited the wheel of death, immediately adjusting the exclusion zone to satisfy my longevity. The regular velocity soon returned on the follwing shifts at the front, youth promoting speed. Jase and SuperMario were missing in action after a 100k slog yesterday, little effect on Rocket (who did turn up) though. A light easterly would aid and abet for the Mitchell leg, just the southern stretch in Boundary to keep clear of our wandering minstrel for me. Shane has quickly tuned into when to call a roll, preventing a kaboom on the front. The usual performers kept discussion to a minimum for a fast flog down Mitchell, numbers working the front decreasing as defectors to the tail increased. A few sticks to avoid in the treed turns of Raftery Rd, WobblyTrev a rapid retirement as Conrod came into view. Rocket had no problem dispatching any comers at the finish line (wearied legs or not), most seemed happy just to finish and end the muscular/ respiratory/cardiac distress.
Archer Rd's roadworks continue (lugged tyres for PistolPete's commute?) so the Wednesday ride has evolved into a Tuesday / Thursday reverse lap. Trav, Shane, Temple, Cougar, Rocket, Wozza, PistolPete, Nick and visitor MattMatt (he's from WaggaWagga) set forth from Kialla Lakes to Raftery, finding WobblyTrev waiting before the bridge. Of course I copped the Mt Raftery ascent into a strengthening SSW (17-24 km/h) then to match PistolPete to Arcadia Downs as a burn bonus. Rocket added to the muscular mayhem down to Roubaix corner, almost a relief to have the wind at our side for Mitchell Rd. A brief pause at the highway while Cougar wrestled with the wiring on a flickering headlight but soon underway with WobblyTrev, Shane & MattMatt (rides a Fuji too, but straight, a rare sight) cementing positions at the rear. Early bunches found TT'ing in Central Kialla Rd, the regular packs racing on River Rd., Rocket & Pistol put in a paired 3k paced performance dragging us all along, Trav winning the hot seat for the final k of River to match the Rocket. A little easier northbound with some puddle dodging (mimicking WobblyTrev) causing a chuckle, but work was to be done for the homeward bound Channel Rd. I thought Wozz & I set a good tempo till PistolPete and Rocket added another 5km/h to humble us, glad others took the edge off on their turns as we had attempted earlier. A restrained push past Prentice Rd, no crack at the Bonanza but a decent dip at 30k.
The temperature sank on Thursday, struggled to stay at double figures. This atmostpheric anomoly may have had a gravitational effect on many doonas, just eight attending the Archer car park. A straight shooting team of Wozza, Jase, Cougar, FeltMat, Nick, Temple, Vince and PistolPete launched into Channel Rd, only a light SSW to hide from. Jase nursing a knackered knee, FeltMat wrestling with Garmin gremlins (haven't we all?) and Vince re-aquainting himself with the Merida. A fair effort was needed in Boundary Rd, after his long absence FeltMat felt flat, no zap, fitness lacked, so sat back (he'll fight back, down the track) Turns were a little shorter with reduced numbers, work at the front seemed to pop up rapidly. Traffic was a little close for comfort at the highway so called a halt (allowed the h.r. to chill in the 11 degrees after my turn with Pistol.) Vince, Nick, Wozza & Pistol had plenty of spare change into Conrod straight, Jase quickly gapped going easy on the knee, I soon had carriages Temple, Cougar and FeltMat attached for the 700 metres left. As the metres whitlled away we reeled in Jase, Nick and Woz, I only just managed a bronze with the flying Cougar fractionally fourth.
Shut the alarm up, the habitual donation of 10psi to the tubes that goes AWOL overnight, choose a kit that compliments the days' climate (failed) and put a few Weet-Bix in the tank for Friday morning. Plenty of bikes commuting north in the main drag to the freaky Friday factions, me just on a steady tour of Channel, Boundary and Old Dookie. The moon had run out of volts, just Aldebaran and Betelgeuse in the sky to guide the way, easy to lose your bearings on the twists and turns of Channel. The usual procession of peletons south as Cougar and I tapped north on Boundary Rd, felines in factions, at least the rousing greeting from P&W's breaks the silence. Being busier than a Beiruit bricklayer at work has halved last weeks k's, don't mind the respite to be honest.
Week 11 ; 218km YTD 2,894
"The secret to life is honesty and fair-dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made!" Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (1890-1977) US comedian.
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