It was catch up conversation with Wozza on Saturday morning, the last months news relayed in the commute to the car park for Saturdays social. Our early arrival saw the bunch filter in, Jase, AvantiChris, Cougar, Shorty, Pistol, Rudy, Shazza, Trav, Dion and yet another come-back from Whispering Jack. A six-pack of 51's/ Mexicans had filtered quietly into Channel Rd as our grid formed, big bait to lure our Channel Rd effort. Wozz drove the first leg but felt the pain of 4 weeks off, a little SSW breeze aiding us breaking the speed limit once set, but now forgotten? To the end of Channel and up to the Pub, 51 & co (on a quiet pre race cruise?) were caught and passed, attaching to our rear for a tow. A scenic sunrise to view in Old Dookie Rd, sunrays piercing the horizons clouds to start the weekend on a positive, good to see all having a dip at the front, in form or out of it. Nath's flouro shoes stood out near the kennels in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, joining in to make us a bakers dozen, quite a few advance parties to the Cats (heads down or cruising) before the feline flotilla crossed our path at the channel. Wozza and Rudy were short in shift duty on Ford Rd, Shorty's lack of k's (work getting in the way of riding) inciting the noddies nearing the end of his turn. Close to DECA, the pace was unusually restrianed, Nath was boxed in, Dion at the back, Whispering Jack winding up the tempo on the front was all the ingredients I needed. Off the Fizik and flogging the chain on the 14, I attacked Wanganui hill at 50, finding a bit more urge when Rudy's wheel crept under my right arm, climbing the big ascent (must be at least 4 metres) as KOM for the day (albeit 29th overall). A fairly quick Saturday lap judging by the Strava trophy handouts studied at the Lemontree, the T.D.U., scooter spills and bike racks occupied the chat with breakfast consumed between sentences. Another early Goat get away, AvantiTrev (with wrecked wrist) arriving for social and stomach sustinance.
To cure the k cravings and Wozza's wanton withdrawals, a reverse lap of Saturdays' circuit unwound the scenery on Sunday. Abilities may have been gilded by the WNW guidance to the Emu, chewing over January's news for the jet setting Wozz to re find his legs. A muscular forecast of heavy toil was felt from the west as we turned toward the toaster, thighs tightened and lungs laboured in Old Dookie Rd, the slightest incline altering the climb catagory and only a 20 metre long rest on the descent from the channel bridge. Boundary Road was welcomed, easing the throttle a whisker in readiness for the Channel Rd headwind assult, but a bindii halted Wozza's wheel just short of the esses. Engulfed in a puncture perspiration pressure cooker but soon air conditioned by the breeze when underway a few minutes later, we ground away Channels k's, the wind relentless. Wozza's soft Continental (a very short valve wouldn't let the pump seal properly) had become a handbrake on his effort in the last leg, so I loaned a tow to bring forward our caffine infusion at the Lemontree, the perfect tonic to cure jellied legs.
On the border for the holiday Monday prompted a lap with the Cobram crew, meeting at Thompsons beach for a ride east. Over the river with Ray, Christian, Travis, Sharen, John, Frank and Pommy (and hoping to collect a few more), we hit the Mulwala Rd, up and over the Col du Boomanoomana (smashed by spring chicken Sharen), an undulating panorama of vineyards over the sandhills to take in. A clockwise echelon was eventually organised to make the best of the south southwesterly, the Yarrawonga lads arriving from the east in scattered numbers to fill our ranks to 16. Rotations halted at times for Ray, Christian and Travis chat sessions, several chosing to sit on the back rather than face the breeze. After an hours tap, we'd reached Mulwala in good time, a pit stop for coffee and usual bike talk by the lake. Only eight chose to return west, Pommy leading us on a scenic route home via the goat track,(Sloane Siding Rd- Draytons Rd-Carramar Rd) a carbon copy of Bells Armstrong but with patches on the patches and weeds growing from the crown of the road. The thin strip of tarmac snaked through the parched paddocks with a rise or two over little hills to pick up the heartrate. Finally to the Barooga back Rd I was on familiar ground, east on Coldwells Rd for a flog over Spud hill then on to Berrigan Rd., a chalked outline of a body on the tarmac a comical sledge to a recent racing spill. A southbound grind at the helm with Travis into the headwind back to Barooga capped off 83k.
Another headwind workout to the Couldabeens start on Tuesday (who needs hills with this wind!), Wozza, Rudy, Pistol, Shane, Kenworth and Rocket the only punters post holiday weekend. I'd opted to lead for leg one with Wozza then leg two with Rudy, the southerly (17-24 km/h) only a minor hinderance. A charging pooch at the kinder scattered two straight lines but we reformed unscathed, then played spot-the-tractor (defying death driving in the dark) at the pine trees, thankfully without contact. I'd played my rotation cards right, just avoiding the headwind on Boundary Rd, who better than Pistol & Rocket to take it for the team? In River rd, Rudy was shortening turns, Wozz paying the price of four weeks overseas and Shane suffering the effects of horizontal folk dancing the night before (nice excuse if you can get it) loaded the effort on a few, Rocket and Pistol having no trouble supplying the wattage to central Kialla. Kenworth then Shane dipped out on duty by Roubaix, Wozza packed it in at the horse stud, silly me took pity on Pistol shouldering the load at Arcadia Downs and went forward again for a contribution, the reality of slicing the air at the front draining the drive in mere metres. Rocket saved my skin taking the drivers seat into the Conrod dipper, all my watts were invested into hanging on (for grim death) at second wheel. Seventy seconds on the redline (186 bpm) wishing the finish would appear sooner (and wondering if Rocket has sugar on his breakfast nitrous oxide), Kenworth sneakily sprung from behind to peck for the podium pickings, snatching second by millimetres.
Off to the library Tuesday evening, the first chance in ages to re-aquaint with the Renegades, some guessing if guns would gather to thrash us, but a swift (35-48 km/h) southerly was the bigger threat. SpecialisedTony, Argon Dave, Karl, MeridaAndy, Oz, Luke, Paul and Ben opened the clockwise Toaster account, Andy & I taking the easy first leg, picking up LegalSteve at the golf course. An echelon was essential for the easterly leg to the Emu, speed up and down like a yoyo till survival sense took over. Nath joined in Ford Rd, Paul is out of character with just a few rides this year, ArgonDave freshly worn by TDU hills and foreigner (well, from Numurkah) Ben on a retro steel Paconi to make my old steed look new. Turning south at the Emu was as welcome as an coronary, the headwind crushing speed, hopes and legs, the gusts tossing wheels aside and scarring souls. Holding 30 + at the front was only for Nath and Luke, instantly installed as windbreaks to the Toaster. Fighting the side wind in Old Dookie to get the best draft put several wheels a bit close for comfort, happier to be straight into the headwind again on Boundary. The solitary (and suffering) figure of Axel was caught just before our swing into River Rd, no doubt our draft was as good as tattslotto for him. Another fight to keep straight in River Rd and avoid the flying tree debris tested the nerves, but I'd found a small second wind to maintain speed and composure. Plenty of relief rounding Roubaix and feeling the wind at our backs, up wound the knots with Luke and Nath raising the standards. The majority had strung out single file by Arcadia Downs, I just ground along steady midfield on the 13 to wait for the cadence chaos in Conrod. Punters advanced then retreated, engines expired and ratios were exhausted, I found third place open for the taking (the best I'd hope for) to finish a windswept lap happy.
A slower idle and a richer mixture (stronger coffee) saved a worn engine from a bent valve Wednesday morning, feeling a bit battered by the constant wind. The slow start built to moderate motoring with Wozz, but the Jase chase (distant lure of a tailight ahead) urged a push of pursuit, catching him just in time to halt for a red light repose. Mental scarring from last nights wind begged a midfield position for the Couldabeens, delighted to see Choppy and Tucks take the first leg honours of leading in Archer Rd, then enjoy the (mostly) tailbreeze of the anticlockwise loop. Whispering Jack came up to pair with me in River Rd, half a bike ahead his regular position. AvantiChris had Rocket to match but was kindly allowed a shorter turn, a rapid rate of knots taking it's toll on many. PistolPete and Shane declared a jihad in Boundary Rd, mid 40's keeping most speechless. Rocket led the charge of the bike brigade in Channel Rd, Whispering Jack added to the pace at the esses, so I took a half bike revenge on him to the pine trees (our oncoming black BMW villan minus headlights but at least in the correct lane today) Rotationally relegated to the rear as we hit the Cha Cha, I missed the sprint train and its carriages (Shane, Pistol, Rocket et al) so donated towing services to those dislodged from contention. The tailwind home gave a time bonus to enjoy extra calories of breakfast before work beckoned.
An almost full set of Goats departed Friars Thursday, snaking the streets to SPC and up to speed in Old Dookie Rd lured by Cat tail-lights ahead. Punctured Sully and Pitstop Keeno played traffic police at Central Ave, the Goat train driven smoothly at the front, but rubber banded at the back by sheer numbers. The southerly made little difference to progress in Boundary Rd with the load shared, a handbrake of compassion applied in River Rd for the rear gunners to re-attach, then resuming rotation nudging 40 for the 5k leg west. BigPaul controlled the front in Central Kialla for a recovery session, but it was back on the gas in Mitchell Rd, Belly slowing with a broke spoke split the bunch into time starved and time surplussed. I joined Tina, AvantiLeigh, Tum, Wozza, MrMagnet, Heady and Principal Skinner in the aforementioned bunch, driving on an agenda, MrMagnet stretching the pack (and the friendship) up Mt.Nicolaci. Through Roubaix and up to the horse stud visits to the pointy end increased as several sat back. Swinging into Conrod straight (Stress St, BallBuster Boulevard, Hernia Highway, call it as you will) Wozza wisely wound up the watts, Tina nearly chopped in half by an over enthused MrMagnet trying to get my wheel. I put in a big dip at the front as a pace payment for AvantiLeigh, a lead-out to render his account from last week, Leigh paid in full, taking the chocolates at the line.
WhatsApp pinged a Goat gathering again Friday, Coggo, LegalAndy, RetiredDave, Heady and Bickers making up a six pack to take on yet another unforgiving southerly. Out to Doyles Rd the indian file option was taken, Coggo taking the drivers seat and setting the standard. Sitting in the smooth wake of RetiredDave to Central Ave readied me for a long drive to Boundary, but shortened my turn a whisker for Bickers to escape a head wind turn in Boundary Rd. Coggo faced the music with gusto, Heady, LegalAndy then RetiredDave to Channel Rd for my turn down to One Tree dam, adding a wave (couldn't spare the oxygen) to the northbound Couldabeens. Bickers had gone a.w.o.l. when I tagged onto the rear, to River Rd the quinella continued, the breeze more bearable now from the side. Coggo hit the boost button in the last k, slower through "wait-for-Dave" corner to recouperate, the southerly seeming to have settled. Another turn from Archer Rd to the highway put me in the hot seat for Mt.Nicolaci (the worlds worst climber needs a polka Not jersey) , glad to get a pause at Melbourne Rd and partake of a large serve of oxygen. Shorter turns got us to the horse stud post haste and, yet again, I'd inherited the lead at Conrod's dipper. Sight of the blonde jogger quickly inspired Coggo's cadence, powering past to take line honours with ease while I wheezed.
Week 5 : 416 km YTD 1,217 km
Rider of the Week (remains unsolved, still with a two prized reward to the first correct answer)
Hint: the fairer sex
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