Week 40 : Bike barmy?

Post 311

A spin South at 80rpm with Wozza primed the pulminories preparing for the Couldabeens Saturday lap, WhisperingJack, BigMat, AvantiChris, Trav, Shorty, Cougar, Cate, Temple, Jen and Rocket making up a rather reduced team. I struggled with turns 1 & 2 (paired with AvantiChris and Wozz), the atmosphere like pushing through porridge. A BigMat big turn (at least 100 metres) in Channel Rd set a comeback record, WhisperingJack happy to fry him with his two ride advantage. Odd to have Rocket as a rear seat passenger, under doc's orders to take it easy (what, less than 40 km/h?). It was a surprise to find an early Cat pack southbound in Boundary Rd, our journey East on Old Dookie directionally difficult, the sun just above the horizon giving auras to all. Cate was aboard the AvantiTrev flouro machine (does she really need a faster bike?), I was soaking up the (now commonplace) postcard Mt Major vista to the Emu (many months in darkness now a distant memory).  Ange and Lynda were driving the 6.30 Cat train East as we reached Boundary Rd, steady progress for us westward.  Stage one of Wanganui Rd was up to Wozz and I, slowly building a percolating pace to DECA where the rapid rolls commenced. Shorty was left hung out to dry on the front, I was in the draft of AvantiChris (like a cat on a hot '51 roof) four wheels back.  I missed Chris's launch by a nanosecond, hard work to catch get back in his wake as he bolted toward the hill. Hopes of getting around him were dashed by lack of horsepower, but Wozz had the Wanganui wattage to win. All consumed composure on the amble back to the Lemontree, great to have Weapon, Nath and son join the table conversation on bike bling and MTB's, coffee and breakfast tasty but Kenny G was the sour note Cam!

No startline appointments, no averages to aim at, no bunch protocols to observe, a course that can be subject to change without notice, just a steady solo tap to start Monday and the working week. A monster yellow moon set on Raftery Rd as I set sail south on Conrod straight, a little wary of big skippy bounding beside me in the table drain. A photogenic turn into Roubaix corner with the sun rising over the low fog, Mitchell Rd was inviting and empty. I'd dressed a little light for 3 degrees (a base layer optimistic insulation) staying on the 17 @ 80rpm provided enough warmth in the legs but fingers felt frosty. By River Rd a grind on the 15 begged, Wizz, Sosso and a few stray Cats single filed west, my drive east seemed shorter with River Rd's rumble strips arriving sooner than expected.  Steering North, a line of Couldabeen lads and lasses had convened a special meeting, guys outnumbered by gals 2:1. A tame East-southeast breeze tried to steer me left in Channel but I continued on,  Goats grinding south as I reached the fig farm. Lack of time turned me homeward in New Dookie Rd, tapping toward town timed a terrific tow, tanks to a timely truck (Tina's), tallying a PB for me. 

Questioned a 4:40am kit-up to hit the Tarmac at 5 on an ADO Tuesday, oblivious to the obsession or just plain bike barmy? A ripper roll out east on Ford and Lemnos-Cosgrove threw thoughts into the negative about the return on Old Dookie Rd, but surprised myself finding 78rpm tackled the WSW breeze back, making slow but steady gains on Tina touring to town (didn't think slow was in her dictionary).  Cobwebs and rust were falling from JB and Geoff as we u-turned to get aboard the giant Goat gathering, numbering nineteen to tap a lap. Kate challenged the Foss recall to name all in bunch order, but I could only manage an alphabetical AvantiAndy, AvantiLeigh, Baz, Belly, CerveloJohn, Coggo, Deb, Dipper, Geoff, Heady,  Hommy,  JB, Joe, Kate, Phillo, RetiredDave, Sandy and Snow. The sting had been sliced from the speed, maybe to preserve those just out of hibernation, possibly to avoid the wrath of HeadGoat on his bike baptism? A few still sat in the rear stalls (good to have Deb's reliable roll call) while others circulated, daylight allowing recognition of rider and mount rather than winters obscurity almost relying on auditory i.d.   We found LegalAndy at RiverRd's end, a proper "wait for David" at "wait for David" into Central Kialla Rd.  Numbers progressing through the ranks had thinned as Conrod came into view, on the front with 300 left (Coggo and Hommy lurking in tow) my previous 70k had taken a toll on effort and enthusiasm, Coggo hitting the gas but Hommy heroic out of the draft to take the chocolates. 

Fingers crossed for a mid grid position (170bpm just two minutes into a bunch ride is wearing thin) I spun South wit Wozz en route to the Wednesday Couldabeens, dodging demented drongo's driving delirious in da dark, dangerously devoid of headlights.  The rear half of the car park filled with AvantiChris, Jase, Cate, Cougar, Car + Mel, Nick, Shorty, Pistol, Rocket, Trav, SuperMario, AvantiTrev, Hollywood, Jen and Lynda.  Our train, as long as the 7.15 from Mt Tom Price, sliced south into the SSW'er (7-13 km/h), I sat back to let others open the account, joining the up line at fifth wheel, at last avoiding the early toil. Cate cooled calves in shorter shorts, Hollywood harried by a hurting hip (hypothesising a hernia?), Pistol still looking young despite ticking over a milestone year and AvantiChris was in a colour co-ordinated combo of Lotto Jumbo and Avanti yellow. I hit the breezy end in River Rd with AvantiChris to the bridge, then to the dip with Trav, almost blinded into the rising sun with a vague idea where the Tarmac was, 51/Genesis and Cat packs were stretched long and thin in their westward assult. Tucked into a Shorty & Jase tow North, I was nursing a niggling knee up to Channel Rd, a short four carriage Goat train passing southbound. The knee stopped knocking at Channel Rd's S bend, then found myself in the hopeless position leading into Hopeful corner. Trav rolled across but was left to sear on the sprint skillet up to Prentice Rd, Hollywood leading out Wozz, Pistol, Rocket and co (Rocket ruled). 

All hopes climbed a rung when Thursday's lap was in Rockets absence, Wozz, Shorty, Nick, AvantiChris, Hollywood, Trav, Pistol, AvantiTrev, Temple and SpinDoctor aimed their sprint positions higher in anticipation. Sucked in to the fast first shift to Doyles Rd, I was blessed to have traffic to halt us, a chance to draw breath. Pistol and SpinDoctor kept the speed oven hot, a thousand thanks to Trav for dialling it back to simmer just 2 km/h cooler. I scored the front again in Boundary Rd with AvantiChris to the bridges, Wozz kind enough not to toast me on the drive to one tree dam, just enough in reserve to catch the Pistol/Wozz draft to River Rd.   Seen and heard on the starting grid but now silent and invisible at the rear, AvantiTrev, Temple and Nick were in survival mode. My number came up again out of River Rd's dip, alongside AvantiChris all my focus was on reaching the bridge, dared not look at the speed or heart rate for fear of mentally abandoning ship, (39 km/h at 172 bpm noted later on the Garmin upload) then repeat the process beside Wozz till strain succumbed to sensibility and surrender. We single filed into Central Kialla for Dahlsens truss truck to pass, then resuming normal transmission, but there were less volunteers up front at the energy end. With a clear pass at the highway, Wozz called a momentary calm to prevent a bunch fracture, that lasted till Roubaix, the finish line aroma had the hitters on heat. SpinDoctor spun Conrod into fluffy white peaks, Pistol and Wozz added spiced speed in the closing 400 metres, but Wozz had hipster Hollywood hanging on hungry and hopeful for a free tow, tasting the win from Wozz, I licked the rare flavour of third. 

Succumbed to the sin of sloth Friday (peloton penance paid tomorrow), enough cried the old legs.

Week 40. 248km   YTD 12,100 km

Week 39 Moccasins at a Prada party

Post 310

Always look forward to the Saturday spin, the rare chance to enjoy the social icing on the cake. Pistol, AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Cougar, Nick, Trav, Shorty, Cate, Jase, Temple and (Adams Family) Jim made up a dozen, a positive spring start with the sun almost at head height to start the lap. AvantiTrev was making a statement with flouro TWE wheels, Cate a statement with exposed blue legs in 4 degrees. A calm karma descended with the absence of Rocket/Wozz/Hollywood pace,  but it was a push to the toaster beside AvantiChris (almost reassuring to see he'd worked up a lather by the turn). Comeback kids SuperMario, WhisperingJack and BigMat were in hibernation again, I was in a performance pickle, sandwiched between AvantiChris and Pistol. My Garmin froze on 36 km/h rounding Emu corner, a wheel magnet tweak later defrosting the data. Promoted to the front at the DECA track, a big lunge at the hill was my only option, only serving to tow up Jase, Pistol and AvantiChris where the real action started (Kittles Rd). A collective cruise to the Lemontree and chat on political musical chairs (5 prime ministers in four years), staffing and instant vs barista coffee got the weekend started.

A steady solo Toaster lap suited Monday, double digit temperatures drawing short knicks out of hibernation. The turn East into Wanganui Rd turned up the toil (NE @ 11-24), at last the Garmin gremlins had gone (new GSC01 battery) but the heart rate truth (158 bpm) was a little hard to bear. 13 k's to the Emu was a real drag, thinking a tree planting program to gain shelter from the wind would be worth it. Relief reaching Pine Lodge Rd, the h.r. dropped 25 bpm to the toaster, an orange horizon pierced the grey cloud over Mt Major as I snuck in a gear change in Old Dookie Rd and bumped up the tempo, oncoming lights as I approached Boundary Rd assured an imminent intercept with the Cat/Genesis entourage.  Ron, Bo, Vince, Sly, Kel, Wizz and others cranked past me at the fig farm, I jumped aboard considering a few turns at the pointy end, but opted to share the rear stalls with Wizz when Eggman joined in at Boundary Rd's channel bridge. Speed got serious in River Rd, into the roaring 40's stacked across the road, I was but the hitch-hiker hanging on, as outclassed as moccasins at a Prada party. The train bore down on a solo Sosso at the dip, finished River Rd (averaging 43), and passing Cate, Cougar and Mel at 'wait for David'.  A little calm (before the storm?) in the high 30's cooled calves in Mitchell Rd, traffic homing in left and right at Melbourne Rd promised a halt but a few took the brave / breakneck move to bolt, splitting the pack. Kel, Egg, Sly, Wizz and I were left to work the four k's to the finish, four turns in the fourties (into the wind) cooked my goose.

Tuesday's Goat roll call included Coggo, Dipper, Heady, Sandy, Belly, Hommy, Speissy (the red-legged earth mite) Kate, CerveloJohn, Deb and Baz. A stiff south southwesterly (20-39 km/h) prompted Belly to call a reverse roll, much to the displeasure of Deb sitting second wheel (in the hope of draft from the regular roll).  Not a lot of practice on clockwise technique turned the rotations rather ragged, Sandy sidelined with a mechanical malady scored Hommy and Deb as pit crew as we steered into the breeze on Boundary. The reverse roll continued to River, a couple of close calls to Dipper's wheel as the wind slung steering sideways.  Retirements were well underway westward, just Coggo, CerveloJohn, Dipper, me, Heady, Belly and Tina were left to wrestle the wind, Belly's 156 bpm to my 148, a fair gauge of effort. By Raftery Rd CerveloJohn, Coggo and I were the only engines left, scoring the drivers seat out of Conrod's dip left me a do-or-die lead-out option. In meltdown by the last dip, I showed Coggo the elbow, but CerveloJohn had the box seat to take the chocolates. A rare day off allowed the post ride coffee indulgence (toasted banana & walnut bread added for essential dietary requirements) but opportunity to add a few extra k's begged, a Wednesday reverse circuit added (to wear off the essential dietary requirements?).   Self flagellation came to mind driving into the southerly on Archer (45km/h gusts), recompense headed east for the length of Mitchell (for change sake) attracted a mean magpie beaking the Bell.   North along Boundary brought bliss, high 30's needed nil wattage, then home via Channel Rd was enough.

A metropolitan meander through the streets Wednesday morning, trying to warm to 3 degrees and the chilled southwester, killing time till the Couldabeens commenced. Pistol, Nick, Shorty, SpinDoctor, Rocket, Cougar, BigMat, Chops, AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Cate, Mel, newcomer Chrissy, Coggo and Trav had occupied the rear half of the car park.   AvantiChris set a swift speed on Archer I had trouble matching, the sleety southwester cutting into us like a Volkswagen scandal (Chrissy's bunch baptism, blown OTA), my roundabout-to-the-alternative route with Rocket an anaerobic ascent. Speech was finally possible with our direction East, long-time-no-see Choppy still defying the GFC and holding his personal worth (a million dollars).  The bunch went almost full circle in River Rd, my next performance beside AvantiChris under far more pleasant circumstances (tail wind) but keeping pace with Rocket is always a challenge (and never matched).  Shorty was up for a long turn in Channel as the sprint punters proceeded to the pointy end, odds were stacked on BigMat and Chops as Cha Cha lead-outs. An oncoming car stalled the sprint launch, no handicap for Rocket though, lighting the afterburners to toast SpinDoctor, Pistol and any other contenders.  Rest and respiration put the icing on the cake to roll back to town.

Yet another chilly start (1.6 degrees) to the (Thurs) day, a shortened 20k prologue (thanks to a couple of taps on the snooze button).  Set forth east on Balaclava Rd, 26 manhole covers in 1100 metres is just brilliant bike lane design. New Dookie Rd sailing was plain, the southwester pushing on the right shoulder a bonus. South on Boundary and back to town on Old Dookie Rd, arriving at Friars to a Goat caucus of Tum, Kate, Coggo, Belly, AvantiLeigh and CerveloJohn, deep and meaningfuls on roll protocols, the pro's and pitfalls on long vs rolling turns.  Long turns had the ayes as we pointed East on Old Dookie, Tina attached to the rear but was recalcitrant to roll, a chat session with Kate a better workout? There's a shift in mindset needed to crank the longer turns, adjusting the speed and heart rate to go the distance. From Dobson's bridge to Central (1000 metres) beside CerveloJohn,  then to School Rd (1600m) with AvantiLeigh, a 4k draft while Tum, Belly and Coggo did their bit, then back to business;  the Pub to the bridges (1800m) with John, then to River Rd with Leigh (1700m).....a week in Queensland has only made him stronger! A 6k smoko for River Rd but back to work in Central Kialla, 1700 metres to Mitchell then 1400m to get within sniffing distance of Archer.  The tow to Roubaix wasn't quite enough recovery time, it was an up tempo 900m to the horse stud then 1000m to Arcadia Downs reducing the reserves. Tum applied the heater in Conrod straight as Belly buckled, I kept nipping at Tum's heels in the closing 100m to keep his young legs toasted. 

Wozza's return from respiratory unrest on Friday prescribed a slow roll to the Couldabeens car park, arriving early anyway. Pistol, AvantiChris, Nick, BigMat, Shorty, AvantiTrev, Cate, Choppy, Kenworth, Cougar, Temple and SpinDoctor had.  Chocks away at 6, I found myself on the front for the 1k warm up out of town, slow and steady up to speed (no squeals from behind meant I got it right) then to the roundabout with Wozz had me red-lining. BigMat soldiered up to the front (two rides in a week must be a record!) but his turn was as short as a politicians promise. AvantiTrev and Temple had both contracted 'sit-on-the-back-itis' (requires a concoction of k's and concrete to cure), a solo Ange (dropped by the Cats for infringements to the noise abaitment act?) hollered his hello, back at the  rushin' front wit Wozz for the last k of River peaked my pulminories, pairing with Pistol to the Broken bridges emptied the energy. Barely a k into Channel Rd had SpinDoctor supposing the sprint, up to the kindergarten at 40 then matching Pistol to Hopeful corner had my account in deficit. SpinDoctors' cadenza of cadence cranked to Prentice Rd, Kenworths' tons of torque triumphed but out of his dream draft,  Wozz whipped 'em all. The usual roll to the school failed to collect the sprint crumbs, Pistol and I pausing to tow up Temple, Cougar and Cate, ending the week with charity.

Week 39.    343km.    YTD 11,852

Anticipating X742.......

Week 38 Fruitloop'n

Post 309

Hopeful of a cruisy lap, Wozz and I set off for the habitual Saturday ride, keen to preserve some wattage for Sunday's Fruitloop. We took volunteered the first turn with the rear half of the grid congested (Rocket, Pistol, Trav, Jase, Nick, Shorty, Ange, Lynda, Cougar, Bo, Kel, Temple, Jen and Saturday specialist SuperMario), so much light to now navigate by, buildings long forgotten in winters gloom now almost unfamiliar sighted with the sun up. The Saturday social slant certainly satisfying, most weekdays seem to be all speed and survival, SuperMario's body language spoke struggle, once a week outings is jumping in the deep end. We'd made up ground on a solo bike in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, found to be Fisky, frisky on a slightly earlier getaway (toughening up to 4 degrees?), Ange gave his usual restrained greeting to the Cats as we crossed paths.  Sprint interest was off my list (mentally handbraked by the next days 180k) but I gave in to a little squirt up Wanganui hill (3rd fastest a surprise), Temple again finding my wheel for a tow. MexicanSteve joined the Lemontree breakfast table, chat on hot rods, ice and magpies blending with tank fillers of bacon, eggs and banana bread.

Sunday was number 10 Fruitloop for me and the BM, the sixth long one to challenge old bones, 40 had enrolled to do likewise on the 180k. Flagged off at 7.05 with police to smooth our slice through intersections, one big bunch tapped to the toaster, thanks to paramedic Gazza on point duty. Eastbound to Dookie, I copped a blast from some S-Works sausage, unhappy I'd sat up the road to echelon the bunch into the light southeaster (obviously he had no idea on aerodynamics or bunch decorum).  MexicanAnthony and Nev captained the ship to Dookie, spring turning on a postcard vista, the bunch staying together till Nalinga's rolling hills sorted the climbers from the chaff. There was a halt for Nath and I to tend repairs to Wozza's Foil, a jammed centre bracket collar fixed by saviour Nath (clever carrying a multi-tool for a cranks-off fix) Mobile again, Wozz, Nath and I swapped tempo turns to Violet Town, collecting and towing a few in for the brief break to fuel the tank for Harry's Creek Rd, (and to remove a layer with the sun doing its spring thing ; 17 degrees).  Back aboard two wheels, I made a deliberate move to hang back from the bunch, climbing (not my forte) best left as a solitary struggle ( a one-on-one with my hill demons). Eventually finding a rhythm for the hill (a 252 metre climb in 9.3 k) I was surprised to catch and pass a few (18km/h average), the three or four sharp hairpins a test (stuck defiantly on the 56 ring of course!), juggling of cadence, speed and heart rate the delicate balance. Happy to reach the fork onto Boonie Doon Rd, I'd long forgotten the next two k climb, turning legs to jelly. A pickled possum and an upside down wombat awoke the nostrils, an up and down 8k to Boho South school then one more 2 k climb till the downhill delight to Strathbogie. There wasn't enough recovery time for the uphill to the fire station but the Kelvin View descent was worth the previous ascent. I kept conservative at 63 km/h, the brave (SpecialisedTony and Clive) into the mid 70's, Nev the master blaster at 85. Troy joined Clive, SpecialisedTony and I to work the headwind back to Euroa, a food stop to strive toward. Wozz and others had berthed a few minutes before, Coggo, Sosso, Wizz, Paul VanP and more trickled in, a waiting game started to form a bunch for the slog home. Carl and Emmet were added to the fold to make up a lucky 13 sharing the 50k home, a 17-24 km/h northeaster as our foe. A solo ApolloSteve (Baccus Marsh) was being dive bombed by magpies as we reached Meipol, he was delighted to have our bunch catch and tow. The relentless headwind eroded enthusiasm for work at the front, a sense of teamwork urged another turn, then another, the alternative of taking on the elements alone unthinkable. A puncture within sniffing distance of Mitchell Rd brought all to a compassionate stop, a chance to draw breath for many and pass wind for others. Underway after repairs, respite form the wind was brief in Mitchell Rd, Archer Rd's 6k's seemed like 60......so near yet so far. Finally to town with the lure of a feed and a cold beer driving the street speed to the finish, thanks went all round to the co-operative crew, like banging your head against a brick wall, it was lovely to stop, 180k in 5 hrs 30 needed 3900 calories replaced. 

Like the creak from the Munsters' front door, the legs were reluctant to bend on Monday, a touch tender in the toosh too, but nursing a niggling knee was a priority. A quiet 28k roll was the prescription, out against a light northeaster on Old Dookie Rd bearable, the bonus of a breeze behind promised little effort on the return home....a fairer finish than yesterday. Quietly back to town and legs now loosened, Jen, Car+Mel were found in ArcherRd to make a social sequel.

The 4am shower struck a few off the start list, a wicked westerly (24-39 km/h) scared many more under their doonas, only Coggo, Belly and Heady fronting Friars on Tuesday, a 30 second drizzle retreating any others.  We gained CatKev at the SPC roundabout, forecast frightening felines, furtively failing to front?  I'd assumed the front of the Indian filed quintet, cranking up the tempo when we were clear of Doyles Rd.  The westerly assistance inflated egos, 80rpm and 140bpm @ 45 km/h seemed easy. Everyone had a slice of the tail wind cake (and Strava trophies for Old Dookie : 42 average) but there was work to be done for the rest of the lap.  Head down and tail up in Boundary Rd, I was as pleased as Malcolm Turnbull glancing at the speedo, far better than expected with wind whipping at the starboard bow.  Turns had gone full circle by one tree dam, back to me for another shift plus some overtime of a rigorous rip into River Rd for a k, then handing it to Heady ( struggling with the speed but scores an A+ for effort), the h.r. comparison of my 144 to Belly's 278 (not that he's prone to exaggeration). Coggo's legs were as Fruitlooped as mine but he drove a great turn to the dip, CatKev our saviour to Rivers' end. I found Central Kialla kinder with a little shelter so added a k of Mitchell to make my share fair, and a helping Heady hand.  Belly and Coggo took on MtNicolaci and the open plains to the highway, CatKev to the horse stud where the wind was easier port side. Feeling in fairly fit form, I aimed to reach Arcadia Downs, then extended it to the start of Conrod, then again to the first dip before showing Heady the elbow. There were few eager near Conrod's end, my competitive side hunting down Belly as he poured on the power in the closing metres.

And Lo,  a great calm fell upon the Wednesday (the Tuesday tempest, I shall not want), smooth was the tarmac and thy Fizik did comfort me, surely fitness and mercy would follow me for the lap? The Couldabeens grid was filling from the rear again, SpinDoctor, Nick, Pistol, Rocket, Temple, AvantiChris, ChrisA, Jen, Cate, Shorty, Hollywood, Car+Mel, Cougar, Jase and Trav eventually moving up when I parked 10 metres ahead in No1 spot.  WhisperingJack joined at Kialla Lakes (brewing a breakaway), I got dizzy with SpinDoctors cadence (98) beside me (67). Calm conditions created a quick crank along Mitchell, A Genesis/51 train full steamed west, Cats behind with a subtle Ange greeting attached, good to see the P&W's back in action too. Cate is impervious to 4 degrees in short knicks, SpinDoctor had a queer query on hydration, comparisons on the Fruitloop held with several and most are wishing winters grip on Spring would loosen. A pairing with Rocket up to the Broken Bridges bumped up my h.r. but there were few turns to do in the populated peloton (18). The pot of anticipation brewed at the Channel Rd kindergarten, the bunch boring into Hopeful corner (Hopeful of the draft at 6th or 7th wheel / Hopeful of being Rockets' bridesmaid / Hopeful of hanging on!) for the Cha Cha.  I had a good position to pick off the early expirees and puff my way to 5th, gaining composure on the recovery cruise back to town, caught coy copping Cate's complimentary comments. Great work by Car+Mel to dive into the deep end of a quick lap.

A southwester niggled the neurosis on Thursday for the ride South with Wozz.  Pistol, Rocket, Shorty, Nick, WhisperingJack, Trav, Cougar, AvantiChris, Temple and BigMat (remarkable reincarnation!) lined up at the car park in upper and lower house sittings. It's been a while since I took on a double shift as an opener, recalled the suffering fairly quickly when half way through leg 2 though. Voices from behind called me over just a few turns later, only 7 locomotives pulling a train of 13 today. WhisperingJack's swan song in Boundary Rd lasted to the bridges, I found it hard to match Pistol's pace then Wozza's wattage driving to River Rd (southwester didn't help).  As AvantiTrev appeared from the west, I was hoping Pete and Wozz would tow us all the way home (that was as likely as a Palestine peace plan) but my turn came up again at Laws drive.  Pushing the limits of mental abandonment, I lasted a k, grateful of AvantiChris' tow in Central Kialla. Yet another turn came up at Archer Rd, fewer locomotives and more carriages to climb Mt.Nicolaci.   It was only Rocket, Pistol, Wozza and I swapping turns from the highway, a final fling out of Roubaix to the horse stud, then all my energy eggs went into the basket of 'hanging-on-for-grim-death'. The usual 40 cm gap to the wheel ahead had chasmed to 3 metres as Wozz, Rocket and Pistol applied even more power, my view now a vignetted Greta Garbo soft focus. There's something deeply primal happening calling for more when the body says "forget it!" but something extra is found as the fear of failure looms, trying to keep others aboard the express while playing gatekeeper bearing a weight of responsibility. There was some relief as Conrod swung into view, but a further kilometre of survival was the rude reality. Wozza took the reigns out of the dip and threw himself on the sprint sword at 45 km/h, Rocket timing his launch at the last dip to finish the mornings ritual.

Friday......all aboard the train of pain, the bus of fuss, the truck of fu.....tile endeavour. The only punters, Belly, Heady, Coggo, Tum and Joe (ironically, Friars outdoor speaker playing Powderfingers' 'Passenger') mounted up, a tentative tour out of town, preparing for pace. Heady, Tum, me, Joe, Coggo and Belly filed singly East, Heady warming the hot plate, Tum dialling it up to ten (I always seem to get the wheel on a mission!) Driving duties were shared for Old Dookie Rd, Tum back at the helm in Boundary from the pig pen to Channel Rd (burning the legs after cooling them most of the week), so I felt my contribution was to crank to River Rd, heart rate on an escalator but the Garmin speed frozen at 36.5 (flat cadence/speed sensor battery?)  A well populated Couldabeens bunch were bearing North as we swung into River, Joe became the passenger (previously Powderfinger predicted) as Coggo set the tempo. Belly was uncharacteristically mute driving to the dip (h.r. At Zimbabwe's inflation rate?), Tum burying himself to Rivers' end, my privilege cutting the headwind to Mitchell.  We'd made ground on a six pack ahead as we reached the highway, rolling out of Roubaix we'd caught P&W's  Meags, Fox, Fee, Princess and co.  A polite pause behind till the coast was clear at the horse stud, then speared onto Conrod, Heady (by a short head) heading the finish.

Week  38 ;   432km.   YTD 11,509 km

Week 37 Drivers and survivors

Set forth on solo clockwise Toaster lap (with Quarry extension) at 5.40 Saturday, the aim to join the Goats on their anti-clockwise spin, a tester for next weeks 180k Fruitloop.  The Boulevard darkness evolved to eastbound enthusiasm, watching a scenic sunrise, a blue over orange sky slowly revealing the hectares of yellow canola waist deep in fog.  Aiming at Mt.Major's silhouette with the heart rate locked on 138, it was well worth the effort to arise to see the start of day 21,198 of life on the planet.  76rpm suited the legs and lungs, but my presence didn't suit the telephone exchange magpie, tapping several "move on!" reminders on my helmet.  Cows chewed the Kellogg's cud, Cosgroves canola patchwork distracting the distance ahead, the mini mountains of stone at the Quarry pointing the way south.  A hint of SSW wind (5-11 km/h) was just beginning to niggle at the nerves when New Dookie Rd's welcome steered me west, a sudden whip crack of feathers announced magpie #2's annoyance at my space invasion.  Kept my head (and retaliation) down, sights were set on salvation reaching the Pine Lodge church. Not a lot of fuel used reaching the Toaster, a reasonable rate of knots getting to Boundary Rd, but a slog South to River Rd with the odd rearward glance, realising I was just ahead of Saturday's pussycat express. Nev and Ron were cruising northbound, four k's of effort for me to finally reach River Rd. Burning calories westward I crossed paths with Craig Lotsalumens, almost unrecognisable in daylight minus his billion candlepower headlight. Savouring the forecast tailwind for Raftery Rd drove the Mitchell Rd motivation, though Mt Nicolaci hammered the hamstrings. Relief rounding Roubaix to enjoy  the assisted passage back to town but magpie #3 meant business beaking the Bell, multiple flyby's with claws raising my hat in disgust at the intrusion (nerd note to Garmin- radar magpie sensor?). Back to civilisation, I had eyes peeled for southbound Goats, not till reaching the lake did the long line appear. I hooked a u-turn to join Coggo, Belly, CerveloJohn, Speissy, Heady, Dipper, Hommy, Tina, Sandy, RetiredDave (or should he be labelled Spartacus?), Snow, Carl and AvantiAndy, with Ky immigrant Manny aboard a suave SLC01. It was a gift to be towed in comfort shielded from the southerly, the dream draft of Belly only surpassed by his charismatic aura (embellishment will get me places he said!)  Mr Carl bloke broke a spoke reaching the highway, diverting home to perform a wheel swap as we wheeled Mitchell Rd, long turns at the front out of usual character for Goats but enjoyable to feed on small slices of social stimulation after 65 k's in isolation. A GrandFondo post mortem with AvantiAndy, a yarn with kilometre queen Tina ( 470km last week) and the now inevitable h.r. comparison with Belly, 150 to my 119. In an opposite flight path, the odd bike devotee or three had been drawn outdoors by sunshine and blue sky, we'd had the Hommy heater applied in Boundary Rd when he sniffed the front (flushing last nights excess alcohol hydration?) silencing the growing population in the rear carriages. I started to feel the drain of distance driving Old Dookie Rd beside Belly, how many more turns I'd tackle would depend on the homeward knots in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Round the Toaster and up to the Emu, rolling turns started as wheels went west, feeling a little obligation I continued contributions at the front till Ford Rd when mental and posterior limits begged to be towed. Concentration on gate keeping distracted the distance dilemmas till others retired too, the rear carriages see sawing somewhat. The Wanganui Rd atmosphere effects Goats like Couldabeens, a sprint to the hill well underway at the transfer station (Goat motto : it's not a race........till the end!), the speed surge unhooking several of the rear runners, including me. Retired Dave, Speissy, Sandy, even Tina were left to defend for themselves, chivalry inspiring me to tow Tina and Sandy to the Rudd Rd regrouping. A cruise back to Friars to feed my flat white, eggs and bacon craving, chat in the sunshine on MachineSteve and Weapon's international hopes, but turbo tongue's testing, tenuous tech tattle 'twas tortuous. 120k and 2400 calories clocked.

Spring was stolen Monday, fat grey clouds rolled low across the darkness of Ford Rd, a strong NNW chilling the bones. No intention of exertion this week but an hr of 82 was too soft. A pause to adjust the strap rectified realism, back to the casual crank to Boundary Rd. Crossed New Dookie Rd to see Goats steering south in the distance, the breeze swinging WNW forecasting a push home in Channel Rd. A northbound Craig Lotsalumens has unfortunately found the strobe function, almost inducing epilepsy. Pointing west on Channels' meandering tarmac soon shifted the focus to determination, something about a headwind that draws out the fighting spirit to triumph over nature (stimulating the stubborn streak?) Eau de blood and bone fertilised the nostrils to flare further, by Orrvale Rd a restrained rage was driving the legs to finish, a quick backflip on the original intent. Carmen, Jen and Mel were found in Archer Rd, cruisy conversation for the roll home.

Those couple of extra minutes normally kept up the arm warmer had vanished on Wednesday, finding myself at full steam south to reach the Couldabeens grid for the 6am launch. The heart rate and monitor were working well (finally) reaching touchdown with a minute to spare, the front half of the grid vacant, the rear half crammed with Cougar, Mel, Jen, Carmel, Rocket, AvantiTrev, AvantiChris, Temple, Hollywood, PistolPete, Jase, Shorty, Trav, Nick and WhisperingJack.  Pistol fired the first shot, shooting the train into the breeze (SW @ 9-13) of Archer Rd, in the pairing I drew the long straw between Trav and AvantiChris, Hollywood drew the short straw of a Rocket roasting. SpinDoctor returned to the fold in River Rd,  climatising to cadence from two weeks off two wheels. Jen wasn't backward in going forward for a dip, WhisperingJack powered to the pointy end but the glory was short lived, a quick rotation preventing an explosion. A cautious crank into Boundary Rd minimised stretching the bunch rubber band, Goats grinding Indian file southbound. The usual sprinters were getting itchy by the cypress trees, and outclassed by speed and trying to preserve energy for Sunday, I stayed midfield for the Cha Cha, the social epilogue following most enjoyable. 

I was better organised on Thursday morning, enough to amble the commute to Friars, spring bringing out a large cast of Bickers Snr, Heady, Dipper, Hommy, Sandy, Tum, Kate, CerveloJohn, AvantiAndy, Baz, Deb, Snow, Belly and (under particularly tough circumstances) AvantiLeigh and bro Kim.  Coggo was an unusually late arrival at SPC, Tina typically at the weigh bridge, TravE appearing as the rotations commenced.  A few percolated the pace, Coggo calling for calm for the comeback kids (some already in the reality of resuscitation at the rear), an ironic feeling of payback when a magpie became a speed bump nearing Boundary Rd.  There's all sorts in the bunch, offering views, good tows, interesting styles, humour and some with challenging techniques.....variety being the spice of life. Fewer locomotives were towing more carriages in River Rd (Kim cracking under the tempo), Belly's 160 bpm outdid my 138 as eight engines drove west. There was peak hour traffic heading to the highway (well, 4 cars anyway) one definitely Mr Angry as we crossed Melbourne Rd.  The first whiff of Conrod had Tum and Hommy locked into a sprint battle (albeit about 500 metres premature) TravE and I playing the waiting game six wheels back till their vigour vaporised.   At the last dip we were off the seat in sprint synchronicity, but Trav had the (younger?) superior speed.

A pair of new Pro4's had tested and tormented the thumbs, a tight fit on the Mavics but a smooth roll on New Dookie Rd Friday morning (and a ripper reassurance of ripe rubber for Sunday's Fruitloop) The tarmac was more noticeable under the new Michelins, the 20mm stone quite harsh on the arsenal. Steamed along to Pine Lodge church, down to the Toaster and back on Old Dookie, Cats but a distant flicker as I steered south into Boundary Rd.  Hard to avoid a squizz at the sunrise, 6.05 and already an orange band lit the horizon. Westward in River Rd, feeling like fresh fodder for a frisky feline feeding frenzy, eyes were in search of the Couldabeens, Craig Lotsalumens pulsations were seen at the dip, the Couldabeens constellation of CatEye's and Cygo's cranking East at the channel. Climbed aboard the collection of Pistol, Shorty, Kenworth, Rocket, Jase, Wozza, Nick, AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Cougar, WhisperingJack, Lynda, Jen and Hollywood, slotting into the prime real estate behind Kenworth. Adding 30% to the solo pace takes a little adjustment, the bunch segregated again between the drivers and survivors (though the upgrade is only a little leap of faith away)  An orange ball of sun sitting atop the canola craved a photo, up to the front with Kenworth at the Broken bridges then with AvantiChris to Channel Rd's S bend was enough tax to pay for me.   The question at the kinder was who was offering themselves as sacrifice to the sprint gods? Pistol, Wozz, Hollywood and Rocket were obvious candidates, all others queued quickly behind me when I refrained from the dash.  Calm collected the crew at the school for a steady roll back to town where southerners swung socially for coffee, the northern working classes (Wozz, AvantiChris, Kenworth and I) wheeled our way to work.

Week 37 ; 296km     YTD 11,077 km

Big congrats to MachineSteve, UCI amateur road racing world champion (50-54)