Week 13. The emotional roller coaster of rotation

Post 338

Philosophy at five on Saturday morning, Temple the only taker for a prologue to the six o'clock social, cycling standards, hopefuls beyond their boundaries and forming a bunch council were chewed over on a Wednesday route, a good distraction from my legarthic legs, unaccustomed as they are to a 400 k week.  The cool climate appears to be entrenched, 12 degrees and a chilled southwester brings base layers and arm warmers out of mothballs but 33k clocked before 5:55 had put some warmth into an old engine and ticked an achievement box. The car park had only drawn Lucy, Boof, Rocket, Wozz, Cate, Cougar, Pistol, Shorty and Jen to the grid, attendance distilling to the die hards.  Eggsercising (pun intended) east on Easter Saturday, Lucy and I at the front of house took the small train slowly up to speed to kerb complaints, a well sized bunch really to share the load around and bump up the heart rate more than twice. (Bunch gazing bred a Fossilosophy; ride styles are like fingerprints, from the rock steady, the mixmaster, the chin-on-the-headstem, the headbobber, to the fourtyseven-freewheels-per-kilometre, all identify the persona and proximity to position to!)  A bonus southwester turned up the tempo northward on Boundary Rd, odd to witness Boof short shifting (a holiday hiatus hangover) but Lucy cranks out the long turns (she's come a long way in a short time).  PistolPete pedalled pokerfaced (nobody knowing his limit) with Wozz (rugged up in winter kit) turned up the heater a notch in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, Jen proclaiming to be pooped, but all her cylinders were firing at the front. Wozza's puncture donated an intermission in Ford Rd (a timely break to keep the pin in the grenade), the subsequent pit stop sledging an amusing interlude punctuated by an explosion of a pinched tube.  Resuming after repairs, it was a restrained and sprintless course completion, Boulevard banter followed by Lemontree laughter on text interpretation, the imperial / metric hangover and pilot licensing polished off the days opening hours.

To erase Easters eggstravagance, I called a 6am Toaster lap Monday, Wozz, Jase, Shorty, Boof and PistolPete forming chocoholics anonymous at A Mart. Pleased Boof and Wozz took the first shift south on Raftery, I was blaming the cold on muscle and lung laxness, my first facing of the furious end (from Arcadia Downs to Roubaix) taxing enough. The search for the almost elusive nasty pot hole (between Archer and Central Kialla) is a thing of the past, now patched perfectly to prevent posterior pummelling.  A tailwind treat northbound to River Rd, Shorty playing fair beside me for our easterly effort toward Boundary. I was aboard the emotional roller coaster of rotation ; excitation, realisation, exertion, exhaustion, frustration, rehabilitation.....and repeat as necessary. An extra light joined in on Old Dookie Rd, CerveloSimon (Melbourne), quickly drafted to reduce our workload.  Shorty shortened shifts on the long drag west back to town, no stopping Wozza and Boof though, Simon probably wondering what the hell he'd let himself into. There was no sprint as such for Wanganui hill but the tempo turned up to toasty anyway, a headcount at Rudd Rd finding Simon AWOL so backtracking found him fixing an attack of the bindi at DECA. Repaired and re mobilised, we rolled back to the Lemontree, the public holiday pleasure of an alfresco breakfast and babble.

Eagerly eating excess Easter eggs ebbed enthusiasm, easily eroding entrants early on Tuesday for the mornings Couldabeens, just Pistol, Wozz, Kenworth and Choppy bothered to grid for the 5:50 flagfall. Doing a double dose of duty at the front first up hammered my heart rate, staying in touch in Pistols draft to recover on leg three even burnt up the reserves. (would my h.r. Climb down from 183 in time for the next turn?) Kenworth's, Wozza's and Choppy's turns rotated quickly but I mustered the effort to drive to Channel Rd's end inspired by the thought of shelter from the southerly in Boundary.  The order had shuffled in River Rd (now blessed with Kenworths draft) though the speed was starting to strain all but Wozz and Pistol.  Wozz called single file (music to my ears) into Central Kialla, Pistol powering to Mitchell, Wozz with a freakish effort to the highway, traffic thankfully allowing us all to pause for oxygen intake. Most had found a second wind in the long tow from Wozza, Chops taking the shift to Galbraith's, my burst to Arcadia Downs shuddered by a stick jarring the front wheel sideways. Pistol then Wozz turned up the torment in Conrod straight, Kenworth mustering the muscle to lunge to the line, recovery from 17k's at zone 5 was sweet on the roll back home with support from a tail breeze. 

Attendance lifted Wednesday, Bruce, Boof, Car+Mel, Wozza, Cate, Nick, Pistol, Shorty, Chops, Temple, Cougar and MeridaMat (aka MattC) formed the Couldabeens contingent to tap 28 k's. Cooler and darker is testing commitment, but fourteen put their heads silently down to Mitchell Rd, turning a bit more chatty with the wind off the face headed east.  Oncoming Cats were like Brown's cows in River Rd, Car+Mel and Cate exercised an excellent effort eastbound to Boundary, the southerly spurring speed (and silencing sentences) north to Channel.  It was action stations for most on the way west back to town, tucked into the draft makes life easy till its contribution time (just my luck to arrive at the front at Prentice Rd)  MeridaMat appeared miraculously from caboose obscurity to chase the Cha Cha challengers, Wozz snatching the victory from Boof. A satisfying social spin back to town with a hint of sunrise colour in the sky to relish (how soon we'll start and finish in darkness)

A relaxed roll to Friars on Thursday relived the early years on the bike when 28 km/h was working, the reminiscence restorative (but that rate may return in retirement!)  Principal Skinner, Dipper, Phil, Bickers, Tum, Coggo, Kate, MeridaJohn and Belly had braved 8 degrees, full fingered gloves making their 2016 debut for me.   Coggo slowly wound up the cruise control out of town, Bickers and Kate captains of the caboose.  Phil put in a decent driving donation, a solitary l.e.d. lure ahead (Geoffrey) creating a chase.  Belly seems hesitant to sit in a draft but turns on the torque at the front, Tum, MeridaJohn, Dipper and Coggo tore into the turns as the bunch swallowed Geoffrey.  Phil's fire was fading as we neared Channel Rd, Principal Skinner's blast brief at the Broken bridges, but Geoffrey's attempt in the drivers seat was as short as the silence in Aleppo.  The use-by date had arrived for Geoffrey and Principal Skinner in River Rd, you start to realise your own form at these moments (to contradict what self says).  The torment of tempo had whittled down Phil in Mitchell Rd, MeridaJohn's blast up Mt Nicolaci was hard to match for me, the slow for traffic at the highway rated as recovery. Rolls had become regular as Arcadia Downs blurred by, just Tum, Coggo, Dipper, MeridaJohn and I facing the front for Conrod.  The beginnings of a cold had restricted my respiratories to an ordinary turn, subsequently swamped by sprinters chasing the chocolates as I showed the elbow at the 350 metre mark. 

Recent holidays and rain had deferred the pain train, rather ironic to commence again on April Fools day! Coggo, MeridaJohn, AvantiLeigh, Dipper, Tum, Carl and Heady presented at Friars, Tum already anticipating agony. Draft from a passing truck got me up to speed for the first shift to Dobson's bridge, possibly a bridge too far as I struggled to catch the tail wheel after the end of the shift.  AvantiLeigh had plenty of pace for one getting just two rides in a week, Carl well tuned too just 12 hours after riding the Thursday night thrash, Heady was misfiring though.  Coggo did his usual long and strong turn in Boundary Rd, a halt for traffic at the pub gave us a brief breather.  My turn to the Broken bridges had AvantiLeigh and MeridaJohn give a fast follow up, a string of eastbound Couldabeens lights guiding our turn.  All of River Rd in the tow was a gift, so my share was the drivers seat for Central Kialla Rd to Mitchell to return the favour.  Melbourne Rd traffic caused a pause, there'd be no records broken today but the oxygen intake was sweet. Coggo had the helm to Arcadia Downs, Heady elbowed my turn just a few metres later, the effects of a cold limiting my lungs to make it to Conrod's first dip. Carl had hung back to tow an OTA Heady, but Coggo, AvantiLeigh, MeridaJohn and Dipper had something left for a fast (38.5 average) finish. 

Week 13.   300 km.               YTD 4,194 km

Great to hear of Scott-not-BassoDave's gradual improve,  certainly has cast a caution curtain over the bunches.

Week 12 Monday mayhem and being ogre-rated.

Post 337

Much motivation missing for Saturday's early lap on Friday night till Trav's text inspired a few aboard, Jase, Temple, AvantiMat and I navigating the deserted 4:45am streets to A Mart in the shock of single digit temperatures.  The habitual circuit was tapped, news of AvantiMat's serving of road rage from "1CAMEL" (look for the plate....anger management issues) but mainly recalling the joys of numb fingers and toes, multiple layers of insulation and the inspiration needed to 'un-doona' in the coming cold months (ah, how the folk will soften as the mercury drops!)  A startled bunny zig zagged (trained by WobblyTrev?) ahead of us in Channel Rd, my urge to hold a straight line in close quarters overpowering as it ran straight under my front wheel (that crosses Foss off the Easter list!).  Upright and without a murder charge, we cranked on to the Archer St carpark with 2 minutes socially spare, who's who in the crew was difficult in the darkness till the social train steamed out Channel Rd.  Gradually circulating through the crouched figures as the rotations rolled identified Troy, KillkennyPaul, Rocket, SuperMario, Lucy, Wozza, Pistol, Cougar, Nick, Nev, AvantiTrev and Scott-not-BassoDave, the foreigners (by ride style and kit) stood out like a Turnbull policy, Shazza and MattC discovered mid-field in the left line. Progress was pumped up past the cypress trees, arm-warmers de rigeur and some in full winter kit (what will they wear when the real winter starts?).  I'd been sandwiched between the heavy horsepower of Pistol and Nev, a push to Old Dookie Rd beside Pistol, then tried to chat with Nev (but words get in the way of maximum oxygen intake), the mind extending the legs and lungs limits 3k to the Toaster.  Positioned in the tow to the Emu and beyond, I pondered when fate would put me at the pointy end again, but for now, the shared social side savoured.  Taking advantage of the SW'er homeward, but hardly selling the Saturday soul to speed, Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd promoted me closer to the front. MattC was running on five cylinders and retreated from the right line (then awol with Shazza in Verney Rd), anticipation and perspiration brewing as Wanganui Rd drew near.  Back at the business end as we reached DECA's track, I started the rolls (not enough in the tank to donate more), Jase and Pistol upping the ante till Wozz and Troy humbled all on the hill.  Starved for time regrettably, I exited stage left in the Boulevard, missing the breakfast banter.

A Monday mission of a solo golf course-emu-toaster lap, (wearing a summer kit was an insulation deficit in 10 degrees) prompted the 17 cog to act as a heater (81rpm).  There was comfort on the Fizik following a slothful Sunday, the dark grey 14.5k stretch to the Emu was at least windless. Dodging a flat fox to the Toaster then worked westward to town, the Goat peace train of Manny, Belly, Coggo, Heady, Deb and Carl formed at Friars. As usual, Tina was collected on the roll out of town, some felt a lack of peace by pace as rotations were shared. Roscoe (fronting in Geoffrey's spot) joined in but caboosed his berth, Heady's playwriting praised amongst the weekend pastimes shared. It was a therapeutic tap down Boundary and River, but flashing reds and blues as we approached Mt Nicolaci cast a cautionary curtain on us all, scattered cars, bikes and emergency vehicles spelt all was not well.  U-turning from the road block we retreated via Archer, the mood swing to solemn as reality and our own vulnerability set in for all, Coggo driving a single file back to town. Pit stopped at Mandy's, the news of the 51/Cat spill (dodging a dead roo) and subsequent skiddle of Scott-not-BassoDave sank in.

A tentative tap to Tuesday's Couldabeens, the gravity of yesterday's prang still heavy on the conscience.  Chops, SuperMario, Bo, Kenworth, Rocket, Wozz, Lucy, Kel, Shorty, Temple, Trav, AvantiTrev, AvantiMat, KillkennyPaul, Vince and Jase fronted,  Lucy's new Evo Cannondale averting the attention on the starting grid.  Underway, it was a reserved first leg, Temple calling a tamed tap as a confidence booster from yesterday's concerns. Nerves were rattled as headlights suddenly lit a large mound of hay in the roads middle on leg three, then a cars rapid appearance on kinder corner had heart rates peaking, Wozza's wheel bouncing off a large stone trebled the tension.  Excitement settled till the Broken bridges, an unseen small branch attempting to launch Lucy's luscious Cosmics. Calm did descend for River Rd and beyond, I'll admit a lot of trepidation dipping into Mitchell's Mt Nicolaci, but we'd all be still in bed if we did a ride risk assessment. Surprised the speed sizzled as Conrod loomed near, Rocket stretching out the field to the first dip.  Shorty and Temple were hung out to dry in the right line, I sat patient as the field filed single, watching the metres evaporate. Rocket had eased and several expired, a squirt at the last dip with Wozz at my heels not quite a sprint but it cleared the cobwebs.

A special assembly on Wednesday for Temple's sermon on the mount, in light of Monday's events a reminder of the care needed (and complacency collected?) in our chosen addiction. A mass of  Pistol, Wozza, Rocket, Troy, Ric, Hashbrown, Chops, Temple, Jase, Cougar, Trav and mate MattP, AvantiTrev, AvantiMat, Car+Mel, Cate, Lucy, Nick and Shorty strung out a long Indian file to Kialla Lakes, Chops armwarmers in hiding for the 10 degree start. Volunteers to the right line were plentiful, reaching the front of the long train seemingly endless as River Rd was consumed, the rear rubber-banding evident with attendance high.  AvantiMat was fading in Boundary as I eased, closing in on a solo cruiser presented me the case of pause or pass. In favour of maintaining momentum it was a pass, then the steady steam up to the usual fourties in Channel Rd (lit by a large lunar lamp) set a swift scene for the Cha Cha, several already on the brink of implosion at Kinder corner. A gap opened and I carefully swung to the right line as some rear carriages uncoupled, Mel's feisty crank forward to the furious end quite inspiring.  Opportunity knocked at Prentice Rd for a place, but I wanted wattage to reach the sultans of speed, Wozza and Troy.  An eyeball rearward (saw a sea of led dazzle) for the regular post Orrvale Rd reunion missed AvantiMat, the subsequent spleen vent at the Doyles Rd halt brewed from recently frayed nerves?  Seems the divide between the fighting and fit is widening (and opening wounds?)   Growth hurts I guess. Feeling somewhat ogre-rated, the jovial jaunt homeward with Wozz, Cate, Car+Mel (sudden stop at the lights made Mel's fully sik skid yuleh!) distilled my dilemmas. 

Variety chose an Archer-Channel-Boundary-NewDookie-Central-OldDookie warm up in a temperate 18 degrees on Thursday, pace particularly pleasing in light of the shifting (to a headwind of course!) breeze, the cardiac ticking steadily at 160 bpm was a better workout than Wednesday's lap of just one turn at the front.  It was slim Goat pickings at Friars, only Phil, Belly, Tina, Snow and MeridaJohn to commence, Principal Skinner and Geoffrey enlisted on our exit from town.  MeridaJohn had the bit between his teeth to Dobson's, single filing behind him hinted his hurry.  Belly paired with me beyond Central to get two lines back into order, Snow sat in the rear retirement section as seven swapped shifts, Geoffrey with a mild case of the noddies, Tina and PrincipalSkinner benchmarking smooth.  Belly and I took a long River Rd drivers shift, a long time since comparing heart rates, 163 vs my 151.  Sharing the love of the lead around at the dip was a short lived rest, back at the pointy end for us at Central Kialla. Drivers dwindled rounding Roubaix, seven became five became four by Arcadia Downs, my plan to invest all the energy stocks when next hitting the hurting end.  As always, the first dip of Conrod had my name on it, so sunk all the stubbornness into 48 clicks, avoided the rapid rabbit crossing and ran my tank dry at the 400 marker.   Going OTA instantly was strangely sweet, legs finally had their wish after 70k's.  I enjoyed a brief social idle then tested the tempo home to beat the time clock. 

A Good Friday Couldabeens invite attracted PistolPete, Wozza, Rocket, SuperMario, AvantiMat, FDC's Troy and Jed, and outsiders Paul vanP, MattP and Nicholas.  It was a slow leg one while some sorted cogs, settling into a steady throttle east to Boundary Rd., just a hint of a breeze swinging from southwest through to west-northwest to tax those in the drivers seat. Nicholas took a River Rd back seat, I was attempting an economy drive to leave something for a subsequent Toaster lap. Of course, speed became serious in Raftery, rolling turns at Arcadia Downs lasted just a k till Conrod became an Indian file for survival, Wozz and Jed inflicting the punishment of pace to stretch the bunch long and breathless to the finish.  Chat and chuckles at the Scottish restaurant topped off the Friday entree.

A large cast had assembled at the Butterfactory for the 11th RCH Good Friday Toaster lap, Steevo, Jonesy and the cafe staff turning on the welcome. Goats, a few Cats, a Muppet or two, some of Adams clan and a mass of browns cows rolled away at 8.   Temple, AndyAlphabet, Eammon, newbie RidleyCraig and I tentatively cruised in the caboose as the chaff was sorted south on Raftery, pace up and down like a Labor opinion poll.  We chose the open plains of Mitchell Rd to crank past at our own more comforting tempo, diverting to the serenity of River Rd whilst the others meandered on Mitchell. NevY came aboard, RidleyCraig kaboomed at the drivers end but took his PhD in the caboose, time and kilometres will educate him on pace. We joined Boundary to be behind another mixed menagerie, the smoothness of Coggo, Tina, JB, Dipper and Heady gave some hope.  A few new faces (and some familiar scary ones) varied the velocity in Old Dookie Rd, to the point of fuelling frustration at the back by burning up brake blocks. Wording up Temple and decent drivers, we launched again after the church, unfortunately many square pegs filled the round holes of pursuit. West on Lemnos-Cosgrove and nudging the fourties tested tenacities, MrMagnet, lil'Ron and others popping like corks in the pace (too many wombats hidden under their jerseys?).  A good dozen drove the train home as those on the edge expired, not many Jellybeans left in Wanganui Rd to muster a sprint as AndyAlphabet towed a single file line up the hill.

Week 12   392 km        YTD 3,894

Thoughts go out to those involved in Monday's mayhem, Sly (arm/shoulder), Straddles (neck fractures), Cobbles (clavicle, ribs and concussion) and Scott-not-BassoDave (two broken legs, fractured pelvis, wrist and ribs, collapsed lungs, two spinal fractures, facial and leg lacerations and a halo to wear!) It reinforces the message; ride smooth, straight & safe, and take care of your fellow addicts.  

Week 11 : Masochism and a big shovel

Post 336

Was unlike Wozz to be missing from the early Saturday rendezvous, so a time starved commute to A Mart hastened my heartrate for 6k's southward.  Jase, Temple and Nick had assembled, a breathless Wozza arriving at the third stroke, scoring a bed-to-start-line PB of 18 min.   Jase and Temple cut the headwind to Arcadia Downs, our quintet settling into a low 30's warm up of the usual loop, joined by Vince and co in River Rd as a social supplement (but they bolted in Boundary to combine with Cats).  Clouds had curtained the stars, the dark enveloping all behind us on a look back for traffic. A hint of helpful tailwind in Boundary Rd took us to the super swept turn into Channel Rd, hereinafter dubbed Wozza's corner.  Temples tempo got us back for a 5:56 landing to the 6:00am crew, AvantiTrev, AvantiAndy, Jen, Car+Mel, Fisky, Cate, Lynda, Ange, Ross, Pat, Shorty, Cougar and (pedalling a precursor to playing in a pussycat peleton) Scott-not-BassoDave, assembled for the Saturday soirée. The carefully controlled crank east on Channel Rd combined with Kinder corner caution, kept things social, Pat all over his Trek like a bad suit though.  A long drive on Old Dookie beside Jase then Nick got me into zone 4, Car+Mel turning up the torque to the Emu.  On a conservative (criterium) cruise, SuperMario joined us from the west in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, Weapon too, warmly welcomed.  Placement in the pack had me doing a turn on the front in the last leg of Ford, suitably in a draft for Wanganui Rd but boxed in as those in the right line advanced.   Perfectly positioned to pounce, Wozz, Ange and co arrived at the front at Kittles Rd, their explosion of speed left me midfield (and minus the urge to sprint anyway) but I still rounded up several of the Wanganui wasted.  The customary idle on Rudd Rd re congregated the bunch as I filled the social tank with Weapon on the Boulevard roll. Forming a femme filled foursome to add a 28k circuit, I peeled off the Boulevard with Cate, Car+Mel, New Dookie Rd to the church and Old Dookie back to town at a revised rate of rapidity, the SSE'er against us.  The mathematics of less numbers=more work eroded enthusiasm, but great company and a few chuckles diverted attention from lame legs and a punished posterior (how soon we soften when a bit of distance is covered!) Better to finally see the targeted turn (Pine Lodge church) instead of guessing the distance to drive, it was an easier effort westbound on Old Dookie, although Cate added the spice of a special stage sprint at Dobson's.  The Lemontree came into sight as 100 clocked up on the Garmin, many of the 6am crew were still seated, a chin wag on gear ratios, goals and moving on with life rounded off a satisfactory Saturday.

It's been 17 weeks since taking more than a day off the bike, Tuesday called on a re-education programme for legs and lungs as I creaked and rattled my way to Friars.  Principal Skinner, Belly, AvantiAndy, Dipper, Snow, AvantiLeigh, Joe, Spiessy, Deb, Sandy, Hommy, Heady and Phil formed the Goat gathering, oddly Coggoless (on a 3 peaks recovery)   It was a little hard to adjust to 14 degrees from last weeks mid 20's, cool calm and collected we cranked to Doyles Rd where Tina made up a crew of 15.  Rolling turns seem to be history as pairs take on something between 100 and 1000 metre efforts, Hommy's competitive streak raising the speed when he faces the front.  I'd slotted in between Snow and Joe to follow up on the Hommy hysteria, Snow in for a long go but Joe short shifting.  A heart rate in the low 130's made River Rd relaxed, just nudging the 150's when my number came up for the front to Mitchell Rd.  Sandy and Deb took on the rear roll call as the pot brewed for the closing four k fury, Belly questioned if I was awake as we rounded Roubaix, must admit it had been a cruisy lap till then.  Visits to the front became a rapidly repeating role as others shied from a turn of toil, I'd returned to the front yet again as the bunch crested Conrod's first dip, so figured a long lead-out was on offer to anyone who followed.  Well on top of the 14 cog as I passed Snow, the Cosmic's came on song at the 500 mark, watching my shadow from the following headlights stayed steady till 48 km/h and 190bpm at the second dip prompted my elbow.  AvantiLeigh and Dipper shot by to take the one-two, I took 300 metres of oxygen gluttony to Raftery's skinny bridge before the social intercourse could happen. 

A rapid 2k pairing with Trav southward on Archer, then with Wozz on Mitchell into the easterly, called on a big mental shovel to dig deep, four k's at a suffering speed needed a positive mindset to go the distance. Speechless in Central Kialla, I was happy for Bo and Wozz to drive to River Rd, the rotation of Wednesday's Couldabeens (AvantiTrev, PistolPete, Nick, Chops, Shorty, Gazzagrasshopper, Kel, Cougar, WhisperingJack, Car+Mel, Temple and Troy) slowly turning as the River Rd pace yo-yo'd, a headwind hurting the journey east.  It was a bolt along Boundary, sweeping through Wozza's corner, Trav drawing alongside again as I reached the front on Channel Rd's S bend, the light tailwind driving our momentum into the fourties (wind noise would drown out any complaints from the caboose, but I could almost feel the twist of a knife blade between the ribs).  Sitting third wheel in the left line at Kinder corner boxed in any attempt at my Cha Cha contention (waiting for the right line punters to pass), Car impressively steamed to the front anyway, just as the sprint squad was winding up the wattage at Prentice Rd behind her.  A few expirees had elevated my ranking as the next 400 metres blurred by, Mel storming past from behind as I eased for Orrvale Rd. The crew calmed and collected for the social roll back to town, a chance find of Fox, Fee, Meags, Princess, Minno and Wizz topped off the ride with caffiene chat. 

My prologue addiction flared up Thursday, Friday's forecast threatening a surplus of rain with a deficit of k's, so an eastbound thrash on New Dookie Rd (masochistically into the 15 km/h northeaster) warmed up the old engine, Boundary and Old Dookie roads back to town spent recovering from the silly idea. The Goat clan had assembled at Friars (Deb, Belly, Spiessy, Joe, Coggo, Dipper, AvantiLeigh, Hommy, Kate, Phil, Sandy, Principal Skinner, MeridaJohn, Snow and Leon) all congratulating Coggo on his epic 8 hr 3 peaks effort.  There was a little shuffling of the order as wheels of choice were chosen, Tina climbed aboard at Doyles,  AvantiLeigh alongside me to set high stakes to Dobson's bridge, the rolls of various lengths and forms then underway as many adjusted to the headwind.  Geoffrey assimilated into the assembly at the Fig Farm, the tempo smoothing as most got into a groove (Hommy the exception of course).  A cruisy calm called to co-ordinate compensating cornering for cars crossing as we approached River Rd, then it was full steam west with the wind up our arsenal.  Geoffrey's rubber band snapped as the bunch crested the channel bridge, MeridaJohn short shifting under the strain of speed. Rooster Roscoe appeared at Central Kialla, contributors to the rushin' front fading along Mitchell Rd.  By Arcadia Downs Belly had rejoined the small workforce of AvantiLeigh, Coggo, Dipper, MeridaJohn and I swapping turns.  With 800 metres of Conrod left, I turned up the wick to 45, then elbowed four (Belly now rear-retired) past me at the 400 mark to recover a breath or two.  It was all or nothing with 200 remaining, throwing everything at the finish, 194 bpm nearly busted my boiler but pinched the chocolates from Coggo.  Holidays heralded a post ride social stimulation over coffee, a 20 min reprieve till Roscoe's commute home inspired me to lap Archer-Mitchell-Boundary and Channel, squeezing in the k's probably denied on Friday's forecast.  The ENE'er strengthened to make the memory lane of Mitchell mean, Boundary Rd better apart from the push and shove of wind at the wheels. Legs had gone mushy by the Broken bridges but Channel Rd promised repose, the tailwind back to town like Christmas on a stick.  Home 6k shy of a ton, but pleased when predicted precipitation in Friday's early hours heralded a holiday from the pain train. 

Week 11 :  274km         YTD 3,502km

Week 10 : The Big Bunch Theory

Post 335

There was no early entertainment of inebriated nightclubbers, pole screamers or nocturnal television removalists on the way to the Couldabeens 5:00am Saturday shift, some may question our sanity but it cements selfs seaworthiness.  20 degrees and windless populated aplenty at A Mart, Wozz, Rocket, Jase, WhisperingJack, SuperMario, Temple, Nick and AvantiMat (he skipped the hotdog breakfast on offer for rising early) ready to warm-up on the usual 30k tap of Raftery-Mitchell-River-Boundary and Channel, pitch blackness swallowing everything our headlights couldn't reach.  I followed Temple's usual rebellious rounding into River Rd, 6k's of eastbound tarmac to ourselves, towed till my number came up beside Rocket in Boundary Rd. A cautious turn into Channel Rd avoiding the gravel and a steady slog back to the Archer Rd shop gave us five social minutes on the 6am starting grid.  It was a Field of Dreams moment of "build it and they will come" as bikes emerged from all directions to cram the carpark (testing Fossil's recollection rollcall for this blog!)  A pencil and paper needed if this attendance continues......Boof, Shorty, Cougar, Car-Mel, Fisky, Lynda, Ange, AvantiTrev, GTCraig, '51's Trent and Mitch, BigRon, FDC's Ralphy and Troy, KilkennyPaul, PistolPete, Lucy, Ross, along with (hallelujah!) Hollywood and (blimey!) BigMat in a rare double sighting of endangered species.  A last minute thought to split the bunch into two groups was deemed unmanageable, so a lengthy line of red LEDs led into Channel Rd, feathering the throttle lightly to avoid detaching carriages.  Extra caution at kindergarten corner (in light of recent close car calls) and calm beyond intersections kept the congregation collected, Hollywood spent after one turn at the front (recovered nearing the Toaster), BigMat speechless after a half shift at the S bend (the price paid for 6 weeks self inflicted 'doonitis').  Nath joined as #30 in the big train on Boundary Rd, Ange concurred on Couldabeens corner caution, a somewhat serious chat with Temple on raising the standards of caboose car calls, signalling hazards and finessing formation, all in the profoundly perfumed piggery pong approaching the Toaster. Calculations of one full rotation in 21km might be numerically nerdy, but it highlights the big bunch theory of many wheels make light work. A rapid reconnaissance of Lemnos-Cosgrove and Ford Rd's., cars coming split the pack at Numurkah Rd, the rearmost tested to catch the front runners by DECA (a long thin line probably best for the forthcoming sprint rather than a massed and messy war up Wanganui hill).   Fisky valiantly cranked at the pointy end beyond the test track (a case of premature emancipation) but the timing was perfect for Trent, Boof, Rocket, Mitch and Wozz at the base of the ascent.  Even sitting eighth behind the victor (who else?) I scored a PB in the draft, a long slow in Rudd to pick up the pooped pieces, then a relaxed roll on the Boulevard to breakfast, apart from BigRon inciting a coffee shop sprint for seating honours.  Cadence, lawn mowing and spinal surgery got tongues wagging at one end of the long table, tongues thirsty for Coronas at the other end applying the Adelaide rule (+14 degrees = beer) 

The moons' thin orange crescent set the Monday course to the Emu, cranial content to crank a cautious cadence on a solitary Toaster lap.  Shortchanged on a promised easterly, a southerly took up the slack to the Toaster, the nasal Nagasaki of Old Dookie Rd's pork palace to bear up to the East Goulburn main channel, a distant bunch oncoming till I swung into Boundary. It's a good exercise (exorcise?) to crank a steady hr over a distance rather than the see-saw of efforts in a bunch, the plan to keep in the aerobic zone now revised to the +150's being pursued by a pack a k or two back. Flybys identified the solo Wozz, then Mr.Lotsalumens, then a small Couldabeens peace train in River Rd from just lights piercing the darkness, a sneak peek back in Central Kialla (chasing lights looming larger) inciting inspiration to finish faster. Confident reaching Galbraith's gate with the hunters lights not yet at Roubaix, I ground on to the end, over the line just as senior Cats entered Conrod. 

Saddling up five minutes early allowed an idle to Tuesday's turtles, bringing a knocking knee slowly up to operating temperature in preparation. SuperMario, Jase, Choppy, AvantiTrev, Kenworth, Shorty, Nick, KillkennyPaul, Ric, Hollywood, Temple, WhisperingJack and MexicanAngelo filtered into the carpark, our leg 1 escort (ChrisA) warming up early for the hares.  It was a delight in the draft of Kenworth then a challenge with Chops to the cypress trees, passing the petite ponytail peleton of Suzie and Kev and collecting FDC's Troy and Ralphy to our crew. Momentum wained in Boundary against the (light) southeaster, AvantiTrev at peak torque, Ric rolling rapidly to leave Killkenny Paul to take on a big shift.  A short cutting Trav appeared oncoming in River Rd (missed the start flag by a minute), rhythm returning to rapid but retiring some to the rear. It was full steam on Mitchell and Raftery Rd's, Kenworth threw in the towel at Conrod's first dip, Chops was missing in action, Troy bolted at the 450 metre mark (check out the convenient yellow numbers at Conrod's edge!) as Ralphy imploded. I scored a short tow from Jase's passing wheel to draw a breath or two, but the launch to catch Troy was a bridge 5 metres too far.

Sauna specifications Wednesday, 26 degrees at 5:40 summoned some sweat, Boof, Rocket, Wozz, Hollywood, Nick, Shoty, Cougar, AvantiTrev, SuperMario, Car+Mel, Cate, Pistol, Temple, Lynda and newbie BamBam took up positions, a northeaster propelling us to Mitchell made my decision for an early turn at the front easy. Jase and Hollwood raised the bar on leg two, several lights dropped off the back as we turned west.  Mel's mechanical misdemeanours and a BamBam kaboom u-turned a few back homeward, the remainder soldiering onward.  Car-Mel ripped into a ripper River Rd turn, Wozz and Boof boring into Boundary, my vision narrowed as the effort was applied to match Wozz from the bridges to Channel, pleased with my pace against the niggling northeaster till the gust from an oncoming car flattened the ego.  Jase and Hollywood hurried the heartrate in Channel Rd, the Cha Cha stretching out the bunch long and lungless as my position in the pack prevented any ranking.        SuperMario ground to a halt near the school with a bi-bindii breakdown (flattening front AND rear tubes), target practice launched on supposed satans of speed as a pit crew minimised downtime to roll back to town.

Something stirred the slumber and nagged at the neurosis at 4:30 Thursday to inspire an early effort, a personal aim at clocking Strava's monthly challenge for 2016 acts as brain bait.  The 28k aperitif to the Emu, Toaster and back to town forged the resolve, a 20 km/h SSE'er punished the gastrocnemius to hold a speed, the almost forgotten delicious aroma of an earlier shower on the toasted grass was a sensory bonus. Heading to the Toaster was short torture, the turn toward the towns glow on the horizon a vacation for the vexation.  Back to Friars on the stroke of six found only Principal Skinner on the start line, the odd spit from the heavens diluting his determination, deferring to the desire of the doona.  Carpe Diem me thinks, so set forth solo to tap a Goatless lap, but found Tina tough enough to shrug of a touch of damp.  Race wrecked from Sunday's scorcher, Tina sat on, which only inspired me to grind a steady pursuit of the red led's ahead.  A windswept battle in Boundary Rd actually made ground on the bikes ahead, two escaped via Channel Rd, the other pair pushing on to the Broken bridges.  The SerialPest and Trish were caught at River Rd, our way went west as they slogged south.  A flattened fox, several snapped sticks, a pancaked possum and a few damp patches to dodge en route to Central Kialla, time turning us homeward in Archer, at last an 11k tailwind reward after 54k of toil.

AvantiLeigh had stalled on the Friars Friday starting grid, a ballooning Coninental sidewall tearing up his pain train ticket with much regret. Coggo, Belly, MeridaJohn and Phil were the only other punters for pain, John taking the helm out of town but put me in the early hot seat (90% humidity prepared a precipitation of perspiration) from the roundabout to Dobson's bridge.   Coggo was riding reservedly with 3 peaks on his weekend list, Phil driving well despite being time starved and k craved, Belly firing on all cylinders (and a dream draft into the bargain).   Satisfied with my second go at the rushin' front (one tree dam to River Rd's second k) it was Christmas slipping into the draft to recover for the next contribution in Central Kialla.  We steamed up Mt Nicolaci to view a "believe it or not" scene of Cats actually stopped rendering assistance to one of their own punctured!  Relief was nigh rounding Roubaix, just 4k of effort till the finish line promised respite.  In perfect real estate, I crept up beside Belly in the closing metres (to inspire him to push to victory) but MeridaJohn, in the tow, pounced to pinch the chocolates, a 38.3 average fair for five.

Week 10    327 km         YTD  3,228 km

Week 9 : A matter of mind over matter

Post 334

There's only myself to blame setting Strava Grand Fondo targets then leaving the challenge till the last weekend! The now habitual Saturday supplementary drew Wozza, Rocket, Trav, Nick and Temple to A Mart at 5, a "cruisy" 30k suddenly an effort fighting the southerly (15-28 km/h), so I was somewhat spent by Galbraith's gate after an 11k push from home at the breezy end. "It's us!" was hollered from Roubaix, Kel and Bo emerging from the darkness to form an octette, record numbers for the earlybird special.   Wozz and Bo paired in Mitchell and raised the stakes, Kel, (off colour) sitting in the rear ranks. Well ahead of our timetable, we'd travelled the River-Boundary-Channel course to have the luxury of seven minutes socially spare at the carpark, welcoming ChrisA, Cate, Mel(-Car), Jen, Cougar, Pistol, FDC's Ralphy and Ozzie, AvantiTrev, Shorty, SuperMario, Ange and GTCraig into the family, twenty one to spear East on Channel.   Nerves were neutralised without strangers aboard, many finding comfort in familiar company,  Bowie's "we can be heroes" playing on my cerebellum as the breeze boosted our velocity north on Boundary. There's no more scenic sunrises in Old Dookie as days shorten, an oncoming car at the narrow bridge in Pine Lodge North Rd compressed the bunch short with a sudden slow.  Mel, Cate and Jen ploughed into the westerly struggle home, sandwiched between Pistol and Wozz kept me speechless, trees and an occasional orchard a blessed shelter from the southerly. Sitting out the sprint (predicting the tyranny of distance) I inherited AvantiTrev and Cougar in tow though, some pleasure in picking off a few martyrs that had paid the price of early pace up Wanganui hill.  Boulevard bound back to town, it was a struggle to tear away from a social epilogue, but solo out New Dookie Rd to top off the ton and be Stravasatisfied, the long track to the church was a wake up exposed to the elements, sorely missing the cover of a bunch.  Hope was pinned on the wind staying southerly, just the short 1000 meters to the Toaster to endure before the westward leg home. The breakfast menu scrolled through my wish list as a diversion for the buffeting breeze 12k's to town, the distance estimation spot on as 100 clicked over just 200 metres from the Lemontree.  Many from the 6am bunch were still ensconced in breakfasts banter, my reward was a warm welcome and witty words with Cate and Mel on mind-over-matter, reachable goals and climbs.   Seems the floodgates had opened to clocking a ton, Rocket, Wozz and Mel all ticking the Grand Fondo box that morning.

Just a little bit of choke and easy on the throttle, taking the old engine on a gentle 5:10 warm up round the golf course lap on Monday.   Mental preparation was lacking for the niggling southerly, the plan to loop Raftery was the rigorous route, inspiration to reach the end coming from the predicted relief in Mitchell.  Don't you just love the serenity of a tailwind, all goes quiet (save for the Carbone chorus), pedals turn to feathers and the ego inflates proportional to the speed. A glide up Archer found AvantiTrev, Pistol, SuperMario, Cougar and WhisperingJack southbound to the Sanctuary Park roundabout, so I u-turned to join their peace train (seems to be the popular peleton of late).  Bikes back were noticed on our turn to Mitchell, Gazzagrasshopper and RossT climbing aboard after starting from the wrong grid.  A steady tap along River Rd, passing Craig Lotsalumens (two headlights......really?), then a windswept tour of Boundary and Channel roads home, all in the cardiac comfort of zone 3.  Gazzagrasshopper and RossT (hereafter dubbed Hash-brown) were unable to resist the lure of legging it on the Cha Cha, whilst the peace train rolled casually back to town. 

A copious congregation at Friars on Tuesday for a Goat gathering, Heady, Belly, Snow, Coggo, Carl, MeridaJohn, Sandy, Kate, Joe, Speissy, Phil, AvantiLeigh, HG Phillo, AvantiAndy and Deb had assembled, newbies Stella and Sunbeam (cadence like a mixmaster) into the bunch as the group exited town, collecting Tina and JB.   It was a yo-yo start to Old Dookie Rd when half the bunch baulked for a B double, AvantiLeigh lighting the afterburners when all were back on.  Speed had settled beyond Central Ave, the newbies making a cautious contribution in Boundary, Geoffrey (on an early getaway) was caught and absorbed into the crowd.  13 degrees had invited armwarmers and even a pair of 3/4's to be worn, I braved a base layer but was beginning to cook by the turn into River Rd. Rhythm returned for the tour west,  Fast Eddy appeared in the rotation at Archer, pace picking up toward the serious end of the ride. Carl opened up the throttle in Conrod to turn the bunch single file, Phil hanging on behind till his rubber band snapped.  I took to the front as Carl's speed spluttered, but Coggo had his turbo wound up at the last dip to take the trophy, no complaints from me as runner up. 

As welcome as a crutch carbuncle, a southerly (18-24 km/h) harassed the hippocampus commuting to the Couldabeens Thursday, uncomfortable with the negatives on the neurals even before a lap had started.  I felt like a Mahindra amongst the McLarens following up the performances of Boof, Rocket and Wozz in legs one and two, but survived the speed surprisingly.  Startled by the sudden appearance of a car from behind the long grass of kindergarten corner (copious complacency craving caution for the future) panic stopped the pack (KillkennyPaul hit the deck, but without injury) causing a slow leg four to regroup by the cypress trees.  Back on the gas, the big engines of Bo, Ron, Huddo, Nev and Robbo propelled the mob to River Rd and beyond.  Long time no see Robbo and old faithful Opera, still performing perfectly, Lucy braving the front too where many feared to crank.  Bo retired to Kel's mechanical aid, velocity hiding half the field, relegated to the rear without an appearance. A clear and quick cross of the highway set up a swift finish, pride polished glancing at the Garmin's 45km/h display but the tenacity tested fronting another turn.  Against all reasoning I went again to the rushin' front as the turns rolled quickly, 50km/h at Conrod's first dip signalling my swansong.  Nev's long lead out pickled many, I crept round Jase as he threw in the towel, Trav (always with a bit left in the tank) cranked by, but it was Rocket and Wozz launching from Nev's draft to take gold and silver, only on the recovery roll did WhisperingJack, Nick, AvantiTrev, KillkennyPaul and AvantiMat appear from obscurity.

It was hardly like lambs to the slaughter at Friars on Friday, a whole lot of pain predicted for a little perverted pleasure (a peculiar past-time) aboard the pain train.  Talk of a tame tap around was a fairytale figment of the imagination, down to business in Old Dookie Rd, Tum, Heady, me, Dipper, Coggo and Belly formed the Indian file east, Tum opening the account with a big donation of drive.  The pursuit of a small bunch ahead pumped up the pace, 51 swept into Boundary as we slowed behind the four now caught. Passing Sue, Jim and others in Boundary, one jumped aboard, seven now southbound swiftly. Head handed me turn two at one tree dam, my mixed mindset of relax shoulders, touch thumb and index fingertips, regulate breathing, loosen the jaw, don't look at the heartrate, focus ten metres ahead, smooth the speed, think things delicious, arrow the trajectory......all seemed to work reaching River rapidly, but the oxygen starvation, hyper heartrate and rubber legs made catching the rearmost carriage hell in River Rd.  There were encouraging words delivered for all who peeled off the front spent from speed, difficult to say thanks when each breath seems like your last.  Tum put in an epic effort from Rivers' bridge to Mitchell Rd, Heady toasted at the turn.   I had the perfect real estate at Arcadia Downs with Tum's next turn steadily increased to keep Heady attached (Heady's hernia happened just 50 metres later) then flicking me an elbow on the flat after Conrod's first dip.  Right on top of the 14 cog at 83 rpm carved me through the easterly for the final fling, inspiration from Saturday's chat driving me to the chocolates, lapping up that semi surreal sensation as 50mm carbon wheels do their aero thing, or is it a matter of mind over matter?

Week 9    340km.       YTD. 2,901 km