Week 22. Ride or subside

Post 347

Saturday's drizzle kept most under the doona and there were no takers on a WhatsApp invite for a Sunday social spin (supplementary starters soft or just sensible?), something to do with a 1.4 degree start?  The full winter kit made an appearance, merino base layer, booties and neck sock insulating against the ice, finding the smooth car-worn groove of Channel Rd was a plus over the temperature. Not a soul on the road strangely enthused my mission, no records set or broken but there's something satisfying in bragging rights of braving the elements.  East on Old Dookie Rd and into the dawn, QOTSA's "My God is the Sun" provided the metronomic motivation to the Toaster, but it was psychological warmth only from the big ball in the sky.   Pointing back toward town it was nice to get into the rhythm of a steadily increasing speed and hitting the magic Mavic note without blowing a gasket, a couple of Lemnos-Cosgrove k's lost just zoning out, glued to the 17 cog at 76 rpm, each kilometre done was one closer to coffee. Wanganui Rd was welcomed, the Boulevard had cars like a cake shop all topped with icing, made the Lemontree's banana toast taste even better!  Dion, Mel, Cobbles, Sherls, Jason, BigBen arriving gave credence to the cold.

Trying to tick the May distance box on Monday on a New Dookie - Boundary - Old Dookie lap (a precursor to a Goat group peace peloton).  Fresh, bracing, invigorating and brisk weren't the right words, "faarctic" more descriptive of New Dookie roads atmosphere. Despite the frosted lungs and iced calves I was happy with the velocity, the draft from half a dozen passing cars maintaining momentum.   A cool contained train of peace people (Principal Skinner, Heady, Hommy, Coggo, MeridaJohn, Phil, Spiessy, Sandy and Belly) exited town, half wheeling Hommy at it again but I felt it too cold to scold.  Heady looking forward to sunny Spain next week, Sandy in the caboose with Spiessy and Principal Skinner joining it after just one turn at the front.   It's ride or subside as winter welds the doona up around the ears, 'use it or lose it' as they say (prepare for the pain if it's the latter). There's a smug sensation in tackling the winter elements, work colleagues huddled around heaters, lethargically mumbling and moaning into their morning caffeine fix are stunned at our stamina (or struck by our stupidity?)   River roads end and the tick of the clock dictated my regular short cut home, the tangerine horizon sillhouetting the poplars rooted in fog treated me to a scenic spin home, satisfaction meeting the monthly measure of 1250 k's with a day up the arm-warmer. Hump month may be tough.

Three B doubles in close company donated a draft for Wozz and I (Caterpillar kilowatts warming the air a degree or two off zero) to arrive early at the Couldabeens carpark on Tuesday.  I berthed first but Wozz gridded to my left, handing me a double shift in the chilled Channel Rd air, leaving me Rocket to match for leg 2!   Rehab in the Rocket and BigRon draft on leg 3 was a long one, recuperative effects of 0.4 degrees on the lungs was rather average, then tried to suppress the primal groans of recovery when Nev drove the train.  Hooray for Trav and Kenworth taking the pot off the boil and simmer the speed a fraction, AvantiTrev locked into the caboose position.  Pistol, just back from sunny Queensland, didn't miss a beat, pairing with Wozz to silence the bunch swiftly south in Boundary Rd.  2k's at the front in River Rd cooked me medium rare, velocity bumped up by Rocket, Nev and BigRon was hard to hold onto. The defeatist inside was discouraging a dip in Mitchell Rd, but I defiantly stepped up for duty, speed a little slower, heart rate a lot higher and the length a little shorter to Archer Rd., cherishing Choppy's encouragement but submitting to the satan of surrender, leaving Nev, Wozz, Pistol, BigRon, Rocket and Chops to drive the train.  Didn't feel so bad shirking a shift as Kenworth and Trav had rear-tired too, content that this old engine can still match one or two young 'uns.  Swiftly single file at Arcadia Downs the conga line cranked to Conrod, Rocket donating a long lead-out for Wozza to chase the chocolates.

Positively balmy at 4 degrees Wednesday, a preliminary 20k of the soup tin - golf course course, the chain silently satisfied with a long awaited lube. I found Wozz and Cate in town to tour to the carpark, Hoges, Cougar, Chops, Shorty, SuperMario, BigRon, Bo, Boof, PistolPete, Rocket, AvnatiTrev, Temple and BamBam ready to roll in Archer St.  It was a lax leg one beside Hoges waiting for the regroup after Pistol's phone did a dismount, then back to the usual velocity with Wozz to the truck route.  SuperMario was suffering the two-rides-in-six-weeks syndrome, Temple content in the rear seat, Hoges still with an MTB trajectory, Cate consistently courageous facing the front.   MeridaJohn and Tum were the only two Goats out to play westbound in River Rd, the double tail-light ahead spelt Craig Lotsalumens, space given to his usual southbound turn into Boundary Rd as we swung north.   Hiding the hurt, I maintained some control in Channel Rd to the S bend with Wozz, relishing the recovery beyond while trying to suppress the groans of gasping. Half the field had ducked into the draft as we swung into Kinder corner, Hoges keen to contend the Cha Cha, who was I to argue waiting in his wake?  Rocket sacrificed all on a long lead-out, BigRon's turn was cut short craving kilowatts, Wozza, preparing to pounce on my wheel, scorched by to make it two from two in two days. 

A struggle for speed Thursday, spending the 25k prologue pondering personal performance, decisions of joining the Goats / being caught by Couldabeens / soaking up the serenity of a solo circuit, constantly being assessed east to the Emu and south to the Toaster.  (some days feeling Ferarri, others Festiva)  The softer choice was too easy reaching Boundary Rd, a solo it was predicting I'd handbrake the Goats and go OTA from the Couldabeens.   Spin spin spin to River Rd on the 17, cursing the mere hint of a SSE'er .  A fog crawled across River Rd to vex the vision, specs already steamed by 98% humidity, an oncoming car with lights welded on high beam cursed cornea's and perplexed pupils.  A disco drongo headed toward me, his headlight on strobe almost provoking epilepsy.  A glance back in Mitchell Rd saw pinpoints of headlights behind, time to be treated to the 15 for a spell, instant 10% improvement on speed to buoy the brain homeward taking solace in ticking 50k's done.

Lazed in the luxury of placid porridge and calm caffeine Friday, aboard the Baum on a 5:40 late shift to rendezvous with Wozz and Cate for a Couldabeens convergence. (Pain train popularity pining)   Hoges,  Nick, BamBam, Chops, AvantiTrev, Pistol, Rocket, Boof, Cougar, HBK, Kel, Bo and Kenworth arriving for action. Challenges compared with Cate, their motivational value in woeful weather and the addiction of achievement agreed.  Away at 6, it was Groundhog Day with Hoges to the Sanctuary roundabout, but a follow up with Pistol was punishment to the truck route.   HBK no sense no feel in short knicks, a River Rd bunch tsunami from one erratic on the cadence, but then smooth operator Kel captained the cranking to carry us to Boundary. My legs said no to the head saying yes to reaching Channel Rd at the front, Pistol pummelling my pulminories.  Much easier facing Channel Rd with most ahead of me donating to the drive, tempting to sit and sook on my sluggishness but the position was prime as the speed brewed to hopeful corner.  Wozza had the helm as the pot came to the boil at Prentice Rd, sinking his all into a lengthy lead-out.  Kenworth cranked forward but over cooked the torque curve, Bo buckled as the field swelled elbow to elbow as many synchronised their limit.  Pistol provided the last ditched drive but it was possessed projectiles Boof and Rocket that Irish jigged on the cranks for honours, a fair finish for Foss from furtively forlorn to fourth in a few furlongs.

Week 22     290km.          YTD 6,914km

Great to have BassoDave out of hospital and home.  Hope the recovery is rapid Dave!

Week 21 : The climate cull

Post 346

Five degrees was the short straw to take on a grand fondo Saturday, but there's a strive to smash a Strava challenge before the month runs out. A 5am start with Wozz, Trav, Kel & Bo, the first shift to Arcadia Downs flogging Foss (yet the speed seemed sluggish), Christmas on a stick to have Wozz roll across at Galbraiths gate to reduce the effort 15%.  I felt warm seeing Kel in short knicks (winter kit still in hibernation), Ange brashly blending into the bunch as we crossed the highway.  My second appearance at the front (first 2k of River) was a little easier on the heartrate, improving on leg 2 with Wozz to the dip, the red led ahead driving the pace. Quite the chill in Channel (orchard irrigation) as we caught Jase, arriving back at the 6am grid with 4 minutes of jaw exercise with AvantiMat, Ric, Boof, ChrisA, Shorty, Nick, Temple, AvantiTrev, Rocket, Cougar, newbie TatChris and Gazzagrasshopper.  Nineteen eastbound barely got into the groove when the snap of TatChris's spoke ground us all to a halt, the buckle binding brakes, forcing his take 2 next week? Eighteen resumed with a reckless road running rabbit causing a short scatter, but got co-ordinated for the trip to Boundary. The usual social sentences swapped as others drove, piggery pong again assaulting the olfactory openings in Old Dookie Rd.  The turn into Lemnos-Cosgrove repeated the rapidity from last Saturday (maybe it should be Strava segmented as the "breakfast bolt"?), most had a crack at the pointy end as the sun struggled to rise, Ange grinding the little cog to Ford Rd.   Gazzagrasshopper, languishing in the caboose, predictably bolted early in Wanganui Rd, fleeing futile with master blaster ChrisA, Wozz, Boof and Bo to hunt down the escapee. Group two stayed intact, I'd become the unwilling tow truck for a while till Ange's torque took over.  Still 40k shy of my target, it was hard to break from the bunch in the Boulevard but the urge to tick the Fondo challenge box was strong.  A hard slog to the church on New Dookie road away from the comfort of a bunch draft, pushing 66 rpm burned the psoas major but trying the 17 cog (74 rpm) only slowed the pace.  The perineum was touchy as ninety k's ticked over, round the Toaster and onto Boundary Rd, hopes of a Channel Rd finish denied by Garmin, a River Rd-Archer ending needed to go the distance.  Oncoming Adams family factions (3) meandered on River Rd (pleased the distance between me and WobblyTrev was increasing)  There was a mental mountain to conquer on the 8k's west to Archer Rd, trying to drive the legs on when they'd rather rest, coffee with walnut & banana toast my only motivator to continue. Spirits lifted as the town drew closer, a double check on the distance needed a lap of SPC to get 115 done.  The mafia nicotine nimbus hung over the Lemontree table, so I retired to Mandy's and soaked up a long-time-no-chat with Barnsey, CatKev and Hoffy (the incoming Adams') and mon ami Weapon.

A wanton westerly was drying the road soaked by a 4am shower, no excuses left, all aboard for a Monday tap around. The Boulevard baptism was tough, facing the 30km/h wind head-on was not the way to start a week.  Grumps for three k's turned to grins in Wanganui Rd, a tailwind to artificially pamper the ego.  Puddle chicanes manoeuvred south down the main drag, then into the serious moonlight of Raftery Rd.  Southbound lights at Archer Rd turned to follow my trail to River Rd.,  Gazzagrasshopper and Lucy (gazzadazzled?) on a "light tap" (40+) caught me at Laws Drive, silly me jumped aboard.  Feeling the responsibility to contribute a turn I clicked the shift to the 13 cog, a big grind on River's smoothed tarmac in the low 40's soon the spiked heartrate, not quite on my 'tap around' specification. The pace was still driven hot in Boundary Rd, so I opted to continue onto Old Dookie as the pair plied west in Channel. Craving all two k's to settle the lungs and legs in preparation for the headwind home, Old Dookie Rd's battle was relentless (it was ye olde rubber legs by School Rd)  giving up the hope of holding 33 clicks home. 

Boulevard - Rudd - Wanganui - Ford - Boundary and Old Dookie warmed up ancient legs on Tuesday, attempting to solve the equation of rpm>h.r.-speed=effort.  Tried an 80 rpm spin and found the headwind (15km/h) bearable back to town.  A u-turn at SPC fitted me into the Goat group (PrincipalSkinner, Joe, MeridaJohn, Dipper, Heady, Brendan, Coggo, Hommy, Phil, HG Phillo, Sandy, Belly, Snow, MeridaAndy and a voice in the darkness at the back).   Belly and I were on escort duties out of town as the order sorted, HG Phillo on the usual two length lag, Skinners sublime smoothness, Brendy's cassette racket, the turbine tune from Phil's wheels, Coggo's consistency, Heady's humour and Sandy's roll call,  all familiar Goat traits.  MeridaAndy's rare appearance proved he hadn't retired, Hommy proved his half wheeling (beside me) was embedded in his DNA.  Normally letting his habit slide, today I snapped to a pronto payback, a squirt into the fourties at the Boundary Rd bacon barn backed him out, Belly and I then calming the cadence to preserve some friendships.  Others turned short, medium and long to take us south, a concerted effort to behave at the helm smoothed out the ripples in River Rd, certainly hard work at the driving end into an almost head wind but plenty to share the work helped the recovery.   The enemy of time turned me right at Rivers end, tapping the usual short cut home with the chain complaining from damp days.

Chipped away at the k's early Wednesday, close to the Strava target with 6 days left.  Warm up times are longer as the days get shorter, even holding low 30's was a haul, the bureau's "feels like 4" part to blame? 15k's covered arriving at the carpark, Nick, Shorty, Chops, Boof, HBK, Rocket, Cougar, Temple, Mel (-Car), Cate, TatPaul, AvantiTrev and AvantiMat congregating collectively as Couldabeens.  Volunteers for the right lane were rare after Kialla Lakes, I slipped in behind HBK with Rocket and Boof ahead.  BigRon joined in as HBK and I took the helm, HBK's turn as short as Labor's funding estimates, AvantiTrev measuring up to a real turn. The east northeaster furrowed brows in River Rd, Mel almost unrecognisable in long kit, Rocket and Boof making the headwind look easy. HBK short shifted again in Boundary Rd, out of steam in esteemed company he tells me. Nick drove a hard bargain to the S bend for the first shift of Channel Rd, many now withdrawing from being promoted to the business end, though Cate was fearless fronting for duty as the Cha Cha loomed near.  Choppy set a cracking cadence up to Prentice Rd, I'd arrived at the front way too early (again) so succumbed to the sacrifice of the sprint with a lead-out on full throttle.  50 lasted a little longer than previous attempts, but I was soon relegated to rubbish with Rocket and Boof launching an attack with 200 metres left, how soon I slipped to the 'also tried' as lungs got greedy to aerate the blood supply. 

I felt guilty sleeping in till 6 Thursday, rain berthing the Baum and reintroducing me to the delights of a doona.  Infectious isn't it?! The obsessive prologue habit returned on a fine but fresh Friday (4 degrees, feels like 2 says the bureau), soaking up the auditory complexities of "A Moon Shaped Pool" on a golf course - Lemnos loop, prior to converging on the Couldabeens (Goat votes for peace not pain).   I found Wozza, Jase then Kenworth en-route, Cate, Cougar, Gazzagrasshopper, HashBrown, Kel, BigRon, Bo, Boof, Nev, Choppy and Rocket braving the elements at the carpark.  How quickly the climate culls contenders down to the devoted, into obsolescence slips WhisperingJack, SuperMario, BigMat, Car+Mel, AvantiTrev, KillkennyPaul et al. (all to suffer terribly on their comeback)   Wozza was the only one to form the right line, Gazzagrasshopper on his regular rapid routine regardless.  I'd paired with Jase for Mitchell Rd, the light westerly should have helped but I found the tempo tortuous, the roll-over bringing Nev to my flank, chatting away happily while I could barely put two words together, lungs preoccupied extracting oxygen.  The self induced punishment is soon lost in the rotational social intercourse, a River Rd respite with the breeze up the behind, Kel as snug as a bug in a merino rug, her leg warmers repossessed from (crossdresser?) Bo. Exertion went back on my agenda as Wozz and BigRon drove north to Channel Rd, pairing with Jase to the S bend and beyond beside Nev played mind mischief with me (made the mistake of Garmin gazing the escalating h.r.).  Satisfied sitting out the sprint (high 40's hard enough midfield), I put my struggle down to hurt happens.

Week 21      327km.               YTD 6,624 km.

Week 20 : Taking the tempo tonic

Post 345

Personal challenges spring to mind then the OCD takes over to make it a mission. Something different (silly?) like a backwards-forwards idea for Saturday drove me out of bed and onto the Baum at 4:45, clockwise on the Saturday circuit to meet Couldabeens at 6.......then unwind back again. Guessing the timing, I hit the Verney Rd roundabout at 5:02, the light puff of the northeaster (6-15 km/h) welded the chain on the 17 (78 rpm) but built enthusiasm for the tailwind from the Toaster.  A glow from the towns street lamps on the horizon bounced off the low rolling clouds, a somewhat surreal 'cloud-tanked' skyscape like 'Close Encounters' or 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.  Turning at the Toaster (5:32) a zephyr in the back got the chain friendly with the 15 cog, prompting a push of pace to reach the 6am grid, guesswork suggesting there was just a few minutes spare. The lights of early birds (Trav, Kel, Ange and Bo) lit north from the Broken Bridges as I snap crackled and popped through the gravel of Wozza's corner, it was now a driven drive 8k back to town keeping the early birds behind.  Landing at the launch pad at 5:56 allowed a social preamble with Cate, the crew of Car+Mel, Cougar, Nev, TatPaul, Rocket, KillkennyPaul, Jase, Nick, Shorty, PistolPete, Temple, Wozz, Hollywood, Boof, Gazzagrasshopper, Ric and newbieRob roughly formed the two rows for the 6am off, Trav, Ange, Kel & Bo arriving with a minute to spare.  NewbieRob, a 5 week old apprentice baulked to the back (2nd bunch ride ever), Jase and Wozz opening the account with consideration.  I'd found myself between the brawn of Boof and the care of Cate to complete the Cha Cha and on to Jameson Rd, a sublime Saturday start.  Ange and Bo hijacked the helm halting the rotation till the Boundary Rd bacon barn, Gazzagrasshopper and Bo then driving away on their own mission while Ange captained to the status quo.  NewbieRob bailed out as rotation drew him toward the business end of the bunch nearing the Toaster, an observers role in the back seat more suited as pace picked up for the west way home.  The collaborative driving effort got the cruise control into the fourties (with a squeak or two of protest from the rear), my turn at the front crossing Grahamvale Rd, Boof softening me up to Verney Rd for Kel to tenderise me with tempo to Numurkah Rd. (thanks to traffic, a breather possible before the final fling to Mt.Wanganui).  Gazzagrasshopper did an early bolt at the tip, no reaction for a while (let the fuse burn till the kaboom?) but then Nev, Rocket and Wozz sequentially launched in chase, Hollywood's effort lasting 50 metres till reality ruined him.  Sticking with team sensible (carefully captained by PistolPete) picked up the pieces for a group two bunch finish, Rocket in the distance collecting the chocolates.  A seat under the Lemontree's heater was prime real estate with 20 at the table, windtrainers, cancer and Hollwood's breakaway filled the air as breakfast filled the stomach. 

A solitary 26k start to Monday, New Dookie bound found a foggy vignette on the specs (I'm ready for my close up Mr De Mille!), the white line at the roads edge rather reassuring. 6 degrees was hardly inspiring, don't you just love that cold air attacking ears, fingers and toes, constricting lungs with every breath? (just one base layer was borderline insulation, the warmer kit awaiting the real cold in the coming months).  Swerved a big branch occupying three quarters of Pine Lodge Rd approaching the Toaster, the turn to town on schedule to intercept the Goat train of tranquility.  The 5:57 landing at Friars found Brendan, Coggo, Sandy, Tina, Tum, Hommy, MeridaJohn, Spiessy, Phil, Belly and Bazza gathering, a quiet roll out of town with the h.r. at a 117 idle.  Into Boundary Rd it was Hommy's turn alongside.....more like a bike ahead in his usual defiant style. The horizons glow at one tree dam a picturesque start to the day (this one snapped whilst stationary), only on a peace train is there a moment to take in the view.

A steady plug along River Rd found RoosterRoscoe at its end, time for me to peel off on a truck route and Archer exit to make it to the coal face on time. 

A 10k solo warm-up prepared the legs, a few speed spurts primed the heartrate, lungs had climatised to the cool but readying the head for the speed of Tuesday's Couldabeens is the toughest bit. Stop sooking Foss, treat it as a tempo tonic!  I climbed a mental mountain with just Rocket and Wozz on the starting grid, but was saved from the gallows in the last three minutes with Jase, Choppy, Pistol, Kel & Bo, KillkennyPaul and Ric arriving to fill the positions. Launching at 5:50, I'd tucked into the draft behind the muscular metronome that is Rocket, Ric surprisingly fronted the fast end at the cypress trees but didn't factor part two of the drive in the left line, his subsequent kaboom was collected by Bo to tow.   Battling beside Bo to the S bends and Rocket to Boundary Rd was my intense intro, pack fractures appearing at One Tree Dam had KillkennyPaul and Ric losing grip.  The brief calm to collect cast-offs at the start of River Rd was fruitless, seven were summoned on and then there were six as Chops chaperoned those OTA.  Trying to relax everything but the legs beside Rocket is like whistling eating a biscuit, but I lasted the distance (then quietly gasped a long recovery while Wozz drove to the dip).  Jase, wearied from Sundays MTB 3 hour rearetired with Kel, so it was five to drive for the laps' remainder. My haul at the front in Central Kialla then a short try in Mitchell drained the tank, taking leave of duty was timed to perfection as Rocket called a single file attack on the last 4 k's.   Bo, Wozz, Pistol and Rocket swapped turns for Raftery Rd as I struggled to play Gatekeeper, almost losing the tow while leaving the gap for the one rolling off the front to rejoin, 14k's in Zone 5 giving me a chronic case of rubber legs.

Sleep was as rare as a BigMat appearance on Wednesday, horizontal at 4:20 with legs going at 74rpm could only be cured by boarding the Baum for a suburban spin prior to the Couldabeens social. Car+Mel, Lucy, Cate, Cougar, Chops, Wozz, Boof, Hollywood, Nick, Shorty, PistolPete, Temple and.....surprise, surprise, the sultan of sarcasm, HBK made a return. (not seen for at least a year, the Half Bike King now has work hours that allows a lap or two on weekdays)   Away at six, the front few were squeezed by Navara at the Kialla Lakes traffic island, 'car back' missing from the phrase book of some?  I took the early drivers seat (yet again) beside Wozz to Sanctuary Park, believing a tail wind would assist but calm was the bureau verdict. Recovery was lengthy in Pistols draft, Chops and Boof next up making it a quick quadrella.  HBK put in a couple of tame turns (but half wheeling Mel), the bunch of 14 smoothing the speed East.  Tenderised by Pistol in Boundary Rd, Hollywood bailed out of duty on Wozza's corner to the sound of several sledges. The order rotated rapidly from the Channel Rd cypress trees, my ideal spot seven wheels back suddenly became second wheel at Kinder corner with Wozz to match, PistolPete and Chops the fast followers. Arriving at the front with 600 metres of the Cha Cha left made the lead-out my job description, winding up the Cosmics for all I was worth till the focus went fuzzy, then elbowing the real movers by. (Pistol by half a wheel to Wozz). Vision sharpened and normal bodily function eventually resumed in convivial company cruising home. 

Thursday's grid was thin, cold culling Couldabeens down to the desperately devoted.  Nick nervous with just Wozz, Rocket and I lined up, a sigh when Shorty, Trav and Pistol arrived. Nev's last minute appearance  cancelled all plans of a quiet tap, down to business at 5:50 with the almost habitual first turn with Wozz for the long leg one. Rocket had signalled a sit-on, so seven swapped turns with a NNW to help or hinder. Shorty, Trav and Nick supplied the speed, Wozz, Pistol and Nev stepped up to supersonic, second thoughts for some on making another contribution to the front.  Scoring shelter from the roadside trees on River Rd helped in keeping pace with Wozz, but the recovery takes longer with each turn.  Ripping into Raftery Rd Trav, Shorty and Nick all abandoned their turns, my suffering swansong beside Nev was short (as usual passing Galbraith's gate) then tucked in the draft for the fast finale.   My prediction (back in Mitchell Rd) of Nev heading an Indian file assault on Conrod straight came true, Wozz and Pistol the only ones left with wattage to swap turns as the remainder held on in hope of the torment terminating as soon as possible. The cruise of calm into town turned eventful; a passing truck with bobcat in tow had a Dunlop of destruction on it's trailer.  In a cloud of smoke and sparks, there was flying chunks of hot rubber and steel belts to avoid as the tyre departed company from its rim (now carving into the tarmac) and bounded across two lanes in front of us. A halt to clear the lanes then a calm and collected crank home.  

World championship thumb wrestling fitting a new pair of (directional) Grip Pro4's, with winter fast approaching something with a touch of tread may be good insurance.  

A misty start to Friday didn't deter pain train passengers to Friars, AvantiLeigh, Dipper, Heady, Belly, Coggo and Phil formed, Tum (on a last minute bike swap) joined at SPC.  I took the first shift on the glossy first leg of Old Dookie, a SSW'er to fight but it was the driest position in the pack.  Best to avert the focus on the roll-over point (Dobson's bridge) a long 1200 metres away while the heartrate climbed into the red zone, over the bridge and into Belly's tow (with complimentary wheel spray up the nose) to calm my cardiac catastrophe while Coggo took the helm.  Heady and Phil had edited efforts, Belly on a bike length hold-back (mimicking Head Goat?), but it was AvantiLeigh and Tum hitting the N0s on the front. A SSE'er swung ESE in River Rd, speed proportional to the fitness on the front varied the velocity with a puddle or six to spot the specs (or was that sweat?)  AvantiLeigh demonically driving out of Dave's dip in the mid fourties herniated Heady, a gasping intermission for traffic at the highway most welcome. Shaking the curse of Galbraith's gate I wound up the speed to Arcadia Downs then tucked in for a rapid recovery. Sixth wheel at the 300 metre marker was the perfect pozzy, a launch out of Belly's draft, caught Tum napping, straight past AvantiLeigh at 52 (just as he rose from the saddle) was the sweet sprint scenario to end another week. 

Week 20.        314km.             YTD 6,297 km

Week 19. Practicing the poker face

Post 344

Is it the company that determines speed? Saturday's social spin turned somewhat swift with Wozz, Jase, Kel and Bo the early birds at A Mart at 5, a little northeaster helped me to level with Wozz to Arcadia Downs but the turn into Mitchell Rd (where Ange joined in) had respiratory repercussions.   A slow at Archer Rd was a repose for BigRon's arrival (delayed by doona?), then back into the pace for Central Kialla and River Rd. Eyes on the time may have set the tempo, BigRon and Bo pairing together spelt shenanigans.  It was a slog up Boundary Rd then the taste of duck soup in Channel Rd with the breeze behind, BigRon's squirt of speed beyond the cypress trees bringing us back to base with four minutes to spare.  Popularity populated the carpark, KillkennyPaul, Rocket, Jen, PistolPete, Fisky, AvantiAndy, TatPaul, Car+Mel, Shorty, Bruce, Cate, Nick, Cougar, Temple, AvantiTrev and Boof packing the positions, with newbie Rob in the rear ranks.  There was draft delight sitting in a big bunch as the rotation promoted me forward, greetings along the way while head counting, the names to be jigsawed later when the cerebrum had some free time.  Wozza's corner (still skiddish) caused caution, PistolPete drew alongside to make me work to Boundary's bacon barn.  There's an inspiring infection from Cate, Car+Mel's enthusiasm, driving forward despite the velocity to test their performance at the pointy end.   The eastern assault of Old Dookie Rd turned messy as turns varied short, long, fast and forlorn, hopes pinned on the west way home to smooth out the rough spots.  Nath arrived from road bike obscurity, maybe he's changed to AvantiAndy's coaching program of three rides a month?  The turn at the Emu infected most with rhythm, the east northeaster (perceived but later unfounded by the bureau) injecting a high 30's vaccination.  Ahead, Ange ground the 12 cog, Kel was the definition of smooth, Rocket made 40 look easy but arriving at the front is another world! Practice the poker face peeps......it intimidates your driving partner! (if that's necessary).  The sprint scenario stirred ahead of me as Ford Rd finished but my motivation lacked a motor, so took the easy way out sitting in the back seats.  Temple's role of gatekeeper turned to tow truck as a big gap opened, I cranked out of his draft to play Spakfilla, with Kel in my tow filling the hole to make it a group gasp up Mt.Wanganui.  The Rudd Rd regroup rode the Boulevard bound for breakfast (somewhat of a sprint for seats), cold feet, challenges and bike mechanics on the verbal table, protein breakfast on the breakfast table for some. 

Monday's monsoon put riding on the back burner, following Sunday's mandatory rest day the craving grew stronger.  A Continental explosion startled me in the wee small hours of Tuesday, a tube eruption through a Michelin sidewall (sliced by stone) to blame. A bolt from bed, a rapid tyre change, new tube, wolf breakfast, gulp coffee, quick kit-up, out the door.......to find showers starting!  So, back to bed bliss, but that addiction niggled.

A three day bike break seemed an eternity, at last the opportunity of a fix Wednesday morning. The chill of a west northwest cut through the base layer navigating the Boulevard to the golf course, great to be back aboard the Baum but getting legs and lungs accustomed and slowly simmering a knocking knee.  Couldabeens converged on the carpark (Bruce, Wozz, Rocket, Hoges, Cate, Hollywood, SuperMario, Cougar, AvantiTrev, PistolPete, Boof and Chops), a pacy 6am start south still didn't make the Sanctuary Park roundabout any closer.  Hoges paired up beside me for the drive to the truck route, unsettling with a little too much MTB in his technique.  North at Central Kialla with the wind at port bow was no hinderance for PistolPete and Rocket on the front, the quick canter down River Rd had several select sit-on mode.  Darkness now hounds us for most of the circuit, not till the towns edge does some light brave the day (if it can pierce the cloud cover).  The Cha Cha inspired the regular sprinters and a few sprintenders, without trying I'd managed to round up several abandoning ship in the last two hundred metres.  A small handful had long gone OTA by the school, the concerted effort to tame tempo finally had the bunch reform in town.

There was a copious carbonaria cacophony cranking to the Emu on Thursday, heartrate was at idle nudging fourty with a wicked westerly (28km/h) behind, but the forecast payback from the toaster onward preserved some fortitude for the battle ahead.  Facing the Toaster turn west (gusts of 37km/h) hit hard, what was I thinking going into battle this solo?  Chin on the headstem, even sneaking the chain onto the 18, the category two climb up the channel bridge in Old Dookie tested the limits. If you could call it recovery, the southern leg on Boundary Rd calmed the heartrate below 170, the wind at the wheels setting a WobblyTrev trajectory.   River Rd's reality (up to 43km/h of headwind) questioned my sanity, windblasted in the wide open spaces between the odd clumps of roadside trees bared teeth, summoned cusses and inflamed anger at the elements (assisted by oncoming knobs who can't dip headlights!)  Christmas arrived early turning south at River Rd's end, suddenly serenity without the wind blowing between my ears but the two kilometre holiday ended too fast, back to the grind on Mitchell, the relief of Raftery (out of the headwind) just 3k's away was the only inspiration left. A sense of achievement reaching Conrod straight, surviving solo without the aid of a bunch tow,  somewhat safer away from a bunch battered by brutal blasts.  

The Pain Train wasn't running Friday (peace prevailed), so caught the Couldabeens congregation, commuting with Jase and Wozz to join PistolPete, Boof, Shorty, Bruce, Hoges, Nick, Cougar, Bo, Chops, Kel, AvantiTrev and Temple.  A west northwest wind loaned the enthusiasm to take the helm for the long 3k shift to Sanctuary Park, the damp track from an early shower assured a squashed worm decoration we'd clean off later.  I'd almost reached the rear in River Rd but Kel, Temple, Bo, AvantiTrev and Cougar had taken up permanent residence.  Words of wicked wisdom were shared with Choppy, Hoges (in need of proper attire) still headed to the front for crucifixion (just needs to pace his turns prior to implosion). Boof and I scored the war on wind in Boundary Rd to One Tree Dam, hopes of me doing the distance with Wozz to Channel Rd were respiratorily ruined by the Broken bridges.  We tip toe'd round Wozza's corner and into Channel Rd, tempo brewing for the Cha Cha, but the call of puncture at Kinder corner shut down the sprint, sledges instead to Jase on the repairs.    PistolPete provided the pace home as a sprint substitute, concluded with the cordial commute with Cate and Boof homeward. 

Week 19 :     227km                   YTD  5,983 km

Great to hear BassoDave is out of the halo and into a chair, lightweight but steadily on the mend.

Week 18 : The sacrifice for speed

Post 343

How extravagant, the first late Saturday start for the year, what luxury the 5:45 Couldabeens commute, Wozz and I blessed with a NNE assistance too.  Fisky, Cougar, PistolPete, Car-Mel, AvantiTrev, TatPaul and Temple were the only starters, weather culling the attendees to just the loyal loonies (how the flavour changes when the ingredients are minimised).   Time had tested Nev (a watch search and rescue) and Ange, joining on the Channel Rd roll-out, Car-Mel was creaking from a two week bike break but valiantly put in a full turn anyway.  Fisky was flustered by the breeze attacking his 90mm carbon sails, the bunch bonus was having the porky palace perfume blown south of Old Dookie Rd.   The speed squeak sounded as Ange and Pistol cranked 40 (bouyed by breeze) west on Lemnos-Cosgrove,  the squeak silenced as the tempo cooled to 36 (but slowly crept up again with Nev and Temple driving).  Cat numbers had similarly sunk, sarcastic greetings swapped as our paths crossed, Bruce then Eammon and RidleyCraig joined into the rotation as we passed on our mission west.  The sprint temptation grew strong as Nev and Ange towed the bunch into the mid 40's to Wanganui hills' base, launching an effort from my prime position (3rd wheel) was easy, Bruce hitching a tow to the crest and undertaking (unaware of social sprint ethics) as Fisky crept past on my right.  The conscious habit to slow in Rudd Rd reformed the stretched crew, a social Boulevard spin bidding bye to TatPaul for work and Car-Mel for kids commitments.  Forecasting, rabbits and visibility employed the tongues tasting breakfast at the Lemontree, the social conclusion the reason to ride (or just the dessert?)

The forecast 5 degrees doesn't really prepare you for the fresh reality, bracingly Boulevard bound at 5 on Monday, attempting to get legs and lungs functional, thinking there's only about four months of this to go!   East to the Emu was an effort, I could swear the northeaster was pushing me backwards, the recorded 4-7 km/h puny puff (seen on the BOM later) was deflating.  South to the Toaster, the town's feint glow on the horizon picturesque as the h.r. tapered down from 163 bpm.   12k's back to town I intercepted the Goat peace train leavings Friars station (Brendy, Coggo, Sandy, Belly, Tina, Hommy, Speissy, Deb and MeridaJohn), all with a comment on the cold.  Half wheel Hommy lived up to his reputation at the Broken Bridges (leaving Belly behind only invoked rage), Belly's counter serve stretching the peacemakers and the friendship.   BigRon braving the cold was passed at RiverRd's dip, my part in the peleton played out with time exiting me via the truck route and Archer home.

A little spin round the golf course loop in psychiatric preparation for the Tuesday test, the northerly having somewhat favourable odds. I got that sinking feeling with speed freaks Wozz and Rocket the only carpark contenders at 5:45, it was like being on death row till Kenworth, Chops, AvantiTrev, Temple, PistolPete, Kel, BigRon, Nev and Hollywood fronted in the dying minutes. I'd paid the price of early arrival again, the 2300 metre first turn to Doyles Rd couldn't end soon enough. Hollywood had hopes pinned on a tailwind turn in Boundary, I had the task of matching Rocket to River Rd (yep, I was in that speed sandwich again!).   Bouyed by compliments from Nev, Wozz and Kel (cheque's in the mail guys!) inspired the drive with Wozz for River Rd's first k, my recovery savoured as others set forth to the front in the sacrifice for speed.   ChrisA arrived from the west, Hollywood, Kenworth, BigRon and Kel now joining Temple and AvantiTrev (the unseen) in the caboose.  Pistol fired at the front in Mitchell Rd (Wozz bordering on boom! to keep pace), backed up by ChrisA, Nev and Rocket meant overtime for the circuit's remainder.  Seems Galbraith's Gate has become a neural nemisis, my last hurrah at the hurt end when the little voices cry "Enough!" and survival in the draft takes over.  Rocket, Wozz, Pistol, ChrisA and Nev captained the Conrod thrash, peeking at 180 bpm on my Garmin flattened faith, sight of the 60km/h sign quickly drawing near, the only salvation. 

An early solo gives the freedom to plot my own pace and course, a 20k Soup Tin loop was something different (New Dookie-Lemnos North & Ford Rd's), a dark and damp track fighting a headwind back toward town, the Wanganui-Golf Course extension putting some hurry into the heart rate to rendezvous with Wozz at 5:45.  The commute to the Couldabeens was used as recovery, specs steaming up at the carpark (from the warmth of Cate & Car+Mel's welcome?) to welcome back Boof from an appendix malfunction, Tuesday night's wash-out bringing Paul VanP along.  AvantiTrev, Hollywood, Rocket, Jase, PistolPete, Bruce, Cougar, Shorty, Hoges and Nick filled the positions to set sail south, I held station mid field for a change as the rows paired, doing a little puddle dodging through the damp atmosphere. BamBam joined in from a reverse loop, I reached the rotational rear in Mitchell Rd to be Shorty showered from puddles of precipitation. Turns went short and long in River Rd, sitting in the Shorty / Hollywood sandwich at a tasty tempo, Ange's holler as always subtle from the seats of the Cat pack bearing west.  Wozza's pristine corner had been soiled with loose gravel, Shorty showing drift skills on the entry to Channel Rd.   Back on the bunch tail (with 15 ahead) and within sight of the Kinder seemed a prime placement for the Cha Cha, but quick turns by several (realising the reality of rapidity, retired respiratorily ruined) returned me to the front just 800 metres later.  Threading my way through the puddles, I hit full steam ahead with Hollywood hanging onto the tow, the Rocket and Wozz juggernaut swamping us both in the closing 200 metres to relegate us to "tried and failed". 

An anticlockwise prologue on Thursday (to even out the Michelin wear with some left turns) on Channel-Boundary-OldDookie, planning to intercept the Goat herd back in town.  A north northeaster punished me on Channel and swung NNE to torture on Boundary, guaranteed to glue me to the 17 cog to make progress (78 rpm like an old record).   It was a pleasure to turn west back to town, timing the Friars arrival to perfection (5:56) as Principal Skinner, Coggo, Heady, Belly, Sandy, Joe, Deb, Speissy, Hommy, Dipper, AvantiLeigh and Phil berthed.  Tina and Geoffrey got aboard on the exit from town, Hommy hit the front fast, rubber-banding the bunch to Boundary, Belly bemused by the bolt.  Tina, AvantiLeigh, Carl and I set about settling the speed to steady, a dull and dreary sky but 13 degrees with the breeze behind wasn't so bad.  Speed simmered in the high thirties stacked against the wind in River Rd, Hommy hammering ahead again but was hung out to dry as payback.  Pairing with Carl to the bridge and AvantiLeigh to Rivers end pickled my pulminories, then the hang on for Coggo's drive to Mitchell attempting some sort of recovery.  Carl and I took the bunch gently up to speed after a traffic intermission at the highway, rigour resolving me to resist the sprint by Galbraith's gate (sitting on as gatekeeper), calling Coggo, AvantiLeigh, Dipper, Belly and Carl to circulate.  Hommy's last hurrah (hernia?) suddenly inspired me to shoot forward at Conrod's dip, the headwind hurting, the gap opened on Hommy, hilarious!  Carl, Coggo and co had the horsepower to finish when my elbow signed off, a Tina tow to the finish the satisfying sequel. 

Tapping the snooze button twice is one of life's little luxuries, a sumptuous slumber till 5:15, porridge in the tank then off to join a social Couldabeens lap, quite a change from the usual Friday train of pain.  A northeaster even helped Wozz and I to the carpark, Bruce, Nick, CatKev, Rocket, PistolPete, Boof, Hollywood, Cate, Kenworth, Cougar, Chops, Jen, Eammon, AvantiTrev, Kel, BigRon and Temple populated the grid.  Traffic split the bunch exit, half a dozen half a k ahead to catch for those of us in the rear ranks.  Wozz and I took the towing task hauling the dispossessed back to the frontline, bumping up the heart rate early.  Too soon I was promoted to the front, with Kenworth to Mitchell Rd then the follow up with Rocket to reach Central Kialla (against the NE'er) had the shovel out (in spades) to dig deep urging the legs onward (recovery in the tow of 18 others a motivational carrot)   A brief yarn with surprise additions CatKev and Eammon (unseen on the starting grid) on the up line as I was shuffled back toward the caboose, chuckled at Choppy's chirpy chatter and watched Eammon braving the breezy end (but imploded).   The Goat Pain Train was viewed from the other direction this morning, one OTA at half distance (only 5 remained from 8 starters I'm told).  It was a grind into the wind up Boundary Rd but a beaut drive along Channel with main sails hoisted, I was happy to crank midfield in the Cha Cha as the usual hopefuls tried to stay close to Wozz and Rocket, a social spin home the contented conclusion 

Week 18 :   335km.            YTD 5,756km.

Just a bit astonished and humbled to see 30,000 page views clock up on this weekly scribble. Thanks go to the regular readers in the Ukraine, China, Portugal, USA etc, particularly to all the Oz addicts and the personal feedback from the characters out on the circuits. There's therapy in sharing this bike addiction, the roll calls have been a work out for the grey cells too. Should I continue?