Week35: Skipping social stimuli

Post 360

Saturday 27th August

Motivation and obsession combined to saddle up in 2 degrees at 4:45, Strava's August Gran Fondo and distance challenges drove a prologue solo (Archer-Mitchell-Central Kialla-River-Boundary and Channel), minus the performance pressure where I could slowly drag the old engine up to pace, carving through a patchy fog like the Doctor Who intro.  After 34k of listening to my cognitive content, social sustinance was well overdue, arriving at the Archer St shop to join the back of the bunch.  Tis now the peloton of popularity with Temple, Pistol, Cougar, KillkennyPaul, Wozz, Jase, Trav, AvantiTrev, Car+Mel, Cate, HBK, Ange, Kel, ChrisA, Bruce, Boof, TatPaul, SuperMario and Popgun (contravening Velominati rule #17.... BMC jersey doesn't go aboard an Avanti).   There was rubber-banding at the back on take-off, the bunch gradually settling into a rhythm in the first k's, I started to memorise heads on my promotion forward out Channel Rd.  2 to 3 extra minutes daylight each day is adding up, moods lifting, but not the temperature.  Startled by Boof's bike dramatically spitting a stone sideways at the S bend, I eventually braved the front with the doyen of dapper, PistolPete, the reality of slicing the atmosphere always harder than guessed when at second wheel.   HBK's sarcasm saturated the air, half biking Ange who, like most, tolerates the insult.  Car's tongue-tied corona?cantata?corolla?.....canola! yellowed the eastern drive to the Toaster, the day's first light from Mt Major well worth crawling out from under the doona for (eh Softa? Oops! He's still under it!)  Just two Cats were on the old 6:30 lap as we worked west on the last of Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, Pistol's bidon jumped ship over the railway line at Grahamvale Rd, causing a little calm to reform before the storm of the Wanganui hill.  Barely half my Gran Fondo distance covered kept me away from the sprint, quite the bag of mixed lollies midfield as some faded and others flourished, Boof and ChrisA thrashing out the battle for the Hill's chocolates.  It was quite difficult to exit the Saturday social stimuli and skip Lemontree's breakfast, but with Cate and Mel's impish grins and charming encouragement, I peeled off with TatPaul to labour a further loop.   West along the Midland highway, TatPaul and I swapped single filed turns against the light headwind (11km/h), a few passing cars donating a few seconds draft. Too soon, Dhurringile Rd appeared drawing TatPaul to Tat, and leaving me solo for the slog to Byrneside.  A muesli bar chewed put psychological fuel in the tank, a push northwest onto Kyabram Rd to then relish the billiard table tarmac to Merrigum (3 people flooded the footpaths).  A symphony of secateurs sounded through the orchards pruning, 100k clicking over at "The Munsters"-like 1893 "Karlsruhe" mansion for the turn east at Lancaster.   Campaspie Shire's roads are streets ahead (pardon the pun), the COGS sign near Undera signalled the instant return of pot-holes aplenty. 13 long k's of coarse tarmac back to the Echuca-Mooroopna Rd seemed interminable (must remember the butt butter next long distance tackled!), at least the breeze behind was in my favour. The mental taste of Mandy's banana & walnut toast kept the mind off the distance and the pace on to Mooroopna, back into town satisfied with 137 k's clicked and Strava challenges ticked. A bit of table swapping from Adams Family (Col, Pat, IrishTony, Hoffy and TurboTongue) to Goats (Coggo, Dipper, Jen, AvantiAndy, Joe, Spartacus, Phil and Brendan) fuelled the social tank as the fuel tank filled.

Monday 29th August

A piece of peace train was best suited Monday, Brendan, Joe, Dipper, Coggo and Phil the only Goats fronting Friars. It was some effort to drive beside Coggo toward Boundary Rd, surely an easterly was to blame for my legs lament? (a figment of the forecast apparently).  Most made abbreviated appearances at the front, Coggo the only one doing full length episodes, and I was silly enough to do likewise! Far easier headed west on River Rd (yet the bureau said calm) but my usual time constraints called an early exit as Rooster appeared in the fading metres of River Rd.  The rising sun lit the tops of Archer Rd's canola to put value in the morning, a misting of fog making it the stuff of postcards. The draft from 7am commuters got me home with time to quaff caffeine before duty at the coal face.

Tuesday 30th August

An attempt to birth the bunnies (several seeking solace betwixt turtles and hares) had a few labour pains Tuesday, a 5:45 start drawing a few turtles keen for a teamwork tap. Rare sightings of Nick and Jen (emerging from hibernation?) were welcomed as diplomacy ruled to bunch together, the east northeasterly was to wear down any who fronted the business end.  Temple, Kenworth, HBK, AvantiTrev and I were handed the helm, Jen, Nick and Cougar sharing the caboose. HBK whole biked Kenworth on the Boundary Rd bridge leg, AvantiTrev tried to level to one tree dam, my effort was spent on levelling with Trev when he rolled across (not that HBK would take that hint).  The helmsmen all fronted for a second shift in River, my drive with Temple for Central Kialla turned an ear to our breathing differences (zoning in on slowing my own helped).  The lights of Hares closing in behind kept the pace up, Rocket, Huddo, PistolPete, Wozz, Bruce, Robbo, Kel, BigRon and Bo passing as we crossed Archer Rd.  The hares drew into the distance on Raftery Rd, HBK again pulled a length clear at Galbraiths gate, but I held station with an eye on keeping the lengthening tailend together. To the front at Arcadia Downs, I tried to cool the tempo (and avoid acerbic aspersions) so all stayed in touch, the final 300 too tempting for Kenworth and HBK, a thrash to the line for the honours.

Wednesday 31st August

A 4:45 Tour de Toilette confirmed the bureau's prediction of damp, only amphibians would be out in Wednesday's weather (BamBam and PistolPete). With the months' challenges ticked, a return to the cot seemed indulgent, thoughts reclining on the forthcoming Fruitloop.

Thursday 1st September

A tiny cleat adjustment made a huge comfort difference as the new month (and season) prompted prologues beginning again, double digit temperatures meant one less layer, minimising the Bibendum (the Michelin man) feeling.  10k of Rudd, Wanganui and Verney put optimism on the map for the Thursday thrash.  Went with Wozz south to the shop to find Hoges, Kel, Bruce, Pistol, BigRon, Robbo,  Bo, Shorty, Rocket, Trav and Huddo, but Cougar, Nick and BigMat departed early on a more manageable mission. The 5:50 flag fell for Wozz and I to lead leg one, Wozz graciously halving the first shift, making my survival to Doyle's Rd, then adjusting to Hoges' tricky trajectory in his tow.   Kel captained the caboose but Shorty, Trav and BigRon stepped forward amongst the big artillery. I'd almost calmed the heart rate below 160 when another turn came up at the business end, with Wozz at One Tree Dam to River Rd, then Rivers' first k with Hoges.  Huddo and Bo started half wheel wars which sorted the hares from the bunnies, the rear ranks taking on permanent residents (BigRon, Shorty, Kel and me) as velocity quickly altered previous decisions. Passing the three led's ahead at the bridge had a Janet Leigh sensation, Robbo, Rocket, Wozz and Boof driving a hard bargain through Central Kialla.   Raftery Rd witnessed the rare sight of Pistol, Hoges and Bruce retire from active duty, Huddo murdering the big gears toward Arcadia Downs.  Kudos to my old legs that kept on giving when the head kept asking for more, just enough to hang onto midfield and deliver me to the 60 sign at Steptoe's. 

Friday 2nd September

A 10k block of Numurkah, Ford, Grahamvale and New Dookie Rd's limbered limbs for Friday's frivolities.  I joined Wozz and Cate for a social sojourn to the Couldabeens grid, Huddo, Boof, Robbo, PistolPete, Bruce, Chops, Shorty, AvantiTrev, Kel, BigRon and Bo rolled in, the comeback kids SuperMario, Hollywood and Nick highlighting a Spring revival.  Different to have Huddo and Robbo at the helm to start Archers' southern leg, the early delights of daylight enlightening the lap, FDC's Troy, BamBam and Pelly blending in on leg three to Mitchell.  Hollywood and SuperMario braved the front despite recent hibernation, in just a week or three they'll find former form (unless the deadly doona disease strikes again!)   The Cat train lengthens as the days do, I'd drawn the swift straw between Wozz and Pistol (I'll learn to pick position one day!)   Almost to River Rd's end when the Goat pain train rounded the bend, Belly already a k OTA, thanks to holidays and Guinness.  I was nearing the bunch front beyond Channel Rd's S bend (with a Robbo and Huddo standard to uphold), pairing with Wozz at the cypress tree bend the bpm bumped from 145 to 178 for the 700 metre turn, another 600 beside Pistol pickling me at 40.  With little left to keep in touch beyond Kinder corner I was shuffled down the ranks, BigRon did a rapid roll triggering a single file flog to Prentice Rd.   By ChaCha's end I was second last with BigRon behind (Boof victorious), no matter, the bunch gathering at the school for the social roll home.  

Week 35    312 km.          YTD 10,745km.   

Best wishes to Nev, Kev, Trudy, Trent, Tina and MachineSteve for the weekends' World Masters in Perth. 

Week 34 : Silence, sweat and suffering and the Nero neurosis

Post 359

Saturday 20th August

There was a long hard search for a positive outlook with the forecast threatening the Sam Miranda Gran Fondo.  Rain was on the agenda but Boof, Wozz, PistolPete and I were stubborn enough (entry fees already paid) to head over to Oxley for the 8:30 off.  6.5 degrees, a damp road, a category three climb on dirt amongst the sealed rolling hills, 247 entrants, snow possible down to 800 metres and 0.9mm of promised rain certainly challenged the resolve, but there's always something to entertain on these events.  A quagmire carpark, the rider parking next door lights up a smoke, bikes on the start line with pack racks and kick stands, one bloke riding in a sleeveless football jersey, even the StravaStalker signing on at the registration desk, made multiple "What the?!"   Away at 8:30 in the third wave, we were soon into a rhythm on the Snow Road, some over-enthused powering past being dealt a dose of reality later.  It was smooth sailing south on the Wanagratta-Kilfeera Rd with a light northwester behind, expired kanga's and wombats aplenty roadside as we closed in on the over-enthused and those on waves one and two.  The first three rises on the route to Greta South tested this flatlander, off the back of the three Couldabeens to tap away in my own headspace, saving a little wattage for the bigger bumps ahead.  The turn onto the gravel of Bullocks Lane brought home the reality of the last two events here, picking a smooth line through pot holes, gravel and ejected bidons till back on the terra firma of Benalla-Whitfield Rd.   A few more uphills relegated me solo to h.t.f.u. for the Myrrhee pinch, but the event photographer wasn't going to catch me with my tongue dragging on the ground this year, composure swiftly summoned for the snap, then quickly back to gasping, wheezing and straining to the top.  A light misting of rain chilled the short descent to Myrrhee, a turn right with a brief bliss of another 500 metres downhill, then the 4.5k gravel ascent of the Strade Nero (590 metres).  Winter rains have etched deep grooves into the corners, the rear wheel playing skippy as I ground away on the 56/25 at 42rpm (an annual self imposed challenge). Mood lifted as I reeled in a few riders ahead (they were cheating on the little chainring!), the mist and sloppy grey mud adorning kit and bike to mimic a cyclocross. (do you get that on Zwift?)   Pushing through the cloud, with thoughts wandering to more pleasant matters, the peak came slowly into view (180bpm), Boof, Pistol and Wozz waiting (5 min) at the top amped up the achievement more so. (thanks for waiting lads :)   7k of sealed descent into Whitfield through a chilly and misty atmosphere was made treacherous on a slimy and bumpy surface, feeling the tyres squirm on the corners kept the brakes in good use (sounding like sandpaper from the Nero's grit).  A new loop around Cheshunt and Edi Upper introduced gravel episode three (did we really need more?), nothing like last years "hell of the north-east", but plenty 'o pot-holes to dodge kept eyes off the King Valley's beauty.  Three Commerado's sailed by on the Edi rise, a few k's later us flatlanders sailed by them on the level. (horses for courses?)  Moyhu appeared as our foursome became a dozen, gaining girls and boys including the StravaStalker :/  Working together kept the pace on, the final 30k tough, single filed into the strengthening northwester (28km/h).   A couple of turns at the pointy end jellied my legs to sit out the last 20 in the tow, Boof and Pistol moving forward for punishment with Wozz driving the lions share back to Oxley.  Distance had wearied the group down to eight, concentration lapsing in some with a slight touch of wheels (thankfully the lass keeping upright).  Finally the finish chute came into sight, chuffed at a top 20 finish (3:46:46) with the great support of three mates, a change of clothes and a hearty feed washed down with a brew made us feel human again, our struggle nothing compared to the 211th finisher (across the line in 7:38:51)

Monday 22nd August

A quiet lap of New Dookie, Boundary and Old Dookie Roads was tapped gently Monday, legs legarthic from Fondo fervour.   Even a few k's of Old Dookie Rd vanished as I zoned out on the world, the towns edge suddenly upon me before I knew it.   Only Phil, Tina and Coggo had lined up at Friars, Coggo calling an Indian file at Dobsons bridge, dialling up the pace till my rectus femorus recalled the Strade Nero neurosis.  Tina's headlight had gone to lunch so sat in as rear gunner (she'd earned her stripes yesterday with a fine 3rd in the C grade Kelly Country Road Race).   Phil's squeezing time and work to fit a few laps in, gradually paying dividends from going OTA just a few weeks ago. A breeze assisted Boundary enthused Coggo into the high 30's, its almost a pleasure puffing in his fluid and unflappable draft. (how easy is speed with a smooth and steady metronome ahead, thoughts rewound to the diabolical days of WobblyTrev!)   Damp and dry sections hinted at patchy showers earlier, there'd be little rest from bike cleaning again!   Cold puddle water up the inside leg caused a gasp on my exit via the truck route, a push against the wind 12k's home was rewarded with four minutes to spare (for toast :)

Tuesday 23rd August

The tactics of a late arrival to the Tuesday turtles grid dissolved, the front rows retreating rearward to leave Temple and I to face the first shift, leg 2 to Orrvale seemed longer matching the young ChrisA. HBK, AvantiMat, AvantiTrev, Mel and Cougar made up the turtle troupe headed east on a foggy Channel Rd, 3 degrees a reminder winters grip hasn't let go yet.   AvantiTrev pulled back on the reigns of pace after Mel's drive at the cypress trees, only making Temple, ChrisA, HBK and I gnaw at the bit.  Up went the tempo for Boundary Rd, HBK had a front Ridley rattle rounding River Rd but it sounded like a squeak from the rear as he pressed the throttle.  There was plenty of chat a k later (obviously not fast enough?) with long turns at the front by Temple, ChrisA and HBK. (I spy Hollywood reacquainted with his bike  eastward). Temple set a swift standard on the southern leg to Mitchell Rd, but ChrisA had resigned to the rear, replaced by HBK to HBK me!  Almost a whole bike ahead (and glancing back to bait me) quickly fuelled a payback, half wheel wars were on till Archer Rd, then a truce called seeing a big gap back to the bunch.   It was left to AvantiMat, me and HBK to drive Raftery Rd, Temple denied access to the front by HBK raising the stakes.  A turn from Arcadia Downs to Conrod, then I tucked in for a tow till HBK faded at the front.  At the 300 mark I took the plunge, ChrisA was nipping at my wheels but I managed to take the chocolates for a birthday present. 

Wednesday 24th August

Feeling fresh from Wednesday's 2 degrees (and a holiday from prologues), I found Wozz and Rocket at the main drag rendezvous, Mel and Cate a k south for a crisp crank to the carpark, comeback kids BigMat and Hollywood stood out (in profile) from Shorty, Boof, Pistol, Chops, AvantiMat, AvantiTrev, BigRon, Softa and Cougar.  There was quite the shuffle behind Hollywood's opening salvo, Grumpy, BamBam, Troy and Pelly appearing on leg 3.  Two long lines of ten speared through the sharp morning air (Cate short knicks tough but odd gloved), a little pre dawn light showing the ever enlarging pothole at River Rd's dip.  A customary passing Poppa prose and on to Boundary, the Wozz and Rocket wattage silencing the critic. A few ruled out the advance to the front in Channel Rd, Tum found roadside beyond the cypress trees appearing to fix a flat, wheels wonky and wrist awry from a roo wrestle, but wifey to the wescue!  Position in the up-line at Kinder corner was going to throw me in the deep end early, Softa had a last moment reality check of the driving duty and looked for an escape route (throwing a spanner in the rhythm of the bunch behind). 100 metres shy of Prentice Rd was my moment, no hope with 800 to go so all effort went into the 13 cog to stretch the bunch, Mel magnetised to my wheel in a birthday blitz but the big boys loomed behind to pounce, Boof off the Syncros seat leading a merry dance to the finish. (even BigMat emerged from the full lap tow for a piece of the action)  An ADO allowed post ride caffiene with 8, club politics, insurance and government rorts too and fro across the table. 

Thursday 25th August

A new pair of Easton Giro shoes put a spring in my step, but they didn't help the push into an 18 km/h south southwester to the Couldabeens carpark.  The mix of PistolPete, Wozz, Hoges, Nev, BigRon, Roxket, Kel, Bo, Shorty, Trav, AvantiTrev,  Huddo and Robbo sidelined a social soirée, silence, sweat and suffering on the schedule today.  The price of early arrival was paid by leading the first (and longest) turn to Doyle's, Wozz most kind in pairing and old engine slowly up to speed.  Bigger engines moved up the ranks, my inferiority complexes not too damaged as the speed stayed similar.  Blood and bone on the veggies near the cypress trees was ordinary on the olfactories, Kel rolled a short turn, AvantiTrev and Trav in the caboose speechless. I almost consulted a therapist before joining the up line, the testing tempo between Pistol and Wozz tormented temporal temperaments.  Shorty and Rocket then Huddo braved Boundary's breeze, Huddo grinding the big gears to River Rd.  Promoted further to the front, I planned a short stay, the reality arriving at the business end said half that was enough!  Keen to keep the rhythm I called Wozz straight over, my heartrate on an unending escalator to 180 bpm in an effort to keep the line unbroken.  Kel, Shorty AvantiTrev and Trav (like me) were playing sensible in the rear ranks as the sultans of speed rolled turns in the fourties, asking more of lungs and legs as the pace percolated caused an internal jihad, the head wanting results, the legs wanting rest.  BigRon and Bo were spent by Dave's Dip, Hoges disembarking at Melbourne Rd.  There was 5k's of Raftery Rd to hang on while Nev, Rocket, Wozz, Pistol, Robbo and Huddo swapped sacrifices, it seemed eternal till Conrod came into view, then to search for even more wattage to stay in the draft of the sprint. Steptoe's finish line was bliss ending the hurt, near to 39 average explaining the rubber legs.

Friday 26th August

Another breathtaking (feels like -2.4 degrees) start to the day, ye olde right knee protesting at movement till arriving at the Couldabeens grid.   Temperature, no doubt, had scuttled many comeback plans, but Chops, Kenworth, Wozz, Rocket, Boof, Pistol, Shorty, AvantiMat, AvantiTrev, Nev and Bruce formed in the three minutes till six.  A super smooth Wozza start, the FDC formation of Ralphy, BamBam, Troy, Pelly and Sosso waiting to join on leg 3.  Dawn almost measurably sooner puts confidence back in the lap, my team-up with Boof to the River Rd bridge shortened a little as Boof faded, Kenworth's turn a little shy too, but how good is his draft when the next turn rolled!  The FDC's advanced for their shift, long-time-no-chat with Sosso who's made great strides with speed.   On the brisk belt up Boundary Rd I pondered my position, fifth wheel by the Channel Rd S bend put me in the drivers seat way too early for ChaCha contention. (not that I could count on a place in this grid). I hit the front at Hopeful corner, Shorty saving my bacon rolling at Prentice Rd, just as the big caliber artillery lined up for a sprint shot (Rocket ruled).  A chilled roll home with Boof and Kenworth, mentally mapping an August 130 Gran Fondo route.

Week 34.   322km.          YTD 10,433km

Week 33: Blaming Fausto Coppi

Post 358

Saturday 13th August

Minutes flew preparing for Saturday's early circuit, suddenly late for the arranged meet with Wozz put pace on the priority, catching him just as he departed south at 4:46. An undetected overnight shower glossed the road promising bike cleaning habits won't be forgotten.  The 5am grid drew Rocket, Bruce and Trav to AMart, the light NE-ENE breeze should have made my turn at the front easy but legs and lungs laboured on the leg to Arcadia Downs, almost ready for retirement when Bruce saved the day rolling over at Galbraiths gate. Recovery was sweet in the Wozz & Rocket tow along Mitchell, an Ange addition at Archer aiding.  I stretched my mental barriers up to River Rd with Wozz and Bruce to the channel bridge, getting out of the ENE'er and back into the draft, a delight.  Trav was misfiring but Ange was running on all cylinders for our journey east, my head convincing legs to pair again with Wozz for the 3k stretch to Channel. Westward back to town and between two rows of Cha Cha puddles for an early seat on the Saturday train, a few foreigners inflating the numbers (thoughts down memory lane to the usual dozen who once assembled), popularity (and politics?) altering the routine (for the better?).    Kel, Boof, Shorty, Bo, TatPaul, Cate, Car+Mel, Pistol, Temple, AvantiTrev, HBK, Cougar, Tina, Jase and Rocket set sail at six, Shorty the puddle master baptising any who dared follow. I was caught coy in cute company of Cate, Car+Mel, attempting to get a fix on our foreigners (eventually identified as Mark, Gerrard and Tony).  Hopes of being towed to the Toaster were burnt when a turn came up quickly at the cypress trees, Pistol and Ange were full steam ahead in Boundary until Ange punctured at the fig farm (though our foreigners continued disregarding the team ideology). Repaired in record time (Quick Kel in the crew), it was onto the Toaster and the Emu (catching the ambling foreigners), a perceived tailwind building enthusiasm west from the Emu.  HBK was spinning dervishly on the 23 cog but Jase introduced puncture #2 to the pack, the halt spent discussing bunch ancestry with Car. The deck shuffled again on the restart (Temple keen to avoid Gerrard's nasal nuance), puddles anointing the pilgrims progress in Ford Rd.  Speed and hopes built as Wanganui drew near, our foreigners deporting south to town. Turns were rolling rapidly by DECA's driveway, Temple then me then Shorty took the helm, Wozz then Pistol turning up the real heat with a long drive to Kittles Rd. Bruce and Boof launched an all out wheel to wheel thrash at the top of the hill as I clawed my way to third, Bruce buckling in the dying metres to hand Boof the chocolates.  An enthused dash to the base camp scored many a Strava cup, the Lemontree chat centred on dental perfection, Fruitloop & Tat200 plans and the digestive system (ironically) over breakfast.

Sunday 14th August

I motivated myself into a Sunday solo, real rhythm found away from a bunch tow and short bursts at the front, a chance to educate heart, lungs and head on sustained pace albeit downsized from bunch averages.  Don't look at the temperature Foss!, better to gloat in the accomplishment afterward than retreat from reality. (2 degrees discovered later)  I got the head into the groove tapping out to the Emu, a great start to the day with a feint Lampre dawn (pale blue and pink on the horizon), a signal of spring with canola starting to bloom (and the evil eye from roadside magpies tells me bombing raids will start soon!) Glued to the 17 cog (78 rpm) suited the heartrate (145 bpm), content to flatline the Garmin graph in preparation for next Saturday's Grand Fondo.  Quite a change to tap a lap in daylight, a mood lifter after a long, dark and cold winter.  A whiff of toast then bacon from PistolPete's neighbours set the appetite going in Mitchell Rd, back into town enjoying one of life's simple pleasures, coffee and banana toast as a post ride treat.

Monday 15th August

The bureau promised an 8 degree start but Mother Nature only served up 2.5.....I want my money back!  Round the golf course loop at 5:20, at the Verney Rd roundabout finding KillkennyPaul, fighting the final foibles of flu. (He's at least a hundred times tougher than Softa who pulled the pin, cowering under his cuddly soft doona tucked in tight with his teddybear).  Fog curtained Ford and Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, seemed like pushing through porridge all the way to the Emu.  Another scenic sunrise soothed the eyeballs, fog and an orange sky sandwiching the horizon as we tapped Boundary Rd. Killkenny Paul seems at one with his new Felt, keen to make up for lost k's and indulge in two wheeled recreation. Back to town via Channel Rd never straying from zones 2 and 3 made a sublime start to the working week.

Wednesday 17th August

Justifying the early laps in pursuit of k's, I hung the blame on Fausto Coppi (5 times Giro, 2 times TdeF winner) who's reply to a cadet journalists question on the three secrets to his success was, "Ride your bike, ride your bike AND ride your bike".  An early southwester pushed me out Ford Rd with work to do on Grahamvale and Old Dookie roads back to town, but I felt surprisingly good (maybe after Tuesday off?).   Met Wozz in the usual spot, every traffic light halting us on the route to the Couldabeens.  The carpark filled from the half way mark again, (many half scared at doing a turn?)  KillkennyPaul, Softa, Cougar, Temple, Rocket, HBK, Shorty, Ralphy, Pistol, AvantiTrev, Boof, Kel, Bo, BamBam, Chops, BigRon and Nev filled the grid, the same old soldiers offering up an early turn (Wozz, Pistol, Rocket, Boof etc), the fearful clutching at the apron strings behind. A few foreigners had infiltrated the bunch (Grumpy, Huddo, Mitch and Robbo), AvantiMat joining on leg 2 to make two dozen.  Pistol turned up the tempo in Kialla Central (Grumpy's Cat kit waving a red flag to Pistol?), a little unease with a long bunch hurtling toward the River Rd pot-hole, but we safely passed as Poppa projected proliferous pronouns from the westward Cat pack. Sprint tactics were being formulated as early as Boundary Rd (a messy end predicted with foreign forces thrown into the recipe). I was jammed within a long caboose of "no-way-not-going-up-there-to-do-a-turn" passengers, but eventually wormed my way into the up line at the cypress trees on HBK's wheel.  Shorty found himself at the pointy end early again, Rocket lit the afterburners at Hopeful corner to stretch the bunch into 'fasters'and 'finishers', I'd moved up (190bpm) to give Pistol a break when Boof bolted, a handful of hopefuls charging from behind demoting most to "tried and failed". 

Thursday 18th August

9 long k's out to the Pine Lodge church into an 13 km/h ENE'er, doggedly trying to keep 30 on the speedo while the heartrate climbed (closer to surrender?), just one passing B double felt like Christmas!  Ah, the serenity steering south, the wind stopped howling between my ears, now assisting the passage to Boundary Rd from the Toaster.  Down Channel Rd in search of Couldabeens, I got through the S bends to find the Turtle squad (Temple, AvantiTrev, Softa and KillkennyPaul) single filed attacking the northeaster.  I'd been nominated to drive the southbound leg, an echelon education needed for River Rd against the breeze. Hoges was caught on the turn toward Kialla Central, road bike found punctured so was aboard the MTB!  I put some spice into driving south, KillkennyPaul needing a hand with wind direction for Mitchell Rd, recovering at 2nd wheel not working for him after a turn at the front. Temple and AvantiTrev put in a decent tow, Hoges howling the 1.9" dirt tyres at the back. Softa had five in the gutter as we rounded Galbraiths gate, so I took the helm as a 'how to', riding the white line for five to survive in the diagonal draft to Conrod's end, (too tempting for Hoges, spurred to sprint the last 50 metres)

Friday 19th August

Plodded and pondered pensively through porridge at 5, just the standard lap at 6 today felt strangely "normal" (taking it easy on the legs for tomorrow's Sam Miranda Grand Fondo).  Wozz, Cate, Bruce, AvantiMat, AvantiTrev, Chops, HBK and Pistol assembled in mild (14 degrees) but windy (NNE @ 26-39 km/h) conditions, enough to bring summers shorts out of a few closets but scare many riders away. Bruce took the reigns to the roundabout, I was happy to pair with Wozz then Pistol with the wind in favour, a perverse pleasure watching HBK being half wheeled by Pistol on the Mitchell leg.  Cate, AvantiMat and AvantiTrev shouldered the headwind through Central Kialla, nothing easy about my last two k of River on the front with Wozz and Pistol, a small orange window of daybreak in a threatening grey curtain of cloud keeping thoughts distracted.  Pistol punished HBK again in Boundary, I'm told only a few are allowed to half wheel the half bike king.  Collective sighs of relief turning into Channel Rd for the 9k's back to town, I'd hoped the sprint was off the agenda but Bruce and Pistol have an auto reflex action seeing a smooth 1.3k's of Cha Cha stretched out ahead. A burst into the high fourties earned a slice of toast, the slog of a headwind home made it two. 

Week 33 :     309km.         YTD 10,111km

If you need inspiration, watch Amanda Coker's attempt at the highest annual mileage record, the U.S. 24 year old is currently on day 91 and has clocked 33,353km (averaging 365k/day). 122,432k to beat. And I thought I had issues! Check out her incredible history and goal on <goamandacoker.com>

Week 32 : A mental hillness

Post 357

Saturday 6th August

Hooray for Saturday, social stimuli to enjoy and post ride time not possible weekdays. Curbing, or at least calming the prologue habit to a tame 16k prior to 6am, Old Dookie, Central and Poplar as a new course to get me to the grid on time. Again the bunch swelled with punters contrary to the cool conditions, a field of Jase, Tina, Jonesy, Trude, TatPaul, Jen, Nev, Pistol, Boof, Shorty, AvantiTrev, AvantiMat, Temple, Cougar, Cate, Car+Mel, Trav, KillkennyPaul, Softa, Kel, AvantiRob, Chops and HBK filling the carpark.  TatPaul and I drove leg one gradually up to pace, battling breaths beside Boof to Orrvale Rd before reclining in the social tow till my next appearance at the helm was due.  BigRon, Rocket and Bo were awol (hydration overload), sarcasm to and fro with HBK, Temple tenaciously back from last weeks taxi tangle, Car out of the gym and into the reality of real riding (not the fake folly that is Zwift), Jen's mojo apparently working by the power of suggestion.   Only four Cats cranked east at the main eastern channel, my rear brake break was favouring the front as a small rim fracture was pulsing the rear brake lever, a re-rim soon of the Cosmic (probably got my money's worth lasting 126,000 k's)   Sitting on the bunch's tail as two rows speared into Wanganui Rd swelled my optimism for hope up the hill, up to third wheel at DECA's test track when Pistol fired the lead-out shot couldn't be better. Speed shifted us single file, and waiting for Pistols fuse to fade, my launch at Kittles Rd seemed to have gapped the group by the hills crest. (alas unheard in my draft, Boof bolted by as if I'd stopped). Oh well, second certainly satisfactory as I gobbled the oxygen in Rudd Rd's recovery.  Highest annual mileage record attempts, the forthcoming Fruitloop and punctures occupied the jaw between bites of poached eggs and avocado at the Lemontree base station. 

Sunday 7th August

Had a few days to spend in central Victoria so seized the chance of exploring the Castlemaine byways by Baum.  Saddled up Sunday at 6:30 to crank the old Calder highway from Harcourt northbound, up hill and down dale quite foreign to this fossilised flatlander, the expectation of a steady pace chucked out as inclines messed up momentum.  Over the M.79 and Maldon bound, the headlight shone on the road angling gradually upward, but just beyond the lumens reach a sharp and nasty 500 metre pinch (Fogherty's Gap) caught me napping on the 56/25.  Momentum dropped suddenly, no time to swap to the little ring (against my religion anyway!) so off the Fizik to pound the creaking cranks (42rpm), chain groaning and heartrate soaring (185).  The road reached to the blackened sky, sheer stubbornness and anger defying defeat driving me to the top, suffering a mental hillness on the crest. A decent descent was rich reward for a k or two, ego soothed by a long spell in the fourties as the road snaked to Walmer, an audience of grey kangaroos at the fence line questioning my sanity.  A few minor inclines put a sting in the legs and lungs, at least some daylight showed the coast clear of chaotic climbs.  The rusting dredge and dragline at Porcupine Flat signalled Maldon was near, ye olde "first notable town" was sound asleep in its goldfields architecture. Onto Castlemaine-Maldon Rd and down through Gower, sunlight now mentally warming me to Muckleford, the rolling landscape, a rusting shearing shed and restored miners cottages far sweeter scenery than the usual dull orchards and channels.  Onto the Midland highway and into Castlemaine, caffeine was craved, Saffs (the only one open) serving a beautiful brew in a serene sunlit street.  All too soon, normal life beckoned a return to Harcourt base station, an 8k uphill tap back finalising fifty. 

Tuesday 9th August

Back on level ground Tuesday, but a northeaster blew to guarantee a grizzle. A little 12k prelude to a 5:40 Turtles tap, hopes left hanging in an empty carpark at 5:37 till ChrisA, Temple, HBK and Jase rolled in.  It felt a hard slog into the northeaster on Channel Rd for leg one, ChrisA thankfully playing fair to the truck route, seeming even fairer on HBK to Orrvale Rd.   Jase then Temple moved up the ranks, the wind funnelling between the orchards to harass us all.  ChrisA's winter hibernation soon took its toll, even skipping a turn as Channel Rd drew to a close. Southern and western legs were kinder, but Temple had cemented himself into the rear gunner role in River Rd as ChrisA re-entered the workforce. Half biked by HBK, I conserved a little wattage for payback in Central Kialla, revenge so sweet a wheel ahead with HBK speechless to Mitchell.  Speed got serious in Raftery Rd, two lines turned single at Galbraiths gate with Chris A in the drivers seat at Arcadia Downs.  A close call when ChrisA hit the wall of Conrod's head wind, causing five to suddenly shunt into the space of three.  Prying myself from overlapped wheels and onto the front,  I sank all into the drive out of the dip, Jase the saviour as my energy evaporated with 300 metres left.

Wednesday 10th August

Questioning what I'm doing out at 5:10 on a dark, damp road (adding a month or two to life on the planet?/ collecting dead worms by bike? / supporting an eating habit? ) but justified my "issues" on breaking in a rebuilt rear Cosmic, re-rimmed expertly by AvantiTrev.  Finding Wozz, Mel and Cate in the main drag vindicated my obsession, BamBam, Boof, Shorty, Nev, Pistol, Rocket and AvantiTrev were added to the list of devoted / possessed at the carpark. Six bells chimed to interrupt the chat, the southerly spin to Mitchell testing for the tailenders. TrekMat joined in, I'd been paired with Nev (a pop gun beside an AK47) although the first k of River Rd went well with the NNW a help to the bridge, matching Cate's drive to the dip calling on extra reserves.  (just missed the pot hole at the dip, now almost the size of Century open cut).  Nearly all had a go at the pointy end by River's end, Wozz and Pistol rose to the occassion of battling the headwind to Channel, I was mentally preparing for the next pairing with Nev at Channel Rd's S bend.  It all went well till I made the mistake of a Garmin glance, (39km/h @ 175bpm) the head quickly calling an end to what the legs were tolerating. Shorty shortened his turn at the cypress trees, me committed to giving the front a miss as we curved at Kinder corner.  Nev launched a lead-out that many can't match, Rocket victorious as I threaded a line between the ChaCha puddles (no hope of shaking Mel from my wheel) to get a sniff at the podium.  Near breathless staying with Pistol to Archer Rd, there was relief with Boof, Mel, Cate as we headed for the northern suburbs, a double digit worm count predicted on berthing grubby bikes.

Thursday 11th August

Just a whiff of BigMat syndrome caused a lazy lay in till 5 and a casual kit up for a Goat tap at 6.  A new CatEye Volt1200 lit up the damp tarmac like daylight, ye olde Cygolite Metro well beyond its 1000 charge life. Down to Friars found 9 Goats in the mist, Tina, Coggo, Heady, Sandy, Carl, Dipper, Hommy, Phil and HG Phillo there, variably enthused. A damp and dreary Old Dookie Rd was made partially pleasing by the 20km/h westerly, it certainly helped HG Phillo struggling from hibernation and heavy Hunter Valley hydration.   Hommy has a new Avanti frame (old Oppy suffering a fatal fracture), Phil's turbine like wheels played a tempo tune as we stacked across Boundary Rd, the old familiar track cranked so many times, pot holes, puddles and peculiarities safe in familiarity. River Rd handed out a headwind to earn a second breakfast, HG Phillo suddenly conspicuous by his absence at the front.  Turns turned short, medium and long relative to riding regularity, but all too soon it was my turn to exit stage right on a shortcut to the timeclock, bumping up the effort on the truck route to Archer. With lashings of lumens the road ridges and ripples stood out like a WhisperingJack appearance, switching to pulse mode in town to wake those drivers asleep at the wheel. Baum berthed, a quick change and 2k walk to work to earn the money to buy tyres, chains, lights, carbon rims, bar tape, tubes, arm warmers...................

Friday 12th August

Racing the rendezvous clock in 2 degrees on Friday morning warmed up the engine, 15k solo in 25 minutes still left 2 minutes spare for the Wozz and Cate connection at 5:45. Arriving at a frosty carpark, Cougar, Bruce, Chops, Shorty, Boof, Kel, Bo, AvantiMat, AvantiTrev, PistolPete, HBK, Temple, Jase and making his monthly appearance, SuperMario assembled.  Six struck swiftly so I took the plunge of the lead to Sanctuary roundabout, gently on the accelerator to avoid an ear chewing. Wozz, Bruce, Boof and Pistol offered early shifts in the drivers seat, not a sight or sound of AvantiTrev, SuperMario, Temple et al, cringing in the caboose.  The ritual sledge swap with HBK, motivating AvantiMat toward the front, the distraction of Kel's eyes (both sets) occupied a few k's, an eye kept out for the River Rd pot hole made easy by HBK's flouro marking. Speed varied as some pegged progress per performance, again Pistol and Wozz drove Boundary Rd to Channel with pace possessed. Winter has emptied my sprint enthusiasm of late, sitting out the ChaCha but savouring the social stimuli strolling home, and closing the week the way it opened. 

Week 32    288km.        YTD 9,802km.