9/12 That hurt, Arthur!
The windswept coast of Safety Beach was a different (solo) starting grid for me Saturday, another hilly holiday hiatus to test my comfort zone. A flat 10k warm up prepared the lungs and legs but the head herniated at the sharpish incline of Arthurs' Seat the moment I pointed up McCulloch St in Dromana. Down on the little ring at Wonga gate for the 3k's of road rising 300 meters, the physical chore wasn't too bad, getting the head around the rise was the tough bit. I'd almost settled into a rhythm on an incline when a hairpin would call on Hercules for help, up and up the tarmac twisted with super seaside scenes to divert attention from the physical flogging. A few riders were already on the downhill before 7, grinning like Cheshire cats at their ease (and my effort?), yet another hairpin crucifying my cadence with a ladder like lift in elevation.
Into Rosebud and on the flat oceanside road, the west northwester helped a little for pacy progress back to Dromana, but there was a seaside sandblast with the speed as I rounded up a few just venturing out into the elements. Back into Safety Beach ahead of schedule, I pressed onto to Mt Martha, the ups and downs of little consequence after Arthur's hurt. Local traffic was most patient on the narrow ribbon of road hugging the coast, confidence climbing on the return to use up the reserves and treat my tank to coffee at the end (shame the Safety Beach long black was like swamp water!)
10/12 SunBayDay.
The last day of hols and a final chance to take in the sea air of Phillip's bay, a 5,40 start and surprisingly a few were out and about pounding pedals. Gently warming up the old engine toward Mentone, expectations of Strava successes were slim but it didn't hold back a few efforts on the inclines. Past the grand old Edgy (Mentone Hotel) and on through the "burbs", the city skyline spurred on the speed nearing St.Kilda, bunches now commonplace bearing south. Time turned me around at the "Espy" and making some use of the west northwester, I headed south, some on a similar course sizing up their quarry. Avoiding the brand of being a wheelsucker, I kept a 10 meter gap to a young Cervelo ahead, but a feeling of a presence nearby was overwhelming (a peek under my arm found a young Giant glued to my wheel). Paying no heed but continuing the tempo, I rolled onward, somewhat hopeful of turns to be shared, but 2k's later he leapfrogged to a passing TT Specialised. Pushing on solo under my own steam was far more satisfying than sucking off other wheels, Mr Giant and Mr Specialised drawing slowly ahead only fuelled my determination. The sun struggled to pierce a grey sky as more bikes braved the bayside, and I'd made up some distance on the inclines on the two swapping turns ahead. A long gradual downhill at Rickett's Point drew me even closer which lit a fire inside, the curse of competition driving me into the 40's to nip at their heels. Too soon Mordialloc arrived but I'd had a satisfying circuit (32 PB's) with a tasty trophy of coffee and toast at Tour de Cafe as the reward.11/12 Back to base.
(Me thinks it time for some h.r. monitor maintenance when it shows 217 bpm) The Godfather, Bo, Trav, Rocket, PistolPete, Kel, CatCol and BamBam were found just beyond the cypress trees on Channel Rd, a quick u-turn to join them on a Boundary-Ford-Wanganui course for variety's sake. The past weekend kept the conversation rallying from left to right as I re-aquainted with the art of bunch riding, reliable and consistent company keeping comfort with a social side as a bonus. The smooth and solid spin passed the k's of Boundary and Ford quickly, the sprint-free Wanganui Rd felt foreign, and it was back to civilisation with time up the armwarmer for a few minutes of sociology at the Lemontree.
12/12 Fourplay followed by a threesome.
Just Tum and I were at the Tuesday grid at 5:44, we'd almost resolved to being caught by the Hares till Ralphy and Pelly saved the day fronting at the third stroke. Hindered by traffic on the carpark exit stoked the fire to reach Mozart Ave quickly, a silly idea really with a lot of work by few to do today. Ralphy poured on the pace to Orrvale Rd, Pelly a little more sedate to Prentice Rd. It was my turn again (so soon!) to drive to McFadyen, the fine balance of team expectations, what the legs would give, keeping breakfast where I put it, and leaving something to catch the caboose was a delicate jugling act. Pelly personified pooped as Channel Rd ran out, he'd dropped a few lengths as we wound up the tempo into Boundary Rd, and no amount of encouragement was going to get him back. With just three left to uphold the standards, the toil was going to get tougher, even Ralphy had eased the effort a whisker when he resumed the drivers seat.
Three long laboring shadows were cast northwest on River Rd, Tum then Ralphy captained us to the bridge where I felt compelled to drive to Central Kialla Rd. There was little left when I faced the music again in Mitchell Rd, though I guess the others were in that same sinking boat. Luck gave us a clean cross of the highway (surprised we weren't herded up by Hares already), more motivation with a hint of a tailwind helping us to Galbraiths gate. We gathered up Lucy at Arcadia Downs to press on to the finish, Ralphy handing me the reigns with 500 meters left of Conrod straight. Being swallowed by the Hares didn't eventuate, we'd reached Steptoe's 100 meters ahead, albeit hyperventilating from 28k's in 44:19.
13/12 Conviviality.
A tiny train of pained Goats turned west, seems less gallant Goats were on a lame train. The rubber band effect went twang at the rear as our two dozen drove north, recent efforts wearing away my wattage to find a social spin somewhat sapping. Turned toward town got a little easier working with the wind, the line-up of Kel, Lucy, Jen, Mel and Cate captaining the crew to Kinder corner. Bo let loose at the ChaCha though many were keen to let him cook at the front, Wozza's wattage winning the line honours before the sociology started for the spin homeward.14/12 Four-tuitous.
15/12 There's pills for that Wozza!
With the big roll-up there'd be probably just one go at the front, so I set forth south at 6, slowly to speed to satisfy the survivors. Wozza, Bruce, Rocket, Trav, Kel, Bo and Grumpy massed with the mob to reach Mitchell Rd, pointing into the sunshine and lapping up the mild 15 degrees we'd worked most of winter to reach.
Clockwise crews worked west as we entertained east on River Rd, how the bunch has evolved when the memory is rewound to the early days of the Mitchell Rd course. Up to Channel Rd, MyRideTrev led to Kinder corner (again), Wozza launching prematurely (there's pills for that!) causing concern to the ChaCha contenders. Rocket, Bo, NewAvanti(not-OldAvanti-not-Merida)John, CatCol and co set off in earnest effort, not until Prentice Rd was Wozza reeled in. I reckoned it was Rocket who took the chocolates, I'd gone a bit blurry to make fourth place.
Week 50 297km YTD 13,250km
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