2018 ; via 2 wheels

Post #480

So another year rolls by, one of big challenges and new frontiers for me, retirements then regrettable returns for others!  3 Peaks was jumping in the deep end for this flat-lander, each of the mounts tackled separately in training, but stringing 4,684 meters of climbs together for 235 km in under 13 hours doesn't bear repeating. I'll put that one down as a box ticked.  It was the year of the 'roo that ruined Bo's collarbone and put several horizontal (22/3), Tina, Coggo and KillkennyPaul all joined the walking wounded too, the torture of time to repair.  Cate's 40 km/h crash ((18/1) was the freaky one that remarkably only took bark off.   The 'Ride the Ranges' (22/4) with Team Tat got flatter distance done and holidays took me to foreign fields; Castlemaine, Creswick and Anglesea (12-21/2) cycled scenery sublime and Yackandandah (7-9/5) was awesome for Autumn though 3 degrees was an early taste of Winter.

Like previous years, it's worth battling through the cold months rather than suffer the cruel comeback from a Winter retirement, and  there were plenty who cowered from the cold and paid the price on their return. If they returned at all!  23 days of 3 or below was a little easier than 2017 (32), though Spring gave us 5 more to imprint on our memory.  Minus 3 (29/8) was murder and a 48 km/h WSW'er (30/12) wouldn't be forgotten, rain halted play on 13 days and I even took a few days off (31)    Goat numbers were reduced to a trickle of the tough mid year, and the usual Couldabeens casualties cringed in the cold.  HBK and Hollywood vanished from the ride radar but we did welcome back Temple and Jase from injury incursions. Disc brakes became de rigueur, PistolPete purchased a Pinarello and Bruce turned to titanium.   Sean did a 'superman' (& BamBam followed suit) , Hommie's hijinks haven't halted, Sandy soldiered on but  HG went into hiding (Amy's the admirable alternative).  

Revisits to Beach Rd (4) are always entertaining and the Fruitloop (my 13th) signalled Spring, soon enough k's were being covered to prepare for the Tat 200 (17/11) as those who wagged Winter were still making their sluggish and suffering return.
A Couldabeens Castlemaine weekend (13-14/10)combined cycling, cider and comradery successfully, another one planned on different turf for next year. We said "Vaarwel" to Spin Doctor doing a Dutch departe (but welcomed newcomers Lance and Laura amongst others to the clan).  2018 saw the rise and rise of the Hares but the 5:45's were on-again-off-again, FDC's still cant spell commitment and the pain train can't cope Coggo-less.  A pedestrian peloton was born to aid the walking wounded and Saturday's split sometimes.   Determined Dan drives on, PistolPete's panache has no equal (though his kit class is catching on), a more aero Rocket staggers us with speed and none can top Tina's colossal k's.

A few October weeks in NSW explored Mt Canobolas, Orange and Cowra, ticking Mount Panorama off my bucket list.  The birth of the (sprintless) 40k lap on Monday's and the popularity of the early edition (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) gets more Couldabeens k's covered.   The Baum turned 3 and 3 chains and 6 tyres got me through 14,133 km of a 447 hour past-time / obsession. (1279 vanilla slices worth of calories)   A fabulously festive Christmas ride wound down another year of fast laps, faux pas, fellowship, floggings and fun.  And I'm probably possessed enough to do it again next year!  Thanks  fellow cyclusts for your support, many of you motivate more than you're aware.  I'm still staggered by the followers of this blog (Italy, Russia and USA have more hits than the locals some weeks) so I'll take that as a cue to continue.  Have a fit, fast and fabulous 2019 folks, Ponder Rule #5, give that other rider a wave and stay upright.  See you on a circuit somewhere...…….

Week 52 : Kilojoule killing k's

Post #479
22/12 What wind?!

Being blown backwards to Saturday's grid dug up a determination to meet the 6am start time, but I turned up in pole position as a result.  Shorty, The Godfather, BigLen, Lance, TrekTrev, Cate, Bo, Superman, Kel, TatMat, Tina, MyRideTrev, TatPaul, Nev, MeridaAndy, Lenny and CatKev rolled in for the Saturday spin, six bells signalling I should read rule #5 and ride!  Facing a 25 km/h headwind (gusting to 37) out of town was half hurt, half heroics, The Godfather paired alongside at the city limits calling "Say when you're done", which only stoked up my stubbornness to drive further.  By Hooper Rd The Godfather was getting worried but I'd had enough to let the turn roll, besides Bo wanted to dish out the punishment.  TatMat's kudos cured the hurt as I hung on at second wheel to the truck route, early birds Kreeky, Rocket, Wozza and PistolPete joined in the joviality, the mindset mellowing in Mitchell Rd now that the wind was at our side.

CatKev was hitch-hiking a ride for extra k's (to make space for Chrisytmas indulgences?) and Lenny, BigLen and MeridaAndy made a rare appearance (an early start to a new year's resolution?
The Central Kialla leg was clocked quickly with the wind up our willows, the downline shielded in River Rd while the up-line bore the brunt of the breeze.... a bit backward in the scheme of things but this is the accepted standard.  A blast up Boundary (long gone are the days of a Saturday speed limit) then the work against the wind on the up-line in Old Dookie Rd to the Toaster.
'51 had made a Saturday appearance at the Big Ring, I was making mental preparations for another episode of effort, the southerly's strength against the steering making my drive like a drunk.  Bo baited The Godfather again to the bridge, Ford Rd's new coarse stretch of tarmac tested tooshes as the social sentence swapping subsided for speed.

 I was in two minds whether to advance for more punishment or play survivor in the midfield when Nev and PistolPete wound up the wick in Wanganui, not enough wattage in this old engine to survive their standards so I hung on as Wozza and Rocket hammered to the hill.  Some had veered off at Verney, Superman was blown off the back at DECA but a long line of labourers languished to Mt.Wanganui. There's no rest for the righteous in Rudd Rd as the pace percolated in pursuit of breakfast, bolting along the Boulevard with bits breaking off the back in the last k.  Bike therapy, the satisfaction of being spent and concrete covered conversation at the Lemontree table with the pedestrian division (walkers waning with warmer weather)  Jen and Mrs. Pistol.


24/12  A Christmas eve crank.

Twas the ride before Christmas and a keen collection of Couldabeens converged on the carpark, costumed for the occasion.  SuperMario, Kenworth, Laura, Rocket, TrekTrev, PistolPete, Col, Kel, Bo, Trev, Nev & Kristy, Tina, WhisperingJack, Tommygun, Lance, Nick, Grumpy, Cate, MeridaAndy, Jen, Bruce, AvantiAndy, not-so-newAvantiJohn, BigLen, Superman, MyRideTrev, Temple, The Godfather, Liam, TatMat, Lenny, TatPaul, Kreeky, Jase and DeterminedDan (say that without drawing breath!)

pointed into Channel Rd on the usual Monday circuit, a tame tempo chosen in view of the not-so-aerodynamic nature of the festive fare festooning many.  Tinsel, antlers, baubles and bells competed with carols via Bluetooth speaker set a slower speed savoured by many.
There'd be barely one turn at the front (if you ever got there) in such a packed peloton, the seasonal sociology taking precedence over the pace, to the relief of some. PistolPete dispensed chocolate, Nev and Kristy tapped the track by tandem, Jase had made the effort to attend despite his back's protest, and Team Tat had toured across for the yuletide occasion.

36 heads on 70 wheels (you can figure it out!) made a record roll-up, another epic event from the class of Kel's creativity, all in the festive fellowship up Boundary Rd and west back to town with heart rates on holiday.  A sprintless Wanganui Rd and a relaxed roll along the Boulevard took us to the Lemontree, filling four packed tables for a boisterous breakfast.

25/12  Making space for pudding.

Yeah yeah, it's Christmas but thoughts of a day off the bike seemed foreign, besides, there was a space to be cleared if I was to enjoy mum's Christmas pudding.  Rostered for 6:30 work meant an earlier than early start to satisfy the addiction, out the door and up to speed on New Dookie Rd as 5 bells tolled, telling myself a quiet roll was all that was needed.  That lasted all of 40 seconds!  Something inside the skull turned up the tempo toward Boundary Rd (no point of kitting-up at stupid o'clock for a tame tap I guess) ramping up the heart rate to pursue a little punishment via pedals.  A delightfully windless and warm morning kept the enthusiasm up but the legs weren't so keen turning south, but the urge to maintain a respectable rate of knots soon took over.  Into Channel Rd I was paced by a 'roo bounding in the tabledrain, but a wary eye and a cautious distance from it's unpredictable course payed off when it suddenly crossed my path to Sellman's orchard.  Light filled the sky on my return to town, the first of several outbound bikes (on a similar pre-emptive kilojule strike) driving into the daybreak.  That great satisfaction in clocking the k's drowned out the legs lament, perhaps pudding will subside Strava's 180 suffer score?

26/12  Burning ballast.

Christmas day excesses and a southerly made progress slow to Wednesday's carpark, yesterday's pudding and custard felt like an anchor so the 17 cog was pressed into service to get to the grid on time.  SuperMario, The Godfather, Tina, Tommygun, Nicholas, Kel, Temple, MeridaAndy, Bo, Rene, TrackStan and Lenny had a case of the gastronomy guilts too, lined up and ready to burn some ballast for a few k's.  The single line southward struggled to start an up-line, I'll admit to letting the natural order file through before I got on the escalator of effort.  Bruce, Rocket, Wozza, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Kreeky and PistolPete arrived from the earlier edition to contribute to the cause, Christmas culinary comparisons the conversation by most except for those exhausting effort at the front.  Weapon's regular intercept in River Rd rounded up the numbers to 20, the southerly wind buffeting the up-line while the downline soaked up the shelter.  It was my time for toil in Boundary Rd, promoted to the front to pair with Bruce, titanium twins in tempo to Channel Rd then alongside Nicholas to the Pub, really throwing the Trek left and right when off the saddle  (I wonder how long the spokes will stand the stress?)

The public holiday had motivated a course up Boundary Rd then west back to town via Ford, the extra k's to cull some calories perhaps?  Rene had confined himself to the caboose and Weapon withdrew from the advance as the tail wind put hurry into the holiday, arriving at Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd before we knew it.  Seems Santa had gifted lots of lycra with Bo, The Godfather, Kel and PistolPete (of course) in new kits, TrackStan the gifted one though with a new Avanti (as if he needs more speed!) I was back in the up-line on Ford Rd, relaxed with 10 wheels ahead to do a turn before I faced the front, though speed still simmered into the 40's despite the breeze at the portside.  Rocket, Bruce and Bo, with a love of the long shift kept up the work in Wanganui Rd, me in lucky lane sitting calm and composed at third wheel as a whiff of Mt Wanganui hit the nostrils. No-one was making a move so I hit the boost button and bolted, trouble being the wattage of MeridaAndy was glued to my wheel. I crested the hill in front but was bordering on bursting trying to last another 50 meters, MeridaAndy cruising past with ease to take the win as me, respiratorially ruined, squeezed in a second before Nicholas, Pistol, Bo, Rocket et al shot past to Rudd Rd.  Rapid recovery never came as the bolt on the Boulevard burnt legs further, the long thin line labouring under Rocket's rate back to the Lemontree.  A kit's comfort, hot rides and cold lunches kept tongues tattling, most constrained to just coffee considering Christmas's calories.

27/12  A Hare-less holiday.

17 degrees across the skin at 33 km/h would be savoured for the day's expected top of 42, the cool commute to the Couldabeens finding Grumpy, SuperMario, Ralphy (rumours of his retirement proved false) Nicholas, Bo, Rocket, BamBam, Kel, Rene, Tina, Wozza, The Godfather, Kreeky, Cate, Liam, not-so-newAvantiJohn, PistolPete, MyRideTrev, Col, Nev, Travis, TatMat and Lenny craving the cool too.  Rocket and Wozz had already warmed up in the cool with a pre-emptive 30 k but it was Ralphy who led the Archer St charge to the south for a Saturday circuit (seeing as a public holiday blessed most with the time for some kilojoule killing k's.  It was just too easy to sit back and follow the bike ahead, waiting for the natural progression to promote me forward ; I'll feel a Softa like state solidifying in me if I continue this cowering caper at the start!  Col's calorie concerns carried him to the drivers seat and I'd found the femme fatale fraternity on my wheel as we steered into the sunrise of River Rd's 6 km.

A dry groan of a thirsty bottom bracket begged attention as I worked up the wattage to keep up, the speed standards seemed to have stepped up since Spring where high 30's are now the expectation, regardless of wind and it's direction.  I'd finally joined the up-line in Boundary Rd and there'd be a long wait before facing the front, so Grumpy's Christmas excesses, not-so-newAvantiJohn's take on the vinyl revolution and Liam's festive staples of gifted socks and jocks courted conversation in the meantime.  We'd rounded up Eddy at the fig farm on his ritual ride (hope I can still turn wheels at 80) then steered east to the Toaster and north to the church, but Kel provided an intermission with a puncture.  Kel's repair was rapid though costly, needing a $10 note to plug a deep cut, and faster than Bo avoiding assistance , we were headed for the Big Ring to work westward back to breakfast.

Alongside Cate to Boundary Rd rubberised the legs then Col turned them to jelly reaching the bridge, so I was delighted the turn rolled and got me in the tow, but there was a sense of inadequacy watching Col and Kreeky crank effortlessly all the way to Lemnos North Rd. The join of the new tarmac in Ford Rd whacks wheels and stings sit sites, but I was comfortable having done a bit a bit before the Wanganui workout, so mentally prepared for the pace.  The fit were facing the front at DECA but kept a considerate cap on the labour, sprint-less up Mt. Wanganui for the whole bunch to turn together into Rudd Rd.  A swift yet smooth spin along the Boulevard kept the stress meter below the red line for yet another social soiree at the Lemontree,  an amiable epilogue to a weekday ride I'd be happy to make a habit.

28/12  Turn off one of those ladies and put some more ice on the fire!

A sweaty start to Friday with 28 degrees, 26% humidity and 24km/h worth of warm southerly to battle to the grid, though Travis, Tommygun, Shorty, Manny, SuperMario, Lenny, Nev, Laura, TrekTrev, Cate The Godfather and Pelly made the effort to front too.  Nev and Lenny led the lines toward Sanctuary's roundabout with me determined to shake off the softness and contribute an early turn.  In the pilots seat at the roundabout put a flogging to the forefront, a high thirties hurry and a headwind halving my expectations to reach the truck route conscious. Trek Trev gifted me a tow for leg 3 as he and The Godfather muscled their way to Mitchell Rd, the early edition of PistolPete, BamBam, Tina, Wozza, Kel, Bo, Kreeky, Bruce, Rocket and not-so-newAvantiJohn (fuelled by the Festive 500) almost equalling the 6am grid.

Despondency from a deficient drive probably prolonged my recovery but Manny's monologue and the Central Kialla tail-wind put thoughts back on track.  Bruce bolted to the front in River Rd with unknown news on pace, the cracks of communication widening of late as the bunches grow larger and longer.  My headcount began in earnest so I'd put names to the numbers later, this roll call ritual at least delays dementia (I hope!) as another year comes to an end.  Bidons were beginning to empty with 30k still to travel, though a smooth rhythm along Boundary was minimising gasps, a swing into Old Dookie Rd then a bolt to the Toaster (as a speedo-less Cate hammered out a turn) cranked up the consumption of oxygen.  Sweat worked well as air-conditioning for the westerly 20k to town, head down behind Tommygun to the kennels (like drafting a match with the wood scraped off!) then a turn alongside him to Boundary Rd, the tank emptying matching TrekTrev to the bridge before gorging on oxygen to reach Lemnos North Rd in his draft.

  Coherence returned in Ford Rd and the social sentences started, a keen eye though on position as the pack fanned across the tarmac in shelter from the southerly.  Laura's light did a dismount at Verney Rd but news didn't reach the front till Numurkah Rd, a halt in Wanganui Rd almost had the bunch back together but The Godfather's baiting at the front brought on a bolt to the Boulevard.  Sheer pig-headedness and an urge to belong drove the legs to hold on as Rocket and Wozza ripped up the road, a long thin line blurring the tarmac into the 40's.  Bits were breaking off the back as segment Kings and Queens were being decided, many in a lather at the Lemontree for latte's on ice as water bottles emptied to the talk on pre or post ride breakfast and festive challenges.

Week 52         291km       YTD 13,956 km          

Week 51 : The heart rate Hiroshima

Post # 478
15/12  Riders on the storm.

Sinister skies, threatening thunder and flashes of horizontal lightning was far from the forecast, but Saturday's spin is sacred so I set south with fingers crossed for a dry ride.  TatMat, TatPaul, Kel, Temple, Nev, Cate, Tum, Tina, PistolPete and TrackStan had braved the elements, many withdrawals blamed on the 'weather' from last nights pizza party, and with ye olde Saturday circuit chosen as the safer circuit (thunderstorms steering southward), TrackStan and PistolPete led the charge into Channel Rd. While I pondered Rule #5 on the pace at second wheel there was a dazzling display of lightning on the horizon to view, I'd reached the business end of the bunch at the ChaCha after PistolPete's and TrackStan's double shift to Orrvale Rd, finding the drive doable with a little shelter from the north northeaster.

To Central Ave and across to the cypress trees was enough of a heart starter for me, back into the wake of wheels ahead to calm a cardiac crescendo. That almost perfect bunch size of a dozen made for super smooth sailing (a skilled and familiar crew a vital ingredient), synchronised turns and a steady speed consumed the k's without a hint of the dreaded rubber-band syndrome at the back.  Senses felt shifting winds in Boundary Rd (would a cruel karma have us into a head wind home?), ratified on the turn into Old Dookie Rd and sealed with the pong from the piggery as we cranked toward the Toaster.

A packed peloton of Pussycats approached the BigRing (the annual sock awards [congrats Jodie!] motivating the membership to attend) as we worked west to town, sure as eggs we copped a west northwester to make us battle for breakfast.  Reaching Boundary Rd was what pride wanted but my legs refused to do, rolling across PistolPete a little shy of the mark to then match Tum's turn would need some trawling of tenacity.  Maybe the fear of failure kept my speed simmering, so it was a delight to hear Tum's request to roll well before I was going to beg for mercy.

Kel had already mused the menu for breakfast and Temple was just chuffed he'd chosen to ride, Nev soaked up the serenity of smoothness and Tina the comfort of comradery.  A last moment indicator from a car at Verney Rd's roundabout ripened our reaction to brake (always expect the unexpected!), the rhythm restored quickly as the work in Wanganui drew near.  TrackStan and Pistol stoked up the tempo to the water treatment plant, PistolPete rolling across into the 40's as wind whacked my will to comply.  Struggling just to reach his back wheel, TrackStan kindly let me into what was now an Indian file of survivors, Pistol's power still solid to the test track.  Elbows flapped and TrackStan sprang to a sprint, a trail of hopefuls clinging to his wake as I battled to hold Pistol's draft.  All the flurry had faded as gasps subsided in Rudd Rd, with the pack now compact from it's prior stretched state the Boulevard bolt to breakfast seemed easy.  The pedestrian pack of Boof, Sim and Mrs.Pistol joined the small crew at the long Lemontree table for the babble on iq, the need for breeding licences (for humans) and solar energy.

17/12  The muscle motivator,

Tis a rare ride that starts at a tolerable 14 degrees in wind-less conditions, that perfect panacea drawing Kel, Col, Cate, Kreeky, The Godfather, Wozza, PistolPete, Rocket Bo, Nev, Nicholas and Pelly to the Monday grid.  I was happy to start near the back and let the legs limber from a weak weekend, PistolPete and Wozza driving the first leg to the truck route.  The speed steadily built to way beyond a relaxed roll, but one doesn't get stronger going slower!  That alluring atmosphere and The Godfather's gabble made for a spirited spin to Boundary Rd, young Nicholas coming to terms with the bunch rotation while many were dazzled by his mixmaster cadence.

I debuted at the driving end with The Godfather to the Pub then paired with Rocket to the channel bridge, not such a chore till I made the mistake of looking at the speed (then the head made it hurt!) Turn done and into the tow, all the prior pain was filed under 'softness', thoughts now into the drive to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. The extra layer and arm-warmers (judged to be prudent at 5:30) were now creating a self sauna as speed continued west, dressing for the occasion is hit and miss at this time of year (at least the multiple layers of winter are almost a forgotten memory).   Nicholas and The Godfather drove the length of Wanganui Rd, my turn at the front in Rudd Rd with legs burning reaching Canterbury's roundabout at Rocket's rate. Hope all this early effort makes the rest of the week easy!


18/12  The pain/gain train game.
Numbers had thinned for the Tuesday train of pain (and gain), Temple, Col, Kel, Cate, Bo, Ralphy, BamBam and Pelly the only ones to play the game at 5:45.  Have some succumbed to slowness or the safety of a supersized squad on Wednesday?  Col's class towed us to the truck route, I was on second shift to reach Orrvale Rd and the old engine ran ok if I don't say so myself.

  BamBam enlisted for leg three with a turbo turn to the Kinder, I was impressed with his effort but would the follow up be as fast?   Ralphy's shift wasn't shy either, into Central Ave's SSW'er (11-19 km/h) with a Determined Dan demeaner, and so the game of pain /gain continued to Boundary Rd where the headwind lay in wait for Bo and Pelly, ten out of ten for tempo for these tuned two. Col was back on the front to cut the first air on River Rd, the considerate Couldabeen delivering me to the smooth tarmac at the angora farm for my second shift.  BamBam had blown a head gasket as I was called in to cover the caboose at the dip, Pelly was pickled finishing his turn at Laws Drive (a few rolled past to offer a draft), Kel, Temple and Bo finishing off River Rd for Col to face the cruelty in Central Kialla.

My focus on his elbow sharpened (it'd be unfair expecting him to tow us all to Mitchell Rd) for a k and was ushered to suffer the front for the remaining 1000 meters.  The jump to catch Cate's wheel was a workout with three now confined to the caboose, through Dave's dip and up to the highway (without hinderance) I was on the front again, the heroics of reaching Roubaix heralded my heart-rate Hiroshima. Recovery would be as likely as BeerMat bolting by, so I tucked into Col's draft toward Galbraith's gate with feint hope for respiratory respite.  The Hares flew past with Liam as pilot on full throttle, Bo and Kel had a second wind to chase but I battled to prevent explosion at Arcadia Downs.  Catching the tail of Travis (split from the Hares) and Pelly, I'd survived (minus a few of the original starters) to finish with a 39 average.

19/12 The spirited sprint sprite.

Maybe it's the feeling of safety in numbers that brings the rarities out to ride 'cause Shorty, Nick, Tommygun, Nicholas, Lance, TrekTrev, Kel, Bo, Cate, Boof, The Godfather, Kenworth, Tina and Nev packed the carpark for Wednesday's mid week fling.  Weapon slipped into the squad as Boof led the lads and lasses south, Kreeky, Wozza, PistolPete, Rocket, BamBam, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Bruce and Col arriving from the early edition in leg 3 as I was elevated to the effort end rather rapidly in Mitchell Rd when turns rolled quickly.  I'd allowed a gap to Tommygun's staccato rhythm, Bo's pace more predictable when he rolled across entering Central Kialla Rd.  The effort eased on the northbound leg to River Rd, a long up-line advancing for their contribution to the cause as a dozen of Doc's cruisers cranked calmly to a Christmas breakfast.

The usual parade of packs worked west as our social jaw flapping centred on Tuesday's thrash.  Wind direction was the mystery as two dozen drove into Channel Rd, a stone flicked up at Sellman's ricocheted through the ranks, the sun dried mud left at Beckham's bend adding a Roubaix-like roughness.  Lance was labouring on the drive to the Kinder, the bunch unusually shunted as we swung toward Hopeful corner, Nicholas now champing at the bit to bolt as TrekTrev wound up the velocity toward Prentice Rd.  With many cautiously in the caboose, Nev turned up the wick for the finish, a spirited Nicholas sprinted to the left in a risky undertaking manoeuvre but found the gap shut, plenty now pickled from the pace making a squeezy sprint scenario.  I'd made an outside dash from near the back into the 50's (thanks to the tow), Nev the Wednesday winner, Pistol a swift second as I fought furiously for third against Cate.

20/12  Hare conditioner.

A thorough thrash down Archer St got the head and heart prepared for Thursday's thrash, the dedicated 5:45'ers, Shorty, Bo, Col, Cate, TrekTrev, Kel, Temple (and a surprise showing by Troy) lining up for duty (FDC's choosing an earlier anti-social spin).   I took the first shift to the truck route (7 months since I was that silly!), going well to the big pear where breakfast hinted at an escape.  TrekTrev captained to Orrvale Rd while I wrestled for recovery near the back, Troy happy to command the caboose considering his long lay-off.  Cate Shorty and Bo polished off Channel Rd to leave Kel and Col the task of reaching River Rd, a suitably sized train making recuperation a rare privilege. The heart rate was manageable up until reaching second wheel, the prospect of pace at the front skyrocketing the numbers when you're faced with cutting the air in the drivers seat.  I'm impressed with Shorty and Temple's tempo for those whose bike time is tested with work, TrekTrev's running on all cylinders even after a few weeks holiday under a long white cloud, Col's strength comes in bucket loads, I get the feeling Bo's only in third gear despite doing long turns and Cate and Kel's tenacious turns certainly make the males measure up.   Temple towed me to the smoothness of River Rd's second k, counting the white posts as the cardiac count kept climbing into the red zone.  I elbowed TrekTrev to the front a bit shy of the dip but I needed something left to catch the tail.  Speed was blinkering my view to just the cassette of Temple's Ridley, so I forced myself to take a wider view if I was to avoid 'horizontalitis'.  Luck allowed us a clean cross of the highway and I was back to the front out of Roubaix, reaching Galbraith's Gate calling on both mental and physical limits.  Bo put in another long shift at the front into Conrod straight, Col turning up the turbo to take the chocolates while I tried (and failed) to steal second from Kel.

21/12.  A festive fling.

The Goat's Christmas breakfast beckoned on Friday, and with a quiet ride planned I put in some toil before the tap and set off early via the golf course to the Pine Lodge church. The SSW'er (15-30 km/h) put struggle into the steering while trying to regulate the speed to the aerobic threshold, 210 minus age plus 10% makes a low number these days!  The turn south to the church sensed a little more westerly than I wanted, making my turn back to town a love of labour. Concerns I'd miss the train to breakfast kept the wheels humming but the want for a 16 cog had me between grind and spin. Back into town with psoas pinging, I'd reached Fryers St in time to find the Goats on a festive fling eastward, some making a Summer debut or Spring for that matter!

Sandy, Heady, Dippa, AvantiAndy, Jen, AvantiLeigh, Phil, Belly, Snow, Joey, Brendy, Speissy, Amy, Tum, Manny, Coggo, Bazza and Tina filled a big field, some in silent suffering while others relished a train free of Friday pain.  Turns swapped swiftly on the southerly leg of Boundary Rd, the abbreviated lap via Channel Rd reminiscent of Cats 10 years back.  Belly provided the pit stop entertainment with a puncture just beyond Sellmans, the Couldabeens crew threading their way past on the thin tarmac remaining.  Tim arrived from an alarm malfunction and Tommygun hitched a ride from his late start to steer our way back to town, festive fellowship aplenty to Mandy's for a bountiful breakfast.

Week 51    265km              YTD 13,665 km





       

 

Week 50 : The stimulus for speed

Post # 477
8/12 Beach Rd & Baum buddies.

The squawk of seagulls started Saturday's spin, I was in Melbourne's metropolis for the weekend so Beach Rd beckoned.  Headed north from the usual Mordialloc start, a north northeaster niggled at my progress, though the sea breeze up the nostrils invigorated the drive to pass plenty (and only be passed by a few), the rise and fall of the smooth hotmix almost a pleasure to deal with.  I'd steadily made ground on a pair swapping turns through Black Rock, joining in the load sharing as we spun toward Sandringham. I did a turn of duty up Col de Cerberus, flicked an elbow, but on the peek back found nobody there (the pair half a k back) so pressed on.

Pelotons aplenty were now plying south, my thoughts on the downhills drove me up the uphills while lithe ladies in lycra jogging the beachside paths supplied the stimulus for speed.  Into Brighton and bunches were forming in the side streets, traffic steadily increasing as the threatening sky exited eastward.  'Go Go Juice', 'The paperboy's St.Kilda sprint' and 'Chewing the bar tape on Beachy Rd' segments slipped by,
passing by Luna Park and along the wide way of Beaconsfield parade, bikes and joggers were now invading the streets and paths, but I'd reached Port Melbourne so U-turned to make my way back to Mordialloc.   All sorts were out now, the café racers, the serious

 cyclusts, others testing lycra's limits, international travellers and hipsters on fixies struggling with real speed. Certainly entertaining!  Bunches fast and slow southward made a solo spin the preferred choice, but soon enough a half dozen had attached to my wheel for a free tow. Traffic lights became a burden through Brighton, and now caught up in a big bunch, I was tiring of it's tame tempo.  
Planning to break away from the boredom while stopped at Hampton's Bridge St lights, a voice beside me called "nice bike", to find a Baum buddy beside me.
Easily enticed to bury the breakaway and chat Corretto's, I succumbed to being drawn along in the bunch draft, the yarn with Ian made social satisfaction while a few young ones provided the tow.  Rides ridden, peloton preferences and Baum's bliss drew many comparisons on our travels through the segments of  'Ohhh Boy!', 'Love to Silvia' and 'Questionable Architectural Taste', but soon enough time forced an adieu and halted me at the Tour de Café on Mordialloc's pier, 27 Strava trophies and a long black was savoured, but Couldabeens comradery craved.


10/12  Smooth's the secret.

Relative humidity at 99% made a steamy start to Week 50, finding Rocket, The Godfather, Cate, Bruce, Travis, Pistol Pete and Liam lining up for the 5:45 foray.  The Ford Rd fix continues so the Raftery-Mitchell-River-Boundary-Old Dookie circuit sufficed, first berth for me made me captain to steer the squad out of town.  A hint of a southerly had me pressing the accelerator hard, Rocket relieving me of that rigor as we turned south onto Melbourne Rd, then down Raftery to eye-ball the rising sun.  Turns rolled smooth in the high 30's to Mitchell Rd, the atmosphere as thick as a brick stirring a sweat and steaming specs.  It's a relief to relieve thoughts from the calamity of Christmas and focus on the ride, oh, and preventing a coronary keeping pace with Liam in River Rd.  Bruce and Rocket did the distance to Boundary Rd, a terminated turtle and a flattened fox our chicanes on the north drive to Old Dookie Rd (Coggo seen providing the tow to a peace train of five at the Broken bridges).  Pistol Pete and Travis donated the draft to the highway, the peace prized as The Godfather diverted his energies from tongue to tempo on the front.  The way west on Old Dookie Rd was smooth in speed , I was still sandwiched between Rocket and Liam but the effort was made manageable by the regular rhythm.  Pace was still plentiful reaching the city limits (a caffeine incentive?) but time turned me homeward at SPC.

11/12  The toil train.

Col was captain again for the first shift of the Tuesday thrash, a light southerly the only constraint to the train of toil.  Participants for pain were plentiful (Cate, Bo, Pelly, Kel, Grumpy, BamBam, Whispering Jack, Temple, Nick, Killkenny Paul and MyRideTrev) which tells me the 5:45 formula finds favour (a few ex Hares now happier to hurt a little less in division two).

 I took leg 2 to Orrvale Rd finding high 30's manageable (a bonus to have orchards shielding the breeze), the long line passing as I eased to join the tail (but KillkennyPaul held a caveat on the caboose)  Whispering Jack won the headwind on Central Ave, Pelly, BamBam, Cate and MyRideTrev driving and dividing the Channel Rd chores (in varying velocities).  Kel hurried into the headwind to the Broken Bridges, Bo and Nick getting us to River Rd and out of the breeze.  Grumpy hit the turbo reaching the front at the quarter horse stud (vexed by variation?), Col steadfastly sticking to the prior rhythm saved several from an early exit. Col's smoothness to the bridge prepared me well for my next shift, Bo's bitches last week on my "short" turn inspiring a drive to reach River's end. I'd chanced missing the headwind en-route to Mitchell (Pelly's performance pacy), the Hares hurry closing in on us at Dave's dip.  Traffic caused us to pause at the highway where the Hares pounced, the 5:45 team content to stay collected and battle out the bragging rights together.  Temple dragged the long line to Galbraith's gate where Col drove long and strong to Conrod straight.  There'd be podium pickings for me at second wheel with a kilometre to go, so with Col still captain at the first dip, I wound up to empty the tank and make work for Bo behind me. Surprised I'd lasted to the 250 mark, Bo and Pelly bolted by in a battle for the chocolates (Pelly pouncing for prime position) to finish a quick circuit with all but KillkennyPaul in sight.

12/12 The SpinDoctor's swansong.

A tropical Wednesday (21 degrees and a 20 km/h northeaster) drew a crowd at the Couldabeens carpark, Tina, MexicanAnt, The Godfather, KillkennyPaul, Shorty, Nick, Softa, SpinDoctor, Cate, Travis, Laura, Kenworth, MyRideTrev, and Nev setting sail southward at six.  It was SpinDoctor's last lap before the Dutchy deserts, so it was fitting he lead the crew south to Sanctuary's roundabout.  I'd jumped at the chance to be at the front (nothing to do with the aid of a tail wind!) and had The Godfather as partner in pace to the truck route.  The enlarged early edition of Col, Kreeky, PistolPete, Rocket, Wozza, not-so-newAvantiJohn, BamBam, Boof, Bo and Kel had just joined in for leg 3 when MyRideTrev punctured, a welcome intermission for Softa to overdose on oxygen after his 4k effort to keep in touch.   The obligatory reshuffle on the restart placed me between Boof and not-so-newAvantiJohn, labour looking likely at the front  into the wind. Weapon joined from the west, the pack stacked across the tarmac hiding from the northeaster. 

Hesitating at the horsepower you're paired with is a wasted worry, many are considerate in matching your speed and most don't bite! Maybe it's dealing with your own shortcomings relenting to a shorter shift that hurts?   The last k of River Rd with Boof and the first bit of Boundary beside not-so-newAvantiJohn went better than my niggling negatives had expected, I'd survived the speed and no blood was spilt (though legs weren't pleased with the pace).  Half a k later the bunch banter had erased all that effort, many in lesser form than I advanced to do their long or short bit for the bunch, the turn into Channel Rd favouring fortunes with the wind behind us.   Laura was in a lather, and some now shuffled into the down-line predicting energy left didn't equal speed needed.  Mid 40's silenced the bunch babble, thankfully two rows became one before I'd arrived at the front for further duty. A 60 metre long line of howling wheels speared toward the ChaCha, Travis launching the lead-out a little before Prentice Rd with Boof and not-so-newAvantiJohn in his wake.  Into the 50's, my focus narrowed in close Couldabeens quarters, a brief peek eyeing Boof taking the trophy.

14/12  A post precipitation pedal.

Boof was quickly tending to a sliced tyre at Friday's grid as Tina, Pelly, Kel, Bo, Cate, Liam and The Godfather rolled in for duty.  A piece of canvas outclassed a $5 note for a makeshift repair but a dud CO2 inflator meant our flight would be further delayed.  Launching 6 minutes late, I'd scored the job of pilot out of town, Kel pairing at the city limits urged some shove into my shift to Sanctuary's roundabout.  Bruce, Kreeky, Pistol Pete and Rocket turned up from the early edition to make a baker's dozen, the tarmac now almost dried from Thursday's 16mm soaking.  There was the odd puddle to dodge on our eastward drive, finding Cruisers ambling west in River Rd (Mr. Magnet, as aero as a basketball, already thoroughly o.t.a.) with Pussycats in pursuit behind,  Goats fielding a foursome on the train of pain at the Angora farm.  
Our bunch numbers made for smooth sailing (no rubber band syndrome at the back with just a dozen ahead) and a decent workout (more than the usual two turns).  It was time for my contribution to the Couldabeens cause again at the front, a drive up Boundary Rd beside Cate then rolling across at the Broken bridges to have Kel co-pilot beside me.  I may have (inadvertently) added a tad of tempo on the bridge descent that could have been construed as a surge, in an instant I was in Struggle Street keeping up to Kel's pumped-up pace (even though I'd held a respectful half wheel back, Kel was apparently similarly stressed by speed)  Funny how conformity creates competition?  Liqourice legs laboured to catch the wheel as we turned into Channel Rd, but into the draft the effort eased to begin a comeback to composure. PistolPete's performance towed us beyond the S bend, a consensus concluded to avoid the ChaCha's channels of water and divert via Poplar Ave to town.  Inattentive drivers and cars minus the luxury (and sensibility) of lights were on the keep clear list, tapping through the city's streets to home pondering another year almost spent.

Week 50     220km     YTD 13,400 km.



   

Week 49 : What the will wanted.

Post # 476
1/12  Velo variance.

A slow solitary spin up to speed on Saturday satisfied a sluggish engine, out to the golf course and across to Grahamvale motivating muscles to cope with the Couldabeens pace.  Lax legs could be from copious k's, but you don't get fitter doing fewer!  The seldom seen species of TrackStan and Spin Doctor had queued first at the carpark, Lenny, Bruce, Col, PistolPete, Boof, Shorty, Tina, MyRideTrev, SuperMario, Bo, TrekTrev, Kel, Wozza, Rocket, KillkennyPaul, TatPaul, Lance, Temple, Softa, The Godfather and Superman filtering in, some from earlier efforts, a change of circuit stirring up sentences till six.  Wozza and Rocket stoked up the first shift to banish any thoughts of a lame lap, that long thin tail of struggling survivors in the left line waiting for 1.Mitchell Rd's wind assistance 2. The kindest wheel to follow 3. Assimilation to speed. (or maybe all of the above?)

I had 18 k's worth of social sentences before duty called at the front, Archer, Mitchell, River and a bit of Boundary blurring by to the tune of 48 wheels humming, plenty of bunch babble, shrieks from launching galahs and The Godfather's guffaws in close competition.  Elevated to the drivers seat just over the Broken bridges, it was time to keep up with Kel to Channel Rd then levelling with Spin Doctor to the highway.  Rocket and Wozz slogged out a long drive to the fig farm where Tommygun jumped aboard, queries on the course bounced about as we tapped to the Toaster and up to the Big Ring to take a Congupna East diversion (Ford Rd still undergoing a rebuild)    The bunch was almost big enough to split but togetherness won the day, though several were barely above idling speed enduring the rubber band effect on the back while some were on the rivet at the front.  Complaints on the coarseness of the course didn't tally with Bruce and I, the suppleness of titanium a bonus on the bum.  A few now ventured from the rear seats to do a turn, pumps up the confidence instead of confinement in the caboose, Strava scoring plenty of pb's on this road less travelled.   

We turned to Congupna East Rd but bearing west with Rocket and Temple doing the long haul into the wind, my turn came up again for the category 3 climb (the channel bridge) with Kel before pairing with SpinDoctor on the descent.  The west northwester whittled away the wattage but Spin Doctor called a shorter roll (looking a bit toasted)  The swing south onto Lemnos North Rd offered respite from the headwind (and different cows to view), the slightly smoother surface swinging the subject off saddle soreness.  There was an air of Armstrong Rd's relentlessness on the 9k grind to Old Dookie Rd, conversation breaking the tedium as the up-line worried about the wind for the west leg back to town. There was a sprint-less conclusion closing in on suburbia as traffic took over the streets, a few short blasts of acceleration to catch the bunch tail beyond the intersections and it was the week's end luxury of the Lemontree's menu to ponder.   Freaky folk, crazy cadence and reading a ride bounced across the table over a protracted breakfast with buddies.

3/12  Peace with pace.  

Are lazy legs linked to a lethargic head?  I sometimes wonder if 300+ km and 80,000 steps a week maybe the reason, but mood maketh the muscles move.  A quiet 10 k warmed up limbs but it took the banter from Coggo, Tina, Heady, Sandy, Phil, AvantiLeigh, Hommie, Amy and Dippa to giddy up the headspace.  DeepFry and JB had assumed the standard SPC position and attached to the two rows exiting east from town.  The peace was propelled by a decent westerly (15-24 km/h) promoting peace in the ranks as oxygen intake took priority for many.  

I'd drawn what is usually the short straw behind Hommie but his half wheeling habit seemed to be on hold today.   Old mate on the old Cannondale (face was familiar but my recall stalled) came alongside for the drive to School Rd but his velocity vanished on the roll-over, slicing 6 k's off the pace.  Boundary Rd presented a breeze to the starboard flank and a sun-up to the portside as each did their duty to the drive to River Rd, some went long and others brief, but who was measuring?   Head down for the head wind beside Hommie on the way west, I was careful to level peg and not play his game of intimidation but the huff and puff told me he was on the limit.  Old mate on the old Cannondale repeated his boom and bust shift at the quarter horse stud, Coggo, Phil and AvantiLeigh restoring rhythm soon after with smoothness of speed. Perfectly positioned, I was treated to a tow to Central Kialla Rd rested and ready for the rigor solo back to town.  B doubles to and fro on the truck route delivered drafts to delight and destroy, the push home on Archer Rd kept conservative for a thrash tomorrow. 

4/12  Popcorn.
An air of apprehension on the commute to the Couldabeens on Tuesday, it's been more than 6 months since spinning with the 5:45 crew so I wondered if I'd measure up.  Pelly, Whispering Jack, Shorty, Nick, Kel, MyRideTrev, Bo and Superman had lined up for the thrash, Bo on the first shift to Kensington's roundabout.  I had Shorty's draft for a couple of minutes warm up as the line of nine speared toward the Kinder.  Cougar was on a presumptuous pedal ahead and climbed aboard as we closed in on Jameson Rd, Whispering Jack seemingly easing the effort till Shorty took over at the cypress trees.  

Pace picked up to the S bend where my turn fell due, time to tickle the tempo to see if standards of old were set in stone.  I handed the drivers seat to Nick in Boundary Rd but a call for calm  (seems the specs have skewed?) came from the caboose (Cougar uncoupled).   All were aboard after a few moments off the gas, so back up to speed, Nick and Superman had the joy of a head on breeze.  There was no gap for me to rejoin the drivers, so I sat on as tail-light, Pelly pouring on the power into River Rd prompting MyRideTrev to hand out a helping hand to one dropping a wheel.  200 meters on the caboose broke off the back, so I bolted to catch the tail of 7.  Heads down in the hurry in River Rd continued, gaps closed and concentration sharpened as the importance to hold that wheel increased.  Kel commendably cranked to the bridge and handed the hurt to Bo, his strong shift taking us to Central Kialla Rd while I prepared for pain at second wheel.  That breeze wore away the willpower on my effort south, I probably toasted myself reaching the Kialla hall bu there'd be reasonable recovery afterward.  A flick of the elbow and I eased the effort, but pickle my grandmother! just Pelly, Kel and Bo were behind, seems half the peloton had parted popcorn from the pace.   There'd be a battle with the cardiac count now, so hopes were for long turns from my three amigos so I'd restore some composure before the next shift. The ticker was still at 170 when Kel handed me the helm a bit before Archer, so survival dictated a shorter shift to Dave's dip and hang on while Pelly ascended with avengance.   The Hares were homing in as we slowed for traffic at the highway, Bo, Kel and Pelly slipped through but halted with the Hares for self preservation.  All that horsepower was hard to hang onto down to Roubaix corner and when Rocket hit the afterburners my legs refused to keep up with what the will wanted. The tonic of going o.t.a. is a great cure for  cockiness, a disappointment not to finish with the bunch but some pleasure I'd lasted this far, to Conrod's end with the hr still in the 170's had jellied the legs, but it had lit the fire to try harder next time. 

5/12  A two turn tango.

Ahead of the alarm on Wednesday, a 12k spin of the streets readied the rectus femorus for the Couldabeens counter clockwise circuit.  Whispering Jack, Superman, Nick, The Godfather, SuperMario, Goose, Kenworth, Spin Doctor, Tommygun, Shorty, Grumpy (or should that be Sleepy-in-y) Temple, Tina and MyRideTrev formed the lines in the carpark.  The fear of the first shift suddenly struck the front of the grid at six, but Whispering Jack took on the toil for the team, Nev arriving at the third stroke was no surprise but BamBam turning up at Kialla Lakes was.  Nev took the initiative of instigating the up line, the string of shy folk occupying the down line motivating me to follow in Nev's wake.  The drive with Nev to the truck route found an early edition u-turning to join, my pairing with The Godfather to Mitchell Rd doing the duty for Kreeky, Rocket, Wozza, not-so-newAvantiJohn, PistolPete, Bo and Kel to get aboard.  Into the social stuff  thereafter (and out of the breeze as a bonus) we worked to Central Kialla, the Col conversation centring on Hollywood facelifts of all things.  Weapon was added to the fold in River Rd as speed see-sawed from fast to forlorn, Wozza making sure there was little time to daydream.  Just a pair of Pain trainers plied south on Boundary as our pace continued north, I'd made it all the way to the bunch's back and started the advance as we swung west back to town. 

The rolls went rapid beyond Channel Rd's S bend as many elected to shorten shifts, advancing me toward the business end a little sooner than I'd hoped.  Whispering Jack got the bit between his teeth toward the Kinder which caught Nev napping (he had four places to make up turning toward Hopeful corner) but swiftly and smoothly he'd reached the front, slimming the squad to single file. I'd glued to Nev's wheel waiting for the sign, just his hint of slowing at Prentice Rd and I poured on what power I had.  What seemed an eternity of turning myself inside out lasted probably a mere 100 metres, the sound of sprinters wheels behind waiting for that perfect place to pounce (and put me out of my misery)  I'd almost hit bursting point when Rocket, Col, Wozz and co powered by to rate my all as average, such bliss to ease off and greedily gobble oxygen.  Chat with the tap to the truck route analysed the how's and what if's of the sprint but PistolPete and The Godfather turned up the turbo to town to put the brakes on the babble.

6/12  Hare conditioner.
Keeping the cadence cooking on the commute to the Couldabeens was hoped to limber legs, the frenetic 5 k south finding Bo, Col, Kel, Grumpy, SuperMario, Nick, Whispering Jack, Temple and MyRideTrev lined up for the Thursday therapy/thrashing.  

Two rows sorted to single file into Channel Rd and I'd scored the sensationally smooth wheel of Kel to follow, Col commanding the captaincy to Kensington and beyond.  Nick laboured the leg to Orrvale Rd and looked pleased to terminate his turn, SuperMario then Temple taking the task toward the cypress trees. Bo's shift was a little shy of the S bend for Kel to take the lead, seems I'd score a bit of the ENE'er to deal with before the Boundary Rd blessing of the breeze behind.  Head low and cadence high kept 39 on the Garmin, keen to keep the rhythm smooth as the previous  shift.   MyRideTrev had the treat of the tail wind  (a seniors discount?), Grumpy doing the distance to River Rd.  

Smoothness was the salvation for our westerly effort (though I craved the train drivers moving up the road a bit for a proper draft), Temple's turn was long and strong down to Mitchell Rd, Bo to Archer and Kel to Dave's Dip for my next shift to reach the highway (just cleared of traffic to aid our cause)  A sneak peek back as we sped toward Galbraith's gate confirmed the Hares were out of Conrod's contention, Nick pulled out all stops beyond Arcadia Downs and Temple took the reigns at Conrod's dip, I sat in the sweet seat of fourth wheel with Bo yet to face the front and Col (hopefully) cooked from his last turn.  Bo hit the gas as we closed in on the last dip but I'd pre-empted his push and was right on his wheel, turning on the angry legs with 50 to go.  Chuffed to draw past the young fella and take the chocolates, I pondered that perfect position that periodically presents itself, gasping to the skinny bridge where Hares hurried past on their Rafters Rip mission.

7/12 Flambe Friday.

I had no dramas driving that first turn to Sanctuary's roundabout with the northeaster at my back on Friday, Superman, Tina, MyRideTrev, Kenworth, Boof, BamBam, Shorty, Cate, Tommygun, Laura, The Godfather, Pelly, Kel and Nick strung along behind would have the pleasure of a headwind later!  A lengthy early edition (Kreeky, Rocket, Wozza, Bruce, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Whispering Jack, PistolPete, Col and Grumpy) jumped aboard on our mission to Mitchell Rd, but from there on the headwind would hurt till reaching Channel Rd.  

Friday's westward parade of pelotons in River Rd was barely noticed caught up in Couldabeens conversation, Laura's slipped quickly into the fold of fellowship, Whispering Jack's caught a chronic case of commitment , Cate's back from a Kiwi furlough, Superman's in stitches and Tina's awoken her mojo for motion.  MyRideTrev questioned his decision to advance to the pointy end, but he did anyway (better than confined in the caboose) as two long lines turned north for the charge to Channel Rd.  Steaming into the breeze in the high 30's I reflected on the days when 32 incurred squeals of protest, tempo was taboo on Wednesdays and Fridays!  (ah, how fitness unfolds eh?)   I'd reached the business end just as we turned west into Channel Rd for the benefit of the breeze behind, to the S bend beside Cate and with The Godfather to the cypress trees and my duty was done.  Pace was on the up and up rounding Kinder corner at 47 but I was ignoring the speed from then, a keen eye on the thin line ahead as Boof bolted for the honours with the hopefuls hanging on to pick up the podium pieces.

Week 49  285km     YTD 13,180 km