Week 39 : The payback for pain.

Post #466
22/9  The Saturday satisfaction.

Pondering a prologue at 4:40am warranted booking into the BeerMat clinic for bike addiction, so constraint and contemplation over a second coffee curtailed the craving......for a little while.  Down to the starting grid, orange streaked the sky, the carpark filling with TatMat, Rocket, PistolPete, Wozza, DeterminedDan, Cate, GTCraig, TatPaul, Kreeky, Shorty, Bruce, TrekTrev, Col and a very vociferous Godfather (me thinks his football team won last night? Or does he drink from a bidon of neat raspberry cordial?)   Spinning south into the light fog over Archer Rd, Rocket and Wozza tempo'd the train to the truck route, I made an early entry to the up-line to h.t.f.u.  (and snap a pic for posterity)  I'd lined up behind TatMat and had The Godfathers gabble behind, at least we were on holiday from the Spring winds for a change.  TrackStan appeared from months of obscurity, my turn at the front for the northern leg had to be halved if I was to survive.  TatMat complied to my short shift and The Godfather tolerated my gasps to reach River Rd ; all very well to blame the three degrees or that old chestnut of "heavy air", weak wattage was the plain and simple reason, some days you got it, others......nope!   (I guess your partner at the pointy end is in almost the same pain, some are skilled enough to hide it)

Speechless in the draft to River Rd's bridge, I finally found the oxygen to become sociable and answer Kreeky beside me, the bunch now looking longer than it's 32 wheels would suggest.  Nath arrived as we skirted the halt humps at River Rd's end, now northbound flanked by fields of canola and audibly drowning in The Godfather's vernacular.  Cranial calculations of my next shift were already underway when the speed squad (Rocket, Wozza, PistolPete and Nath) had formation at the front (irony again), but TatMat's chat on the "hurtingness" factor threw a cackle into my concerns.   It was time for toil again in Old Dookie Rd as Cate called a short shift to Nath, I'd rolled across with The Godfather as co-pilot, getting into that mindset of relaxed shoulders, grip, jaw and thoughts and letting the legs do the business helped the hurry to the Toaster (I was appropriately toasted on arrival)  Riding over the seasons first (flattened) tiger snake,

a super sky was set to deliver a delightful day, albeit a little too July in its' temperature, the Pussycat peloton out to play as we crossed paths a little further into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  The tarmac blurring by at 10 meters per second told of the trust between a civil engineer, a nurse, a maintenance mechanic, a funeral director, an ex superbike pilot, a window tinter, a school principal, an administrator, a storeman and a bike mechanic (to name some)   Ford Rd arrived before I'd expected and I was closing in on duty at the front due for the whip along Wanganui.  Traffic split the bunch at the highway and 'nek minit' I was second wheel to Bruce as he and PistolPete turned up the tempo as the bunch regrouped.

I initiated the Indian file as Bruce was left out to dry at DECA, hanging on in the increasingly difficult draft as the faster forged forward.  Bruce then Pistol were cast aside as the big guns fired to the hill, Rocket up and over Mt.Wanganui with ease as a dozen wrung out their legs behind.  There was the ritual reform in Rudd Rd then the breakfast bolt was on (the once casual cruise for coffee is now history), making a Strava segment seems to have stirred the speed, either as a challenge or just to earn a Lemontree breakfast?   Walkers are waning with only Jen, Leah, Tina and Mrs.Pistol already seated, chat on custom building, overseas operations and assisted dying was babbled between bites of breakfast.


24/9  Shut the fridge door!

A southerly sliced through the insulating layers to stir up some real determination to reach the carpark, less I be frozen to the Fizik!  Feels like -0.4 degrees in late September does little for motivation, just as well there was a good roll-up of Wozza, Kel, Pelly, Grumpy, Cate, Nev, PistolPete, Bo, Col, Bruce, The Godfather and Kreeky.  We set sail into Channel Rd, the sky streaked with orange to start Monday, Wozza working me over on the long leg to the truck route (a warranted warm up for the weeks work ahead), with a dozen driving there'd be reasonable respite.   Pelly was smarting from a windy Dookie duathlon, Grumpy's re-energised from a fitness analysis, The Godfather was strangely subdued (football final fears?), Bruce is back on the Bossi,  Nev did the gillet disrobe thing, and in shock news, I reckon I'd seen Pistol in that kit once before! 

Another turn with Wozz at the front in Boundary Rd was a little easier (seasoned to the speed?), over the rail line and back into the comfort of the tow while others cut through the cold to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.
The "feels like" was starting to test toes and freeze fingers but there was plenty of hot air from some sectors on the way back to town. Several kilometres vanished in conversation, finding Wanganui Rd upon us, Cate was on driving duty at DECA and the force was slowly fading, there'd be no infringement today to rattle the ritual of  a sprint-less Monday.  Pace was still perky though (or people had run out of conversation) belting along the Boulevard, a  bit of car caution called for as we threaded the fine line past the parked.











25/9  Paired for peace?

On a fast for a routine blood test made the gizzards grizzle getting the wheels turning Tuesday (my, how us Virgo's retaliate when routines are rattled!) but a cool 4 degrees distracted me from that digestive drama.  Coggo's returned from an Italian odyssey with many mountains mounted, and with Hommie, AvantiLeigh, Cate, Heady, Sandy, Manny and Carl, nine formed at Friars for the 6am spin.  Heady did his ritual tow out of town then AvantiLeigh called for pairing as we crossed the truck route, putting a big shift into my headspace from slogging it single to patiently pacing partners. A super-sized sun had arisen to blind us toward Boundary Rd, Hommie hurtling along with the Avanti rattling for attention.
Sandy and Heady were driven to doing turns,  turns up the feeling of teamwork rather than that 'just-a-passenger' clutching to the caboose.  Carl's clawed his way out of hibernation to be nearly ranked a regular, Avanti-Leigh and Manny in fine form and probably just idling (but courteously complying)   Coggo almost wrung me out on a long drive to the highway, Cate keeping up the velocity so I didn't soften till the tow at the Broken bridges.  Turning west into River Rd had the blessing of a breeze (although it was as soft as Softa) to pamper our passage. Coggo and I were at the front again approaching the dip and called a caution for a creature in our path, I couldn't decide if it was a Shog or a Deep (a dog with the coat of a sheep, or was it a sheep behaving like a dog?) but it galloped at our growl, so we resumed the drive to Laws Drive where Cate companioned.  Heady had another turn at toil as River Rd ran out, but it was time for me and Cate to turn to town.  There was quite a hunger for some hurt, so heads down on the truck route and then continue the effort up Archer, figuring the perfect prescription for performance is pain.

26/9  Out with the old and in with the new.

Somedays solo suits the psyche, don't get me wrong, the babble and the belonging of a bunch is brilliant but time in your own company is a good leveller (besides, one softens swiftly sitting in a draft)  A south southwester kept me company outbound on Old Dookie Rd, well before sun-up and the competition with cars for tarmac space.  I don't know what fires that greed for speed when there's no bikes as bait, no Strava segment to smash or half wheeler as a competitive carrot, but I found the heart rate and speed climbing as the legs and lungs burned.  Ears were entertained by the tune of tyres on tarmac as the mind meandered to the punishment of the (3) peaks 6 months ago, maybe a cranial comparison to make today seem easy? (there was almost four and a half meters of elevation today, not four and a half thousand!)   Over Boundary Rd and headed for the Toaster, the legs were screaming at the stubbornness to stop, but little comes from cruising.  A promise to ease the effort toward the church kept the tempo going, so it was almost Christmas to have the wind up the Khyber for the short 1200 meters north to the Pine Lodge church.  The south southwester had swung to a southerly for my work west on New Dookie Rd, the road surface now the handbrake on speed, so I was hungry to reach the smooth section at Lemnos (thanks to Tina's trucks playing the part of ripper rolling pins).  A few trees offered a hint of help with their shelter but out in the open furrowed the brow and pickled the peroneus.  I set a finish line at Doyles Rd as a target to aim at, digging deeper to deliver a speed that erased embarrassment, starving for that tiny tow that just two passing cars delivered.

27/9  Hungry for the hurt.

Coggo, Phil, Tum, Amy, Manny, Carl, Hommie, Tina, Heady, Cate and Sandy gathered at Friars for the 6am spin, a mild morning enthusing the early attendance.   Heady headed us out of town of course, the pairing organised quickly past the truck route (how quickly the tide has turned from the dedicated few single file in the winter darkness to the double up when more can be bothered in sunshine)  It was a slow and steady start as the rare roll routine got underway, quite cruisy as I was slowly demoted to the rear ranks.  Coggo'd braved the short knicks, Tina's back trying the nerves following a long lay off (collarbone), Hommie's bike still sounding like the No.47 tram and Tum loving the Luxembourg layer.  Pace picked up southbound with the breeze baiting an effort, Cate turning up the tempo to the highway and Heady keeping me quiet to Channel Rd.  8 degrees baited enthusiasm for warmer weather ahead as the sun took the chill off a dozen backs in River Rd. 

My heart rate was on holiday now sitting at sixth wheel, a contrast to Phil and Amy labouring lungs at the pointy end. (I wonder where the dozen or more absentee Goats from autumn have hidden?) Cate and I peeled off at River Rd's end,  the hint of an east northeaster helping the hunger for a hurry along the truck route, a Strava segment and an almost insatiable want for fitness and fastness pushing the limits to town.  Just when protests from the legs reached the head to urge a slow, Cate would up the ante to force a deeper dig for speed (I guess thoughts may have been the same from her perspective?) There wasn't much left to dig by Kialla Lakes Drive's end, almost beyond what was fun, the payback for pain being a KOM and QOM respectively. (I'll guess a Strava-stalker will be out to steal that before long!).

28/9  A social smoothie.

The mere suggestion of a slightly longer loop on a public holiday in reasonable weather with breakfast afterward brought a flood of starters to the carpark at 6am on Friday.  It was great to find Temple on the grid after almost a year off the Ridley battling a nasty nerve injury.  Rocket, Bo, The Godfather, Kel, Cate, Jen, Pelly, BamBam, Kreeky, not-so-newAvantiJohn, PistolPete, Wozza, Goose, Boof, Bruce, Shorty, Trek Trev, and even WhisperingJack filled the spaces (some clocking earlier k's for the hell of it).  Keen to care for the comeback crew, I led a quiet couple of k's down to Raftery Rd in the hope of setting a social standard, but it seems that was the intention of most.  Conrod straight in reverse is always weird as we reeled in a soloist (TrekBarry) who jumped aboard the caboose for a tow, casual conversations bouncing from side to side toward Mitchell Rd (interrupted by The Godfather's rowdy retorts)  Over the highway the wind assisted pace was gingerly increased (but still suiting sentence swapping), titanium team-mate Bruce about to clock the Bossi's first ton, BamBam on his wow-gosh-and-blimey fourth ride of the week, WhisperingJack contemplating the cruelty of a comeback, PistolPete keeping a lid on his birthday and Bo bemoaning the blast of Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

The sun had risen quickly to light River Rd, Cats facing the west way back to town with work to do. I eventually reached the back of the bunch to find Temple, Jen and hitch-hiker TrekBarry cosy in the caboose, then began the slow promotion forward with the heart rate barely above 110, possibly for just one more effort to cut the breeze.  Many were soaking up the social smoothie after days of slogging speed, it's beneficial at times just to cruise and contemplate the pleasure of a pain free pedal.  Boundary, Old Dookie and Pine Lodge Rd done, I'd finally been promoted to the pointy end, just in time to face the WSW'er almost head on.  Lucky eh?   Wozza then Kreeky kept me busy (but not burst) for a k of Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, PistolPete and Rocket doing the long drive to Lemnos North Rd and bearing the blast of wind oncoming trucks delivered.  The relaxed routine had even extended to Wanganui Rd with just a pinch of pace to the hill, my eyes rearward to keep the caboose (and their dreams of getting back to form) intact.  The Boulevard's bolt to breakfast got keen as coffee and menu's were pondered, 28 (with walkers) crowding the tables for comments on football, holiday accommodation and canola.  
Week 39        247km             YTD 10,359km

Week 38 : Concrete & carpe diem.

 

Post #465
15/9   Blowin' in the wind.

A fickle forecast threw doubts on Saturday's roll-up, 2mm of rain and a howling northwester would surely confine most to quarters.  So it was inspiring to find Col, Kel, Rocket, Boof, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Cate, Wozza, Bo, DeterminedDan, Shorty, TatMat, TrekTrev, Bruce, PistolPete, TatPaul, MyRideTrev and Travis turn up for the 6am social.  Rocket and Wozza set the cruise control to quick out of town, Grumpy and Ralphy joining in as a few spots from above questioned our decision. The pre-dawn light showed a stormy sky and an erratic wind (NNW at 15-24 km/h) but it didn't rattle the resolve of 20 to press on to Mitchell Rd and across to Central Kialla, the speed spiced to well beyond the limit of old (35) and not a whimper was heard!  We found Superman loitering in River Rd to catch the express eastward, gregarious gabble now in full swing (except for those occupied with oxygen at the rushin' front)   I was gradually advancing to start my first shift in Boundary Rd (just my luck to face the NNW'er!) but inspiration came watching DeterminedDan commit to the cruelty of cranking as captain.

MyRideTrev, Superman and Cate put their two bobs worth in to the Broken bridges and beyond, but nothing quite prepares you for the slap in the face of a headwind at the front. Cate called a roll as we neared Channel Rd, TatMat now my partner as the pace picked up to pair with him.  "So what's been happening in your week Foss?" he casually called. Are you kidding! I could bare
ly manage a two word sentence (with a big gasp between words).  "Talk" and "later" felt like my dying words but I pressed on to the Pub, maybe out of fear of ruining the rhythm for those behind and maybe for satisfying a personal goal of matching a young fella.  I ticked a box reaching the highway and was quite chuffed the heart rate recovered quickly in the tow thereafter, the sentence swapping starting again with Travis, Col and Wozza. There were lots of longer legs in short knicks for the 13 degree atmosphere, the strange serenity sans The Godfather something to savour.

Nev arrived from the west as we swung into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, Cats collected in a dozen cranking clockwise.  It's calming when the wheel ahead is smooth, just my luck to get a staccato spinner that forces a hang-back for safety's sake.

As the big guns just happened to line up in order for the work to Mt. Wanganui my sprint interest was low, a peek behind finding Shorty, Kel, DeterminedDan, Cate and Superman in a similar state, so my task became tow truck for the tested as the bunch broke at the test track (ironic?)  Bits were busting off the sprint squad as they sped to the hill, Shorty saving me from implosion at Kittles Rd with a draft to die for.
The Rudd Rd regroup picked up the puffed pieces and slowly wound up for the Boulevard's breakfast bolt, Bruce in caution control for Canterbury's roundabout.  AvantiAndy, Mrs. Pistol, Jen, Tina, Leah and Sim had captured much of the Lemontree's  table, 29 squeezing in to work over the waiters for wants.  Legs shaggy vs shaved, the joy of beachside riding and kit co-ordination kept jaws jabbering, the round two coffee committee dealing with bunch expansion as hibernators reappear.  (Hats off to DeterminedDan and TatPaul facing 20 k's of headwind home to top off a ton)

17/9  The hurry hunger.

The winter wardrobe got a workout on Monday, minus back on the bureau's "feels like" menu added more minutes to the kit-up contingency.  Bruce, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Cate, PistolPete, The Godfather and Kreeky rolled up to ride, Bruce and I on first shift into a chilly Channel Rd.
So who does set the speed on the front? It's always the other guy picking up the pace when you find yourself pushing for pace, or are they just trying to keep up with your enthusiasm?  Anyway, Bruce plays fair so I had no dramas digging deep to reach the truck route.  Turns out the standard was a bit swift when Bruce and not-so-newAvantiJohn trimmed a little off the drive to Orrvale Rd. I've been somewhat surprised by my recent turn of tempo, though maybe it's just a phase of freakish fitness and that the harsh hand of reality will slap me suddenly back to slowness soon?  With only seven to serve turns today there'd be a decent workout, a far cry from the one or two efforts a big bunch brings.  Threading our way through the 6 k's of orchards and vegetable plots, a fog hung over Channel Rd's channels to remind us of the temperature (-1) or lack of it.  A turn at the front was due again in Boundary Rd as our path plotted north to the pub, the sun keen to crest over Mt.Major even at 6:15. 

This different course is a welcome change from the same old same old cranked a thousand times before, and aren't we lucky having barely a handful of cars to compete for tarmac space.  The work west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd seemed easier, it wasn't downhill and there wasn't a wind, so was the tarmac the treat?  The Godfather and Kreeky took a sliver off the speed, PistolPete and Bruce going long and strong to drag us to Ford Rd.  Closer to town and Cate was salivating for a sprint, the Monday sprintless tradition broken when I wound up for a squirt to Mt.Wanganui (though I wished I hadn't, drawing in all that frozen oxygen)

18/9  Investment vs return.
Manny, AvantiLeigh, Cate, Phil, Heady, Hommie, Sandy and Belly gathered for the Goat grind on Tuesday, Heady hesitant to a hurry but led us out of town, the two social rows thinning to Indian file as I was left to lead leg one.  I'd eased the pace a little as a gap opened behind on the drive to Dobson's, then elbowed Sandy into the captain's seat at the bridge, but she was already in driving distress.

Cate took the helm to Central Ave as I rescued Sandy from the o.t.a. option with a gradual tow back to the tail.  Heady was in the hurt locker just a few hundred meters on and dropped off the tail,  AvantiLeigh on the throttle bolting to Boundary Rd.  Hommie had retired to pick up the pieces popped off the back,  and I wrestled with that awkward moment wanting the team as a whole, but the majority steamed on. ( Just a week or two more investing in toil they'll reap the returns of survival in the bunch, whereas the winter hibernators I've been banging on about for months are paying the massive tax of starting all over again in a snail squad to claw their long way back to fitness.  Concrete and carpe diem folks!)  So five drove onward to Boundary to reap the reward of the NNE tail wind, so up went the tempo, rather than soften.  Manny's wheels hummed with the hurry as Phil then Belly belted to the pub, Manny settling into an oh so smooth spin to the Broken bridges. The breeze behind begged me to reach River Rd, Cate leading us west till an oncoming truck blew us all backward.  AvantiLeigh eased up the effort again as Tuesdays sun drew long shadows ahead, Phil, Belly and Manny towing us to Rivers end.  The usual shortcut home was heaven to Archer and hell home, the habitual hurt hoped to deliver dividends (or so I'll say to my therapist)

19/9  For the fast, the fairly fit and the f%#'d !

Rocket, Boof, Wozza and Cate lined up in the car park at 5:57 but that front phobia has struck again, not until 5:59 did The Godfather, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Bo, Kel, Kreeky, Kenworth, Mark, Superman, MyRideTrev and Col crawl in (to avoid an early shift?).  Trish joined the caboose as Rocket and Wozz worked the first leg to Sanctuary's roundabout (just a little above their idle speed) while many huffed and puffed to hang on.  Not-so-newAvantiJohn and Boof drove on toward Mitchell Rd, the horsepower having a holiday from the hurt of Tuesday/Thursday while the fairly fit fettled their fortitude and the f%#'d just hung on in survival mode!  (At least the quick calm their cadence and the tailenders turn up) A westerly ripped us along River Rd, Bo and The Godfather had paired but behaved, oncoming Pussycats thinning to just half a dozen heads down into the headwind.
Although a little shy on the tempo Superman keeps on trying (infected by DeterminedDan disease?), keeping up with Cate caused me cardiac crescendo to River Rd's end.  Boof and I had the westerly whip the left shoulder in Boundary Rd (just Tum and Belly taking the tiny train of pain southbound) to the Broken bridges, Boof calling the roll before I did ticked my box.  Not-so-newAvantiJohn and Col hammered the hardyards to Channel Rd, the headwind (26 km/h) would hurt in the 6k to town but Superman went forward for punishment again (possibly inspiring some to do likewise)  There was another drive of duty for me to Central Ave and then with Boof to the Kinder, Col, trying to reach the front toward Hopeful corner, deferred to the down-line for a draft.  The tempo turned up for the ChaCha and thinned the line to single, The Godfather and Bo battling for line honours as most dodged the puddles in their tow.

20/9  I say whip it! Whip it good!

Thinking you're running late spikes the speed and drags you out of that cruisy comfort zone, my 10k prologue was post haste, motivating muscles and the mindset seeing sleep was off the menu. The panicked pace wasn't necessary arriving at Friars at 5:55, Tum, Belly, Cate, Phil,, Sandy AvantiLeigh, Hommie and Amy made up a Goat get-together (glad Sandy had that fighting spirit to try again after Tuesday's ota).  Tum towed us out of town and set the smoothness standard to Dobson's, nine steering to yet another stirring sunrise beginning in Boundary Rd.  Hommie hit the hurry up on the last leg of Old Dookie Rd but all the carriages stayed connected.  AvantiLeigh and Amy powered onto the pub, the sun topping the foggy fields a delightful distraction. 

Belly's shift ended at Channel Rd and Cate charged on beyond One Tree Dam, my turn seemed shy to River Rd so stayed in the captains seat for more work west (besides, the mystery man that hitchhiked Tuesday was my bait ahead)   Enthused by an imagined tail breeze (bureau said calm) and a feeling fine of form, I pushed on to the quarter horse stud, satisfied to see the speed steady between Garmin glances.    I handed the front to Tum and slid back for respiratory recovery but mystery man left a gap well before I'd reached the rear.   It's weird how the sun warms the back when the temperature drops a degree (to zero) but AvantiLeigh kept legs warm with the pace to the bridge after Hommie's habitual hit-out.  Amy dug deep for a determined drive to Rivers' end, yet another infected with the DeterminedDan disease?  Time turned Cate and I on the shortcut home, time to whip it down to Archer and whip it good to town, finishing strangely sore yet satisfied with the speed (thoughts of the coffee's warmth the main motivator).

21/9  That deflation sensation

Like seagulls to a bucket of hot chips, lines of leds converged on the carpark for the Friday ritual, 1.6 degrees not low enough to keep The Godfather, Pelly, Rocket, BamBam, Col, TrekTrev, Bruce, Superman, Kel, Kreeky, Liam, Bo, Travis, not-so-newAvantiJohn, PistolPete, Kenworth, Nev and Boof from the frivolities.   BamBam hung on for muscular mercy as Rocket launched south on Archer Rd, just a few volunteers went to the up-line (for some an effort too early?) when there'd probably be only be one turn each.   Enjoying the early light toward Mitchell Rd (till daylight savings delivers us darkness in 16 days), Travis tells me temperature has taxed his wardrobe of winter woollies, Kel's kit cravings curtailed 'cause of cost constraints (the price of pacing Pistol's panache?), Col voiced vinyl values (but defied dress code decency wearing a Cat kit) and The Godfather's greetings (to a compact collection of Cats) got guffaws.

Bruce's Trek has had a refit (little left of the original), Kenworth's Jurassic Giant soldiers on and Superman's KTM is in it's standard spotless state.  After 24 k's in the tow, my brief window of work came due at Channel Rd's S bend with Kenworth, then the toil alongside TrekTrev to the cypress trees.  Calls and signals of glass came a little too late as the long bunch belted through bits of broken bottles between Jameson and Central, many surprised nobody punctured as the cadence kicked up to the Kinder.   Weapon arrived (fresh from 25,000 meters worth of French and Italian alps) to join the tempo into town, I turned up the wick for the ChaCha but the Baum was behaving like a Barina with a boot full of bricks, that deflation sensation felt through the most sensitive of areas.  That glass had got me and made a Michelin marshmallow, most halting for the hilarity of my frozen finger fumble to fix the flat (kudos to eagle eyed Kel spotting the sliver of glass lodged in the tyre), my re-glove almost as lengthy as the repair.  We toured to town where most cornered for coffee, my roll home increasingly laboured as another slow puncture begged attention. (what I could do with that broken glass to those who break it...………)

Week 38       240km              YTD 10,112

Week 37 : Learning the legs some limber.

Post #464
8/9  The Saturday smoothie.

The Godfather, Shorty, Boof, Wozza, DeterminedDan, Cate, Rocket, TatMat, PistolPete, MyRideTrev, Trish, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Mark, Kreeky, TatPaul and Ralphy converged on the carpark for the Saturday sociable, hard to believe it's a year since changing to the longer lap (54km) from the old course starting in Channel Rd (38km).  There was a slow uptake for the up-line on the exit of town, maybe many were biding their time to get the westerly's assistance from Mitchell Rd onward?  The harmonious hum of wheels and the whir of chains took over as contemplation of peloton position took precedence (who's wheel offers the best draft yet is the kindest pairing when you reach the front?

And is a half-wheeler sitting behind me?)  With the pecking order finally sorted, peace was soon shattered by The Godfather and the social sentences started, DeterminedDan's back from 7 weeks on shift, Ralphy's breaking records with 4 rides in a week (how long will that continue?) and amazingly, another sentence was extracted from Mark! Along River Rd's 6k length and steering north
Tum and Amy plied south on Boundary Rd, a thin fog sitting on the fields as the sun peeked over the horizon.  Kit kudos from Pistol meant my new jersey was class, but nobody can pair with Pistol's panache.  Speed wasn't as scintillating as last week, pleasing me to preserve power for a 115k ride tomorrow.  A turn at the pointy end in Old Dookie Rd satisfied some obligations, noting the Cat population had pumped to a dozen as we crossed paths in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Trish and MyRideTrev broke the caboose convention and cranked to the front for a turn, a tad tame on tempo (but at least they had a go). I was hoping to get another turn done before the workout on Wanganui, a few escaped via Verney Rd on other weekend missions so avoided the advance (it'd be odds-on I'd get the lead role at the masochism moment) and set a spot in the rear seats (with others I might add) before the boys went boom!  Two lines turned single on cue at DECA, holding TatPaul's wheel as the bunch stretched with speed to the hill.  The calm in Rudd Rd returned breaths and the bolt on the Boulevard was a little more restrained.   A warming sun bolstered breakfast chat on the price of organic,  preparing for peaks and maintaining mind over matter.      


9/9  Fruitloopy.

I fronted for a Fruitloop (number 13 for me) on Sunday and the numbers were down despite the promised sunshine (too many hibernating over the cold winter and thoughts of 100+km frightens 'em away?), just 60 signing up for the 115km course to Dookie and back.  There was much sorting of wheat from the chaff as a big bunch exited town (minus the usual police assistance we once enjoyed), a few Goats and some of the Adams family dispersed among a variety of tall short, thin and 'woops-I've-swallowed-a-wombat' types (some better suited to the 50k event?)   A Couldabeens contingent of Wozza, Boof, Nath, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Cate, Nev and Kristy (on a tandem) and MyRideTrev set the tempo east on Old Dookie Rd to get the party started, several others advancing to the pointy end to contribute.

Some ducked for cover sensing the work to be done, the strengthening westerly blowing out the cobwebs as we swung north toward Five Ways.  A rhythm had been set by the time we'd pointed toward Yabba, some in the caboose breaking off to group for a more sedate spin. Fields of canola had sprung on cue to paint our way east, the breeze behind building to massage ego's (ah, just wait for the turn south!)  The thin strip of Dookie-Yabba Rd meant few could get cover, Nath, Wozza, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Boof and Jason became the driving force as most fought for the thin slipstream behind.  The bunch fragmented as the first uphill appeared, the short rise to the Church convincing a few to take the 100k option.      

In a little oxygen deficit after the assault on Mt Saddleback, Cate, Axel and I settled on a steady tap of the schoolboys circuit east of Dookie township, CatKev was dropped from the bolting bunch of 5 ahead to make us a foursome to face the forces to the food stop back in Dookie.  Uphill and down dale to Duggan's Rd was ok with the wind behind but muscle power was a must on the Major Plains road for the 25 km/h+ wind.  The climb to Tallis was toil enough to use the little ring (first use since March), a little calming of the cardiac crescendo down to the cemetery before sharing the suffering of being blasted by the wind back to Dookie.   We'd treated ourselves to a brief break at the feed station but, keen to keep company for the 30k slog back to base, joined Wozza, Boof, Nath and not-so-newAvantiJohn for the return, rather than suffering solo.
I hesitated to join the drivers till the rhythm was set but 2k out of town the speed seemed sensible, so made myself the fifth wheel to swap the sweating into the 20-30 k west southwester.  Half a dozen sat silently in the slipstream for a free tow home, my first shift rostered from the camel farm.  All went well for the first 1500 meters but reality readjusted my reasoning I'd reach New Dookie Rd, so gave Wozza the last k of Kellow's Rd.   Back to fifth wheel and attempting a recovery, rhythm wrecker Nath boosted 5 km/h to the quickness up to the quarry but thankfully speed settled to the previous pace as we pointed into the long 14k drive of Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  We'd begun to reel in some of those on the 100k option, my turn up again to reach the Big Ring, happy I was making some contribution to sharing the load rather than just wheelsucking home.  The closer to town the more like Brown's cows the battling bunches became, I'd managed a fourth flogging on the front for Ford Rd's first k but Nath hit the boost button again as I was gasping to grab the fourth wheel. That cemented my place as gatekeeper as we reached the city limits, briefly slowing as some oblivious bunches three and four wide blocked hopes of the lead car passing. Tempo had trimmed the tail down to just Cate and CatKev as Boof, Wozza, Nath and not-so-newAvantiJohn swapped turns into Wanganui Rd, the turn into Rudd Rd bringing relief from the breeze at last with the end just 4k in sight.  High fives all round as we crossed the finishing arch, a welcome feed (although the ale hydration was delayed) but the bonus of winning the team entry prize.

10/9  A post pain panacea.

A little leg loosener lap was the self prescribed antidote for the post traumatic stress disorder of yesterday's wind, gently on the accelerator out New Dookie Rd didn't awake any cranial nightmares, legs in fact feeling remarkably compliant considering.  Delighted the wind was missing from the morning's menu, a little fog fuzzied the view east, my plan of pointing south on Boundary Rd changed to aim at the Pine Lodge church.  The cranium's call was for calm but it's hard to tame that tempo temptation when the Garmin shows a sluggish speed, so I set my concentration on handbraking the heart rate to an aerobic 137.  The church appeared sooner than expected, steering south toward the Toaster and soaking up the serenity and space stolen in yesterday's mob, rays of Monday's first light putting pink icing on the fog.   A cadence class (85 rpm) was learning the legs some limber and pelvic pain from the last 10 days seemed to be passing (possibly?), proving the proverb ; the only cure for pain is more pain!  Westward toward Boundary Rd positives on pace added a few more k's back to town, with time to spare a detour to Channel Rd was in order.  Only The Rabbit and Bilbo were tapping Boundary Rd, the darkness disappearing as I turned into Channel Rd for the 9k way home.  Crossing paths with a large Couldabeens contingent (the pair of '51ers within may be sent to the naughty corner?) at Beckham's bend, an urge for coffee and banana bread became unbearable, drawing me to the Lemontree for a perfect post pain panacea.

11/9  Goin' Goat'n.

Jen and AvantiAndy had emerged from the depths of obscurity for Tuesday's Goat gathering, and it looked to be a slim squad at 5:58 till AvantiLeigh, Dipper, Phil and Cate bolstered the bunch in the dying minutes.  Jen jumped into the deep end for the turn out of town, AvantiAndy sticking to the safety of a slipstream in 5th wheel.  I kept a cap on the pace when Jen handed me the helm at Dobson's, not wishing to blow our 'newcomers' ota on their maiden voyage.   BigBen and Sherls had remounted from a puncture repair at School Rd (abandoned by callous Cats?  Rule #84? ), a bait for Phil to bite at en-route to Boundary Rd. 
They appeared to be waiting as we swung south, so 7 became 9 to collaborate the course.  AvantiAndy's turn was as short as a Prime Minister's innings  , Dipper, (only recently regular) driving remarkably well to the bridge, Phil's form is fast and Cate knows no other pace.

 Jen went to the front for more toil to Channel Rd and I scored the scenic shift to One Tree Dam as an orange sun peeked above the horizon.  Dipper and Phil split the first 3k of River Rd then BigBen poured his wattage into the remainder, the superior speed turning any gabble into gasps and sending AvantiAndy ota.  Cate and I peeled off for the shortcut home, the truck route - Archer Rd deviation becoming a special sprint stage with no sympathy for laboured legs, Cate raising the rhythm for reasons more than satisfying a schedule (and the dividends are paying off).

12/9  Gone with the wind.

Spring's already serving up the winds that sting, a WNW'er blowing on Wednesday to teach those who chose the bliss of bed through the winter months a lesson.  Goose, Kenworth and WhisperingJack could pay a painful penance for their winter weakness turning up at the start, but Shorty, Kel, The Godfather, Bo, Wozza, Boof, TrekTrev, Nev, Superman, Cate, PistolPete, MyRideTrev, CatCol, Kreeky, Bruce, not-so-newAvantiJohn and Rocket have hardened to the hurt. Almost at the rear of the bunch, the rubber band effect stung at the start as 20 separate reactions set sail south on Archer Rd,  I got a few words in with Whispering Jack and Goose before I advanced, but they were never to be seen again (confined to the caboose quickly as a 20 km/h tailwind turned up the tempo).   The breeze behind and a tow from Kenworth in River Rd was Christmas on a stick for me but fear of a forthcoming flogging at the front saw him duck for cover to the down-line.  Buoyed by the breeze behind, Bo's boisterousness beside Boof shoved speedo's into the 40's, Nev and CatCol chatting in the captains seats collared the last k of River Rd, giving me the side wind to battle in Boundary Rd. 

The pain train's popular again with five flying south, crossing our path as I struggled to tend to TrekTrev up to One Tree Dam but Superman clawing his way to the front when I rolled across eased the pace, so got a few breaths back.   I took the gamble of joining the up line as we neared Channel Rd's cypress trees, 8 wheels ahead was a safe bet I'd be behind a sprint instead of instigating it.  Nev and Pistol had the drivers seats as Prentice Rd drew near, Heady (on a comeback cruise) got swamped as the sprint escalated, CatCol launched his attack at the 200 mark while I strained to stay in touch with TrekTrev, a close second as the finish line blurred under us.  Strava was generous with trophies and PB's, plenty of participants and the wind assistance meant only 2 turns for most.

13/9  Winterference.

Winter woollies were back in vogue on Thursday, 2 degrees designating doona duty for all but Carl, Manny, Cate, Phil, Dipper, Amy and Tum facing Friars fresh for a 6am spin.  Carl took us out of town in (unusually) two social lines which soon slipped to single as we got down to business. Manny set a svelte speed toward Boundary as we absorbed Heady (escaping early) into the fold.

Cate steered us south and strung us along Boundary Rd to the fig farm for me to make a contribution (with nine in line it was likely to be the only turn) so I took the train to the highway as my fair share.  

Dipper drove to Channel Rd, Phil's turn was a little shorter than normal and Amy had a decent dip (though her poise looks to be a little flat footed?)  An unknown was caught at the bridges and invited himself in as the 10th carriage, another inspiring sun rising as Carl took us down to River Rd.  Heady worked us west, sinking ten tenths into the turn but finishing in deficit, leaves said it was wind-less though it felt like a tailwind on the smooth tarmac at the quarter horse stud.  Tum and Manny drove long and smooth to the bridge, Cate digging the depths to finish off River Rd's last 1500 meters.  We peeled off at Central Kialla Rd to bolt the truck route and Archer homeward, rubberising the legs which has become strangely satisfying.

14/9  Team Titanium.

Bruce's beaut' new Bossi graced the grid for Friday's ride, E-Tap, disc brakes and Cadence carbon wheels gracing the glamourous titanium frame. 

Grumpy, Pelly, Kenworth, Kreeky, The Godfather, MyRideTrev, Boof, Travis, Cate, PistolPete, not-so-newAvantiJohn, BamBam, Liam, Superman, Col (no longer catagorised a Cat) and TrekTrev filled the carpark by 6, me leading a long line slowly to start off (Nev traditionally turning up at 6:00:15 tore off ahead).  Bruce paired with me at the city limits, team titanium tapping tempo to Sanctuary's roundabout where Nev finally decided to be sociable and blend back into the bunch.

We intercepted Bo and Kel (on an early secret training mission?) in Mitchell Rd as the sentence swapping started, Kreeky suggesting bunch names of 'orchid' or 'canola' for the fairweather riders (only appear in warm daylight), I concurred on the compulsory co-ordination of socks and kit with Kel (as we cackled on Nev's  kit confusion) and had a brief word with the bigger BamBam on the back 'cause I probably wouldn't see him for another week.

The sun set a super scene in River Rd as the canola Cats went west (leaving six abandoned to ponder a puncture), these dawns a delight after months of winter misery.  It's great to have Grumpy back in the bunch, pleased he's been cured of the gym jaundice and out into the real world (he's lucky it wasn't that fatal Zwift disease pedalus playstationus)  Pace turned partly pedestrian in Channel Rd, MyRideTrev leaping at the chance to get a drive at the front.
The temperature (4 degrees) turned almost toasty passing the cypress trees as I moved up for turn two, Nev keeping a cap on the excitement beside me to Central Ave and stayed composed to the Kinder with The Godfather, PistolPete, Bruce and Grumpy lined up for labour to Hopeful Corner.  The spice was added toward Prentice Rd, Liam in the box seat as the up line accelerated and the down line stalled with many spent from speed at the rushin' front.  There was no point cutting into the advance line and create calamity, sitting out the sprint in safety made survival sense.  Happy days to end the week with a social chuckle on the crank back to town, the sun on our backs bringing some psychological warmth. 

Week 37         348km           YTD 9,872km          

   

Week 36 : Two fingernails worth of traction

Post #464
1/9  Damp, windy, feels like 4 degrees. (If this is Spring, I want my money back!)

Hope sprang eternal on Spring's first day, the road was almost dry and the temperature almost bearable, the carpark filling with TrekTrev, Rocket, Boof, Shorty, Wozza, Kel, MyRideTrev, PistolPete, Mark, TatPaul, TatMat, Bo, Nev, Bruce, The Godfather and Superman. (Popgun and Cougar, the cruising contingent, exiting via Channel Rd)  Rocket's eagle ear had heard that ominous hissing again, this time his own back tyre needing attention.  The MyRide pit crew sprang into action to the background noise of social sentences and sledging, but soon after six we set sail south, Trish filtering in to the Indian filed line to the city limits.  I struggled with the speed standard at first but a k at a cadence in the 90's learned the legs a lesson.  Convincing the head to join the up line behind Rocket was resolved seeing the line behind sitting stubbornly in the slipstream (harden up Foss, there's a tailwind to help me soon).  The west northwester blew the bunch along Mitchell Rd but I didn't reach the front till the northern leg through Central Kialla, the wind working me over with Rocket then TrekTrev alongside.

 Boisterous Bo boosted the speed (baiting The Godfather?) while strangely, the 13-20 km/h wind wouldn't shift a fog hanging over River Rd.  The new seasons canola put Spring into the fields but the temperature was now feeling way too July.   Down near the back of the bunch in Boundary Rd (MyRideTrev, Trish and Superman cemented into the rear seats) things were relaxed and chatty, maybe I'd get the breeze behind for a turn on the front in Old Dookie Rd?  I'd amazingly extracted a sentence from Mark, The Godfather's cackle couldn't be avoided, TatMat tells me he's abandoned running (for the sake of walking?) and Kel's kit's was complete in a cool couture of purple socks.
PistolPete had the Pinarello primed in Old Dookie Rd, half a suave Scope wheel ahead of Rocket was braver than most would try!  Sure enough, I drawn the short straw of the north drive to the Church, calling the shift short beside Rocket (nice guy, nasty speed!) and hanging on in quiet desperation alongside TrekTrev (in fine form).

The Pussycats have surmounted their feline phobia of the dark, almost a dozen driving the last meters of Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd as we sank chins to the headstems for the work west to town.  An oncoming bloke in a ute (fresh out of the grumpy side of bed) vented his spleen about sharing the road, we'd occupied two meters of the left, did he want all of the 7.4 meter width? Rocket pointed the pot-holes that are multiplying from winter's wet as I reluctantly rode to the front for duty in Ford Rd, 20 clicks worth of headwind hurt reaching Grahamvale Rd, spent.
Kudos from Kel was kind as I recovered from the (self) flagellation at the front, but it didn't revive rubber legs!  That was my bit done, it was the rear for me knowing the big guns were loading the Wanganui Rd ammunition.  MyRideTrev exited via Numrkah Rd, TrekTrev, Kel, Superman, Shorty and I hanging onto the tail as the lines thinned for the thrash to the hill.

Rocket had emptied his big tank, Wozza and Boof bolted, but most were just glad to reach Rudd Rd alive.

A few called caution for the Canterbury Rd roundabout (off camber, smooth as Wozza's head  and with a drizzle of damp) but Bruce was caught out with a touch too much tempo, lost grip and hit the deck.  All halted fearing (and feeling) the worst, Bruce gingerly nursing the left shoulder painted a grim picture.  Leah and car came to the rescue (news later of an x-ray's all clear was a happy ending) so the solemn spin to the Lemontree contemplated the likelihood of a crash (proportional to the distance covered?), two fingernails worth of traction hitting home at times like these.  The things you see on big rides, repairing Peugeot's and brass beds kept tongues tattling while fighting over heater position at breakfast, walkers Sim, Jen, Mrs.Pistol and the convalescing Tina joining the talk.

3/9 Monday's motivator. 

The southerly ripped through the base layer Monday morning (me thinks Spring may be a long time coming), a change of ride routine (as good as a holiday?) meant Goats were dropped for the more timely Couldabeens.  PistoPete, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Pelly, The Godfather, Kreeky, Kel, Bo, Cate and CatCol (arriving at the third stroke of six we thought it was Nev)  

Into the darkness of Channel Rd's 4 degrees, the speed wound up beyond the level of peace but under the threshold of pain, idle chat on the weekend's past-times a good diversion from the imminent work to be done on the front.  Blood and bone from the vegetable patches filled the nostrils (but it didn't fertilise any more performance), CatCol alongside kept my wheels humming to the S bend, Kreeky beside me to Boundary Rd was suffering in silence (just back from Bali and paying the temperature tax).  The southerly propelled our passage north but Kel and Cate were content to be towed along in the draft, Pelly's peaking in performance (FDC's take note, commitment will get you places!), CatCol's cassette was causing clatters and not-so-newAvantJohn has dragged himself off the indoor trainer.  Over Old then New Dookie Rd, then either side of the railway's rumble strips (less fillings be shaken from teeth), another turn was almost upon me (but without a tailwind assistant).

Pelly called it quits at the main eastern channel so I had CatCol to pace for what seemed like an eternity to Lemnos Rd, his determination reaching the level of my stubbornness to see the shift end.  Kreeky drove into Ford Rd like he hadn't holidayed, my dying breaths warned him of the tarmac traumas ahead just before I took the supressed gasps of recovery in his tow (I was well worn by the work but pleased with the pace held for 3 k's)  PistolPete and not-so-newAvantiJohn kept the huffs and puffs happening (and Cate and Kel confined to the caboose) to Ford Rd's end, the Wanganui workout still to come.  Bo and Pelly were getting carried away with cadence approaching DECA, all drawing to Indian file behind.  Pelly, left out to dry at the test track, earned my sympathy for a tow, I managed to reach the base of  Mt Wanganui before PistolPete, The Godfather, Bo and not-so-newAvantiJohn put my effort down a rung or three by drawing away up the hill.  Still, I managed all my turns and I haven't dipped to Softa's level of extinction so that's a good Monday motivator.

4/9  Refridgeriders.

Ever so slowly the numbers rise to ride as Spring end the hibernation for some.  Carl was a surprise addition at Friars on Tuesday, joining Tum, Manny, Cate, Phil, Dipper, Amy and Belly.  Carl drove a good turn to Dobson's estate considering his lengthy lay-off, handing the helm to me for the second leg.  One degree chilled fingers, toes and other bits cutting the air at the frosty front, but it helped the hurry to Central Ave.
Manny had a case of the variable velocities toward Boundary Rd (quite the yo-yo effect on the back), Amy (fresh off a hot 70.3) drove well and Phil (in fine fettle) forged on to Boundary Rd . Carl's elbow signalled my turn again at the Broken bridges, the hint of  a decline for 50 meters inspiring the 2k drive to River Rd.  Cate poured on the power for the way west, Tum seconded the motion but Amy's tempo was tested for her term in the drivers seat (an elephant stamp for effort where many would have remained at the rear)  Again, I was in the perfect position to soak up the draft from 7 for River Rd's 6k, starting the 10k short-cut homeward with Cate fairly fresh.

The chill bit hard as Tuesday's first rays lit behind us on the truck route, but it's that great time of year when a scenic sunrise sets the mood for the day,  our hearts bleeding for those sleeping-in and minus the motivation to ride, not!




5/7  A prodigious peloton.

Spring has finally brought out more endangered species, Whispering Jack, Kenworth, even Ralphy made rare sightings in the Wednesday car park.   And Rocket, PistolPete, Kreeky, CatCol, Cate, not-so-newAvantiJohn, The Godfather, Kel, Bo, Shorty, Superman, TrekTrev, Nev, MyRideTrev, Boof and Mark made the grid full for the first time in months.  The NNE'er incited my early shift to wriggle out of the headwind hassles to come, so I slotted in behind not-so-newAvantiJohn for a turn in leg three.  I ignored the Rule #86 infringements all the way to Mitchell Rd, at least PistolPete remained level, albeit at a taxing tempo.  There was no way I'd make it to Central Kialla at this rate alive, so called the roll for Kreeky to see if he could keep up.  Mark, The Godfather and Nev drove the northern leg to River Rd, the rubber band syndrome hitting the rear ranks hard as 18 separate reactions tried to catch the front on the swing to the east.

A handbrake was applied over the bridge when Superman suffered the speed in the drivers seat, but his bacon was saved as CatCol, Bo, The Godfather and Boof supplied the tow and piled on the performance.  Shielded from the hurt of Boundary Rd's wind by Rocket and not-so-newAvantiJohn, I was back at the effort end for Channel Rd, the burnout mushrooms (big heads, little stalks) having shredded rubber and wire to the point of Dunlop death across the tarmac.  (surprised nobody punctured).   I rolled across at the S bend where Pistol pickled me to Beckham's bend, the will to reach Jameson Rd was there but legs ranted for retirement.   Surprise, surprise, Superman and Ralphy went forward for duty in Central Ave like lambs to the slaughter, Nev and Mark setting the speed to Prentice Rd that popped Superman ota.  Any thoughts of poor performance was soon squashed when I looked back, half a dozen lights half a k in arrears gave consolation to the ChaCha's hurt.

6/7  Just ride FFS!

The pitter patter of precipitation and the pings of pulling out on What'sApp only presented opportunity on Thursday, the chance to keep the k's clicking and feed the addiction. Expecting zero fronting Friars found Cate ready and reading the rule #9 riot act, so we settled on a short circuit of Old Dookie, Boundary and Channel Rd to satisfy the satiable and clock kudos (or to be labelled loony!)  Tip-toeing the shiny streets to exit town, the water spray began to soak kit, specs and socks (and I didn't want to think about the state of the bike), some consolation dredged from the fact that showers had now downgraded to drizzle.  We took turns to fight the northeaster (11-20 km/h), hoping the way south and west wold be kinder.  Remembering Bruce's horizontal hospitalisation we steered sedately into Boundary Rd, the wind now helping instead of hindering.  Dramas of the damp diminished (I get wetter in the bathroom) and was weirdly enjoying the drive to the highway.  West into Channel Rd was helped with shelter from the orchards (that remain), landmarks forgotten over the dark days of winter suddenly now visible in Spring's early light.  The channels in the ChaCha were at high tide but we'd steered the high road homeward for a satisfying spin despite the soggy socks.

7/7  Eat. Sleep. Ride. Repeat.

Another coffee, a relaxed recline on the couch and read the paper would be nice.....but I slapped myself out of the BeerMat syndrome and got on the bike!  TrekTrev, The Godfather, PistolPete, Liam, MyRideTrev, Rocket, CatCol, Trav, Wozza, Trish, Boof and Mark had contemplated Rule #5 too and fronted for Friday's Couldabeens circuit.
Wozza got us down to business on Archer Rd, the bunch collecting Superman at the city's limit.  Happy to slip down the left line and wait for the natural promotion forward today, besides the wind had about faced from Wednesday to help us in River Rd.  A west southwester was gradually drying a damp track but I was kicking myself for cleaning the bike last night.  In numbers almost befitting a bunch, Pussycats worked west (goaded by The Godfather's greetings), I'd been finally promoted to the front to pair with Boof for the last leg before Boundary Rd,  a short Coggo-less pain train of 3 slogging south (suffering against the wind for most of their clockwise course).

 Nudging the 40's toward the Broken bridges, I had a 2013 flashback to the squeals of protest when averages went beyond 32, most have come a long way eh?  As early as Channel Rd's S bend I'd committed myself to the caboose, something needed to be saved for Sunday's 115k, besides attempting Liam and Pistol's drive at 38 into the wind would take up too much time with my therapist.  Safely at the back of the bunch when the pace peaked for the ChaCha, I was drawn along in the draft without blowing a head gasket, the sun's earlier rise behind building hopes of hotter days to come.

Week 36    234km           YTD  9,524km