Week 4 : Banking breaths

Post #484
19/1  Sweet as Saturday.
Tired of feeling like a boiled potato, the cool southerly was the heaven from a hot week, making Saturday sweet as.  A sizeable squad of MyRideTrev, not-so-newAvantiJohn, TatMat, Jase, Axel, Cate, The Godfather, Trav, Tina, Lance, Temple, Grumpy, Superman, Tum and Lenny emerged from the darkness to broker brawn before breakfast.  Not-so-newAvantiJohn and Lenny had the will and the wattage to lead us south into the WSW'er, my juggle between self preservation and contributing to the cause taking a moment before joining the up-line.  Jase ahead and Tum behind made collaborated company when I fronted in River Rd, the wind's kindness elevating me up a rung on the ability ladder.  The bunch dynamics had differed again with several of the fast on furlough, do I detect a relief from the rapidity and a return to Saturday sociology?  
The day had broken in Boundary Rd as we closed in on a distant three (BamBam and Ralphy towing Troy on a comeback from a bung back) greeted as we pushed on to the pub.  Adam's Axel was courting Couldabeens for k's, Tum squeezing in a lap before labour, Lance soaking up the social Saturday and Superman was making yet another comeback.  The joy of a tail wind was quickly history as we swung into Old Dookie Rd toaster bound, The Godfather grinding the big dog on the front while the servitor lined up behind.  
North to the church and up to the Big Ring, our trek west crossing paths with a primed pack of Pussycats
 ( a few '51ers thrown in for good measure of motion).  My turn with Jase and then Tum was less laborious despite the wind whipping in from the left, but just when you think you've put in a good effort, another taps a turn twice as long (oh well, donating something is better than bellyaching at the back and giving nothing!)
 A little loose gravel near Grahamvale Rd made a moment of caution, but it was back on the gas as a sniff of Wanganui Rd hit the nostrils.  The order changed as several abandoned thoughts of promotion to the pointy end, the turns shortening and the speed spicing up as DECA blurred by.

 Into the tow fromTravis as he rolled across was too sweet to part with, so I

withdrew from contributions to hang on to the horsepower hauling us up Mt.Wanganui's dizzy heights. There was a brief calm to collect the crumbs in Rudd Rd and without a breakneck Boulevard speed, a steady spin back to breakfast for a more compact collective at the Lemontree, maximum heart rates, wildlife and street sensibility on the chat list.


21/1  Tom's TNT.

There's that vexing moment when just two are at the start line with 2 minutes till launch and toil moves to the top of the agenda, but thankfully The Godfather, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Rene, Nicholas and Tom turned up to spread the load.  Pairing with not-so-newAvantiJohn to the truck route then The Godfather to Orrvale Rd learned the legs that lesson of labour then I booked myself in for oxygen replenishment in the tow while The Godfather and Cate towed us all to the Kinder. Rene drew alongside me and I wondered if his line had improved or I'd just climatized to it, Tom advancing forward was more of a worry minus a headlight and minus the horsepower before he'd got to the drivers seat.  Rene rolled and Tom's turn turned TNT in 10 meters, not-so-newAvantiJohn and I  left to restore the rhythm at the cypress trees as Tom was rapidly signed to the missing persons list.   A tractor in the dark (with a dozen pickers perched atop a pallet) made a challenging chicane as a car approached near Beckham's bend, but we'd steered safely around to ponder a pause to pick up the popped pieces.

The concensus to halt at Channel Rd's end for 30 seconds collected TNT-Tom for the northbound leg of Boundary Rd, a percentage off the pace and a breeze up the bum allowing him to recover in the caboose for the 7k's to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.   Nicholas and not-so-newAvantiJohn cemented themselves into the drivers seat for a long shift westward, the speed solid yet steady for me to front in Ford Rd.  I fixed focus on smoothing the 352 crank rotations to reach Grahamvale Rd (spilt between shifts with not-so-newAvantiJohn and The Godfather), then calmed the cardiac count as others contributed to the average speed.  Chains clunk clunked down cassettes as wheel worked into Wanganui Rd, the speed climbed steadily into the 40's but we remained steadfastly sprintless (of course!)   Rene reached his Armageddon at the test track and announced his imminent demise, should have saved the oxygen for his legs but his head had ruled his retirement.  A passing car donated a draft to get me up and over Mt. Wanganui's dizzying heights, swung the corner into Rudd Rd and calmed cadence to collect Rene and TNT-Tom for the spin back through town.

22/1 A quality quickie.

It's a box 'o chocolates arriving at the 5:45 grid on Tuesday, you just never know what you'll get till the Cateye shines on the carpark to show who's fronted for the flogging.  Two of the TDU tourists (Boof and Bruce) had returned, so it was the Hares and the Hopefuls combined.  Temple, MyRideTrev, Troy, Cate, Nicholas, Ralphy, BamBam, Pelly, Lenny and ScottBob (a  newbie from Numurkah, outta nowhere) got wheels turning into Channel Rd and two rows got organised to Kensington gardens.

 I pushed to pair with Boof, bruised and battered from close constabulary contact and riding his old steed geared for hills (and he's still hard to match!) , turns rolling a little faster than the 5:45 standard. TrackStan joined in on leg 2 as 40 became the norm, at least smoothness spelt sustainability.  Nath was found lurking with intent at Channel Rd's end, that slightest of breezes made murder of my turn to the Broken bridges with TrackStan.    ScottBob (as tall as MeridaAndy but as thin as Boof) spun smooth and straight so he's welcome again, ChrisA arriving from the west in River Rd to pump the pack to 16.  Pairing with real horsepower was inflating my inferiority complex, time at the front shortening and recovery lengthening proportionally. Through Central Kialla and onto Mitchell Rd my second wind arrived, BamBam still with the fortitude to front and Cate cranking contributions were both an inspiration, but not motivating MyRideTrev from the caboose (Troy exempted while climatizing to the cadence from a long spell off)   Promoted closer to the front and closing in on Conrod straight as the speed spiced wasn't my preferred position but the sprinters saved me the suffering when TrackStan, ChrisA and Lenny let loose and launched to the finish line before I'd reached the front seat.  Left in the wake of their wattage, I was content to cruise in at a meagre 52 km/h, though the 39.2 average pumped up the prosperity.

23/1 They're back!
So the southerly still blows to create the cardiac convulsions on the commute to the carpark, but more turn up Wednesdays (less turns, more tow!) so the suffering is short and shared.  TDU tourists Bo, Kel, Boof, Bruce and Nev are back on the flat, joining Superman, Kenworth, Tina, MyRideTrev, Cate, The Godfather, TrekTrev and TNT-Tom to launch into Archer Rd's headwind, well......Bo and TrekTrev bored into the breeze while many evaded the effort!  Vince jumped aboard at Hooper's Rd as I lined up fro driving duty behind Bruce, the return of the early edition (Rocket, Wozza, Troy and BamBam) returning ritual to the ride.

I'd played my position perfectly to pair with Bruce in Mitchell Rd (with only a side wind to wrestle), team titanium setting tempo to Central Kialla where The Godfather got me gasping grinding up to River Rd.  Rhythm of days gone by had returned with the consistent crankers tearing into turns eastward, though Boof's cadence is cooking on the old bike's compact rings and a 12 for a minimum (at least he's armed for the Alpine)   I'd reached the back by Boundary Rd finding TNT-Tom in contravention of Rules 18, 29, 33, 39 and 59 to name a few, but I applied Rule #3 (guide the uninitiated) figuring he doesn't own a crystal ball.  It's better to fit in than f#%! up!
Propelled by the breeze to Channel Rd the pace persisted working west, a few new kits soothed the eye but The Godfather's garble buzzed the eardrums.  Pace turned perky as we swept under the cypress trees, seems I was going to be thrown in the deep end at the ChaCha but with luck might avoid the labour of lead-out.  The Godfather turned up the wick to the Kinder and Cate called a short turn, my turn too was brief as the rolls went rapid out of Hopeful corner.  Superman hit the front but then hit reverse, thereafter the velocity of Vince set the sprinters sizzling to the finish line.  The gasps gave way to sentences, the regroup almost complete when we halted for trucks at the truck route.






24/1 To the rushin' front.

Two tribes combined again for Thursday's thrash, Bruce, Kel, Bruce, Boof, Rocket, Nicholas, Pelly, Rene, ChrisA, Cate, TrekTrev, Ralphy, PistolPete, Temple, Lenny, MyRideTrev, Col and Vince warranting two rows to rip into Channel Rd at 5:45.  I'd found myself in the drivers seat again (you'd reckon I'd learn not to berth first!) with Boof, rapidly into the high 30's rapidly shortening my expectations.  Boof rolled at Kensington's roundabout where Ralphy then Bo took similarly abbreviated shifts, my prior performance not so pedestrian after all.

Rene had been ridden off the rear as Vince and Nicholas sped to the cypress trees, the relief of recovery was with me after two minutes in the tow, though I was banking breaths for my next visit to the rushin' front.  It's oh so easy just to fix focus on the wheels ahead when all concentration is on hanging on, the forced peek further afield a saviour, seeing fingers pointing at the tarmac and the bits of tree on it.

Lightning reflexes still aren't fast enough at 11 metres a second, so with bits of stick flying over my head I'll reiterate Rule #39, never ride without your eyewear (and I'll make that the week's wisdom).  ChrisA made the drivers job look easy to rip rapidly to River Rd (a southeaster in the face of little consequence to him), I needed to dig deep on the swing into River Rd just to hold on as we accelerated east, Col close to implosion dropping to the rear for recovery.  Nev arrived from the west (finding the grid empty at 5:50) to join the jaunt to Central Kialla, my shift due again in Mitchell (another brief burst in view of the quick company).  Oxygen was on quick fill as we waited for a little early traffic at the highway, smooth and swiftly to Roubaix corner and on to Galbraith's gate, steadily steering north for a crack at Conrod straight.  A few who'd advanced had second thoughts of donating to the drive as the speed moved into the mid 40's,  at Conrod's dip I'd almost emptied my tank to roll across Boof so was grateful Bo, Nicholas, Lenny and company stepped up to the 50's to vacuum me along to the finish line (just two seconds shy of Tuesday's time as it happens).

25/1 Bake in a 31 degree oven until cooked.

Baked (31 degrees) and blown (20 km/h northeaster) to the starting grid, I found Superman, Boof, TrekTrev, MyRideTrev, BamBam, Lenny, Nicholas, TNT-Tom, Tina, Rene, Cate, Bruce, Kenworth and Col silly enough to sweat out a lap.  Boosted by the breeze behind, Boof led the thin line out of town so I hopped in for an early shift, rather than the hurt of the headwind later.  TNT-Tom had been blown out the back but we'd gained Vince into the fold as we intercepted the early edition (Rocket, Wozza, Kreeky, Kel, Bo, not-so-newAvantiJohn, PistolPete and Pelly), but I was forced from the front to sit behind as a passing car prevented an overtake.

The tempo temptation from the tail wind called on wattage to work my way back into the up-line, but I managed to be speed sandwiched between Rocket and Bo, so sat back psyching up the energy for the effort at the front.  I had no luck getting a tail-wind assistance but suffered the wind at the portside bow in River Rd. Superman had set a sedate 33 but a few rolls later Col was cranking 36, Rocket had the helm at 38 so I was inside out to roll across nudging 40,  Bo was keen to calm the pace but I'd turned a bit crispy by then and was ready to be towed  (a mental note to stick to a limit instead of being sucked into speed?)  The caboose was over populated by Boundary Rd so found myself in the up line again being promoted to the pointy end.  That hair drier northeaster niggled at the northbound leg to Channel Rd, but the whine of wheels at work followed us west toward town.   Sledges swapped between the swift and The Godfather, many had booked a place in the caboose for the ChaCha while I faced the front with Rocket to Central Ave, calling a quick roll for Boof to take us to the Kinder.  Lenny lit up a lead-out way too early but it thinned the ranks and sorted the quick from the queasy, a dozen drove by me as I sat in Bo's tow to the finish line.   A sweaty and social spin home seemed sedate in the mid thirties, has all this hurry finally paid a dividend?

Week 4   259 km           YTD 971 km      


   

Week 3 : Hiding the hell inside.

Post #483
12/1  Saturday salubrity.

Defiant to the head's want, legs labored to Lemnos in Saturday's early hours, all the will in the world wouldn't work up the wattage I wanted for a respectable speed.  To Central Ave and southbound found an east northeaster to blame for my prior plodding, the speed now a little more satisfying (though below par for the early edition)    Navigating the eastern orchards soaked up the time till the 6am launch, back to town finding Temple touring the block (like others) to berth in the best position.  SuperMario, TrekTrev, The Godfather, Boof, Lance, Axel, Tina, Determined Dan, BigBill, TatMat, BamBam, Shorty, Jase, Grumpy, Liam, TatPaul, MyRideTrev and Travis congregated in the carpark, 6 bells struck and a long line tore south onto Archer Rd, collecting Vince as Sanctuary's roundabout came into view.

The early edition (Kel, Rocket, PistolPete, Bo, Col, Kreeky and Wozza) made it a team of 27, I'd made an early entry to the up-line in the hope of catching the favourable breeze but didn't get to the front till Mitchell Rd, so faced a breeze at the left brow.  Grumpy grumped of a sore knee and called an early roll, Temple's was the tempo to match as he co-piloted to Central Kialla. Mid thirties found favour but there was much mumbling about a split in the squad, a separation between the sedate and the supersonic seemed likely. I'd copped the windward side in River Rd but the pace wasn't pickling me, BamBam was somewhat silent (with speed?) but many were seriously into the Saturday sociology.  That sticky stretch in Boundary Rd turned up Temple's concern, but like a week ago, all had that riding over duct tape sound (theory 2 ; honeydew / sap falling from some trees in hot weather?)

I'd reached the rear at Old Dookie Rd's bacon barn, Tina happy to roll the legs in the caboose after an epic 200k yesterday (topping off her quiet 694k for the week!) but the rubber band effect at the back was boosted by two dozen different reactions. The rarity of a northeaster to help us home didn't bring the hurry I'd expected, a steady spin in the high thirties let the chat flow.  Grumpy's discomfort gave me another short shift at the front, but again Temple turned up the hurt as compensation.

Real pace came in Wanganui Rd (of course!), Travis calling reverse rolls at DECA caused a little consternation but Rocket set the sprint alight toward the hill if only to lead-out Liam to steam into the 70's.  The Rudd Rd re-group was followed by a surprisingly sedate spin on the Boulevard (BigBill, Lance and BamBam eventually tacking on to the tail) for a reasonably relaxed roll to breakfast and the babble the bunch feeds upon ; shift work, yawning and Mt.Hotham covered whilst coffee and calories were consumed.



14/1  The cool before the cooker.

A breeze behind helped a reluctant and rusty old engine get up to speed to Monday's starting grid, the physical handbrake annoyingly eroding the mindset.   I'd pinned hopes on Vince, Manny, Wozza, SuperMario, The Godfather, Cate, Col, Kel, Pistol Pete and Bo to drag me out of the doldrums and, with Nicholas and Rene lurking at the back, the 5:45 flag fell for Wozza and Bo to drag us to the truck route, the cool of 21 committed to the cranium as we faced a forecast of 42.  The mental negatives had me working at the front for leg 2, Bo not helping by sitting a wheel ahead to Orrvale Rd.

 I'd hoped Cate would be considerate but a weekend of mountains has her tuned for tempo so I was claiming all the oxygen I could get by the Kinder.   I'd composed by the cypress trees but the erratic wheel of Rene had joined the up-line (and a set of carbon wheels wasn't helping) putting a few in caution control, not the least Kel, who'd inherited his tow.  (A quiet word needs to be spoken to avoid any horizontal consequence, the Couldabeens kindness of inclusion without question is most welcoming but there comes a time when standards and safety reigns supreme. It's that f.i.f.o. principal)

The sun was still shy as we steered into Boundary Rd (remember being blinded by it on the first leg at Kensington Gardens just a few weeks back?) and reality had relegated Rene to the rear before he'd neared the front (so why advance?), Pistol and The Godfather setting the smoothness to the Fig Farm with no sticky situations encountered (there goes theory number two).  The light northeaster was just enough to put work into the up-line though I reckoned it would favour my next appearance at the rushin' front, predicted in Ford Rd.   Wozza and Bo made it look easy driving a long turn in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, whereas I had just enough for a k with Bo and a k with Cate to Grahamvale Rd.  The pace stayed capped into Wanganui Rd till Col arrival at the front motivated his motion,   more a casual stretch of legs into the high forties than a sprint (well, that was his version of events)    Thoughts of the Lemontree's liquids set a steady spin into town, my turn-off to appease an employer setting a different mindset.

15/1  All together now.

Combatants combined on Tuesday, many Hares had departed for the TDU so a mixed menage of Boof, Liam, Ralphy, Kel, Lenny, Cate, TrekTrev, Jase, Nicholas, Temple, ChrisA, Nick , Col, MyRideTrev, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Bo and Rene assembled for the 5:45 foray.  By virtue of being first to grid, Jase and I had the first driving duty to the truck route (with the ripper roll-up two rows were rolling today), TrackStan arriving from the east to make the numbers odd (Rene relegated solitary in the caboose).    Boof politely paired with me to Orrvale Rd, supressing his yawns as I concealed a cardiac arrest.
The Hares were chatty and the Hopefuls mostly silent as 19 worked toward Boundary Rd, not-so-newAvantiJohn and Liam cruising the southern leg seemingly at an idle.

 It felt a little easier west bound in River Rd (or was that just the deception of a draft?), being promoted ever forward for another turn had me hoping I'd be out of the SSW'er.  Just my luck then to cop the breeze head on, but grateful Boof was only using half throttle to disguise my worn down wattage.
Retirees had multiplied in the caboose as we swung north at Galbraith's gate, so I was back into the up-line and back to work as the velocity brewed for Conrod straight.  Lenny hit the hurry up button and Cate had a will-I-won't-I moment about ducking for cover, but held station to deliver a short shift.  I'd reached the front with little to donate, the hopes of Hares hurrying answered quickly as half a dozen bolted to the finish line while I went beep, beep, beep, beep, backwards.




16/1 The fast and the flabbergasted.

A forlorn foreigner (Tom) sat at the start grid with the weight of the unknown on his shoulders, at least he'd asked to sit on the back rather than just gate-crash the group.  Nick, Superman, TrekTrev, MyRideTrev, Tina, Cate, The Godfather, Nicholas, Rene, Lenny and Liam rolled in for the Wednesday ride routine, Lenny setting a spicy standard south toward Sanctuary's roundabout.  Interesting how the bunch dynamics have altered since several have holidayed to South Aust, now with just a few of the quick and a lot of the queasy, there was a reluctance to form the up-line.  The Godfather, Cate, Nicholas and Liam had no hesitation to hurry forward, me left to lead the less likely to the front as we steered into leg 3.  It was odd to find the road devoid of an early edition, only a dozen on duty would give us an extra shift  and a shifting breeze would give us an extra effort at no extra cost.

Nicholas and Liam spun the youthful k's of Mitchell Rd (was that Ayto we passed?) where I faced the front with Liam to River Rd, my distinct disadvantage with wattage and age draining the tank to make me putty for the drive east.  Thankfully Superman was on a short shift so I began the gradual slide down the order to regain composure.  I reached the rear as we neared Boundary Rd, Tom still hanging on and not putting many words into a sentence.  A Coggo-less pain train swept west with BigBen in the fold, our trail toward Channel Rd annoyed by a strengthening northeaster. The young guns had the helm again as the bunch barrelled toward the S bend, riding rarities KillkennyPaul and Softa (on a comeback cruise?) were passed but not collected en-route to the cypress trees.   I trawled the depths of desperation to drive alongside Liam to Central Ave (the 40+ year deficit didn't help) while trying to hide the hell going on inside,  Superman siding with me for barely 100 meters before he rolled.  Lenny lit up the tempo further down to Hopeful corner, a caboose half the size of the bunch beckoning me across and back into the up-line as TrekTrev tore off toward the finish line, Nicholas nipping at his heels in his wake.

17/1 Half a dozen steamed dim sims.

The funny feeling riders would be rare was confirmed at Thursday's starting grid, just Trek Trev, Ralphy*, BamBam*, Cate and MyRideTrev arriving at the carpark for the Thursday thrash (* five star commitment from the FDC faction).  Trek Trev's torque towed us to the truck route, the sequence getting sorted to single file (albeit in the gutter searching for a draft), I'd found fourth wheel in the ample tow of BamBam to assist my passage, though I was already pondering my turn at the front and where the wind would get me.  Horses for courses, BamBam drove well to Kinder corner and left me the head breeze in Central Ave, though I was pleased with the second wind  that the ol' faithful Cosmics were giving at 40.

Cate then MyRideTrev served their terms of speed to the S bend, Trek Trev well tuned to perk up the pace to Boundary Rd.   Ralphy's fitness faired well to One Tree Dam where BamBam reluctantly drove on to River Rd.  The first 1600 went well with help from a light  easter, I handed the reigns to Cate at the Angora Farm and rolled to the back for a breather, a little caution thrown in for BamBam's rare but sudden freewheeling.  MyRideTrev was still serving turns albeit a whisker off the pace, but hang on when Trek Trev got into the drivers seat.  A truck provided a tow as we crested the bridge but stretched the six with speed, all together again for Central Kialla though with Ralphy in fine form to reach Mitchell Rd.  BamBam's tank appeared to be emptying near PistolPete's and put me into the lead, running reasonably well to get through Dave's dip before my elbow said enough.  MyRideTrev had skipped a turn as we crossed the highway, the bunch sweeping through the left hander and rode the rough of Roubaix corner.  It looked like I'd be the sacrificial sucker for Conrod straight as TrekTrev towed us to Galbraith's gate, Ralphy to Arcadia Downs, Cate to Conrod's corner and MyRideTrev out of the first dip.  An ENE'er made the forties a flogging, the will wanted to reach the finish line but reality pulled the pin 150 meters shy, no matter 'cause the half dozen finished with a 38.5 average.

18/1 A mixed bag of lollies.

An old style boiled one, an all day sucker, two fizzy things, a couple of sweeties, an unknown flavour and a hard centred one lined up for the week's end fling, with the core of the Couldabeens away on TDU duty it was a mixed bag to tap the Friday lap.  Tina, Kenworth, MyRideTrev, Nicholas, Rene, Cate, TrekTrev, Manny and Tom rolled out of the carpark at six, straight into a stormy southerly, young Nicholas with the wattage to reach Hooper Rd, TrekTrev and I to the roundabout (though I called an early roll to reach the truck route so I didn't blow a gasket). There was that eeriness again without an early edition as Manny and Cate drove on to Mitchell Rd, but the wind had steered to an ENE'er so everyone got to work into the wind.  On the front again in River Rd with TrekTrev, I avoided looking to the distant roll over point and kept focus on a few meters ahead, that 1200 meter turn seemed endless gazing at a bridge too far.

I'd been suitably softened by speed at the channel for Cate to kill me driving to the dip, pussycats passing westbound with The Godfather passing sledges at us for a change.  Newcomer Tom had joined the up-line and with Rene advancing  many were on wheel watch, the pace a touch pedestrian but concerns were calmed as the terms of the turns were short.  Manny and Nicholas took to Boundary Rd as the wind shifted WSW, I had another go in the drivers seat from the Broken bridges to Channel Rd, surprised to find so many cars minus headlights approaching in the pre dawn dark (I guess the drivers may still be asleep?)   A swing into Channel Rd, a drive to the S bend, then back into the tow feeling the wind now southerly.  Tom now sat sensibly in the rear seat, in contrast Nicholas was as keen as Renshaw to lead-out for the sprint (his turn due too early for a hope in the ChaCha).  I'd reckoned TrekTrev was odds on favourite but Manny had the muscle when it mattered.  Cate was into the mid 50's for a credible second  and I clawed my way to third, thuffering. The social spin home satisfied , an effortless roll with the wind up the rear exit.

Week 3   273km     YTD  712km

The weeks wisdom;  Centre the tyre logo over the valve stem, it's easier to find the valve in the dark.  (a fundamental Velominati rule anyway)            

Week 2 : Half a tank of tenacity.

Post #482
5/1  Wind whipped.

Muscles and mood had to be dragged aboard the Baum, 13 rides in a row was taking it's toll and Saturday's SSW'er (22-39 km/h) needed something special to get to the starting grid.  Determined Dan and TatMat had tapped in from Tat (that silenced my sooking!) joining Lance, Boof, Shorty, Tina, Col, The Godfather, Lenny, Nev, Superman, Wozza, Vince, Manny, Tommygun and TrekTrev ready to roll.  With plenty to share the load, 17 speared into Archer Rd's aggravation but I was timing my turn at the front for something less labouring later.  Rocket, Kreeky and Bruce had completed the early edition to even our numbers on leg 3 to Mitchell Rd, the route now less stressed north and east with the wind southwesterly.  Superman, Lance and Boof have returned to home soil from holiday, Manny's making this ride a regular roll, Vince's unearthed enthusiasm but Col's still fighting the festive excesses.  Nath climbed aboard beyond River Rd's dip as I'd been promoted to the rushin' front, riding the right lane to keep the bunch behind out of the breeze, paired with The Godfather then Vince to reach Boundary Rd.  TrekTrev's trialling carbon Cosmics while Wozza's on Zipp's, that's all we need, the fast on faster wheels!

  Several were already bracing for the work west back to town (still 12k's away) as we were swept north to Old Dookie and east to The Toaster, Nev distributing the call for rolling turns in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd to speed our path to breakfast.  For a bunch raised on long drives at the front, the rolls kept a reasonable rhythm, 40 on the drive up and 38 on the downline covered k's far faster but focus had to be sharper than PistolPete's kit.  Superman and Lance kept confined to the caboose (though we could have done with a roll call), it hurt arriving at the front but suffering was short-lived as the turns changed quickly.  
A string of the swiftest just happened to be line astern in the sequence of things, Wozza, Rocket, Boof, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Nev, Col and Lenny a formidable force to factor for the work in Wanganui Rd.  I could forecast my next appearance at the business end and there wasn't the horsepower for the hurry as we steamed toward DECA.  My prediction paid off staying at the rear when the swift let loose at the test track, Rocket testing many as he hurtled toward the hill with some of the strong popping off the back.  The thought of a steady tap back along The Boulevard was shelved as the bolt to breakfast overpowered serenity (and sensibility?) with a supersonic spin through the streets (an increasing unease as the town arises and some vaguely steer cars toward the shops) but that sense of belonging skews the safety side somewhat, so I hung on till the main drag.  I was one of several stragglers to berth at the Lemontree, the chat and the coffee curing the sting in the legs.

7/1  Monday masochism.

Don't you hate that?  Speechless, and dragging every cubic millimetre of oxygen through the lungs to drive into a head wind, and the blokes behind you chat and chuckle away in social bliss!  Putting a clamp on a coronary at the carpark, I found not-so-newAvantiJohn, The Godfather, Kel, PistolPete, MyRideTrev, Cate, SuperMario, Whispering Jack, Grumpy, Wozza, Bo, Kreeky, Nicholas and Rene ready, Rocket and Col still sweatless and swapping sentences.  Off into the wild dark yonder of Channel Rd at 5:45 we were down to business post haste, Bo breaking in a new bike (S-Works, discs, Di2) and Pistol Pete nursing a battered elbow from a Saturday spill (disappointed there wasn't a colour co-ordinated Rapha bandage to compliment the kit!)  My first shift wasn't due till Channel Rd had all but ended, the last 600 with Bo then the first 500 of Boundary with The Godfather was blessed with the SSW'er assistance to the backside.  
Whispering Jack played the scalded cat when he got to the drivers seat north of Old Dookie Rd as I'd regained composure (but with a sharp eye out that Rene hadn't joined in the rotation).  It's barely been four weeks since the solstice, yet days are noticeably shorter, the sun barely risen as we negotiated the rumble strips  near Hill Rd (where there's no hill).   West back to town and the pace was unabated, the orchards shelter easing the effort as I was gradually promoted to the front.
Happy that the hurt was short-lived in the opening half k of Wanganui Rd, I'd settled into the draft as the speed slowly built at the test track, but not-so-newAvantiJohn hadn't read the gospel according to a sprintless Monday and bolted to the hill.  The domino effect was triggered as Nicholas set off in pursuit, Rocket rounding them up (to read the riot act?) to settle the speed for Rudd Rd and the Boulevard, the bait of coffee setting a steady speed back to base camp.

8/2 Tuesday's torture.

There was a return to the separation of the squads on Tuesday, the Hares and the Hopefuls dividing for the challenge of the chase.  SuperMario, Grumpy, TrekTrev, Pelly, Cate, Temple, Whispering Jack, Shorty and Rene was an almost applaudable attendance for the 5:45 faction, my turn for the first toil to the truck route, careful to take the tempo up cautiously to Kensington's roundabout so all might stay aboard.  Kudo's almost cured the hurt as I retired to the rear in leg 2, Pelly's pace keeping me off the seat till Reynolds Crt, but quick!, fill out a risk assessment, Rene was rolling through!  TrekTrev turned up the torque for leg 3 that rapidly retired Rene back to the rear, Cate, Grumpy, Shorty, Whispering Jack and Temple gave their best to Boundary Rd which left SuperMario the short straw of the head breeze to the bridges.  Rene was on the missing persons list as SuperMario dug deep, the head dropped, gasps escaped, the speed sagged and a lower gear was grabbed ; something told me I'd soon see an elbow.  Sure enough, bridge two and it was my turn for torture, though speed was rather satisfying to One Tree Dam.  Pelly took over to reach River Rd, others lining up to divide the drive west  in equal efforts but not neccessarily equal distance.    Whispering Jack opened up the throttle but was spluttering by the bridge, Temple topped off River Rd leaving SuperMario another headwind shift toward Central Kialla.  The cross of the highway was swift and secure, Hare lights behind yet to reach Dave's Dip had us at odds on favourites to finish first.  Hopes helped the hurry to Arcadia Downs, SuperMario stormed to the kink that commences Conrod and ushered me to suffer the same at the business end but I had no hopes of podium position today with 1.2 km left, so turned on the afterburners early to donate a decent  Hopeful's average.  Down the dip helped the hurry as the Cosmic's got into their pace at 45, the 'ol motor going ok till the 400 meter marker where I developed a miss-fire.  I elbowed Pelly to the captain's role and half a dozen hurried by, pleased we'd all made the finish line (almost together) ahead of the Hares in a hurry.

9/1 Wednesday's whimsy.  

That sinister southerly blew again to stifle speed to the carpark (at least there'd be a tail-wind home), Kenworth, Shorty, The Godfather, TeamTat (TatMat, DeterminedDan and TatPaul), Cate, TrekTrev, Nev, Vince, Rene, Col, MyRideTrev, Nicholas, Tina and Nick making up a procession to pedal south.  The rubber band effect to Sanctuary's roundabout shook me out of the comfort of the down-line to brave the up-line behind Boof,  sighting Kreeky, Bruce, Rocket, Kel, Wozza, Bo, not-so-newAvantiJohn and Pistol Pete in the early edition u-turning right on cue for leg 3.  Stress was less steering onto Mitchell, sentences ping-ponging between the rows.  Abilities rose a few rungs on the ladder as the wind carried us through Central Kialla, Weapon found on a solo reconnaissance in River Rd as I reached the front to pair with Boof at the bridge.

Making my roll at the dip put Vince in the co-pilot seat, the target to reach the quarter horse stud revised as lungs lacked the urge that the head wanted.  Subtle sledges swapped between Rocket and The Godfather as I regained a little respiratory function, but was back on the gas to keep my place as the bunch bored into Boundary Rd.

Cadence was keen in Channel Rd for many, Shorty and I predicting who'd get the ChaCha short straw as early as the S bend.  With Rocket, Wozza and TatPaul still to reach the front, it was likely to turn long, thin and rapid by the Kinder, and sure enough Rocket pulled the pack through the eye of a needle turning on the turbo at the Kinder and was still spooled up at Prentice Rd.  Turns rolled quickly and many of the fast soon fizzled, finding myself promoted to fourth and nudging 55 as the line blurred beneath the wheels.

10/1  Thursday's thrash.

You know it's going to hurt but something weird drags you to the start line for the suffering!  Nick, Temple, Whispering Jack, Col, Cate, Pelly, Grumpy, SuperMario, MyRideTrev and TrekTrev (just as silly as I)  had assembled for the 5:45 train to leave, Pelly dragging the line in his tow to the truck route, MyRideTrev at second wheel part pickled by the time his duty called for leg 2.  Several soaked up the serenity to Orrvale Rd but Whispering Jack wound up the work on the ChaCha (aided by two passing cars).  Cate delivered me the drivers seat as we turned from Central Ave, so continued to the S bend as my fair share (guaranteed me a draft in Boundary Rd's headwind too).  Nick came out punching to the Broken bridges, SuperMario (must have walked under a ladder, broke a mirror and kicked a black cat) was yet again elected as headwind specialist to reach River Rd.  Grumpy had bums off seats with speed on the westward leg, subtly echeloned against the southerly (though the tail end is always exaggerated into the gutter.  Why is it so?)  

Col and Temple did their duty for the turns to start over again, into Central Kialla where MyRideTrev and Whispering Jack drew the short straw of the headwind.  Whispering Jack ran out of urge by the hall for me to get in an early effort, a bit more driving in Mitchell Rd before letting TrekTrev take the reigns. The highway halted our hurry as cars crossed, the Hares still a good distance back (but we weren't easing our efforts this close to town).  With seven ahead of me at Galbraith's Gate, odds were building in my favour but several behind me had youth and wattage on their side.  Temple, Col and Pelly turned up the tempo into Conrod straight, I drew a few treasured breaths till the 350 meter mark just as TrekTrev hit the boost button.  Lucky to grab his draft, I tucked into his tow to play the waiting game for a falter, that failed to front so with a 100 to go it was now or never, unleashing what little fury was left, I crept alongside and passed for a rare win.


11/1  Friday's frenetics.

Torn between the tempo of the early edition and the craving for k's, I chastised my hesitation and hardened up to quicken the commute to Friday's 5:25 grid.  Bruce, Rocket, Kreeky, Kel, Wozza, Bo, Pelly, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Col and Grumpy had rigorous resolves to ride so we saddled up to chase Channel Rd's sunrise, the first leg at 40 wound up my worries but soon settled once Rocket and Wozza had let off their steam.  I'd counted on Kreeky's kindness pairing at the cypress trees for my turn at the front, half a tank of tenacity used to the S bend for Grumpy to empty it matching him to Boundary Rd.  Into the draft and into a comfort zone headed south knowing that ten ahead would deliver me decent respite, I was out of that niggling breeze to sit back and admire the big shift of Kel and not-so-newAvantiJohn along River Rd.  By Archer Rd I'd been elevated ever closer to the energy expenditure end, but thankfully we'd reached the truck route to ready for the U-turn before I was due to drive.

 A thin 6am train approached (Boof in his standard tow truck position), the line of leds soon identified as Shorty, Kenworth, Liam, Whispering Jack, Travis, Nick, Manny, Tum, MyRideTrev, TrekTrev, Rene, TatMat, PistolPete, Nicholas, Temple and (as if you couldn't notice) The Godfather.  We anti-clockwised our previous circuit, that subtle south southwester now making it's presence felt on the return though Central Kialla.  The usual punters pedalled west in River Rd, '51 forging ahead of the felines, Doc's dawdlers content to cruise and my number coming up again for River Rd's last k with Bruce.   Part two of the drive was with Kel (having a red hot go in a red hot kit) in Boundary Rd, but I could only keep up till One Tree Dam, again back into the draft for recuperation while others put their two bob's worth in.  The turn into  Channel Rd caught me napping, dropping the wheel by just a few meters had rigorous repercussions to get back into the draft (how valuable the tow becomes when you lose it!)  A string of strugglers advanced to the drivers seat as the ChaCha drew near, but half the field were content to sit out the sprint (for safety rather than saving strain), Boof taking candy from the babies with TatMat the only quality quarry.

Week 2       277km        YTD  439km.

The week's wisdom ;   When the road home is long and laboured and the k's don't clock quick enough, count telephone poles to pump up your progress.  Headwind?  Count fence posts!    

Week 1 : Avoiding Armageddon.

Post # 481
29/12  The Saturday splits.

Sleep was a stranger in the early hours of Saturday so I tapped a 24k to Congupna and back in a half baked attempt to limber for the lap at 6. I can't quite climatize to a warm southerly, the 10k's worth of huff and puff into it earning me a midfield berth at the carpark.  Jase, Oscar, Nev, The Godfather, Tina, TrekTrev, TatPaul, Cate, Lenny, Col, MyRideTrev, Temple, Liam, Manny, Travis, Grumpy, BamBam and Axel set south at 6, the 40 km/h gusts of little consequence to Nev and TrekTrev as a long line hung on behind them through leg 3.  The early edition of Rocket, Bo, Tommygun, Kreeky, Wozza, PistolPete, Kel and Bruce (obsessed by the Festive 500?) tacked on to the tail (though Tommygun lost grip on the caboose)   A split was being sorted at the back as the bunch turned east, the early edition making their move along Mitchell as the remainder turned north into Central Kialla.  Sticks and bark littered River Rd, our bunch echeloned across the tarmac but still was worked over by the wind.  TatPaul deftly extracted a stick from my rear deraillier as we slowed for the turn into Boundary Rd,

the rubber band effect of a big bunch acceleration needing 47 km/h to catch the tail.  The red leds of the early edition were a k ahead as I got into Temple's tow,  tearing along in the forties to the Broken Bridges.  I got my shift done by Channel Rd and slipped back into the sociology of scant sentences swapped at this speed.
That southerly made it's presence felt to the up-line as the team tore along to the Toaster, a little taste of the torment to come on our way west back to town.  Full steam at the Church earned a few segment success but the turn into Lemnos-Cosgrove stoked up the stress.  Speed see-sawed as some struggled with the work into the wind, but Travis organised the rolling turns to perk up the progress into the high 30's. 

The caboose filled quickly as a dozen got down to business, must admit it's not my strong point when I'm rusty on the rolling routine.  By Ford Rd's end I was close to cooked, so took on the role of gatekeeper.  A grabbed glance found only Tina at the back, most had veered off at Verney for the shortcut to breakfast.  Wanganui Rd was sweaty but sprintless and the bolt on the Boulevard continued full stream through the streets (a bit testy with traffic), the spent snapping off the back in Mason St (including me)  A vague call for cars caused a close one in the main street, time to study the suburb speed if we're to survive.   A well earned breakfast was lapped up at the Lemontree, the fast and the fizzled fuelling on coffee and chat on puckering, alternative routes and the curse of the kilos.

30/12  Sunday's squalls.

Road testing repairs (that bottom bracket grumble) took me on a Cat lap Sunday morning, a forecast SSE'er the furthest from the truth.  A WSW'er helped me to Boundary Rd, the Baum smooth and silent from it's mechanical attention but cleaning it was a mistake.  The first spits from the heavens fell at the fig farm followed by the squalls (up to 48 km/h) which whipped up the wobbles.  For a moment I thought of turning for home but Rule #5 echoed within this stubborn skull to continue, the road now full gloss from a short shower to undo yesterday's cleaning. There was partial relief in River Rd as the gusts subsided and the wind turned  northwest, but 6 k's were spent west with head down to Central Kialla.  The puddles thinned and the wind turned to a southwest breeze, down Dave's Dip and onto Raftery, the sight of the home stretch helping lax legs get to town. Now to get cleaning again!



31/12  Adieu 2018

I prepared for pace lining up beside Wozza for Monday's circuit, but I shouldn't fear to front first  (and Wozza doesn't bite!), it just means work starts early (and recovery is enjoyed sooner). I was almost inside out arriving at the truck route but Cate kept the speed simmering to Orrvale Rd,
Kreeky, The Godfather, Kel, Rocket, PistolPete, Lenny, Manny, Bo, Col and Tina lining up behind for their contribution.  This peloton's proved popular to start the week, a swifter more social alternative to a solo I guess.  8k's east to Boundary Rd and the light breeze blew us north, a racket like riding on gaffer tape (sticky side up) fazed a few folk near the fig farm, I suspect a juicy spill from a transported fruit bin may have lacquered the tarmac as a weird treat of traction (thank heavens a shower hadn't sent it slick)   We threaded the thin line between rumble strips and the roads edge that warn of an unused rail line near Hill Rd, up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd then worked west toward Ford.  Time again to earn my keep and cut the wind for the others, Wozza kindly not toasting me to the channel but I had to shorten my shift keeping up with Col.  It's good to get thoughts on holiday from the day to day grind, the gas bill, the jobs to finish, how to afford those delicious carbon wheels, and immerse some energy and enjoyment with a rabble of ratbags sharing a similar affliction. Most had prepared their posteriors (by raising them) for that rough join on Ford Rd's new surface, closing in now on the suburbs for a is fast-ish finish. Happy the hurry to the hill is sprint-less, it was still a speechless squirt to Rudd Rd as I supressed gasps to the Boulevard to finish in a 4th fastest flurry.  



1/1 New year's daze.

A lap to lose the lethargy begged on new year's day, and not expecting any takers at 6am, I got into a cruisy headspace on the commute to the carpark.  That thought was quickly quashed as Rocket and Bruce rolled in to grid, the standard Tuesday lap agreed upon with the proviso of coffee to finish.  Three to share the load equalled labour, and sharing the front with Rocket to the truck route got me in the deep end early.  I gorged on the respite in leg two as Bruce and Rocket led to Orrvale Rd but the work in leg three arrived to fast. Trying to keep a lid on the growling bear by Prentice Rd was a struggle, Bruce quizzing my state got a one word reply ("just")   There's guilt sitting out a turn while others take the load (although these two have ability by the bucketful) but I needed to get the h.r. below 175 if I was to avoid explosion.  A sublime sunrise distracted the hurt and the now single filed recovery in Boundary Rd put me back into a lucid state. Legs were none to happy with the hurt but the ticker was coping in River Rd to return to the workforce, tucked into Bruce's tow for his 4k shift to the bridge inspired me to finish off the 1800 meters to Central Kialla Rd.

Rocket blurred the tarmac to Mitchell Rd with ease 'cause he drove onward to Archer before handing the reigns to Bruce.  Get the impression they're looking after me?  I avoided the temptation to push a bigger gear finding 86 rpm oddly easier.  With arms draped over the bars, Bruce's drive was determined, down Dave's Dip and up to the highway, into Raftery and 'round Roubaix, he mimicked the Energiser bunny to Galbraith's gate before showing me an elbow.  Nudging 40 for most of the lap had drained my tempo to a trickle,  legs and head in a rapid wrestle just to reach Arcadia Downs.  Using the last drops of labour I just caught the tail as Rocket ripped into Conrod straight and, knowing the speed still sizzled on the 'Afterglow' and 'Rafter's Rip,' I prepared for the punishment to persist.  Pointed north on the main drag, Bruce's quick cadence sped us to the Scottish restaurant,  my dazed dismount onto rubber legs requiring the medicinal benefits of coffee as rehab.


2/1  Boom and bust.

Plenty of ducking and diving at Wednesday's grid as the riding rarities cringed for cover from the first shift (making a late start on a new years' resolution to ride?), Shorty with the intestinal fortitude to lead the line out of town and into the south southwester. Kenworth, Tina, Whispering Jack, Kel, Nick, MyRideTrev, Rene, The Godfather, Laura and Temple filed behind as not-so-newAvantiJohn took up Shorty's shortfall nearing Hooper's Rd and paired with Nicholas (as jumpy as a 4 year old overdosed on red cordial) to the roundabout.  I was next in line to face the business end and rather keen to keep some space on Nicholas's cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof style, we reached the truck route but became a bit baulked by traffic.

The rhythm was restored once we'd rounded up a scattered early edition (Wozza, PistolPete, BamBam, Pelly and Bruce), no time wasted cranking through Central Kialla with Kel setting the standard and into the eastbound drive on River Rd.
An echelon looked after the front few of a big bunch, but I was snookered at the roads edge till rolling into the up-line when reaching Rene in retirement at the rear. Hot footing north on Boundary Rd blurred the tarmac and silenced sentences with speed, that southerly pestering pace as we pointed into Channel Rd. Passing Leah and the ladies at the S bend, 42 wheels got working to the ChaCha, and it was looking like I'd be in the deep end sitting at fourth wheel under the cypress trees. The southerly niggled at the down-line till we rounded the bend into Central Ave, now into business mode at second wheel with not-so-newAvantiJohn and Nicholas in the drivers seats swinging into Kinder corner.  Nick-in-the-box spun further and further toward Prentice Rd, like watching a fuse spluttering closer and closer toward the kaboom, so I hit the gas (way to early) past them, avoiding Armageddon. I'd opened a good gap for the first 100 meters but Col had the boost wound up and was closing in with 50 to go, certain defeat disconnecting my drive as 6 swamped me in the sprint.  Speechless till the school, the social roll back to town pondered to drive harder and later next time.

3/1 The Hares and the hopefuls.

Throwing the leg over the Fizik just two minutes earlier treated the old engine to a gentle warm-up, readying for the combined Hares and hopefuls ride that would whip up a want for wattage. Quite a flock fronted the carpark (Lenny, Nick, Shorty, SuperMario, Cate, Bo, The Godfather, Rocket, Grumpy, TatMat, Bruce, not-so-newAvantiJohn, PistolPete, MyRideTrev, Kel, Wozza, WhisperingJack, Trek Trev Col and Kreeky), not fearing fastness, sprang hope that many had made a resolution to ride for 2019.  Kudos to Nick facing the front first and hooray to the Hares restraining their rapidity, the Couldabeens consideration commendable.  15 degrees made the ride refreshing, a light SSW'er sweeping the sweat raised, The Godfather's aerial amused the troops but Pistol Pete's puncture paused the peloton near Channel Rd's end.

Repairs were relatively rapid but our short delay caused our course to be crossed by Cats as we reached Boundary Rd.   Pussycat protocols and the Couldabeens culture collide, so it was best not to bait or bewilder by blending, our course altering to head along Mitchell while Cats rode River Rd.  Mitchell Rd became memory lane for the long standing members, not since 2012 that this track was our regular one.  My turn with Grumpy then TatMat kept the pace percolating, hopes pinned on passing pussycats by route rather than reality to avoid antagonism.  Across Central Kialla Rd and ahead of the feline flock created some comfort, passing Temple tapping toward Dave's dip.  We hurried to the highway (and had a classy clean cross) for the pace to rise in Raftery, that lure for Conrod kudos most magnetic. Midfield in the up-line, and unlikely to reach the front before the finish was an observation post for peoples performance and poise, Col letting loose with 200 remaining that towed Bo to the podium.

4/1  Pickled Poppa.

Surreptitiously sneaking 'round the block to dodge pole position failed miserably, others are far more skilled in the last moment arrival!  TrekTrev, Tina, Shorty, Cate, The Godfather, Col, Nick, Rene, Kenworth, Vince and SuperMario set forth for Friday's foray at six, Nev's arrival on our exit making up a dozen behind me.  There's a hint of a downhill to the Broken bridge to stoke up the speed (and the ego) and the pace was still perky at the city limits to pump up my prospects as TrekTrev paired alongside.  Whispering Jack joined from his advance reconnaissance, and with the speedo hovering at 40, I even managed a sentence with TrekTrev till a lightbulb moment realised a tailwind was amplifying my ability.  On cue, the early edition (Rocket, Wozza, PistolPete, Kreeky, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Kel and Bruce) blended into the bunch on leg 3, somewhat silent and sombre (from speed?) in contrast to The Godfather's guffaws.

The northeaster brewed as we wound our way via Mitchell, Central Kialla, I kept left when fingers pointed right to miss the stick in the middle of River Rd, but got the rest of the branch lying to the left, setting off a sphincter spasm but happily not hurtling horizontal. We crossed paths and sledges with Pussycats at the dip, Nath joined in and Lenny and Wozza simmered the speed to Boundary Rd.  Just Coggo, Manny and MeridaAndy were on the pain train as our aim trained toward Channel Rd, Rene joining the up-line worked up a few worries with the rpm of a GP bike. (may need some intensive couture classes with Pistol Pete too!)  Channel Rd turned giddy-up with the breeze behind, Tina turning up the tempo to the cypress trees with Rene inches from implosion alongside.  Cate restored the rhythm to Central Ave where TrekTrev and I shared the front to Kinder corner, Nev and Kev turning up the torment to Prentice Rd slowly grilling The Godfather at second wheel.  The sprinters were let off the lead as The Godfather sought refuge in the down-line, and in a blur of wheels a dozen dashed past in pursuit of the chocolates.

Week 1    292km.

I'll trial a little epilogue called The Week's Wisdom (caution; may contain fragments of frivolous Fossilosophy)  Add a matchbox sized bit of canvas, vinyl or even a piece of plastic milk bottle to your kit.  Makes a great 'get-me-home ' repair under that deep cut in a tyre, freeing up the $5 or $10 note for the essential extra espresso or banana bread!