Week 8 : Watch the wildlife!

Post #487
16/2  The ride religion.

The ride receptors religiously reflex Saturday, bike, breakfast and the bunch babble is hard to resist after a working week.  That same old southerly blew but it didn't deter assembling at the grid with TatMat, TrekTrev, Cate, Superman, Col, Tina, MyRideTrev, Big Len, Shorty, Liam, TatPaul and Nev.  A long line of leds flashed south toward Mitchell Rd at a carefully stoked speed, collecting the early edition (not-so-newAvantiJohn, Grumpy, Rocket, Boof, Kel, Wozza, Bo and PistolPete)    CatKel was caught en-route to Central Kialla, I'd scored a berth between Col and Wozza for the drive east on River Rd, the first shift to the main eastern channel, the second to the dip gave me three k's of huff and puff.  Wozza and not-so-newAvantiJohn went on and on, and on to Boundary Rd (and on Wozza's wheel it's like drafting a matchstick) so I was near meltdown at River Roads end.  Some composure had returned by the Broken bridges to chat with Shorty and TatMat (he's dropped the ball of sock police letting Superman get away with his calf high horrors!)

A perfect 15 degrees and a bit of a breeze propelled us to Old Dookie Rd, PistolPete towing us to the Toaster (with ease).  '51 had a good showing as we pushed north to the church, Grumpy feeling the pinch of our pace retired to the caboose, CatKel detached and u-turned to collaborate with Cats as we went west.  Smooth, swift and steady as she goes along Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, the tarmac blurred under the wheels as I progressed toward another turn at the front, hopefully to be over and done with before suffering the sprint!

From Grahavale to Verney beside Col, then the labour to level with  Kel to the end of Ford Rd, my recovery was going to be the issue as the speed turned spicy into Wanganui Rd.  The cream was rising to the top as DECA came into view, my heart rate was off the leash and no amount of oxygen was helping.  Rocket, Wozza, Liam not-so-newAvantiJohn, TatMat and co shot past as I grappled to hold Bo's wheel of rescue at the rear (but Superman and Grumpy were in deeper dramas off the back of the bunch at the test track)  We'd collected the crew in Rudd Rd (Grumpy from a Kittles Rd short-cut) for a sensible spin along the Boulevard to breakfast, concrete, contracts and criminals tied up the tattle on the long Lemontree table.

17/2  Forty at thirty with eight o.

A social Sunday spin with 'ol mate Ayto made a relaxed ride and a change from the weeks worth of Couldabeens charge to recharge my batteries.  Back on the Basso after a long lay-off, Ayto's found his mojo following a 6 day Torquay to Adelaide charity ride, though not quite back to his form of P&W days of old. (now I'm feeling fairly fossilised......that was ten years ago!)  A reverse P&W lap suited our Sunday schedule, a cool and comfortable 14 degrees still had Ayto in a sweat as we tapped out Raftery and steered east on Mitchell and River Rd.  Soaking up the scenery with just enough pre-dawn light made a change from the regular blurred rush, we mused the history (between huffs and puffs) of rides and characters of years ago, working our way up to Old Dookie Rd where the lure of caffeine (& raisin toast) became too great. JFK was right, nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.

18/2  Foot fault.

Monday's lap proved popular again, Kreeky, Cobbles, Rocket, Sherls, Kel, The Godfather, Bo, PistolPete, Cate, Pickles, BigBen and Bruce arriving for the 5:45 launch.  PistolPete and Rocket drove into Channel Rd's darkness with an achievable acceleration, I'd slotted in between Kel and Sherls with a bit of time before my shift was due.  The Godfather's finally out of his sick bed but not yet up to full volume and we had Cobbles, BigBen, Sherls and Pickles as special guests, being the bare bones of '51's motivation for Monday.   Cloud cover kept the light out and humidity in, 19 degrees felt tropical as speed raised a sweat out to Boundary Rd.  Matching Kel to the rail line then Sherls to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd almost emptied my jelly bean jar, that metre gap I was giving to Sherls wheel paid off as Rocket lifted the pace to the channel bridge, Sherls pulling his left foot from the pedal causing a millisecond of mayhem when his pace plummeted.  Speed settled a smidgen as Cobbles and Pickles took the reigns in Ford Rd, looked like I was scoring the Wanganui workout on the front till Bruce and Cate put in the hard yards to the top of the hill, nearly all scoring Strava PB's.  I fronted again in Rudd Rd to the golf course beside Kel (a killer on kilowatts) and Sherls to Canturbury's roundabout, speed still swift along the Boulevard as many craved the coffee at the completion, the rush down Mason St (and over it's many man-hole covers) causing Sherls to foot fault again in front of me, thankfully the consequences weren't horizontal.  (reinforces my ritual of new cleats for Christmas each year)

19/2  Gone Goat'n.

For the sake of variety, I rolled a 14k solo golf course loop Tuesday morning, a precursor to pedal with the Goats for a change.  A stiff SSW'er turned up the toil on Verney Rd for the return to town, seems the wind kept all but the toughest Goats away from Friars at 6.  Sandy, Phil, Hommie and Snow were the only warriors at the start line, so single file suited and I got the pilot's role to lead out of town.  With a hint of west in the wind, we were blown to Dobson's bridge where I handed Hommie the helm, he drove to Central Ave and Phil reached School Rd for Snow to top off Old Dookie Rd, but left the hurt of the head wind in Boundary Rd to Sandy.  Gusts of 35 km/h tortured tempo so Sandy's elbow flapped at the fig farm but I was granted the shelter of an orchard or two to drive on the pub.  Hommie started strong but the candle was flickering by the Broken bridges, Phil's fine drive getting us to River Rd.  Snow's the most improved player cranking a k west (Sandy second-hand sitting it out in the caboose) while I'd lapped up 3k's of respite to feel fairly fresh, nudging the pace up a couple of k's to the dip (but careful not to snap the caboose off the little train).  River Rd's end marked my exit if I were to remain employed, so slogged along the truck route to Archer to savour the tail-wind home.

20/2  The tempo temptation.

Kenworth, TrekTrev, Tina, Liam, Cate, Travis, Boof, Nick, MyRideTrev, Temple, Vince, SuperMario, Shorty, The Godfather and Superman formed a line south on Archer Rd and my legs didn't want a part of the advance line, truth be known it was my head hampering the hurry.  Rule 5 rang out in the cerebrum to advance to The Godfather's wheel, TNT-Tom climbing aboard the caboose as the bunch bolted toward the truck route.  Facing the front and the south southwester dredged the depths of the determination to reach Mitchell Rd, the early edition (Rocket, PistolPete, Col, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Kel, Wozza, Kreeky and Bo) joining in for the slog south.   Vince was the gentleman levelling wheels to Central Kialla, and content with my 3.7k contribution to the Couldabeens cause, I settled back into the draft as others offered themselves as fodder for the front. 

Hurtlocker had fielded a team of 6 southbound (let's count their numbers in mid winter!) as we worked west, me being steadily demoted as a mixed bag of drivers and survivors advanced.  Liam and Wozza paired steadily turning up the tempo (and the toil for some), The Godfather managed a sledge to the passing pelotons while Superman was a ticking time-bomb on Wozza's wheel  (there's an artform to choosing the wheel you follow to the business end of the bunch)   Turns rolled and Superman ducked for cover to the down-line, a flurry of freewheels, a call of "slow" and the rhythm was revised a tad more peaceful.  I was still on the down-line as not-so-newAvantiJohn and PistolPete charged into Channel Rd, plenty of players heading to the hurt end would guarantee me exemption of effort for the ChaCha.  I'd reached the rear as the bunch belted toward the Kinder, TNT-Tom (looking rather pale from pace) called me over to the up-line just as Rocket lit the afterburners at the front.  I'd been caught up with a few happy to back off the gas, so rounded them up to chase the main bunch's tail.  A long hard drive to catch their draft at Prentice Rd, I arrived to find bits busting off the back in an attempt to keep sight of Liam or Boof (on a new Scott Foil as fast as the engine on it!)

21/2  Skippy and the sprint.

A slow and steady start warmed up this rusty relic to Thursday's lap of labour, Ralphy, Cate, BamBam, MyRideTrev and Ayto made slim pickings for the 5:45 flogging, Grumpy had defected to the Hares to leave just half a dozen to drive the early train.  I was left to do the first shift (of course!) to the truck route, two seconds to fill the lungs as we gave way to the B double then Cate, BamBam, Ralphy and MyRideTrev moved up to make their donation, Ayto calling me in on MyRideTrev's wheel 'cause he was cemented into the caboose.   BamBam did the hurt of the head wind in Central Ave but dogged determination (nearly as strong as Ayto's grip on the caboose)  drove him on to the cypress trees.  MyRideTrev soldiered on to the S bend where my second shift was due, feeling a bit guilty to take a partial tail wind to the end of Channel Rd and hand Cate the head wind of Boundary.  There was no holding back to her hurry to the Broken bridges where BamBam and Ralphy did the business to River Rd.  I'd fixed focus on MyRideTrev's elbow for that sign of surrender (at the Angora farm), then facing the front, got that slap in the face from the southwester.  That summoned the stubbornness to drive on to Laws Drive for the hell of it, or is it a performance anxiety issue?  Cate did a quick k to finish off River Rd rapidly, handing BamBam another helping of head wind happiness.  Eyes on elbows again in Mitchell Rd as MyRideTrev persevered to PistolPete's, nine Hares hurrying past may have demoralised his drive?  I made like a martyr and piloted to the highway but might have toasted a couple as a consequence.  Ayto was still hanging on as Cate and Ralphy ripped into Raftery Rd, BamBam finally relishing a tailwind up to Conrod straight but the holler of "Roo!" set off alarm bells to scatter us all. A roadside grey, taller than a bent-over BamBam on a bike, rapidly bounded off stage left (to our insurance company's relief) so heads went down to sprint business again.  I wound up the rubber band with 250 meters left, but heard Ralphy's wheels closing in behind with a 100 to go, so dialled up full steam ahead (Ralphy cussed) to the line to keep the young fella trying.

22/2  Tip top tap.

That relentless southerly was still switched on for Fridays lap, could be the reason only TrekTrev, Boof, Tina, Nick, BamBam, SuperMario, Col, Kenworth, Travis, The Godfather, Bruce and Superman arrived at the 6am grid.  The 'headwind hideaway' was in full force as only Boof and The Godfather formed the advance line, and with still no takers by the truck route, Tina showed the shirkers how it's done.  The early edition had yet to arrive, I'd moved up and offered Tina a tow, quickly spent by the work into the wind to Mitchell Rd. With the wind now at our side, a flood of volunteers joined the up-line to forge on to Central Kialla, still no sign of the early edition (u-turned early and sailed into the sunrise? Don't love us any more?  Had a better offer?  The real reason at the end of this epistle)  Many moved forward, Liam exempted after a hard day in the hills, BamBam still to file a reason for resting at the rear.

Five on the Hurtlocker swept south as we steered east into River Rd, all in the comfort zone of mid thirties (and being TNT Tom free!)  The Godfather had a little more spark in his sledges, TrekTrev was buoyed by a blast on Beach Rd and Col's tempo set to a temporal tune.  The Goat train of pain was feeling the sting of the southerly as we charged north to Channel Rd, up to the Broken bridges finding Goat Heady, the epitome of OTA.  I felt the pace beside Tina then Bruce to Channel Rd but turning west speed went strangely sedate, maybe it was the absence of the fast faction or had Friday's foibles fixed a calmer speed?  All had tuned in to a steady tap to town, Boof and The Godfather leading us to the ChaCha with that steady speed set in stone, Bruce casually cruising past to put his wheel first over the line (heaven forbid the babble should The Godfather take a win!)

A rampant roadside rabbit had darted under Rocket's wheel as the early edition single filed on Channel Rd toward the S bend, a touch of wheels setting off a spill that put Kel, PistolPete and Wozza down hard on the tarmac.  Ambulance rides for concussed Kel and PistolPete (cracked rib and plenty of skin off).  Rocket remained upright, Wozza bruised and barked.  Get well soon folks.  Others, watch the wildlife!

Week 8        301km                         2,116 km  YTD  

Week 7 : Consuming Kellogg's Kommitment.

Post #486
9/2  The Saturday sustenance.

An early morning mood mender northeast on Katamatite Rd picked up the speed and the spirits 'cause James E Starrs said so...…"melancholy is incompatible with bicycling". (or was the WSW'er inflating my ego?)  The payback came steering south into Lemnos North Rd, a breeze at the brow (and brewing) for the 12k return to town.  The Cat-Eye was shaking like a leaf piercing the 5am darkness, to the point of halting to fix it, less I trigger epilepsy (a tiny screw in the spade mount had worked loose)  The return to town was right on cue for SuperMario, TrekTrev, Boof, Cate, Lance, Tina, Jen, DeterminedDan, TatPaul, Temple, Shorty, Liam, AvantiAndy, MyRideTrev and TrackStan to form two rows behind, yep; I'd berthed first again!

He who holds the helm sets the speed, so half a k at 30 then slowly toast the tempo to 35 for the cruising speed to be set at 38 with The Godfather to Sanctuary's roundabout.  My forecast that the early edition would U-turn early was proved wrong, Col, Rocket, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Bo, Bruce, Kel, PistolPete and Grumpy blending into the bunch in leg 3.  23k's of assisted passage lay ahead, the wind at our back all the way to the Big Ring started the social sentences that's part of Saturday's ride religion.  Great to have Jen and AvantiAndy back after a long absence, though TatMat's absence was noticed. It seemed to be a more collaborative crew than recent Saturday's, the swift a little slower and the sluggish a little speedier, favourable wind and weather calming concerns too.  The work west back to breakfast wasn't the thrash I'd thought, turns rolled a little shorter and plenty of participants meant there'd be time between turns of torment.

Boof had an early exit via Verney as heads went down to drive Ford's final few hundred meters, a little shuffle in the order as some shied from the Wanganui work.  MyRideTrev did a duck to the down line as Liam turned up the wick (putting me into the frying pan of pace behind) but Rocket drew two rows into one and Grumpy was kind enough to offer me refuge into the only row left.  My legs co-operated to keep up with Rocket's then PistolPete's pace (but no hope to hang onto Liam's hurry) so I was pleased to hurtle up the hill midfield and ready for the rush on Rudd Rd. The spin was solid (not scorching) back along the Boulevard to breakfast, the curse of kale, solar energy and smoothing the turns kept tongues tattling through a long breakfast.









11/2  Monday. Move it!

Reach for the armwarmers!  Monday dropped to 12 degrees but Liam, Kreeky, Wozza, Bruce, PistolPete, Kel, Cobbles, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Col, Rocket, Travis, Cate, Bo and TNT-Tom had collected in the cool carpark for the 5:45 fling.  Wozza'd done the back of Falls, Rocket had topped off 400 for the week and Cate had crested Hotham, so I had no right grizzle as the group tore into Channel Rd's darkness.  Travis was already anticipating holidays a long way off in July, Bo kept a cap on his birthday and Cobbles (just back from the U.S.) was wishing he was back there.  TNT-Tom  was back in the pack (but not at the back which suited him), advancing in the up-line to concern a few.
Rocket reached the front at the ChaCha with TNT Tom (already ticking), so the turn rolled quickly to put PistolPete and Rocket in charge of the charge.

Onward to the cypress trees and TNT Tom had wilted to the back, Bruce and Travis restoring the rapidity to Boundary Rd.  It felt like a tail wind but the bureau said calm, Kel driving long and strong while Bo was brief.  A pairing with Cate then Cobbles to New Dookie Rd got my first shift done, up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd in the draft for the west way homeward.  The pairings of Wozza, Rocket and PistolPete kept the pace cooking (yet comfortable), Bruce's inimitable style in contrast to Liam's svelte spin. There was some comfort nudging the forties along Wanganui Rd knowing a sprint was a no no, the cool air taking a little more breath away.  Swift yet sensible along the Boulevard (with TNT Tom still clutching the coat-tails) most were keen for caffeine, but I turned for home with  the luxury of an extra few minutes minus the rush to clock-on.    



12/2  Hammer time!

It's always a lucky dip rolling into the carpark, will there be a few or a flood for the ritual riparound at 5:45?  Grumpy, Temple, TrekTrev, Pelly, BamBam, MyRideTrev, Cate and Ralphy made up the numbers to share the load, MyRideTrev cowering from the captains position even though he was first on the grid.  Looked like it was me holding the short straw, so I took the charge into Channel Rd.  With plenty of recovery time ahead, I sank significant speed into the 3200 meter shift, slipping back onto Temple's wheel as eight passed for leg two.  The faster you go the closer you get to that wheel ahead, so a concerted effort to leave a larger gap was felt to be good life insurance.  Team FDC had consumed their Kellogs Komitment to front four for the flogging, a good showing and an ease of effort for the few regulars.  Grumpy did his usual long shift but TrekTrev was a little more conservative, everyone's focus on smoothing the rhythm as a hint of a NNW'er helped us along Boundary Rd.  Hoges had swung from the south into River Rd as we slowed to do likewise, his hurry hard to catch as Temple then I tried to close the gap to the quarter horse stud.  TrekTrev had the velocity to reel him in near the dip, so 9 became 10 in team time trial from Laws Drive onward. BamBam's momentum had marshmallowed by Mitchell Rd, still, a short shift is welcomed and nobody's measuring (though MyRideTrev spent his time in caboose therapy)  Grumpy tore into Dave's Dip but left Temple the ascent, I'd been handed the drivers seat 200 from the highway and fluked a clear cross to push onto the 90 degree right before Roubaix rattled the chains.  Great work by Pelly, Cate and Ralphy to keep the speed simmering but Hoges lifted the rate of knots when Conrod came into sniffing distance.  Eyes peeled for kangaroos recently spotted near the first dip, Pelly drove the train harder toward the line as Grumpy and Ralphy nipped at his heels for line honours.

13/2  Cool 'n confus'n

An early autumn arrived Wednesday, feels like 7 figured to numb the numbers at Archer St's carpark.  Kenworth, Shorty, Superman, Cate, TrekTrev, Tina, Rene, Col, MyRideTrev, Boof and Nick turned up, Boof taking his almost mandatory role of captain out of town.  Col started the advance line and with few wanting to do an early shift, I joined Col to the truck route and Cate to Mitchell Rd while many cowered from the WSW'er and the early edition (Wozza, Rocket, Kel, PistolPete, Bo, Grumpy and Kreeky) joined the tail.  Just into the comfort zone of Mitchell Rd and the sighting of TNT-Tom ahead raised alerts, but a calm descended as he took up caboose residence.

The long line of the Hurtlocker approached from the east as we turned into River Rd, "on-call" TrekTrev was called and called 'carry on' as he halted to answer work commitments, but misconstrued as a puncture, several stopped having missed the message to continue.  Not till nearing River Rd's end did we notice the absence of Boof, Kenworth, Nick and co (says a lot for communication from the caboose!) so a slow in Boundary Rd re-united the crew.  Back into action by the Broken bridges, the order had shuffled, I paired with Cate to Darth Vader's place (touch wood he's been avoiding the taste of our ankles!) then Boof to the S bend as tempo turned up (to keep the wishful thinkers in the rear stalls?)   Rocket and Wozza (there's that pairing again!) drove on to the cypress trees, volunteers to do a turn from there became as rare as a Trump truth.  Col and PistolPete made an effort but beyond the Kinder, Rocket ripped back to the front as the ChaCha came into view.  Several rungs up the ladder, he wrung out the wattage to the finish line, many dropping like flies attempting to keep in touch, but all that flogging was forgotten on the chatty tour back to town.

14/2  Breaking bad-ass.

At the front again for shift number one and that 3200 meters of masochism was no easier.  With BamBam, Ralphy, Cate, MyRideTrev, Nicholas, Pelly and Rene in tow there'd be a few k's of respite between floggings, though Rene had already locked himself into the caboose.  Thursday's thrash was on again with a few less players than Tuesday,  each day seemingly darker and cooler as we spear into the circuit in an attempt to cross the line ahead of the Hares (starting 5 minutes behind), the odds long today with 7 of us and 11 of them.  We'd driven Channel Rd's 8k length and bored into Boundary, I'd scored Pelly's power to draft to One Tree Dam, thereafter the southwester to suffer to River Rd.  BamBam opened the throttle for a short shift west, Ralphy then captain as we savoured the smoothness of the tarmac (like someone releasing the handbrake) to the Angora stud.   Nicholas drove a long turn to Laws Drive (the advantage of youth) probably inspiring Pelly to power the length of Central Kialla Rd to Mitchell. Onto the front again I took aim at Archer Rd for the handover, but the reality of labouring legs called it quits at PistolPete's.   MyRideTrev had retired to the rear, Rene now on the missing list as Ralphy dragged us to the highway for a clear cross.  A quick peek behind told our hurry from the Hares looked hopeful, I'd inherited the front again at Galbraith's gate but was spent from speed by Arcadia Downs (grabbing that second last wheel almost emptied the tank).  BamBam and Cate braved a turn into Conrod, Nicholas on the rev limiter as the 300 meter marker blurred by.  Pelly had the wattage to win at the finish line as I held onto breakfast, all just a bit chuffed to finish Raftery Rd before the Hares hurried by.    

15/2  Friday foibles (and Garmin glitches)

Into a strengthening southerly, PistolPete took the lead role out of town with seven lined up in his draft, Temple, Kenworth, Nick, Rene, Boof, Liam and MyRideTrev following and only TrekTrev, Cate and Nicholas forming the advance.  I'd joined the three when nobody had volunteered by Hooper Rd, getting my nose into the wind beside Nicholas beyond the truck route as the early edition arrived (Col, Wozza, Bruce, Grumpy, Kel, Bo and Rocket)  There was some consolation headed east on Mitchell Rd, Col short shifting as I paired to Central Kialla Rd then partnered Boof to River Rd helped by a tail wind.  Only three occupied the Hurtlocker as we faced east to a red sunrise, I was retreating socially rearward as others forged forward for duty in the drivers seat. There's been a Godfatherless peace for most of the week, it seemed foreign to have felines pass by without the regular retort, Boof, Bruce, Liam, Kel and Bo providing the push to River's end to cross paths with four on the train of pain.
 

Another tail wind assist up Boundary Rd made the midfield magic, funny how it's either too hot, to cold or too windy when there's work to do at the front. The charge into Channel Rd had me in a perfect position, six wheels from the front as we speared past the cypress trees with plenty of good engines ahead that wouldn't roll too rapidly.  As a spectacular sunrise painted the sky behind us, a placing wasn't out of the question as I sat patiently on Grumpy's wheel, into Central Ave and 'round Kinder corner as the pack powered into Hopeful corner.   Boof shattered the dream launching beyond Prentice Rd to relegate us all down the ranks, Liam's explosive charge from behind taking the chocolates.

Week 7    265km            YTD 1,815km      

Week 6 : The lycra's limits

Post 485
2/2 What! No unicycles?

Start line chat with Boof and Lance was distracted by an MTB rolling in to grid, followed by a tandem!  What the?  A sea of leds assembled behind (The Godfather, Cate, Tina, Shorty, Nev & Kristy, Hamish, Liam, PistolPete, TatMat, Grumpy and TatPaul) for Saturday's ritual ride, setting wheels rolling south at 6, snail-like to begin when traffic split the carpark exit.  Boof hit the boost when all were aboard, only the hard core advancing for a turn at the front while others drafted till the inevitable promotion forced them to front.  You-know-who spat out the sledges as the early edition entered (Vince, Ralphy, Wozza, Bo, Kel, Kreeky, Rocket, not-so-newAvantiJohn and Bruce), two rows touring east and north to River Rd with the social chat going flat chat (apart from the pace setters puffing at the front).  Nath turned up at River Rd's dip mounted on an MTB (so Hamish didn't feel freaky?), it'll be 'roadies' rule soon less we have unicycles and skateboards turning up!

Nev and Kristy (tandem) stayed respectfully in the caboose,  chat with TatMat and TatPaul on their classic crack at the Alpine soaked up the k's to Boundary Rd and we were whipped along by the wind northward to Old Dookie Rd. Turns rolled a little shorter en-route to the Toaster, that breeze at the brow shortening shifts.  Tina towed the sun off the horizon as we headed toward the Big Ring, the wind then oddly favourable for the long leg back to breakfast.    Rocket had paired with Bo in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and the payout was pace, plenty of PR's for the 6k to Lemnos North Rd as speedo's nudged 50 (long gone are those speed limited Saturdays of old!)

Ford Rd's 5k was fast enough too, with just a few taking Verney Rd's exit on other weekend missions.  I'd lucked a position near the rear as the tempo turned up for the Wanganui workout, two rows squeezed into one when the usual culprits caused big rings and little cogs to take a hammering.  Calm collected the crew in Rudd Rd for a sensible spin in the thirties, threading between parked cars and early commuters along the Boulevard to breakfast though some stretched the law (and Couldabeens credibility) at traffic lights. Convivial chat on eggs, temperature extremes and fitness fluctuations at a not-so-long Lemontree table topped off the ride and kick started the weekend.

4/2  Hark! What light from yonder bike breaks off?

Col, Rocket, Wozza, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Kreeky, Grumpy, Cate, Bruce, Kel, Rene, Liam, PistolPete, Nicholas, The Godfather, Bo and Travis gathered for Monday's movement in the dark of the carpark, it'll be eight weeks till daylight savings end will give us back some (short-lived) light. Rocket and Col sliced into Channel Rd's easterly, me pleased my turn at the front would be a long time coming as others ahead shared the load. (strange how a day off resets the head to make our usual pace a pain)  It was another decent roll-up for a Monday, the newest of Couldabeens rides popular because it's sprintless?      Effort lessened northbound on Boundary with the breeze at the side, but over the bump of Old Dookie Rd a headlight hit the deck and was made a speed hump by some, setting of a low level light show for any roadside ants.  Bo copped it on the shin (but more concern for the bike!) so the bunch slowed while Nicholas retrieved the escapee.  The restart was ragged, appearing that Nicholas and Rene were yet to catch the caboose, so 15 came to a halt in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd for a real regroup (and at 24 degrees, were immediately swinging at flies seeking sweat).   That easterly helped the hurry to town, and it looked like my only appearance at the front would be at the business end of Wanganui Rd.  43 was manageable toward DECA but Wozz and Rocket (probably at an idle) added a couple of clicks to put me in struggle street to climb Mt.Wanagnui. (at least it sets the scene for speed tomorrow!)

5/2 Where have all the hard-core gone?

A little bit of wind and the hitherto 'hardcore' go into hiding!  Just MyRideTrev, Cate, Nick and Rene fronted for the 5:45, so I volunteered for the first shift, but detached Rene before we'd reached the truck route. Ooops! MyRideTrev reset the tempo to tame for the second leg to Orrvale Rd but Cate had a swifter standard toward the Kinder.  Nick drew the short straw of the headwind in Central Ave, his wattage waning to reach the cypress trees.  I switched to teamwork mode and settled the speed to 37 (keep 'em, don't cook 'em!) and pressed on to the S bend, MyRideTrev finishing off Channel Rd where Cate headed into the headwind in a hurry.  Nick got short straw number two at the Broken bridges, digging deep then deeper till his head dropped, a gear change, a gasp, then an elbow flapped surrender to hand me the 900 metre drive to River Rd.  To give others a little more recovery time I pushed on for a k then handed the helm back to MyRideTrev, happier to knock 4 clicks off the haste.  The Hares hurried by at the dip, dropping Nicholas off to aid our cause while Nick's turn slowly sank in speed to the bridge.   I was back to the front again and cautiously turned the velocity back into the mid 30's (though suffering the SSW'er), finishing off River Rd and cranking a k in Central Kialla Rd to offer relief to the poor (of pace).  Nicholas's shift gave more time for the tempo tortured to recover but Nick was swiftly running out of steam by the highway.  A halt for traffic then my number came up again, time to stoke the boiler up to Galbraith's gate for the Conrod agenda.   Sitting in the draft for a k was a nice little recharge for my batteries, Nicholas had us five silent with speed out of the Conrod dip while I overdosed on oxygen, then turned up the tempo at the mailbox to make the circuit worthy.

6/2 Brown's cows.

Another squad of sundries assembled at Wednesday's grid, everything from the once-a-week'ers to the race ready......velo-variety if you like!  (Col, Cate, TNT-Tom, Laura, SuperMario, Nick, Whispering Jack, MyRideTrev, Liam, Travis, Kenworth, Superman, TrekTrev and Boof on the roll call)  TrekTrev was first to form the up-line and I seized the chance early to join him 'cause I wasn't wanting the work into the easterly on Mitchell Rd.  A fair flogging to the truck route was followed by a search for speed to match Col, his capabilities had him half a bike ahead but I stayed stuck to the previous pace (38) till he eventually submitted to my snail-like speed. The early edition (Pelly, BamBam, Ralphy, PistolPete, Wozza, Kel, Bo, Kreeky, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Troy, Rocket and The Godfather) had joined,  plenty feeling the effort against the easterly as the turns rolled shorter.

 Nearing River Rd and calls from the back stalled midfield, seems chat took priority?  There was a moment when an approaching car and a westbound bunch were about to intersect, our bunch bolting into River Rd snapping the tail off.  A slow for half a k congealed the crew as Weapon jumped aboard, the rapid rhythm resuming for the 6k stretch to Boundary Rd.  So why does muscle applied to the front smooth out a shambles at the back?  We'd crossed paths with pelotons plying west without much notice, but I did spy just 4 on the Goats' "moderately pained train" on  our leg north toward Channel Rd.  With the wind up our willows on the way back to town, Whispering Jack  emerged from the caboose to contribute, closer to the front and closer to the ChaCha  I went, looking likely to labour the lead near the business end.  Weapon looked cooked in the captains seat into Central Ave, TrekTrev rolled across and I struggled to level with him to the Kinder, so rolled the turn as we pointed to Hopeful corner but had gapped the pack when I glanced back.  An oncoming car and one parking on the right shoulder threw a caution at us for a moment, back on the gas and the launches let loose toward Prentice Rd sending me unceremoniously rearward as Boof tore up the tarmac with Pelly, Col and co in pursuit for the crumbs.

7/2  The Thursday smoothie.
Not a lot of quantity but plenty of quality turned up for Thursday's therapeutic thrashing, TrekTrev, MyRideTrev, Temple, Cate and Rene were all that could be counted as committed. Cutting into the darkness of Channel Rd, I took the captaincy of the first shift, two passing cars helping with a tiny tow just as I was feeling the pinch on the 2100 meter leg to the truck route.  MyRideTrev's turn gave me some breathing space at second last wheel (Rene still holding the caboose position admirably) though I was now on TrekTrev's wheel of tempo for my next visit to the pointy end.  Cate's crank to the Kinder was swift and smooth (surprising, speedoless), Temple tapped out his standard tenacious turn to the cypress trees for TrekTrev to open his account.  Expecting him to hand over at the S bend was selling him short, onward to Channel Rd's end before he handed the drivers seat to me.

I'd set sights at reaching the Broken Bridges so was chuffed the old engine was still running ok when I got there, so pressed onward to One Tree Dam to make my work worthy.  Rene was still holding on as I got to the rear, MyRideTrev reaching River Rd to get the "good back" call ('Clear back' and 'Car back' often confused with the wind blowing between the ears)    Cate and Temple tore into their turns west, my heart rate steadily climbing as I got closer to the front and closer to shift three.  I wondered if TrekTrev was going to finish off River Rd when Temple handed him the lead a little before the dip, but an elbow at the bridge gave me the last k.  Still feeling primed, I continued for another k on Central Kialla Rd before handing MyRideTrev the lead, slipping back to second last wheel for recovery (finding Rene still surviving in the rear stalls)  Cate had slowed in Mitchell Rd suspecting a slow puncture, but thankfully being proved wrong, we returned to the hurry to the highway, Hare lights a distance back but closing. TrekTrev pushed on to Galbraith's gate, I made it to Conrod but the Hares hurry had closed in to reach us as we climbed out of Conrod's dip.  Not-so-newAvantiJohn almost crawled past us just as Rocket lit the afterburners, a flurry of the fast forging onward as our guys and gal gasped to the finish line.

8/2  Division Two.
A handy little northeaster blew me to Friday's start line a little early, so I had no grizzles to berth first to do the first shift with a tail wind.  Boof, TrekTrev, Superman, Laura, Liam, Tina, Rene, Shorty, Nicholas, MyRideTrev, Nick and TNT Tom congregated in the carpark but at 6 a split for traffic caused a calm k to collect the crew.  Steadily up to speed, I discovered the wind had shifted to a SSW'er, working me over as I tried to tame Nicholas's enthusiasm toward the roundabout.  Liam and TrekTrev took control for leg three, the early edition in the distance u-turning early to keep the squads separate.  (horses for courses in the interest of rhythm and safety)

 
It meant a proper workout for our bakers dozen (and a harmonious hurry for the earlybirds 13) though TNT-Tom had joined the up-line for a contribution.  Is it the velocity variables or the lycra's limits that make his wheel the one to waive?  Laura braved a brief blast at the business end, straight, smooth and on rhythm making a pleasurable partnership.  Shorty's shift was long and strong, Superman suffering the rigors of riding rarely, but the youth of Liam and Nicholas was what to bottle (aerodynamics of a matchstick probably helps too!)  Turns were rolling fast and frequent with just a dozen driving, up to Channel Rd to score shelter from the SSW'er by a few orchards.  Speed turned up a tad as the ChaCha drew near (turning off TNT Tom's ideas of another turn) but the sprint was struck from the agenda, Liam and TrekTrev turning up a solid tap to the finish line instead of the expected explosive effort to end the week.

Week 6  258km         YTD 1,550km







   

Week 5 : A pinch of pride and a pound of pig-headedness.

Post # 485
26/1  Straya day!

A 20k Saturday solitary prior to the 6am squad primed the pulmonaries, but the Garmin speed sensor battery died en-route to Congupna to deny me the data we've all come to count on.  The cadence sensor battery went out in sympathy on Grahanvale Rd so heart rate became my only measure of effort. A surprise gravel section cranked up the cardiac count but soon settled back on tarmac as time told me I'd make the grid on time.  SuperMario, Lance, TrekTrev, Col, Grumpy, The Godfather, Cate, Bo, Tina, Kenworth, MyRideTrev, Jase, Travis, Temple and TrackStan had assembled, Col turning on the grid entertainment with a rapid repair of a puncture.

Chocks away at 6:03, 12 lined up in the down-line and 4 in the up-line to tear into Archer Rd's SSW'er, the early edition of Rocket, PistolPete not-so-newAvantiJohn (Wozza too, on an early-early edition) filtered in at Sanctuary's roundabout but Temple provided pause two with a puncture at the truck route.  The restart reshuffled the sequence to put me on Wozza's wheel, down to Mitchell and across to Central Kialla preparing for the pace at the pointy end.  Rocket, Wozza, me and Cate divided up the driving on River Rd, the SSW'er helping the hurry but speed had me spent by Boundary Rd.  Nath had joined in (albeit out of uniform on an MTB) as we howled to the highway (hang on, Nath's fat dirt tyres did the howling!)

 and collected Tommygun into the caboose at the fig farm.  A whiplash of wattage was needed to catch the tail as the pack powered into Old Dookie Rd, sledges simmered between The Godfather and Rocket on the turn at the Toaster,  51' slipped by southbound and Cats crossed paths at the Church.  Heads went down for the work west back to town, the labour lighting up as Rocket paired with The Godfather at the kennels.  There was a whole lot of whole biking going on (none of this subtle half wheeling stuff!) to pump up the pace, many in struggle street (me included at second wheel) as Wozz and Rocket gapped the pack.  Most with a lack of wattage were happy to let them go, but conformity soon collected the crew together to  push on to the patchwork of pavement that makes up Ford Rd.  Acceleration stretched the bunch to breaking point at Grahamvale Rd, I tried the role of joining link to keep the caboose in touch but many had opted for an early exit via Verney.  Temple, Kenworth, Nath, Grumpy, SuperMario and I struggled to hang on when the hammer dropped at DECA so shared the hurt to the hill, a couple had short cut on Kittles Rd so Grumpy, Temple and I teamed in Rudd Rd (a touch despondent the front bunch tore on toward the Boulevard) to tap back to Friars (Lemontree on a long weekend leave)  for breakfast and the babble on animal mimickery, dad jokes and the heat that weakened the week.

28/1  How many bridges?

I'd cautiously called a change of circuit for the public holiday so was stoked the carpark filled with Kenworth, SuperMario, Kel, Whispering Jack, TrekTrev, Bo, Wozza, Tina, Col, Rocket, Cate, Goose, PistolPete, Manny, Grumpy, Vince, not-so-newAvantiJohn and The Godfather.  As instigator, I had the job of pilot out of town, but The Godfather punctured in Kialla Lakes.  Tube and tyre were terminal which terminated The Godfather from continuing, so 18 set sail into Watts Rd for a 7 bridges lap.  Keeping up with Kel was cooking me but thanks to crew collaboration the turns rolled en-route to Mooroopna although the shoulder-less Murchison Rd was tackled Indian file.  Kenworth paused the pack for puncture number two on the turn west into Pyke Rd, a few issues seating the tyre but then resumed rapidly with Rocket and Wozz leading us swiftly south on Turnbull Rd.
 Pistol and Kel had the reigns as I wondered where my wattage would come from to pass muster at the front.  Rather than ruin the rhythm, a short shift was the answer to the research station, hoping SuperMario didn't cook me for part two ; the speed from days gone by seems to be slowly sinking, am I gradually losing it or does the head hallucinate with the hurry?  Happy to be at 3rd wheel and being demoted as we steered south into Dhurringile Rd, turns rolled long and short (relative to fitness) down to Rushworth-Toolamba Rd.  The coarse stone pounded posteriors for the 7 k's west, Rocket and Wozz ensuring boredom didn't set in by applying the swiftness to Murchison Rd.

Up and over the Nut Cracker hill (trying to tempo Kel was killing me) then with SuperMario into Toolamba to relish a reprieve in the draft. We went pedestrian on the planks of the old bridge (the gaps would swallow a wheel whole) remounting to soldier on to the highway (a clean cross, believe it or not) and face the harshness of  Union Rd.  Col, TrekTrev and Bo delivered the drive to Central Kialla Rd, this route chosen for it's variety but specifically for the tail wind home.  There was no time wasted on the northern assault to Mitchell Rd with Wozza and Rocket back in the drivers seat, co-incidence that these two ritually pair up on these rides? Another turn at the helm ran my tank fairly low, feeling the pinch in Raftery Rd as Rocket and Wozz were promoted to the rushin' front in Conrod straight.   Rocket's the height of a top tube and Wozza's like drafting a matchstick, so third wheel at 50 km/h had toasted me with 500 to go.  Seems everyone passed me as I elbowed my exit from the effort to the finish line but a look back found a few in a similar street of suffering.  Breakfast beckoned a solid spin to Friars (The Lemontree still on leave) to savour a different menu and chat on personalities unearthed, notable birthdays and not being as old as you feel.

29/1  Riding on empty.
    Feeling as flat as a tube full of bindii, I rolled to the Archer St shops hoping the Tuesday thrash would squeeze that softness out of me.  Bo, Cate, Pelly, BamBam, Kreeky, Bruce, WhisperingJack, MyRideTrev, Kel, Temple, Troy, Ralphy and Rene had nominated for the 5:45 foray (leaving Hare numbers a little thin), BamBam braving the first shift to lead us on an east exit of town.

Troy and MyRideTrev shared leg 2 (Rene on the missing persons list again) making the first 3k kind instead of cruel.  Pelly's pace to the kinder turned up the hurt, Ralphy's rush to the cypress trees in a similar vein of velocity.  My contribution came and aimed at reaching the S bend, two passing cars delivered a dribble of a draft but the old engine developed a miss-fire 50 meters short of the target to time a Temple take-over.  Bruce and Kel belted into Boundary Rd (Bruce excused a short shift with legs still lamenting an Alpine Classic), BamBam opening the River Rd account with Kreeky as back up soon after.  I was shifting between the 15 and 14, trying to find a cadence to cope but a wheelbarrow full of wattage would be better!  Smoothing the pace was the prescription for the team to stay intact, Pelly driving swift and steady for the last k to Central Kialla Rd.  An approaching car split the bunch on the turn south, so briefly off the gas to regroup then Ralphy towed us to Mitchell Rd.   My turn again to work west, but running a little better now, I got to PistolPete's before passing the baton to Kel.

Half swallowing an insect ascending Dave's dip didn't help the recovery but a twenty second wait for cars at the highway did.  The order reshuffled on the restart, the caboose becoming a popular berth, my short straw was Pelly's wheel of wattage as he pressed on beyond Galbraith's gate.  Mid forties and my turn for toil again (this was going to hurt), Pelly handed me the reigns at Arcadia Downs drive and Conrod's kink (600 meters ahead) was a world away.  I didn't dare look at the heart rate but the mid forties flambe'd Foss fast, Kel's kudos helped the hurt as I flicked an elbow but I'd burned all reserves to catch the tail.  10 shot by with 500 to go and the legs would give no more, MyRideTrev, Troy and I rolling spent to the finish but happy to have hustled the Hares.

30/1  Velocity variables.

A mixed mob massed for the Wednesday whip-around, everything from an AMR Renault team member fresh from a great placing in the NZ cycle classic to a twice a week caboose cruiser (and a mixture of the standards between)  Superman, TrekTrev, Bruce, Liam, Kenworth, Nick, Shorty, Tina, MyRideTrev, Cate, Rene, Laura, Nicholas, Boof, TNT-Tom, Boof, Col and Travis rolled from the car park at 6, a split for traffic putting the last five on an early effort to catch the tail.  MyRideTrev set a sedate speed to the city limits, the pace then perking up to choke the chatter.  Weapon joined the procession and the early edition arrived (Kreeky, Rocket, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Bo, Wozza, Kel, PistolPete and Troy) but had a messy blend into the bunch when a passing car tested their transition.  Partnerships with Cate then Bruce were paced pleasantly to River Rd, a surprising sight of the Hurt Locker back in business about to turn south to Central Kialla.  Nicholas needs to study Rule #86 and not bait Liam in the drivers seat, many in the bunch paying the pace tax of 40+ till the turns rolled.  TNT-Tom had joined the up-line (contrary to advice), diving for cover of the down line as the tempo toasted him (rhythm ruined as the ripple of a slow tsunami'd down the line).

Velocity varied in Boundary Rd as some struggled with speed (or overstayed their time in the drivers seat), most of the movers patiently paused at the rear awaiting to be unleashed for the ChaCha. Into Channel Rd, TNT-Tom's lycrack infringement was mentally scarring Col behind, the speed on a steady simmer as we swung the S bend and speared toward the cypress trees.  At fifth wheel as the bunch cranked into Central Ave, I sat expecting a big effort at the ChaCha, but TrekTrev's torque from Hopeful corner to Prentice Rd slimmed the squad to single file, suiting me just fine. With 150 meters to go, Travis, Col, Wozza and co stormed to the front  relegating the previous prospectively placed to pfftt!, the regroup taking a k to condense, many still refilling the oxygen tanks on the social spin to town.

31/1  The phew! factor.

Only a few faced the Thursday grid, the headspace switching to hard labour predicting more turns on today's agenda.  Grumpy, TrekTrev, Cate, Temple, Rene and Superman filed from the car park to exit east of town, Grumpy leading the charge to the truck route (but re evaluating his tempo seeing such a short list of drivers), Superman and Rene concreted into the caboose (and Rene about to crack).     TrekTrev supplied a strong and smooth drive to Orrvale Rd, my turn for the 1300 meter turn to the Kinder and the old engine ran better than expected.  Cate and Temple shared the shift to the cypress trees then Grumpy's turn was up again, hammering out the heroics to Boundary Rd (his combined Cats / Couldabeens kit excused, just this once).   On TrekTrev's wheel in Boundary Rd, I mentally prepared for pain at the front while eyeballing his elbow for the flick, but it failed to flap as his determined drive soldiered on to River Rd.

Primed from that extra tow, I was able to reach the Angora farm without blowing a gasket, Cate then Temple on tempo to the dip for Grumpy's turn three.  You could tell his head wanted to reach River's end but his legs wouldn't be in it, TrekTrev taking the last 300 meters (then dominating the drive to Mitchell Rd).  Slowly on the gas for my third contribution (I needed to keep all the help I could get!), I made it to PistolPete's and peeled off to recover, catching that second last wheel awoke the growling bear as Cate tore on to Dave's Dip.  Almost cursing Temple's tempo to the highway, relief came as traffic forced a halt, the sneak peek back seeing the Hares homing in.  The car commuters cleared to let us work west, but the un hindered Hares bolted by, Grumpy (too tempted) jumping ship as the rest looked to each other for teamwork.  TrekTrev repeated his mammoth turn to push on to Conrod straight, that view of a distant finish line from the kink, tormenting.  I told myself that breeze was at my tail, and pushed on beyond what the reserve tank held, no hope to catch the tail as I threw the elbow with 350 left, so gasped last and solo to the line.


1/2  Foss's faux 1st.

Just as the grizzles about the heat subside, a cool southerly forced the hunt for base layers and arm-warmers, how fickle the forecasts!  Tina, Liam, TrekTrev, Shorty, Nick, MyRideTrev, PistolPete, Boof, Grumpy, The Godfather, Kreeky and TNT-Tom had fronted for the Friday fun (or flogging for some!).  The stiff southerly (18-26 km/h) cemented the sooks in Boof's draft in the down-line while only Pistol, TrekTrev and Liam stepped up to suffer in the up-line.  I'd joined the brave in the battle to the truck route as the early edition arrived (Bo, Kel, Col, not-so-newAvantiJohn, Rocket, Wozza and Pelly)   How good was my timing to hit the front for Mitchell Rd?, only the side wind to cope with while I matched the magnificently mannered Liam levelling with me to Central Kialla. (a chip off the not-so-old block)    

River Rd's rhythm was as smooth as a Pablo Brothers long black (in stark contrast to Wednesdays shemozzle), the protocols of serving sledges to passing pussycats observed as we high tailed it to Boundary Rd.  Where you find that extra to hold onto the Hares created conversation with Col, a pinch of pride and a pound of pig-headedness figured to be the survival secret.  The wind weakened a whisker on the way to Channel Rd but didn't deter a decent drive there, enough orchards still standing to offer a little shelter as we worked west toward town.  Promotion forward was accelerated as several shortened shifts at the front, a handy handful of horsepower ahead of me putting the pressure on my performance. (thinks; Liam the Lamborghini leading with Foss the Fiesta following!) TrekTrev's peaking in performance and drove yet another long and strong turn to the Kinder and beyond, the speed slowly simmering as Prentice Rd blurred by. Liam rolled across in super smooth style still seated, his glance back seeming to suggest I take the chocolates at my will.  Carpe diem old boy, so stamped on the pedals well into the fifties (such was the dream draft) to cross the line unopposed.

Week 5:     313km             YTD 1,292 km