The habit to hurry.

 Post #626

27/12  The curse of Christmas calories.

Wozza must have had an extra spoon of Erythropoietin on his Christmas pudding.....nudging 40 with a southerly (26-43 km/h) howling in at the starboard side thrust me quickly into the "hand me the tissues, this is going to hurt" mode. The usual over indulgence at the Christmas lunch table had added a lot of ballast in the hull though Bruce, Greg, Kel, Bo, PistolPete, Boof,  Emil and brother Ant were probably in the same boat (pun intended)    

Taking Saturday and Sunday off should have recharged my batteries bu they were flat (while I was flat out!)  Enduring the toil to Central Kialla should end the pain, there'd be some respite with a tailwind to River Rd and by then Rule #5 should have kicked in.  I hope! (let's hope that tailwind didn't provoke more pace)   Tina appears a little earlier each week, today reaching Mitchell as we'd almost finished with it.  The grief gauge eased back from the red-line on the way to River Rd, enough to harden up and face the windward side beyond the dip.  (Keep banging your head against a brick wall and it goes numb eventually!)  A couple of k's had been trimmed from the pace and it was odds on I'd get my turn at the business end on a northern leg, so that put a little hope into hanging on.  

Tina was losing grip on the caboose nearing rooster corner, Wozza and I playing good Samaritans to tow her back aboard while Greg and PistolPete backed off the accelerator.  Bo's command on the tail-wind was over-ruled by Kel taking over the lead at New Dookie Rd, so I had a little of the prevailing wind to prepare for the punishment at the portside in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  This was an extended weekday lap, extra k's would berth us at the Butter Factory to suit their later holiday opening time.   Christmas lunch hampered my hurry to reach the main eastern channel and handing the lead to Emil and Wozza needed that box of tissues again.  There's a mental mountain to climb as well as a physical one enduring the effort in the hope it gets easier.  It's hell at the time but it does get easier (particularly if you go ota!)  Visitor Ant paired with Wozz for Ford Rd but rolled the turn a little earlier for a very important cause ; getting Bo to the front to face the wind for a change! 

Bruce and Boof drove into suburbia so Bo could serve his penance in Wanganui and while I drew closer to the front hopes were on a shift with shelter from the southerly.  Second wheel to Ant was like drafting a matchstick so when sibling rivalry of Emil vs Ant struck in the Boulevard, most of my biscuits burned.  Bruce and Wozza took sympathy on a pickled pensioner and loaned me a draft so I'd get to breakfast intact.  Holidays cancelled the hurry to get home so a second coffee (and breakfast for some) made for a casual conclusion (and time for legs to regain some feeling)

28/12  Simmering squirrels.

Ant was the stand-in squirrel in the squad on Tuesday, lil' Jodie was on a festive furlough and a slightly longer lap was planned to make the berth at the Butter Factory at 7, so that injected a little variety into the routine.  Rubber stamp Emil's shift to the truck route and mine to the Kinder, though a bucket full of persuasion was needed to get me beyond Orrvale Rd.  Tina got aboard at the ChaCha and Ant did the Central Ave shift into the southerly, continuing to the cypress trees (with navigational cues from Emil) but he's got that distance habit too, doing the drive to Channel Rd's end. With an atmosphere a bit like soup, Kim soldiered on to Boundary Rd's bridge, Emil's second shift dragging us to Old Dookie Rd then west to the Toaster.  The change of Tuesday scenery was almost as good as a holiday.  Tina drove the north leg to the Pine Lodge church, the breeze at the backside for the 1900 metres to Lemnos-Cosgrove felt a bit shy for my shift so the 2 k to Pine Lodge Creek was added to make it something like reasonable. Probably a bit presumptuous to think I'd be getting a tow home but I was reckoning that Ant would do a long drive (being made of the same stuff as his brother), probably toasting Kim a bit into the bargain, so Emil would do that familiar long drive to town.  

Still a bit early for the Butter Factory's later opening when we'd reached Verney Rd, Emil called a golf course loop to conclude, so I'd get another shift after all.  Tina was eventually granted a sit in the drivers seat when Emil elbowed the promotion at DECA's test track so I had the joy of Rudd Rd with that southerly in the face.  Getting to Canterbury's roundabout and I'd had enough, Ant's youth could guide us toward coffee.

29/12  Sorta social. 

I didn't find my second wind till reaching One Tree Dam, the 26 minutes prior had been flogging the proverbial dead horse just to stay in the draft while PistolPete, Kreeky, Rocket, Emil, Bo, Wozza, Greg, Kel, The Godfather, Boof, Molly, lil' Jodie and Tina spun the Wednesday circuit at a sort of social speed.  Maybe this old engine would run better on premium unleaded?  I'd put the poor performance down to "one of those days" (it doesn't pay to dwell on the why's and wherefore's , we'll see if Thursday's any better)     

Liam, GiantAndy and Trav had clockwised the circuit to intercept at rooster corner, Tina finding us well before that in Mitchell Rd, so the pack was well populated.  Lil'Jodie ahead provided the slipstream of a matchbox (laid flat) but a dozen more drivers should have made the momentum manageable.  Heaven forbid, even Bo had done a turn into the southeaster!   Anyway, a turn at the front wasn't such a worry now, Jodie ahead and Tina behind were kind company and I'd finally got some oxygen to spare.  

Doing duty from the highway to the fig farm was low stress, Tina had stayed awake (she's recently contracted the Greg disease of riding at stupider o'clock) but conflicting courses were being called from the rear  (Pistol reckoned it was north to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, Kel favored east to the Toaster but Emil had set the usual course west on Old Dookie ; and there's not a lot of options when the train driver swings left)   The days of a social speed ceiling of 35 have slipped by the wayside though eyes are always open for those who may be losing their grip, so as the usual lads and lasses continue to turn up to Sanctuary (and no law suits have yet to be filed) we'll presume the km/h isn't so crucial.  Tina had the hand of God (well, Trav's hand actually....and that's near enough) as she dropped from the draft of Emil's wheel nearing Central Ave so minor adjustments to pace saw the bunch stay intact to Indian file to SPC. 

30/12  Sprouting squirrels (and a supplementary spin) 

It's hardly the stuff of Frankenstein though it seems a monster has been created.  The squirrel population had multiplied Thursday, the shop's car park filling with Kim, lil' Jodie, Wendy, Molly and Emil for the fling of 40 k's.  Something has struck an accord.  Possibly no pressure on performance? The Indian filed formation?  A chance to lead the pack on your own terms? Maybe it's Emil's epic tow to town? Whatever the attraction, the squirrels success shows promise.  (Let's see if time and temperature whittles down that enthusiasm)   Emil and I did the usual opening performances, Tina jumped on board and lil' Jodie shot into Central Ave like a cork out of a bottle when given the front seat at the Kinder. (Wendy bore the aerodynamic anomaly)   Those cypress trees must emit an aroma fueling determination? Whether it's Emil, lil' Jodie or (today) Wendy, there's nearly always an enthused effort to drive the 2800 metres to reach the end of Channel Rd.  Stubborness maybe?  

Kim scored a slight southerly as an assistant to Boundary Rd's bridge, handing over to Molly for her debut drive (a chip off the old PistolPete block)  delivering a shift that prompted a gearchange to keep up. For a moment I thought Emil had a touch of Bo about him, thieving the tail-wind to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, but he redeemed his actions by taking on a couple of k's west to the main eastern channel (Isn't it weird how certain landmarks become the standard for most to drive to).  The spotlight was on Tina to do her thing and she had no trouble with tempo to deliver us to Lemnos North Rd.  So the 2700 metres of Ford Rd to Grahamvale was my contribution, gingerly on the accelerator for the opening 100 metres to avoid a knife (or knives) in the back, then came the juggling act to keep the speed smooth, the odd glance at the Garmin needed to keep the variations at a minimum.  But Lil' Jodie launched at full boost beyond the truck route, bums swiftly off seats to get back into some sort of formation toward Verney Rd. (with this habit to hurry, she's scored a new moniker;  the 5ft Ninja)   Emil took on the tradition of the "tow-me-to-town-for-caffeine-infusion" shift , today travelling the brand spanking new billiard table tarmac of Hawdon St as a treat to the posterior. 

Beyond the Butter Factory break, Wendy was keen to rattle the usual 46k routine and extend the effort some more, so with temperature in the teens, the sun up and a bit of a breeze swinging east southeast to easterly, why wouldn't you!  The north exit of town to the golf course then east on Wanganui set us on a path to Pine Lodge, the focus off speed and turned toward just doing the distance.  It doesn't take long before the bum numbs, legs want stretching and the grip on the bars alters by the minute.  We go soft doing this regular ride repetition thing don't we!   Timing the breeze to perfection, a tail-wind tap from the Toaster, south on Boundary and back via Channel clocked up 85k. 

31/12  The 2021 swansong.

Getting 34's out of the old engine into a southeaster gave a hint of hope at the years' end, 2021 seems to have been my year of being a little fish in a big pond.....or have I left the handbrake on?  Greg, PistolPete, Tommygun, Kim, Emil, The Godfather, Kreeky, Bo, Kel, Wozza, Liam, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja and Trav amassed at the roundabout for the final fling of the year and hadn't I berthed like Bo! Third wheel in the left line as Pistol and Tommygun set the train in motion so I wouldn't see duty at the front till well into Coach Rd. 

Tommygun's rare appearance braved the co-pilots role alongside PistolPete, and although he has the aerodynamic credentials Pistol's power had him in a pickle by Mitchell Rd.  Wozza and Liam were well qualified to take the team toward Central Kialla, despite cooking themselves yesterday on a rigorous ride of Mt Buffalo and Tawonga gap.  But then, they're a bit beyond human aren't they?  There wasn't a lot of noise from the back of the bunch....or The Godfather for that matter.  I pondered the plight of Kim ; she'd probably come along for a social spin!  Headed north toward River Rd was a little less taxing, maybe because many were sheltered from the east southeaster and if I played my cards right, I'd avoid it in the face at the front.  

17 degrees had all arms and legs bared, most following the Friday formality of team kit. (we'll wait for the Knights of Suburbia to do a Ninja size)  The sun's tardiness to rise is already noticed, once blinded by it for River Rd's last k we're now having it appear over the right shoulder nearing One Tree Dam (it's hard to believe or remember we start and finish in the dark mid-winter)  With Bo being chivalrous beside, Kim braved a shift at the business end in Coach Rd with Tina as team-mate for part two (there's a  lot of comfort with a compliant co-pilot)  Emil was on his best behavior when Tina rolled for her part two.  Sharing the lead with Emil at Channel Rd, I could feel that wind swinging northeast but some wattage remained at the highway so I stayed on till the Boundary bridge.  

The 5ft Ninja came alongside and despite punching out 130k's yesterday, had me close to the red-line at the fig farm.  A call for a course via Lemnos-Cosgrove and the golf course back to base camp caught me thinking coffee would be sooner rather than later but a few extra k's to round off 2021 wouldn't hurt.  Besides, 14 others had there turn before my number would be called again.  Wozza and Liam had the reigns again so there was plenty of pace back to the suburbs. Without a lot left in my tank for another contribution, I was grateful several lapped up longer turns in Wanganui and Rudd Rd's 'cause I'd been promoted all the way up to second wheel by the Boulevard's end.  Missed it by that much!  Like a lot of other great laps, coffee created a convivial conclusion.  A quiet roll homeward after contemplated the year that was, hopes hanging on 2022 being better.

This week 299km     The year 13,841km  

Happy new year!                        

2021 = 2,764 TimTam's worth.

 Post #625

Well, there goes another year..........and the obsession continues.  16 years and 285,000+ km since catching this disease tells me I've got a serious case of it.  Are there tablets to take or a cream to apply to ease it?  

2021 was yet another year of Covid constraints and challenges, six lock-downs (that I counted) forced a lot of paired or solo rides (alone with one's thoughts can be a scary thing!) and doesn't that get you craving the fellowship of a bunch!  Looking forward to a chance chat with with a mate  (suitably distanced) in a cold car-park while warming your fingers around a take-away coffee proved it. Restrictions of 5 km from home tested the patience (and navigational skills if you wanted an interesting lap!) although some had very strange distance calculations.   

But bunches were possible before, between and beyond those incessant lock-downs (albeit limited to ten at times) ; the Sanctuary squad turned out to be my staple diet but the odd spin of Beach Road, Barwon Heads, Castlemaine, JanJuc, Faraday, the Great Ocean Road, Mt.Alexander, Newstead and the Otway Classic got some different tarmac under the wheels.  Occasional spins with Goats and the Adams clan put some perspective on performance.  Without setting any goals, I managed to get a hundred k ride in most months to shake up the routine.  Seven tyres, three chains and cassette were needed to clock 13,841 kilometres for the year.  Strava tells me that was 248,846 calories burned...and that's 2,764 TimTam's worth!)  Winters always seem worse than the last, but this years 32 days of 3 degrees or below equaled 2020.  25 days where rain stopped play seemed damper than others. 

2021 saw the inauguration of Couldabeen's kit Friday, the rise and rise of newcomer Greg, an au revoir to GreatScottSteve (though he still makes the occasional surprise cameo appearance), the birth of the Squirrels as a development squad for rising young stars, the Butter Factory becoming home base,  never ending entertainment from The Godfather (some people pay for theirs ; we get it free!), Liam's horizontal malfunction (3/3), Rocket's new Trek, Boof's new Focus and Tina's new knee, but the sudden and sad adieu to our mate Col.  (still miss those epic stories)  

 If something positive came from his passing, our focus on #neveralone sharpened.   

2021 marks the tenth year of writing these whimsical words too (this addiction is serious Doc!)     Dare I continue? 

So stay safe, stay upright, contemplate Rule #5 and make that #ruok conversation folks.  See you somewhere in 2022.

        

It feels good when I stop!

 Post #624

18/12  Saturday....served with spicy speed sauce!

What wattage would turn up to Saturday's grid was anyone's guess ; it could be social, it could be supersonic.  It's the proverbial box of chocolates....and maybe that's the attraction?  Something hinted at today being swift, seeing Wozza, Rocket, Boof, PistolPete, GiantAndy, Emil, The Godfather, Grumpy and Greg lined up in Sanctuary Drive, Molly, Gazza, lil' Jodie and I wouldn't have the numbers to swing the vote on velocity (suck it up Softies! There's some satisfaction in a bit of suffering to earn breakfast)  An east northeaster was slowly strengthening so there was little hope of getting tailwind assistance till Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd (45 minutes away)  though there was plenty of horsepower ahead so the suffering wasn't straight away.  Lil' Jodie had resigned herself to the rear and I'd guessed Molly would do the same as Wozza and Pistol set the standard high.  

Grumpy was feeling a little second-hand from 'fireball' consumption last night so following his wheel into the advance line at Kialla Central wasn't so onerous.  Judging by the decibels levels, The Godfather was behind me.  A solitary Liam southbound turned to join the crew just as Tommygun was found in River Rd, so the line grew longer.  I started a sentence or two on my promotion forward but there's a preference toward oxygen preservation the closer you get to doing duty at the front.  (Unsociable eh?)  Tina's light appeared ahead as Boof and Grumpy closed in on rooster corner.  Grumpy graciously set a tolerable tempo for me to match in Coach Rd and The Godfather was kind enough to roll across at the Broken bridge, Liam adding a couple of k's to the cruise control to the highway so getting my focus back would have to wait.  

Inadequacy eased a little seeing Tommygun struggle a short shift to Boundary's bridge.  Gazza had returned from seven months of Supercar shifts and even though he's the baby of the bunch he seemed to be on the hunt for horsepower.  Undeterred by the strengthening wind, Wozza and Pistol kept high 30's on speedo's to the Toaster and that certainly convinced Tina, lil' Jodie and Molly to stay seated in the caboose.  Thoughts of the tailwind home was about all that enticed me to join the advance again.  Friendly flak was fired from the rear as Greg and Rocket primed a bit more pace for the west way home, speed sneaking into the 40's with that east northeast assistance, my next shift looking likely to be due near town.  Waiter, an extra helping of horsepower please!  

Tommygun had taken up residence at the rear as Gazza, Greg and Boof did their bit to drag us to Ford Rd.  (No backing out now Foss, be a good boy and take your punishment!)  Grumpy was kind again staying level to Verney Rd, The Godfather even easing the effort slightly so I'd be still alive at Numurkah Rd.  (That's good, turn done before the work in Wanganui Rd.  There was just the job of hanging on now). On one hand the lack of a sprint up Mt.Wanganui was a bonus but on the other, work on the Boulevard seemed unrelenting.  The strengthening of the senses if one is missing, timing traffic lights and energetic employees made the talk on the table as breakfast mended labored legs.

20/12  Speed cures hang-overs? 

A little excess hydration at Sunday's Couldabeens Christmas left some a bit fragile at Sanctuary's grid on Monday.  I learned though that liberal doses of alcohol doesn't slow Emil any!  Bruce, Greg, Wozza, PistolPete, Bo, Kel, The Godfather and Kreeky parked at the roundabout, the noticeable absentees (you can figure them out) clearly too fragile to front.  Wozza had no trouble with tempo alongside PistolPete to Mitchell Rd, the reality of their speed a bit of a Monday wake-up call for me.  (Take a Sunday off the bike and it's like starting over again!)  Sandwiched between The Godfather and Kel when two rows got organised was some sort of comfort ; there's some respect for senior citizens among them.  Under the guise of warming up for feels like 6 degrees, speed was being served to Bo (displaying the most fragility from yesterday's indulgence) but then there's little sympathy for self inflicted wounds. 

Tina turned up early, attaching to the back of the bunch as we entered River Rd.   Bruce and Greg made the most of the southwest breeze toward the dip, The Godfather and Kreeky setting a standard that was steadily cooking me to the quarter horse gates.  I could cope with that speed at the front, but doing the distance defies me lately (I think it's called old age)  The Godfather only quarter wheeled me for a k but this old engine was running close to the red-line with a k to go.  I'd called enough and rolled across, taking a guess I'd reach rooster corner with Kel's kindness (she'd ignored the amplified asthmatics then delivered me a draft in Coach Rd).  

Bo's complaints were ignored as Kel paced a bit of punishment to the Broken bridges then Wozza worked him over to the highway.  Bruce's called for calm crossing the Midland for Tina to reattach, Wozza and Emil winding up the wattage to Old Dookie Rd.  With just 10 in the bunch another turn looked likely, the bonus of being handed the reigns beyond the truck route was having the single filed shift to SPC where my only competition was me (oh, and my escalating heart-rate)

21/12  Fostering fastness.

Given the reigns at the channel bridge in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd when Tina called it quits, my drive to Lemnos North Rd seemed like I was short changing the four behind, so set about adding Ford Rd's opening 2.7 k leg as compensation.......regretting the decision less than a k later.  It wasn't long before lungs labored and the heart rate heightened - would the martyr make it to Grahamvale Rd?  It was likely there'd be a coronary before getting there! (I could flick an elbow without being judged soft 'cause squirrels don't set those standards - besides, who would know where my target was set?)  I'd nearly succumbed to the biting-off-more-than-I-could-chew syndrome when Tina's call from the caboose of "car back" threw me a life-line ; there'd be a draft to drag me some of the way to what I'd aimed at.  The car turned out to be a substantial slipstream from an 8 tonne truck, but the bigger bonus was the 40 tonne truck and trailer following 20 seconds behind.  Mr Stubborn would be satisfied to get to that goal of Grahamvale Rd.  

This ride had almost been a carbon copy of last week's squirrel spin ; Emil did the turn to the truck route, I'd gone to the Kinder where Tina jumped aboard, Kim took us to the cypress trees and lil' Jodie did the long shift to Channel Rd's end.  Emil rattled the routine by driving to New Dookie Rd then added an extra 2k to Lemnos-Cosgrove in the mid 30's. Maybe that burned Tina's biscuits to shorten her turn to the channel bridge?  The speed was well up on last week, mind you, calm conditions played a part in pace.  When barely breaking into the 30's was the limit a few weeks ago, there's inspiration found with that amount of improvement.  (Maybe we're creating a monster we'll have trouble to feed?)  But back to the moment....  Kim did the velocity to Verney Rd and lil' Jodie took us south to Graham St where Emil finally got his drive-me-to-coffee shift. The Tuesday thrash of shop squad vs Sanctuary squad provided the Butter Factory entertainment.

22/12  The bunch balloons.

The bureau had better tell me that wind was a tough one, I'd be shattered to read it was an 8 km/h breeze when I was turning myself inside out just to get to Sanctuary Drive! Satisfied but spent arriving at the 5:40 grid, someone must have messaged free beer...the peloton's population seemed to suggest so.  Bruce, ChrisA, Lance, Emil, Kreeky, Bo, The Godfather, Boof, Wozza, Kel, PistolPete,Grumpy, Kim, lil' Jodie, Rocket and Greg crammed the street for "social" Wednesday (note the inverted commas), Wozza and Pistol setting the speed to the social standard - albeit into that howling headwind.  Most were keen to be towed to Mitchell Rd where prevailing winds would assist a turn at the front.  Lance had trekked across from the wild west again, Grumpy had resisted his gravel addiction, Greg had been on two wheels since 3:52am (so the Sanctuary squad must have felt like the arvo shift) and ChrisA had fronted after weeks off the bike then rides like he's straight out of training camp. (I'll have what he's having!)  They're certainly a mixed bag this lot.  

With the bunch ballooned this much, there's a chance of doing the circuit without an appearance on the front, so it was a surprise to see Bo in the advance this early.  Tina again made an earlier appearance, jumping aboard as Rocket and Boof steered us into River Rd.  Labor was light with the wind at the posterior in Coach Rd where I'd finally joined the advance line with the workhorses queued ahead.  An eye on those about to face the business end suggested there'd be some short shifts to come in Old Dookie Rd, so I would need to contribute something to the cause after all.  (Freeloading ain't fair).  A k with Emil to Central Ave and the next k alongside The Godfather to Dobson's bridge was about all the drive I could donate, the draft to SPC restoring enough energy to quaff coffee in company at the end.  The bureau did confirm the earlier effort to the start-line,  gusts of 30 km/h had got me grizzling.

23/12 Suffer'n southerly's.

Putting tradition o.t.a. by taking over first shift hopefully wouldn't put any squirrel noses out of joint ; a change of turns might just be as good as a holiday?  Tuesday's and Thursday's were beginning to feel like groundhog days rather than squirrel days.  Suffering another southerly to Archer St's shop was a tough introduction but the wind at the side to the truck route wasn't a lot easier.  At least the view was different at the front.  Emil did second shift but ended the effort at Orrvale....saving something for later maybe?  Kim had the ChaCha's smoothness to catch Tina so lil' Jodie copped the wind in Central Ave.  It was probably breezy way down there too, I just had trouble getting my head below the bars to score a decent draft!  Tina had raised a 'roo alarm at the S bend so eyes were well open for my second shift from the cypress trees, tradition compelling me to continue to Coach Rd (and tradition tested me).  Preparing for pain as Emil took the drivers seat with a tailwind was overkill, he'd called it quits at Old Dookie Rd. 

The shifts were certainly different today!  Tina did the Old to New Dookie drive and lil' Jodie hit the boost button toward Lemnos-Cosgrove - it took half a k to catch her!  At least I could bank a few breaths before being elected to the front for the west way home.  I'd need it for the side-wind.  Easy with the effort for the first 100 metres so I wasn't the enemy to the tail-enders, some surprise came to find mid thirties settling on the speedo.  (You've set the standard now Foss, now to keep it till Lemnos North Rd!)   Emil had jumped ranks to take on the lead in Ford Rd and many were happy to let him have his way west, maybe this was what he was building up to?  There'd be a head wind to face on Verney Rd and I'll guess Tina and Kim had their fingers crossed to avoid it, so Emil was the savior doing that "drive-me-to-coffee" shift thing again. '

24/12  A festive family reunion.

I've lost count of the southerly's fought to get to Sanctuary Drive ; you'd think I'd get better with repeated efforts but it doesn't get any easier. I must keep doing it 'cause it's feels good when I stop!  Christmas Eve was a combining of the Couldabeens clans, a welcome extended to the Wouldabeens and a substantial discount on speed would be their gift.  We'd have a chance to socially update with many strangers too.  So, after being worked over by the wind for 10 k's, the next battle was for a berth in the bunch!   The Christmas spirit had inspired a mob to meet at 5:40 (draw a big breath folks......)  Liam, Lance, Kel, GiantAndy, Bruce, Rocket, Emil, The Godfather, Wozza, Grumpy, Gazza, lil' Jodie, Bo, Kreeky, Boof, KnightAndy, PistolPete, Molly, Greg, AlmostRetiredTrev, Laura, Jack, SuperMario, Wendy, Shorty, Joe (not Tony) and Jase managed to squeeze into Sanctuary Drive and of course, PistolPete played pilot to set the train in motion.  Need I say many had already cemented their place in the peloton at the rear. 

 But wait! There's more!  Team Tat was riding reconnaisance nearing Mitchell Rd, TatMat, DeterminedDan and TatPaul long time absentees from the team.  The tsunami effect of a big bunch was back (uncomfortably) with a vengeance;  maybe I've just developed a taste for these tight knit rhythmic rides of ten or so over the Covid times?   Tina and BamBam were found loitering with intent on inclusion in River Rd (as if the bunch wasn't big enough!)  though the cruisy low 30's didn't need a sprint to get aboard.  KnightAndy (our King of kit couture) made a special guest appearance from the big smoke to join the Woulda's and Coulda's, and for once, the copious chat bouncing left to right between the rows almost drowned out The Godfather's garble.  

With the leaders applying the accelerator into Coach Rd as the tail-end of the pack were under brakes in River Rd, the rubber band stretched long till One Tree Dam till two ramshackled rows got loosely back into line.  My Christmas present was a free tow today, the headcount from the back of the bunch needed telephoto vision! (Foss's memory would be put to the test for the roll-call today)  Was it really two years ago when bunch numbers averaged two dozen? (I am getting old!)  Pelly was a late (and last) arrival via Channel Rd as the mob rolled toward the highway, Tina was having tyre trouble and Laura had a deranged derailleur but the vacuum the juggernaut generates had heart rates barely at zone two.  No stunning Strava struggle scores today!  

To minimize the tangle with the town's traffic, plans were underway to split the bunch at the city limits ( a more sociable strategy than driving half of them o.t.a.) so a revised route to the Butter Factory for some and traffic lights for others took care of the congestion.  Coffee King Chris had a production line running to caffinate the crowd, a convival conclusion to the second last week of '21.

This week 290km     YTD  13,539km 

Have a great Christmas folks! (See you next week in an attempt to ride off those calories!)                       

       

Rushin' roulette

 Post #623

11/12 A lust for less labor.

Taking a Saturday spin with the Wouldabeens could be called the soft option;  it was the chance to socially update with the few former Couldabeens that shifted my usual weekend routine. (Gotta admit that a little less labor was a draw-card though)           TrekTrev, Crossy, Laura, AlmostRetiredTrev, Wendy, Superman and not-so-GiantGlen was a fair showing for a Saturday ; an 18 degree wind-free day may have attracted 10 Woulda's to the grid, so with 10 degrees and a south southwester to fight, 7 was surprising.   AlmostRetiredTrev steered the snaking route via Kialla Lakes Drive, Waranga and Wendouree to Sanctuary Drive, giving the short shift to the truck route to TrekTrev as his opening act (it wasn't the big turn I once expected of TrekTrev, time and a winter hibernation has softened him). 

Superman soldiered through the south southwester to give me a Mitchell Rd shift, the delicate operation to shelter the crew from the wind at a pace that didn't pickle 'em was a challenge (the Sanctuary squad is easy - just go flat out and hope you're up to expectation!).   34's seemed to be the happy medium, something between snoring and suffering gets you a welcome back next time, though I was pleased to hand over the reigns 2 k's later at Kialla Central (I wasn't sure if this lot went Mitchell or River Rd anyway!)   Wendy took charge at a similar speed so I'd got my opening act right.  The eastern path of Mitchell about as interesting as Aunty Ethel's knitting needle collection, not a landmark to place your position or use as a roll-over target, just a dog leg in the road somewhere in the middle (maybe I'm just used to having the bridge, the dip and the quarter horse fence to guide my path?)   

Crossy did the driving at some point where Wendy had enough, though he was a little off song from a blood donation I'm told.  By this point I'd formed a second echelon to keep the tail-end out of the roadside weeds.  Laura's persistence through winter has paid her back with pace, but I wonder if more urge could be found a couple of sprockets larger?  Her cadence seems a little low but who am I to advise?  (I know of one who would!)  I'm not getting her engine's data so what would I know!   Not-so-GiantGlen inherited the lead (and a tail wind assistance) in Coach Rd to continue the velocity north, though his position had the tail end on the American side of the tarmac (assume the second echelon command again Foss!)  Indian file works well with only eight out to play, hardly socially suitable but the workload of two rows of four might be asking a bit much (there's that "damn-I've-got-that-fast-guy-as-partner-in-pace" syndrome to consider too!)   Superman had the lead role across the highway and for a moment (at second wheel) I thought he'd make it to Old Dookie Rd till the "my goose is cooked" body language spoke at the fig farm.   Again, direction was in doubt as I headed the seven nearer to Old Dookie Rd ; should I head north to New Dookie or east to the Toaster?  AlmostRetiredTrev called the Toaster route so tentatively turning right (to avoid the sting of gravel rash) I played martyr to lead the line to Pine Lodge North Rd, if only to make some sort of worthwhile contribution - but keeping a lid on enthusiasm and out of the high 30's habit.  A little respite at the rear for the northbound leg to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was timely, the south southwester at the shoulder for the journey home was to come.  

I had a 6k wait till my number came up again, the days of two dozen driving this Saturday circuit seems almost decades ago.  Its probably for the better that divisions have since formed and speeds are now segregated, it's a more manageable mob of a dozen or so (and you're assured of more than one turn!)  Enough of the Fossilosophy, almost time for a turn at the business end now we'd reached Ford Rd.    Despite the shelter from the southerly, Superman's shift was a short one, the 1500 left to reach Grahamvale Rd was a bit short of a usual shift for me but the side wind made up for it.  Only Crossy took the Verney Rd exit when we'd reached town, AlmostRetiredTrev electing to target the team to Mt.Wanganui (and I thought that leg wasn't so kosher for this crew?)   Wanganui Rd felt weird at a speed well below supersonic, thoughts of a sprint to the finish line in this division, scrapped (that's just being a big shot!)  There were enough calories burned along the Boulevard to justify breakfast, the Lemon Tree this pack's preferred pit-stop (till Bell Cibo opens?)  How winter hibernation hurts in summer, taking the cream from the job list and the drought of suitable staff made the chat at a shorter breakfast table than my memory recalls.

13/12  Without wind.....whoop whoop!

We might as well have been on Mars. A mild Monday morning and not a puff of wind was a bit too good to believe (see what months of relentless southerly's does to you?)  Wind wasn't an excuse I could use in the Sanctuary squad today, maybe I could borrow one of Bo's encyclopedia of excuses?  Greg, Kel, Rocket, Bo, The Godfather, Kreeky, Kim, PistolPete, Emil and Wozza gathered for the 5:40 flag-fall and the moment two rows formed, eyes searched for the ideal wheel to follow.  (It could turn into a game of rushin' roulette if you weren't careful!)  Kreeky was a good guy to have behind, he'd be my partner for part two of the shift (unaccustomed as he is to half wheeling)   

Greg was my windbreak till the reality of being elected to the front came due, and I'm sure he has some sympathy for the senior citizens of the community.  Wozza and Pistol did the propulsion to Mitchell Rd but nobody had separated the two rascals (Bo and The Godfather) from pairing to make mischief to River Rd.  Two k's further on, Kel and Greg joined forces at the bridge to aim at the dip, my turn due to drive in about a minute.  Without the wear and tear of the wind, I'd made a half decent job alongside Greg to get to the quarter horse fence, Kreeky now as co-pilot to aim at rooster corner.  Head, legs and lungs were keen to get there but the heart rate about to do the Hiroshima thing forced me to seek a draft a bit shy of the target.  Chapeau Kim, stepping into the drivers seat to get us to Coach Rd ; won't be long now till she's a fully fledged train driver.  

Bo turned critic headed north to the highway (seems many weren't measuring up to his standard of a shift) though I'd guessed The Godfather would serve him some judgement of his own before long.  How good was sitting mid-field on Boundary Rd's svelte surface (#) being dragged along in the draft without another turn to do?  The turn west back to town had a bit of spice added to the speed (coffee cravings?) and of course, Bo and The Godfather faced the front again at Dobson's, though Wozza and Kel were wise enough not to be drawn into their game of one up-manship.  A wise call of single file was delivered crossing the truck route, the recent angst of one impatient concrete truck driver was enough to close down any cause for criticism that we'd dare to hold up anyone's hurry (for 2.6 seconds).  Rants from rattled motorists hardly rank as the world's biggest drama (unless you believe Facebook)  but agro from someone within a tonne or six of steel ain't fair play. Don't poke the bear they say.......

(#now that I've said that, some Vic Roads engineer will probably decide it needs a rough layer of 20mm stone cheaply slapped on it. Then be left for a month with a thick coat of loose gravel!)

14/12  Swifter squirrels.

A ride within your threshold keeps things comfortable (particularly in your head) and as much as pushing your boundaries might build some performance, banging your head against a brick wall hurts after a while!  So a regular ride with the squirrels probably keeps me from falling out of love with the bike  (Familiarity breeds content, if I can skew the saying)  Regulars Emil, Kim and Jodie were drawn to the Archer St shop at stupid o'clock for another single filed spin of an almost exclusive circuit ; nothing to pursue and and not being pursued may just add to that comfort thing? (Being on the same page means the most).  The standard shifts were underway with barely a poofteenth of wind to worry us (a southeaster at 6 km/h), Tina finding us nearing the Kinder to u-turn and jump aboard.  

Kim's fitness did the shift to the cypress trees with haste, probably the incentive for lil' Jodie to push her target to Channel Rd's end.  Emil didn't need any encouragement and without the southeaster in the face, pace picked up on Boundary Rd.  Tina got her turn at the business end between Old and New Dookie Rd's, my job just like last week's,  the 2 k's up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd  (There's that familiarity again).  The value of Garmin's Varia radar tail-light showed as Kim led us west, Tina calling "car back" well before one was seen or heard (and I was rearmost almost blocking that radar's sight)   Kim was in for the long haul today, a big shift to Lemnos North Rd (as if she needed to prove performance)   I doubt we'd go as far and fast if it weren't for the team spirit, there again getting a draft after the drive probably helps.  Lil' Jodie got the bit betwixt the teeth to do the first Ford Rd shift so it was an odds-on bet Emil would take on the "drive-me-to-the-coffee-shop-despite-the-distance" shift.   Didn't I get a  good deal; drive 4.8 km worth of turns and get towed for 25. 

15/12  The professor of the tail-wind turn.

Like a Labor party branch stacking manoeuvre , Bo wriggled his way into the left line and onto PistolPete's wheel just as two rows of the Sanctuary squad set sail south, safely secluded from anything resembling work for at least half an hour.  He'd be in the slipstream till we'd reach Old Dookie Rd then enjoy a southeaster's assistance toward town.  Rocket, Bruce, lil' Jodie, PistolPete, Kim, Greg, Lance, Emil, Kel, Wozza, Boof and The Godfather had formed (mostly without preference of position) as PistolPete and Bruce guided the group to Mitchell Rd and barely a breeze to battle for the midweek spin.  

So placement wasn't a problem.....unless you'd partnered with performance. With a strong sense of social speed, stress was low sitting on Emil's wheel, he'd be considerate on partner Kim (a wheel ahead) as she served a turn (if he knew what's good for him!)    Lance had worked his way over from the wild west to join in and as my co-pilot for part two (when duty called), us seniors could set a speed suitable for relics.  The standard chat and distant garble (you know who) set the tone tame along River Rd with Kel and Kreeky making a long drive to rooster corner.  

Kim came up as captain in Coach Rd and did well to One Tree Dam, Emil gentle on the throttle when he rolled across as Kim called it quits.  It made an early Christmas for me, I could keep up alongside Emil and make it to the highway without the blurred vision for a change.  Lance and I had made a pact on pace though I was pleased he'd set the target to reach the Boundary bridge, the labor wasn't going to last longer for me.  Greg's suggestion of "just breathe in, breathe out and pedal" was well intended, I just needed an extra lung to recover.  Bo cruised alongside like a Cheshire cat, content with his placement ; he'd even coaxed Tina to follow in the advance (minimizing his hurry on part two?)  Greg drove the Old Dookie Rd distance to School Rd for his departure on dad duties, leaving The Godfather and Bo to captain to Central Ave.  Both were on better behavior with Tina about to test her knee in the drivers seat.  Traffic at the truck route divided the team again, Kreeky the savior to tow the final five back to the bunch.  

16/12

A perfect 25 degree afternoon with a light southerly, ideal ingredients for a cruise in the sunshine (as a change from charging around in the half light of stupid o'clock).  A quiet k to loosen limbs down to the Boulevard (the intention to tap a lap with Doc's crew) when.....POW!  The fastest flat tyre I've ever had!  A 20mm slice right through the Michelin and tube (barely a month old)  said it was a bit more than a bindii.  (Detective Foss investigated) What the?  A razor blade embedded sharp side up in the tarmac.  (A hint at the highly intelligent lifeforms we have on earth eh?)    Ride ended.   A 1.4 k walk home instead.

17/12 At labor's limit.....for a minute. 

Kel broke PistolPete's tradition of first turn, 5:39 was good enough for her to get the pack in progress, The Godfather arriving on cue to co-pilot to Mitchell Rd.  Friday (kit day) had persuaded Grumpy, Greg, Kim, PistolPete, Kel, lil' Jodie, The Godfather, Bo, Rocket, Bruce, Wozza, Boof and Emil to get aboard and 10 degrees had persuaded all but Greg to find their arm-warmers.  Delivered to Mitchell Rd and pointed east at Kialla Central, Greg and The Godfather set the echelon for a slight south southeaster, sentences beginning to flow as oxygen intake and heart rates adjusted to the mid thirties.  Looks like I'd get the last shift today so I settled into the chat before the real labor began.  Rocket and Bruce settled us into the speed on River Rd, Boof the skyscraper beside lil' Jodie finishing the eastern effort at rooster corner.  As expected, Tina intercepted from the east to join in.

My head went to the history books as the fifteen forged north on Coach Rd, was it really three years ago when two dozen drove this way to turn west onto Channel Rd and sprint the ChaCha?  (the roll call from 2018 has some names now just memories ; KillkennyPaul, Softa, Cate, SpinDoctor, Kenworth, not-so-NewAvantiJohn, Nick, MyRideTrev, Shorty and our much missed mate Col.)  But I digress, back to the present..... 

Kim fronted for the fourth time this week, today alongside a well behaved Grumpy to drive to Old Dookie Rd.  The more exposure to the business end of the bunch, the more the confidence grows. (we're breeding the next generation of train drivers)  I'd followed Bo's wheel in the advance with Tina tucked in behind, so when Emil called it quits at School Rd, Bo rolled across to throw me in the deep end.  High thirties was bearable to Central Ave, knowing I could ease the effort a little for Tina's turn in part two.  

The Professor of the tail-wind turn responds! 

With signs of evaporating energy nearing Dobson's bridge, Tina ducked behind for the draft, so I had Kel as a part three partner with a truck route target set.  (It looked 1.4 years away, not 1.4 k's)  With legs and lungs into overtime, gritted teeth and a furrowed brow, the glance at the heart rate was regrettable.  At least Kel was kind enough to stay level alongside (it gave me brief impression I could keep up!) The Godfather took the helm for the navigation through town toward coffee, possibly because he has a certain effect on traffic lights.

This week  245km    YTD 13,249