A sentence of swiftness.

Post #587

20/2  Being bait....but not bitten.

I was probably out of my depth as follow up to PistolPete and Emil, the northeaster wouldn't be helpful either with a Central Kialla shift likely to be mine.  DeterminedDan, Bo, The Godfather and Tina behind me had more time to prepare.  HTFU was put on fast forward as Pistol made his usual pace to Mitchell Rd and Emil had the bit betwixt his teeth in an energetic effort east, though my senses said this wind was more east than north.  Well, that's what I was convincing myself it was (wouldn't be such a chore to drive north the River Rd)  Regardless, I still struggled for speed that matched prior pace.  Sympathies to Determined Dan, he'd have the woes into that wind.  

His cadence in the low 70's looked cruel but that engine delivered all the torque to drive us to the bridge and beyond, not until the dip did DeterminedDan's elbow give The Godfather the joy cutting through the atmosphere first.  Like most Saturdays, this Sanctuary squad was the bait for the Shop lads starting 3 km behind at 6am too, an incentive for us to honor that old Roman maxim extractus digitum.  No snoozy Saturday spin for this lot, we'd have to earn our breakfast (eyes scanned behind at times to see we weren't the breakfast bait of the Shop boys!).  

 I'd been lucky to escape work at the front headed east, sticking my head out of the draft felt a force I didn't want to face.  An orange sky waited for us at rooster corner, the way north on Coach Rd being almost a holiday from the hurt.  The strategist within was already doing a time and motion study of those ahead ;  Tina would perform her best (as always) a good distance of Boundary Rd and PistolPete was bound to drive long to Old Dookie, then probably stay on till the Toaster, so I reckoned Emil would go further than New Dookie Rd to reach Lemnos-Cosgrove........so Hey! I'd score the wind behind west toward town!  (Yeah, I think too much!)  

All that did eventuate, but I'd under estimated Emil's energy, full steam north the 3200 metres to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd but stayed in the drivers seat longer!  (This guy needs a serve of Tuesday's shop squad thrash therapy)  Baste me in brutality, I was cooked!  And I wasn't at the front yet!    The "angrys" were beginning to bubble by Woolshed Rd, the contemplation of retreat was close, so just as well Emil's elbow showed me the front 'cause I was well ready to peg the pace back a little. (I'd be guaranteed an elephant stamp from DeterminedDan and Tina, maybe others too?)  2 k's off the pace and out of the 40's helped with the hurt, enough now in my psychological tank to do duty to Boundary Rd.  The Godfather dug deep, driving the 3 k's to Lemnos North Rd but Bo's follow up in Ford barely made a k.  The Godfather's retort was hilarious!   If not just to stir the Poppa pot, Bo had done Tina a favor in shortening her shift to Grahamvale Rd.  

PistolPete had us hard at work again closing in on Shepp's suburbia, both he and Emil securing us a swift finish of Wanagnui Rd and rapidly along Rudd.  A hurried glance behind found no sign of the pursuing pack. Legs were tiring of the tempo along the Boulevard though the imagination conjuring up breakfast cleared the thought quickly.  Is it all that effort to earn breakfast or the social stuff that makes this Saturday habit addictive?  Bitcoins, electric cars and old school recycling captured the conversation as breakfast silenced lamenting legs.

22/2  Wind worn. 

PistolPete had the first shift whether he liked it or not!  That south southwester was all his....35 km/h worth!  And wasn't there some maneuvering at the start-line to make sure he did!  The Godfather, Col, Tina, Emil and Kel formed a line behind, my subtle duck and weave relegating me to 2nd last (plenty of h.t.f.u. time before serving my sentence).  Pistol's turn to Mitchell Rd was at a speed most of us would do with a tail-wind, I just kept my head down and the effort up to stay aboard while he tackled the wind head-on.  Emil's drive to Kialla Central served a similar suffering.  Kudos to Col  for calming the pace a fraction, cancelling my fear of a very early o.t.a., and he kept a lid on the hard labor to River Rd's bridge.  

Kel continued the tradition a k beyond the dip and Tina's carbon copy meant my turn wouldn't be at the threshold of torture.  I could only hope others got the hint!  Vince and the Rabbit attached themselves to the procession.  Tina signaled it was my turn beyond the quarter horse gates so my distance to drive wasn't so daunting, wrestling with the wind was!  Rocket, Bruce and Wozza arrived from the north in search of company, a welcome sight as they queued at the back, even more appreciation applied when they formed a second echelon in Coach Rd to move me more rearward.  No second shift now!  The shop squad sledges gave motivation to The Godfather's shift north to the highway (wouldn't it be a solemn spin without his "entertainment"), PistolPete providing the pace to Old Dookie Rd in that swift, smooth style we've become accustomed to.  Being 10th in line was a godsend, vacuumed along by the velocity, but let's not get too comfortable Foss, Emil was about to bolt west on Old Dookie Rd. Legs and lungs protested the pace to Central Ave, Vince's performance driving that determination to hang on if the embarrassment of being ejected was to be avoided.  For once the Rabbit served duty but his criticisms are wearing the welcome mat thin.  It's that f.i.f.o thing again.     

23/2  Like laps of olde.

An earlier getaway and a shorter commute took the pressure off, what a refreshing change to take the old engine gently up to speed.  What a refreshing change in temperature too, "feels like 6" was a little too much like winter (and we've yet to reach Autumn!)  It was Wannabee's again, a chance once or twice a week to ride a little below the limit and soak up some sociology.   Jase, WhisperingJack, BamBam, NearlyRetiredTrev, Joe (not Tony) and Temple were drawn toward Kialla Lakes roundabout, yet again a south southwester blew to put some labor into the lap.  

Jase is the PistolPete of this pack, nearly always leading the first shift up to Channel Rd, albeit at a pace that doesn't induce a coronary. WhisperingJack had made one of his rare appearances aboard a bike and manages a reasonable velocity considering his lack of k's combined with less than ideal aerodynamics. He'd kindly handed me the ChaCha shift.  Hot-mix heaven.  And that south southwester (sort of) helping. Guilt got the better of me by the Kinder, I was about to hand over to Joe (not Tony) the headwind of Central Ave.  Luck of the draw really.  Joe did good with a steady slog of Central then back on pace along McFadyen,  NearlyRetiredTrev taking on the lead role at the cypress trees to drive to the S bend, BamBam sneaking in his turn to get to Coach Rd and avoiding the southbound headwind.  Temple had drawn that short straw.  The intention started strong but reality tamed the hurry by the bridges, hats off to Temple's tenacity though, driving further to One Tree Dam.  Jase put his stamp on speed as I had that light globe moment (yet again) that it's Mitchell Rd with this mob!  It took me back to the early days of big bunches of two rows rolling counterclockwise on this course;  being head butted by an owl, the Bo / Leon tangle and other ancient history.  Many of the names are still with us, others now testing recall.  (Nick, WhisperingJack, Kel, Shorty, BeerMat, AvantiTrev, Temple, Kreeky, SuperMario, Rocket, Kenworth, FeltMat, PistolPete, HBK and Bo in a 2013 roll call)  

I'd been left to the lead on Mitchell Rd so the wind at the portside was better than head-on, still needing an effort to hold a steady line as six spread across the tarmac in search of shelter.  Extra white posts were added to what the head suggested was the turn's target, pushing the frontier to the dog-leg was judged enough, less I cook Joe (not Tony) behind.  It was bliss at the back in rehab.  All did their decent duty west and, sooner than expected, Raftery was into view as Whispering Jack made a decent move to Galbraith's gate.  Lucky me had the wind behind to Arcadia Downs so an extra 600 metres to Conrod was the decent thing to do.  Hadn't I handed Joe (not Tony) a chore!  The turns rolled fats as speed climbed in anticipation of featuring on the finish line ; it's been many moons since a proper sprint finished a lap.  I'd glued eyes on WhisperingJack's wheel (the most likely to launch for a podium position) and marked his move when he bolted with 500 tto go,  playing the waiting game till that ideal 300 mark (tatooed in the skull after the many fast finishes at this town limit)  Getting past him took some work but the real effort came hearing Jase closing in behind.  All stops were out to hit the line a hand's span ahead.  It's been a long time since all that gasping scored a goal.

24/2 The rhythm section.

Wind again!  And I don't mean from pickled onions!  That relentless south southwester made Wednesday's spin to Sanctuary Drive a suffering start.....again.  But I shouldn't grizzle, most of the lap would have the wind behind.  It was just a testing ten k's to begin.   The assembly of Kel, Jen, Tina, The Godfather, Kreeky, Col, PistolPete, Bo and Emil was heartening, almost guaranteeing there'd be just one sentence of swiftness each at the front.  Emil faced up to the first shift, I just couldn't escape the second wheel position (I'd managed a shifty on Monday, I'd earn a reputation repeating it).  Better to battle the wind side-on in Mitchell than face it I guess.  

It took time to get the line in order and traffic at the truck route made for a softer start than usual  (that's not a criticism Pistol!)   I felt somewhat sauteed arriving at Mitchell Rd thanks to Emil's efforts so my speed was somewhat tame toward Central Kialla ; I'm sure that suited Jen (now at 2nd wheel) to take her turn to River Rd with the wind behind. Kel set her trademark smoothness east to the bridge, speed frozen on 40 as Pistol took charge to the dip.  Relaxation ruled, that vice-like grip on the handlebars from wrestling with the wind could now be released, elbows and shoulders un-tensioned, the frown undone, and the head a whole lot happier about the hurry. 

Fingers didn't need to hover nervously over the brake levers, there was total trust in the tempo.  The heart rate even fell by 10%.  It seemed the only thing at work was legs spinning the speed through the darkness toward Coach Rd. Don't you wish this rhythm could remain?  Kilometres blurred by almost without effort.  The 4 k's north to the highway were comfortable too, that south southwester sweetening the speed on Boundary Rd with Col in command.  All good things come to pass they say, the rhythm not so straight and smooth westward, stacked across the left lane of Old Dookie battling the breeze and seeking shelter as The Godfather piloted our path to Central Ave.  Thankfully Kreeky was next in line, taking us considerately to the truck route which left Emil the short sharp squirt to SPC.  

26/2 Friday fortuity.

I really haven't learned!  Lined up at the Sanctuary start-line behind PistolPete was jumping straight in the deep end, though I didn't feel like I was flogging a dead horse at 2nd wheel to Mitchell Rd. Maybe a rest day Thursday did me some good?  Maybe Pete left the handbrake on?  Either, way I had something left in the tank to get to Central Kialla...but I wanted to save something 'cause Emil's drive was next....and he had a tail-wind!  Kreeky, Tina, Jen, The Godfather and Col were in tow.  PistolPete played shock-absorber and smoothed my way back onto the tail, a pair of tail-lights ahead in Emil's cross-hairs.  

(Bo & Kel had rolled ahead of the start-line when a puncture compromised their arrival at the grid)  Two more workhorses to the bunch would be good value, trouble is they tacked on behind so I'd have a second sentence.  Emil hit the gas turning into River Rd and a little gap soon became a very big one as us (on the tail) were still on the brakes headed into the turn.  PistolPete came to the tail-enders rescue again bridging the gap and reforming the line.  With palpitations over, self settled into the speed on this all to familiar route, Emil stepping aside at the bridge for Col to command the pace.  No sudden spike in speed, just a steady tempo that kept the procession together and the flurry of flouro socks spinning toward Coach Rd.  Friday being Coulda's kit day has found favor, even PistolPete participates (every other day now gets a class kit we haven't seen before!)   Jen made a short drive in the front seat, Kreeky keeping consistency to rooster corner......and a bit more toward One Tree Dam.  

Tina lay in wait for Kreeky's elbow to hand her the helm, another considerate shift to the highway so The Godfather (now silent ; pre-occupied with pace) could be the tow truck to take us to Old Dookie Rd.  Being 2nd wheel to Pistol's performance is a touch daunting but he plays fair, the gradual escalation of speed taking me on a kind course to the cruelty of the 40's.  That strong southwester had no effect on Pete's effort of course.  Legs had the labor to take me further than Dobson's bridge but lungs let me down to do it, so handing Kel the drive to the truck route allowed a little time to prepare for Bo's blast to SPC.  The restorative effects of caffeine could be taken with the crew today , a rostered day off allowing it, an intermission part of the plan before adding extra k's to break the habit of daily 40's or 50's.

Daylight's a wonderful thing to ride in, it seems almost months since last having the pleasure as the days rapidly shorten beyond the solstice.  That vitamin D infusion does things for the enthusiasm or maybe there was a tail-wind assisting the little loop of the golf course circuit?  I'd steered south on Verney Rd in search of a bit more distance, a circle of Kialla Lakes to then risk a ride with the Addams family (hoping there'd be a few steady seniors left), the part 2 needed a slightly more pedestrian pace.    Young Brian, Axel, The Pom, DeepFry, Irish Tony, Frizzy, Minty and a couple more made it a manageable mob, starting with a tame Indian filed tap of Archer Rd before taking the easterly sections of Mitchell and River Rd's in two rows.  It's been a while since rolling turns.  

Young Brian still grinds out 430 k's  a week, Minty remains reserved but regular, The Pom perseveres with a list of ailments as long as your arm (if you've got a spare half hour to hear them all), Axel is still the junior of the ranks and DeepFry still the dark-horse in a sprint.  I'd been given the lead role to single file through Central Kialla so tested the tempo in the low 30's to shake them all from a crawl....and that seemed to stir up some enthusiasm for River Rd and the northward effort on Coach and Boundary Rd's. (A tail-wind probably added some incentive) Quite the contrast though to the low 40's on the prior lap!  Still, when in Rome.......    Play ball with the bunch protocols I reckon, you may need to feel welcomed back on day.  

Facing the southwester on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd altered the dynamics, Frizzy, Axel, Young Brian and DeepFry prepared to serve short shifts while all others commandeered the caboose.  Participation shortened in Ford Rd and the line had gone single into town, so as a gesture of good will I did the Wanganui leg with a careful eye on the tempo.  By DECA's test track DeepFry was geeting keen and Frizzy not afraid to forge ahead, so when DeepFry took a charge at Mt.Wanganui I opened the throttle in retort.  (I knew Coggo would like it done that way)   The caboose had disconnected half a k prior and with 3 still keen for an effort toward brunch, Frizzy, The Pom, Axel and I put our heads down catching (and passing) the earlier Addams assembly (speed limited for the softer) on the Boulevard, destination Friars to correct calories lost.  (Satisfaction to clock 110 k's at a pleasing pace and prove there's distance in the old engine still.)

This week 317 km   YTD 2,263 km                                               

Shut up head!

 Post #586

13/2  The merry-go-round of Covid conformity.

There's not a lot of options when regulations restrict a ride to within 5 km of home, 'round and 'round in circles about the most inventive thing I could muster at short notice.  How freaky that Emil had chartered the same course (Rudd, The Boulevard, Balaclava, Verney, Ford and Wanganui) when we compared suggestions for a Saturday spin.  And at my suggestion, Emil would bring (Kim) the Apprentice along (I was really hoping to tame Emil's tempo!)       There's some strange ones about at stupid o'clock on a Saturday, why you'd be pushing an empty supermarket trolley along the middle of the road at 5:30 I'll never know! But I guess riding a bike 'round in circles at this hour is a bit odd too!  Darkness doesn't do much for the motivation but I was hoping by lap 2 or 3 we might enjoy some daylight.   Emil set the speed in the low 30's considerate to the Apprentice's early days aboard two wheels, Balaclava's 23 man-hole covers (conveniently placed in the bike lane) sharpening our navigation, though there was little traffic to fight for a path around them.  $5M spent in the last few years has made Verney Rd a blessing on the backside and how good is luxuriously level hot-mix with a south southwester at your back?   We'll soften like marshmallows riding this too often!  

Emil continued as captain west into Ford Rd, the Apprentice content to command the caboose but I had an urge to make a contribution at Wanganui Rd.  With enough wind to make the muscles burn but at a speed where breathing wasn't at bursting point, the role at the business end was far from the pain  usually endured.   It made a nice change!  (so what drives this constant craving for riding at the limit?  Masochism?  Me thinks it's furthering fitness......and it's a perfect excuse to compensate the calories lost with banana bread!)   With the massive climb of Mt. Wanganui done (a whole 2 metres of elevation in 150 metres), Rudd Rd's southern stretch to The Boulevard raised the effort into the wind, listening intently for any squeaks of speed stress behind.  It'd be poor form to invite a guest along and put them o.t.a.   The swing east southeast into The Boulevard and among the trees settled the escalating numbers, the pace carefully raised to Tarcoola's roundabout  for Emil to take the reigns again.  And so the merry-go-round went 'round!   

Shifts had settled into a routine, Emil would do Balaclava, Verney and Ford, I'd do the Wanganui, Rudd and Boulevard bit, the Apprentice still happy to follow (though she's more than capable of doing turns if she can hang on in the 30's.  Maybe just a bit shy to drive?)  The  (now) south southwester wasn't letting up, making work on Wanganui, Wozza seen solo on his clockwise interpretation of Covid circuitry.  A k or so was trimmed off the speed for lap 3 (maybe the Apprentice's limits of labor were reached?), better to finish a ride on speaking terms than that awkward look of a knife in your back! There was chat at the back during my shift in Wanganui Rd, the Apprentice suggesting she turn in Kittles Rd and leave Emil and I to head on for a hurry.  Debate for the negative ensued, our argument apparently convincing enough for her to stay on.  Sun up finally came for lap 4 and the speed had sneakily built back up to lap one's pace, but no protests were lodged.  Time, the ever present enemy had tolled at lap four's end, fifty k's clocked at a pleasant pace, though shy of the usual Saturday social epilogue.

15/2   Creative circuitry?

Mentally mapping a circuit for a challenge was about the only motivation left to ride with Covid constraining the distance from home to just 5 k's.  Already many of the local circuits have become blase.  13 degrees and a southerly was hardly like summer and darkness was hardly that welcoming, but with an obsession to feed, wheels got rolling at 5:32.   The Boulevard and Rudd started the familiar path to the golf course, Wanagnui's length to the highway hardly an inspirational introduction.  And now for something completely different!   Starting at Verney's roundabout, I'd set a zig-zag path steadily southward, using the east and west streets to dial up the distance (and keeping me within the 5 km rule) A kilometre or so west then east then west again (ad infinitum) got up to a reasonable pace but the wear and tear on the brake pads for all those changes of direction was a bit above normal.  Hawkins, Pine, Graham, Balaclava, Rea, Knight, Nixon, Fryers, Stewart and High got me into the city centre, Rowe, Vaughan, Ashenden, Sobroan, Swallow and Hayes taking me further south, almost feeling like interval training on the legs as I tried to hold the average up to something near respectable.  Mary, Victoria and MacIntosh had me as far south as I should to be Covid compliant so the navigation of Fitzjohn and Tom Collins Drive (behind the lake) steered me homeward with a welcome wind behind at last.  A short thrash into the 40's was a last ditched attempt to get the average up.  Now to make tomorrow's tap a little different!

16/2  Obsessive circling disorder. 

A silly idea had infiltrated this skull and niggled away for a day till I'd committed to it.  I'd watched the inventive circuits many were forced to create caused by the Covid lock-down to stay within the set distance from home.   (Most at least tried to conform GiantAndy!)   But I was fast running out of fresh frontiers.  Yet another dose of Wanganui Rd would definitely fly me over the cuckoos nest!  Circles seemed to be in fashion and there was one close to home....at the end of the driveway in fact.   Parkside and Menzies are just residential roads that oppose in arcs and happen to meet at the end ; sort of peanut shaped that would suit my kind of nutty idea to lap.   And with a total of just 900 metres in length, there'd be a few!  Anti-clockwise guaranteed all left hand turns, far safer than turning across the path of Parkside's possible commuting cars later.  A light northeaster made half the lap luxury, the other half labor, the aim to keep up a pace worth posting.  Speed would slump at the two 90 degree corners so pace was applied in Parkside to make up the deficit.  Signs of households stirring from their slumber took a while, the first half a dozen laps finding the ideal line and what to keep a sharp eye on  (a piece of timber at Page Crt, a roaming cat at Delisle and a couple of lumpy road reflectors conveniently right on the apex of Menzies corner)  

It turned out to be good cornering practice, but mindful of cars about to emerge.  I'd lost count of the laps as a little light filled the sky, maybe the overall distance divided by that 900 metres would give the o.c.d. in me an answer?    'Round and 'round on this wacky mission cleared the head of work-a-day cobwebs, focus still on keeping that speed near respectable. The guy in his garage gym had a different routine almost each time I passed, bench presses one lap, squats the next, two laps later and dumb-bells were pumping.   Entertaining.  Lap after lap forced a steady routine and made smooth the pace with it, but with sun-up near several driveways now had movement, some (almost awake) making their way to work.  I'd been circling for just on an hour so called it quits before traffic (and caution) threw a blanket over it.   37 laps done.  (I did say disorder didn't I?)

17/2  A tap with Tony......sorry!  Joe.

What's App pinged a ride invite Tuesday night; company could cure this Covid confinement craziness!  A tap with Tony.....sorry! Joe, would at least make going 'round in circles a little more sociable.  With laps of Verney, Ford, Lemnos North and Old Dookie agreed to, a clockwise approach put us straight to work into a north northeaster, but we'd signed a peace accord about not bursting boilers, particularly as there's not a lot of respite to be had in a draft of one.  I'd fronted to Ford Rd's roundabout and let Joe (not Tony) take over, the tow to Grahamvale Rd just enough to mentally prepare for the next drive.  The future pleasure of the wind behind in Lemnos North Rd was about all that drove me on Ford Rd's 2700 metres.  Joe (not Tony) did the southern shift toward the soup tin, pleased at this pace rather than the full steam of the Sanctuary squad ; Frankly, he's capable of doing the division 2 thing but finds comfort with the Wannabees....is there a division 2.5?  (But what are the odds of the Wannabees surviving winter?  The same odds of BeerMat with the shop squad!)  

Old Dookie Rd back to town is  familiar tarmac to travel, but the wind wasn't quite behind us, so we didn't make the pace I'd banked on.  Threading the Hawdon St path back to Verney allowed some stocktaking of oxygen, that 2nd set of traffic lights only turning green the moment a foot touched the ground.  (Don't you hate that!)  Roles were reversed for lap 2, Joe (not Tony) did the Verney shift and I faced the first k of Ford ; can't say that either of us had an unfair advantage, though Joe's force was fading a k from Lemnos North Rd.  Now seemed timely to offer a tow. T'was sweet steering south again, commuters now making their presence felt.  Old Dookie Rd this time round had the breeze at our backs and that massages the ego a little after a battle with the head-winds prior.  Time was ticking to squeeze in a lap 3, so the diversion west at Ford Rd to drive Wanganui was a way to get me home on agenda (although it's a route all too common).  There's something special about finishing a ride with a tail-wind rather than a head-wind homeward, but then who'd finish a meal with Brussels sprouts when hazelnut praline is on the menu?

18/2         6, 5, 4.

Rather than jump straight into the deep end, a lap with the Wannabee's was judged a better introduction back to bunch riding than the pace of division 2.......call it a toe in the water of tempo if you like.  Besides, a different course and spreading yourself around socially won't wear out any welcomes.  There was a new found freedom with our state now out of lock-down, but only Jase, Shorty, NearlyRetiredTrev, Roscoe and Ralphy fronted the Kialla Lakes roundabout ; here's me thinking lifted restrictions would open the floodgates?  Shorty did the opening shift to Channel Rd, a northeaster calling on effort early.  I managed to find something in the tank to front the pace to the truck route, Jase with reserves to speed us to Orrvale Rd.  Roscoe started the ChaCha easy on the throttle and built the velocity to the Kinder, Ralphy leading us to the cypress trees.  NearlyRetiredTrev had just settled into his drive east when the call of "Easy!" eased the speed at Beckham's bend.  Roscoe had retreated rearward then promptly u-turned to tap home (the engine a little out of tune apparently)  And then there were 5.  NearlyRetiredTrev pressed on to the S bend, Shorty left with the short straw to drive into the last of the head-wind to Coach Rd.  Hadn't I been handed Christmas on a stick! the breeze almost at the backside for my lead south.  Gotta have a win sometimes!  With that sort of advantage I went beyond the Broken bridges and One Tree Dam too, almost to River Rd when I remembered Mitchell is the way west for this mob.  Jase could do duty to the Main Eastern channel.  Ralphy did a decent drive on Mitchell and NearlyRetiredTrev toiled on to the dog-leg, I was quite comfortable at second wheel thinking Shorty would tow me to Euroa Rd but I was shown an early elbow with more than a k left to get there.  (It's good to be put on the spot sometimes, eliminating all that un-necessary thought and worry.  The old engine responds regardless of forethought funnily enough)  

Jase took charge crossing the Euroa Rd, my time in recovery at the rear shortened when Shorty called his exit in Archer Rd.  Isn't it a shame when work interrupts a good ride!  And then there were 4.  (25% more work and 25% less rest!)   Jase handed the reigns to Ralphy to drag us to the highway so I now sat on NearlyRetiredTrev's wheel suspecting I'd get the task at the front leading the line to Conrod straight.  Recent roadworks have left a few loose stones but it wasn't the cyclo-cross track of a few weeks ago. AlmostRetiredTrev did retire from work at Galbraith's gate so I had that northeaster to deal with as Raftery Rd swung more northerly toward Arcadia Downs.  Legs weren't quite so keen on reaching Conrod straight so I left Jase to head the hurry into the last 1000 metres.  An admirable effort too, only pulling the pin with 300 left.    Ralphy dug deep to polish off the remainder but wouldn't be baited for a sprint when I edged up alongside. 

19/2  He is not man....he is machine!

Getting thoughts out of defeatist mode was difficult, legs and lungs were fine, and why not with a northeaster propelling the pace to Sanctuary Drive, but the head wasn't happy about the hurry.  (To mess with Mr. Voight's phrase.....Shut up head!)   Too bad, the Sanctuary squad's speed was soon to snap me out of that.  Emil had berthed first (wise move to take the wind assisted shift to Mitchell Rd), Kel, The Godfather, Jen, Grumpy, Bo, Col, PistolPete and Tina slipping into the line of labor behind, silly me at second wheel!  I'd get the headwind first. Shown the front east into Mitchell, 35 k's was tops into 28 worth of northeaster, too bad if that tempo was tame to others 'cause I was givin' it all she's got Capt'n!    Kel's smooth shift to River Rd was perfect recovery time, now to hang on as Grumpy and Bo set sail east.  Staying straight and smooth to minimize the tsunami effect was a big ask while the wind made our path a rather drunken one,  Tina then Jen's shift to the quarter horse stud far more sympathetic to my labored legs.  That respite at the rear was put in the bank, Col and Pistol had yet to make their mark. 

 Col dragged us the last k to rooster corner, then stayed on in the drivers seat to the Broken bridges, maybe flagellation is his forte?  Pistol Pete had played patient, waiting a whole 21 km of the lap before being unleashed, his swift shift to the highway was to be expected, but to add another 2700 metres (nudging 40 into that wind mind you) to Old Dookie Rd made up for his delay driving.  Does his battery ever flatten?  The Godfather did well to hold his wheel and then do duty west to Central Ave but hang on!, forget about what others were doing, I was now second wheel again as Emil cut loose on the drive to Dobson's estate!  As his first turn was wind asissted, now he really opened the throttle toward town, so my last hurrah (spelled : h  u  r  t )  would be the sprint to SPC.  (My heartfelt thanks to the traffic light at Wheeler St for turning red to spare me continued cruelty)  

This week 254 km    YTD   1,881 km                   

            

The hurry in my head.

 Post #585

6/2 The bayside battle (& bliss)  

The bay beckoned again.  The usual Saturday bunch of bike buddies were far away but the bait of Beach Rd would do as a substitute.  There's something quite appealing about a smooth stretch of tarmac and sea air, shame the weather wasn't so appealing.  A northerly (15-30 km/h) offered a city-bound challenge.  Fewer bikes than last Thursday were northbound (maybe the sound of that wind made bed a better option?) but there's nearly always a red led ahead to beg the effort to chase.  I needed some incentive, that head-wind hurt!  Just when you think your standard is soft, there's someone struggling far harder ; here's me thinking I'm having a hernia on a subtle ascent at Black Rock and the guy ahead is at a crawl searching for the small chain-ring!  (Maybe that's the attraction here?  Plenty about to measure your worth?)  

The exposed straights toward Sandringham furrowed the brow and had molars gnashing, the glance at the Garmin not helping as I noticed the cardiac count at 175 (how long it had been at the rate I could't say, it's just a number anyway!)  Brighton's two storey palaces offered a little shelter as the wind swung north northwest, bunches now amassing the side streets for their southerly pursuits.  Seems I was against the grain northbound.  

Into St.Kilda at 6:45 was better than expected progress, tempting a lap of Albert Park Lake as an alternative to the Port Melbourne u-turn. A scenic circuit with a city skyline to view before a wind assisted return to Mordy made an interesting interlude.  My 8 minute lap of the F1 track was a little shy on Schumacher's 1:24:125 record.  Back to Beaconsfield Parade and steering south found a few more bikes braving the day (city folk don't do stupid o'clock that well it seems) and just like Thursday's effort, speed naturally congregated two's and three's together.  Sometimes just strangers.  Confidence rose rapidly as I caught and passed many (why some pairs ride at snail speed two metres apart and monopolize a whole lane I'll never know),  keen to make amends for a sluggish city-bound effort earlier. I'd soon found myself sharing a turn or two with a young Mr BMC while a Mr. Scott was content to sit behind.  Shifts seemed fairly balanced at first, each of us scoring a little rise and a little fall of the tarmac to Hampton and Sandringham, high 30's to low 40's the standard seeming to suit.  

No words were spoken, no elbows shown, just a co-operative share of speed to swiftly pass many. Mr BMC had given a fair share so I'd cruised by to do my bit, but I had inherited the steepish Col de Charman segment to burn the legs a bit beyond my limit.  That dreaded gap opened to Mr BMC (now ahead) and there wasn't the legs left to close it.  It's the folly of the flat-lander folks!  Mr.Scott was still glued to my wheel and wasn't coming to my rescue, so I soaked up the humility and used the next half k as respite, hoping a second wind may come.  The slightest of declines to Mentone Beach were the eventual salvation, speed returning to the 40's for the last 2k's to end 60 on a high, catching Mr BMC into the bargain was the instant karma.  Tour de Cafe was open so a brew and banana bread became a trophy for the 14 PB's. 

8/2  The home soil hurry.

I must have upset Aiolos.  (go on, Google it!) 20+ k's worth of headwind hit me the first day back on home turf, as if to greet me with a windy welcome back!  What we lack in elevation 'round here is made up for by breeze.  Being back in a bunch of buddies brought some comfort (though PistolPete hasn't lost any performance), leading (of course) the opening salvo to Mitchell Rd at his traditional tempo.  Fast!  Col had volunteered velocity for the second shift, Emil third ;  I'd figured fourth turn would have me prepared for pace by then.  Tina, Joe (not Tony), JJ, Lenny and Kreeky were line astern.  Vince and the Rabbit tacked on as we turned east onto Mitchell, Col in motivation mode to take us to Central Kialla.  Emil made the most of the tail-wind to drag us to River Rd.  I'd gone rusty in just a few days of solo's, the enthusiasm to head to River Rd's bridge gapping a few behind me so an ease off the throttle got the line back into order.  

Tina took  a hold of the hurry to the dip, Joe (not Tony) delivering a decent drive to the quarter horse gates.  Here we go again, JJ was up next and turned up the boost in his quest to bolt to Coach Rd but Joe (not Tony) had a firm grip on the caboose this time!  Vince was on the advance but the Rabbit played his anti-social best at the back.  With most of the shop squad in Ballarat Lenny had joined our division two, respectfully hobbling his horsepower to suit our sort of hurry.  He played fair with the pace to the Broken bridges before turning Kreeky loose on the captaincy.  Funny, there wasn't the epic effort we'd come to expect from Kreeky, The Godfather given the lead at the highway to work us toward Old Dookie Rd.  That southerly had no effect on Pistol's pace in Old Dookie Rd, Vince waiting in line as he stormed on to Central Ave.  Sustained speed soon numbs the hurt and if smoothness is sacrosanct, it soon becomes easier.  Vince made the pace seem easy by the truck route but the acceleration to SPC put the sting back in.

9/2  I could get used to this!

The search for a suitable spin took me to Kialla Lakes Drive.  Wanted; a slightly slower lap than Monday, Wednesday and Friday, some sort of sociology, discipline to depend on and a lap to get me home on time.  I'll give the Wannabee's a try.  NearlyRetiredTrev, BamBam, Ralphy, Jase, Naomi, Shorty and Temple meandered the side streets waiting for 6am to strike, the route via Channel, Boundary and Ford chosen with Raftery's roadworks continuing.  Most of this mob made up division 2 a year or two ago so familiarity was fine, it's just that speed was no longer the speciality (or so I'm told)   NearlyRetiredTrev set a gentle introduction up to Channel Rd, Jase making the pace east toward the truck route....and a little bit more to Orrvale Rd.  I was expecting a protest on pace in the high 30's but it seems speed is quite kosher with this crew.  Shorty wasn't sparing the horsepower either, a division 2 performance along the ChaCha to the Kinder, but that was my introduction to the southerly on Central Ave.  After yesterday's bout of over-enthusiasm I paid particular heed to speed, a smooth and steady build-up to prior pace might get me welcomed back again!  The 600 metres down to McFadyen wasn't so taxing, the next 600 to the cypress trees easy enough to add another k to my contribution ; the S bend far enough to let Temple do his thing.  Colour slowly filled the sky and that wind helped the hurry north on Boundary Rd.  

Ralphy's shift was somewhat shortish, handing the work to BamBam at the fig farm, but he was a bit shy on distance too, giving the reigns to Naomi to aim at New Dookie Rd.  Her tempo was spot-on, driving the distance will come with time (a great turn for one so new to this addiction).   NearlyRetiredTrev started the second round of shifts, Jase setting slightly higher standards to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd (and here's me thinking the Wannabees were shy on speed!)   Shorty started the work west toward Lemnos, his elbow suggesting I take on the drive at the main eastern channel so I set Lemnos North Rd as a target.  I wasn't sure if Wanganui Rd was on the route but this turn could be my final fronting. Temple's pace along Ford's first 2 k's kept me busy to stay in the draft, Ralphy scoring the lead over Grahamvale Rd to get us into town and when Verney Rd was called to complete the loop he handed BamBam the head-wind for the Southern shift. That's what mates are for isn't it? Finishing the lap in the northern end of town helped, I was home with 5 minutes to spare, the bonus being a little energy left.

10/2  Keeping breakfast aboard. 

I could feel the southerly breeze swinging to an easterly as Emil dialed up the hurt in a hurry to the start-line.  I could already imagine the pain of driving east on River Rd so how could I avoid that head-wind hurt? The usual protagonists rolled Sanctuary Drive in wait for the 5:40 flagfall and I'd already taken the bold decision to take PistolPete's position and drive the first shift to Mitchell.  Surely to battle the breeze at the port bow would be better than head on?  Emil, PistolPete, Col, Kel, Tina, Bo and The Godfather played the waiting game behind as I took to the first 600 metres to the truck route at a tame tempo under the pretext of letting everyone settle into line before turning up the wick.  Truth is I was already preserving wattage.  

The next 2 k's to Mitchell was under pressure of performance, I may have blown a head gasket trying Pistol's pace.  I'd almost caught The Godfather's wheel when Emil hit the nitrous oxide toward Central Kialla, finding the extra 4 k's per hour needed all the wattage I could find.  (a fine facsimile of JJ's burst of bravado when given the drivers seat)  PistolPete kept the hurry going to River Rd as a double whammy.  Col provided a slight reprieve to the bridge when most things came back into focus for me, Kel's smooth shift to the dip was just like Christmas.  How Tina turns on the tempo after yesterdays 140 k spin I'll never know (but I'll have what she had for breakfast!)  Bo did his stuff to Rooster corner when Tina handed over at the quarter horse gates.  The Godfather trimmed a little off the velocity on his mission to reach the highway, a chance for me to overdose on oxygen before facing the second bout at the business end. (Most would get a repeat prescription today with only 8 on duty and no epic drives to delay the promotion forward)   

A clear passage across the highway kept the momentum and saved all that wattage to get back up to speed, it's just metering out the muscle power to make the 2600 metre expectation of reaching Old Dookie Rd.  All went well to the bridge but the horsepower was at a trickle at the fig farm so I passed the baton to Emil to get to the target.  Whack!  That jump from 39 to 44 would have made me cuss if oxygen wasn't such a valuable resource, all the VO2 was needed just to stay in The Godfather's draft. The slow to turn west was just a fleeting nirvana, it was back to life on the rivet as Emil's energy let loose toward the bridge.  PistolPete kept quick consistent while my eyes searched the line-up to see who might serve a shift of respite.   No luck.  Col got speed by the scruff of the neck into town.  A lap record would have been medicine for my murdered legs but the Strava segment said the hurry was in my head (although a 37.3 average is nothing to sneeze at)

11/2  Sans stresse.

Ahead of schedule and with barely a breeze blowing, Thursday had the pressure off.  Another spin with the Wannabee's wasn't going to burst a boiler either.  JFK did say nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.  And a simple pleasure was a change from scorching pace!  It was time for me to enjoy a lap not on the rivet.  Jase, NearlyRetiredTrev, Ralphy, Naomi, BamBam and, lowering the bar of expectations on effort, Joe (not Tony) gathered at Kialla Lakes roundabout. Continued Raftery Rd roadworks spelled an Archer, Mitchell, Coach and Channel course to avoid the loose stuff.  Jase led the first shift to the truck route, the hint of an east northeaster making high 30's an easy ask.  The task for me to tow 'em to Mitchell rd was no problem under those circumstances.  I'd forgotten the last time I was able to talk when finishing duty at the front!  

Joe (not Tony) was pleased with the pace too, taking his turn toward Central Kialla but facing that east northeaster wore away the wattage.  Naomi finished off the drive to the Euroa Rd, Mitchell being the course of choice.  (River Rd against their religion?)  The change of scenery was refreshing, BamBam then Ralphy doing their easterly effort as I recalled the ancient history of Saturday Hospital bunches at full steam this way.  NearlyRetiredTrev did his turn for a decent distance but it was Jase's long drive that got us to Coach Rd, that often awkward intersection at the main eastern channel free of traffic to ease our passage through.  My number was up again and rather than make mischief with a fast shift, chose to do the long haul to the Broken bridges to put my engine into zone 4.   It probably helped Joe (not Tony) to be given the lead among the trees lining the river, a little shelter for his turn to reach Channel Rd.  And didn't he score bonus points handing the helm to Naomi with a tail wind to take the pressure off the performance.  A pack of pussycats had swung into Channel a half minute ahead, so their bunch became the bait for our 8 k drive back to town.  Jase did  the charge on the ChaCha making mid 40's (and not a grizzle was heard) but he wasn't saying much crossing Orrvale so I took a little time in building the pace back up to pursue the flock of felines to Kensington's roundabout.

12/2   A spin for the not-so-soft. 

The ride suddenly turns tough when just two others are at the grid at 5:40. The radar was clearing and only a few spots had fallen from the sky.  I'd even left a space ahead for PistolPete.....and even he didn't show!  My plans to start at the back for a gentle introduction to speed were shot ; it was now time to h.t.f.u. into the lead role to Mitchell Rd.  Oh joy! There was a south southeaster fair in the face too!  Emil and Col had braved the doubtful sky while I muttered my displeasure of those soft souls who stayed in bed. I set my speed 10% down on standard, there was 50% more workload today with just 3 to share the suffering. Hopes that Emil would be 10% shy on pace were pure fantasy as legs, lungs and heart all hollered mercy to Central Kialla.  Col kindly calmed my convulsions with a less taxing turn to River Rd though I wondered where I'd find the fortitude to face the front, due again way too soon.  Col saved me from certain implosion by driving on to the bridge.  

It was far easier eastbound when given the reigns, almost reaching the quarter horse gates when thoughts of catching the tail said I needed a little left in the legs.  Time to handover.  Emil had a far kinder pace to hang onto as he dragged us to Coach Rd.  Hooray! Help had arrived by way of a Rocket re-inforcement, the sole shop squad soldier (seems there's soft ones in that squad too!)  Emil played the leader a little longer to One Tree Dam, Col doing the drive to the pub while I struggled to psych-up for another shift. It started ok crossing the highway though building up to the prior pace took more muscle than I thought, draining the rather small tank of wattage I'd started with.  500 metres later the tank felt empty.  Burning the rectus femorus and gastrochnemius got me a little further and the psychological smoothness of Boundary Rd's tarmac made a moment of less stress, but the head wanted no part of going further than the fig farm.  I just hoped Rocket had left the handbrake on!  (of course he was compliant)   The (now) southwester wasn't so subtle turning into Old Dookie Rd, Rocket's speed not so subtle either in the rush to Central Ave. Cloud cover made the morning darker than mid July, thankfully the temperature wasn't that way, Emil certainly keeping heat in the legs on the hurry to the truck route.   I should be used to the continued charge into town, Col with all stops out to SPC and then some, those red leds of Vince and the Rabbit almost in his clutches was like a red flag to Col.

This week:  281km      YTD : 1,626km                

                 

More than self would.

 Post #584

30/1  Seven, simmered and steamed.

A tow to the start-line was a treat, Emil and brother Anth did the honors to Sanctuary's roundabout, mind you the north northwester was in our favor.  Tina, GreatScottSteve, Bo and PistolPete made up a not so great attendance but the bureau's forecast wasn't so inviting last night.  100% humidity from yesterday's rain made the start-line steamy.  Yeah, you guessed it, PistolPete played captain for the first shift.  Not that long ago the sun was up at start time, how quickly had darkness invaded to cast a gloom over the peloton's proceedings, daylight something to wait for as GreatScottSteve did his duty east to Central Kialla.  Mist rose from the paddocks to give us a feeling of being steamed dim sims!  Emil made haste on the north shift to River Rd, brother Anth spinning like a top (little ring) east toward the bridge, but a call for calm came from the rear when GreatScottSteve's light jumped overboard.  

The gentle roll for a minute to gather the group was a treat.  The resumption of speed wasn't, there seemed to be a sense of making up for lost time (or was holding off the pursuing shop squad the aim?  Big ask!)   Anth percolated the pace and PistolPete sustained the standard, so much for a social Saturday speed!   Or am I just getting older and grumpier? I'll go with the flow but set my kind of speed when given the reigns.   I just hoped there was a little horsepower left when I got there!  The drive on Old Dookie Rd was mine and just a couple of k's of the previous pace let me set the Toaster as a target.  

Feeling fairly good with my progress by the pork palace (i'd reach the Toaster without turning to toast) was soon squashed as the shop squad humbled my effort, Rocket, Trav, Lenny, Bruce, Liam and Boof making the pace toward the sun that struggled to pierce the clouds.  Bo had finally fronted for the north drive on Pine Lodge North Rd, Tina left to front the hint of a northwester on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  I was in easy street ; plenty of horsepower ahead and several of them with a long drive habit.  I wasn't putting my feet up yet though, there'd be more  work to do before breakfast!  Slowly moving closer to the business end turned up the toil, Emil turning the legs rather rubberized when we went full steam beyond Grahamvale Rd.  Surprisingly, I was ushered to the front at Verney Rd. Fine with me, a k to Numurkah Rd would do nicely and I could be then towed into town!   With the shop squad out of view the rush had relaxed a little, the work in Wanganui Rd was making us earn breakfast (but not blowing a head gasket to get there).   The halt at the Butter Factory raised an instant sweat, a waft of wind making talk on tackling technology, prescription glasses and big distances a lot more comfortable.

1/2  Monday masochism.

Low 30's seemed a struggle headed toward Sanctuary's starting line, so what makes 40's possible in a pace-line just a few minutes later?  May have been Monday-itis?  Might be that masochism is the underlying motivator?  Whatever the reason, PistolPete snapped me out of sluggishness with a dose of speed to Mitchell Rd, Emil, Kel, Temple, Kreeky, The Godfather, JJ, Joe (not Tony), Tina and Col filed behind.  I'd happened to berth on JJ's wheel, hoping he'd have some respect for his elders when he was promoted to lead the line.  Emil towed us to Central Kialla, Kel to River Rd, the promotion forward gradually raising the tax on my tank.  

Vince and the Rabbit climbed aboard from their easterly amble at River Rd's bridge, Tina handing the reins to Joe (not Tony) a bit beyond the dip, his pace slowly sinking as the distance dragged the enthusiasm from his pace.  JJ was soon put in charge, but quickly put the pace up 6 km/h, Joe in all sorts of stress to hang on to the caboose to River Rd's end.  I'd been given the lead role in Coach Rd and slowly stoked up the old boiler to a satisfactory speed, but Vince delivered the news of Joe (not Tony's) o.t.a.   Compassion calmed the hurry a while.  I'd reached One Tree Dam with no news of "all aboard" so slowly stoked speed again, figuring a yell of "easy!" would happen if pace was presumptuous.  Silence was the reply.  So back to the hurry, a highway target was set as my shifts' end.   Joe (not Tony) was aboard as I rolled rearward,  Temple taking the tempo to Old Dookie Rd. The rush ramped up for the west way home.  The call of traffic at Central Ave halted the rush, why the Rabbit had to spear through the order I'll never know (rather an obstruction as the order reformed for the charge to Dobson's estate)  Pistol Pete ensured no time was wasted to get to the caffeine appointment.

2/2  Windustrial strength.

Why should I get it easy?  A south southwester blew a gale Tuesday, just to torment the commute south (maybe this was the payback for doing the Sanctuary thing two days in a row?)  Gusts of 43 km/h did a little more than tickle, pleased I'd left home 5 minutes earlier 'cause I made the starting grid with just a minute to spare!  A little feeling had just returned to the legs when PistolPete dialed up the pace south, a freshly sealed and graveled Archer Rd (south of the truck route) simulating a cyclo-cross track.  Certainly "interesting" to steer 25mm slicks through at speed!  Kel had survived at 2nd wheel to take us east to Central Kialla, Bo having the tailwind (of course) for the north shift to River Rd.  I had The Godfather's wheel to follow, at least correctly placed on River Rd's crown so most could shelter from the unrelenting wind.  He was still in the drivers' seat at the bridge so I was content behind, he was protecting me from the pain at the pointy end.  My promotion to captain came rising from River Rd's dip, not as bad as I thought where trees lined the road but exposed to the open paddocks wasn't fun.  I'd figured a reserve was needed for another epic effort from Kreeky (due next at the front), so rolled off to the rear at the quarter horse stud, grateful for The Godfather's girth to shelter my recovery to River Rd's end.  

True to form, Kreeky stayed on for an encore in Coach Rd.  Col was given the lead at the bridges but his shift was shortened to reach the highway.  (Oh, I get it!  It puts Bo closer to the front so he'd score the wind in Old Dookie Rd!)  PistolPete had heads down charging north, Kel cooked at second wheel chose to retreat to the caboose for respite.  Me moving another rung up the ladder guaranteed I'd get another shift.   Bo took to Old Dookie Rd (and the south southwester at the left flank) with a passion for pace, giving The Godfather the pleasure of towing us to Central Ave.  I had the drive to Dobson's  ......again!   The bridge seemed further away than ever despite legs working overtime to get there, thank heavens a few trees at the roads edge took some of the sting out of the SSW'er.   Kreeky's pace was hard to hold onto when I handed him the role, this old engine almost miss-firing to stay aboard.  The Godfather's gear change across the truck route found the little chain-ring, so a great gap opened to the 4 ahead as he searched for momentum, Kreeky and I left to the tow truck duties trying to make up the deficit into the streets of town.

3/2  The gospel according to the prophet of pace. 

Being partnered on the commute to Wednesday's ride pushed the pace a bit more than if left to my own devices, and that conditioned me for the bunch velocity to come.  Better than a cruise to the grid then grizzle about sudden speed.  So thanks Emil for raising the standard more than self would. There wasn't going to be a third day in a row on the same old same old circuit ; today's route was changed to the Channel-Boundary-Ford circuit as Archer Rd had grown more gravel in roadworks.  Col waved the gesture of "go 'round me" at the grid when 5:40 struck, but berthing first means you suffer first Col! None of this "I couldn't be bothered today" stuff!  

So, under pressure to perform, Col had the 3 k drive north to Channel Rd as an opening act (he should have relished the moment with wind at the backside!)  Bo, The Godfather, Tina, Kel, Kreeky, Emil, PistolPete, Joe (not Tony), Jen and Vince lined up behind.   I'd scored the opening act for Channel Rd with the side wind a a bonus.  (takes me back a couple of years when division 2 would leave 5 minutes ahead of the fast fellas, trying, usually in vein, to hold off the squad of speed to Conrod's finish line)   I must be doing something right, the old engine made it to the truck route without blowing a head gasket, and kudos from the crew suggested it wasn't at snail's pace.  Joe (not Tony) lucked the shorter shift (1400 metres) to Orrvale Rd. History flooded the head in recovery at the rear, this 8 k road with its twists and turns recalls the early days of riding, battling the cold and  the critters, struggling to extract more than 32 km/h.  There's been some progress since.  

Kel drove the last of  Channel's 1600 metres from the S bend, Tina the north shift to the highway "and a little bit more" to the bridge near the old bacon barn.  Kreeky's definitely back to prior form, the drive north from New Dookie Rd up to Lemnos-Cosgrove wasn't enough, he was at it west to the main eastern channel too.  Jen had stoked up the willpower to advance for a turn. I'd prepared to slow as she faced the front for the first time (in a year she says) but there was nothing shabby about her speed toward Lemnos North Rd.  Sensibly, she'd kept the shift short to be sure to catch the caboose before detonation. A few were waiting for direction as Col led us into town, would we work Wanganui or would the call for coffee via Verney take priority?  Time was the foremost factor.  The call to turn into Verney put me at the front and straight into the headwind hurt, at least the super smooth tarmac was of some help.  Legs had caved in to the cruelty by Graham St, Joe (not Tony) reluctantly in charge toward New Dookie, but Bo broke the bunch into pieces with a burst of pace toward the city centre (the quest for coffee over-rules all rules doesn't it?)

4/2  The Mordy 2 Melbourne magnet. 

Four days in "the big smoke" just had to include the Beach Rd habit.  No bunch pressure on pace, sea air and several days off work would allow a cruisy roll of Port Phillip's coast.......yeah, right!  The best laid plans to take in a quiet tap lasted about 200 metres north of Mordialloc's start-line, there were plenty of ones, twos and threes riding city bound, a few big bunches too barreling along the billiard table called Beach Rd.   One or two young ones slipped by but it was catching and passing so many that got the eager meter wound up.  The competitive spirit was well and truely stoked.  Cancel cruisy, it was speed time!  Just two k's were covered and I'd found a "wheel sucker" already attached ; and there's nothing like the feeling of riding one off your wheel!  The slight inclines Beaumaris bound set the rectus femorus on fire, so the downhills were rolled a little more relaxed as recovery.  It was pleasing to see scaffolding covering the historic Edgy hotel, restoration finally underway for this grand old lady (it's caught my eye over recent years, empty and ageing by Mentone's beach)  

A chorus of carbon caused a cacophony behind, the massed (30+) mob of Lexus Brighton steaming past me in the mid 40's.  Me thinks sitting on the back of that wasn't work, so happily watched them advance into the distance, discarding their spent off the back.  Commuting traffic at times vacuumed my velocity (but never on the inclines like 'Col de Charman' or the 'Anna Meares Crush') so that became "off-the-gas" time to save something for later.  The usual jogging distractions (are some of these outfits spray painted on?) dotted the roadside paths, the few traffic lights co-operating with a green glow as Sandringham surprisingly appeared sooner than expected.  Big bunches were de rigeur southbound but bike traffic thinned through Brighton's alley of mansions, some of rather questionable architectual taste.  A few more 'spring chickens' bolted by to keep a lid on any hint of an over-inflated ego.  A second wind came at St.Kilda as sun streaked across the bay, dialing up the kilometres per hour to target Port Melbourne as the u-turn before 7.  I could have sworn a southwester had gently assisted the 25k's into the city but the about-face at Albert Rd found a northeaster gently easing the way back. Almost like winning the lottery!  

Car traffic was building for the return trip (it's nearly always less populated by bikes on the way back), just a handful here and there headed south as those big bunches now returned to the city.  It doesn't take long for some of similar speed to congregate, a stranger (Dendy rider atop an S Works) started sharing shifts at Brighton for some speed south. And that pushes boundaries better than any solo effort will! Mr. Castelli on a Trek was happy hanging on in our draft. Words don't need to be spoken (oxygen was being put to better use anyway), wait for the elbow and do your bit till the tank nears empty, then flick your own elbow for recovery.  Repeat as necessary.  Covers a lot of ground without a lot of thought.  Beaumaris then Black Rock arrived where Mr Dendy Rider bid his thanks and adieu's, so the last few k's were suddenly solo and minus a little motivation.  The last k's into Mordialloc feel like they're slightly downhill so some satisfaction and speed came at the end, regrettably Tour de Cafe was closed denying a post pedal fix but Strava served up 11 PB's as a reward.

This week 252km     YTD 1,345km