At war with wind.

 Post #620

20/11 Carpe Diem!

It was touch and go.  The front verandah was as dry as a chip though the weather radar showed a big blue band parked right over town.  What's App pinged from a doubting few, some westerners reporting rain and one by one, all the Wouldabeens pulled the pin.   The old faithful yr.no forecast said 0.3 mm of rain at 5, so with it still dry at 5:15, I took the gamble to kit up and spin the Saturday circuit, hoping like hell it wasn't a repeat of last Monday's drenching.  Seize the day I reckon!  If it stayed dry, the regret of not riding would be heartbreaking.   GiantAndy, Grumpy, Bo, PistolPete, Emil, Boof, Rocket, Kreeky, Wozza, Molly, The Godfather and Lenny arriving at Sanctuary proved optimism had over-ruled pessimism. PistolPete set a suitable speed standard south, mindful of Molly's attendance, two lines forming telling me there was some attempt at keeping this Saturday social.  The Godfather's return from two days away kick started the sledges. (Free entertainment!)  

A southwester would make a good deal of the circuit enjoyable ; those blessed with bucket loads of watts would hopefully be at the front for the drive back to town.  By River Rd, the rotation had me at the rear, Molly had her seat in the caboose booked so I followed Grumpy into the advance line with Bo bringing up the rear.  If I played my position right I might get a windward shift.  With plenty of chat underway (a peloton of two parallel lines, Saturdays and the wind behind just baits banter doesn't it?) a grey day dawned ; not the most inspiring start to the day but a long way better than those who'd given up and gone back to bed!  (Ah......but let's not get too carried away in the moment Foss, a spot or two from the sky from time to time had the eyes quickly on the hunt for those heartbreaking grey curtains hanging on the horizon somewhere.  None thankfully).   

Wasn't I the lucky lad to be second wheel at the fig farm, I would be blessed with the wind favorable east to the Toaster and north to the church as my turn came due in Old Dookie Rd (I'd earn my breakfast fighting the southerly bit of the southwester though).   A little sledging between Grumpy and Bo distracted me from the 4 k workload.  All the horsepower lining up for duty behind was a little daunting on one hand but a relief on the other hand of being towed toward town.  Emil and The Godfather faced the wind on the turn into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and it was payback time! The Godfather was to serve his sentence for third degree sledging with speed.  High 30's into that wind was hard enough for me at 4th wheel but The Godfather took his punishment well to the Pine Lodge Creek then served beside Rocket to Boundary Rd.  Kudos to the guy, particularly with that aerodynamic disadvantage.  

What had started social was now set in speed ; Wozza advanced to the front and the pace increased a little more.  Lenny, GiantAndy and Boof were lined up behind so fast was the forecast to the finish.  A lot of tall grass at the roadside camouflages traffic at intersections, so a last moment holler for an approaching car on Grahamvale Rd sent Kreeky on an excursion over the traffic island (refining skills for MTB?)    With the increasing speed came slightly shorter shifts so being promoted closer to the business end had an increased element of risk.....the risk I'd blow a head gasket before I'd even get to the drivers seat!  Kreeky had ducked for the shelter of the left line as we entered Wanganui Rd so I felt no guilt in doing likewise, despite Bo's displeasure.  There's little point advancing if there's not the muscle to maintain momentum!  Into the mid 40's toward Mt. Wanganui was like Saturday's of old but by Rudd Rd Molly was losing the caboose connection.  I needed no encouragement to drop back and offer a draft, my legs longed for a pace less pickling!   A few others had found comfort in mid 30's along the Boulevard so six combined to make a second division squad bound for the Butter Factory.   Shingles and post Covid sporting events interrupted tongues from breakfast. 

22/11  Making the most of a mild Monday.

The usual crew made the Monday start-line, Bo, Greg, Bruce, PistolPete, Wozza, The Godfather, Kreeky, Kel, Rocket and Lenny enjoying a rare mild (10 degrees) morning minus the wind.  Well, a 7 km/h breeze doesn't count as wind.  A social pairing was quick to form when PistolPete summoned the squad south toward Mitchell Rd, me quickly relegated rearmost with The Godfather alongside.  This was a good start to week 925 on the bike, 15 minutes worth of draft before I featured in the lead role is better than being thrown in the deep end.  There's rarely traffic to contend with at stupid o'clock but today one arrived as we readied to make the turn into River Rd.  Lots of arms signaled the intention at the double white lines but this driver went by a different rule book, overtaking anyway (adds weight to my theory that many are still asleep at the wheel at this hour)  

Time was up for being towed at River Rd's end ; now to contribute to the cause.  The pairing with The Godfather on Coach Rd went well to the bridges but keeping the pace for another two k's would be my limit, so I called the roll and prepared for the part two pain with Bo.  Reality hurt.  Tina climbed aboard but my focus was surviving to the highway at least, Bo had offered to ease up on the accelerator but I reckoned I'd survive at the set speed (so long as I ignored the heart-rate).   That smooth 700 metres of tarmac to the pub (and a big slice of stubbornness) saved me.  A k later with a decent dose of a draft, all the drama of the drive was forgotten.  I could now string a proper sentence together for Bruce rather than rudely gasp a word or two.  The slipstream had a cumulative effect in Old Dookie Rd, speed hadn't altered that much during the circuit but the comfort levels were rising rapidly.  Coffee cured any other concerns back in town.

Sunshine and something resembling warmth struck me leaving the Butter Factory fifteen minutes later and the spectre of same old distances (46's and 48's week-in week-out) niggled.  After a chat with Tina on the exit of town, I anti-clockwised the golf course loop and made tracks south for a little more distance.  (I'd hardly be stung by the speed of the Adams family but doing double distance would be a test).   Just Chilly, young Brian, Hoffy and DeepFry had arrived for the 8am shift (the unpredictable faction of the family thankfully absent) so DeepFry kick-started the single filed line south.  Low 30's seemed to be the benchmark (if you ignored DeepFry's pace at odds with the average) so I was happy to set that on my cruise control and avoid being branded a big shot.  

Kilometre turns were kosher and made duty at the front comfortable (not forgetting it could be the safe working load for some) though as distance accumulated, some shifts called on more urge than others (something to eat at the 75 k mark would have fueled the psychological engine?)  A hint of a northeaster provided some pace on Lemnos-Cosgrove after the work against it up Boundary Rd, the sight of bikes ahead at the main channel putting a bit of pep in DeepFry's pace. 

Jim and some other guy seemed to be setting a decent pace.....till a closer look revealed they were driven by volts.  (e-bikes are ranked as motorbikes in my book - I reckon cycling is about human effort, not battery capacity!)   The magnetism of a finish line at Mt.Wanganui  stoked up some speed toward town but that proved too much for our lithium lads who turned toward a cafe conclusion (and a charging station?) though Chilly had withdrawn from duty at the front.  DeepFry nudged the 40's as he led half way along Wanganui Rd but he was now a sitting duck for me at third wheel to taste the chocolates atop the mountain. 

23/11  Savoring squirrel speed.

Less than 24 hours after an impulsive 108km, I hoped like hell it was squirrel day.  Legs were a little soft to face Sanctuary speed!  (there's repercussions when you rattle the routine Foss)   So wasn't I pleased to see Kim and Emil appear at Tarcoola's roundabout on Tuesday, a slightly slower squirrel spin suited better than the likely thrash with the regular weekday warriors.  If the forecast turns fact, I might even get a mid-week rest day with rain of Wednesday's menu.  Tina was scheduled to intercept somewhere in Channel Rd so our trio of a tame tempo turned east at the shop in search of the curly one.  Emil did the routine introduction to the truck route, across what now could be classed as a three star cobbled section of Channel Rd (another low budget re-seal, rough as hessian underwear).  A northeaster was on the day's menu to draw an effort out of us so after many months of cold and miserable south and southwesters , this seemed like a different planet. 

I scored second shift to Orrvale Rd which seemed way too short, so pressed on to the Kinder (and wasn't that hot-mix heaven!) to hand Kim the tail-wind of Central Ave (I'll mail the invoice for the service Kim!)   Tina was found in Jameson Rd and joined the queue while Emil did driving duty to Coach Rd.  All these shifts have become very predictable, but that's what you want when you're riding a couple of hundred millimetres from the wheel ahead before the sun's up.  Emil dropped to the rear crossing the highway where that northeaster felt a little more easterly at the front, so rode Boundary Rd's centre to win a few votes from those behind.  Tina's knee might not let her get out of the saddle just yet but her transition to the front at Old Dookie Rd was seamless.  The wind seemed worse when I got to the back for some strange reason.  Kim took us from New Dookie up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, most of us keen to turn west and have our abilities amplified by the wind back to town.

25/11  The pursuit of pain.

I felt naked in short sleeves and arrived early at Tarcoola roundabout.  Without the umpteen winter layers how short is the ride preparation time! 16 degrees was certainly a warm welcome.  Emil and Kim arrived on cue but I'd opted to suffer the Sanctuary speed today ; there's a danger of softening if I choose too much of the sedate stuff!  (the pursuit of pain has a strange sort of attraction)  Beginning to fear low attendance rolling into an empty Sanctuary Drive, relief came as Kreeky, Bo, PistolPete, Greg, The Godfather and Kel arrived to chose a spot on the grid.  BamBam stretched the limits of the 5:40 sharpness arriving as the party got started.  

Forth wheel behind Pistol, Kel and Bo was a suitable spot for me, taking advantage of the southerly (I hoped!)   Last night's forecast of 4mm of rain due about now had evaporated.  Pistol rubber stamped his role to get us to Mitchell Rd and Kel took second shift when Bo grizzled about who should do what and when (I get it now..........Bo would then score the tail-wind to River Rd rather than live up to Pete's standard with the wind at his side!)  Just for once, I started duty in River Rd under my own terms, content with high 30's to the bridge regardless of what others thought ; what Kreeky (behind me) would do anyway!  With enough biscuits still in the barrel to catch the caboose, I gave Kreeky the drivers seat on the downhill (0.0000017 %) toward Laws Drive and rolled to the rear, most things strangely still in focus.  I thought I'd done rather well.....until Kreeky cranked out a 4k turn to Rooster corner at a better pace! The roll-up was poor at the shop, Rocket, Bruce and Boof arriving from Coach Rd to about face and join the clan.  

Boof was the one with a Cheshire cat grin ; he was the one celebrating new bike day (a suave looking grey/black Focus.  Why do the fast guys get lighter bikes? Like horse racing, the quick need ballast!)  Greg provided the grunt to tow us north to the highway, but then that's easy for these young fella's.   The Godfather did his stuff along Boundary Rd, undeterred by the sledges administered from the shop society, though I was wondering if BamBam was medium or well done at second wheel.  Despite his long lay-off after the challenge of 4 x 100 km doing #ridewithme, he did well to to tackle Old Dookie Rd and almost reach School Rd.  PistolPete turned up the tempo to Central Ave to the point of my legs feeling fairly frail.  Kel didn't allow any respite to Dobson's bridge and Bo took the bait of the sledges to propel the pack into the 40's to the truck route.  My focus on Boof's new focus exempted a dash to SPC but Kreeky stood in for me (far faster than I could muster!)

26/11  This doesn't look like River Rd Toto!

The forecast said fine but the morning at Mordialloc looked decidedly damp.  A couple of days in the big smoke and Beach Rd beckoned me anyway.  That super smooth tarmac was damp but not yet glossy, the real bait was a strong southerly to speed me to the city (I had quashed thoughts about the suffering into the wind back to 'Mordy' though!)  Inbound bike traffic was light ('cause most favor a southerly start from the city) but a few northbound inflated my ego by being slower, even those subtle inclines at Beaumaris and Black Rock netted a few PB's boosted by the breeze.  Big bunches southbound became more common though they seemed to be silent while at war with the wind as I found myself well into zone four making the most of the wind at the Khyber (there'd be no records broken on the return!)   Spotted specs told the story of light drizzle near Sandringham though it ended soon after to calm concerns of being turned into a drowned rat.  Mingling with a few Aston Martin's (and a McLaren if you don't mind!) through Brighton while being propelled a little above expectations got St.Kilda in view sooner than expected, grey clouds rolling very low across Port Phillip's bay hardly a welcoming sight.  One southbound bike took particular interest in my northbound travels, his arm raised in greeting before I recognized it was JJ.  (My Couldabeens kit may have drawn his eye?  It was team kit Friday after all. So where was yours JJ?!)  Good speed continued to Port Melbourne, the sorry fact of a snail-like return now looming near. It was u-turn time.  (the price you pay for a tailwind excitement eh?)  

About faced and up a few sprockets, speed was hardly blistering, but way better than expected.  It was just a case of finding a maintainable rhythm, gritting your teeth and getting on with it Foss!  There weren't many bikes southbound now, so there wasn't a draft to steal, only the odd one or two to chase (then realise they were a few rungs up the ladder and the heart-rate was heading off the scale to close the gap.  Ain't reality cruel?)  That misty rain started again and got the tarmac glossy (just the thing you want coupled with a head-wind!) but I did catch a pack of six to reward the effort.   Those ascents at Black Rock pegged back the ego a bit though!  Arms and back were now damp though there was enough internal heat being generated to keep the rest of me dry. Soaked socks would have ruined me.  (Hate that)  At least the drizzle stopped at Mentone to give me a dry finish but the usual coffee shop was shut.  Found a good brew out of a van in a car park though. The Mean Bean Coffee Machine saved the day.

This week 307km         YTD 12,476km            

            

Smells like team spirit

 Post #619

15/11 Wet and windy ; warriors or weirdo's?

There was a craving to clock k's after three days of relentless rain but it probably fuzzied the focus from Monday's forecast.  The radar had a big blue blob hovering sixty k's south but the addict within reckoned I could squeeze a lap in before things got damp.  Answering "I'll risk it" to Emil's message of "Thoughts?" probably fuzzed his focus too!   

A west northwester chilled the bones headed south to the start-line and I tried to ignore the ice cold spits from the sky but by Kialla Lakes the tarmac had gone glossy with them.  Too late to turn back now, retreat would be ridiculed!  Rule #9 became the sole incentive to continue.  (I guess there'd be few fronting in this climate).  PistolPete's headlight ahead was predictable but finding Wozza and Rocket then Bruce and Lenny stalking Sanctuary Drive said it was a day for warriors (or weirdo's?) My problem was there was way too much wattage in this grid!  (stop your grizzling Foss, you're among friends!)  A tail-wind on Mitchell and River Rd's tempted taking the traditional circuit - so that meant there'd be work to do on the way home.  Seven set sail south and slipping into second last wheel, I had hopes pinned on scoring some of that tail-wind but none of the hard stuff...... just a tow back to town.  (I don't want much do I!) The decision to ride was being seriously questioned as rain soaked the socks, rooster tails of water from the wheel ahead went straight up the nose and worms glued themselves to a once clean bike.     PistolPete pushed the limits of my labor through Kialla Central, thankfully I got a few breaths back on the cautious turn into River Rd.  It was time to be grateful the speed wasn't let off the leash with that prevailing westerly ; maybe many were leaving something in the tank for the hurt homeward?  

Rain had eased and Lenny made the drive to the bridge look easy, the pessimist inside pondered if Emil may have set his target at Coach Rd from the dip, but I was given the elbow of fair play to assume the front seat for the last k to rooster corner.  With help from the westerly, I didn't blow a head gasket getting there, so added a k in Coach Rd to get to One Tree Dam.  Bruce was a good lad, hand-braking his horsepower till I had tucked into the caboose.  That drizzle returned in Boundary Rd (why should we get it easy?!) and being promoted forward again in Old Dookie Rd to face that 30 km/h headwind wasn't on my bucket list.  Lenny led the charge to Central Ave and Emil did duty to Dobson's but I'd dropped a rung on the ladder with a fumble of the foot at Central Ave, so Wozza took my spot.  No complaints, he was delaying my distress into the drivers seat.  Emil set low thirties to the bridge but Wozza's mid thirties into the wind cooked me at second wheel.  I retreated rearward before cardiac arrest put a dampener on the morning.   Chris's coffee was consolation for the conditions though sitting at the Butter Factory dressed damp and with soaked socks wasn't the post ride relief I was used to.  The ride home (like a shag on a bike) wasn't the ideal end either!

16/11 F off Winter!

I'd recognised those Colbrelli legs.  GreatScottSteve had made a surprise return to the Sanctuary squad, joining Kel, PistolPete, Kreeky, Bo, Emil and The Godfather in the hint of daybreak at the grid for Tuesday's assault on the circuit.  The shop squad would be preparing for pursuit three k's behind.  That's their entertainment.  The mercury struggled to get three on the gauge (feels like 0.7 with the southwest breeze) but I guess we should thank the heavens it wasn't raining or blowing a gale.  Of course PistolPete guided us to Mitchell Rd. It was good to be in Indian file format; no pressure to perform alongside someone else (usually a rung or three up the horsepower ladder) and particularly comfortable starting at second last wheel.  

 Kel didn't spare the horsepower getting to Kialla Central and Bo detoxed himself from a four day fishing trip with a concerted effort to reach River Rd.  Birthday boy Kreeky set a comfortable velocity to the dip but it was Emil's visit to the forties that jellied my legs. I couldn't help thinking GreatScottSteve's move to the mountains may have made the man a monster on a bike (and I'd be cooked just sitting in his draft) but Steve's shift was somewhat sedate to Coach Rd.  Emil may have softened him?  That ease should have have left me fresh for a fast shift north, but that was an exaggerated expectation.  One of those days when even a breeze behind didn't do me any favors! 

I could get the engine over 36 but the fuel consumption was high.  My tank was close to empty at the bridges so The Godfather was given the job to take us to the highway.  The shop squad must have smelled blood, passing us before we'd got to Pine Lodge Pub (the usual is in Old Dookie Rd.)    I'll shoulder the blame as being the handbrake.  PistolPete didn't chase the shop squad, bless his stylish socks, but dragged is intact to Old Dookie Rd in silence.  Oxygen had become a precious commodity!   Kel and Bo split the towing duties to Central Ave and Kreeky tried the calmer approach beyond, though Emil did the cork-out-of-a-bottle thing at Dobson's to bolt to the truck route.  The three second wait for truck traffic was enough time to recharge his battery to charge to SPC.

17/11 Sublimely social (& Tina's return)

Single filed but social, Wednesday's ride was gradually brought up to speed under PistolPete's careful deliberation ; with just Bruce, The Godfather, Greg, Kel, Emil, Boof and Rocket turning up for duty, a two row formation seemed like hard work!  As a consequence of an early arrival at the grid, I'd been drawn into 3rd wheel.  (The rear of Emil's La Pierre has become very familiar).  With speed set a little below the standard supersonic, I could survive in 2nd wheel (20 bpm below the usual weekday stress) while Emil dragged the line of 8 to Kialla Central.  I started my turn to drive to River Rd in a better state than usual....though this old engine was almost miss-firing after 2 k's.  

Boof took on the captaincy to River Rd's bridge at the Wednesday standard,  making a big difference to my recovery time (it's unusual for me to be coherent just a minute or so after a shift!)  Kel had no trouble with speed to the dip but was rather silent on the retreat to the rear ; she's better at hiding the hurt than me! (we all go through some sort of suffering in the drivers seat I suppose, unless your name is Rocket Wozza, Bruce, Boof, Lenny, Liam......need I go on?)   A red led ahead was guessed to be Tina in Coach Rd so a call of consideration was delivered to The Godfather as he set sights on the bridges.  Tina got aboard, speed set at a simmer to the highway where Wozza was elected to exert his effort (though he was now at risk of stalling, so speed understandably spiked a bit.  Smoothness made it tolerable).  Bruce led the west way to town as the temperature finally crawled above a sweltering 5 degrees, PistolPete drawing the short straw of a second shift from Central Ave.  That was no bother for Pistol, there was plenty of energy left in his engine to drag us to SPC.

18/11 The morning smoothie

One more degree made Thursday almost bearable ; the fact that wind was was erased from Thursday put icing on the cake.  Squirrels had conspired to cruise a quieter lap and with a 10+ hour a week addiction to two wheels, my ageing muscles could do with a peaceful pace once in a while.  I'd get a rest from that 6k slog south on Archer Rd too, just 2 k's worth at a considered speed to the shop made for a pleasant warm-up.  

Emil did his traditional tap to the truck route setting a low 30's benchmark, so conforming to those protocols of pace wouldn't get any knives in the back, even when I'd extended my shift to the Kinder.  Kim piloted us to the cypress trees where Tina arrived from the east to attach to the train.  Emil led to Coach Rd and added extra to the highway while I soaked up the almost forgotten pleasure of riding below breaking point.  (This might need to be a weekly habit!)  Left in charge at the Pine Lodge pub, the aim at getting to Old Dookie Rd was as easy at this velocity, but let's not get greedy Foss, this game is all about sharing shifts.  

Kim's turn took us to New Dookie Rd and despite the apprehension of taking a turn at the front after 9 weeks off in a.c.l. operation recovery, I was pleased to see Tina lining up for duty in the drivers seat.  Emil got to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and extended his shift west to the main channel.  There was nothing sluggish about Tina's turn taking us to Lemnos North Rd (never any doubt in our minds, but probably plenty in hers)  The first two and a bit k's of Ford Rd was mine to lead, Kim supplied the velocity to Verney and Emil of course towed us to town. 

19/11 Fraternal Friday.

Oh......what to wear?!   Of course, it was kit conformity day and the team uniform was kosher but how light on the layers do I go for 13 degrees?  It's been a while since preparing for mild weather.  (The last four months has been a case of insulate to the max!)  Archer Rd's 6 k's was again as much fun as the excavation of a root canal (a southwester made me suffer) though a dozen (Lenny, Kreeky, Bo, Rocket, Wozza, Bruce, Greg, PistolPete, Kel, Emil, Boof and Grumpy) forming at the grid meant that there'd be plenty to share the pain (some might not even come close to that description!) The wind would be an advantage for most of the lap anyway.  

It smells like team spirit (apologies Nirvana!) when the clan is conformed by a team kit, although Bo broke the rules wearing an opposition's gillet (why you'd need one when there's 13 degrees on the gauge is anyone's guess).  Forward propulsion got easy turning east into Mitchell, two rows formed and as usual, those of similar horsepower conveniently paired.  (Except me!  It wasn't my day with Bo ahead and Emil behind as I joined the advance line).  Grumpy rattled Bo's cage by leaving a gap ahead as he chatted away to Rocket alongside.  The fast and not-so-fast factions are combining forces more often than in years past ; the pairing raising the standards of speed (though Tuesdays see the shop squad separate to unleash their true form).  One or two now missing from both sides might make separate forces more of a struggle?  

Greg took a shorter short-cut homeward via Channel Rd which promoted me further toward the business end, Tina joined in from a solo start while Bo and Kel were locked in conversation at the front on who was doing what distance in Boundary Rd.  

I'd at least got part one of my duty at the front with the tail-wind to Old Dookie Rd, part two was the tough bit with the south southwester as a hindrance alongside Emil who waited patiently for me to expire (that happened at School Rd).  Apparently fitness is measured by how quickly you can recover from being on the limit......not a lot came into focus for a couple of minutes so there's your answer on my form!  The gasps must have alarmed Bruce to ask about my well-being.... two word sentences were replied. (With pregnant pauses between!)  Traffic at the truck route split the bunch in two so the slow spin to SPC had me quickly feeling human again.

 

This week 228km        YTD 12,168km                        

        

An amplified asthmatic.

 Post #618

8/11 I'm givin' her all she's go Capt'n!

Choosing the right wheel to be on was critical Monday morning, the old engine felt a bit rusty after two days off and Bo was bound to be given a bit of grief with several division one's in the line-up at Sanctuary.  PistolPete led Bruce, Bo, Greg, Wozza, Lenny, Rocket, Emil, Kel, Joe (not Tony) and The Godfather south into the southwester (17-20 km/h) as two lines formed in a suggestion of social collaboration, so I slotted in behind The Godfather (keep him separated from Bo to minimise the larrikinism) and at a good arms length from the horsepower.  It's called self preservation!  Luck had Joe (not Tony) on my wheel, a considerate co-pilot for part two of my shift.  But that would come later.  Rocket and Wozza had distress to dish up to Bo first.  Low 40's early in the lap was hard labor but the entertainment factor was worth the tax.  The Godfather toned down the tempo a tad beside Emil to River Rd's bridge so I could at least manage the short shift to the dip.  

Captain Courteous (Joe, not Tony) conformed considerately to the white fence of the quarter horse stud, chatting away happily while I suffered oxygen deprivation.  Coach Rd felt easier as Greg and Kel then Rocket and Wozz dragged us north, a southwester helping the hurry to the highway.  Low 40's again was a little anti-social while Bo was burned for pushing the parameters of pace, the throttle wide open with me hanging desperately on.  I reckon I'm in the wrong league here!  There was hesitation joining the advance line when the lines swung west into Old Dookie Rd, doubts I'd have the drive if this pace persisted!  Bruce, Lenny and PistolPete kept 40's on the agenda to Central Ave, past Dobson's and beyond, but The Godfather wasn't in such a hurry to get to SPC.  I could pass as one of the team at that pace!

9/11  The late shift.

An alarm malfunction had me sleep in till a very late 5am, too late to prepare and get aboard the Couldabeen's train so I opted for the late shift and a chance to associate with the endangered species.  There maybe a Goat or two that still can swing a leg over a bike.  There appeared to be about a dozen at Ford and Verney for a 6 am launch but getting closer found it was the '51 train about to leave.  Heady and Brendy were the two remaining as the express steamed away.  Hope for other arrivals had eyes squint south and west, just a solitary light approaching half a k behind, so a casual roll toward Grahamvale Rd allowed the arrival of JB to climb aboard.  Au du Mr.Sheen filled the nostrils  (makes a Pinarello shine).  Heady and Brendy did a sneaky little shuffle to the rear, leaving JB and I paired at the front.  

With the sun well risen as we arrived at Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd  I had a feeling of running late, not that there was a rush to be anywhere.  JB rolled ahead and across in the expectation of Brendy or Heady advancing to make a contribution but that was wishful thinking.  JB and I had more to do. Low to mid 30's seemed to be JB's want (seems it's always the other guy that sets the pace!) and nothing but silence came from the rear seats.  

I did sneak a peek behind to see if the passengers were still on board. Brendy did come forward for a contribution in Pine Lodge North Rd but that came to an end at New Dookie Rd.  1500 metres of respite and I was back at the business end again.  The bureau said a southwest breeze was our only handbrake though there was little strain to get to the Toaster.  That supposed wind was barely stirring a leaf so I continued on Old Dookie to benefit the passengers, but Heady was cooked by the bridge.  JB and I tried to tempt Brendy and Heady to follow if we set a pedestrian pace but their resolve to ride Old Dookie back to town was cast in stone.   JB and I continues south to Channel Rd chatting withering wattage and the white flag effect of watching speed and heart rate.  There was a slow burning fire within the rectus femoris keeping to JB's pace so eyes were well away from what the old faithful Garmin 500 was showing.  JB had employment to get to (I vaguely remember those days) so I indulged in the Butter Factory's long black and raisin toast, seeing I'd skipped breakfast sleeping-in.

10/11 Faith in forecasts.

All the eggs were in the bureau's basket Wednesday ; the forecast for an overcast day was looking a bit dodgy as spits fell from the sky (just as I swung a leg over the bike).  Have a little faith Foss!  The tarmac was yet to be rated wet as Emil and I paired to tap the 8 k's to Sanctuary, finding Rocket at the showgrounds roundabout looking like he was about to hightail home ( I reckon we'd ruined his retreat)  Dry patches under parked cars in Archer Rd spoke of something more than overcast but there was yet to be any gloss on the grey strip south.  Fingers crossed for kind conditions to come!  PistolPete was absent (did he know something we didn't?) but Boof, Bruce, Lenny, Bo, Kel and Kreeky turned up to ratify the ride decision.  If the heavens opened we could use Rule #9 I suppose.  

Boof had the horsepower to drive into a 20 k southwester to Mitchell Rd and Bruce was no slouch to drag us to Kialla Central, Rocket kindly forming the second echelon to keep Kreeky, Boof and I out of the gutter.  I had an interest in Bo's place in the pack and readied for the possible pain he may serve.  Lenny made the most of the wind up the exhaust pipe to move us rapidly to River Rd where a caution was called for the off camber corner dampened by the drizzle.  Safely steered east, Emil set the 40's benchmark to the bridge and beyond....this wasn't the social Wednesday I remembered?  

Emil pushed on to the dip but I was hoping that didn't bait Bo to go longer!   Ironically, Bo's elbow flapped "enough" to Kel at the quarter horse stud.  (Recent paybacks must have driven home a message to Bo?)  The road was as dry as a chip out here.  Kel had the Specialized humming to polish of River Rd and Rocket set the speed smooth for the 3.6 k stretch of Coach Rd, all standards I felt obliged to duplicate when my turn came due at the highway......it'd be a shorter version of it!  For the moment, second wheel wasn't a bad place for the preparation ; I'll take a polished pace any day! Time was up at the Pine Lodge pub, performance time old boy!  That wind behind and Boundary Rd's billiard table surface helped the head, I'd managed to stoke up the speed to standard and for a moment, I'd imagined I'd make it to the fig farm.  That moment lasted a millisecond, then reality kicked in.  Hope and the horsepower were two different things! I gave Kreeky the elbow 200 beyond the bridge 'cause that's where reality struck, besides, I reckon Kreeky would appreciate a share of the tailwind.  A grey curtain of cloud masked the sun up and some breath had returned in readiness for Boof to drive us home on Old Dookie Rd.  The southwester wasn't slowing his speed!  Bruce lived up to that standard too, towing us to town, me content I'd lasted this long and wouldn't face the front again.  Coffee was compensation for a not so social 37.5 average.

11/11 Pop! goes the puncture.

On one hand the Squirrels speed would be sustainable whereas the Sanctuary speed would sting.  I had a choice Thursday morning.  Decisions went to and fro on the southbound spin of Archer Rd and tempting as it was to steer east into Channel Rd with Emil and Kim, a serve of suffering with the Sanctuary crew was what was needed.  It would prevent softness setting in.  Few had formed at the roundabout, just Greg, Kel, PistolPete, Kreeky and The Godfather gathered, and I was almost in at the deep end second wheel to Pistol (though I'd avoided facing the south southwester.  That's Pete's forte) The flat as a biscuit 2k turn to Kialla Central wasn't so tortuous.....till half way when the energy had evaporated! Too many watts spent getting up to speed soon left little to sustain what I'd started.  The second k was spent trawling the depths of determination.  

Kel next in line was some comfort, she's considerate on the throttle.  Half a minute later and velocity was nudging 40, I'd taken a peek rearward on traffic lookout duty (the often neglected role of the caboose captain) and a shot rang out to rattle the nerves.  It wasn't some gun toting redneck scaring off The Godfather's disturbance of the peace,  Kel's tyre had blown off the bead from the tube's 7.6 Richter scale explosion.  A swift and orderly repair was underway as the shop squad shot by.  Greg had hurry back on the menu in River Rd though the tail-enders struggled to find shelter in the gutter, but Kreeky set the echelon etiquette right at the bridge to get all under cover from the wind.  And wasn't he a good lad to drive on to the quarter horse gates! There he handed the helm to The Godfather who felt duty bound at reaching River Rd's end ; and that gave me the bonus of a tailwind in Coach Rd  (yeah, too much thinking!)  

The Broken bridges lay 1800 metres ahead and that's where my lungs, legs, head or heart hits it's limit; the elbow's thrown and the next in line drives on to the highway while I do the rendition of an amplified asthmatic at the back.  But today was different.  Things were still in focus at the bridges.  This might be worth a longer aim?  What's the worst that could happen? (Oh yeah, that boom! and o.t.a. thing!)  The oh-so-subtle descent off the bridge was a help and by stroke of luck, the ascent toward Channel Rd had a passing car donate a brief draft to help me scale the dizzying 3 metre elevation. The next k turned cruel though. That thought of reaching the highway had taken hold, and the Pine Lodge Pub was but a speck in the distance.  Turn up the stubborn and throw a bit of angry in the tank Foss!  That magnetic pull in the Garmin dragged the eyeballs to the data it displayed, and it wasn't the Hiroshima heart-rate that worried me, the speed sagging below 38 was really rattling the inferiority complex!  Slightly smoother tarmac beyond Channel Rd was my savior, the speed rose .3 and the head was happier ; I could deal with the howls of protest from legs and lungs to the highway now.  

Kudos from the five advancing for their punishment helped my head and thanks to PistolPete's diplomatic use of the accelerator I could tuck into the draft of recovery.  (If my legs of licorice would get me there!) 40 was easy for PistolPete to bolt to Old Dookie Rd, the focus of holding the wheel and settling the heart-rate distracted my inferiority complex.  Kel towed us on Old Dookie Rd and Greg took his leave via School Rd.   Kreeky's Movember moustache had little aerodynamic resistance on his drive to Central Ave. I was suddenly second wheel again (so soon?)  The Godfather's turn toward the truck route was spent banking breaths in readiness for my (expected?) swift shift to SPC, the hinderance of that south southwester felt like three clicks pulled on the handbrake but buildings soon helped with some shelter. The gods of recovery smiled on Wheeler St's traffic lights, turning red to end the hurt, but getting wheels rolling again on the green light wasn't fun.

This week 182km       YTD 11,940km                    

Luck or the lack of it.

 Post #617

30/10  D for distance, A+ for company.

This would be suffering for a good cause.  A hundred k's is a bit beyond a regular ride for me, but great company and a worthy charity would drag me beyond the usual comfort zone.  Kel, BamBam and TrackStan had committed to the #ridewithme challenge of a hundred k's for each of the next four days in support of the #lovemeloveyou foundation to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, something close to the Couldabeen's heart with the recent loss of our great team-mate Col.  Kreeky, PistolPete, Bruce, Emil, Liam, Boof, Kel, The Godfather, Bo, Wozza, Lenny, Rocket, BamBam, Grumpy  and Greg steered to the Sanctuary start line with a not-so-welcoming 2 degrees introduction.  This would be a standard Saturday circuit, the usual social sentences over breakfast then a reverse of the circuit back to the start.  

The standard Saturday speed was quickly set as two lines took anti-clockwise turns at sharing the load, my head hoping I could cope with part two afterward.  The bunch babble and The Godfather's entertainment a wheel ahead provided a decent distraction from what was to come.  Twenty minutes passed before I got the promotion to the front at the Broken bridges, a breeze from the southwest elevating my effort to something near respectable beside The Godfather to the highway.  Entertainment was muted for the duration.  My second shift beside Emil could only reach the old bacon barn where the tank ran dry.  Some days you got it, others....get over it! The day's dawn was a gee up for despondent thoughts on such a tame turn and 3 k's of sun in the face toward the Toaster got the oxygen reserves back to continue.  

By a stroke of luck, plenty of wattage was ahead to drive the way west on Lemnos-Cosgrove, those blessed with horsepower happy to haul the long drives at the front and save some (like me) from an earlier second shift.  TrackStan appeared ahead (missing the start but short-cutting to intercept the bunch) but the real bait of four Wouldabeens ahead stirred up some speed in pursuit.  They made no attempt to hitch a ride back to town.  

Still several wheels from the front in Wanganui Rd, I'd been spared another shift at the business end so enjoyed the draft down the Boulevard to breakfast.  Coffee and banana bread put mental fuel in the tank while the hardening up process for part two got underway.   Most saddled up for the reverse loop. just PistolPete, Liam and Bruce had other commitments, so I guess it would be pointless to stifle all that horsepower ; if you've got a Ferrari, why let it idle?  I'd give a turn a go but would probably make a better passenger.  A south southwester had helped us back to Wanganui Rd but Ford then Lemnos-Cosgrove became a chore, the reminder to TrackStan to ride the road's centre got the tail-enders out of the gutter.   It's been many moons since taking on a hundred, so the signs of wear began to show with 75 clocked up.  I'd hoped my turn may come in Old Dookie with that wind at the port-side bow, but just my luck, had the headwind in Boundary Rd instead.  

Kreeky was kind but getting to the fig farm was more than half a tanks' worth.  Thinking another k was possible beside The Godfather was the stuff of dreams, I'd called him across barely a minute later.  Lucky to have others up to the task, I could hang on and get breathing back in order, the way west on River Rd and out of the wind would be the respite.  Constant 45 k's do nothing for preparing for a ton, legs were lame and the posterior pickled from three hours on the Fizik.  I'd hoped there'd be the easy way out heading north on Archer, but the call for a Raftery finish had secured the vote.  There was nothing to complain about a tail-wind home and only self to blame for poor preparation, I'd scored low on the distance but really well on obliging company, 120 done when the dust had settled.

1/11  K's for a cause.

Another hundred k's wasn't so appealing, the sting from Saturday's swift one conjured up more pain, but I'm being a bit presumptuous on pace aren't I?   Supporting the #lovemeloveyou foundation, Monday's hundred would hopefully be a two part ride too; I could assess the horsepower of the second shift and decide on doing the extra distance then!  Part one was the standard weekday circuit and a field of Bruce, PistolPete, The Godfather, Lenny, Emil, Didak, Bo, BamBam, Wozza, Kel, Joe (not Tony), JJ, Rocket and Greg lined up for the lap.  The slightest suggestion of a southwest breeze made part one less than the usual chore, dropping onto Kel's wheel in the procession a tactical decision to save on the suffering (she's not one to toast you on a turn!).    Emil lined up on my wheel so I'd hoped he would follow Kel's kindness.  JJ had made a return to the clan, Didak fronted again and Joe (not Tony) is earning frequent flyer points with the pack ; the peloton population slowly increasing with Summer nearing.  

Bo had been promoted to the drivers seat for the last 2 k's of River Rd and Didak did his best to keep up, the signs of being cooked (that grab for a lower gear and his head now doing the pedaling gave the game away) ever increasing as we neared the rumble strips. With no compassion from Bo, Didak ducked to the respite of a draft behind as Bo  now paired with The Godfather to drive Coach Rd.  They're like two mischievous schoolboys these two..... must be separated in class!  Both were out to achieve something, staying on the front in Boundary Rd too.  Didak was saved from certain implosion when Bruce took over second wheel.  Greg was doing his early exit via School Rd so shortened his shift in Old Dookie,  Kel and I now finally in charge.  With plenty of distance to go, Kel's shift was understandably shorter, so the remainder to Central Ave for me was almost bearable, despite Emil being a half wheel ahead (far too early to toast myself drawing level)  

Joe (not Tony) was next on duty and received the same handout from Emil.  Sharing is caring I guess.  PistolPete was promoted when Joe (not Tony) pulled the plug at Dobson's, so 40's soon became the fashion for the sprint to SPC.  Tina joined at the Butter Factory for the compulsory chat over caffeine and it was just Rocket, Lenny, Kel, BamBam and Didak to take on the extra k's with a clockwise tap of the Toaster circuit.  Not so heavy on the horsepower, I'd guesses I could manage the addition.  With due consideration for BamBam and Kel's couple of hundreds to go, a more than suitable low thirties speed was set.  A little east southeaster had begun to make the outbound a bit of a test but thoughts stayed on the treat we'd get homeward.  To Pine Lodge and those dramas of distance began to show ; legs were a feeling a little rubbery and palms feeling a bit battered,  a little knot niggled in the shoulder-blade but the protests from the posterior became the priority.  Time off the Fizik felt better.  Didak almost took to the southern gravel section of Pine Lodge Rd but was quickly reminded of the western way on Old Dookie.  I'd scored the drive to Boundary Rd with Lenny and the breeze almost behind.  BamBam did well to tap out the turns given he's almost as rusty on distance as me, Kel kept up those silky smooth shifts regardless.  Rocket and Didak introduced us to River Rd but Didak's enthusiasm (and a speedo pointed at the front wheel) crept his wheel relentlessly ahead.  That's just asking for a toasting from Rocket!   As a consequence, speed crept to the high 30's.   Rule #3 says guide the uninitiated so a few suggestions set him straight.  (So young, so much to learn!)   Eventually into Mitchell Rd, the lap's end drew near but with Kel and BamBam still a little shy on the hundred, a lap of Kialla Lakes was the epilogue to the ton.

2/11  Nuthin' but Knights.

This was the last day of the #ridewithme challenge (legs breathe a sigh of relief!) and bunch pace would be the sum total of it's participants - to my relief there were enough division two's to settle the speed to something sustainable.  Emil, Grumpy, Rocket, KnightAndy, Laura, Shorty, The Godfather, SuperMario, Bruce, Lenny, Bo, BamBam, Kim and Kel were all appropriately clad in Knights of Suburbia kit for the occasion, assembling at Sanctuary for a 6am start to tackle a Toaster loop (with extra k's after coffee)   It felt foreign to do an about face and head to Raftery Rd.  The opening act by Rocket and Bruce down to Mitchell Rd was keen but a broad range of fitness had the effect of settling the speed thereafter.  It was good to have the support of small sample of Wouldabeens, way out of their temperature zone.  It wasn't long before the psychological sustenance of the sun warmed the spirits (riding at stupid o'clock on a public holiday is only for the special few!) and copious chat passed the k's away, The Godfather's garble audible over everything (except those squealing brakes!)  

Most had swung east into Old Dookie Rd when a car suddenly shot through a stop sign at the intersection, threatening to mow down the rearmost four.  Hard on the brakes , disaster was diverted. (one doubts if some drivers are even awake at this hour!  Perhaps the stop sign should have been written in a different language?)   Heart rates were soon out of the heavens to resume the tap to the Toaster.  

The reality of a photograph, SuperMario's sarcasm, the fine art of tea making and the physical payback of doing distance were subjects bounced across left and right lines as The Godfather and Bo (should not play together) led an east southeaster assisted path on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.   I had a feeling the sit site was glowing from the tyranny of distance over the past few days, so my shift at the front beside SuperMario almost had a beacon to warn oncoming traffic of our presence?  Rocket and Bruce finished the lap with a hurry along the Boulevard for coffee consumption at the Milk Bar, but duties at home had me cut the extra k's off the agenda. A ride of 70 km felt short!

3/11  Big shot Bo (and an Adams addition)

A "social" Wednesday should be easy-peasy after the recent distances driven, a mild 17 degrees and a keen northeaster (24 km/h) to deliver us northerners to Sanctuary Drive made it even easier.  The following 25 k's driving into the wind might be the hard part.  PistolPete and Bruce were notable absentees but Lenny, Boof, The Godfather, Kel, Didak, Rocket, Wozza, Emil, Greg, Joe (not Tony), Bo and Trav got a grid together for 5:40.  Rocket was a suitable stand-in for PistolPete's trademark shift to Mitchell, prevailing wind meant there was plenty of time off the saddle for the tail-enders to keep tempo.  

Wozza drove the second leg to Central Kialla at the social threshold and Boof likewise to River, though it felt faster fighting the wind east and north.  Kel was excused a shorter shift after four lots of a hundred k's in as many days, half way to River Rd's bridge was plenty.  Something had rattled Bo's cage to ramp up the pace beyond, the social line soon stretched longer as he approached 40 toward the dip.  He must have missed the "no dickheads" memo for Wednesdays  (Did I detect a slight enlargement of the chest too?)   Just an inch from implosion at Laws Drive, I took to heading rearward in the hope of surviving in a draft of more than three, but seeing Joe (not Tony) and Didak in bigger drama (read o.t.a.) said I wasn't the weakest link.   

Of course Bo had a hundred excuses when he finally backed off the gas (it's always someone else's fault!) but then I guess some folk are easily distracted by shiny things! The baker's dozen were back together as a team for Coach Rd, Bo left at the front to serve penance while Trav showed him what teamwork was really like.  The halt for Trav's puncture just over the highway served as quality time to sledge Bo.   The social standards had stuck for Boundary Rd too and the ease with the wind behind in Old Dookie prompted the easing of social speed restrictions.  There's no problem with 40 when the wind whips at the posterior parts and being nearer to coffee helps the hurry too.  Like David Bowie almost wrote, We can be heroes, just for one way.

I'd toyed with the idea of doing a bit more distance (see what repeated punishment does to you?!) and with time no enemy, the temptation to tap a few more k's was strong (if I ignored the ever increasing wind!)  Like banging your head against a brick wall, it feels great when you stop! A lap with the Adams family might be fishing in a rather small pond but with 360 km covered already this week,  the legs were rather lax.   Frizzy, Hoffy, Simon, Geoff, Chilly and DeepFry fronted for the 8am off, a few of their division two's already launched ten minutes prior.  The 4 k's south to Mitchell Rd was made without much ado though there'd be 23 k's of work to do before relief came turning west into Lemnos-Cosgrove.  

Indian file was the fairest format under the conditions though Simon was keen to captain the caboose.  DeepFry doesn't seem to read the pace that suits all, setting his own standard instead. (I'd rather do the diplomatic thing and get an invite back .  As the years strip off the speed, this mob might be the only ones I can keep up with soon!)  These guys turns are about half what I'm used to though did my usual distance in the drivers seat (but kept a keener eye that bits didn't break off the back).  Simon was in struggle street (though the sign said River Rd), an ease up bringing the Brown's cows back to something looking like a team.  Coach Rd had a halt for roadworks where Simon's defeatist thoughts committed him to doing a short-cut to Lemnos-Cogrove with Geoff, while the remainder did the extra 8k via the Toaster.  An almost guaranteed tail-wind home was the bait.  Headed west at last, pace picked up well beyond Adams family values with the wind at the backside, high 30's had heads down and ego's up to drive toward Lemnos.  Division two in the distance dangled a big carrot.  With a century in the legs, determination was draining, so reaching Grahamvale Rd and catching division two, I was happy to back off and offer a tow.   Chilly and Hoffy had dropped off the back of division one by Mt.Wanganui so it was a bunch of broken bits that made its way to Friars (their choice of pit stop ;  and it certainly highlighted how good we've got it at the Butter Factory!) 

4/11  Doc's 6.

23 degrees was spot on!  The perfect spring afternoon to ride had a catch though.....a 40+ km/h southerly!  For a moment I wondered if the Doc's crew would front in this sort of stuff, but Frizzy, lil' Brendon, Chilly, the Doc and DeepFry proved me wrong arriving in Matilda Drive.  It's always a clockwise Toaster loop as Thursday therapy for this lot, so today would be a test for 45 k's, only the last 5 k's of Raftery would be the joy.  Strangely, two rows of three formed, so there'd be plenty of shifts to do at the front.  Chilly was talking technical on rolling resistance, saving bike weight and tyre t.p.i. in a search for speed but I reckon the wind would smother anything like pace.   The turn toward the church  at Pine Lodge Rd was the work we'd all anticipated, high 20's suited the Doc and diplomacy dictated I level with him to New Dookie Rd.  Brendan took his place from there.   (Doc was done doing duty and was headed homeward when we got to Boundary Rd.)  

Lil'Brendan put up a poor shield from the southwester on Old Dookie Rd while we co-captained to Boundary Rd, the Doc exiting north as Frizzy and I then set the southern spin to the highway.  Chilly delivered a turn to the Broken bridges, from there the driving was left to DeepFry, Frizzy, lil' Brendan and I.  Wind howled across the open fields of Coach Rd and sitting on lil' Brendan's wheel gave me all the draft of a matchstick. A very short matchstick!  A quarter hour of effort later and luck (or the lack of it!) had me at the front just beyond Galbraith's gate, so I knew then I'd be doing duty again in Conrod straight.  A no win situation, tail wind or otherwise!  DeepFry set the speed at 40 with 800 metres to go so I paired with him for a short distance, assessing the move to make.  There'd be little hope of my labor lasting to the finish line from this far out, so I threw down an early surge to at least make the others work for a win. DeepFry panicked to get in my draft and lil' Brendan glued himself to his wheel, plenty left in Brendan's tank to pounce with 50 to go for the glory.

5/11 The Friday fellowship

I don't look forward to that long 5 k stretch of Archer Rd, particularly with a breeze to fight to Sanctuary Drive.  Emil courteously idled alongside as I forced the old engine to do better than 32.  Left to my own devices, I'd be dawdling to the grid then suffering the bunch speed thereafter.  Pushing beyond the comfort zone at least prepares for what's (watts) to come.  Trav, Greg, Kreeky, Rocket, Emil, Bo, Wozza, Lenny, Didak, Kel and Boof converged suitably uniformed for Friday's kit conformity and with PistolPete still absent, Emil and Boof opened the throttle to Mitchell Rd.  

The serenity was strange, The Godfather and his ear-splitting brakes were absent.  I was feeling the effects of a 500+ week so was chuffed to be in the left line behind Kreeky, my shift at the front not due till somewhere bearing north (and that meant scoring the breeze behind) in fifteen minutes or so.  Bo advanced to pair with Boof for the leg to Kialla Central, a little payback being administered to Bo for Wednesday's sin on the social speed.  Lenny added his tax too with plenty of pace to River Rd but the velocity eased from there. With a bit of oxygen to spare, the social stuff got underway.  Those dark days of winter are ancient history now, how pleasing to see beyond the headlight's reach and sense the start of a Spring day.  

Speed was specially set for Didak's drive at the front ; how civilised the bunch is not to shatter the new guy's hopes (take note Bo!)  Gravel from recent roadworks in Coach Rd did the snap crackle and pop under 24 tyres, Rocket and Wozz (there's that pairing again!) towing us to the highway in sublime smoothness.  My debut for the day beside Wozza would be a short one, his standards are far swifter than mine.   Alongside Kreeky at the bridge, he respectfully leveled with me to the fig farm where all my urge ran out.  It's a rare ride when the breeze that promised to annoy the drive home disappears, the west way on Old Dookie delightful while an almost mild ten degrees let legs roll free of insulation.  Lap up these conditions folks, we'll be grizzling about the heat in a week or two!  Coffee to conclude is always the icing on the cake, but sweeter still was ending the week that became driven on distance.  I think it's called an obsessive cycling disorder.  

This week  523 km      YTD 11,757 km