Watts are what's wanted.

 Post #630

22/1 Worth the work for the tail-wind home.

Stop your grizzles and brave the first shift Foss!  These guys (and gals) don't bite! Besides, if you don't face it now, that east northeaster will give you hell when you get into the drivers seat later.  So with brave face fitted and teeth clenched, I set south from Sanctuary's roundabout bound for Mitchell, two and half k's away.  (Pressure's on Foss, don't f%#k it up!)  Gently on the gas pedal for the first 100 metres so the tail end isn't whiplashed, then build up to a speed something like respectable toward the truck route.  (Silly me glances at the Garmin.  28 km/h.  Is that all?!  Wipes the screen to see it's not a smudged 38.  But it isn't!  Time to h.t.f.u. old boy!)   

Eventually up to 37 and still without a co-pilot, the frightening thought that Liam would draw alongside was soon erased when Greg formed the advance line and partnered.  (Phew! Liam's a hell of a nice guy, but just oozes horsepower!)  Promising to be social later when oxygen wasn't such a valuable commodity, Greg tolerated my speechless shift while I fixed focus on the distant Mitchell Rd.  I'd forgotten about the fluff ball dog that caused a sudden slow the other week till three feather dusters on legs shot out of the Archer Rd driveway.  They came to an abrupt halt at the sight of Greg, Liam, Wozza, Trav, Lenny, Tina, Rocket, Bruce and the 5ft Ninja at speed  (would have made a messy rumble strip!)    I had an overwhelming urge to keep the throttle open ; not so keen to be shunted by 10 behind.  Taking bigger breaths on the slow to turn east into Mitchell felt like Christmas had come again.  And I was right, nobody bit me! (perhaps they'd fallen asleep ?)   

Wozza advanced to pair with Greg toward Central Kialla while I did the stifled gasp and groan thing in their draft.  (I dips me lid to Greg taking on the headwind for 2 k's with Wozza's wattage as the workload).  The profile of DeterminedDan approached from the east and u-turned to hitch a ride.  Smug as a politician with a pension that I'd avoided the wind , the free tow north to River Rd allowed recovery courtesy of Wozza and Trav's energy at the front, I could settle into the social stuff now that focus was restored  and the head wasn't filled with hurt  (Feeling almost human now!)   The speed wouldn't be too spicy for the next shift following Lance, the Ninja and Tina in the advance line and could possibly avoid the wind again if shifts stuck to standard lengths.  (Yes, I do overthink things!)  Up Coach and Boundary and east on Old Dookie, the 5ft Ninja, Tina and Lance drew the short straw of facing the east northeaster (and probably felt the expectation to reach the Toaster)  

Wind at the starboard flank wasn't so tough toward the Pine Lodge church but care was needed not to toast Lance on part two of his shift.  (Goats had got going early, heading south to the Toaster with Amy aboard from abroad).  Lance's tank was dry at New Dookie Rd and I was happy to roll to the left line and have Greg's shelter up to Lemnos Cosgrove Rd.  I wish his enthusiasm didn't exceed my energy though!  That wind behind as we turned west eased the pain of Greg's pace, 11 could do their bit at the business end while I got on with the recovery process (retract tongue off the headstem, wipe the drool from your chin, put a lid on the gutteral groans and relax the vice-like grip on the handlebars)   Cats and the '51 pack were probably missing The Godfather's greetings as we crossed paths, two dozen wheels humming along the tarmac in the 40's made mesmerizing music though that speed probably spooked the Ninja and Tina from joining the advance line again. (I wonder would we become fearless if that data weren't on show? (Numbers nobble us eh?)  

Joining the advance with Lance (I'm a poet and didn't know it!) came with the comfort he wouldn't tear my legs off when we played pilots, those with tempo on tap at the pointy end could drag us into town in the mean time.  Determined Dan was put to work on the front at DECA, all those solos giving him the strength to take us to Mt.Wanganui alongside Bruce.  Lenny and Lance were in charge past the cemetery but my days of having a windward advantage were done.  A third shift came due at Canterbury's roundabout and I had the headwind to deal with (and what I thought was wattage went to water 800 metres along the Boulevard).  Reality had ruined me!  (didn't George Orwell say " reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else")   Greg and Wozza could drag us to breakfast. TV's optical illusions, Europe's passion for food and the Springnats on a slippery slope provided the racket across the Butter Factory table.

24/1  She hurt me Mum!

Going gently on the old engine on Monday was easy, the solo to Sanctuary had a little help from an east northeaster.  Hopefully I'd have some sort of horsepower to spare for the lap to follow.  Greg, Rocket, Lenny, Bruce, Jen and Wozza on the grid was average numbers for a 21 degree weekday morning, many still soaking up Adelaide (and alcohol?) for some of this week too.  Surprisingly, two rows formed when 5:40 set Rocket and Bruce south to lead us to Mitchell Rd.  Hesitating for a moment, I joined the advance on Wozza's wheel, quick calculations estimating I'd pair with him at the front for the Central Kialla leg to River Rd. (Good, the east northeaster shouldn't be too taxing there).  Rocket and Wozz had the reigns east on Mitchell, the wind fair in the face of no consequence to their pace but second wheel was hard work! Wozza was kind enough to allow me to split the 2k drive, rolling to the left line to have Jen alongside with a k to go.  

Despite the long lay off the bike, she's got the fitness (and aerodynamic advantage) to drive the high 30's, the last half k for me spent seeing stars and with nostrils full of  the aroma of toasted Foss! (Maybe she's on some "special supplements"?  I should get the phone number of her Spanish doctor!)  Speechless to the River Rd bridge while Lenny and Bruce did the driving, I held hopes that Bruce, Rocket and Wozza would do the long shifts to delay my next attempt in the drivers seat.  (Getting the heart rate below 170 was taking too long!)  The three lads didn't disappoint, all the way to the Midland, still in the high 30's, still into the wind, and able to carry on a chat into the bargain!   Freaks! (and I'm still in the 160's, and still speechless!)  Wozza tolerated my poor attempt at a turn on Boundary Rd to the bridge ; I'd warned him that would be my limit, I'd need something for part two. 

Hopes of contributing a similar distance with Jen alongside evaporated (along with my energy) well shy of the fig farm.  Easy for Jen and Lenny to drive to Old Dookie Rd, hard for me to tolerate an engine that wouldn't deliver something decent.  (Watts are what's wanted!)  A sky painted pink and orange distracted the hurt while Lenny and Greg did their 40's business west (and why wouldn't you with the wind up your what's it!)  Greg's exit at School Rd put Bruce in the drivers seat, trust in Rocket and Wozz delivering us to town took away the stress of a possible third term of torment.

25/1 Three steamed squirrels....and hold the soy sauce!

Squirrels were scarce! Tina and the 5ft Ninja were the only ones to front up on Tuesday while others took a break on Adelaide's coastline.  Just three swapping turns would raise the usual effort and standard 2 k turns on the front had returned ; those short sharp shifts of last week might burn up the reserves too soon, so low to mid 30's would ensure we'd all survive the 30 km lap.  (22 degrees would make it a steamy effort anyway).  There'd be four to five times more shifts than Sanctuary's spin so I had no qualms with tempo being a tad slower.  Eyes went straight on me when nobody else turned up, so I obliged by doing the 3200 metres to the truck route.  

The sharpened sense of wind direction most of us develop when taking up this two wheeled addiction told me a northeaster was breezing at the brow, a little extra push needed from the legs to make mid 30's appear on the Garmin.  The truck route gave us an extended intermission for peak hour traffic (3 cars and a B double).   Tina took on leg two to Orrvale Rd while I swung to the rear for a little respite ; Oh great! I get the matchstick-like draft of the Ninja for recovery!  I was  delivered to the Kinder where turn two began, the northeaster putting a load on the legs when swinging east into Jameson Rd.   Mid 30's seems to be my sweet spot of late, gets the engine warmed up but without blowing a head gasket.  (I looked forward to less labor in Boundary Rd though!)  Tina and the Ninja towed me there.  

Progress was easier bearing north....or was I imagining it?  The tank wasn't empty at the bridge so continued to Old Dookie, such a contrast to yesterday when I was on the rivet just 2 km/h faster.  (Go figure Foss!)  Tina preserved the mid 30's pace to New Dookie Rd (and she reckons she's off form!), the Ninja towing us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd where, in Emil's absence, I felt duty bound to drive a long turn to Lemnos Nth Rd.  The wind was now my friend anyway.  Hats off to Tina when handed the reigns at Ford Rd, she dug deep to drive the long leg to Grahamvale.  The 5ft Ninja did the proper martyr's shift, west to Verney and south to Balaclava ranked it as an Emil effort, no motivation needed for any of us to get to the Butter Factory where iced coffee was the prescription for a sweaty spin. Doubts about the wind direction were answered by the bureau's stats - calm!  Another go figure!

26/1 Doin' the Dookie distance.

I'd found Bruce and Lenny on a very casual cruise to Wednesday's start-line and got the guided tour of Sanctuary's side streets till 5:40 neared, psyching myself up to do the longer ride planned for the Australia Day holiday.  (Dookie and back with a loop of the hills would clock up a hundred.  It had been many moons since dialing up those sort of k's, convincing the head it was achievable was the hard part!)   GiantAndy, Wozza, Rocket, Lenny, Lance, Bruce, the 5ft Ninja, Tina, Liam, Greg, Jen and Grumpy assembled, suitably psyched, so if they were braving the distance, why shouldn't I? 

There was a good mix of division one and two so it wasn't as if I was the Honda 90 lining up on the Moto GP grid!  This would be a standard Saturday circuit to begin, up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd but then east to Cosgrove then via the Camel Farm to Dookie.  Just my luck to have an easterly breeze brewing with a turn due in River Rd.  Promoted to the front at the bridge, I was relieved to hear Greg was keen to ease the hurry, there were plenty of k's to cover yet.  I'd reached the expected end of the shift (the dip), rolled to the left and found GiantAndy my partner in pace.  Talk about teaming up with torque!  But a gentleman he was to turn down all that horsepower and stay level as I labored to the quarter horse stud.  

I should have joined division two's queue ; they'd timed their appearance at the business end with the breeze at the port side.  The headwind didn't hamper Lenny and Bruce headed toward Cosgrove, I'd certainly be easing off the throttle when given the lead role again.  Lenny u-turned for home at the Quarry, there was no holiday for him. A second shift was beside Greg to New Dookie Rd then paired with GiantAndy for the first k of Kellows, aimed at the Camel farm.  That was enough energy spent for now, I needed what little was left for those things called hills to come.  North on Caniambo Rd then up Sutherland's hill flooded the head with (painfully slow) memories of mounting mountains.   A lot of the sprockets, usually covered in cobwebs, soon had a chain cleaning them!  Without so much as a grunt or groan or eyelid batted, GiantAndy changed up to the 53/11 to grind up the hill. Not intimidating at all!   

Through Dookie, Tina and Lance chose the option of a steady tap to Tallis and back while the rest continued on the Devenish Rd to Duggans to climb a few more lumps.  I was happy to drop off the back of the bunch and take a slightly slower approach, prevents blowing a gasket (besides, it's better to deal with your demons alone)  They didn't get more than a k ahead so I'm not that snail-like after all!   To Major Plains Rd and working west toward Tallis, the chain got associated with the 38 ring to get me up the hill, Bruce then Wozza and Grumpy had kindly come back to tow me back to Dookie.  

The clan had assembled in town to top up bidons and fuel the tanks for the 30 km return, blessed to be gifted a tail-wind home.  Overtime on the Fizik was taking it's toll by now and legs forced to climb those thing called hills had filed an AVO so I'd confined myself to the caboose for a few minutes as Rocket and Wozz flew the 40's flag toward Cosgrove, hoping that a little respite would re-invigorate. To the Pine Lodge church and south to the Toaster, a sort of second wind came to face the front again, Bruce giving me the choice of pace to School Rd and Tina tackling a turn to Central Ave.  There was relief to get to town as temperature climbed, iced coffee and chat at the Butter Factory a fitting finish for 116 km. 

28/1 Way to start the day!

Holiday makers had returned! Sanctuary Drive was standing room only for Friday's family re-union, Boof, Lenny, Bruce, Wozza, Kim, PistolPete, Kel, Emil, Tina, Didak, the 5ft Ninja, The Godfather, Jen, Gazza, Bo and Greg had filled the 5:40 grid.  Wozza and Gazza broke the PistolPete tradition of first cab off the rank but it wasn't long till news reached the front of bits being broken off the back. (17 reactions at the start-line could mean a 30 second deficit to the rear I guess). Feels like 26 with a hot northeaster would stir up a sweat (a far cry from the torment of June) and wasn't I the fortunate one to be second wheel in the left line ; 16 others needed to serve their sweat before duty called me!   Lenny had hurried from an alarm malfunction and overlooked it being kit day but The Godfather's excuse for being out of uniform was caused by calories I'm told (strangely, Bo seemed to be in some sort of tight situation too) 

Another scenic sunrise brewed on the horizon, drawing the train toward rooster corner while the Adelaide holiday-makers faced the reality of life back on the flat-lands and work's time clock.  I'd finally been demoted to the back nearing One Tree Dam so being promoted all the way up to the drivers seat looked likely somewhere west on Old Dookie (with the wind in my favor if I'd played my position right). Kim was on the red-line as PistolPete guided us toward the highway so a gap was opened in the left line for her to seek shelter while Wozza played human shield in the right.  The Godfather's greeting at the highway to southbound Cats shattered the silence  (I think they've missed their daily dose of abuse while he's been away!)   

Aside from minimizing the work at the business end, it's good to have almost a full crew back for the social satisfaction (the tow from 16 wasn't bad either!) Turning west with the wind no longer whistling between the ears delivered relief in Old Dookie Rd, Greg bid his adieu at School Rd while I followed Jen's wheel in the promotion forward. Wozz and Tina kept the speed simmering to the truck route.  Matching Jen on the sprint to SPC was my one and only appearance at the front but it called on all the muscle I could muster.                      

This week 313 km   YTD 1093 km       

The martyr's mood.

 Post #629

A question of conformity.

A blend of hopefuls and horsepower assembled for Saturday's spin, not too heavily weighted one way or the other so the speed should settle somewhere between snoring and suffering.  Naturally, PistolPete pointed us south and, just for a change, Bo was his partner in pace to Mitchell Rd.   Boof, Molly, Greg, The Godfather, JJ, BeerMat, the 5ft Ninja, Lance and TatMat trailed behind. Emil seemed set on speed to Central Kialla or was those pair of red led's ahead his bait? Out of the easterly and bearing north toward River Rd , curls gave Tina's identity away, 3ft wide handlebars meant Nev was back on that mtb.  (Everyone else can turn up on a road bike, but not Nev. Here we go again, avoiding being impaled!)  

On the front and bound for River Rd, energy was evaporating half way, so granted a short shift beside Emil, I rolled to pair with Greg for the second k.  River Rd couldn't arrive soon enough!  The will wanted to get there but there wasn't the wattage to match.  Greg's careful use of the throttle kept everyone aboard for the eastern effort toward Coach Rd, the 5ft Ninja hopeful that TatMat and The Godfather would endure the east northeaster and stay at the front till rooster corner.  The sense of being skewered became overwhelming as Nev drew close alongside (he's a space invader at the best of times so scoring a steel pole between the ribs felt possible.  Mtb bars tangled within road bars doesn't bear thinking about.  Oh, for the want of conformity!)  JJ had the pleasure of pairing with Nev on Coach Rd, Lance, BeerMat, Tina and Molly conveniently classed together, line astern, ready to make their contribution. 

 PistolPete and TatMat provided the horsepower to push through the wind toward the Toaster while Bo and Emil crept the pace up to the Pine Lodge church in a "mine's better than yours" pairing of pace.  I wasn't playing that game when my turn came due (despite Emil's eagerness to stay half a bike ahead), 36-37 was my limit if I were to reach Lemnos-Cosgrove in a conscious state then provide some sort of pace west.  How fortunate to have that east northeaster helping the way west, Greg showed respect for senior citizens to level with me toward Woolshed Rd, the shattered remains of a tree branch had formed a chicane there so it seemed fitting to ease the speed and call my shift done. 

Boof had kindly kept the handbrake on his horsepower so it wasn't a peloton of pain for others;  I can bang on about riding on the limit but for a few it's a battle to supress speed.  Velocity had simmered nicely past DECA on Wanganui Rd but Emil had itchy feet 300 metres from the Mount and launched a bid for line honors (the absence of Wozza and Rocket from the bunch may have had something to do with it?) but there was little interest shown by others for the winners trophy (not that there is one!)   Emil was still well ahead in Rudd Rd and the urge to chase became irresistible for some by then, the line soon stretched long and Indian filed on the Boulevard while the rearmost regretted the chase (but hung on for the sake of finishing in formation?)   Petulant tennis players, Dakar trucks and the unraveling of Covid restrictions made the breakfast conversation back at the Butter Factory base station. 

17/1 Injun' file.

Monday's seem like starting from scratch.  Take a day off the bike, muscles and joints seize up and there' a struggle to deliver anything resembling speed a day later.  (Or is that just me?)    Maybe rigor mortis setting in already?  Swinging a leg over the bike two minutes earlier and going gentle on the rusty old engine was a sensible introduction, a couple of k's later almost able to match Emil's enthusiasm to get to the Sanctuary start-line. (Kim was the wise one sitting in the draft)  The National Road Championship and many on route to visit Adelaide (for the Tour Down Under that isn't) had thinned the grid to Bo, Lenny, Kim, Greg, Kel, the 5ft Ninja, Tina and Emil.  Wasn't it weird to have Lenny lead us south to Mitchell Rd (almost as kind as PistolPete in priming the pace)   Emil was keen to play co-pilot, but with limited numbers, most had stayed Indian file behind Lenny.  (It's nothing personal Emil!)   So a single line it was behind Emil as he assumed the lead to Central Kialla (and Lenny graciously took another turn to tow us to River Rd).  There's a big shift in mindset when pace-line becomes the protocol, with no need to match the horsepower alongside and a shift can be as long or short as you like (if you can block out the expectation of conforming to the standard length shifts) Greg headed the first effort east on River Rd so I prepared to face the music at the bridge (if he conformed to those shift standards!)   Without the pressure of a co-pilot alongside I had a chance to ease or raise the speed, so sneaky me backed off the throttle a tad to benefit Kim (or was it Tina?) when duty called them to drive.  

I had the benefit of a few breaths left at the shift's end too.  (just a k or two off the cruise control can mean the difference between surviving or suffering)   A bit beyond the dip (waiting for the car that was called to come) It was Kim I handed the reigns to and she kept the speed at a simmer, the northeaster of little trouble to her tempo.  Tina had surprised us being at the Sanctuary grid before flagfall and still managed a decent drive at the front (or was she being nagged by Bo behind?)  He finished off River Rd for Kel to drive us north.  At this rate of turns there'd be another donation to deliver at the front.  The 5ft Ninja did her bit to the highway, that northeaster wearing away the wattage by the time the pub came into view.  Emil was careful winding up the tempo on Boundary Rd and let Lenny loose in Old Dookie Rd, the wind now behind us lowering stress and raising speed.  Nudging the 40's, Lenny dragged us to Central Ave where i calmed the velocity a fraction so I could reach the truck route without heart failure (and to favor a few that were nearing their limit)  Kim took on the shift to SPC but Emil stole the drivers seat just 100 metres on.  I reckon he'd be taxed heavily later on.  Hell hath no fury........ 

18/1  Being bait.

I'd grown tired of fighting northeasters and Tuesday spared me from that.....a stiff southerly was blowing right at me instead!   It's that time of year when the weather becomes a lucky dip.  Squirrels had ventured south to support the slim Sanctuary numbers and today the squad had thinned to just Lenny with squirrels Jen, Tina, Kim, Emil and the 5ft Ninja.  Bo must have broken a fingernail? Or had the sound of the wind kept him in his cot?  Only seven meant single file again so there was little fret about placement in the pack.  

In fact, I had the dream berth at third wheel, destined to have the 2k shift to River Rd with the southerly as support.  Emil made sure heart-rates weren't on holiday with a quick move to Central Kialla so when I was handed the helm, speed could be set to suit me.  36 - 37 seemed to meet approval though guilt of being a tailwind thief got to me, so I stayed put at the front to to do the east leg to River Rd's bridge too (there had to be some toil in a turn).   I knew there'd be no rest handing the lead to Jen so had spared a bit of wattage to hang on.  

The lights of the shop squad at Tuesday tempo (that means something approaching supersonic!) were in pursuit behind.  Tina and Kim emptied their energy into reaching rooster corner.  Fate had been fair to the 5ft Ninja gifting her a tailwind to the highway, those shop squad lights now looming large.  We'd become the bait in their scheme of speed.  Lenny led the Boundary Rd leg toward Old Dookie and built the velocity into the 40's but the shop squad (Boof, Liam, Rocket, Wozza, TrackStan, Gazza and birthday boy Bruce (close to detonation) shot past like we'd pulled the brakes on.  Bruce didn't seem to be enjoying his birthday present.  Lenny kindly avoided a chase and stayed at our prior pace, even continuing at the front on Old Dookie to School Rd.  Emil took on the task to Central Ave where I sensed a deja vu of yesterday's drive through Dobson's, but Emil had that martyr's mood again to continue to the truck route.  I got the SPC shift.

19/1  Less is more.

I hadn't done a solo commute in ages but a southerly fair in the face kept me company to Sanctuary Drive, just to make sure most of my wattage was almost drained before the ride.  Rocket, Greg, Grumpy, Wozza, the 5ft Ninja, Bruce, Tina and Lenny converged at the roundabout to prove less is more ; less of the usual players but more with the horsepower.   Rocket and Bruce assumed the PistolPete position to guide us to Mitchell Rd, the bunch blessed with muscle power but I reckoned Wednesday's social speed standards may stick.  

The order of duty got sorted and I found myself on the Ninja's wheel ; I wouldn't call it a draft and the word slipstream is a grossly exaggerated description, though Grumpy and Lenny a couple of wheels ahead did disturb the air a little.  Abiding to Rule # 86 is the done thing, particularly in a bunch of mixed divisions,  the guys with wattage to burn are kind enough to halve their horsepower on a Wednesday, the least I can do is ease the effort a fraction to stay alongside Tina and the 5ft Ninja as they faced the front.  The southerly was a nuisance on River Rd but our best friend on Coach Rd. (you can bet it'll change tomorrow!)  

Darkness seems to cloak morning longer or maybe the cloud cover and "feels like 12" had me imagining winter's closing in already?  The Hurtlocker were huffing and puffing their way south at the Broken bridges (not that we gloated with the breeze at our behind toward the highway) but just a hint of winter soon will have them vanish for the rest of the year I suppose.  Rocket and Bruce took lead role on Boundary Rd, the social speed amplified a little with the tailwind (but no complaints recorded).   Greg made a short second shift on Old Dookie Rd to keep to his agenda of a School Rd exit and I'd been rostered for a second drive at Central Ave, keeping considerate with the Ninja and Tina again.  Indian file for the final fling to SPC has become habit, the pace through the streets toward coffee as keen as ever.

20/1 

Four foot ten worth of Ninja (she gets a bonus 2 inches in cleats and helmet) proposed shorter shifts when just Jen, me and her met up at the squirrels start-line.  Rather than the usual 2 k turns at the front, a k or so with a bit more pace would elevate the effort a bit, half the usual field would double the workload anyway!  The change would be as good as a holiday and minimal recover time would sharpen the focus too (none of that daydreaming in the caboose waiting for duty!)   I was given the opening act in Channel Rd so the aim at Kensington's roundabout was less daunting than the truck route 2.2 km away.  Was a build up to 35 km/h too much too soon?  

Hell no! Jen added another kilometre to the hour when she faced the front.  Speed becomes an infectious thing in a group and the change of format threw a fair amount of incentive into it.  The 5ft Ninja got Jen and I out of the saddle to catch her drive toward the Orrvale school, no rest today though 'cause her elbow beckoned me to the front soon after.  (this was going to be a busy morning in the office!)  And so Channel Rd used up several shifts at the business end without any respite, what felt like an easterly was wearing away at the reserves but Boundary Rd would be better.  Given the lead again at Channel Rd's end, the spin to the pub seemed to short, so set Hosie Rd as a target for Jen to take the reigns.  Less time in the drivers seat was hard to get used to, but two minutes and I'd be on duty again.  I wondered if this shorter shift scenario would get approval when all squirrels were aboard?  (I might put it to the research and development committee for review)  

Northbound to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was marginally easier so hopes got set for less stress for the way home (forget that fantasy Foss, it felt like a headwind there too!)   The three of us divided the drive to Lemnos North Rd where I chose the martyr's option of the 2.6 k's to Grahamvale Rd, a reward of respite for the gals for their determination.  Not a lot of recovery after though, Jen put her worth of wattage to Verney Rd and the Ninja drove us all the way south to Balaclava. Not so short shifts to finish the lap but maybe it was burning up the excess enthusiasm for the early arrival at the Butter Factory?  

21/1  Ready to ride at a bit before stupid o'clock, I sat and finished my coffee, contemplating what the ride would bring. And promptly woke at 5:55!  Rest day signaled loud and clear.

 

This week 246 km   YTD  780 km  

      

          

Riding on the red-line.

 Post #628

8/1  Back to bunch business.

Dear old Archer Rd hadn't forgotten me.  Almost a week out of town and I got it's usual welcome back. A southerly fair in the face to Sanctuary Drive's starting grid!  Bruce, Lenny, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja, Emil, Wozza, The Godfather, Kreeky, PistolPete, Lance, Molly, Grumpy and a vaguely familiar silhouette congregated at the roundabout readying for the 6am launch, so I tactfully positioned rearward for a gentle re-introduction to bunch business.  It was a slow start for a tardy Trav to get aboard, then a full throttle attempt to catch the front runners.  So much for that gentle re-introduction!  

The pecking order soon got sorted, horsepower to the front and those with a want for wattage carefully selecting a kind co-pilot to follow in the advance line.  The holler from the front raised heads in a hurry, a stationary dog in the middle of Archer Rd got brakes and heart-rates warmed up quickly. No horizontal malfunctions though, luck, skill or bunch familiarity saved us from the dreaded touch of wheels that usually ends in hurt.  I'd drawn Grumpy's wheel as the order sorted and had Kreeky as partner for part two (not too heavy on horsepower and high in moral fibre.....just right).  Getting closer to that vaguely familiar silhouette, I gave it a prod. It wasn't a hologram after all, it was BeerMat....and he's back on a bike! Wonders will never cease!  Bruce and Wozza silenced the chat with speed to Central Kialla, from there it gradually got easier as I grew accustomed to the speed and soaked up the little south southwesterly push at the posterior.  Fingers crossed, I might get a tail-wind for duty at the driving end too.  Tina had arrived from the east and about faced to join in. Wasn't it good to be back in a draft again - The Godfather's untranslatable garble, Wozza's (literally) breathtaking wattage, Grumpy doing that shoulder thing, Bruce spinning like a mix-master and all the familiarity of the "family" that's been missed after just a week away. This certainly beats riding listening to oneself!  

I did get lucky scoring that tail-wind shift with Grumpy to Boundary Rd's bridge then alongside Kreeky till the east turn onto Old Dookie Rd.  That was plenty of energy expended for now, I'd take some respite and let others make an appearance, predicting another turn may come.  A carefully coordinated  line of division 2's had formed to take their dip in the deep end, Tina, the 5ft Ninja, BeerMat, Lance and Molly line astern for their contribution to the cause, however great or small. (A great confidence booster - far better than being the defeatists confined in the caboose)  Division 1's waited patiently for their part in pace.  The Godfather, Wozza and Bruce were eventually promoted forward and by Boundary Rd the tempo had transitioned nearer the 40's, steadily mind you, to prevent bits busting off the back.   Into town and some had ducked for cover out of the advance line but the days of full blown sprints to Mt.Wanganui seem to be ancient history, the speed set at a simmer instead.  

Grumpy gallantly faced the wind in Rudd Rd so my turn came again at Canterbury's roundabout, houses had shielded some of the wind but a k later, I was cooked. Kreeky could tow me to breakfast.....if we knew where! (The Butter Factory was on a break)  The bee line was to the new Bel Cibo (and hadn't I forgotten how rough Mason St was!)   The coffee and breakfast scored well on the taste buds, tongues tattling on a good berth in a bike event, engineers vs architects and the evils of insurance.  Wouldabeens  Shorty, AlmostRetiredTrev, SuperMario, Wendy and GreatScottMatt (no, not a hologram either!) joined in too.   

10/1  The ride ritual.

The cars' approach on the side street was fairly quick.  Yeah, surely he's seen more than 3700 lumens worth of headlights approaching? Or was I being too optimistic? Almost on top of the give way sign, he panics and suddenly stabs the brakes. (Cue heart-rate through the roof!)  Oh, so now he's seen us! Then, in a FFS moment, he puts his spectacles on!!  And that only reinforces my theory that many driving about at stupid o'clock are still asleep at the wheel!  Or maybe this guy was on his way to Specsavers? (I could almost understand missing a single bike headlight coming, but Emil, Kim and I together with lights ablaze?)   It brings back dear old Dad's advice "Imagine they're all idiots son!"   The Godfather, Bruce, Lenny, Wozza, Kreeky, Kim, PistolPete, Kel, Emil, Bo and Rocket had avoided the idiots to reach Sanctuary Drive, PistolPete and The Godfather guiding us into the southerly to Mitchell Rd.   

The advance line was slow to form as that game of 'Choose your fellow to follow' was played in the rear seats.  Kreeky had tucked into The Godfather's draft but I was waiting to see if that little fluff ball dog was sitting in the middle of Archer Rd again.  The coast was clear, I slotted in to third wheel.  Pistol retired from driving duty turning east toward Kialla Central, The Godfather set off at full throttle (maybe on a mission to stretch the bunch to breaking point) but Kreeky calmly restored the prior pace.  Tina arrived even earlier to take her seat on the train; one day she'll surprise us being at the start-line!  A southerly behind was a bonus for my turn with Kreeky but 2 k's worth of work at the business end is about my cardiac capacity, so I rolled the turn about half way to River Rd. (The Godfather grizzled about a short shift but I was satisfied just to keep tempo and not implode at the front)  Lenny obliged to pair with me for the last k.  

Bruce set the course to River Rd's bridge and a minute later I could spare the oxygen to be social to Wozza's sentences (three word replies for now, a proper sentence by the time we'd reached the dip)   A collaboration of division 2's had lined up behind Emil for their advance, though probably regretted their position when Rocket and Wozza  paired just two wheels ahead to drive River Rd's last 3 k's.  (I reckon there were a few personal pep talks going on at 3rd and 4th place!) Emil earned an elephant stamp with a carefully considered build of speed into Coach Rd, leading Tina, Kim and the 5ft Ninja to their inevitable effort at the business end.  Bo had very conveniently positioned himself as back stop, and looked likely to inherit the breeze behind in Old Dookie Rd.  (Well, he is the Prince of perfect peloton placement!)  The sun had finally got out of bed crossing School Rd, Kel, Pistol and The Godfather leading us to town where Kreeky slipped us into single file for the swift shift to SPC, Bruce bolting the last leg. Stella sufficed as the pit stop till the Butter Factory reopens.

12/1 Group growth.

Many circle the streets around Sanctuary Drive in the lead up to 5:40, the argument about keeping warm isn't quite valid mid summer so I guess it's all about avoiding that first place on the grid. PistolPete has usually got his reservation on it anyway!  (Or maybe there's a want to go around in circles?)  So it's not till 5:39 or even closer to 5:40 that the bunch size is known, and today it was XXXL !  PistolPete, Rocket, Lenny, Bruce, Emil, Boof, Wozza, JJ, Kim, Kreeky, BamBam, Greg, the 5ft Ninja, Molly, Bo, Kel and The Godfather packed into the grid positions. (Maybe the craving for kilometres was greater after rain, thunder and lightning denied us our fix yesterday?)  With this amount in the bunch there'd be just one turn at the front.  

Tina's arrival at the bottom of Archer Rd took the tally to 19.  It's the same old circuit of Archer, Mitchell, River, Coach, Boundary and Old Dookie roads and mostly the same young faces doing it, yet each ride manages to throw up some sort of variety.  Today, it was Boof's puncture just beyond River Rd's dip.  A new bike with new wheels and new tyres doesn't exempt it from deflation and you can argue the case for tubeless all you like but they're not exempt either.  At least Boof hadn't covered himself, the Focus (or others) in sealant!  Kel's keen eye had the focus to find the offending spec of glass, the refit of the rear wheel turned out to be the real issue though. More like a wrestle. (them new fangled disc thingies!)  

 Of course the order shuffled on the restart and I'd found myself on Kreeky's wheel with Kim on mine.  Considerate company, and at Wednesday's social speed too!  (Bonus!)  Time at the business end came when JJ rolled his turn crossing School Rd, Kreeky and I in charge to pilot the crew.  The pressure of pace was eased with the tempo just a k or two slower than Monday and Friday's fling, so my turn today was most manageable, surprisingly still able to speak arriving at Central Ave.  Kim set the speed for part two toward Dobson's and shared the shift with Tina to the bridge, the 5ft Ninja making a bee line to the truck route where Kel put 40's on the agenda to bring SPC close and quick.

13/1  Fostering a faster faction.

Don't you just love the smell of a burning martyr in the morning?  Emil gave me the heads-up he'd be driving the length of Channel Rd as first shift so who was I to argue! I was happy to watch.  Mind you, second wheel into an easterly wasn't the best place to be. Thursday was squirrel day and Jen had dragged the cobwebs off the bike to join the 5th Ninja, Kim and Tina for the 38k spin.  Emil was probably regretting the decision to drive long by Beckham's bend but nobody behind had any complaints.  I was eventually given the reigns on the turn toward the highway and skirted the new coat of tarmac and it's "icing" of loose gravel for as long as the lack of traffic would allow.  

The call of "car back" forced us onto the 'snap, crackle and pop' for the last 100 metres (none too comfortable when the steering's squirming on the loose stuff)   Beyond Boundary's bridge (but before the fig farm) I'd hogged the front enough, Jen could have her time in the drivers seat after many months starved of it (despite a very long time off two wheels, some have that uncanny knack of driving a turn like they're at peak fitness).  Miss Smoothie excelled taking us to New Dookie Rd and that infected others to make their turn count too.  Kim made mid 30's look easy to get us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and most had got ready for the 5ft Ninja's attack west when her duty was due.  Tina got the dismal draft.  And that probably consumed the watts that shortened her shift on Ford Rd.   Emil had the lead role again and the aroma of eau du martyr filled the air, one of those "near-enough-to-town-to-drag-you-all-to-coffee" shifts was on his agenda.  Again.  Just one short shift for me today, a ride off the rivet a welcome change. 

14/1   U Knighted.  

The forecast 5am rain had kindly diverted west of town and a rare windward assistance to Friday's start line made it my lucky day.  It was doom and gloom if you'd believed Thursday nights predictions.  Ah, but there's always a catch Foss!  A battle with the northeaster for most of the 30 km circuit was to come.  PistolPete and The Godfather seemed keen to lead us south toward Mitchell Rd while Bo, Wozza, Lenny, Jen, Greg, Emil, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja, Bruce, Kel and Boof juggled for position behind ; there wasn't going to be much escape from the wind wherever you'd placed.   Even Bo looked likely to do some work!  Tina had lapped up the south and west lengths of Boundary and River Rd then u-turn to jump aboard at Central Kialla while Rocket and Greg cut through the gusty 20 degree atmosphere to River Rd.  

The rearmost got a right old whip-lashing when Greg and Emil set sail to the bridge.  I had my mental preparations well underway while Emil and Lenny kept the throttle open to the dip, Boof and Bo were about to face the business end and I was next in line for labor.  Both the eastward leg to Coach Rd and the northern assault to the highway weren't very inviting.  Those who'd finished their time in the drivers seat weren't saying a lot.  Getting their breath back seemed to be the focus.  So, did I detect a smug look on Boof's face as Bo turned himself inside out at full throttle to the rumble strips? (he at least be suitably softened for my pace in Coach Rd)  

We'd barely built up to the 30's when Kel called "Puncture!" so the stop for repairs was timely, allowing me to do some oxygen stocktaking.  Glass was again the culprit, the fix fast and the ride resumed again.  The drive to the Broken bridges went ok,  Kel kindly staying level as I rode on the red-line to the highway.  It felt like a second rate shift till seeing others doing hard labor to Old Dookie Rd. The few spits of rain amounted to nothing, Boundary Rd almost glossy from a shower we'd avoided (missed it by that much!) That sudden silence turning west out of the wind had an energizing effect, so the length of Old Dookie Rd in the 40's was pleasurably pacey. The joy of a tail-wind home was a nice way to end the week. 

This week 246km  YTD 532km