Increasing incompetency

Post #647

21/5  Vote 1 velocity.

It's a dangerous thing to have five minutes spare post coffee and pre-ride when it's two degrees outside.  Thoughts of a sleep-in invade the skull so quickly!  (six days a week at stupid o'clock must be taking it's toll)  Quick Foss, get that complex insulation process underway before commonsense takes over!  It was likely there'd be a few missing from Saturday's start (infections, Covid, the lack of temperature, a federal election, common old softness.....that sort of thing) so I had the mental preparations underway on the commute to Sanctuary Drive for more work than a one-turn-at-the-front Saturday.  Just as well ; only Rocket, Greg, PistolPete, Grumpy, LiamM, Bo, Lili, The Godfather and GiantAndy had assembled, half the number of last Saturday's grid (but to be fair, it was a fifth the temperature of last week)   I'd arranged maximum delay for the first appearance at the front being on PistolPete's wheel when six bells struck, LiamM taking on the role of Pete's co-pilot.  The tame tempo to start the circuit suited a few (no doubt the standards would lift later!)  

A 'roo on Mitchell Rd slowed the speed a little more.  The five foot Ninja made a late entry in Central Kialla, one warm-up lap too many circling Sanctuary Drive and she'd missed the train (how handy to have the truck route as short-cut)   Between Grumpy and The Godfather there was little peace along River Rd but Greg and GiantAndy stoked up the speed to shut the sentences down.  The smaller Saturday squad had me in the advance line at the dip and soon enough my number was up in Coach Rd beside Lili (easy on the throttle and careful to keep your wheel level Foss ; don't cook your co-pilot!)   She'd had enough at One Tree Dam and Pistol partnered when I took to the left line, speed slowly sneaking up to the highway.   

A little colour came to the sky on the turn to the Toaster and the five foot Ninja was already shying from another shift at the front.  Conversely, that seemed to inspire Lili to brave the business end again.  Rocket set us west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd with a light east southeaster to boost the pace (and the ego) ; preparation for the pace to come as it happened.  Birthday boy GiantAndy bid his adieu's and rode off ahead to Lemnos North Rd (it's easy when you're young!) so Grumpy and Lili led into Ford Rd while anticipation brewed of the bolt along the Boulevard to come. Once it was the sprint to Mt.Wanganui that hurt, but times and the tempo have changed.  

Lili's energy evaporated barely a k into Ford Rd so shift two started for me aimed at Grahamvale Rd, glad that Grumpy wasn't on for a chat.  I'd need some oxygen to pair with Pistol. Verney Rd arrived and I called it quits, something had to be left in the tank to ready for that rush to breakfast. (and GiantAndy's absence wouldn't cancel it!)   There wasn't a lot of recovery time before turning into Rudd Rd and finding I was third wheel, so when Rocket launched at Canterbury' roundabout the draft was dismal.  Forties hurt along the Boulevard's length (though I was telling myself GiantAndy's hurry would hurt more) though hanging on to the hurry helped the self worth a bit.  Reaching Knight St with rubber legs guessed it was a quick one, looking back finding only Greg behind me confirmed it.  Traffic lights brought the bunch back together, breakfast being the trophy for the toil.  Quality kits, epic bike trips and driving lessons was the stuff sentences were made of. 

23/5  Waskally wabbits!

A feeling of few fronting came on the lap of Sanctuary's side streets ; Emil had pulled the pin, Covid had confined Tina and Bruce, temperature had sunk to that anti-social "feels like zero" again and few were circling the starting grid a minute or two before launch time.  Salvation came as Rocket, Jen, Kel, Bo, Greg and Wozza were found on side street three.  Wendy had escaped that sinking ship Wouldabeens, PistolPete and the Ninja were on the start-line and the entertainment (The Godfather) arrived as the Monday spin got underway (thoughts of fronting up to a start with just one fast guy there haunt me!)  Pistol built momentum slowly, avoiding the visual shock of seeing speed way faster than the commute (glad he was providing the draft).  Wozza had the watts to share his pace to Mitchell Rd.  

A sudden call en-route to Central Kialla for a rampant rabbit at the roadside snapped a few from their trance like stare at the wheel ahead, thankfully wits were sharp enough to avoid any horizontal malfunction.  The usual chit chat on the weekend's activities kept jaws active (for those not occupied absorbing oxygen at the front) and more good luck than good management had me between Wendy and Jen in the advance on River Rd.; within my wattage to keep up....just.  Yet another rouge rabbit ran toward our path but thought better to steer for greener (and safer) pastures.  Time at the front tolled beyond the dip and facing the front out of the draft was certainly fresh but senses were more tuned to not toasting the partner in pace.... and looking for random rabbits. The rooster crowed our arrival at Coach Rd and the way north went easy till The Godfather resumed high thirties on the cruise control.  The division one lads had lined up to serve some wattage at the front and because they're specialists in long range labor, it was unlikely I'd need to face the front again.  Forth wheel in Old Dookie Rd seven k's from town suddenly raised doubts, but plenty of power in the drivers seat delivered us to the truck route where single file to SPC dropped me a few rungs down the order.  Saved from a second turn by that much!

24/5  Full house.

With a full squad of squirrels at the shop (the 5ft Ninja, Tina, Jen, LiamM, Lili, Emil and Kim) the call for a tame tap was well received by those who'd been sidelined for nearly a week.  Emil's "tame" could translate to "test" for others though.  All was well arriving at the truck route with 7 astern as Emil handed over, so with gentle use of the accelerator I aimed at Orrvale Rd.  (Did good Foss. 7 lined up behind as the Ninja took on the shift to the Kinder)   The day felt a fraction warmer though the bureau reckoned 0.2, so maybe we're climatising to the chill?  Jen set a considerate pace to the cypress trees for Kim's comeback to commence ; a tentative turn to Beckham's bend was her ideal intro after a week off.  Tina's 7 days of Covid confinement needed just a toe in the water too, but the enthusiasm to reach the end of Channel Rd took it's toll.   

With little watts left at Coach Rd, Lili's blast to the highway unhooked Tina from the rear, the call for calm getting 8 back into line again.  Lili continued at a more suited speed to Old Dookie Rd.,  LiamM making tracks to New Dookie Rd but had a dose of Emil enthusiasm to continue to Lemnos-Cosgrove.   Craving k's after 4 days off 2 wheels, Emil towed us west to Lemnos North Rd so the first leg of Ford was mine, seemingly longer to drive today so maybe I was slower!  The Ninja got her second shift from Grahamvale to Verney, Jen setting speed sensible to suburbia.

25/5  The easterly effort.

It's so frustrating!  All the willpower in the world wouldn't help when there's not the watts to deliver!  Try as I would to reach the highway, the legs and lungs were having none of it ; Rocket was nearly at stall speed co-piloting nearing Channel Rd and Emil had gone easy on me from River Rd to the Broken, but this old engine had nothing decent to drive the shift that most manage easily......and I'd been towed 14 km in a slipstream before duty called.  (I think it's called flogging a dead horse Foss!)  Second wheel to Trav and Emil driving 2 k's worth of headwind to rooster corner probably wasn't the ideal introduction.   

14 had rolled away from Sanctuary at 5:40 (Bruce, Wozza, PistolPete, Bo, Greg, Trav, Grumpy, Emil, The Godfather, Tina, Rocket, Kel and Boof) , PistolPete's slow stoke of speed wasn't taxing though Tina had trouble holding the wheel as pace lifted beyond the truck route (gear selection using something akin to boxing gloves is bound to be a bother!)   Calm for a k to Mitchell Rd got the bunch back together and should have kept some reserves in my tank but an easterly breeze was more like a gale (Bureau said 9 km/h ; my legs said 29)  There must have been some strength to it ; Grumpy and Greg had low 30's tempo into it.  (It was social speed Wednesday though)   The pace felt almost manageable out of the dip but getting closer to the front the tank was draining fast. 

Feeling a fraction easier northbound (with the wind at the starboard side) cutting through the atmosphere first seemed to be a bigger effort.  So facing the reality of being the Formula V in the F1 field, I requested Rocket to roll across at Channel Rd.   A bit shy of the highway, but better than nothing I suppose.The draft was a relief but The Godfather's pace 2 km/h faster ruined recovery.  Still suffering the huff and puff across the Midland, comfort didn't come till the fig farm 2 k's later, and seeing The Godfather still driving after 4 k's in the drivers seat only increased incompetency (and he's no spring chicken either!)  The easterly should have eased effort blowing behind in Old Dookie Rd but, of course, speed increased accordingly ; and still The Godfather stuck it out at the front to Central Ave.   It wasn't just me feeling wrung out, Tina was happy to drop off the back and roll quietly to coffee but Bruce being a gentleman, partnered her to town.  I made the most of the draft to stay aboard (with a fraction of worth left) finishing with the pack.

27/5  Fun? in the fog.

About a zillion water drops hung in the headlight's beam at the driveway's end, but uniformed Friday, shirking yesterday's weather, Rule #9 and the brotherhood of the bunch over-rode the conditions to face a foggy Friday.  10 degrees was cause for some celebration, braving bare knees might be the last chance till September!  Wozza, Boof, Trav, Kel, Lenny, The Godfather, Gaza, Kim, Bruce, PistolPete, Emil, Tina, Bo, the 5ft Ninja, Grumpy, Rocket and Liam converged in the damp atmosphere of Sanctuary Drive, long-time-no-see Liam (the younger one) shaking the Zwift addiction to brave the outdoors again (didn't he pick a ripper day for it!)    The line drew long to the truck route as 18 positioned to pair in two lines, the tsunami effect of acceleration causing the rearmost to use full throttle to stay in touch.  A quarter k of calm at the front soon had the fluoro freight train as one.  

Fog veiled the perpetrators of pace into Mitchell Rd as the rearmost struggled with low 40's to get back on board, just as well Grumpy and Bruce had the horsepower to tow the back-markers back to the bunch.  Roads were damp out of town and 100% humidity had specs needing a wipe repeatedly (deposited to a jersey pocket at the expense of making the speedo illegible. Best not to see the numbers anyway - they only compound concerns of keeping up!)   Comfort was out the window on River Rd with tyres glossy and rooster tails of road spray from a dozen ahead ; I was almost at the point of abandoning ship for a safer alternative.  Fog making our whereabouts doubtful didn't help either.  

Effort got easy for a moment then turned harder ; I figured we must have gone through River Rd's dip. It was relief to hear Bruce's call of puncture (don't they happen at the worst of times?) so regaining some vision (and location) as Bruce tended to the tube eased an anxious moment.  The restart shuffled the order of course (but who's pedantic about position?) and being on Kel's wheel (Mrs. Smoothie) was some comfort. Scoring that erratic wheel  (no offenders today, but no names to avoid a law-suit!)  is never the peace-of-mind position in the pack.  Bo called a short shift as Kel crested Boundary Rd's bridge (The Godfather's objection, instant) so I moved to the front with a resolve to stick to the speed but ignore the expectation of distance, calling it quits before detonation (preserve the pace ; tempo on a yo-yo is a no no!)   

Bruce paired at the fig farm and my limited tank was empty at Old Dookie Rd, so Emil and Bruce provided the draft to Central Ave.  A 10 second halt for traffic was a bonus for getting a few breaths back.  The final leg to the truck route was set at sensible, given the commuting traffic entering town and a somewhat sedate spin to SPC (just under 40) kept nerves from fraying and let the bunch finish as one.  

This week 258km    YTD 5,782km       

     

High on hopes, low on horsepower

 Post #646

14/5  Play misty for me.

I'd hardly call it full of beans, three quarters full maybe, but there was some energy in the old engine for Saturday's spin ; rain forcing Thursday and Friday off might have done me good?  Heaven knows, the sit site was begging for a break (too much information Foss!) as the 300 km a week habit hurt where it shouldn't.  It was like Christmas to have a north northwester to help toward the Sanctuary's start and a light misting of rain wasn't going to u-turn me home ; a third day off the bike would need some intensive therapy and besides, the bureau and the radar promised no precipitation (when are they ever wrong?)  I wasn't the only one with a craving for k's, Gazza, Molly, Grumpy, TrekTrev, PistolPete, Rocket, Superman, Boof, Tina, Wozza, LiamM, Bo, the 5ft Ninja, The Godfather, Lance, GiantAndy, Lili, Lenny, Greg and Bruce were too.  This was shaping up as a one-turn-at-the-front Saturday.  

Superman braved the pairing with PistolPete to lead the long lines south and Lili braved second wheel for an early effort too. They may have timed their turn perfectly (get in quick while the wind's in your favor?)    As always, a line of horsepower had accumulated astern.   The reality of a headwind north to River Rd had Lili call an early roll for LiamM to take the punishment.  TrekTrev had taken on a second Saturday with this squad and had suppoenaed Superman too  (so with the Wouldabeens hibernation season already underway maybe we've gained a couple of winter warriors?)    I followed Lance into the advance line on the turn into Coach Rd and should have been ready for the whiplash factor of ten pairs on the gas pedal ahead ; the burst into the forties to catch the bunch blew a few cobwebs out!  

The Godfather and Wozza did a long drive to the Toaster as a little light showed us a grey and misty morning ; a moments sympathy shed for those who'd cleaned their bike yesterday (you'd be doing it again today!)  Nev and Lance faced the front when the northbound became westbound on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd ; Lance set 34's on the Garmin and that suited me to a tee as I co-piloted at Woolshed Rd (I wanted something left in the tank for the highly likely 'bolt to breakfast')   Lance called it quits at Pine Lodge Creek and Tina was due to join me on the change-over but had ducked to the left line ; Pistol partnered instead.  

With some supply of energy and a considerate co-pilot, I felt confident to take aim at the Main Eastern bridge, a longer than usual shift for me but I had an itch to deliver a decent drive (I'm not quite ready to accept the label of excess baggage)  Besides, there was time for recovery before the want for wattage in Wanganui Rd.  The bigger engines were perfectly choreographed to lead into town, turning up the tempo into the forties for the aim at Mt. Wanganui.  (That sorted the swift from the strugglers in a similar scenario to last Saturday)  I felt lucky to be near the back than the front when the turbo's were engaged at Cemetery hill.  Caution at the damp roundabouts wasn't the worry I'd expected, the Boulevard wasn't so wet, so Pistol, Lance and I kept an eye rearward as a line of survivors strung along in the slipstream.  Legs and lungs were rather second hand by now so strangely, it was pleasing to see the traffic lights change red in town.    Three peaks preparation, bikes that are works of art and 28mm tyres occupied the chat while breakfast occupied the appetites.      

16/5 Running late for the train. 

That spare minute vanished as Emil, Jen and I did the side streets warm-up prior to Monday's start, seeing the bunch steering out of Sanctuary Drive as we'd got within 300 metres of the grid.  How lucky to have Emil's horsepower dragging us to the back of the train!  Greg, Lenny, the 5ft Ninja, Rocket, Wozza, Kel, The Godfather, Tina, Bo and PistolPete had eased off the throttle for us tardy ones (but you don't go easy on acceleration expecting it!)   So week 945 of the habit began with a bit of a heart starter ; probably a good thing 'cause most of the ride should seem easier after a half k at full throttle.  

I had enough oxygen back in the tank at Central Kialla to make the small talk about the weekend with those in the left line while being slowly promoted toward the pointy end  -  it was a good distraction from the work that lay ahead.   I took a punt at finger-less gloves and short knicks when the bureau said feels like 11, though at River Rd's dip the temperature seemed to drop like a stone.  (It is the month of May Foss, expect anything!)  We're down to the regular dozen or so soldiers prepared to tough out the cold and I'll hazard a guess that we'll all rely on one another to provide the motivation to get us through winter.  It's high time I lifted the effort a bit ' cause some will be lowering theirs to collaborate with snails like me. 

Jen surprised me calling a short shift a bit before River Rd's white fence and that made my aim at rooster corner even further away.  How kind was Kel to wear out a set of disc pads to stay level with me!  Some kind soul had flouro painted the pot-holes we strain to see in Coach Rd and that probably  saved  26 wheels (and 13 posteriors) from punishment as Kel and the 5ft Ninja took flight to the Broken bridges.  Speed had slowed nearing the highway but Rocket and Wozza dialed it right back up again in their quest to get to Old Dookie Rd.  Half way there, Tina withdrew from third wheel, retreating rearward for recovery (but feeling less than ordinary, took a slow short-cut home.  She must have been well below par to skip coffee!)    Rocket and Wozza's fingers of blame pointed at each other.   The way west back to town resumed the rush, irrespective of the northwest breeze at the brow to get there. After a swift shift to SPC,  a more civilized commute of the streets got us to the Butter Factory.

17/5  Like the mother-in-law's kiss.

A few mornings of double digit temperatures soon lulls you into a false sense of security, but Tuesday rocked up and the reality of feels like 1.9 brought me back to earth with a thud!  Time for a bit of heavy duty contemplation on Rule #5.  Why I'd woken at 4 and couldn't drift back to lah lah land I don't know, and why I rolled out an early 8 k's before squirrel o'clock I'll ask my therapist.  I'd made the usual rendevous with Emil, Kim, Jen, Lili and LiamM and arriving at the shop found the 5ft one waiting.  Word was that Tina (a little off-song) was our bait rolling ahead in Channel Rd to catch (as if Emil needs any encouragement!)   So, I was down to the business of fixing focus on the La Pierre's rear drop out while Emil dialed up the kilometres in the hour to the truck route ; trouble was looking at the kilometres in the hour made the effort seem more so.  My shift to Orrvale Rd was shorter but by no means easier as the hope I started with had faded reaching the school.  (Finishing as fast as what you started with has just one person to blame!)   How good was it to get back into a draft of six while Kim delivered us to the Kinder, Jen doing her bit to the cypress trees but the Ninja's aim at reaching Channel Rd's end ended a bit beyond the S bend (breathing in 1.9 does get a vice-like grip on the lungs).  Lili didn't spare the horsepower to Coach Rd but the horses stopped galloping half way to the highway.  

LiamM made up the shortfall with a swift spin to Boundary Rd's bridge.  I got the 1300 metre bit to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd when Emil finished his shift at New Dookie Rd and savored the reward at the rear when duty was done.  There wasn't much strength in the northwester but then there wasn't much strength in my legs either.  Kim had shifted her place in the pack a few rungs down the order, so Jen got the job of heading west, enjoying all 3200 metres of it to Lemnos North Rd and handing the reigns to the 5ft Ninja.  Lili had her half draft to Grahamvale Rd but still found the speed to keep everyone silent to Verney.    Obviously paid handsomely as a super domestique to protect Kim, Emil went easy on the effort south to Balaclava Rd and even had a lid on the pace through the streets to berth at the Butter Factory.  Warmed up on coffee indoors, our biggest test was remounting for the chilled commute home. 

18/5  Squad swap.

Emil pulled the pin in Wednesday's early hours and just as I opened the front door a light shower stalled my plans for a spin.   What to do?  Go back to bed? HTFU and take what the weather may bring?  Procrastination put me way behind schedule so when the wet finally stopped and the coast looked clear, I had to take the option of a 6am start with the Wouldabeens (I'd never make the 5:40 flag-fall at Sanctuary Drive).  I was overdue for a social update and besides, the ease of effort would be as good as a holiday.  The tarmac dried quickly as a west northwester (15-24 km/h) dried the track to Kialla Lakes, the big surprise was finding Shorty, Nick, Crossy, Wendy, AlmostRetiredTrev, the Weapon, Jase, Laura and Superman at the roundabout.   9 degrees might have enticed a few to ride, or was this the Woulda's last hoorah before Winter hides most of them?  

10 Indian filed east on Channel Rd, though crossing the truck route, two rows formed to make the most of the wind at the rear wheels.  There'd be some huff and puff homeward.   The company of Shorty, Nick, Jase and AlmostRetiredTrev was commonplace many moons ago, but they've elected an easier effort these days with the Woulda's - or have I found a faster faction?   Either way, the fellowship remains the same.  Reaching Coach Rd the honeymoon was over and battle commenced with the wind at the starboard side ; AlmostRetiredTrev quickly nominating a rearward berth in preparation for the headwind we'd face in River Rd.(their preference for Mitchell Rd was on pause while gravel trucks litter it's path with stone)   

Wendy and Laura provided plenty of pace west and the Weapon proved to be a powerful co-pilot toward the bridge (a lousy draft though when she rolled across for Crossy's contribution at the front)  2k's south to Central Kialla out of the headwind was a short holiday from the hurt before another round of turns on Mitchell Rd made it to Raftery.  Daylight seemed such a strange time to be riding!  Pace was back on the menu bound for Conrod straight and that long 1300 metres to the finish line seems to infect most with an urgency to hurry. It was Wendy to blame for winding up the wattage and put 40's on the menu for the finish.  Sentences replaced the silence for the slower k to Melbourne Rd, coffee and chat at Degani's topping off the tap nicely.

19/5 Degrees decrease, participants plummet. 

Look at the positive side Foss, 0.5 wasn't a negative on Thursday's thermometer!  That "feels like" temperature dragged a bit more heavy duty insulation from the depths of the cupboard.  I was saving the industrial strength stuff for winter but it looks like it's already here in late Autumn.    Only Emil fronted Tarcoola (too cool for Kim?) and he seemed to be clogged with a cold.  Jen was a no-show at the usual spot so thank heaven Lili and LiamM turned up to make some sort of team.  The Ninja waiting at the shop made five - I suppose this wasn't such a bad a turn-up given the conditions (though there'd be a bigger workload).  Emil called for a quiet tap given his current condition so maybe that icy atmosphere made mid 30's feel faster than it really was?   It must have been, it took plenty of push to keep that pace when my shift came due to Orrvale Rd (I was hoping to save a poofteenth of horsepower 'cause another shift would be due soon).   The Ninja had the leg to the Kinder and Lili did well to drag us to the cypress trees (though almost overshot the turn east) while LiamM kept our trajectory and tempo to the S bend.    Emil was noticeably tame to Coach Rd and handed me the reigns at the highway.    

The change of who did what and when was a shake-up of the usual order, the rubber stamp routine we'd got into was becoming way too predictable.  Most of Boundary Rd is usually spent staring at Emil's elbow so today the eyes were searching for wandering wildlife, pot-holes and the random stuff that make horizontal happen while avoiding the oh so distant Old Dookie Rd target.  Why I aimed that far, I don't know.  High on hopes, low on horsepower, I handed the lead to The 5ft one at Old Dookie then restocked on oxygen at the rear.  The cold caught Lili short of speed beyond the rail-line so LiamM finished off the north stretch to Lemnos-Cosgrove then worked west to the bridge.  Emil labored to Lemnos North Rd.  A bit of The Godfather had rubbed off on me at the intersection, sneaking through when others stopped for an approaching car (didn't want to risk being shunted on a sudden stop)  On the front for 3200 metres to Grahamvale Rd was spent repenting my sins.  The 5ft Ninja got us to Verney Rd, Lili and LiamM sharing the shift to Balaclava Rd.  Emil took it easy on the street shifts to the Butter Factory but there was a rush for the warmth of coffee.

20/5  Friday in the fridge.

Covid cautions kept a few away from the Friday ride so with just nine on the Sanctuary start line it was no wonder all stayed single file behind PistolPete when 5:40 set us south.  Indian file inspired Pete to continue as captain to Kialla Central.   Latecomer Grumpy arrived at River Rd from the truck route as Bo finished his 2k shift from Mitchell Rd, Kel now in charge of the charge east to the bridge.  The years first "feels like zero" bit hard, and whether it halves the lungs capacity or handbrakes the muscles I'm not sure, but it certainly feels like the engine is minus a spark plug or two.  Kel did well to reach the bridge and Kreeky kept the momentum to the dip.  

Again I found myself in that half draft on the Ninja's wheel (I wonder if it's any warmer down at that elevation?) and the southerly breeze had stopped (though the chill factor remained) but I made the mistake of expecting she'd show an elbow at the white fence...but it beckoned me to the front early.  Satisfied that speed stayed steady in the 35's, the disappointment was the distance to Coach Rd! (I felt an expectation of the 10 behind to be dragged there) The reflection of the rumble strip signs were but specs on the horizon, so focus went straight to the front wheel instead.  That was far closer!  Grumpy broke the single file format and drew alongside with a k of the shift to go, keen for a chat of course but I had an urgent need for all the oxygen I could take on board!  The satisfaction of reaching rooster corner was offset by a sacrifice of two minutes spent stifling the gasps till I could answer Grumpy's questions.  

The Godfather made it look easy to drive north to the highway, and by then I almost felt human again.  Several words could now be strung together to form a sentence and be social with Boof, Jen and Bo, so with the relief of knowing my work was done,  I could soak up a slipstream back to town (but real want was thawing out).

This week    328km       YTD 5,523km      

         

The huff and puff stuff.

 Post #645

7/5  Quiet....with a quick conclusion.

What a difference to be towed the eight k's south to Saturday's starting grid.  Emil and visiting brother Anth provided the slipstream (and the discount of 10-15% less workload) but I reckon removing the psychological load of cutting through the air first was the real comfort.  Lili got aboard our little train for her first bunch ride and after a lap or two of Sanctuary's side streets we found GiantAndy, Bo, Molly and the 5ft Ninja parked on the grid, and what looked like a galaxy of lights lining up behind. Those mysterious ones would be revealed in the rotations to come.  Six bells set wheels rolling and in the enthusiasm of her first Couldabeens pack, Lili jumped straight into the advance line at second wheel  (this was shaping up to be a baptism in the deep end!)  A word to Greg (on her wheel) gave him the heads-up of her maiden voyage (she'd be in considerate company).  

A slower speed east on Mitchell wasn't such a bad thing, it would probably entice a few forward that may otherwise shy from duty (the downside was a yo-yo tempo)    A bike taking the truck route short-cut to River Rd turned out to be TrekTrev (usually a Wouldabeen, but they've all gone into hibernation it seems).   TatMat and DeterminedDan had advanced from the mob of the unknowns behind, Bruce showing himself and his Cheshire-like grin on a brand new Bosi (replacing the one with a terminal fracture)    Wozza, Rocket, Tina, LiamM, Grumpy, Lance, Boof and Nev revealed themselves from the light show behind and were promoted forward as a little light showed us the horizon and Coach Rd in the distance.  

Nobody had shied from duty at the front though a few of the Ferrari's seemed to be stuck in second gear.  (Considerate lads, they'd get to unleash their horsepower at the front soon enough).  I was sandwiched between Tina ahead and the Ninja behind and eventually arrived for work in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, restrained out of respect for Tina (close to her limit) aiming at Pine Lodge Creek.  You can't complain, at least she had the fortitude to front.  The 5ft one was keen to turn up the wick in the drivers seat, I chose to simmer speed slowly 'cause I reckon Tina was rather occupied getting oxygen on board.   Concentration isn't always on the wheel ahead, and a once in a blue moon moment of rubbing wheels was a bit embarrassing when the left line altered for an echelon ; thankfully everything stayed vertical (pat on self's back for not panicking)    It's more than co-incidence that all the horsepower finds formation together , so a watchful eye gets ready for labor when the cream rises to the top (newbies Liam and Lili would learn that quickly!) 

For some strange reason, the back half of the pack had turned rather peaceful as Rocket and Wozza reached the front approaching town.  By chance, I was at the rear along Wanganui Rd and a few others nearby appeared to be running on empty, so I was put on tow-truck duties when the big guns fired up Cemetery hill and gaps opened in the pack (after all, I had promised our newcomers they wouldn't be abandoned)   Funny how you find pace when given a purpose.....    GiantAndy opened the throttle wide along the Boulevard and bits were breaking off the back, so more purpose was found when our little train of survivors gathered up Molly and Lance ejected by a blast into the fifties.  With  the pleasure of finishing in a pack, we'd got to the city centre where the Ferrari's had ironically been halted by traffic lights.  Roof racks (and their repercussions), costly hobbies and fine tuning a new bike seemed like quiet conversations among the racket at the Butter Factory breakfast table. 

9/5  Variety. 

Week 944 of this two wheeled habit and you'd think the urge would have faded by now.  Feels like 2.6 degrees Monday morning and the urge persists!  (Got something for it Doc?)  Gazza, the 5ft Ninja, PistolPete, Bo,  Lenny, Rocket, Kim, Bruce, Greg, Emil, Kel and Kreeky must have it too 'cause they'd assembled in the Sanctuary Drive darkness, ready to roll at 5:40.   Lenny and Pistol had emerged from Covid isolation and with no hesitation but plenty of hurry,  Pete guided us south to Mitchell Rd.  I'd take a month to get back into tune after a week off!    

Gazza had a headlight overboard headed toward Central Kialla, Rocket nearly putting it through the blender of two spinning Zipp's, though Gazza found it intact on the u-turn and headed homeward using hand-held technology (a case of busted bracket?)    I was beginning to enjoy the half k cruise in the low 20's but mid 30's pace soon resumed.   Kreeky ahead and Bo behind made a change from my almost usual placement on the Ninja's wheel, and with the Monday mood set at moderate, I had no complaints.  Bruce had found a little more comfort on the new Bosi with a tweak of saddle height, Kim finding comfort too with the pace tweaked down a tad for her appearance at the front.  Kreeky complied alongside.  

I'd made the most of the moderation beside Kreeky when Kim called him across, I just hoped Bo was still running at 35% 'cause he was my co-pilot on Coach Rd.  (Of course he turned up the effort, but nothing too testing)  I'd just got into the slipstream at the Broken bridges and banked a few breaths when Lenny called an intermission to tend to a puncture (there'd be more breaths in the bank now!)   Resuming after repairs, a little more urgency was injected into the tempo, the four minute fix of a flat was cutting into our coffee consumption time!   Kel and the Ninja set aim at Old Dookie Rd but it was Rocket and PistolPete that really made up the deficit driving west. 

10/5   The more, the merrier.

Nine on the grid probably justified two rows rotating turns though I reckon many find comfort riding Indian file. 

There's nearly always that guy with heaps of horsepower beside you when pairs tackle the front.  And they're nearly always on for a chat when all you want is to suffer in peace and overdose on oxygen!  Better to set your own pace in the drivers seat rather than others set it for you!   

The addiction grows with LiamM and Lili turning up for a second week with the squirrels so the start line seemed to be at capacity with Emil, Wendy, Kim, Jen, Tina and the 5ft one assembled as well.  

Fighting a bit of a breeze to the start line meant most of the circuit should feel easier, but Emil's easy was high 30's to the truck route.  Some may have felt the pressure to perform at that pace, others setting their own limits (but aiming high anyway).  The standard turns rolled into the Channel Rd darkness, plenty of participants giving plenty of time between the huff and puff stuff at the front.  A second shift wouldn't fall due till Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd at this rate, and some may have already done their one and only!  Jen, the Ninja, LiamM and Emil had the benefit of the breeze behind in Boundary Rd.  It wasn't as taxing as I'd imagined on the way west when given the reigns at the bridge, there was reasonable shelter to hide from the southwester for my aim at Lemnos North Rd.  Kim's tank ran low a k into Ford Rd (it's that second shift shortfall thing) , Wendy with the wattage to tow us to Grahamvale Rd.  So Lili and Jen inherited Emil's almost exclusive shift to Verney and south to Balaclava (but, as expected, Emil high-jacked the lead and kept the pace cooking along the streets to the Butter Factory)

11/5  Excess enthusiasm at the end.

If you believed the bureau (who does?), the forecast for the rest of the week would get you gathering up animals two by two and looking for a rather big boat, so maybe it was that prospect that crammed the Sanctuary Drive grid on Wednesday?  The start line with The Godfather, Lenny, Tina, ChrisA, Greg, Wozza, Boof, Jen, PistolPete, Grumpy, Gazza, Kel, Rocket, Kim, Bo, Emil, the 5ft Ninja and Kreeky was lit up like a Christmas tree.  Emil stepped into the leadership role (PistolPete way out of character sitting in forth wheel) and kept the pace sociable to the truck route before turning the chat down by turning the pace up toward Mitchell Rd.   Oh so cruisy for me at third wheel in the left line, I'd be lucky to even see the front of the peleton with this many yet to participate.  Soaking up the almost tropical 11 degrees, it was hard to think about the three months ahead - what motivation could be mustered to carry on through the seventeenth winter lay with this lot doing it too!  

ChrisA had made a rare appearance in the bunch and performed like he's riding regularly  (ah, the joys of youth!)    The familiar bumps and pot-holes on River Rd blurred under the wheels, the days of "social speed" Wednesday's 35 km/h cap seem to be now filed under ancient history (though we're not yet putting the strugglers o.t.a., some are on the edge.  On the other hand, they keep turning up for more!)    

Bo inherited the sledges when he half turned a shift in Coach Rd, the clan of characters ahead doing their bit for progress north to the highway and onward to Old Dookie Rd (while I sat back freeloading.  Nice work when you can get it!) Of course speed got keen on the way west, it's what's expected, and there's usually a few extra watts found to keep up.  The  single file standards on the squirt to SPC went out the window when the bunch turned to a Brown's cows procession for the last leg (no traffic to be a concern though), Emil ecstatic to launch an attack to Wheeler St with a handful of hopefuls bolting for line honors to the traffic lights.  Call me Captain Conservative but it'll end ugly one day.  Better to finish fast before the truck route and not play "chicken" with the early morning commuters.  A calm and considerate roll through town might even earn us a little respect?

It was damp enough for me on Thursday and Friday to call it a short week (believing the Bureau was not an easy thing to do!), the extravagance of sleeping in till 6am something rather foreign! 

This week 217km         YTD 5,194km  

                 

Havoc in the head

 Post #644

1/5  Recruitment ride.

Once in a blue moon there's an ask to join the clan (a pair this time, surprisingly) so with credentials unknown, I (cheekily) appointed myself as a Couldabeens casting agent.  Better to make sure they're square pegs for square holes!  As Saturday was a wash-out, Sunday seemed timely for a toe-in-the-water tap.  Liliana and Liam (a slightly slower version of the Liam we know.....thank heaven!) were on time at the Tarcoola rendevous (first box ticked) and after initial intro's, a tap around the Toaster circuit was the agreed course.  Tempo was the next test ;  I hadn't dropped them on the roll-out along the Boulevard and they hadn't torn my legs off reaching the golf course (second box ticked) so endurance could be questioned later.  Their resume read well with a few years riding (though being in a bunch wasn't so common) and habits of a holding a straight line and a steady speed augered well.  (A call of "car back" and a finger pointed at pot-holes scored them the 3rd tick)  Winter's proximity was getting serious with just 6 on the guage, the touch of a west northwester assisting our passage toward Pine Lodge but made the morning feel like 3.6.  That kept the cadence keen.  Liam and I had paired at the front so was Lili deliberately drafting, banking horsepower to toast us, or just a bit shy of the drivers seat?  (Given the benefit of the doubt for now).    An extra shot of effort was needed on the turn at the Toaster for the west way to Boundary so the shift south was welcome (all these incidentals mount up when there's been no respite at the rear)  

Over the Broken bridges and beyond One Tree Dam, a sensation of softness started to play on my pre-frontal cortex ; not the softness of wanting to slow down or an urge to take up basket weaving, it was a pliable sensation through the posterior.   A few hundred metres toward River Rd and the sensation was certain; the predicament of a puncture would halt progress (in a tyre less than 100 k old too).  Liam and Lili waited patiently (tick 4) for the fix and resuming the ride, Lili sat in the drivers seat and Liam drafted.  Able to carry on a conversation in the low 30's while into the breeze ranked Lili a Squirrel certainty at the minimum.  To Central Kialla and Liam resumed the front but there was no rest for me as the tax of time at the front slowly added up to wear me down (so it's fair they got a 5th tick for endurance. They'd tolerated me for an hour!)  Along Mitchell, 'round Roubaix corner and on to Raftery, a coffee craving kept the wheels turning back into town.  The caffeine fix at the Butter Factory fixed my jellied legs, so when Lil and Liam fixed the bill, a supplementary 6th tick went on their application (bribery get's you places!)   They get my vote, but lets see if the bunch fits them and they fit the bunch.

2/5  Flogging this dead horse.

Maybe it was Monday-itis?  There wasn't even a breeze to blame but getting up to speed seemed to be a losing battle Monday morning.  Tyre pressures were fine, brakes weren't binding and the temperature was nothing to complain about (11 degrees) so I guess it was a case of some days you've got it, others you 'aint.  Emil kindly suppressed his snoring on the commute to Sanctuary drive where just a few had fronted ; Rocket, The Godfather, Bruce, the 5ft Ninja, Wozza, Kreeky and Kel. (Take a picture! PistolPete was missing!)  

Emil and Bruce performed the opening act so I slipped into the survivors seat (behind Emil in the left line) for maximum delay before doing duty.  (Maybe I'd harden up in the meantime?)  Expending a lot of energy just to stay in the draft, it was disappointing to see just 37 on the speedo ; it felt like 47 keeping up!  The Godfather fronted early in Mitchell Rd, maybe in an effort to exorcise an excess of alcohol absorbed at the weekend.  It must have been a bender ; he delivered plenty of pace with Bruce to Central Ave then a lot of hurry with Wozza to River Rd.  The small bunch soon had me promoted into the advance, coincidentally behind the 5ft Ninja (there goes any aerodynamic advantage!)      Kreeky took the edge off the effort (just a couple of k's made a world of difference) alongside Kel, who of course obliged, but when Kreeky rolled across a little beyond the quarter horse stud, the Ninja became the cork-out-of-the-bottle.  

The eagerness would have continued if it wasn't for the call of "Easy!" to calm to Kreeky's pace so arriving at rooster corner, it became my time to proverbially flog a dead horse.  The Ninja didn't want any part of doing part two as it happened and called me across (fine with me, my psychological tank would run empty at the Broken bridges anyway).   Grateful for Emil's cautious use of the throttle, I had just enough to stay in touch when Emil and Bruce turned up the hurt to the highway.  Recovery was on the back burner, hanging on was the priority.  By Boundary Rd's bridge some focus had returned to view The Godfather and Wozza locked in labor toward Old Dookie.  Rocket was the kid in the lolly shop working The Godfather west to Central Ave, and hat's off to Mr. Merida, he managed well.  Rocket and Kel kept the tempo to the truck route, the squirt to SPC stretching my limits but Chris at the Butter Factory had a perfect tranquilizer for the pain.  Let's hope there'd be horsepower for tomorrow rather than the dead horse of today. 

3/5 A swollen squirrel squad.

This squirrel thing shows success ; three new recruits joined in for Tuesday's tap.  Wendy, with no Wouldabeens willing to ride (7 degrees and they quit??) along with recent requesters Liam and Lili turned up to swell the numbers, along with regulars Emil, Kim, Jen and the 5ft Ninja, it seemingly filled the Archer St car park.   It was business as usual on circuit and speed (no concession given for newbies ; read the fifo principal!) so Emil slowly turned up the wick to the usual mid 30's (give or take) toward the truck route.  The Ninja took up the second wheel role for a change (whether the new ones would take on a turn was optional).   I got the tow truck duties crossing Doyles Rd 'cause the 5ft one had the turbo spooled up toward Orrvale Rd,  a careful use of the throttle getting all back into the half draft the Ninja gave for a k and a bit.  Minimal rolling resistance on the smooth stretch of the ChaCha to the Kinder made speed easy (a stark contrast to my pedestrian performance yesterday), Kim given the captaincy to deliver us to the cypress trees where Jen took command. One day that stretch to Coach Rd won't have the snap-crackle-and-pop of loose gravel! (always at the S bend to put some o.m.g. into cornering)  Wendy was let loose to aim at the highway and she must have a diploma from the Ninja University 'cause the throttle was quickly wide open.  There was no time to lose on her drive into Boundary Rd too, thankfully settling into mid 30's to the bridge and a bit beyond. 

Lili impressed with he first performance ; straight smooth and kosher on tempo to take us beyond the fig farm.  Liam (needing an appropriate nick-name to differentiate him from the supersonic one) set similar standards north to New Dookie Rd while Emil, almost chewing bar tape in anticipation, sat ready and raring for his second performance.   No surprise his shift was an extended one ; up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd then west to the bridge before (reluctantly?) relinquishing his lead.  That  west southwest breeze was more than obvious sitting second wheel to the Ninja, so the push into it when I was handed the reigns at Ford Rd was no surprise. I'd imagined that smooth stretch of the ChaCha under the wheels to help me reach Grahamvale and there, handed Kim the 1100 metre shift to Verney.  So Jen had Emil's signature shift south to Balaclava Rd where, naturally, he poached the lead role for a swift shift to warm up on coffee.  

4/5  Bird strike!

All is not lost when there's a dozen on the grid in "feels like 5" though concentration had been hijacked by complaints from the legs about the labor just to get there (and they had a tail breeze to help!)  I'd used Mr. Voight's phrase repeatedly but their signals played havoc in the head as Wozza and Emil led Gazza, Boof, Bruce, Kel, Rocket, Grumpy, Greg, the 5ft Ninja, Bo and The Godfather  set south (PistolPete absent, yet again).  I'd joined the tail of the advance line after a burst at 40 to catch the bunch (come back Pistol, and show them the error of their ways!) so having two rows of six ahead gave a fair bit of lead time before the real work started.  

Grumpy was tardy matching Greg's tempo into River Rd (flapping that jaw again?) but got his act together to pair properly to the bridge.  The Godfather whacked the chain onto the 11 cog to drive with Grumpy to the dip and up to Trevaskis Rd (I'd hoped he wasn't going to do his usual diesel engine demonstration all the way to Coach Rd.)  He didn't.  I'd braved the front with legs protesting but focus is a funny thing ; it does little for a physical result but it steers the head into the right place.  With a skull full of thoughts about smoothness and spin, the white fence of the quarter horse stud arrived sooner than I thought, far enough to warrant my call of half time.  The Ninja drew alongside as co-pilot, and wasn't I pleased she hadn't hit the boost button!  

Doubts of getting to rooster corner were eased when her speed sank shy of the rumble strips, rolling across to cruise to rooster corner.  The roadworks sign at Coach Rd was someone's idea of a joke; of course the pot-holes remain!  Bo and Kel paired to take us north but Bo had had enough at the bridges and slumped into the slipstream, kick-starting the sledges to the highway.   Gazza and Boof delivered the draft en-route to Old Dookie Rd but a bird took a dislike to Gazza to head-butt his helmet!  Not often you need to dodge flying feathers in a bunch! After an animated replay for those who missed the action, Gaz had settled the nerves to turn west and lead on to Central Ave. There was little breeze to help the pace back to suburbia but speed was spiced up to get there anyway. 

5/5 Hey Winter, why so early?

The heavy duty base layer came out of mothballs. Winter had arrived early Thursday and the alarm was set three minutes earlier for the lengthy layering preparing for "feels like 1.6".  Others looked like Eskimo's too, huddled at the carpark for a squirrel spin.  A touch of southwester would assist the anti-clockwise circuit but it certainly chilled the bones.  Emil and I started in standard sequence with Molly, Wendy, the 5ft Ninja, Jen, Kim and Liam falling into line behind.  The ritual's just the same, it's the sequence that varies.  Molly passed the baton to Wendy at the Kinder then the Ninja got it at the cypress trees (hang on to your hats for the hurry to Coach Rd folks!)  I spoke too soon about gravel at the S bend the other day, my front wheel jumping sideways over a stone (right on the apex of course!) to bring on a "must-update-my-will" moment.  Delighted to avoid a horizontal malfunction, it took a moment or two to make up the gap and get back into the slipstream of the 5ft one towing us to Coach Rd.  Jen eased the velocity toward the highway and cut her shift short, so maybe it's odd numbered Thursdays that tone down her tempo?  

Kim took on the task of Boundary Rd and aimed at the bridge, Liam performing a copybook shift to the fig farm (he'll go places keeping that habit happening)   Of course big things were expected of Emil's northern shift; I'd readied to be given the lead beyond New Dookie but somehow just knew he'd continue to Lemnos-Cosgrove.  I had a feeling that southwester would suppress speed when given the west way toward Lemnos but found a reasonable pace on the speedo toward the bridge, so did an "Emil extension" and continued to Lemnos North Rd.  (Maybe I'd toasted Molly at second wheel 'cause her turn fell short in Ford Rd but I'm told she didn't have the legs anyway)  Wendy towed us to Grahamvale at a speed a new bike brings, the Ninja dragging us to Verney so Jen had the drive south to Balaclava (no problem with pace this time!)   Of course Emil reset the ritual by stealing the lead and heading us to the Butter Factory. 

6/5 F..f..f..fairly fresh Friday.

I'd seriously considered about 100 great reasons to go back to bed seeing zero on the Bureau's data Friday morning, but that'd be slipping down the slope of softness before Winter had even arrived!  (I'd be granted instant membership of the Wouldabeens if I wasn't careful!)  Thank heavens for the fellowship, kit day and the therapeutic benefits of Chris's coffee that dragged me out of the house and hardened me up to roll a few k's.  The Godfather, Emil, Greg, Kreeky, Bo, Tina, Grumpy, Rocket, Wozza, Kel, Boof and Bruce rolled up in the crisp atmosphere, Emil and Grumpy the stand-ins for the first shift till PistolPete emerges from isolation.  How convenient it was to slip in behind Emil to delay my shift till last!  Grumpy should have brought a note from home to excuse the out-of-uniform blue gillet, billowing like a Mae West life-jacket.  (Come back soon Pete ; instructions on style are urgently needed!) 

The temperature seemed to drop even further out of town (just a degree or two seems massive) so I was pleased to have unearthed the full winter gloves (feels like boxing gloves) but was silly enough to brave just one base layer.  Wozza had set a social speed on Mitchell Rd though it felt far faster as the atmosphere chilled the bones, Grumpy calling a short shift no doubt feeling like his lungs were in a vice.  Kreeky eased up on the throttle as Greg fronted in Coach Rd and that lowered the stress levels with many still trying to come to terms with the temperature.  Tina moved forward for a short shift at the business end to level with Greg (when he dropped back three lengths!) but a few days off the bike and the sudden sample of Winter soon had her diving for cover at the bridges.  

Below 3 degrees seems to warrant a discount on speed to survive, Greg's revised 35 allowing me to match him to the Midland.  Emil gave me a concession too and rolled across when I called "Done" a bit beyond Boundary Rd's bridge.  A dozen others to serve their second shift almost guaranteed I'd done my one and only, so the workload gradually eased on Old Dookie in the draft to prepare for the squirt to SPC.  I'm not sure if it was the dash into the 40's or the chill factor that caused that hurt the most, but it was nothing like the pain of regret if I'd gone back to bed!

This week  291 km      YTD 4,977 km