What the head said

 Post #656

30/7  Crispy!

GiantAndy's blast past in the slipstream of a passing car skewed the psychology of Saturday's ride (nice guy that he is, he's just got way too much horsepower!)  And I'd just assured Wendy she'd cope with a Couldabeens Saturday speed! (prepare to be struck off the Christmas card list Foss!)    Temperature was the big test today, so Andy's arrival promised to put some heat into the minus 2.8. (I was trying to ignore the feels like minus 5.2)     At least Bruce, Wozza, PistolPete, Emil, Rocket, Boof, Grumpy and the 5ft Ninja had fronted to share in the suffering, though even before wheels got rolling, my thoughts of going o.t.a. needed erasing.  

Grumpy hadn't ridden a lot this week and Bruce was only just out of his sick bed, so maybe others were thinking the same?  Double trouble (Bo and The Godfather) were notable by their absence. The parting pack stayed single file for a bit, conjuring thoughts of a possible and painful pace-line, but Emil and Boof took up the two row format nearing the truck route, so now started the game of picking a partner to pair with (leave it too long and you don't get a choice!)   Grumpy's wheel became mine to follow when I'd reached the rear so I readied for the second wheel syndrome (even at the back of the pack) while Grumpy's chat kept him well off the wheel ahead.   Sooner or later duty calls and by coincidence (like yesterday) it was at River Rd's dip so refrigerated lungs were to blame for a shorter shift, even before I'd started.  

Bruce kindly called "your speed" for part two and as much as I wanted to be slower, preserving pace was the priority.....even if it meant a short shift.  Sealant from the Ninja's rear tyre made its marks on her jersey and tail-light though comments were kept quiet (probably fearing Emil's tirade about tubeless!)  The shepherd's warning of red at the horizon near River Rd's end was strangely inspiring, a subtle sign of days slowly lengthening (now to find the sign of warming temperature!)   Wendy and the Ninja had opted for seats in the caboose rather than a second shift and, tempting as that place was, I had a bit left in the legs for a bit more business at the business end (it's the theory of why you bang your head against a brick wall ; 'cause it's nice when you stop!)  "It's the coffee and chat at the end"was PistolPete's reasoning of why we were riding in this chill, otherwise the method in our madness failed a sensible answer, though I reckon 'cause others do had a lot to do with it.  

Grumpy and GiantAndy pointed our path west into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and probably out of habit, pace percolated.  With wind no reason, I reckon the bait of breakfast was to blame.  (cue the smug grin finding no Cats or '51 on the length of tarmac ahead ; were they soft.....or sensible?)    For a moment I thought Grumpy had a mechanical malfunction, tucking into GiantAndy's draft but his want for watts was the problem (too much talk, not enough tempo?) so found myself in the drivers seat before I knew it.  As predicted, my turn was short, calling Bruce across before I blew a gasket.   A colorful start to Saturday prompted a bout of frozen fingers to snap a pic (I suffer for my art!)   

Rocket, Wozza, Emil and PistolPete kept the pace up to Lemnos, signing my resignation from duty ;  I was happy to let fitter fellas drive the train to town but I'd be crossing my fingers at back hoping to hold on for the bolt along the Boulevard.  If I got beyond the cemetery, maybe Wendy and the Ninja would look after me?  Preparing for GiantAndy to launch at Canterbury's roundabout was cancelled, most held tempo and watched Andy & Emil gradually gain ground ahead.  Thank you know what.....chill had over-ruled a chase.  Speed was still swift enough to glue focus to the wheel ahead and avoid the parked and passing cars along the Boulevard, but eventually looking back nearing Knight St found Grumpy, Boof and Bruce off the back. (Grumpy's puncture had several assistants so we'd made a bee line for breakfast and warmth instead)  Simulators, Zwift vs reality and Grumpy's vexed vision filled the breakfast table with laughs, a great diversion from facing the chilled commute home.

2/8  Six pack. 

There was a little life in the legs after two days off two wheels and being back into the thick of the regular squirrel procession felt good (apart from just two degrees on the gauge and a little northerly to chill the bones)   I've got to know every millimeter of the rear of Emil's La Pierre over the past year of squirreling, nearly always second wheel on the drive out Channel Rd readying for the usual short donation beyond the truck route.  Consistency is a good thing.   Maybe that's why Wendy, Kim, Jen and the 5ft Ninja were lined up behind?   Mid thirties seemed to be the days standard though tempo had dropped a little bound for the Kinder (logged in the memory bank for next time I was on driving duty ; we need to keep all the friends we can in this weather!)  Jen's persistence riding regularly is paying off with a notable drive from the cypress trees to the S bend, the Ninja particularly keen on pace for her shift to the highway, so I played shock-absorber for Wendy, Kim and Jen whip-lashed by her blast into Coach Rd.  Despite the breeze in the face, Emil dialed the pace up to mid thirties again on Boundary, but not a protest was heard (maybe there was no oxygen to spare for complaints?)    

I'd given up guessing where Emil's turn would end, better to fix focus on that  familiar wheel ahead and deal with the shift when it came (if I had the oxygen left!)   Time came eventually, not at Old or New Dookie Rd, but for the west way along Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Emil must have been a bit off colour ; only a six and a half k turn today.   The three k drive to Lemnos North Rd should be child's play for me then!   It was bearable with the breeze now at the right shoulder but even more bearable handing over to Wendy to take on Ford Rd where I could gain a few breaths at the back.  Kim did the Grahamvale to Verney shift and Jen had the privilege of driving south toward Balaclava but reaching Hawkins St, Emil's compulsion to charge into town was too great. 

4/8  Naked knees!

There's a lot of hesitation leaving the leg warmers in the drawer at this time of year, even when 13 degrees shows on the Bureau's data.  Yes, I checked it twice!  A long cold winter softens you a bit!  A base layer and arm warmers were getting an outing but I'd eventually braved naked knees and finger-less gloves in the hardening-up process at stupid o'clock.   It'd been many moons since feeling double digit temperatures.   I'd found Emil and Wendy converging on Tarcoola's roundabout but Kim and Jen were marked absent again.  There'd be some suffering to do with the Sanctuary squad if no other squirrels showed.  The 5 ft Ninja's appearance at the shop saved the day though there'd be a bit more work to do with just four.  The reported northwester was more like west northwest so Emil's tempo to the truck route nearing 40 was understandable, though I took a punt that pace wasn't so popular and set 37's to Orrvale Rd.  (Wendy voted velocity at 35's to the Kinder, so I was close)  This would be a strange squirrel spin - none of the usual shifts today, and there'd be more than usual.   The Ninja led us to the cypress trees so Emil was back at the business end early (though I was surprised to see his elbow elect me to the front at the S bend).  To the end of Channel Rd seems a bit short, so the short drive to the highway made it longer.  What was meant to be a northwester wasn't hampering Wendy's pace along Boundary Rd and the 5 ft one turned up the huff and puff a little more en-route to New Dookie Rd.  

I was well prepared for an epic effort from Emil when he took the reigns so what a surprise to be ushered to the front at the turn west into Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  (almost as surprising as the 51 fraternity fielding a squad of six southbound ; double digit temperatures must get them outdoors?)   Wind wan't an issue so I could lengthen my aim to Lemnos North Rd without fear of bending a valve or blowing a gasket getting there (but I may have toasted Wendy a little 'cause her tempo tamed a tad into Ford Rd.....but she soldiered onto to Grahamvale Rd regardless). The Ninja's burst of enthusiasm got us to Verney Rd without delay and she continued the drive south toward Balaclava but you know who got itchy to tow us into the 40's into town, and despite the hurry, Balaclava's usual red light gave us a few breaths of recovery. 

5/8  Wind weary.

We should be grateful for a dry road and a clear radar when forecast showers failed to arrive at stupid o'clock.  At this time of year carpe diem rules!  I'd be nit-picking to grizzle about the feels like 3 degrees headed toward Friday's starting grid and I should thank my lucky stars Rocket, Boof, Wozza and Emil towed Jen and I there, and a northerly made the effort even easier! (let's not think about the driving into the wind and if I'd be at the front at the time!)      Bruce, Kreeky, PistolPete, Kel, the 5ft Ninja and Grumpy made it a dozen to drive south, PistolPete (naturally) sharing the lead with Rocket to Mitchell Rd.  

The Almighty must have said "Peace be with you" 'cause The Godfather was a.w.o.l.     Kreeky sat cautiously in the caboose as two rows got into order so hardening up early for duty, I joined the advance on Emil's wheel, figuring a shift in River Rd might be better than the hurt of the headwind in Coach Rd.  (if I got my timing right)   Rocket and Bruce towed us the 2 k's to Central Kialla and Kel drew the short straw of the headwind to River Rd.  I did get the timing right fronting with Emil for the first couple of k's in River Rd and made it to the bridge with a bit left in the tank, though rolling across and copping the wind at the left flank (as Jen paired to my right) wore away the watts that were remaining rapidly.  

The old engine wouldn't make it to the dip (well, that's what the head said) so I called on Jen's charity for a slipstream (she wanted a short shift anyway!)    Silencing the guttural groans of oxygen upload erased the memory of who did what and when and where till nearing rooster corner, some coherence had returned to see the Ninja duck into the left line and avoid the headwind hurt to come.   Horsepower (aka Wozza and Boof) came to the rescue to tow us north and with Grumpy and Pistol lined up as backstops, most would avoid duty at the front for a while.  The Ninja and Kreeky set themselves up for a dip in the drivers seat in Old Dookie Rd and that calmed concerns of my second appearance at the business end.  

The Ninja (with the considerate company of Bruce) did well to drive to Central Ave but took a rain-check for part two.  Kreeky fronted with Emil headed to Dobson's bridge but he rain-checked too, so suddenly I was alongside Emil (and his enthusiasm) to get to the truck route, post haste.  I was doing ok till the wind shear from an oncoming truck nearly blew the helmet off my head and from there, legs went to licorice.  Hurry wouldn't compute in the cranium and when Boof and Emil bolted toward SPC, a gap opened.  And that folks is the beginning of the end.  Wishing others would pass me to put me out of my misery didn't work, the peek behind found most happily sitting in my draft, so by Wheeler St I was well and truly toasted.   With no option but to coast back to the caboose, the attempt to hold on was inspired by the long black awaiting at the Butter Factory.

This week 204 km  YTD 7,911 km