Red Bull poured on Fruit Loops?

 Post #663

17/9   Carbon against tarmac ; a sickening symphony.

I could do without the damp! Saturday was another day of soggy roads, puddles, a damp kit and dead worms stuck to the bike.  I should have been grateful that rain wasn't coming till mid-morning.  At least I could feed the addiction (hang on Foss, it's a daily addiction with withdrawals on Sunday!)   Nath at MyRide was kind enough to loan me a pair of cranks (till the new ones arrive so the bike was at least mobile.  A northerly stopped me whinging on the commute to Sanctuary Drive, Emil's bro Anth along with Liam & Lili the surprise inclusions for the commute south. A surprise too to find Lance and Nev at the grid with the standard Saturday squad of Greg, Rocket, Boof, the 5ft Ninja, Wozza, Bruce and Grumpy.  (Mmmm, no Pistol and no Godfather?)  GiantAndy's arrival changed the forecast to fast! 

In PistolPete's absence, Emil and Anth got the show on the Archer Road while the dozen behind sorted themselves into a pecking order.  Pace was fairly keen on the turn north toward Kialla Central as the tail-enders bolted to keep in touch, a little subtle manoeuvring to avoid puddles going on as the bunch finally compressed back into formation.  I felt my rear wheel squirm a little left for an instant then that sickening sound of carbon and bodies against the tarmac.  Lance had overlapped his wheel for an instant and come down like the proverbial sack of spuds, the 5ft Ninja breaking her fall on him.  Memories of my horizontal moments came flooding back in a flash seeing Lance motionless on the deck of Kialla Central Rd, thankfully he'd sat up barely a minute later.  

Hip, shoulder, knee, elbow, cheek and helmet were showing a few signs of wear and tear.  (The Ninja had got off lightly with a graze to the elbow).   With a little claret forming at cheek and knee, Lance was up and hobbling about another minute on, both bikes showing just superficial wounds.  With a forecast wait of an hour for an ambulance The Godfather was summoned from his cot to ferry Lance and bike to home, the Ninja keen to ride on.  A cautious kilometre was rolled while the gravity of the fall sank in  ;  What trust we put in each other, speeding around the circuit just centimeters apart......it's moments like these you realise the repercussions of what happens when we run out of centimeters.    

But, it wasn't long till the previous speed was back on the menu though perhaps wheels might have been a meter apart now.  Do the math Foss; 38 km/h = 10.5 meters per second.  So we had about 90 milliseconds reaction time now.  Much safer!!  (Like I said, the trust we put in each other.  And it's better the devil you know......)    The reshuffle on the re-start put me with Bruce ahead and Wozza behind and time to earn my keep came at River Rd's dip. Courteous as always, Bruce patiently co-piloted to the quarter horse fence (most of the bunch on watch for the ever enlarging pot holes) then Wozz supressed his snoring alongside while I ran the tank dry of any effort that was left.  Recovery was written in the diary for later 'cause the pairing of Wozz and Rocket (rubber stamp that combination) needed more oxygen to hold on till rooster corner.  Some sort of focus had returned by the Broken bridges where I could deliver a three word sentence to the conversation with Greg.  Real replies would happen later.  

The grey start to the day didn't deliver much joy and "feels like" 3 put me in a June mood so the fairly hot tempo delivered both distraction and warmth.  I was lucky to avoid the now strengthening north northwester on the path to Lemnos Cosgrove Rd (the earlier halt for Lance's lay down had put us behind schedule, so the trip to the Toaster was cut off the circuit) while fitter fellas kept the momentum going, though I had a fair share of it at the starboard side bearing west to Lemnos.  Another shift at the front fell due crossing Grahamvale Rd ; at least this leg had the shorter expectation of 1200 metres to Verney then 1100 metres to the highway (here's hoping I'd avoid the work in Wanganui to hold on for the bolt along the Boulevard).  I made it to Verney, albeit nudging the red line, but part two with Wozza was missing the shelter from the north northwester I'd hoped for. 

Without a halt for traffic at the highway (I could have done with an extra breath or three), Wanganui Rd became my Struggle Street when Wozza and Rocket lit the afterburners to the 40's.  And wasn't I second-hand at second wheel!   Legs went licorice to climb Mt.Wanganui so there was nothing to accelerate on the turn into Rudd Rd. Most had shot past me, bolting toward the golf course, so preparations for the humility of going ota were well underway as a gap opened ahead.   A look back (if only to confirm the inevitable) brought hope however......LiamM and Lili were 20 metres in arrears so I could be seen to drop back to help out the new ones home. Mid thirties were murder on muscles back into town (to make it look like I was donating a draft!)    Watching the wheel ahead, craftmanship and Bo on a beach soaked up the sentences over breakfast. 

19/9  Puncture practice. 

Young Jack was a surprise addition to the grid (Wouldabeens don't do Mondays apparently) and with Couldabeens attendance down, another laborer was welcome.  The Godfather, Lenny, Emil, Bruce, Tina, Rocket, Wozza and PistolPete assembled in usual spring conditions (feels like 0.9, a west northwester blowing at 13-19 and a few puddles to negotiate on a partially damp track)      Pistol supplied the formality of leading us south and there was little worry about the wind ; it was in our favor for the way out, but arguing against us for the way back.  Lenny had upgraded the old Cannondale to 11 speed and (as always) was the cleanest bike in the bunch (I don't remember specifying road grime and dead worms on mine)    The turn north off Mitchell Rd through Central Kialla was a little vague, but I put that down to a soaked tarmac.  That cobble-like surface near River Rd raised the issue again, only now the bike squirmed for the steer east.  Earlier suspicions should have been noted, this was yet another puncture to practice a quick fix on. (The Godfather had the timer going!)   

In the beam of Wozza's headlight, the tyre looked like it came fresh from the shower scene from Psycho and what had punctured the tube was anyone's guess ; not a thing was found (gotta love that!)   With new tube in, tyre inflated and the wheel back in the bike under the 5 minute cut-off, rolling along River Rd was plagued with the nagging doubt of this tube surviving ; the fact that a CO2 barely breaks 80 psi was a handbrake on the head too. I'd got onto Emil's wheel in the reshuffle so the wind up the Khyber made the drive alongside him look almost reasonable.  Yong Jack was my co-pilot for part two and it didn't seem fair to have a half century disadvantage ; whether he grew tired of my pedestrian pace or struggled with staying awake I wasn't sure, but he rolled across a bit before the rumble strips for rooster corner.  Speed settled for the northbound shift to the Broken bridges where Jack called it quits, those constant collaborators Wozza and Rocket driving the effort up to the highway.  An impatient Nissan just had to overtake a southbound Keeno almost as we crossed paths but Bruce had delivered a heads-up for the caution prior.  

Tina had locked herself in the caboose when the bunch turned west into Old Dookie Rd in search of coffee, so with little chance of seeing the front again, I joined the advance (that headwind would hurt at the rushin' front)    A couple of turns had rolled by Central Ave where Emil and The Godfather were elected to lead, but by Dobson's estate a few words had been exchanged and Emil took to the left line.  I would have to face the front after all! (and wasn't that wind some work!)  To prevent a likely implosion, the plan was to pair with Emil to the truck route then tuck into a draft when the squad went single file, 'cause I'd have nothing for the squirt to SPC!    That tactic worked, though second wheel at that speed spelled suffering.  I felt somewhat smug to have survived....and with pressure still in that tyre! (60psi when checked at home)

20/9  Wean him off the red cordial Kim!

Wendy, Kim, Emil, Tina, Lili, LiamM and the 5ft Ninja fronted for Tuesday's cool (3 degrees) circuit and as early as leg three to the Kinder, a little light on the horizon guided our path east.  Pickle my grandmother!, there was no wind to wage war against!  Emil had driven the first leg to the truck route and my standard to Orrvale Rd was done for Kim to steer our partially pink path toward Central Ave.  Speed had settled a little from Emil's exuberant start, Tina taking on the leg to the cypress trees without that pressure on pace.  Wendy kept the status quo to the S bend and Lili had mastered the Liv's Sram Red to  drive to Coach Rd.  

There's a sense of freedom in the single filed spin with the squirrels, with nobody alongside (unwittingly) applying the thumbscrews of keeping tempo certainly makes a refreshing change, although the weight of expectation probably keeps us all delivering some sort of speed. (Kudos fuels the confidence and that keeps most turning up again.  Far better to make some sort of donation than clutching to the caboose for the whole lap!)  LiamM's standards lifted the labor a little for the seven behind him in Boundary Rd, the 5ft Ninja promoted to captain at the bridge.  Emil's energy had been brewing for 15 minutes so when given the lead at Old Dookie Rd, velocity turned up to touch 40 to New Dookie Rd. There was nothing but a suffering silence behind.

(Maybe he pours red cordial neat on a big bowl of Fruit Loops for breakfast?)  I hadn't expected the lead role beyond New Dookie Rd, but the diplomatic thing was to set mid 30's back on the agenda to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  My legs weren't giving much more after that blast anyway! To the rear as Kim led us west, I could sit comfortably back into zone three for the 20 minute tow home.  Kim and Tina divided the distance to the rumble strips near Lemnos North Rd where Wendy took us into Ford Rd to aim at Grahamvale, but Lili launched a coup d'etat for the lead role 100 metres later. (I must talk over the politics of that 'elbow' thing).  LiamM was left with the lead role a kilometre on and he called it quits at Grahamvale Rd.  Of course the Ninja bolted toward Verney.  (Seven had finally formed a line behind 700 metres later).  So Emil's signature shift south to Balaclava Rd was his to command and he behaved for most of it......till that itch to press the pedestrian button struck half a k from the lights (maybe it's Red Bull poured on Fruit Loops?).  The rest of us rolled mid 35's to the intersection, just as the lights turned green.

21/9 Wednesday was a washout

22/9  Sunshine, double digit temperatures, barely a breeze to battle........what strange planet is this?

The consensus was for a later, slightly longer loop for Thursday's public holiday but the eyes habit to open at stupid o'clock is hard to break.  A solo lap prior to the 6:40 rendevous made up for lost k's yesterday.  Kim, Tina, Lili, Emil and LiamM came together on the commute to the shop, an even eight made up with the arrival of the Ninja and Kreeky at 7.  Things looked so different in daylight!  Routine was thrown out the window when a two rowed proposal was accepted, single file to the truck route though (a lack of traffic probably didn't warrant it)   I paired with Emil for the short shift to Orrvale Rd ; thankfully he'd turned down the hurry of the first leg to mid 30's and I was looking forward to something calmer still with Tina as co-pilot to the Kinder.  Wishful thinking Foss, she had a similar hurry to Central Ave.  Sunshine and a little warmth put a new perspective on the lap, almost unfamiliar scenery to take in now that we wern't under the veil of darkness.  

Double digit temperatures had many legs exposed (Quite dazzling when they're whitened by winter!)     Kim and Lili teamed to drive to the S bend as that bright thing in the sky guided us to Coach Rd, mid 30's taming to 33's as the gravity of a few extra k's sank in.  LiamM and Lili seemed to have grasped the protocols of keeping level with the wheel alongside and I suppose there's a responsibility to see that they're guided along the path of riding righteousness.  (It is Rule #3 after all!)  Breaking the habit of the northbound path on Boundary Rd was difficult but we turned east onto Old Dookie Rd, difficult to convince the head as well that west northwester was helping me match Emil's speed to the Toaster 'cause it didn't feel that easy!  (A little warmth on exposed skin was a great distraction though)   Tina kept me honest with her pace to the Pine Lodge church and then I could soak up the slipstream till duty called again.  

As rare as the Thylacinus cynocephalus, a gaggle of Goats were seen eastbound on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd ; a bunch of 7 hasn't been seen in years! (What a little sunshine can do eh?)   Mid 30's had been put back on the agenda, the slight south southwester of little consequence to the velocity.  Maybe the sunshine supplied the speed? (Or was the want for coffee getting us itchy?)  Duty called again crossing Grahamvale Rd and something inspired a long drive to the highway rather than the short shift into Verney Rd, the standard swing south resisted to continue west to Wanganui Rd.  Tina still had the speed to keep me speechless, driving beyond DECA (where I thought she'd raise the white flag) and up the dizzying heights of Mt.Wanganui, but found herself into the breeze on Rudd Rd.  Without his fast fix on Verney Rd, Emil was positively bursting for a blast-off on the Boulevard, but where? (The $64,000 question)   By Tarcoola's roundabout the bottle had popped it's cork and Emil sailed off into the distance with most happy to stay at a semi social speed bound for the MilkBar.  How civilized to sit in the sunshine quaffing coffee and babbling bike stuff.

23/9  The 5.10am showers made the sleep-in option easy.

 

This week 234km

YTD  9,717km  

   

  

           

Only self to satisfy

 Post #662

10/9  Swift 'n soggy.

Delighted to see the forecast 5am showers had been shifted to start at 8am, hope sprang up of getting the Saturday ritual ride done before the wet arrived.  Not so delightful was the damp road and misty atmosphere to ride in. (some clever guy spent half an hour cleaning his bike yesterday!) Maybe I'm masochistic to suffer speed to the start-line (this hobby is meant to be pleasurable) but on reflection, it's preparing for pace to come isn't it?     The usual dozen or so (Gazza, Emil, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Boof, Rocket, Wozza, GiantAndy, Bruce, Lenny and Trav) lined up for the 6am ritual, though PistolPete's absence was notable.  Mark it in the history books that Bo led the two lines south, Emil delivering the training for it alongside.  Mist in the low lands confirmed the 100% humidity and sight of a light ahead at first hinted of The Godfather's return, but it was PistolPete joining in ; delayed by a puncture.   

Don't you just love that moment when the wheel ahead (the Ninja's as it happened)  hits a big puddle to irrigate your nostrils! (I'd probably donated the same to Bo behind)  Gazza's gesticulation dislodged the Cervelo's headlight on Mitchell Rd so a half k idle while he retrieved it was a welcome time to reload on oxygen.  Forties for the first few k's was diving into the deep end a bit early for me.  Back into the swing of things through Central Kialla,  we were nudging the forties again (almost climatized to it by then) but I had a while to wait before duty called.   

The new chain jumped a worn sprocket on the acceleration into Coach Rd so that would accelerate a few dollars to a new cassette soon (the engine's worn out but the bike needs maintenance!) The Ninja requested I roll straight over when her part one was done, so I scored a short drive with Bo toward Pine Lodge Creek.  (40's could go to hell, 37's was all I had!)  No complaints came but Bo, Rocket and Wozz gradually built the tempo back to 39's to Boundary Rd and by that time I'd regained enough oxygen to cope with GiantAndy's low 40's toward Lemnos.  (A red led ahead seemed to be the bait).  TatPaul was passed at the rumble strips but he continued solo when the Ninja called a halt for a puncture entering Ford Rd. 

Yes, tubeless tyres do deflate, but a CO2 injection repaired it to resume quickly.  Nearer town and nearer to the front wasn't a suitable spot for me ; I was well aware of what hurt happens along the Boulevard, so sat back in the caboose which was slowly filling with likeminded sufferers.  GiantAndy had positioned perfectly (yet again) to front the pack as the Boulevard gained a centre island, but my eye was focused on keeping close to PistolPete ; he's the reliable one to collect those prone to going ota and tow them home.  The big guns had gapped a few fighting for breath by Tarcoola's roundabout but there was Pistol ready to pick up the pieces and drag them (and me) to breakfast. 

With a sense of belonging to a bunch, we'd rolled into town just as the heavens opened (an hour early) and an energetic easterly (17- 44 km/h) made our bee-line to the Butter Factory  a squiggle.  Vuelta casualties, unwanted guests and cassette ratios kept tongues tattling over breakfast while the showers passed (but the commute home was a soggy one)

13/9  Excessive enthusiasm.

Concrete was on Tuesday's breakfast menu - not just because I'd taken Sunday and Monday off but for the "feels like" minus two!   (I was hoping for a not-so-swift squirrel spin to ease me back into the addiction.  Two days not riding and I'd turned rusty) 

Wendy, Kim, Jen, Emil, Tina, LiamM and Lili jumped aboard the southern commute to the shop to find Kreeky and the Ninja ready for the 5:30 start.   Of course Emil took the lead role into Channel Rd (there'd be a catastrophic shift in the time-space continuum if he didn't!) and didn't he have his skates on!  38 looked like it might get him into the dispute resolution tribunal without an appointment!  So to avoid being called there myself, I set 35's to Orrvale Rd to keep in the good books.  The usual order was shuffled ; the Ninja to the Kinder, Wendy to the cypress trees, Jen to the S bend and Lili let loose for a short shift beyond.  (Tina was excused from duty considering her Amy Gillet 138 km effort on Sunday).  

Kim worked her wattage to the highway where Kreeky was given the lead role for Boundary Rd.  Handed the reigns at the bridge, LiamM preserved pace to Old Dookie Rd and that's where Emil's exuberance was unleashed.  (A little breeze at the backside and he goes ballistic!)  Pace was on the percolator to New Dookie Rd, the cautionary peek east and west for traffic allowing three seconds for oxygen intake before the excessive enthusiasm continued to Lemnos-Cosgrove.  

Half toasted at second wheel wasn't the best way to start my second shift, and setting Lemnos North Rd as a target wasn't the brightest idea (though I hadn't made that goal public so only had self to satisfy.  I could always throw an elbow at the channel and take the easy option.......but Mr. Stubborn, one of the many voices inside the skull, wouldn't let me)   With nine lined up behind, this would be my final fling.  The Ninja dug deep to finish Ford Rd's first leg and Wendy kept the velocity simmering to Verney Rd for Jen to take us south.  Barely a k had passed when Emil's energy couldn't be restrained - he had to bolt to Balaclava to push that pedestrian button. (should I tell him the lights only change on a timer linked to the magnetic loop in the road?)  All were happy to let him dash to the horizon while we proceeded at the previous pace, the traffic lights complying green just as we arrived.

14/9  The spokesman returns.

All the winter insulation came out of the wardrobe (to the rescue) again on Wednesday ; just 1 degree chilled the bones on the first k south but Emil's standards on commuting speed soon put some warmth in the legs.  (It's always the other guy that sets the speed isn't it?)  Lots of lights circled Sanctuary Drive in the minutes before chocks away, the line up at 5:39 bringing The Godfather, Boof, Bruce, Kreeky, Greg, Emil, Rocket, Grumpy, Tina, Wozza, the 5ft Ninja, Jen and PistolPete together for the mid-week social spin.   It took a moment for ears to adjust to The Godfather's return but the legs were at least ready for mid 30's after cooking them on the commute.  

Into Mitchell Rd felt like full steam ahead though a glance at the speedo between huffs and puffs was a little disappointing ; low 35's were on display. The effort felt like low 40's.  (oh well, somedays you've got it, others you 'aint!)  An easterly was apparent on the turn north toward River Rd and no doubt the residents of Central Kialla knew of The Godfather's return (a weeks worth of Corona isolation and he was making up for lost words!) Grumpy was almost a match for his decibels as we drove the east path of River Rd though my concentration was on that easterly as I was promoted further forward.  Tina withdrew her nomination for a turn when she'd got to second wheel and ducked to the left line for shelter, so I'd got a fast promotion to the front with Jen headed to Coach Rd.  That easterly felt like the handbrake was on the second click.  Part two had Kreeky alongside aimed at rooster corner (still crows in the cold) so wasn't I pleased he and Jen had lower targets on tempo.  

The early light seems to arrive even earlier these days so there's a feeling of running late with daylight near the Broken bridges (all the better to see the pot-holes with!) ; my theory on why Greg and Boof provided plenty of pace to the highway.  The Godfather had a calmer post-covid tempo set in Boundary Rd and that suited the Ninja's turn to the bridge, though Wozza and Rocket resumed the social standard to Old Dookie Rd.  Steering west turned a little vague, a short sharp bounce on the handlebars confirming a somewhat mushy Michelin.  I'd hoped there'd be enough pressure in it to get me to the cafe where repairs could be done in civilized conditions but of course it didn't survive the strike on a lump of dried mud near the Central Ave orchard.  Halting the crew in the cold while I repaired it prompted a fast fix (The Godfather's time limit driving it)

16/9  Farnarkling in the fog.

Some opted to sleep in and the fog softened some to choose the virtual-but-not-really-reality of Zwift, but after being denied a ride by Thursday's drenching, PistolPete, Gazza, Wozza, Jen, Kreeky, the 5ft Ninja, Rocket, Greg, The Godfather, Tina, Grumpy, Emil and Bruce chose to brave the damp road and abbreviated vision of Friday's 9 degrees and 100% humidity to blow a few cobwebs off.  To hell with a clean bike.......again!  (This was our tribute to Rule #9).  Coincidence put me between Tina and Grumpy as the bunch set south while the wind seemed to be swinging in all directions.  From demotion to promotion in the advance line through Central Kialla, fingers furiously pointed to puddles in some (misguided?)  hope of avoiding a spotted kit or that delightful nasal irrigation, but most were feeling like a damp dishcloth already.  

The two thumbnails worth of traction thing filled the head and forced a tip-toe 'round the off camber turn into River Rd, the added drama of last night's 2mm of rain was that pot-holes were now disguised as puddles.  Relying on the memory of where the big ones were was risky.  What felt like a southeaster (when the bureau reckoned it was a westerly) probably niggled at Tina (getting closer to the front) to raise a white flag and seek asylum in the left line, so I was promoted to The Godfathers wheel.  That spellbinding chameleon paint job on his new De Rosa wasn't so stunning covered in road grime!  

The shifting wind shortened shifts and reaching the Broken bridges, The Godfather and I were on duty (no matter what the Bureau said, that wind was a nasty northeaster)   There was a strange sensation driving toward the highway though ; I was easily matching The Godfather's wheel and at times I needed to slow to keep it that way (and that's a rare thing for me to say!)   Happy to comply, considering his comeback from Covid, I banked a breath or three ready for Grumpy being alongside in Boundary Rd.  Past the pub, over the highway, up to Hosie Rd and aimed further north, breaths were running short, so the draft from a passing truck saved my bacon to reach Boundary's bridge (getting showered in road spray was tolerated for the tow)   

PistolPete provided the pace to Old Dookie Rd without the extremes of effort I need.    Ah.......but he's young.  (In fact they're all young Foss!)  Fog had lifted a little and the draft was a delight along Old Dookie Rd, particularly without that threat of a softening tyre (though I was suspecting a crook cleat when the right foot had a lot more float than 5 degrees)    Gazza got on the gas for the thrash to SPC, with just a hint of caution for the damp, while my right knee was giving me grief as that cleat float increased. Or was it the pedal?   

Coffee tastes even better when you're partially soaked but the feeling through the foot became particularly peculiar for the commute toward home.  Washing the mud and worms away revealed the answer...... 

                           

94,550 km and the right crank gave up the ghost.

This week 206km   

YTD 9,482 km                  

Wrong league, right company.

 Post #661

3/9 'Cause it feels good when you stop!

Going soft skipping Friday's ride for a sleep-in had a penance to pay ; ten kilometers worth of headwind to Sanctuary Drive's start-line.......and paying it was painful!  The tank felt empty on the grid and there was fifty k's still to cover before the life saving sustenance of coffee could be administered.  Feeling totally outclassed with The Godfather, Boof, Bo, Wozza, Bruce, GreatScottSteve, Grumpy, Emil, PistolPete, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja and GiantAndy forming the grid didn't help the motivation, maybe I'd get a turn at the front with the wind in my favor?  Ducking the drama of the headwind and an early turn, I slipped down the ranks as the bunch headed south, though Wozza (completely out of character) had commandeered the caboose.  He'd earned it clocking a 170 km solo yesterday.    Into the rotational routine and into the advance line, I had the white noise of The Godfather ahead and GreatScottSteve behind (hasn't it been many moons since he's been in the bunch!  Now living the life of a mountain goat, he'd be murder to match.....but I was listening to that pessimist again wasn't I?)   

It didn't really feel like minus 0.2 so maybe high thirties had distracted attention from the cold, though the pleasure of turning away from the wind through Central Kialla was comforting.  Emil turned on the entertainment turning into River Rd mounting the traffic island but Bruce guided us on the proper path toward rooster corner.  Emil and The Godfather fronted the two lines out of the dip and thankfully neither were up for epic efforts ; in fact I was surprised The Godfather rolled across as early as the quarter horse gates.  Without a visual half way point to aim at, I took a guess at when the tank felt half empty (or should that have been half full?) and prepared for GreatScottSteve's speed for part two.  

Not so bad as it happened, though I reckon he was just cruisin' 'cause he had no drama delivering sentences on the front ; I was giving two word replies (with a big breath between 'em!)  Lots of light lit the optimism of a great Spring day ahead (when the temperature adjusted to what season it was), lots of camels noticed on Coach Rd's paddocks now that darkness doesn't vex our views (Were they there through Winter?)   PistolPete and Grumpy led our way to the Toaster as the sun threatened to blind us - doesn't seem that long ago when it wouldn't rise till we'd made it back to town!  Wozza sat comfortable in the caboose and the Ninja joined him with a lack of Di2 volts to deliver the gears needed for the homeward hurry on Lemnos-Cosgrove  Rd, that southerly wind of no concern to me sitting comfortably on the sheltered side.  Rocket and Boof kept the speed standards high nearing Lemnos.  I had no hesitation joining the advance for another shift if it meant I'd be recovering in the slipstream on Wanganui Rd before GiantAndy lit the fuse for the Boulevard.  

Lucky me to be paired with The Godfather at Grahamvale Rd and bound for Verney while GiantAndy was conveniently at the back of the pack.  GreatScottSteve was my co-pilot for the leg to Numurkah Rd but seemed to be in struggle street (all those nearby mountains don't help his hurry if he hibernates in Winter!)   Bo put in a big effort to drive the length of Wanganui Rd and most spent the length of Rudd Rd overdosing on oxygen in anticipation as GiantAndy neared the front.  Concerns calmed cornering Canterbury's launch pad (sorry, roundabout) when pace stayed at a simmer but GiantAndy's torque was triggered when Bruce peeled off the front as the Boulevard divided.   I was scraping the bottom of the energy barrel at Tarcoola's roundabout, a peek back realizing I was now third last. An ominous o.t.a. triggered a trickle of extra watts to stay aboard as part of the pack.  Fake tans, exercise programs and acting your age courted the conversations over breakfast. 

5/9  Peace in the pack.

I wasn't expecting a heat wave in early Spring.........but "feels like minus one"?   Winter just won't let go!  Lungs struggled with the chilled oxygen to Sanctuary Drive but that early effort would at least ready me for the rush of bunch speed.  (Doing a cruisy commute would make a cruel contrast)  The grid wasn't so full at 5:39, only Tina, Kreeky, Rocket, Lenny, Bo, PistolPete, Emil, Kel and Bruce wanted to tackle the temperature.  Chocks away at 5:40 and The Godfather, usually the last to arrive, wasn't to be seen in Archer Rd's darkness ; looks like we'd have some serenity in the squad.  

I'd found myself with Tina ahead and Kreeky behind as the bunch got into order and that league suited me well for a Monday.  Memory (and a few visual clues) guided the wheel on the smoothest path, avoiding the rough edge of Mitchell Rd and steering clear of the cobble-like surface nearing River Rd, though Rocket managed to get the pot-hole dead centre near the vineyard he'd warned me about last week. Eyes are usually on the lookout for cracks that become holes and holes that become craters but there's so many to remember now that Winter has worn it's worst.  

Emil tamed his tempo near the dip to give Tina a fighting chance at fronting the bunch, just a hint of a south southwester probably making the task a little easier.  Almost at the quarter horse gates, Tina took a raincheck on part two for the draft in the left line, so I paired with Emil till the 5k mark (it's not really a landmark ; it's when the reflection of the road sign at Coach Rd comes into view ; or when the heart rate hits the roof!)   I called "Your speed" to Kreeky out of respect to his recovery and he survived to do a decent drive to rooster corner.  

A blue sky lit the way north on Coach Rd while Lenny and Rocket showed us how horsepower works.  The clear call at the highway was a refreshing change from "Have a look specimens!" and yet again, the wattage ahead yet to do their duty confirmed another turn at the front looked unlikely.  One tame turn at the front seems a like a fairly Scottish donation to the crew for 30 k's but I'll use the pensioner discount excuse and take a reasonable average speed as a bonus.

6/9  A lengthening line.

After a three month hibernation and a frolic overseas, Lili and LiamM re-appeared to swell the squirrel squad.  I wondered what wattage had been lost in their lay-off ; I take a two day break and it seems I'm starting from scratch again!  (ah, but these two are young......)   Wendy, Emil, Jen, Tina and the 5ft Ninja made their appearance at the shop and Kreeky accepted the invitation to join in (this mob might be more manageable while he's on the comeback trail)   A light southeaster presented itself as a handbrake in Channel Rd but Emil had the bit betwixt teeth to serve up some high thirties stress to the truck route.  

(Maybe it was a tax for LiamM and Lili's Winter hibernation?)  The usual 1200 metres to Orrvale Rd was mine to drive, and despite Emil's early effort I'd almost managed to match it.  I'd get a lengthy recovery with eight others doing their bit for progress.  Tina to the Kinder, Jen to the cypress trees, then LiamM was under the spotlight to serve.  There'd been a few short training missions in the last week or so and I was expecting a short burst of bravado before reality struck home, but the young fella did well to keep tempo toward the S bend given the cobwebs he and his bike would have gained.  Lili faced the front but ran low on watts soon after ; even a new bike (cherry red Liv with appropriate Sram Red groupset) didn't help the hurry.  

The Ninja took the tempo to the end of Channel Rd but that turbo kicked in on Coach Rd to bolt to the highway. (gap filler duties again Foss!)   Into Boundary Rd, another liberal dose of throttle was needed but the speed soon settled headed to the bridge.  Kreeky kept the speed at a simmer with a good drive to the fig farm and considering a recent week on the sick list handed the reigns to Emil.  I was expecting an elbow at New Dookie Rd, given that nine had the load to share, so the 1400 metres to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd might be my second and last appearance at the business end for the day.  Another colorful sun-up brewed but my focus was fixed to finish the northern leg.  Tina was made captain and was blessed with that southeast breeze to the bridge, Jen taking the second half of the drive to Lemnos.  LiamM took on the Ford Rd leg but called it quits a little before  Grahamvale Rd so the Ninja filled in to guide us to Verney.  Kreeky was given the shift to Balaclava Rd and Emil showed remarkable constraint till 300 metres from the traffic lights (which were red, naturally!) when the itch to press the pedestrian button was too much for him. 

7/9 The master of the tailwind turn.

The whiplash effect at the back got bums off seats southbound from Sanctuary's start as Pistol and Bruce bolted toward the truck route, or maybe it was a slightly bigger bunch that had amplified the reaction time to the call of "chocks away".  A few considerate eyes were open to make sure bits didn't break off the back though.  High thirties to Mitchell Rd was a tough welcome to social Wednesday.  There's some wear and tear thrashing a cold engine but holding on for a k or so and speed would soon become second nature (keep hitting your finger with a hammer and it goes numb eventually!)  The Godfather's absence meant peace in the pack again though Grumpy was keen on the auditory overload.  Gazza was back from the tropical north just in time for a tropical 8 degree start to the day while an easterly wind required some muscle at the front for River Rd (though Tina, Kim and Jen getting closer to the front were probably hoping their turn would be later rather than sooner.)  

Boof, Gazza and Emil provided the propulsion to rooster corner to save the gals stress while I couldn't help noticing those previously patched pot-holes are opening up again.  Northbound on Coach Rd, Emil needed restraint for Tina to build up to pace but to her credit, soldiered on to One Tree Dam (Bo was quick to criticise her short shift ; from the comfort on his rearmost position!) before calling Kim to the rescue.  Jen and I supplied the slipstream at the Broken bridges to the highway, Kreeky alongside me to Boundary's bridge before I got a draft to help my rehab.  Bo finally got to the business end at the fig farm to pair with Kel to Old Dookie Rd then enjoyed the tail wind just to School Rd before calling time out.  (Such precision timing ; the planning it must take to get that short wind assisted turn!)  

Speed was now of little consequence with 15 km/h worth of breeze at the backside though the lads with all the wattage at the front didn't break the sound barrier.  Of course there was a visit into the forties for the final fling to SPC but the bunch stayed mostly intact for the compulsory coffee to conclude. A forecast wet Thursday got plans of extra k's underway.  Becoming stuck in a rut of regular 50 km distances soon bogs the legs into a routine where they complain bitterly if asked to perform anything else.  I really didn't want to face that easterly again but the possible routes offered little alternative - at least there'd be a tailwind home.  After a tap with Tina to Lemnos, a solo to Old Dookie Rd and out to Boundary put me on a Sanctuary circuit clockwise.  Weird how all looks different going against the grain and in broad daylight.  

The sad news was that One Tree Dam is no longer. Just south of the Broken bridges, that tenacious willow in the dam's centre had finally fallen (and I'd frozen my you-know-what's off getting a shot of that one frosty morning in June of 2013) Sad to see the landmark is no longer there to see. (there's plenty of pot-holes to use as a marker I guess!)      River Rd was delightful (now that's a rare statement!) westbound and that inspired a trip back to town via Raftery.  Palms were feeling the signs of distance and the sit site was none too happy by now but that's the side effects of always driving one distance.  (HTFU old boy! Warmer days ahead will stir the want for longer laps)   Back to civilization and with 93 km on the clock nearing home, a little extra loop along Wanganui Rd satisfied the OCD within to round off a hundred.  

9/9 A pop-gun among the cannons. 

Half an inch of Thursday rain would mean at least a dozen dead worms stuck to the bike but there's a strange sort of attraction to blast around (breathless at times) that 30 km circuit with a bunch of (similarly) crazy mates, regardless of the road's state.  A northeaster made a convincing argument to speed south to Sanctuary Drive ; I'd worry about the implications of dealing with the headwind later!  Boof, Liam, Kel, Rocket, Wozza, Bo, the 5ft Ninja, Bruce, Trav, Lenny, Emil, PistolPete and Grumpy didn't care about the wet or the wind either (cementing their place in the badass files too).    With a baker's dozen bound for Mitchell Rd, I hadn't given a thought to positioning and joined the advance on the turn east toward Central Kialla (guaranteed I'd have the wind to go to war with somewhere along Coach Rd).  

Today I had Boof ahead as company for part one and Bo behind for part two.  Wozza, Lenny, Emil, PistolPete, Liam and Trav had no issue with the tempo north and east while I could only guess the stress at the front sitting in the draft on the sheltered side of the peloton. I got a hint it would hurt 'cause it was an effort at fifth wheel!  Liam was exempt from uniform day (contractual obligations) but Lenny needed a note from home on why he wasn't flying the flag.  Another day minus The Godfather delighted Bo, though many were happy to sledge in The Godfather's absence.  (I'll admit the quality of entertainment has suffered without him ; calls at the intersections are more comforting though)   Rocket and Boof piloted our path north into Coach Rd in the 37's and 8's with the northeast wind at (17 - 24 km/h) of no consequence........but it was crushing my confidence at second wheel!   The word 'out-ranked' came to mind. 

 I hadn't predicted Boof to roll across at the Broken bridges but I was predicting my shift to be rather short!  It's said there's a 10 - 15% advantage at second wheel but it was 50% harder hitting the front!  Channel Rd, just a kilometre ahead seemed unreachable!  Trying to maintain tempo was my undoing, the white flag just had to be raised 500 metres later.  Bo was kind enough to drop a couple of k's off the pace but I was desperate for a draft before Channel Rd.  I was in the wrong league, but the right company.  Kel and Bo made up for my poor performance to drive to the highway, restoring my focus (breaths would come later).  

The Ninja put her two bob's worth to Boundary's bridge where PistolPete and Emil built the velocity up to 35's to Old Dookie Rd.  The way west back to base camp seemed to have the wind behind us so naturally the excitement got high thirties and low forties on the agenda (Achievable though, with the head convinced that wind was no longer our hinderance).  A rather damp dash to SPC made a real mess of the bike and kit but caffeine cures all that in the afterglow of a rapid lap.

This week 311 km    YTD  9,276 km