The tune of torture

 Post #668

25/10  Steamed dim sims.

The night sweats, that nasty red rash, the fractious temper and blurred vision was getting a bit much.....  Three days being denied bike therapy by incessant rain had nerves red raw, so a window of opportunity on the bureau's radar in Tuesday's early hours was a life-line.  72 hours off and the bike felt foreign on the roll to Tarcoola, though the labor in the legs to stoke up a reasonable speed soon recalled the reality.  (Those standards in the skull just won't let up will they?)   Kim and Emil appeared from the darkness of the Boulevard, Tina and Jen were rolling Rae St in wait  but light rain at the Ninja's kept her in the cot.  (LiamM and Lili were missing ; might need the SES to track down their motivation?)  Still, five's better than none and 14 degrees is nothing to grizzle about though 100% humidity steamed the squad well just commuting to the shop.  Wearing a base layer wasn't such a good idea - I felt like a dim sim at the starting grid.  

Doyles Rd's continuing roadworks must be part of VicRoads 'dig-up-the-road-plan-for-congesting-traffic-scheme' so the Feiglin and Poplar diversion was driven by Emil with his usual early effort.  I scored the southbound stretch of Orrvale Rd to find Channel Rd, so added the eastern assault to the Kinder for good measure (a different drive broke the monotony of the usual Doyles to Orrvale shift I always seem to score).  Tina made it to the cypress trees and Kim to Beckhams bend but Jen was the one to watch providing plenty of pace to Coach Rd (then an additional effort to the highway just to prove it)    Maybe she'd found a Spanish doctor on the recent holiday? (I'm forced a few days off and end up wanting the watts that Jen had in bucket loads!) 

Emil's shift on Boundary Rd had the usual energy of 37's and 38's to New Dookie Rd, then he added the extra to Lemnos-Cosgrove.  (The tempo might have been taking it's toll for some, so the slow for water across the road with 300 metres remaining got a few breaths back in the bank).  The lack of wind or even a breeze removed any reason to complain, so taking aim at Lemnos Rd for my shift west was easy.  A light fog above the damp farmland steamed up the specs but I managed to thread a path between the puddles and hand the reigns to Tina for Ford Rd's opening salvo.   The distance to Grahamvale Rd was divided with Kim so Jen was back in charge of the charge to Verney Rd.  Expecting Emil's usual effort south to Balaclava was presumptious ; Jen stayed in the driver's seat with her aim set at the traffic lights (and believe it or not, Emil let her do it!) With lots of torque to tow us, she'd scored us all a Strava achievement into the bargain.  The pedestrian button was unresponsive to Emil's prod.   Lots of worms, a snail or two, plenty of mud spots and a sense of being well steamed completed to course.

26/10  Deja vu?

A certain comfort comes from a couple of new tyres wrapped around the wheels - the pair that worked their way through Winter (cut and slashed like they'd been in the shower scene from Psycho) were now in the hands of the recyclers.  I'm almost puncture-proof now ; till the Bindii's have their wicked ways! (Change the subject Foss, avoid the gospel according to tubeless ;  Emil was about to arrive at Tarcoola!)  

Yesterday afternoons rain had wet the Wednesday lap, the Squirrel circuit judged the safest for a social speed spin by the stand-in Roadranger, so the shop became the starting grid like days of olde.  Wozza, Kim, Rocket, Kel, Boof, Tina, Lenny, Jen, Kreek, Bo, Greg and PistolPete had circled in wait for 5:40 and despite the change of launch pad, PistolPete performed the opening move on Channel Rd.  A west southwester helped the hurry on what's become the roadworks route around the excavated Doyles Rd  till more tarmac is laid.  Wits were sharpened for the unfamiliar road furniture , the footpath width of Feiglin Rd and the rumble strips on Poplar Ave, but the familiar ground of Channel Rd was found again headed to the Kinder.  

Bo had ducked for shelter in the left line soon after the shop departure but my bravery joining the advance line early had an ulterior motive ; making use of that breeze behind to boost my turn at the front.  (I need all the help I can get!)  Boof was the kind co-pilot when I fronted for duty in Central Ave, there was wind to work into at first but a helping hand pointed toward the cypress trees where Kreeky came alongside.  Caution for kangaroos was our excuse to stick to 35's (it was social Wednesday after all) to the S bend where my donation was done and Lenny paired with Kreeky toward Coach Rd.  Boundary Rd's mineshafts (well, oversized pot-holes really) had finally been patched and several became keen to get their shift done and avoid facing a headwind homeward.  

Hill Rd was again the alternative to wet socks at the top of Boundary Rd but Bo found karma had come to haunt him with the headwind toward Lemnos.  Tina didn't test him for part one but Emil relished the opportunity.  A red led ahead dangled the bait for pace on Lemnos North Rd, the Ninja finally finding the bunch after missing the WhatsApp memo on the revised start line.  With PistolPete, Wozza, Rocket and Boof ahead of me, hopes were on their usual long drives so I'd be spared the headwind hurt at the front in Ford Rd. (And they did!)  The reserves I'd saved were soon spent on Verney Rd as    Lenny bolted toward Balaclava Rd, stringing the squad to single file and scoring several a Strava badge as a bonus.

27/10  Headwind heroics.

A westerly whistling through the rangehood played a tune of torture for part of Thursday's circuit, but we'd all go soft if every day was as calm as Tuesday wouldn't we?  I could only hope there'd be a few turn up to share in the suffering!  Wendy, Emil, Tina and the 5ft Ninja agreed the Sanctuary squad could do the chasing today and just as the chocks were released at 5:30, a sixth squirrel arrived.  Troy was on a comeback mission and figured jumping in the shallow end was the safest option.  That tailwind (a west northwester at 20-28 km/h) might not be the slowest start.  

Emil's lead via Channel and Feiglin had the heart rates quickly into zone 4 and my number was drawn a little earlier than usual to make an effort in Poplar. (it's probably fair to share the tailwind, if only to pump up the ego for a while before the headwind deflates it!)   I spared the squirrels the task of the side wind on Orrvale Rd and found Channel Rd for Tina's turn to the Kinder.  38's were certainly a swifter standard but that wouldn't be lasting long.  (best not to ponder the pain to come on Hill and Ford, just soak up the speed while the wind was your friend!)   Wendy kept the wheels humming to the cypress trees and the Ninja continued their tune east while Troy sat in the minimalist slipstream till he was given the lead at the S bend (his shift to Coach Rd with an additional effort to the highway)    A suspected slow puncture kept the Ninja at the back while Emil had the zone 4's back on the menu on Boundary.  Where I'd get his elbow was pure guesswork.  Hopefully before the headwind!  

The Old to New Dookie shift isn't such a challenge but starting it suffering sustained second wheel stress put the head into survival speed....the heart was about to hand-grenade!  Tina took us to Hill Rd and dodged the bullet of the headwind facing west ; that was Troy's task (so much for that little dip in the shallow end!)   He made good progress given the long lay-off and handed the reigns to the 5ft one to reach Lemnos (that possible puncture apparently wasn't a problem anymore, she continued north to Ford Rd in fine form)   Emil had the heroics set high to head west, 35's weren't fun even at second wheel into the 28 km/h gusts ; just as well the young fella enjoys a bit of masochism!   Grahamvale to Verney is only 1200 metres but again, starting it well worn doesn't help, so I had much pleasure in handing over the southbound leg to Balaclava to Tina and get my view at the back into focus. Of course Emil had the heroics back before long to lead us to the traffic lights, green on our arrival was like winning the lottery.

28/10   Sustained spring rains (frustratingly) stalled any attempt to get a few more k's done while in Melbourne on Friday (so less of this rubbish to read for you!)  

This week 144km

YTD 10,754 km                

So rusty, so soon!

 Post #667

15/10 Watchin' water.

Scouting the Boulevard was my first order of business ; the predicted flooding of the Goulburn River might have made a rather damp finish to the Saturday ride ritual. With the route found to be dry, the rendevous with Emil at Tarcoola found Lenny there too (a win for me ; I got a free tow to the Sanctuary Drive starting grid)   The later 6:30 start  gave us all a little more light to look for water on the tarmac ; sonar might be needed to find the pot-holes underneath it!  Rocket, Boof, GiantAndy, Grumpy, the 5ft Ninja, PistolPete, Liam, Greg and Bo made the southbound start and got sorted peacefully (till The Godfather's arrival), finding I'd scored the minimalist draft of the Ninja's wheel ahead and the "on-board entertainment" behind when the Padrino tacked onto the back of the bunch.  

A little west northwesterly would assist the outbound sections of the circuit, the return to town might have a little more labor.  An inch or so across Archer Rd toward Mitchell Rd was expected, so the slow to avoid that delightful cold water up the inside leg feeling allowed a few extra breaths in the tank.  I couldn't imagine a supersonic lap was on the cards, though maximum oxygen on board makes you feel ready for anything doesn't it?  Caution under these conditions seemed to be the vox populi.  Grumpy and Rocket had braved bare knees and all of us braved dodging Central Kialla's population of pot-holes (and aren't they're popping up like daisies!)  A few social sentences were swapped along River Rd till run-off from saturated farmland washed across short sections to slow progress.  Another chance for a few bonus breaths was improving my chances of a decent drive at the front.  The Broken River hadn't breached the bridges though water had spread afar, the solitary bike appearing at Channel Rd found to be Tina back from Queensland.  

Another 1500 metres to the highway in The Godfather's draft and my duty was due.  Doing the "full block" is the measure of worth and for some sense of adequacy, I got my head into gear to reach Old Dookie Rd (I would choose the longest 3.3 km leg wouldn't I?).  The Godfather was gracious with his watts to stay level alongside, my hopes pinned on the Ninja (behind) going gentle for part two.  With the westerly up the 'bottle and glass', the turn east onto Old Dookie Rd had a little less load but the Ninja wasn't shortening her shift at the bridge like I'd hoped, she'd taken aim at the Toaster (as if to toast me!).   I was blessed to find more water across the road at the Pork Palace. 

The ease off the accelerator got the heart-rate out of the heavens and the scenery of the sun up diverted the distress of getting back on the gas for the last 400 metres.  Greg and Boof led the way to the church while Bo seemed to squirm at his place in the pack ; there was work into the westerly looming on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  Demoted down the order from third wheel for the way home was perfect placement for me, away from the headwind for this old dinosaur and let the far fitter forge ahead. (It doesn't do much for the performance anxiety to see these lads driving the 37's and 38's into a headwind - I need a tailwind up the tail to do that!)  

Emil was in his element between Liam and GiantAndy, Rocket, Boof and Grumpy not too shabby with speed either as suburbia came into view.  I guess all that performance on show concreted my place in the caboose (and I wasn't the only one!) but elected as gatekeeper for the Ninja and Tina on Wanagnui Rd gave me some sense of purpose.   The Boulevard became boisterous as expected, the bunch thinning to Indian file as the urgency for caffeine infusion boosted speed beyond Canterbury's roundabout, though the half hour later start put us into more traffic than usual while threading that thin line between passing and parked cars.  One pack became two beyond Tarcoola's roundabout (more to do about safety than speed) though the traffic lights at Welsford St soon reunited the clan.

The Goulburn rose 5ft (in the old scale) late Saturday, effectively evacuating me from town, but luck kept the house and (most importantly) the bike dry. There'd be a few days of frustrating wait till the addiction could be fed again. 

20/10 The post-flood fix

Just a day after being able to get home, receding floodwaters left a squirrel circuit available for a spin on Thursday, but part of the commute was by car through five inches of water in my damp neck of the woods to get to the grid.  This was the first day back on the bike for Kim and Emil too, cut off from civilisation by rising water.  We'd found Tina at the Rae St rendevous and set south to Archer St's shop, the introduction to a calm 30 km/h commute pure cruelty after four days off.  So rusty so soon!  Here's hoping there'd be plenty of slipstreams to soak up for this spin.  The Sanctuary squad would share the circuit  too (their usual lap well under water in places)    

Kel, the 5ft Ninja, Rocket, Wozza, Boof, The Godfather, PistolPete, Kreeky and Greg converged on the shop (like days of old) with Rocket and Emil plotting the path via Channel, Feiglin, Poplar and Central (to skirt around the Doyles Rd roadworks). This different start to the circuit was almost enough to distract thoughts from the pain of peloton pace.  The lefts and rights required a bit more use of the throttle but by the cypress trees a rhythm had come to lighten the load (keeping banging your thumb with a hammer and it goes numb eventually!)   Tina ahead and the Ninja behind might be the right league for me to be in as the left line ended and the advance line beckoned.  11 degrees had tipped the scales to expose knees for me (and many others judging by the flashes of white wintered skin spinning in the half light) though the temperature had a bit more bite than I remembered (see what long cold winters do?  It does produce a bit more adrenalin to keep up the pace).  Boundary Rd had some blur with the south southeaster at the back and plenty of horsepower at the front.

Is this mob usually this fast? The contrast to squirrel speed was probably responsible.  (Thursday's are usually therapy....not a thrash)   The skinny stretch of Hill Rd was needed to avoid the waterlogged path to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, the 2 k's of thin tarmac shared with Tina then the Ninja alongside.  Ah, the memories of this old Saturday circuit.....and the squeals of protest when pace hit 32!  (35's got me squealing today!)  The Ninja had the throttle wide open on Lemnos-North Rd to get to Ford, that slight slipstream of no help to my recovery at second wheel. All that stress was a distant memory half way to Grahamvale Rd (the medicinal benefits of a bunch draft eh?) knowing the likelihood of another turn was as probable as Bo knowing the wind direction, while others moved toward the front to contribute / cruise / crucify themselves to the cause.  There's something about Verney Rd that breeds velocity, so with Boof at the front and a head-on breeze to flare the nostrils, twelve strung into Indian file (traffic islands thin the track with commuting cars competing for space)  behind to keep in touch.  After a bit of a brutal dive into life back on a bike, coffee at Stellar's was the perfect prescription.

21/10 Near naked!

Friday morning's 18 degrees was too good to be true! Maybe it was a bureau blunder? (Nope! It was real)  So braving bare arms and exposed knees and not even one layer of insulation was well out of the comfort zone  (rugging up during five months worth of cold weather was a hard habit to break).  The track to Tarcoola had finally dried to commute to the rendevous and Emil had encouraged Kim to come along too (though I daresay Tina turning up was the tipping point).  The spin to Sanctuary Drive (dry too) didn't have the sting of yesterday's dive-in-the-deep-end ; a second day of punishment and I might just be getting the feel for it! (Could it be the northeasterly breeze making me feel something like progress?)    Trav, Boof, Lenny, Rocket, Bo, The Godfather, Wozza, Liam, Kreeky, Kel, the 5ft Ninja and PistolPete were keen for a few k's at the 5:40 grid and it was no surprise to have PistolPete and Emil guide our way to Mitchell Rd.  

Horsepower had risen to the top as usual (Rocket and Liam lined up behind ready to serve speed) so the safest seats were at the back.  After all that concern, pace had settled into 35's.   River Rd was still it's namesake and as The Godfather had elected himself the Roadranger (aren't we running a risk!) the mundane length of Mitchell Rd was the course to follow.  Wozza and The Godfather in long sleeves hadn't believed the Bureau but most seemed to be liberated from the layers of Winter, having the feeling of riding naked. (now there's a scary thought!)   The chat in the pack was a diversion from the dull and dreary 6km stretch to Coach Rd.    

35's were easy in the draft of 15 as well as the breeze at the back - quite the contrast to the effort at the front for this old relic reckon (if a turn at the front ever came).    A slow for H2O across the tarmac cast doubt on the Roadranger's advice, though an inch of water hardly needed a snorkel.  A gloomy grey painted Coach Rd's course north, yet more shallow floodwaters giving an opportunity for oxygen intake / grizzles to The Godfather and/or laughs to lighten up a dull day.  Several committing to long drives at the front lengthened my odds at getting to the drivers seat ; probably a good thing given my rusty return to riding after a mere four days off duty.  (cancel that Keto diet  Foss, it's concrete for a few days!)   To the tune of a million frogs, 3 Specialized, 3 Scotts, 2 Focus, a Cannondale, a Trek, a DeRosa, a Merida, an Avanti, a LaPierre, a Pinarello and a Baum rolled north round the Boundary Rd pot-holes to Old Dookie Rd and only then had I transitioned from left line to right.  Today was a free tow day, all the way to town. 

This week 156km

YTD 10,610km              

         

The lost cause bin

 Post #666

8/10  Insomnia, perambulating possums and a somewhat sedate Saturday spin.

Scrolling through social media at 4am and I was losing the will to live! Eyes had sprung open at 3am and refused to close again, even a sluggish breakfast hadn't got me nearer to ride time so I reckoned soaking up a free 50 minutes with a quiet tap was better for the brain than Facebook could ever be!   (I could roll along at snail's pace too, if the internal competition department would allow it).  New Dookie, Central Ave, Old Dookie and a crooked path back to Tarcoola got me back to the "normal" stupid o'clock rendevous time to find Emil.  That leisurely little lap (without a car in sight) might just have been the cure to my usual concerns on the commute to Sanctuary Drive ; it wasn't the usual torture and we had a southwester to fight just to get there! Plenty of horsepower assembled at the roundabout (Grumpy, Bruce, Boof, Rocket, Bo, PistolPete, Greg and GiantAndy) but self reassured me that none of them bite; hopefully they'd tolerate my tame turn at the front (or I could just hang on as caboose if GiantAndy lit the afterbuners).   

Straight onto PistolPete's wheel as he started the lap south was usually The Godfather's favorite berth, but he'd only just appeared from southern parts to u-turn and climb aboard.  (Possession is nine tenths of the law they say.....)  I'd be the last to face the front before Pistol started round two.   Predicting pot-holes was the priority in the anti-clockwise path, many now big enough to park a small car in.  Bo seemed to think this was going to be a hot lap till a rapid rabbit shot across our path along Mitchell Rd to turn down the tempo a tad.  Comfort came navigating the cobble-like surface (patches upon the patches) near River Rd and we'd remembered the holes near Jarram Way, but a possum darting between the two rows of riders a moment later got the heart-rates up.  That took some sting out of the speed and probably calmed Bo's earlier worries (He set a sedate low 30's to the dip)  

That southwest breeze made the motion east and north a little less taxing and if I played my cards right, I'd get a shift done before the work to come west on Lemnos-Cosgrove.  My target was set at the Toaster as Boof and I fronted for duty in Old Dookie Rd (just hope I didn't bore him silly getting there) but was quite chuffed the old engine kept 35's going for 2 k's.  Another k north to the church alongside PistolPete was pushing the limits but that quote "Your body can withstand almost anything, it's your mind that you have to convince" resonated in the skull.  

The Godfather had taken up permanent residency in the caboose as the bunch made it's way west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, the sledges coming thick and fast while the big engines propelled the way toward breakfast (funny, that southwester had no effect on them) while I did some oxygen stocktaking at third wheel.  Bruce and Grumpy dragged us closer to town though thoughts of that bolt along the Boulevard and the likelihood of me being elected to the front when we got there got me craving the caboose quite quickly.  (I know when I'm outclassed!)  Strangely, Wanganui Rd wasn't the workout I'd imagined though Rudd Rd in the 35's spelled something swift was to come.  Narrowing to Indian file as the Boulevard gained a centre island signaled the usual thrash was about to happen, so as speed settled to 38's to Tarcoola, I figured Christmas had arrived early.  40 to Knight St was almost bearable.  Pot-hole locations, Gerbils and cars of our childhood were the varied verbals over scrambled eggs and coffee.  

10/10  And here's me thinking Winter was o.t.a! 

The search party was summoned to track down the (mothballed) worst-of-winter insulation for Monday.  Feels like minus 1 didn't help the motivation, particularly when sleep was on my search list too (to no avail).  Maybe those 34 days of 3 or below so far this year had hardened me, 'cause the cold didn't bite so hard when I prodded the old engine into delivering a reasonable pace to Tarcoola.  Jen and Emil arrived to spin the 10 km south ; Jen now a convert to the tubeless faith with a new set of Scope wheels to wrap them on.   The commute to Sanctuary wasn't the usual flogging of a dead horse, a slight southwest breeze to push into confirmed something was in my favor.  

The 5ft Ninja, PistolPete, Greg, Rocket, Kreeky, Kel and Bruce found their way to the roundabout by 5:40, a strangely serene start south without the on-board entertainment that usually hints of The Godfather's presence.  The arrival at the truck route had a car close in from the rear, Trav had motor-paced young Liam to the bunch when floodwaters put his usual route from home under threat.   I'd found Greg's wheel joining the advance line when two rows formed, so now had young Liam as a part two partner when my turn came due.  (No pressure Foss! He's only half a century younger!)    Pistol and Emil had led us to Mitchell Rd and Bruce was on possum patrol to Central Kialla.  A bit of breeze at the backside along River Rd put me at (some) ease for the effort east at the front with Greg from the bridge to the dip, young Liam heedful of his horsepower beside me for part two.  

I'd got sight of the quarter horse stud's white fence just the old engine started spluttering under the load, so reckoned near enough was good enough for this old dinosaur. (Alright, call me Mediocrates!)   Jen's shift may have been inspired by those new wheels (there's got to be some benefit to ease the pain in the purse) though the thought of that low tubeless pressure would feel like a handbrake to me.  Kel and Kreeky finished off River Rd to steer us north on Coach Rd where the Ninja aimed at the Broken bridges.  Just a week into daylight savings time and light already breaks at yonder Mt Major, a little visual stimulation to help endure the lack of temperature (and the orange / pink introduction is a far better mood maker than winter's dull grey).  Boundary Rd's craters were successfully navigated around, and old mate in the gravel truck shot past with almost a metre that matters.   Up and over the bridge at a dizzying half metre elevation and on to the fig farm, Pistol and Emil provided the slipstream to Old Dookie Rd.  Backlit by more of Monday's hint of a spring day, the way west had speed spurred on by the welcomed warmth that coffee might bring.  With Rocket and Greg leading as the bunch crossed Central Ave, I'd be spared the stress of the squirt to SPC.  Greg's watts took care of that task when two rows thinned to one beyond the truck route.

11/10  That deflation sensation.

Word of continuing roadworks in Channel Rd put a little caution into Emil's drive to Doyles Rd, the dismount to cross the half metre torn out of the bypass road refreshed the oxygen levels enough for me to add to the Orrvale Rd leg and carry on to the Kinder.  Great theory at the start Foss, but a slowly strengthening easterly in the face questioned my enthusiasm half way along the ChaCha.  (it's still a spectacularly smooth surface - a riders' nirvana in view of the current conditions of most roads)   Finish what you started Gran used to say (I'd struggle with the shame of flicking an elbow half way through a shift) so I soldiered on to Central Ave for the Ninja to take the reigns.  Being back in the draft was a nice reward for enduring my own stupid decision.   Kim's shift from the cypress trees was a bit short (not that anybody measures) ; time off two wheels and that strengthening wind probably wasn't helping so Wendy was given the task to lead on (there's something about the squirrels that makes her skip the Woulda's)   

Jen got the new wheels working north on Coach Rd and continued over the highway to Boundary's bridge.  Emil's effort was up next and I'll bet I wasn't the only one wondering if I'd hold on.  38's and 9's might be pushing the boundaries but all had survived to reach New Dookie Rd. Their treat was my slower shift to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd (to be honest, I couldn't deliver much more.  Some of the reason might be second wheel syndrome but a squirmy sensation from the rear wheel seemed to be the main reason).    Trying to dismiss a slow puncture as fantasy and substitute softness as the reason was difficult when the legs worked overtime to get to our turn west.   The Ninja was on strict instructions to tame her opening tempo toward Lemnos and surprisingly she conformed. Kim had taken up residence in the caboose.  The breeze at the backside poured motivation into the 5ft one's drive to reach Lemnos North Rd while I sat second last wheel, still suffering that squirm.  

A puncture seemed probable.  

Wendy did the drive into Ford Rd and that sensation grew stronger, now my hopes were hung on getting home rather than forcing a stop to our spin.  The smallest bump in Ford Rd's surface had the rim kiss the tarmac and that spelled stop any anyone's language.  I guess the bonus was I didn't have The Godfather and his stopwatch "assisting" the repairs.  Nothing found in the tyre (hate that!) so faith and 16 grams of CO2 went into the spare (patched) tube, hoping it would last the distance to town.  Emil elected himself as captain on the restart and we'd all predicted the circuit agenda from there - he'd do the short burst to Grahamvale Rd, a drive to Verney then dominate the southbound shift to Balaclava Rd.  Standard squirrel stuff really, though there wasn't the trademark blast to press the pedestrian button, they'd changed the moment a shoe disengaged and touched the tarmac!

14/10 Weirdo's or warriors?

It wasn't quite 40 days and 40 nights but 76mm of damp over 2 days halted any sort of play on 2 wheels.  I wasn't expecting a dry driveway in the stupid o'clock hours of Friday morning but a shower predicted for 9am meant a few k's might be squeezed in (just to calm the cravings caused by 48 hours of deprivation)   Heading south from home found a bit of damp at the road's edge so finding Emil at Tarcoola put credence into the possibility of a spin.  Roads became damper further south toward Sanctuary Drive as thoughts of time spent cleaning the bike yesterday were shoved into the lost cause bin.  (Just think Foss, all the road grime and puddles would run-in that new close ratio cassette nicely!)  Emil and I circled Sanctuary's streets to soak up the 3 or 4 minutes to flagfall but not another bike was seen (some maybe sneaking in from the south, others might be circling the other streets?)     A deserted grid at the roundabout was the answer at 5:40.   (There'd be more than a short shift at the front and a tow home today Foss!)  

With due care set on the menu, Emil set the first shift south, the north northwester making motion toward the truck route easy, but an inch of water over a short stretch of leg 2 toward Mitchell Rd was unexpected.  The slow path through it kept feet dry.  The urge to make a contribution got me to the front in Mitchell Rd ; Emil had kindly set a sensible speed I could try to maintain so spotting the difference between puddles and pot-holes had a chance.  Where puddles became ponds was the new challenge.  Second wheel through Central Kialla was the perfect placement ; Emil's energy could cope with the wind head on while this old dinosaur could bank a few breaths ready for a second shift.  The opening 2 km of River Rd settled to 33's after my presumptuous pace of 35's at the beginning (we tend to become far less heroic when faced with a greater workload and the thoughts of only second wheel as recovery)   Emil led beyond the bridge toward the dip and I figured it would have a lake within it too, but surprise surprise, just a puddle or two presented.  With another slow a kilometre onward for a 10 metre length of water (40mm deep gauged by the 50mm wheels rolling through it) got some more oxygen banked so I could do something like a fair share of the shifts.  

Two more soggy sections along River Rd were difficult to see with cloud covering any hint of early morning light (gotta love that splash of cold water up the inside leg!).  Emil did the north drive on Coach Rd to the highway, bless his #neveralone socks, so I had something saved up to lead the opening k of Boundary.  A solitary '51 rider spun south.  Intentions of driving to the fig farm were shelved when Emil took the driver's seat soon after the bridge ; who am I to argue with his enthusiasm?  I could at least make turn number 5 at the front something worthwhile now that wind was at the starboard side in Old Dookie Rd ; with help from the shelter of a few trees I made it to Central Ave.  A couple of extra k's in Emil's per hour to Dobson's and beyond drained any desire to be at the front again, besides, he could cope with the sting to SPC and the brief shower that came with it.  We finished with a certain smugness of knocking out a lap when the rest of the Coulda's couldn't, and didn't that Butter Factory brew taste good at the end!

This week 248km

YTD 10,453

                       

Fast running out of fast.

 Post #665

1/10 For the sake of slower.

The knee nagged for a lap a little less labored.  Friday's thrash had stung and the clunk in the old joint had continued throughout the day, so Saturday begged something slightly slower.  A social spin with the Wouldabeens might be the remedy (or is there a use-by date for old knees?)   A very cruisy commute with Jase, Wendy and Weapon made a change to the usual bolt to Sanctuary Drive ; the wait for Crossy (yet again a no-show) and the curious course to their Kialla Lakes Drive starting grid felt like another world.  

TrekTrev, Shorty, Nick, Troy, not-so-GiantGlen, Superman and AlmostRetiredTrev made 11 but Rule #87 (the ride always starts on time.  No exceptions) was relaxed with another wait for Crossy  (Called. Woken. Intercepting later)     Wendy steered the crooked course Indian filed to Sanctuary Drive where two rows formed for the southern stretch on Archer ; Weapon and I served to the truck route, then she and Jase to Mitchell, with low 30's the preferred pace. (I could get used to this!)  That long monotonous stretch of Mitchell Rd to Coach Rd (the favored way for Wouldabeens) was a little less mundane as the sun blinded our way east and the social updates got underway with one-time Couldabeens Shorty, Jase, Nick and Troy.   AlmostRetiredTrev seemed to be struggling with low 30's (a side effect of 10 weeks holiday?) while my knee still niggled (in sympathy?)   

I'd paired with not-so-GiantGlen at the turn north into Coach Rd, his giant gastrochnemus not providing the pace I thought they would when he called it quits a k later (masses of muscles count for nothing ; it's the lithe Liam's of this world that produce the pace!)   To prove it, Weapon's waif-like profile was the problem to pace with to River Rd.  Most riders have their signature sit on a bike but one ahead (and about to blend into the bunch) was unfamiliar.  A young (aren't they all Foss?) lad on an old but squeaky clean Giant wriggled into the rotation.   Steve, keen on mountain bikes, was being converted to the path of righteousness on a road bike, but I'll brand him MTBSteve for now.    

Crossy had dragged himself from his warm cot and appeared at the Broken bridges to swell the ranks to 13, while Shorty, Nick and Superman did their drives north.  Towed to the Toaster by TrekTrev,Wendy and not-soGiantGlen, I had the northern leg to the Pine Lodge Church beside Glen then sensed a shelter from an easterly breeze (?) with MTBSteve to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. Effort was easy in the slipstream although AlmostRetiredTrev was getting a little edgy as the velocity edged toward 36's (no doubt he'd impose the speed sanctions reaching the drivers' seat.  Ah, ye olde days of a Saturday speed limit!)   There's something strange steering south onto Verney Rd on a Saturday (Wanganui Rd is the stuff of nightmares for the Wouldabeens I believe) ; instead a steady tap to Graham St then a curious path to Belcibo for breakfast made a calm conclusion - and not a sprint in sight!  Workloads, caravans and buying for bling's sake made the breakfast chat. 

3/10 Hello darkness my old friend, daylight saving's here again.

Yet another morning where ;  1. Alarm goes off at stupid o'clock.  2. Coffee is made to motivate the mind.  3. Have a w.t.f. moment viewing the Bureau's data.  4.Tell self to h.t.f.u. when thoughts stray to going back to bed.  5.Apply multiple layers of insulation (feels like 3.6).   6. Get wheels rolling to Tarcoola.  7.Thrash the old engine into a headwind for 10 km in an attempt to keep up with Emil.  8.  Circle Sanctuary Drive till launch time, hoping to avoid the first shift.    It's the same old, same old procedure that's oddly repeated over and over in the hope of finding fitness, yet it ends in exhaustion and feeling no faster.....with a strange satisfaction for having done it!  Except today, where the darkness of daylight savings time surrounded us.  (Should be called daylight withdrawals time!)    

Greg, Kreeky, The Godfather, Rocket, Kel, Emil, PistolPete, Jen, Bruce, Lenny, the 5ft Ninja and Bo did most of that prior procedure too, though without the "thrash" and with the "faster".  The bell tolled for toil at 5:40, PistolPete naturally leading us into battle to Mitchell Rd.  That south southwest breeze (headwind to me) felt tough enough at third wheel but it didn't bother Lenny, Bruce, Pistol or Emil at the front dragging us the distance to Central Kialla.  I'd have liked to be a bit more social in the chat about the weekend but oxygen intake took priority to prepare for my time at the business end.  

High 30's so far wasn't helping hopes of living up to expectations.  The Godfather and Kel made the pace look easy from the dip to the quarter horse fence so thankfully Kreeky had a slightly slower interpretation at no-man's land (that empty space between the white fence and rooster corner) to Coach Rd.  Northbound to the Broken beside Bo was bearable (he was on his best behavior being at a distance to The Godfather) though I didn't have a lot left getting there, so when Bo and Rocket got locked into a half wheel battle to the highway I was fast running out of fast.  Jen and the Ninja pegged back some pace in Boundary Rd so the heart rate came down from the heavens and a word or two could answer Bruce's questions.  Kel and Kreeky had no want to see the front again (glad it wasn't just me!) and with Lenny, Emil and Pistol about to serve time again, I guessed we were off the hook. Berthed at the back of the bunch at Dobson's, the day's first light lit the way west, so the dozen ahead provided the perfect slipstream for the swift shift to SPC. 

4/10  Missing persons.

Tarcoola's roundabout was empty and a cruise along the Boulevard found nobody, save for Lenny clocking up the early k's.  Wendy was 'Wouldabeening' but it was most unlike Emil and Kim to be awol at 5:15.  I'd given them the benefit of a minute or two so set off south in search of any squirrels.   Tina had flown north to Queensland, I had doubts that Jen would ride on her birthday and LiamM & Lili were in Melbourne yesterday, so this might mean a hardening up for a hurry with the Sanctuary squad?  ......till Lili's light lit Rae St and Jen was found cruising ahead (LiamM had chosen the soft option of a warm bed)   Finding the 5ft one at the shop made a squirrel spin viable ; a little more labor than usual, though that would make the Butter Factory's brew taste even better.  

With Emil absent, I was handed the reigns and responsibility of the first shift to the truck route, so I felt a bit guilty setting 35's instead of Emil's usual enthusiastic expectations.  Channel Rd's roadworks are almost complete, just a bump to negotiate till the final layer of tarmac is laid, then the Ninja captained us to Orrvale Rd.  I'd had just four minutes of recovery while Lili towed us to the Kinder and Jen led us to the cypress trees till being elected to front again to aim at the Not a breeze to battle in any direction was a rare treat, there was only the struggle with negatives bouncing around in the head when you're at the business end.  The Ninja added a burst to the highway when she'd dragged us to Coach Rd but with only three reactions to the accelerations, we'd closed the gaps quickly.  

Lili led into Boundary Rd making good progress to the bridge ;  delivering 34's to get there shows big improvements in recent weeks (what I'd give for an extra 10% in pace!)   Jen drove on to Old Dookie Rd bearing the windshear of oncoming trucks, and as quick as The Godfather runs a red light, I was back in the drivers seat again, although the 1200 metres to New Dookie Rd was a small shift to pay.   All were ready for the Ninja's launch toward Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, so the four were back in line by the first rumble strips.  Lili braved the front again for the west way to Lemnos and divided the distance with Jen at the channel as two approaching lights u-turned to join the line (Emil and Kim sheepishly out of bed to intercept us)   With more lined up behind for duty, Ford Rd's opening 3 km to Grahamvale would be my last shift, so the Ninja did the leg to Verney where Lili would set us south toward Balaclava.  Of course, Emil's coup d'etat  for the lead role came soon after, turning up the effort toward the traffic lights, the frolic (of course) fruitless to change the traffic lights from red. 

5/10  Wet, windy and well worn.

The risk assessment was high for Wednesday, the forecast showers and a threatening radar for a 7am soaking looked likely, but with wet likely for the rest of the week, this might be a chance worth taking.  An easterly packed some energy (19-30 km/h) and the moment the headlight was switched on, it lit drops falling from the sky.   Just as well I'd messaged "I'm game" to Emil's "Thoughts?" 'cause making the commitment to ride stopped me heading straight back indoors.  Maybe a blind faith in yr.no 's accuracy helped?  

I found Emil at Tarcoola and found the easterly painful just to keep a 30's pace to Sanctuary but sure enough, other "weirdo's" (Bruce, Greg, Rocket, Kel, Lenny, The Godfather and Bo) had fronted for the 5:40 grid.   It was most unlike PistolPete to be absent so Bo started the circuit southbound.  Berthed at the back was the best place for me though duty would come all too soon with just nine formed in two rows.  Bruce and Lenny had the northbound shift through Central Kialla suitable centred on the road so most behind had some shelter, so when Lenny and The Godfather paired to battle the headwind toward River Rd's bridge I was about to be thrown in the deep end.  I'd guessed The Godfather would be the easiest to match at the front (given his recent form) but he had torque on tap today.  I had all the motivation in the world to get to the dip, trouble was I didn't have the engine to match it! 

The mathematics of 34's into a 30 km/h wind didn't add up, so called the shift short of the mark.  Imminent engine failure meant I begged Rocket to roll straight over, though holding onto Greg and Rocket's shift to the quarter horse gates was just millimetres from an o.t.a. moment (I was still on the red-line as Kel and Bo towed us rooster corner)   Whether to sit on or join the advance was the internal argument raging in my head along Coach Rd,  and the case for a-short-shift-is-better- than-none won.  Exposed to that east northeaster in the advance line wasn't so inviting, but surely others had the same stress? (maybe I'm the master of showing it?)   Bruce and Lenny kept it swift but smooth to Boundary Rd's bridge though The Godfather bit the bait of sledges he was served and turned up the tempo.  

And that turned up the trouble for me as a big gap opened to his wheel ahead.....and I was busting a boiler to bridge it.  (Bruce saved the day and left me a space in the left line for respite)  The turn west into Old Dookie brought peace from that incessant wind whistling in the ears but with peace came pace as the tailwind boosted egos and the velocity with it.  The slipstream home was nothing to grizzle about.  A few more drops from the heavens spurred on the speed to mid 40's to Central Ave (39's toward Dobson's felt quite cruisy in comparison).  Burning the afterburners toward SPC opened up a few gaps in the Indian filed epilogue but Lenny (and the Wheeler St lights) saved me from being relegated to a solo spin to the cure-all of coffee. Quite the Cheshire cat conclusion arriving home just as the showers started.  (In <yr.no> I trust). 

This week 202km

YTD 10,203km