Post #674
3/12 Factional fractures.
The Saturday starting grid was strange. Not just because Nev turned up or that BeerMat had made a comeback (to qualify for the Couldabeens Christmas party?) And it wasn't because TatPaul and Lance had fronted either; it was those that were on the missing list. The faster fellas would be assembling at the shop but where was the Ninja, The Godfather, PistolPete and Bo? Molly was awol too. Last week's separation of squads seems to have started a frenzy of factions. (Sanctuary too slow and the shop squad too swift?) It's a free country I guess and maybe things are becoming a little too familiar each weekday? Sanctuary Drive had eleven starters, so Emil substituted for the lead role steering us south at six. My sit at second wheel was quickly promoted to co-pilot when Emil rolled to the right and head the advance line, throwing me in the deep end of an early effort (good for hardening the head really; quick to secure an early draft and a late shift is becoming a ritual that could lead to early onset softness!)
Kim, Lenny, BamBam, Tina and Lili had found their places in the procession while I fixed focus on the spinning front hub, Emil's white socks, the one dried worm he'd missed on an otherwise clean-as-a-whistle La Pierre.....anything other than that speck on the horizon that was my Mitchell Rd target. I'd snuck a peek at the pace (careful to avert the eye from the heart-rate numbers) finding 36's not too crushing on the ego, given the southerly to fight (I'm convinced getting a turn with a tailwind is the stuff of fantasy - why should I get it easy?) Nev and Emil captained the clan east to Central Kialla while I reclaimed lost oxygen.
Velocities varied a little as each made their contribution to the cause but if speed were a standard to be stuck to, shifts would shorten a lot and some may withdraw from duty altogether. The call of "Bikes back" warned of the impending shop squad's arrival, GiantAndy driving a rather small train with Rocket and Wozz as Oscar dropped from the back to join us (trying to match GiantAndy's muscle had murdered him). Lance and Kim led to rooster corner and Tina took to the front seat in Coach Rd in a bid to reach the Broken bridges, but the wind had swung to a northeaster to punish her speed.
I obliged her call to roll across at the dam. Gentle on the throttle, Emil picked up the pace to 36's again so I felt duty bound to keep up; that unspoken expectation to reach the highway needing a big ask from this old engine to get there. Oscar co-piloted Emil in Boundary Rd with a couple more k's on their wish list (which did little for my recovery). Evidence of a more easterly wind became clear on the turn toward the Toaster, a joy for the way west back to town so long as Nev stayed at the front for the effort eastbound! You know Summer has arrived when early morning warms quickly; 12 degrees at the start and 17 half way 'round raised questions about wearing arm warmers. BeerMat made some reasonable drives at the business end given he's clocked just 1650 km for the year, the turn west onto Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd inflating ego's as the wind behind made 40's a breeze. The season has truly turned; a big cat pack plied west.
For what is judged a slow spin, this Sanctuary circuit put more labor on my menu than usual with a third turn in Ford Rd and another likely before breaching the Butter Factory. No need for me to find a faster faction (I wonder if those missing did?) TatPaul did an early exit at the highway to earn a living and Nev got the Wanganui itch to drive the bunch hard toward the mount, the lines a little longer as we reached the base of the epic ascent (almost 3 metres of elevation; oxygen would be thin at the top!)
Lili had gone into labor from sustained 40's and dropped rearward as several fought to keep grip of the group into Rudd Rd. My first ota is still etched in the back of the skull and the sense of defeat being cast off like a bidon before a sprint is still clear, so did the chivalrous duty of towing Lili back to breakfast. (Decent turn for me number 4 into the easterly along the Boulevard) Kim, BeerMat, BamBam and Tina were 400 metres ahead as my bait, Lenny, Emil and Oscar finishing fast 400 metres further on with Lance in no-man's-land in between. We'd caught all but the fast fellas by the Town Hall, breakfast judged well earned. From an unknown circuit, Bo, Pistol and The Godfather had berthed for breakfast too, seems they're Saturday's secret squirrels.
5/12 Suddenly Summer.
No need for a base layer Monday and arm warmers could have a day off work too -Summer had finally arrived! I'd wheeled the bike out even earlier (minus those many minutes for the multiple layers normally applied) so the sense of being almost naked was hard to shake off. 20 degrees at stupid o'clock was last felt in February! A west northwester took the standard sting out of the commute to Sanctuary Drive but I'd say there'd be some suffering for the last legs of the lap along Old Dookie Rd. Plans to get my shift done and back into a draft before then were well underway before I'd even got near the grid!
Quite a collection of Couldabeens converged on the roundabout for the weekday ritual, Wendy, Troy, Wozza, Jen, Bruce, Kreeky, Kel, BamBam, Kim, Lenny, Greg, Tina, Emil, Bo, Rocket, the 5ft Ninja, PistolPete and The Godfather filling Sanctuary Drive for PistolPete to pilot us south. Factions forgiven, it was all for one and one for all. (Straight into the fast filling advance line for me, a turn at the front before Old Dookie Rd appeared on my radar!) Bruce and PistolPete were quick to provide pace into Mitchell Rd, the back of the bunch still on the brakes in Archer as those two opened the throttle wide toward Central Kialla. Wozza delivered the infringement notice to the offending driver (Who was to blame? It's always the other guy!)
Almost as inseparable as Rocket and Wozz, Bo and The Godfather timed their turn at the front to perfection, scoring a wind assisted drive at River Rd's dip, the tailwind specialists as pleased as punch to deliver 40's as their donation. Pace was beginning to take it's toll on Kim so she took the lifeline of the left line and its' decent draft so Tina took her place. Bo and The Godfather had a firm grip on the lead, Tina's tenacity now at a trickle to keep up, so she took an escape from the effort too.
The Ninja was up to the task to pair with The Godfather to rooster corner though part two turned short as the wind worked her over northbound. Variables in velocities weren't doing me any favors at the front and the lack of a decent draft got me well into zone 4 before Rocket drew alongside. My target shortened to the Broken bridges when the wind went to work on me. Wozza and Rocket, partners in pace, kindly saved their acceleration for those valued moments while oxygen was being uploaded. Troy, BamBam, Jen and Wendy looked likely to bear the brunt of the now southwesterly in Old Dookie Rd as Lenny and Kreeky led two lines north on Boundary Rd. Understandably, many sought refuge in the left line when heads headed west. There's a sense of surviving the circuit when Shepp comes into view though sweat and speed were still on the menu as Pistol and Bruce pushed 38's into the wind. Surviving the squirt to SPC might be the better goal!
6/12 The deep end for dinosaurs.
Waking way before the stupid o'clock alarm has a softening effect; time to hear a southerly whistling outside, a few minutes to process "feels like 8" (so much for Summer!) and several moments to contemplate a hundred reasons to go back to sleep. The pessimist within was strong on Tuesday for some reason and I clutched at the straws of post-ride endorphins flooding Mr Negative down the plug hole to kick start the kitting-up process. Oddly, the "feels like" didn't feel so bad in the reality of the 5am darkness though the southwester was as welcome as a prostate exam. There'd be just a little pain to reach the start line before a not-so-supersonic Squirrel spin with prevailing winds Mr Optimist argued.
Wendy had submitted prior apologies and Emil arrived at Tarcoola minus Kim, Jen and Molly had both opted for that running habit and LiamM and Lili were awol. Tina showed her allegiance at least. BamBam hadn't made the grid by 5:30 and it seems the Ninja has cemented her separation from the Squirrels, so a swift spin with the Sanctuary squad was now the schedule. Boof, Troy, Wozza, Bo, Rocket, Greg, Kel, Kreeky, PistolPete, Bruce, the 5ft Ninja, Grumpy and The Godfather at the roundabout confirmed quick was the flavor of the day and when PistolPete called "chocks away" at 5:40, a foot fumble by Troy and I got 40's on the agenda to catch the crew.
The co-efficient of drag obviously doesn't apply to Pistol and Bruce pushing 38's into a headwind, speed even swifter eastbound to Central Kialla with Emil's excitement to get there. So much for the sedate squirrel spin! (social Wednesday might be my respite) Finding a considerate co-pilot was wishful thinking given Tuesdays and Thursdays are full steam ahead, though Troy ahead and Greg behind shouldn't toast me......too much! 40's along River Rd wore away what little watts I had, Rocket and Wozza (that pairing again) going long range to rooster corner turned into a thrash at third wheel. Troy managed half a k with Wozz in Coach Rd before rolling left so that threw me in the hot seat when I was almost cooked anyway.
All the intention in the world didn't drive the legs and lungs any harder (or longer) and explosion was moments away with just 200 metres done. What felt like the last breath I had called Greg across at the dam so I threw that excuse for a turn in the something's-better-than-nothing bin. The next kilometer was spent overdosing on oxygen and pondering the division I'm in (a bit deep for this dinosaur) I should have taken Kreeky lessons; get to the front and set your own pace, not the other guy's! The Ninja and The Godfather followed that theory on Boundary Rd, possibly frustrating the faster faction, but they'd get their angry time at the front in Old Dookie Rd. The labor didn't let up back to town and my grip was slipping on the swift(er) shift to SPC; a split second pause for a car at the roundabout opening a 20 meter (unfillable) gap. Off the back of the bunch, I knew my way to the cafe (I reckon my craving for coffee would guide me with my eyes shut!), a chance as it happened to observe at a distance what looked like a scattered pack of Brown's Cows steering the streets to the Butter Factory (some with little regard for road rules). Want respect on the road? Gotta earn it guys! (We can do much better)
7/12 Social reform.
It was easy to drag the old engine out of bed Wednesday; barely a breeze was blowing and social speed was on the ride agenda.....if everybody behaved. Emil exited the commute to join the shop squad for a thrash on the original circuit (Channel-Coach-River-Mitchell and Raftery) so pressure was off for Molly, Tina, Jen and I to roll to Sanctuary's grid in search of socialists. Kreeky, Bo, Troy, the 5ft Ninja, The Godfather, Oscar, Kel, Greg, Grumpy, Bruce and PistolPete confirmed several like a leisurely lap (and I don't mean the Cat's version of leisurely). Being thrown in the deep end of an early shift on Saturday had built some bravado to join the advance line early when PistolPete got wheels humming on Archer Rd, 3rd wheel behind Oscar figured to get the advantage of a tailwind through Central Kialla where I'd guessed I'd be at the business end.
There'd be some sort of labor for part two in River Rd with an easterly extracting some effort, but that worry could come later. Oscar positioned half a bike ahead when we (partially) paired for the northern leg though the indiscretion was excused given his short introduction to the clan. Seems the mid-week social speed memo might not have got to his inbox either. The breeze had barely broken the 10 km/h mark but it had hurricane status when it hit me in the face headed to River Rd's bridge. Driving the little sprocket and barely breaking a gasp, Jen was a rather intimidating co-pilot while I tried to suppress the suffering of part 2. Greg's praise helped heal the hurt but one of his engines would help me more!
Some satisfaction came seeing speed stayed about the same for the next 4 k's east to rooster corner, a pleasantly peaceful last 2 k's when The Godfather took the lead role. (The lust for oxygen silences him too!) Speed was hardly supersonic (though the shop squad was westbound) but all got to serve some time at the business end (without ducking for cover), and that builds a bit more fitness and confidence (and some sense of purpose). Decent daylight lit Molly's new Pinarello and it's stealth bomber colour; another new bike in the mixed bag of brands the bunch has in its' stable. The breeze at the backside back to town buoyed the enthusiasm (and the pace) along Old Dookie Rd, the Ninja in fine form to make 40 the new social standard to the truck route where PistolPete provided the propulsion to SPC.
8/12 Softened and slept in Thursday; felt 65 years old!
I'd either slept 6 months beyond the alarm or someone ordered Winter for breakfast! (Down to the bottom drawer to recruit those thermal things Foss, feels like 3.5 would need some insulation). Kreeky, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Tina, Grumpy, Greg, Kel, Rocket, Bruce, Jen, Oscar, PistolPete, Trav, Wozza, Troy, Lenny, Emil and Boof packed the roundabout for kit day, The Godfather precisely timing his arrival as Oscar and Emil led two lines south from the roundabout (but The Godfather had been muscled out of his 2nd wheel sit in the left line for a change) A west southwester guaranteed the usual headwind home but being a big bunch, it looked likely I'd get a free tow all the way to coffee. I reckoned it was PistolPete who paired with Emil to tow us to Central Kialla but it was a little difficult to identify the drivers from 8 wheels back when all were uniformly uniformed (Oscar was the stand-out in a red thermal jacket) Tina shadowed my sit on Grumpy's wheel through the corrugated Central Kialla leg, the hot air from certain folk taking the edge off 6 degrees.
Speed was keen on River Rd while wind amplified abilities to travel east. Off the Fizik at full throttle in Coach Rd to catch the pack, the penance to pay for being at the back, the whiplash effect of a big bunch only really noticeable from the caboose, though being dragged along in the draft is a far cry from the cruelty at the front (unless you're Wozza or Boof or Rocket or Lenny or Emil or, hang on.....most in this mob!) Aside from the lack of degrees, the joy of riding in the sunshine hasn't worn off; not so long ago we were freezing our little sprockets off in the dark! I was certain I was safe from the struggle at the front at 5th wheel on the turn into Old Dookie while Kel and Bo put their watts to work west but Tina in 4th wheel got a whiff of the work to come and ducked for cover in the left line. The Ninja caught the same aroma beyond School Rd and sought a similar slipstream.
I might not score that free tow to coffee after all! Rocket and Jen captained beyond Central Ave (thank my lucky stars for the few breaths grabbed while they were off the gas to let the backmarkers back on) and built up to prior pace by Dobson's bridge, me banking on Jen staying in the driver's seat to the truck route. But Jen rolled left and handed me an earlier effort that I hoped I'd escape. Thinking I'd be toasted to Doyles Rd., I was surprised when Jen raised the white flag a quarter k later, Grumpy now my co-pilot and needing a quiet reminder I'm not in the league of his speed. Shadows grew long with the sun at our back, a photo opportunity too hard to resist, but lungs were labored and the danger of going ota grew deeper when focus should have been on oxygen needed for the sprint to SPC.
(Worth the effort? Nearly spat out the back like a day-old Juicy Fruit doing it!)
9/12 Did somebody order Winter?
I'd either slept 6 months beyond the alarm or someone ordered Winter for breakfast! (Down to the bottom drawer to recruit those thermal things Foss, feels like 3.5 would need some insulation). Kreeky, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Tina, Grumpy, Greg, Kel, Rocket, Bruce, Jen, Oscar, PistolPete, Trav, Wozza, Troy, Lenny, Emil and Boof packed the roundabout for kit day, The Godfather precisely timing his arrival as Oscar and Emil led two lines south from the roundabout (but The Godfather had been muscled out of his 2nd wheel sit in the left line for a change) A west southwester guaranteed the usual headwind home but being a big bunch, it looked likely I'd get a free tow all the way to coffee. I reckoned it was PistolPete who paired with Emil to tow us to Central Kialla but it was a little difficult to identify the drivers from 8 wheels back when all were uniformly uniformed (Oscar was the stand-out in a red thermal jacket) Tina shadowed my sit on Grumpy's wheel through the corrugated Central Kialla leg, the hot air from certain folk taking the edge off 6 degrees.
Speed was keen on River Rd while wind amplified abilities to travel east. Off the Fizik at full throttle in Coach Rd to catch the pack, the penance to pay for being at the back, the whiplash effect of a big bunch only really noticeable from the caboose, though being dragged along in the draft is a far cry from the cruelty at the front (unless you're Wozza or Boof or Rocket or Lenny or Emil or, hang on.....most in this mob!) Aside from the lack of degrees, the joy of riding in the sunshine hasn't worn off; not so long ago we were freezing our little sprockets off in the dark! I was certain I was safe from the struggle at the front at 5th wheel on the turn into Old Dookie while Kel and Bo put their watts to work west but Tina in 4th wheel got a whiff of the work to come and ducked for cover in the left line. The Ninja caught the same aroma beyond School Rd and sought a similar slipstream.
I might not score that free tow to coffee after all! Rocket and Jen captained beyond Central Ave (thank my lucky stars for the few breaths grabbed while they were off the gas to let the backmarkers back on) and built up to prior pace by Dobson's bridge, me banking on Jen staying in the driver's seat to the truck route. But Jen rolled left and handed me an earlier effort that I hoped I'd escape. Thinking I'd be toasted to Doyles Rd., I was surprised when Jen raised the white flag a quarter k later, Grumpy now my co-pilot and needing a quiet reminder I'm not in the league of his speed. Shadows grew long with the sun at our back, a photo opportunity too hard to resist, but lungs were labored and the danger of going ota grew deeper when focus should have been on oxygen needed for the sprint to SPC.
(Worth the effort? Nearly spat out the back like a day-old Juicy Fruit doing it!)
This week 267km
YTD 12,348km
No comments:
Post a Comment