Post #687
25/2 Seeking sustainable Saturdays.
A little like crossing the floor to vote with the opposition, Saturday's last moment decision to lap with the Wouldabeens felt like betraying the bunch. There was little motivation in the muscles at stupid o'clock (self inflincted with a 320 km/week habit?) and the usual Saturday spin with it's history of hurry had drained a lot of enthusiasm. I guess being social could be an excuse to swap squads? I found Wendy in the Boulevard and Crossy in Corio on the commute via Joe (not Tony)'s but he'd found a reason to abandon the ride. The curious course to Kialla Lakes Drive found a few others (Shorty, Weapon, TrekTrev and ChrisS) but a wait for others proved fruitless. (I'm a fan of Rule # but, when in Rome......) Shorty showed us the way south via Waranga, Wendouree and Sanctuary to Archer Rd, Crossy taking his shift to Mitchell Rd where the northeaster's help became hurt for TrekTrev's turn.
13-20 k's worth of wind at the left shoulder slowed progress a tad and just as I thought TrekTrev would tow us to Central Kialla, his elbow put Weapon in charge. Wind direction isn't obvious to some but was as subtle as a sledgehammer to me to stay left and give the players behind some shelter. They'd have the pleasure of driving into it soon. Mitchell Rd is the favored course of the Woulda's and I had it's bland views unobstructed to the dog-leg, careful to keep all aboard at a diplomatic pace. It's the FIFO factor.
Wendy followed up at a similar speed for another couple of k's and elected ChrisS as captain. New to the addiction and probably a probationary in the drivers seat, watts were wanted just shy of Coach Rd so he handed the job to Shorty. A concession was called soon after for ChrisS to upload oxygen so the throttle was eased to River Rd but Crossy was keen to ramp up the velocity again on his mission to reach the Broken bridges. The 1600 meters to the highway was TrekTrev's task. Weapon seemed to struggle toward the Boundary bridge so it was no surprise to see her elbow electing me to take over. 34's and 5's left enough in the legs to do the distance (and didn't score me any knives in the back) though I'll admit it was great to hand the reigns to Wendy 3k's later and enjoy sitting second last wheel. (Weapon had commandeered the caboose)
I suffer the usual Saturday speed yet just a couple of k's slower seems sustainable. (Time to suffer some more then I reckon!) Another call for calm went to Shorty on his hurry to the Pine Lodge church while ChrisS was occupied with oxygen. Wind up the wastegate motivated speed west on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, TrekTrev setting the standard to Boundary Rd for me to continue. Targeting Lemnos North Rd is standard single file stuff (might not aim that far with someone alongside), posterior punishment avoided with the fresh coat of paint on the rumble strips. Wendy took care of Ford Rd's 3 k's and Wepon had quit the caboose to drive the shift to Verney so ChrisS steered us south toward Balaclava (No worry of Wanganui Rd with this lot) Rumors of a sprint finish amouted to nothing. A Belcibo breakfast occupied the taste buds, dodgy caravan parks, outdoor ed and radar tail-lights occupied the tongue.
27/2 Monday's motivation muster.
Those moments (minutes?) between cancelling the alarm and your feet hitting the floor are dangerous. Too long and Bo's book of excuses opens in your mind, too soon and there's a horizontal malfunction to start your day! Motivating movement on a Monday is hard enough at the best of times and stirring old bones at stupid o'clock makes it more of a challenge, but once up and about, the engine slowly splutters into a rough idle. Coffee smooths it. I try not to sit too long on mornings like these or reasons to abandon a ride begin to multiply (Bo's book comes in several volumes you know!) so the kit-up procedure started before the cup went empty.
A slight southwester didn't delay the spin to Sanctuary drive, The Godfather, Jen, Wozza, Bruce, Emil, Kreeky, Bo, PistolPete, Kel, BamBam, Greg, Tina and Rocket finding the motivation to meet for the 5:40 shindig. The Godfather's charge to get Pistol's wheel (therefore the last in the order) was almost predictable as PistolPete's lead south, the bunch sorting themselves into order toward Mitchell Rd. A hare and a snake were avoided but Wozza struck something to sharp half way to Central Kialla to pinch a tube and cause a pause for a fix. Emil assisted but there wasn't a reading from the gospel according to St.Tubeless. Underway a little later than The Godfather's expectation, the southwester provided pace north to River Rd and east toward rooster corner, most assuming their previous order (though The Godfather grabbed the gap ahead of Bo, concentrating on conversation rather than the wheel ahead. There was a chance of a circus act to follow and being on Bo's wheel wasn't the perfect position.
Some comfort came with Kel behind; conformity, consistency and no clowning around for part two! As expected, The Godfather put on a show of pace in Coach Rd, a little less ballast and a tailwind assisting his bid to bust Bo, but he behaved for the best part of the shift to get us to the highway, team intact. Doing a 'full block' beside Bo crossed my mind for a moment then common sense took over, I'd have just enough to do half then Kel could run my tank dry to Old Dookie. I'd rolled to the left line nearing the fig farm and thought Kel was just being kind keeping her wheel level but 38's seemed to be showing some stress when I sneaked a peek. That explained her short shift against the southwester with Kreeky to School Rd.
Tina braved the wind with Kreeky to Central Ave where pace picked up on Pistol and Emil's watch to the truck route. Speed stayed stable though for the shift to SPC, the competition with commuting traffic retraining the usual thrash.
28/2 Many missing, one returned and a new recruit (and a second spin)
No Wendy, no Kim, no Molly, no Graeme and no Tina! Just as well Emil and Jen turned up Tuesday and, after a long absence imitating a speedboat (a 24km swim in 6:39), Lili returned to spin with the squirrels. Well, what's left of them! Tuesday became this weeks' therapy session to not only transition Lili from the water back to two wheels but for new recruit Julz to get a gentle baptism to bunch riding. Lili was having headlight issues so stayed at the back while you-know-who got the wheels rolling toward the truck route. I got the Doyles to Orrvale Rd thing, for the 681st time!
Pleased with the 'therapy tempo', Jen took us to the Kinder and Emil found himself in charge again but his Leyzene's backlight was out of action (though he'd guessed the tempo well). My heart-rate strap went haywire in sympathy, though I'd like 59bpm at 33 km/h anyday! Julz red led flashing at the cypress trees said she was braving the bunch and joined the rear at a conservative distance. Trust will get her closer in time, for now our job was to make her introduction to the addiction a pleasant one. (going OTA on your first 'bunchie' isn't an ideal start). 27's and even 28's was the guess to be diplomatic though the benefit of the slipstream soon made 31's no bother. I was given the lead at the S bend and kept speed within specs to Coach Rd. (that "hell hath no fury" thing sounded in the skull) Jen drove into the darkness of Boundary Rd to the bridge where Lili's light started to behave and let her lead. The difficult task for the day would be to get the grin off Julz face; what a happy little Vegemite in the draft! (We won't tell her what waits for her at the front yet!) Emil handed me the New Dookie to Lemnos-Cosgrove shift , Jen working west for the 3k's to Ford Rd. A hint of south southwester wasn't a worry at social speed and variety came with the usual order mixed , Emil on duty to Grahamvale and Lili back at the front for the drive to Verney so again I was trusted with Emil's shift south to Balaclava Rd. Traffic lights were as always, red.
That 50k repetition had got to me again, the urge to teach the legs something like distance got me doing a second spin. Perfect weather made the choice easy. A lap of the Sanctuary circuit is the same old same old, but it suited my time limitations. (I did catch The Godfather up to his elbows in a puncture repair on the exit if town ; seems tubeless has it's limitations too!) Pressure was off without a bunch to keep pace with and the breeze made the most of the anti-clockwise course. With little traffic to contend with the solo spin was certainly peaceful, riding in daylight the pleasure I'd almost forgotten.
1/3 Windsday.
A free tow to Sanctuary Drive was worth a sprint to Benalla Rd's lights rather than suffer the south southwester blowing at 24 km/h for another 6 k's. Boof and Rocket were the saviours with the horsepower to tow me there, Emil sheltering me from the wee bit of west in the wind. Troy, Grumpy, PistolPete, Kreeky, Greg, BamBam, The Godfather and Bruce arrived for Pistol and Emil to drag us south at 5:40; where they find the watts to drive at 37's into the wind I'd love to know (I want some too!) I had no hesitation joining the advance line early; getting a turn at the front before Old Dookie Rd was the priority (through Central Kialla or somewhere on Coach or Boundary would be fine. I don't want much do I?) Hopes hung on Boof playing nice when I did reach the business end. Grumpy and Troy lucked the northbound path to River Rd, remarkably restrained given the south southwester boosting us from behind but 38's seemed to be set in stone for the eastern legs to rooster corner.
Rocket and Boof kept the momentum moving to the dip and my imagination (that there was more of a westerly flavor to the wind)probably helped me to face the front. The Garmin must have read faster than reality 'cause 38's stayed fixed to the quarter horse fence (and didn't that make the helmet a tight fit! Calmed the performance anxiety too) Or was the new set of tyres rolling better than the old ones with 7,000 k's done? Satisfied I'd put in a reasonable part one, I rolled to the left line and had BamBam partner for part two. 1500 metres passed fast, BamBam calling half time and had The Godfather co-pilot (and wasn't that a sweet slipstream for my recovery!) Kudos to BamBam doing the distance to Coach Rd though just like me, he was probably thanking his lucky stars that was the one and only contribution for the day. For the first time in many moons, this was an all male mob, the testosterone kept in check though north to the highway with The Godfather and Bruce in charge (Bo's absence may have been the benefit?)
The long drive to Old Dookie Rd by Greg and Kreeky delayed my promotion to the advance again, in fact it was perfectly timed to happen steering west into Old Dookie so I scored the sheltered side. 38's was the standard stuff west toward town (maybe this is social speed +gst?) but how you drive into a ssw wind at that pace still has me guessing (it's called horsepower Foss!) Emil and Grumps towed us to the truck route, so with Rocket and Boof still to serve, I was let off the hook of hurting at the front again. When traffic split the pack at the roundabout the slow spin to SPC for others to rejoin was a fairytale end.
2/3 Aiding another addict.
Although it drags an average average down a tad, the recent habit of a snail-like start a few minutes prior to the usual launch time is becoming pleasurable. It's said you shouldn't rev a well worn engine when it's cold so this ritual might prevent me blowing smoke or throwing a rod on the circuit? Today was a treat though, the second therapy session for the week. Kim was on a comeback and Julz was bitten by the bike bug to join in again. Another addict in the making. The slightest of a south southwester made some work to get to the start so a sedate circuit speed and the breeze mostly at the back might be my blessing? Wendy was worn out, Molly still struggles with spoke malfunctions, Graeme was m.i.a. and Tina's tending to her dad but Lili and Jen appeared in Rae St for Emil and I to do the tow truck duty to the shop. The standard scenario started the circuit at 5:30; to the truck route by Emil, to Orrvale Rd by me, to the Kinder by Jen where Kim scored the breeze in the face on Central Ave but at the starboard side to the cypress trees, far from a "totally useless" turn she'd quoted at the shop.
Julz' red led ahead was Lili's aim bound for the S bend, though half a tree half way across Channel Rd was an oversized chicane to deal with. Emil's sense of fair play gave me the lead as early at Boundary Rd's bridge, the tailwind shared by all up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. Julz, still in her apprenticeship, felt comfortable climatizing in the caboose. I reckon within a week, she'll be itching to get into the drivers' seat. 32's found favor on Tuesday but 34's were kosher today - not a bad improvement in the scheme of things. We'd got to Lemnos North Rd thanks to Emil and my role was to lead to Grahamvale Rd so Lili got the short shift to Verney but it put Kim back into the headwind again bound for Balaclava Rd. Emil knew what was good for him, taking the lead at a suitable speed to tow us all to that red traffic light.
3/3 The circu is in town!
How strange. A southerly was blowing to break the spirit getting to Sanctuary Drive! Not the greatest start to a ride. The sprint to catch Wozza, Boof and Rocket at Benalla Rd caught a red light instead though Emil kindly provided a draft to Kialla Lakes to shelter me from 28 k's worth of headwind (I might just have something in the tank for the circuit to come). Gazza, PistolPete, TrackStan, Kel, The Godfather, Grumpy, Bruce, Bo, the 5ft Ninja, BamBam, Greg, GiantAndy and Troy massed at the grid for kit day, though the Ninja and GiantAndy got demerit points for uniform malfunction. Only Grumpy braved the pairing with Pistol to head south into the wind.
I had no shame in hiding at the back of the bunch after a 10k battle with the wind and I reckon the Ninja deserved a sheltered spot after her commute of 17 k's solo, but Bo seemed to think the 'shirker' title fitted (says he with a tailwind to the start and taking a rear seat too!) Onto Troy's wheel when joining the advance early put my faith into getting a tailwind turn, though that wind at the starboard side wasn't much fun along Mitchell Rd.
BamBam was earning his frequent flyer points with the bunch and TrackStan had appeared in the pack again; a stand-out among the two straight rows headed toward River Rd (Rocket's caution hanging a metre behind must have been part of the risk assessment?). Gazza's vocals would give Grumpy a run for his money but I had better use for the oxygen to hold 39's with the wind whipping at the right flank. A big branch on the road near the quarter horse stud made a surprise chicane, the lads with horsepower (Troy and Boof) driving the long shift of Coach Rd to the highway, so I would get my wish of wind up the wastegate for the turn at the pointy end. Julz was waiting to jump aboard at Channel Rd (the addiction is strong in this one) Elected to the drivers' seat crossing the highway, Troy gave me a pensioner's discount on pace; 38's had the tank half empty at the bridge so called half time to have GiantAndy partner for part two (pleased to hear he was running at half throttle in recovery. I could keep up with him to the fig farm).
My dodgy heart-rate strap had died, so that dreaded number on the Garmin screen showed --. (What you don't know won't hurt you eh?) Quite the comparison to see GiantAndy alongside the 5ft Ninja at the front. Bo had paid the penance to get the southerly at the side on Old Dookie Rd and Kel kept him quiet to School Rd where he called it quits (so much for driving the 'full block'). Julz had done well to hang on to the hurry to town, the halt at the truck route getting an extra breath or two in but getting back up to speed toward SPC had some legs buckling. A few eased off to keep Julz company back to coffee, witnessing a Browns' cows procession ahead. Time to tidy up our act folks if we want some respect from the motoring public.
A little courtesy costs nothing but earns heaps.
This week 334km
YTD 2,655km
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