A bleak Sunday morning had plenty pulling the pin on a spin, I got to Friars at 7.30 to find all had abandoned ship, so a solo ride it was. Pointed east on Old Dookie Rd after tip-toeing the greasy corners in town, a cloud parked on the paddocks made a misty trail to Boundary Rd. Cranking through pea soup speckled specs, vignetting the view. A pair of damp devotees northbound near the pub deserved a salute (justified my insanity too) just one other spotted eastbound on River Rd. (cloaked from Strava Flyby's) The sun finally pierced through the gloom at Central Kialla, vivid colours against the dark blue-grey clouds hanging low in the south. Well dampened by Roubaix corner, I activated the clothes drier of high thirties for Conrod straight to finish, did nothing but make me soggier.
I took the soft option of an anticlockwise lap Monday with a forecast southwester, keeping the breeze at my back for at least half the circuit. 77 rpm seemed to be the groove to sit in, Raftery Rd a chore till turning west into Mitchell. A howler helped along River Rd, superfluous sticks to swerve, Rocket, Ron and co heads down westbound. Wind whipped at the wheels, all fell silent when it swung directly behind, save for the Mavic music. Coggo, Carl and Tum were slogging south at the Broken bridges, I was bathed in bliss for Boundary, blown by the breeze behind, but the honeymoon soon ended turning to town on New Dookie Rd. (just for the change in scenery), the wicked wind had swung westsouthwest to make it masochist Monday. Suprised to make reasonable progress (77 rpm), just maintaining it was the big challenge, focussing a few metres ahead rather than the distant target, a pleasure to end the hurt arriving back in town.
Speared the Cygo into Ford Rd's darkness at 5.05 Tuesday, a tailwind to artificially inflate the ability, a headwind back to deflate and destroy. Out of the dark treetops swept a great egret with the wingspan of an
A-380, banking just above my helmet to scare the sh.....imano out of me, an adrenelin addition to the average. Felt the westerly's wrath at the wheels southbound, partaking the parfum de piggy (a nasal anemometer) at the Toaster, but felt suprisingly good into the headwind home, atop the 17 at 77 rpm seemed to be the cog of choice. Back to the metropolis, all the way back to Friars a minute before Goat flagfall for quick quips with Coggo, Kate, Phil, Sandy, Joe, Hommy Heady and Belly. The team toured east exiting town, regular rollover rituals on Old Dookie sandwiched between Phil and Heady. Once the echelon ettiquette was established, Boundary Rd progress was better than expected, Sandy taking a back seat with convalescent Kate. Into the nitty gritty of River Rd's headwind, we'd just got into a rhythm when Heady hollered a puncture. Time out of my favour, I tendered my apologies and continued solo, a slog along the alternate truck route (a welcomed brief tow from two B doubles and a semi, line astern) then the h.r. escalation on Archer for the drive home by 7.
Keeping condition and counting k's caused an early Old Dookie-Boundary-Channel Rd lap Wednesday (reminiscing the original Cat laps 7 years ago) , odd patches of mist from last nights rain but an eye on the clock to keep a 6am Couldabeens appointment. Concerns were cancelled arriving 7 minutes early, a roll to the bridge and back to prevent rigor mortis, then greet AvantiChris, Pistol Pete, Spin Doctor, Shorty, Hollywood, Cougar and Tucks, assembled for the usual 28k reverse lap. Off at 6 for a gradual dial up of tempo to reach cruising speed, on Hollywoods wheel with a Pistol pointing in my back. Calm was called on the turn into Mitchell (thank heaven after being cooked by Pete) but Hollywood punctured in Central Kialla, performing a pitstop pantomime in tiresome tyre tardiness, assisted of course by lavish servings of inuendo, hyperbole and sarcasm. Back underway just before someone called for coffee to be delivered, the bunch cranked into River Rd, Cougar with another loss of lumens. I had a second basting from Pistol on the Boundary Rd leg, 2800 metres of marinading in a spicy pace to pickle my pulminary's. We settled into Channel Rd bound for home, some champing at the Cha Cha as the mercury settled to zero, my legs fit for the fourties, while others fried in the fifties. An epilogue of a pacy push home making ammends from Hollywood's intermission.
All the signs said "Bail Out" Thursday, a stiff southerly (20-33 km/h), spits of rain multiplying and loss of satellite on the Garmin. Pessimism in the prefrontal spelt doom, defeat and doona. (but a feint call within the cranial cavity cried carpe diem). Waiting at the start (hoping nobody arrived?) it was just Rocket who turned up, a Ferrari fronting a formula Ford Fiesta race! Temple arrived and promptly turned tail for home as we layed tracks in a lightly glossed Channel Rd, bragging rights over the doona divers was the only driving force with the heart rate already at 160. A word or two with Rocket only added more, Rocket delivering unbroken paragraphs while my sentences were fragmented by oxygen intermissions. Rocket's compassion for the frail and aged kindly loaned me a tow when we steered south, a delight to be dragged in the drivers draft along Boundary. I'd zoned in on effort but out on location, arriving at River Rd sooner suprised. I tried the ride beside but lungs denied, legs fried and spirits died, back into the tow again. Two bikes bearing east (determined/ delerious, committed/certified, dedicated/deluded, strike out that which does not apply) were follwed by one a k in arrears, u-turning as we slogged the south leg of Central Kialla Rd, curiousity calling a calming of cadence in Mitchell Rd to identify the pursuer. LateLeigh arrived breathless (funny, he'd missed the Cat lap start), Rocket resumed his tow truck services, out of Roubaix in the fourties, nudging fifties in Conrod, enjoying a hard earned tailwind home.
A prologue of Ford, Lemnos North and Old Dookie roads was a warm up (?, 6 degrees) to the Friars frier, trying to keep below 138 bpm to preserve pace for later. Coggo and Tum were on the Friars grid, a lightweight Heady arriving at the last minute, with appropriate headwear. The quartet filed out of town, Heady handing me the reigns for the heart starter to Dobsons bridge. Tum's typical tempo tested us, good to be in Coggo's smooth tow till the breeze in Boundary needed cutting. (happy to be able to drive at 165 bpm for 2.1 k). The eastbound Couldabeens train was easily spotted eastbound on River Rd, a slow for traffic and their intersection arrival gave us a moment to top up the oxygen. Heady was suffering the speed as I peeled off the front, Tum took the lions share of River Rd from the dip to the end. Coggo dragged us to Mitchell, my go to Archer showed the strain, delighted to duck into the draft till my next shift in Conrod. I'd burnt all the beans by the last dip, handing Heady the chocolates, a quick quadrella quashed queries on quickness but quietly questioned qualm.
Week 29 312 km YTD 8,633
Friday, July 17, 2015
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Week 28 : A winter investment
No takers beyond Wozz and I for a Saturday prologue, the committed (or should be committed) set a southerly sail on a reverse Tuesday/Thursday circuit, finding just the tap to Raftery Rd a workout, climbing Steptoe's hill near Conrod's finish line felt like a life's acheivement. There was a whole lot of soft suffering going on barely into the thirties, out of the seat to cross the highway felt like i'd loaned my legs as Hunter Sam's punching bags. On the 17 spin again to keep the momentum and warmth balance, River roads' seemingly endless length stretched ahead to torment us, yearning the arrival of those fourteen white dashes on the tarmac that signal it's end. North to Channel Rd and west back to town on the favoured fifteen put pleasure into the prefrontal, delighted to finally u-turn at the school and join the fifteen Couldabeens/Genesis brigade for a timely tow. A consolatory cruise allowed the social chat to the Emu, the bar raised a little westward to town but no complaints received. No chance of a sprint placement finding myself beside Nev approaching DECA, the tank well emptied before the Wanganui hill (but plucked off a few hopefuls out of stubborn minded achievement anyway). Rounding Rudd, I dropped back for a trailing light 50 metres in arrears, a tow for Linda back to the pack for the recovery roll to the Lemontree. Chat on chickens feet, BMI and French chateau's, Ange and MasiMario deep in philisophical fellowship. .
Put out an APB for motivation Monday, almost sucummed to the temptation of the doona till thoughts of contracting BigMat-itis put enthusiasm into gear. Grizzled my way east to the Emu at 5, the slightest hint of a northeaster (7 km/h) labouring the legs and putting pain before pleasure. Snuck the chain onto the fifteen heading to the Toaster, relief for the rector femoris with higher hopes heading west in Old Dookie Rd. Fortunately fortuitous finding the fourteen fine Boundary bound, steering into the smooth tarmac compressed by years of truck travel, just to make the most of it. Two bikes northbound in Boundary (pidgeons in search of Cats to be amongst?) a soloist Mexican south of the highway, three Breakaways in River Rd and Craig "lotsalumens" in Mitchell Rd the only oncomings. (thanks to Strava's "flybys") Mt Nicolaci emptied the energy (like the Mur de Huy for me), the last three k's of Raftery driven by pondering what form the calories would take in the post ride refuel.
What creatures of habit we are, dug up the enthusiasm to crawl out of a warm bed on Tuesday, finding myself Emu bound on the 17 cog, struggling for speed again.....some never learn! It was Groundhog day at the Toaster, pushing the 15 yeilded better momentum, back to town ahead of my e.t.a., making it to SPC's roundabout to join the Goats exiting suburbia. Belly, Coggo, Hommy, Phil, Heady, Principal Skinner Joe, Sandy, Kate and foreigner ArgonDave (no late shift for the Cats) now aboard a slick Scott (vale Argon, a crash crunched and crucified carbon last week). A svelte and organised rotation got rolling eastward to Boundary, I made a dud call at the highway for a car appearing suddenly, warranted a yell of stop but complacency called car left. Safely through though, the rotational roster resumed, Kate and Sandy as tail-light twins. A decent roll west to Central Kialla where time forced me to abandon for a short cut home (pondering the intelligence of those in black cars who can't use headlights half an hour before sun up.
Sanity was seriously questioned facing minus 1.4 degrees from a cosy bed, but then I should question Wozza's agreement to an early 30k prologue to Wednesday's Couldabeens habit. (I guess more than one riding in such temperature voids the insanity?) New Dookie Rd east, Boundary south and Channel Rd west, trying to warm from winters' woes, What's App pinging a flood of Goat apologies abandoning their ride, CerveloJohn the sole soldier. Wozz and I wheeled our way on Channel Rd, hoping the serious investment of winter k's will pay decent dividends in Spring. Early back to town, a casual cruise of Kialla Lakes metered the minutes till the carpark flagfall, just AvantiTrev, Cougar, Cate, Chops, Trav and Pistol ready for an Antarctic mission. A cruisy lap with most on a survival-circumventing-speed agenda, Cougar and Chops chatty in the rear stalls, Pistol somewhat sprint starved till the Cha Cha helped the hunger. Sensations lost in fingers and toes by the time we'd reached town but some warmth gained in the achievement over others who feared to tread.
Chewed the Tour fat with Wozz at 5.30 en-route to Thursday's Couldabeens, the small gathering of SpinDoctor, Temple, ChrisA, Cougar, Trav and Pistol a recipe for a relaxed ride. Ron and Nev rolled into Channel Rd just as Wozz and I led the petite peleton from the startline. (made sense for us to roll up behind and sit on) A calm and cruisy first two legs set a mellow mood, a salve of salvation from winters testing tempo of late. By the time i'd revisited the pointy end, Pistol had percolated the pace, slicing into a northeaster adding a little spice. I survived the next turn with Ron till Brokens bridges, time in the tow for respiratory recovery as Nev, Wozz, SpinDoctor, ChrisA, Trav and Pistol cranked their contributions. An easterly eased the effort in River Rd, 6 k's passing quickly to conscript me to the front again for the Kialla Central stage with Pistol. Ron rolled reaching Archer, almost euphoric tucked into his generous draft. Nev sweetly syncronised the highway crossing betwixt the B doubles, I was lamenting the length the legs would last as we rounded Roubaix, up to the drivers seat again at the horse stud calling a short shift to Pistol and a rapid Ron rollover. With the horsepower of ChrisA, Wozz and Nev advancing through the ranks motivation had resigned faster than a Greek finance minister, I took timely retirement just as Trav and Ron clocked out of sprintention. SpinDoctor hit his rev limiter with 150 left of Conrod, I sneakily snared 4th with Trav in tow. Paused at punch-up bridge for Conrod's outcasts, then a smooth roll through town enjoying the (finally) swept bike lane. (elephant stamp to Wozz for an e-ffective e-mail to the street sweep peeps)
Facing kilometre deprivation from a fickle forecast Saturday drove me to an early start Friday, Boulevard bound at 5 with a damp track to tap to. Bike was grubby anyway. What's become a tried and travelled Toaster track, Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was populated with puddles to ply, there's nothing quite like the thrill of chilled water up the inside leg! HR at 158 all the way to the Emu, a small NNE'r making a big difference southbound to the Toaster. On top of the 15 back to town reached the weighbridge by 6 but it was only Phil and Heady who had the testicular toughness to turn up. Happy to be the first volunteer, I drove the first leg to Central Ave, then in Heady's draft and on Phil's wheel, being spotted from the Vittoria's rooster tail, for a smooth but damp tow. To the fig farm from Phil, it was my drive to the pub (bit early for drinks), a moments halt for traffic. Heady and Phil shared the duty to River Rd, I was handed the reigns in River, so pushed the personal target to the bridge (4.5 k) as an internal measure. Funny how performance peaks in company but sags solo. Unfortunately, employment gets in the way of a good ride (just when we were all guaranteed a podium finish!) I retired reluctantly stage right at Rivers' end and pressed on via the truck route, Archer and northward home, scheduled to the minute to end the week.
Week 28 361 km YTD 8,321 km
Put out an APB for motivation Monday, almost sucummed to the temptation of the doona till thoughts of contracting BigMat-itis put enthusiasm into gear. Grizzled my way east to the Emu at 5, the slightest hint of a northeaster (7 km/h) labouring the legs and putting pain before pleasure. Snuck the chain onto the fifteen heading to the Toaster, relief for the rector femoris with higher hopes heading west in Old Dookie Rd. Fortunately fortuitous finding the fourteen fine Boundary bound, steering into the smooth tarmac compressed by years of truck travel, just to make the most of it. Two bikes northbound in Boundary (pidgeons in search of Cats to be amongst?) a soloist Mexican south of the highway, three Breakaways in River Rd and Craig "lotsalumens" in Mitchell Rd the only oncomings. (thanks to Strava's "flybys") Mt Nicolaci emptied the energy (like the Mur de Huy for me), the last three k's of Raftery driven by pondering what form the calories would take in the post ride refuel.
What creatures of habit we are, dug up the enthusiasm to crawl out of a warm bed on Tuesday, finding myself Emu bound on the 17 cog, struggling for speed again.....some never learn! It was Groundhog day at the Toaster, pushing the 15 yeilded better momentum, back to town ahead of my e.t.a., making it to SPC's roundabout to join the Goats exiting suburbia. Belly, Coggo, Hommy, Phil, Heady, Principal Skinner Joe, Sandy, Kate and foreigner ArgonDave (no late shift for the Cats) now aboard a slick Scott (vale Argon, a crash crunched and crucified carbon last week). A svelte and organised rotation got rolling eastward to Boundary, I made a dud call at the highway for a car appearing suddenly, warranted a yell of stop but complacency called car left. Safely through though, the rotational roster resumed, Kate and Sandy as tail-light twins. A decent roll west to Central Kialla where time forced me to abandon for a short cut home (pondering the intelligence of those in black cars who can't use headlights half an hour before sun up.
Sanity was seriously questioned facing minus 1.4 degrees from a cosy bed, but then I should question Wozza's agreement to an early 30k prologue to Wednesday's Couldabeens habit. (I guess more than one riding in such temperature voids the insanity?) New Dookie Rd east, Boundary south and Channel Rd west, trying to warm from winters' woes, What's App pinging a flood of Goat apologies abandoning their ride, CerveloJohn the sole soldier. Wozz and I wheeled our way on Channel Rd, hoping the serious investment of winter k's will pay decent dividends in Spring. Early back to town, a casual cruise of Kialla Lakes metered the minutes till the carpark flagfall, just AvantiTrev, Cougar, Cate, Chops, Trav and Pistol ready for an Antarctic mission. A cruisy lap with most on a survival-circumventing-speed agenda, Cougar and Chops chatty in the rear stalls, Pistol somewhat sprint starved till the Cha Cha helped the hunger. Sensations lost in fingers and toes by the time we'd reached town but some warmth gained in the achievement over others who feared to tread.
Chewed the Tour fat with Wozz at 5.30 en-route to Thursday's Couldabeens, the small gathering of SpinDoctor, Temple, ChrisA, Cougar, Trav and Pistol a recipe for a relaxed ride. Ron and Nev rolled into Channel Rd just as Wozz and I led the petite peleton from the startline. (made sense for us to roll up behind and sit on) A calm and cruisy first two legs set a mellow mood, a salve of salvation from winters testing tempo of late. By the time i'd revisited the pointy end, Pistol had percolated the pace, slicing into a northeaster adding a little spice. I survived the next turn with Ron till Brokens bridges, time in the tow for respiratory recovery as Nev, Wozz, SpinDoctor, ChrisA, Trav and Pistol cranked their contributions. An easterly eased the effort in River Rd, 6 k's passing quickly to conscript me to the front again for the Kialla Central stage with Pistol. Ron rolled reaching Archer, almost euphoric tucked into his generous draft. Nev sweetly syncronised the highway crossing betwixt the B doubles, I was lamenting the length the legs would last as we rounded Roubaix, up to the drivers seat again at the horse stud calling a short shift to Pistol and a rapid Ron rollover. With the horsepower of ChrisA, Wozz and Nev advancing through the ranks motivation had resigned faster than a Greek finance minister, I took timely retirement just as Trav and Ron clocked out of sprintention. SpinDoctor hit his rev limiter with 150 left of Conrod, I sneakily snared 4th with Trav in tow. Paused at punch-up bridge for Conrod's outcasts, then a smooth roll through town enjoying the (finally) swept bike lane. (elephant stamp to Wozz for an e-ffective e-mail to the street sweep peeps)
Facing kilometre deprivation from a fickle forecast Saturday drove me to an early start Friday, Boulevard bound at 5 with a damp track to tap to. Bike was grubby anyway. What's become a tried and travelled Toaster track, Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was populated with puddles to ply, there's nothing quite like the thrill of chilled water up the inside leg! HR at 158 all the way to the Emu, a small NNE'r making a big difference southbound to the Toaster. On top of the 15 back to town reached the weighbridge by 6 but it was only Phil and Heady who had the testicular toughness to turn up. Happy to be the first volunteer, I drove the first leg to Central Ave, then in Heady's draft and on Phil's wheel, being spotted from the Vittoria's rooster tail, for a smooth but damp tow. To the fig farm from Phil, it was my drive to the pub (bit early for drinks), a moments halt for traffic. Heady and Phil shared the duty to River Rd, I was handed the reigns in River, so pushed the personal target to the bridge (4.5 k) as an internal measure. Funny how performance peaks in company but sags solo. Unfortunately, employment gets in the way of a good ride (just when we were all guaranteed a podium finish!) I retired reluctantly stage right at Rivers' end and pressed on via the truck route, Archer and northward home, scheduled to the minute to end the week.
Week 28 361 km YTD 8,321 km
Friday, July 3, 2015
Week 27 Ice addiction and epilepsy
The automatic eye opener activated at 4.30am Saturday, no alternative but to climb aboard the bike at 5 and spin (76 rpm) out to the golf course and west along Wanganui Rd to soak up the time before the usual 6am bunch departed. Not a puff of wind, content to roll along in the low 30's, luxuriating in the new stretch of Verney Road (as smooth as Hollywood's head), but $2.1m only buys you 750 metres of comfort, back to the original torture track of posterior pounding before I knew it. Navigated a magical mystery tour of the suburbs (main drag, Kialla Lakes Dr, out Archer to the roundabout then back to the carpark) to arrive at the Saturday launch pad with 3 minutes to spare, Pistol, Shorty, Trav, Ron, Kel, Nev, Rocket, AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Jen, Cougar, Cate, Nick, Ange, Linda, Temple and MasiMario making up the mob. A calm cruise control was set east, post-op Nev back aboard, Temple finally flu-less (but Rocket in-flu-enced), Kel and Ron in bold new Genesis kit, Ange as subtle as ever, AvantiTrev negative on turns at the front but Linda all positive. All were upbeat on the mild morning (5 degrees), cloud cover sheilded the chill but put on a dull start to the day. Cougar went lumenless again, an eagerness for breakfast cranking up the pace on the westward return to town (crossing paths with a small catpack near the kennels) The bunch split at Numurkah Rd, an amble with Jen (waiting for those dropped at the intersection) reflected on the cosmopolitan composition of characters in the bunch. The sprinters and sprintenders getting itchy at the whiff of Wanganui hill, the plodders, the boysterous and restrained, labourers and professionals, old hands and new. A varied little slice of society but all with the common addiction / affliction. Grouped with the backmarkers, we steamed steadily toward the peak, plucking off the sprint-spent to reach the 2.8 metre summit, rounded Rudd and rejoined those silenced by exertion.
As a change from usual Saturday protocols, I did a dismount at Friars to await the Goat gathering, Sandy, Merida Andy (with visitor Phil) Dazza, Coggo, and Hommy (happily bearhugging all who arrived). It was a bracing half k climatisation to the cold from the coffee and cafe warmth, a clockwise toaster lap called by headgoat Belly ( an asumed role with Phillo's absence?) Nine toured the Boulevard out of town (now with Sharky aboard) slowly buiding momentum (till squeaks of protest were heard?) Sharky appeared spent before he'd made an investment, Sydneysider Phil struggling with the pace (not au fait with the flatlands?), i caught up with the bike news from Coggo, Dazza and the legend that is Belly, and tapped to the Emu with the mercury struggling to get above seven. MeridaAndy and Phil continued homeward on Old Dookie Rd as we speared south on Boundary, Sharky shattered by Channel Rd, who exited stage right. Sandy cemented her spot as rear gunner as the knots gained to River Rd (37+ eroding the energy) thankfully settling for our wheel westward. By Roubaix I took the towed option, bowing out of the rotation, A Coggo vs Hommy display for sprint honours was witnessed but the stomach was set on scrambled eggs and coffee to refuel the 2,406 calories spent from 116 k's.
Monday needed wipers to clear the fog, visibility down to the next white post on an anti-clockwise solo Toaster lap, finding the dips and rises by feel on the southbound leg of Raftery Rd. I was relying on the centre white line to navigate the corners, no mistaking Roubaix's feel. The illiopsoas psoas major was working overtime at 78 rpm, craving the 15 tooth gear but I'd put that on hold till River roads' end. The fog had cleared for the headlight to highlight the dips and bumps, it was a long 6 k to Boundary Rd and the bliss of a bigger gear. Happier at 67 rpm but the gastrochnemius filed an official complaint, at least pace was inflated by 10%. I pondered a possible pussycat intervention at Old Dookie Rd (6.10) but I was well ahead of their timetable, a hint of parfum de piggy on Old Dookie Rd well before the hog Hilton confirmed a southeaster was at work. Relief to point homeward at the Emu with the puff of wind a hint of help, a little light in the sky illuminating the crisp and crusty roadside. It was a crawl up Wanganui hill with jellied legs but I was bouyed by the current state of health and the palliated posterior, 56k before 7am regarded as a sufferfest by Strava.
Aprehension filled the void between the ears on Tuesday, it's been five weeks since facing the turbo team on torment Tuesday. Fears were compunded finding just Hollywood, Pistol and Rocket on the grid, it meant tough toil till the arrival of Trav, Spin Doctor and Nick promised the load would be better shared, I still took the soft option of left hand side second wheel to delay my duty. Wozz and Pistol drove a hard bargain for the first leg, settling a little on Nick and Trav's turn thankfully, the specs pocketted for the fog (or the heavy breathing?). Spin Doctor, Pistol and Wozz bolted in Boundary Rd, Nick then Trav retiring to the rear paired me with Rocket for River road. It may have been a psychological step too steep to satisfy standards (speed set at suffering suckertash!) so I gave a short turn at the hyperventilating end, then all stops out to hang onto Hollywoods' Syncro as he rolled ahead. Turns were shortening with speed in the 40's at Rivers' end, the metamorphosis to single file had Rocket driving the Kialla Central leg. I'd resigned to the gatekeepers role approaching Archer Rd, sitting on Spin Doctors wheel when he dropped the bidon, all appreciating the holiday for heart rates as he turned back to retrieve it. The train of eight (with five functional engines) was soon back underway, steaming to Raftery with the wattage of Wozz, Hollywood, Pistol, Rocket and the Doc towing the refugees, Rocket victorius with Wozz a super second. A bit of Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance Tuesday night, a new chain, change a slow leaking tube and fit new brake blocks freshened up the old beast for a 189,000k service.
Another foggy start Wednesday, a 10 k warm-up (minus 1.5) prior to the cursory Couldabeens circuit. Verney-Ford-Wanganui-Rudd and the Boulevard got the heart rate up to speed, Wozz emerged from the fog on highway 31 to carve our way south, Jase on a chase latching on with a k to go. There was just AvantiChris, Cate and Cougar waiting in the soup at the carpark, Pistol and Spin Doctor making up an octette for the antarctic trek to Mitchell Rd, Cate's mechanical malfunction halting proceedings in leg 2. I shared the front with Pistol for central Kialla and Jase to River roads bridge, nice to be in the fractionally warmer draft to recover as we passed Mexican Anthony. My DuraAce went on a (cold) snap strike refusing to swap cogs till the shifter was freed of ice, legs got a thawing with another shift beside Pistol at the pointy end up to Channel Rd. A call of easy rounding the bend, then west to the Cha Cha, Wozza in the box seat to take the chocolates in fine form while I struggled to hold second last . A wipe of the damp nose suddenly hurt, a good crust of ice on the gloves acted as sandpaper. Under the streetlights back in town, many found a frosting on boots, helmets, handlebars and certain sensitive parts as a badge of tenacity.
I hoisted the flag of optimism in the face of a few spits of rain Thursday morning, thoughts of an unwanted long hard road back from hibernation driving me onward. I was blown to the Emu by a strong northwester, thinking it like polishing the prize before paying the price, wondering what wattage would be warranted working (wearily) westward back to town. I got on top of the 17cog to get into the groove of 72 rpm, grinding into the now WNW, a distant tail-light pursued, finally found to be Tina en route to the Goat gathering. Heady, Tum, Kate, Coggo, Phil, Belly, Joe, Baz, Hommy and Cervelo John had set sail from the suburbs, the religious rites of ride rotation regulated respiratory requirements on Old Dookie Road, a swap of social sledges with the perspicacious population of the peleton then knuckled into the chore of Boundary Rd's side wind. Baz, Kate and Tina reargunners. The rhythm was ramshackled in River road, a headwind havoc till Coggo took the drivers seat (worthy of an HG nomination). I tendered my apologies at River road's end to keep a timeclock appointment, a misting of rain on the alternate route and Archer Rd dampening the enthusiasm.
Friday found five frisky fellows fit for a Friars fryer, Tum, Coggo, Heady and Cervelo John the only ones fronting (Belly bowed out.....again!). Exiting town, I ran the gap at the Doyles roundabout but the others baulked, a few moments wait then climb aboard the indian filed torture train. Tum got the boiler up to steam, I was on Cervelo John's wheel with his tail-light unfortunately angled at my eye, earning an eerie epileptic episode I was elated to escape. Heady's calmer cruise control was heavensent, a chance to catch breath before Tum's turbo tormented us. Peeling off the front almost spent, then the desperated dig to the depths to catch the draft from the last wheel is always an effort. Feeling fairly fresh for my next turn, we flew into River Rd (a flyby to eight Couldabeens eastbound), well worn though after a 2k dip at the drivers seat. Tum and Coggo drove hard to the bridge, another breather while Heady headed us homeward. A pause at Mitchell road for traffic then back on the gas to Raftery (avoiding the gaze into Cervelo John's hypnotic tail-light) passing a punctured Ange, just as my cadence battery quit. We all had another go at the front, I got the honours of last shift to the finish line, a solid lap in just under 50 min.
Week 27 382 km YTD 7,960 km
As a change from usual Saturday protocols, I did a dismount at Friars to await the Goat gathering, Sandy, Merida Andy (with visitor Phil) Dazza, Coggo, and Hommy (happily bearhugging all who arrived). It was a bracing half k climatisation to the cold from the coffee and cafe warmth, a clockwise toaster lap called by headgoat Belly ( an asumed role with Phillo's absence?) Nine toured the Boulevard out of town (now with Sharky aboard) slowly buiding momentum (till squeaks of protest were heard?) Sharky appeared spent before he'd made an investment, Sydneysider Phil struggling with the pace (not au fait with the flatlands?), i caught up with the bike news from Coggo, Dazza and the legend that is Belly, and tapped to the Emu with the mercury struggling to get above seven. MeridaAndy and Phil continued homeward on Old Dookie Rd as we speared south on Boundary, Sharky shattered by Channel Rd, who exited stage right. Sandy cemented her spot as rear gunner as the knots gained to River Rd (37+ eroding the energy) thankfully settling for our wheel westward. By Roubaix I took the towed option, bowing out of the rotation, A Coggo vs Hommy display for sprint honours was witnessed but the stomach was set on scrambled eggs and coffee to refuel the 2,406 calories spent from 116 k's.
Monday needed wipers to clear the fog, visibility down to the next white post on an anti-clockwise solo Toaster lap, finding the dips and rises by feel on the southbound leg of Raftery Rd. I was relying on the centre white line to navigate the corners, no mistaking Roubaix's feel. The illiopsoas psoas major was working overtime at 78 rpm, craving the 15 tooth gear but I'd put that on hold till River roads' end. The fog had cleared for the headlight to highlight the dips and bumps, it was a long 6 k to Boundary Rd and the bliss of a bigger gear. Happier at 67 rpm but the gastrochnemius filed an official complaint, at least pace was inflated by 10%. I pondered a possible pussycat intervention at Old Dookie Rd (6.10) but I was well ahead of their timetable, a hint of parfum de piggy on Old Dookie Rd well before the hog Hilton confirmed a southeaster was at work. Relief to point homeward at the Emu with the puff of wind a hint of help, a little light in the sky illuminating the crisp and crusty roadside. It was a crawl up Wanganui hill with jellied legs but I was bouyed by the current state of health and the palliated posterior, 56k before 7am regarded as a sufferfest by Strava.
Aprehension filled the void between the ears on Tuesday, it's been five weeks since facing the turbo team on torment Tuesday. Fears were compunded finding just Hollywood, Pistol and Rocket on the grid, it meant tough toil till the arrival of Trav, Spin Doctor and Nick promised the load would be better shared, I still took the soft option of left hand side second wheel to delay my duty. Wozz and Pistol drove a hard bargain for the first leg, settling a little on Nick and Trav's turn thankfully, the specs pocketted for the fog (or the heavy breathing?). Spin Doctor, Pistol and Wozz bolted in Boundary Rd, Nick then Trav retiring to the rear paired me with Rocket for River road. It may have been a psychological step too steep to satisfy standards (speed set at suffering suckertash!) so I gave a short turn at the hyperventilating end, then all stops out to hang onto Hollywoods' Syncro as he rolled ahead. Turns were shortening with speed in the 40's at Rivers' end, the metamorphosis to single file had Rocket driving the Kialla Central leg. I'd resigned to the gatekeepers role approaching Archer Rd, sitting on Spin Doctors wheel when he dropped the bidon, all appreciating the holiday for heart rates as he turned back to retrieve it. The train of eight (with five functional engines) was soon back underway, steaming to Raftery with the wattage of Wozz, Hollywood, Pistol, Rocket and the Doc towing the refugees, Rocket victorius with Wozz a super second. A bit of Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance Tuesday night, a new chain, change a slow leaking tube and fit new brake blocks freshened up the old beast for a 189,000k service.
Another foggy start Wednesday, a 10 k warm-up (minus 1.5) prior to the cursory Couldabeens circuit. Verney-Ford-Wanganui-Rudd and the Boulevard got the heart rate up to speed, Wozz emerged from the fog on highway 31 to carve our way south, Jase on a chase latching on with a k to go. There was just AvantiChris, Cate and Cougar waiting in the soup at the carpark, Pistol and Spin Doctor making up an octette for the antarctic trek to Mitchell Rd, Cate's mechanical malfunction halting proceedings in leg 2. I shared the front with Pistol for central Kialla and Jase to River roads bridge, nice to be in the fractionally warmer draft to recover as we passed Mexican Anthony. My DuraAce went on a (cold) snap strike refusing to swap cogs till the shifter was freed of ice, legs got a thawing with another shift beside Pistol at the pointy end up to Channel Rd. A call of easy rounding the bend, then west to the Cha Cha, Wozza in the box seat to take the chocolates in fine form while I struggled to hold second last . A wipe of the damp nose suddenly hurt, a good crust of ice on the gloves acted as sandpaper. Under the streetlights back in town, many found a frosting on boots, helmets, handlebars and certain sensitive parts as a badge of tenacity.
I hoisted the flag of optimism in the face of a few spits of rain Thursday morning, thoughts of an unwanted long hard road back from hibernation driving me onward. I was blown to the Emu by a strong northwester, thinking it like polishing the prize before paying the price, wondering what wattage would be warranted working (wearily) westward back to town. I got on top of the 17cog to get into the groove of 72 rpm, grinding into the now WNW, a distant tail-light pursued, finally found to be Tina en route to the Goat gathering. Heady, Tum, Kate, Coggo, Phil, Belly, Joe, Baz, Hommy and Cervelo John had set sail from the suburbs, the religious rites of ride rotation regulated respiratory requirements on Old Dookie Road, a swap of social sledges with the perspicacious population of the peleton then knuckled into the chore of Boundary Rd's side wind. Baz, Kate and Tina reargunners. The rhythm was ramshackled in River road, a headwind havoc till Coggo took the drivers seat (worthy of an HG nomination). I tendered my apologies at River road's end to keep a timeclock appointment, a misting of rain on the alternate route and Archer Rd dampening the enthusiasm.
Friday found five frisky fellows fit for a Friars fryer, Tum, Coggo, Heady and Cervelo John the only ones fronting (Belly bowed out.....again!). Exiting town, I ran the gap at the Doyles roundabout but the others baulked, a few moments wait then climb aboard the indian filed torture train. Tum got the boiler up to steam, I was on Cervelo John's wheel with his tail-light unfortunately angled at my eye, earning an eerie epileptic episode I was elated to escape. Heady's calmer cruise control was heavensent, a chance to catch breath before Tum's turbo tormented us. Peeling off the front almost spent, then the desperated dig to the depths to catch the draft from the last wheel is always an effort. Feeling fairly fresh for my next turn, we flew into River Rd (a flyby to eight Couldabeens eastbound), well worn though after a 2k dip at the drivers seat. Tum and Coggo drove hard to the bridge, another breather while Heady headed us homeward. A pause at Mitchell road for traffic then back on the gas to Raftery (avoiding the gaze into Cervelo John's hypnotic tail-light) passing a punctured Ange, just as my cadence battery quit. We all had another go at the front, I got the honours of last shift to the finish line, a solid lap in just under 50 min.
Week 27 382 km YTD 7,960 km
Friday, June 26, 2015
Week 26 : A glint to the sprint
An early prologue to start Saturday, a chilled (2.6 degrees) course to the Emu with Wozza and straight to 150 bpm @ 78 rpm to put some glow into the gastrochnemius. We felt some hinderance (SSW wind) on the turn to the Toaster, h.r. climbing to the high 160's, westbound on Old Dookie Rd I treated myself to a gearchange (56/15) and dropped 15 bpm into the bargain. Into a partially shielded Channel Rd a sudden growling at the ankles turned on a sudden sprint, Sellman's Darth Vader (German Shepherd) gnashing at our heels in the darkness injected excitement into the Garmin graph. With the dog dropped, we tapped down to the school and eased the momentum sensing a Couldabeens arrival (Ange, Ron, Trav, Shorty, AvantiChris, Cougar, Jen, Pistol, Rocket, Hollywood, Weapon, Masi Mario, Jase and BigMat), 14 arriving at Doyles to socialise our Saturday. BigMat's attendance wasn't a hologram, out at last after months of retirement (to justify the nights' planned beer and pizza session?), it was a well behaved crew till Hollywood inflicted pain on the truant BigMat and Jase. We're at last over the hump of solstice and downhill to longer days, but there's barely a hint of light till we're crossing paths with pussycats. Cougars light lost lumens (challenged for charge) and the boisterous babble of Ange shattered the morning atmostphere. I was wearing a touch thin with 80k's clocked, how soon we weaken with shorter circuits cranked? Jen ventured forward for her shift at the front just as the heat was applied for Wanganui hill, wisely holding station as the eager beavers bolted for the stage win (plenty of geese cooked well before serving). The commute to coffee had a sense of urgency, all chasing a seat under the heater? Weapon's Cairns attack, turn ettiquette and Linda's lumbar on the chat list while we pondered the chill climbing back aboard the bike to get home.
Seems a spray painters convention had covered cars in a cool crust of white Monday morning, minus one was definitely a ride for the dedicated (or demented). Trawling the depths of the prefrontal cortex against the chilly east northeast breeze, I set course for a solo Toaster loop, feeling like I was dinking BigMat and his beer supply to the Emu, 78 rpm @ 160 bpm and climbing, the turn south to the Toaster was as relieving as a proctology cancellation, so treated myself to a 100 metre calm of cadence. It was a psychological hurdle lept knowing most of the remaining loop had a bonus breeze behind, I gave myself a D for speed but a B for effort, a cranial concession catering for the cool. Vince and another (cloaked by darkness) were in Boundary northward, cruising to create Cat-astrophe as I slipped southward, warmed (?) by the thoughts of a tailwind (albeit a feeble 4 km/h) in River Rd. A trio of Breakaways biked east at the dip, westward went I still at 150bpm+, but calmed to 66 rpm. A pause for two cars at Mitchell Rd (Central Kialla almost at gridlock!) then on to Raftery with a sense of triumph over temperature seeing the white grass roadside. The breeze had abated, Conrod's dips filling with fog, a Strava sufferfest of 159 justifying my breakfast.
Transferred the track Tuesday, the totuous test of tenacity to a tough northeaster out New Dookie Rd to hurry the heart and harry the hippocampus. I'd almost called on the almighty reaching the church (maintaining 31 into the 15-26 km/h headwind), a moment to study alpha centauri and the corona australis in the sky as my heartrate climbed down from the heavens. Twas bliss bound to town from the Toaster, back to the Friars launch pad just as Goats (Belly, Coggo, Heady, Phil, Joe, Tina, Sandy, Hommy and Principal Skinner) set sail. Winter has trimmed the Goat pace noticeably, some still suffering but Heady's tour de France has him peaking from the Pyrenees peaks. Lots of glass to avoid at the turn into Boundary, momentum more managable spinning southerly. Speed picked up in River Rd but my eye on the clock begged a shortcut home if I was to meet the wishes of my employer. Peeling off in Archer Rd and exposed to the wind bumped me into zone 4, hard yakka homeward on a mission of minute management but a 3rd fastest for Kialla Lakes Drive was a bonus.
An abated brekky has lightened the ride load lately, a new chain deminishing the deraillier din does good too. Wednesday's route was a Raftery run-in prior to the Couldabeens to test my regime, selecting to spin (79 rpm) as an introduction. Keeping to the timetable (5.46 @ Roubaix) and feeling the ENE handbrake in Mitchell Rd, I'd finally got into the groove in Archer, still on the 79 spin, to get to the Couldabeens grid on schedule, Pistol, Hollywood, AvantiChris (in shorts!) Nick, Temple (flu finally finished) AvantiTrev, Masi Mario, FeltMat (out of hibernation) and again adorned by Breakaways Jen, Melissa, Cougar and Cate, all keen to turn wheels. A good intro to the anti-clockwise loop, gently up to pace slotting into position for the first turn in Mitchell Rd. There was a little work to be done on River Rd and Boundary, although some not quite around the echelon ettiquette. It was less taxing in Channel Rd, the stars were aligning perusing positions at the cypress trees, AvantiChris and Pistol taking the tempo to the kinder, Hollywood and and Pistol to the Cha Cha launch pad. With Rocket away the bridesmaids were out to play, Masi Mario and Nick were team tentative as I seized the chance to pounce at Prentice Rd. 50 km/h, 171 bpm, (OMG 94 cadence!), position, timing and a lot of luck handing me the chocolates, the big gap to 2nd (Hollywood) a glint to the sprint .
A smooth slow start-up for Thursday, slamming the door of competitiveness and over enthusiasm, letting the legs rather than the head set the cruise control on a golf course loop. The south west wind was a complete about face from yesterdays, an enjoyable entree to the certain spice of the Couldabeens circuit. It was almost a complete 10k full circle to rendevous with Wozza at 5.30, a grind into the headwind to the carpark to see tormentors/tormentees ChrisA, Cougar, FeltMat, Nick, PistolPete, Rocket, AvantiTrev and Trav arrive for the early flag off. Luck placed me kindly in order behind Trav and Nick and ahead of the quintessentially quick quadrella of ChrisA, Pistol, Wozza and Rocket (taxing 10% tempo to Trav's travels). There wasn't a lot of breeze benefit to Boundary but the effort was evident pointing south (rotation tucking me in for a tow on ChrisA's wheel). FeltMat, Cougar and AvantiTrev were happily on a tail-light tenure, River Rd repeated the regular ritual of rigor (an elephant stamp to Trav continually venturing forth, Rocket's considerate commiserations commended). Wozz and Pistol ploughed into Central Kialla's headwind, I scaled Mt.Nicolaci beside Nick but Conrod's tailwind was on everyones wish list . A stab under the ribs stopped my contributions at the front just as Nick and Trav pulled the pin, leaving ChrisA, Pistol, Rocket and Wozz the only drivers left at Arcadia Downs, the remainder stretched out along Conrod in survival.
An e.o.f.y. stocktake forced an early start and a short lap Friday, Wozz in the same boat for a 5am spin. Struggling to warm up on 30'ks in 1.6 degrees, we yarned on the many hit by winters negative headspace, my legs negative to the moderate pace. At this time of year it's ride to survive, hibernation = ruination. Difficult navigating through fog on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd to the Emu (almost missed the turn), legs went to jelly off the Fizik but recovered clicking to the 15 cog for Old Dookie Rd. A few masochists were rolling out early ahead of the Freaky Friday fraternity as we rolled back into town, thanks Wozz, nice to finish the week on a short and steady lap.
Week 26 336 km YTD 7,578 km
Seems a spray painters convention had covered cars in a cool crust of white Monday morning, minus one was definitely a ride for the dedicated (or demented). Trawling the depths of the prefrontal cortex against the chilly east northeast breeze, I set course for a solo Toaster loop, feeling like I was dinking BigMat and his beer supply to the Emu, 78 rpm @ 160 bpm and climbing, the turn south to the Toaster was as relieving as a proctology cancellation, so treated myself to a 100 metre calm of cadence. It was a psychological hurdle lept knowing most of the remaining loop had a bonus breeze behind, I gave myself a D for speed but a B for effort, a cranial concession catering for the cool. Vince and another (cloaked by darkness) were in Boundary northward, cruising to create Cat-astrophe as I slipped southward, warmed (?) by the thoughts of a tailwind (albeit a feeble 4 km/h) in River Rd. A trio of Breakaways biked east at the dip, westward went I still at 150bpm+, but calmed to 66 rpm. A pause for two cars at Mitchell Rd (Central Kialla almost at gridlock!) then on to Raftery with a sense of triumph over temperature seeing the white grass roadside. The breeze had abated, Conrod's dips filling with fog, a Strava sufferfest of 159 justifying my breakfast.
Transferred the track Tuesday, the totuous test of tenacity to a tough northeaster out New Dookie Rd to hurry the heart and harry the hippocampus. I'd almost called on the almighty reaching the church (maintaining 31 into the 15-26 km/h headwind), a moment to study alpha centauri and the corona australis in the sky as my heartrate climbed down from the heavens. Twas bliss bound to town from the Toaster, back to the Friars launch pad just as Goats (Belly, Coggo, Heady, Phil, Joe, Tina, Sandy, Hommy and Principal Skinner) set sail. Winter has trimmed the Goat pace noticeably, some still suffering but Heady's tour de France has him peaking from the Pyrenees peaks. Lots of glass to avoid at the turn into Boundary, momentum more managable spinning southerly. Speed picked up in River Rd but my eye on the clock begged a shortcut home if I was to meet the wishes of my employer. Peeling off in Archer Rd and exposed to the wind bumped me into zone 4, hard yakka homeward on a mission of minute management but a 3rd fastest for Kialla Lakes Drive was a bonus.
An abated brekky has lightened the ride load lately, a new chain deminishing the deraillier din does good too. Wednesday's route was a Raftery run-in prior to the Couldabeens to test my regime, selecting to spin (79 rpm) as an introduction. Keeping to the timetable (5.46 @ Roubaix) and feeling the ENE handbrake in Mitchell Rd, I'd finally got into the groove in Archer, still on the 79 spin, to get to the Couldabeens grid on schedule, Pistol, Hollywood, AvantiChris (in shorts!) Nick, Temple (flu finally finished) AvantiTrev, Masi Mario, FeltMat (out of hibernation) and again adorned by Breakaways Jen, Melissa, Cougar and Cate, all keen to turn wheels. A good intro to the anti-clockwise loop, gently up to pace slotting into position for the first turn in Mitchell Rd. There was a little work to be done on River Rd and Boundary, although some not quite around the echelon ettiquette. It was less taxing in Channel Rd, the stars were aligning perusing positions at the cypress trees, AvantiChris and Pistol taking the tempo to the kinder, Hollywood and and Pistol to the Cha Cha launch pad. With Rocket away the bridesmaids were out to play, Masi Mario and Nick were team tentative as I seized the chance to pounce at Prentice Rd. 50 km/h, 171 bpm, (OMG 94 cadence!), position, timing and a lot of luck handing me the chocolates, the big gap to 2nd (Hollywood) a glint to the sprint .
A smooth slow start-up for Thursday, slamming the door of competitiveness and over enthusiasm, letting the legs rather than the head set the cruise control on a golf course loop. The south west wind was a complete about face from yesterdays, an enjoyable entree to the certain spice of the Couldabeens circuit. It was almost a complete 10k full circle to rendevous with Wozza at 5.30, a grind into the headwind to the carpark to see tormentors/tormentees ChrisA, Cougar, FeltMat, Nick, PistolPete, Rocket, AvantiTrev and Trav arrive for the early flag off. Luck placed me kindly in order behind Trav and Nick and ahead of the quintessentially quick quadrella of ChrisA, Pistol, Wozza and Rocket (taxing 10% tempo to Trav's travels). There wasn't a lot of breeze benefit to Boundary but the effort was evident pointing south (rotation tucking me in for a tow on ChrisA's wheel). FeltMat, Cougar and AvantiTrev were happily on a tail-light tenure, River Rd repeated the regular ritual of rigor (an elephant stamp to Trav continually venturing forth, Rocket's considerate commiserations commended). Wozz and Pistol ploughed into Central Kialla's headwind, I scaled Mt.Nicolaci beside Nick but Conrod's tailwind was on everyones wish list . A stab under the ribs stopped my contributions at the front just as Nick and Trav pulled the pin, leaving ChrisA, Pistol, Rocket and Wozz the only drivers left at Arcadia Downs, the remainder stretched out along Conrod in survival.
An e.o.f.y. stocktake forced an early start and a short lap Friday, Wozz in the same boat for a 5am spin. Struggling to warm up on 30'ks in 1.6 degrees, we yarned on the many hit by winters negative headspace, my legs negative to the moderate pace. At this time of year it's ride to survive, hibernation = ruination. Difficult navigating through fog on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd to the Emu (almost missed the turn), legs went to jelly off the Fizik but recovered clicking to the 15 cog for Old Dookie Rd. A few masochists were rolling out early ahead of the Freaky Friday fraternity as we rolled back into town, thanks Wozz, nice to finish the week on a short and steady lap.
Week 26 336 km YTD 7,578 km
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Week 25: Sprint starts and elected to the ejected.
With my head in weekend mode I'd stalled the Saturday kit-up routine, finding myself five minutes behind the eight ball to reach the Saturday startline.....yet another sprint start to the day. The temperature was just 0.1 degree into the positive, but I'd well and truely warmed up on the 5.6k commute, reaching the carpark with a minute to spare. Another big grid of Bo, Kel, Ange, Linda, Fisky, Dion, Nick, Shorty, AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Rudy, Hollywood, Cate, Cougar, Jen, Ron, Rocket, Pistol, MasiMario and the even later comers Jase and Trav (didn't make me feel so guilty). All set off into the cold darkness of Old Dookie Rd, I'd planned a double dip of Couldabeens with a Goat chaser, the lure of longer laps are fading with the temperature, but preserving some sort of form for future targets jump starts the enthusiasm again. The elongated social wheel of musical chairs revolved on the familiar Saturday track, exchanging snapshots of the peletons personality as each prepared to venture forth for the effort (or ease) contributing to the pointy end, keeping up the average (and the ego?). I was suprised to see Fisky in the pack, didn't think he emerged from bed till it was 5 degrees or better, Ange was giving the usual somewhat subtle (as a sledgehammer) calls. Thoughts of joining the sprint were thrown out when my turn came up beside Dion in Wanganui Rd, all reserves being spent by DECA just when the sprinters and sprintenders emerged from the rear at the whiff of Wanganui hill, Rocket reliably ruled till Bo bolted. I was content to plug away at the rear with several likeminded in tow, didn't want to empty the tank with more k's to follow. I peeled away from the bunch with Dion and Nath (on a similar agenda) and fronted Friars to find a trickle of Goats arriving for frappe fuelling in preparation for a Toaster lap. Almost needed a bomb threat to motivate Baz, Hommy, Deb, Sandy, Snow, Jan, Roscoe and Principal Skinner from their seats, Dazza, Dion, MeridaAndy, Nath and JamisScotty the ones keen to saddle up and fire the starting pistol. A casual cruise to the Boulevard eventually got the bunch together, Nath and Dazza setting the standard at a cool 30. There was quite a Ford Rd fragmentation with rusty riders retreating rearward, urging the six pack (MeridaAndy, JamisScotty, Nath, Dion, Dazza and I) to carry on, leaving the contingent to cluster and cruise. There was plenty of work to do with just five to team with, MeridaAndy on the road to lumbar recovery and JamisScotty fighting a bi battle of aerodynamics. A steady roll to the Emu and Toaster and down to the Pub, it was no suprise when MeridaAndy and JamisScotty bailed out for a Channel Rd exit but Dion, Dazza and Nath didn't have to turn up the tempo! Into zone 4 (but manageable) for River Rd we caught and passed the shortcutting Snow and Jan and plugged on to Mitchell, GiantMark intercepting at Archer Rd for the return to town, a SSE'er assisting our passage to the Butterfactory to refuel from 98k's.
Belly called a 32 x 32 for Monday, a calmer karma with seven degrees almost declared a heatwave. Principal Skinner, Phill, MeridaAndy, Sandy, Hommy, Snow, Coggo and Belly was a good turn-up, or maybe Tuesdays forecast brought the meeting forward? The roll out of town collected CatKel and another unidentified feline, Tina at the weighbridge making up a dozen. Hommy was struggling to get above an idle, Snow with his usual 8 degree toe out in the right knee, Phil back aboard after time off. All settled into a steady tap, seems to be the winter want as cold ebbs enthusiasm as kilometres are clipped and rides reduce. It was nice to get out of the easterly and bear south, my form guage reading lame lately was quickly boosted to beaut, witnessing the the work needed by those smitten by sloth (and gastronomic Italian holidays!). Rolling rather relaxed (h.r. @ 119) I took leave at River Rd's end exiting stage right, a mission to hastily head home (160 bpm) and prep for work.
Tuesdays damp denied kilometres (some boldly rode where others feared to tread) but consequently inspired a short Raftery Rd prologue on Wednesday, if only to re-educate the legs with a curriculum of cadence. Fog blurred the view as the head dealt with a esrever dornoC noitcerid, glancing back confirmed I was enveloped in a dark misty cloud. All bearings were lost without landmarks, feeling for the dip by effort, for lack of seeing it. Rounding Roubaix (certainly felt that!) at 6am was on target to intercept the Couldabeens clan in Archer Rd, it was just a case of finding a dozen l.e.d.'s in the pea soup. Hazed headlights emerged from the fog in leg 2 of Archer, so I u-turned to jump aboard, Nick, Pistol, AvantiTrev, Rocket, AvantiChris, Hollywood, even WhisperingJack (thought fog had miraged my imagination) being bolstered by the Breakaways, Cougar, Jen, Cate and Melissa. I'd slotted into blessed position between Jen and Melissa but had plenty of work to do in keeping up. With River Rd covered congenially we pointed north, but nearing the Broken bridges my Mavic marshmallowed with a slow flat. My call of 'puncture' went un-noticed so it was a private pitstop to repair as the bunch vanished into the cloud ahead. I counted it positive to be spared the burden of the bindii, a small wedge of glass was found and flung, back on the road with little delay, driving hard homeward to meet the time clock. A dog the size of a small horse emerged from the darkness in Channel Rd's Cha Cha (turbo boosting the pace with adrenalin), but thankfully stood in stunned silence. Home on cue to reach the coalface with seconds to spare.
Thursdays downpour donated another day off the bike, but Friday's 20km/h southerly gave a dose of driving duties for Wozz and I to the Archer Rd shop, finding Couldabeens collectively congregating in the carpark corner, cowering from the cursed first shift. AvantiTrev, Cougar, Whispering Jack (yep, again. Twice in a week is double BigMat's and SuperMario's effort) Hollywood, Pistol, MasiMario, Rocket, Kenworth and Cate shuffled positions for take off, Shorty jumping aboard at Kialla Lakes. I'd fluked a tow for the head wind but the payback was pairing with Rocket in River Rd when Cate ducked for cover under Pistols' wheel. The spin doctor on a reverse ride joined in the rotation, a quick trip east as Cats cranked west. Enthused with a tail wind, Pistol and Rocket paired (cream rising to the top) to propel us to Channel Rd, matching Rocket to the S bend spent my reserves, Shorty's short shift saving my bacon till Wozza's puncture at the cypress trees gave all a reprieve and sharpened our sledging skills. AvantiTrev wrestled with a recalcitrant C02 pump (blowing tube 2) but we finally set the wheels turning and belted into the Cha Cha. On Rockets' wheel I dug deep to pass and roll, Kel followed suit, (a MasiMario meltdown matching the motion) many boys coming out to play when the work had been done, I was swiftly swamped, elected to the ejected with an E.T.A. to the O.T.A. Another Wozz puncture on the last leg halted a few for pitstop duty, the craved for caffine crew continuing.
Week 25 230km YTD 7,242 km
Belly called a 32 x 32 for Monday, a calmer karma with seven degrees almost declared a heatwave. Principal Skinner, Phill, MeridaAndy, Sandy, Hommy, Snow, Coggo and Belly was a good turn-up, or maybe Tuesdays forecast brought the meeting forward? The roll out of town collected CatKel and another unidentified feline, Tina at the weighbridge making up a dozen. Hommy was struggling to get above an idle, Snow with his usual 8 degree toe out in the right knee, Phil back aboard after time off. All settled into a steady tap, seems to be the winter want as cold ebbs enthusiasm as kilometres are clipped and rides reduce. It was nice to get out of the easterly and bear south, my form guage reading lame lately was quickly boosted to beaut, witnessing the the work needed by those smitten by sloth (and gastronomic Italian holidays!). Rolling rather relaxed (h.r. @ 119) I took leave at River Rd's end exiting stage right, a mission to hastily head home (160 bpm) and prep for work.
Tuesdays damp denied kilometres (some boldly rode where others feared to tread) but consequently inspired a short Raftery Rd prologue on Wednesday, if only to re-educate the legs with a curriculum of cadence. Fog blurred the view as the head dealt with a esrever dornoC noitcerid, glancing back confirmed I was enveloped in a dark misty cloud. All bearings were lost without landmarks, feeling for the dip by effort, for lack of seeing it. Rounding Roubaix (certainly felt that!) at 6am was on target to intercept the Couldabeens clan in Archer Rd, it was just a case of finding a dozen l.e.d.'s in the pea soup. Hazed headlights emerged from the fog in leg 2 of Archer, so I u-turned to jump aboard, Nick, Pistol, AvantiTrev, Rocket, AvantiChris, Hollywood, even WhisperingJack (thought fog had miraged my imagination) being bolstered by the Breakaways, Cougar, Jen, Cate and Melissa. I'd slotted into blessed position between Jen and Melissa but had plenty of work to do in keeping up. With River Rd covered congenially we pointed north, but nearing the Broken bridges my Mavic marshmallowed with a slow flat. My call of 'puncture' went un-noticed so it was a private pitstop to repair as the bunch vanished into the cloud ahead. I counted it positive to be spared the burden of the bindii, a small wedge of glass was found and flung, back on the road with little delay, driving hard homeward to meet the time clock. A dog the size of a small horse emerged from the darkness in Channel Rd's Cha Cha (turbo boosting the pace with adrenalin), but thankfully stood in stunned silence. Home on cue to reach the coalface with seconds to spare.
Thursdays downpour donated another day off the bike, but Friday's 20km/h southerly gave a dose of driving duties for Wozz and I to the Archer Rd shop, finding Couldabeens collectively congregating in the carpark corner, cowering from the cursed first shift. AvantiTrev, Cougar, Whispering Jack (yep, again. Twice in a week is double BigMat's and SuperMario's effort) Hollywood, Pistol, MasiMario, Rocket, Kenworth and Cate shuffled positions for take off, Shorty jumping aboard at Kialla Lakes. I'd fluked a tow for the head wind but the payback was pairing with Rocket in River Rd when Cate ducked for cover under Pistols' wheel. The spin doctor on a reverse ride joined in the rotation, a quick trip east as Cats cranked west. Enthused with a tail wind, Pistol and Rocket paired (cream rising to the top) to propel us to Channel Rd, matching Rocket to the S bend spent my reserves, Shorty's short shift saving my bacon till Wozza's puncture at the cypress trees gave all a reprieve and sharpened our sledging skills. AvantiTrev wrestled with a recalcitrant C02 pump (blowing tube 2) but we finally set the wheels turning and belted into the Cha Cha. On Rockets' wheel I dug deep to pass and roll, Kel followed suit, (a MasiMario meltdown matching the motion) many boys coming out to play when the work had been done, I was swiftly swamped, elected to the ejected with an E.T.A. to the O.T.A. Another Wozz puncture on the last leg halted a few for pitstop duty, the craved for caffine crew continuing.
Week 25 230km YTD 7,242 km
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Week 24 : Fanning feline pheromones
Saturday started in a mad rush, running way behind schedule was an unwanted heartstarter, but I made the start line with a minute to spare. A copious cast had assembled despite the cool celcius, Linda, Ange, Bo, Kel, Tucks, Rocket, Pistol, Nick, Cougar, Jen, Shorty, Jase, Temple, AvantiChris, AvantiTrev, Trav and MasiMario almost making a record roll-up for winter. No daylight to enjoy en route to the Emu, closetting cloud cover cursing a colourful commencement. Little work to do with 19 others to draft from (Nath arriving on site at the Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd kennels), just sit back and enjoy the social side. Pistol Pete opened the account on the Wanganui Hill sprint, a handful of hopefuls pulling out all stops for the honours (no hope with Rocket anywhere in the rotation). My rustyness relegated me to the rear, a 40 k roll was enough to justify the toasted banana bread reason to ride.
Monday was a "gotta work on a public holiday so get up early and do an early solo lap 'cause everyone's having a cosy sleep in" ride. A Cat lap was the all the motivation I could muster, getting a shove from the port side on Old Dookie Rd's northerly (what's with the suicidal solo rider minus helmet and lights coming into town at 5.45?). It was pleasing to add 30% to the cruising speed in Boundary Rd, not a living creature or car in sight to impede progress. Put the head down in River Rd, the billiard table section (possibly 0.002% downhill?) from k2 to k3 was heavensent. It was wait for nobody at "wait for David", a chance to calm the heart rate from 160 with the breeze behind again. A one and only car arrived to baulk the turn into Mitchell, but it was plain sailing thereafter, just a headwind into Raftery Rd to empty the tank.
Gathered with Goats Tuesday, AvantiLeigh, Carl, Coggo, Belly, CerveloJohn, Speissy, Joe, Bickers set sail out of town, and it was game on single file from the SPC roundabout, collecting Tina at the weighbridge. The order was as organised as an emmisions trading scheme till AvantiLeigh set regular rolls at Central Ave, Bickers, Joe and Spiessy sat silent in the rear seats while the westerly (22-32 km/h) blew us to Boundary. Tina tested the turbo beyond the Broken bridges, a tail-light temptation seeing Cats a k ahead. There was a lot of puffin' and a bit of cussin' into River Rd's headwind (gruelling gusts from the oncoming garbage truck) , I scored the drivers seat out of the dip, and set about an exploration of my limits with a 2500 metre turn. CerveloJohn drove the Central Kialla leg (nursing new knee), we swung west into Mitchell just as the westerly swung southerly. Spiessy and Jo were MIA (Bickers escaped earlier into Channel Rd), our pace now a chase sensing a gain on the Cats (traffic delaying their Melbourne Rd crossing). AvantiLeigh towed us to the horse stud, with a Roubaix round up of the Cats (fanning the feline pheromones), I drove to Arcadia Downs where the Cats began to finally front to the business end. Well into the fifties in Conrods' dying metres (chosing the line carefully amongst unknown sprintenders) it was a Goat 123 finish to massage egos.
Inspiration to crawl out of a warm bed was low Wednesday, thoughts of the cobwebs congealing on Whispering Jack, BigMat, Temple, SuperMario and FeltMat motivated me to kit up and join Wozza for the commute to the Couldabeens carpark with just 0.7 registering on the guage. Pistol, Rocket, AvantiChris, Cougar, Jen, Cate and AvantiTrev had all queued up at the rear of the grid (hoping for others to take the first turn?), Kenworth a last minute arrival to get the mob mobile. A quality lead-out by the lasses, I found myself again in the speed sandwich between Rocket and Pistol, but it wasn't the torture test felt last week. AvantiTrev ventured forth for one turn, newcomers (to Wednesday's) Cate and Jen not afraid to submit multiples. Wozz and Rocket appeared to be in for the long haul of River Rd but the rotisserie rotated to cook me for the last k. The sprinters drew away at the Cha Cha, I was struggling for speed in 1.1 degrees so stayed with the survivors. Good to have the femme fatale's along to tame the testosterone and increase the attendance with so much Doonitis going around.
Braced for Thursday's chill (-0.7 degrees) with the maiden voyage of my Couldabeens winter jacket (insert gratuitous endorsement for Volta's insulating qualities), Jack Frost had culled Couldabeens contenders to just Rocket, Pistol, Spin Doctor, Wozz and Trav. (troops tortured by temperature toppling like tenpins) Into the deep end of a double shift with Wozz then Pistol, elevated the effort early, the rest of Channel Rd spent in rushed recovery for take two. A burst to Boundary's Broken bridges commenced an internal Jihad between mind and muscles, head saying "fight on", legs saying "f#+@ off". An oncoming bike burnt the retinas with a zillion lumens of light as I dismissed the demons of duty to have another dip at the pointy end in River Rd, (Rocket and Spin Doctor just seemed to be cruising), Wozz called time out just as I drew my last breath to say the same thing, the next 700 metres beside Pistol rendered me speechless. The rotations rolled too quickly, back to the rushin' front again in Mitchell Rd with the neurons waving white flags profusely! Willpower lept overboard, the comfort of a rear berth threw it's arms around me in an almost warm embrace, all my investments were now sunk into the Southern Bank of Survival (along with Trav and Spin Doctor) as we speared north with steam train-like puffs of breath, Wozza, Pistol and Rocket dutifully dragging us to Conrod. Out of the dip, Rocket dipped into his plentiful pocket of pace to power to the podium, Wozza whipping into second.
Coggo, AvantiLeigh, Tum and (a reluctant?) Belly lined up at Friars for Friday's locomotive of labour, a minus one temperature to warm up to. A little traction action on the roadworks gravel beside SPC on the run out of town, then shut up, head down and tail up single file eastbound on Old Dookie Rd. Coggo set a steady opening pace (predicting a hotter 1st innings it was fair on Foss but busted Belly). Tum and AvantiLeigh upped the stakes on the last legs to Boundary (youthful exhuberance!), I zoned into Coggo's seat post in a trance like tow, thanks to Todd Sampson (Redesign my Brain) for the focus fettish. We witnessed the eastbound Couldabeens light show as we speared south on Boundary, ripped into River Rd with the cold atmostphere like 5W40 diesel oil to push through. A tail-light ahead in Mitchell Rd lured Belly to step into overdrive, catching Princess (solo) who climbed aboard for a lift home. A brief halt (and gasp) for traffic at the highway, then back to nudging the fourties toward Conrod shortened the turns, Tum and AvantiLeigh with the legs to take 1st and 2nd, all my reserves spent on holding on for 3rd, happy to clock a 36 average.
Week 24 264 km
YTD 7,012 km
Monday was a "gotta work on a public holiday so get up early and do an early solo lap 'cause everyone's having a cosy sleep in" ride. A Cat lap was the all the motivation I could muster, getting a shove from the port side on Old Dookie Rd's northerly (what's with the suicidal solo rider minus helmet and lights coming into town at 5.45?). It was pleasing to add 30% to the cruising speed in Boundary Rd, not a living creature or car in sight to impede progress. Put the head down in River Rd, the billiard table section (possibly 0.002% downhill?) from k2 to k3 was heavensent. It was wait for nobody at "wait for David", a chance to calm the heart rate from 160 with the breeze behind again. A one and only car arrived to baulk the turn into Mitchell, but it was plain sailing thereafter, just a headwind into Raftery Rd to empty the tank.
Gathered with Goats Tuesday, AvantiLeigh, Carl, Coggo, Belly, CerveloJohn, Speissy, Joe, Bickers set sail out of town, and it was game on single file from the SPC roundabout, collecting Tina at the weighbridge. The order was as organised as an emmisions trading scheme till AvantiLeigh set regular rolls at Central Ave, Bickers, Joe and Spiessy sat silent in the rear seats while the westerly (22-32 km/h) blew us to Boundary. Tina tested the turbo beyond the Broken bridges, a tail-light temptation seeing Cats a k ahead. There was a lot of puffin' and a bit of cussin' into River Rd's headwind (gruelling gusts from the oncoming garbage truck) , I scored the drivers seat out of the dip, and set about an exploration of my limits with a 2500 metre turn. CerveloJohn drove the Central Kialla leg (nursing new knee), we swung west into Mitchell just as the westerly swung southerly. Spiessy and Jo were MIA (Bickers escaped earlier into Channel Rd), our pace now a chase sensing a gain on the Cats (traffic delaying their Melbourne Rd crossing). AvantiLeigh towed us to the horse stud, with a Roubaix round up of the Cats (fanning the feline pheromones), I drove to Arcadia Downs where the Cats began to finally front to the business end. Well into the fifties in Conrods' dying metres (chosing the line carefully amongst unknown sprintenders) it was a Goat 123 finish to massage egos.
Inspiration to crawl out of a warm bed was low Wednesday, thoughts of the cobwebs congealing on Whispering Jack, BigMat, Temple, SuperMario and FeltMat motivated me to kit up and join Wozza for the commute to the Couldabeens carpark with just 0.7 registering on the guage. Pistol, Rocket, AvantiChris, Cougar, Jen, Cate and AvantiTrev had all queued up at the rear of the grid (hoping for others to take the first turn?), Kenworth a last minute arrival to get the mob mobile. A quality lead-out by the lasses, I found myself again in the speed sandwich between Rocket and Pistol, but it wasn't the torture test felt last week. AvantiTrev ventured forth for one turn, newcomers (to Wednesday's) Cate and Jen not afraid to submit multiples. Wozz and Rocket appeared to be in for the long haul of River Rd but the rotisserie rotated to cook me for the last k. The sprinters drew away at the Cha Cha, I was struggling for speed in 1.1 degrees so stayed with the survivors. Good to have the femme fatale's along to tame the testosterone and increase the attendance with so much Doonitis going around.
Braced for Thursday's chill (-0.7 degrees) with the maiden voyage of my Couldabeens winter jacket (insert gratuitous endorsement for Volta's insulating qualities), Jack Frost had culled Couldabeens contenders to just Rocket, Pistol, Spin Doctor, Wozz and Trav. (troops tortured by temperature toppling like tenpins) Into the deep end of a double shift with Wozz then Pistol, elevated the effort early, the rest of Channel Rd spent in rushed recovery for take two. A burst to Boundary's Broken bridges commenced an internal Jihad between mind and muscles, head saying "fight on", legs saying "f#+@ off". An oncoming bike burnt the retinas with a zillion lumens of light as I dismissed the demons of duty to have another dip at the pointy end in River Rd, (Rocket and Spin Doctor just seemed to be cruising), Wozz called time out just as I drew my last breath to say the same thing, the next 700 metres beside Pistol rendered me speechless. The rotations rolled too quickly, back to the rushin' front again in Mitchell Rd with the neurons waving white flags profusely! Willpower lept overboard, the comfort of a rear berth threw it's arms around me in an almost warm embrace, all my investments were now sunk into the Southern Bank of Survival (along with Trav and Spin Doctor) as we speared north with steam train-like puffs of breath, Wozza, Pistol and Rocket dutifully dragging us to Conrod. Out of the dip, Rocket dipped into his plentiful pocket of pace to power to the podium, Wozza whipping into second.
Coggo, AvantiLeigh, Tum and (a reluctant?) Belly lined up at Friars for Friday's locomotive of labour, a minus one temperature to warm up to. A little traction action on the roadworks gravel beside SPC on the run out of town, then shut up, head down and tail up single file eastbound on Old Dookie Rd. Coggo set a steady opening pace (predicting a hotter 1st innings it was fair on Foss but busted Belly). Tum and AvantiLeigh upped the stakes on the last legs to Boundary (youthful exhuberance!), I zoned into Coggo's seat post in a trance like tow, thanks to Todd Sampson (Redesign my Brain) for the focus fettish. We witnessed the eastbound Couldabeens light show as we speared south on Boundary, ripped into River Rd with the cold atmostphere like 5W40 diesel oil to push through. A tail-light ahead in Mitchell Rd lured Belly to step into overdrive, catching Princess (solo) who climbed aboard for a lift home. A brief halt (and gasp) for traffic at the highway, then back to nudging the fourties toward Conrod shortened the turns, Tum and AvantiLeigh with the legs to take 1st and 2nd, all my reserves spent on holding on for 3rd, happy to clock a 36 average.
Week 24 264 km
YTD 7,012 km
Monday, June 8, 2015
Week 23 : An Italian handbrake & resolution returned.
A rusty retun to riding (after three days off two wheels) on Tuesday, the hopes of sitting at the back of a large Goat brigade suddenly vanished at Friars.....just Belly, Coggo, Snowman and AvantiLeigh on the starting grid. Great to have Tina join in Old Dookie Rd to lessen the burden, AvantiLeigh suggested an Indian file then immediately put me up to bat first! It was a brutal baptism to face the westerly homeward after the tailwind out had painted it's false sense on fitness on me. Despite the negative neurons, the lap passed by without much torment, helped along by great teamwork. We passed Ron in Raftery having mechanical melee's, to finish a solid circuit as a befitting baptism for my excessive bike break.
Wednesday witnessed winters worst, a minus two to toughen the heart rate and numb the senses. Way behind agenda, I had all stops out to reach the Couldabeens grid on time, a PB of 8:34 to cover the 5.6km to the start line, Rocket, AvantiChris, Hollywood (Prince Pretzel), Cougar, Jase and Pistol (balaclava'd like a bank buster) were toughed to the temperature to tackle the track, windless thankfully. Maybe it was the deep breaths of iced air or muscles protesting against the cold, I had a big struggle to get the heart rate below 170 in an attempt to match Pistols pace in River Rd, so relented calling an early rollover (then took a k to utter a sentence). I was snookered by the Channel Rd Cha Cha, way out of my depth between Pistol and Rocket, the legs refused to provide pace for the sprint, so fumbled along in the fourties whilst the guns fired into the fifties. The bunch re-congregated at the school to roll back to town, nobody keen on coffee so solo'd a sojourn at Friars with raisin toast to thaw.
A Goat lap Thursday, Coggo, Speissy and Snowman with the return of Hommy (larger than life) , Sandy and Principal Skinner from Italian holiday. Tina was collected in Old Dookie Rd, retirements from duty starting early in Boundary Rd. (weighed down by excess pasta baggage?) My suggestion of indian file was accepted unanimously with just 5 working the windbreak duty, all had done a shift by the time we'd swung into River Rd so assumed the front again. The mental target to reach the dip before handover was adjusted reaching Trevaskis Rd, the engine felt ok to drive further. The new limit of Laws Dr came and went, to hell with limits, it's go till River Road's end to set a personal challenge. I handed the controls back to Coggo when we rolled into Central Kialla Rd (tank a little empty), Hommy, Sandy and Speissy abandoning ship to short cut via Archer direct to caffine infusion. The remaining six continued on course, shifts shortening with a NNE hampering the Raftery progress. All were pleased to see the finish, a week of holidays for me allowed a rare post ride socialise over coffee, viewing the full extent of Hommy's handbrake (12 kg of imported Italian calories)
The creak and groan (from the body, not the bike) on Friday played havoc with the motivation, almost veered off on a solo lap till the negatives were negated and resolution returned. Couldabeens don't bite! (well, most don't!) Rocket, Pistol, Nick, Shorty, Cougar, a Broome bronzed AvantiTrev, Kenworth, Jen and newcomer MasiMario had gathered for Friday frivolities, a calmer karma than had previously predicted. The identical circuit to Wednesday seemed so different with positive degrees, but it's "hello darkness my old friend" with no hint of daylight now till the lap is tapped out. Rocket, Pistol,Kenworth and MasiMario were the only sprint punters at the Cha Cha (no prizes for guessing the winner), all keen on the Scottish restaurant epilogue as reward for finishing.
Week 23 171 km YTD 6,748
Wednesday witnessed winters worst, a minus two to toughen the heart rate and numb the senses. Way behind agenda, I had all stops out to reach the Couldabeens grid on time, a PB of 8:34 to cover the 5.6km to the start line, Rocket, AvantiChris, Hollywood (Prince Pretzel), Cougar, Jase and Pistol (balaclava'd like a bank buster) were toughed to the temperature to tackle the track, windless thankfully. Maybe it was the deep breaths of iced air or muscles protesting against the cold, I had a big struggle to get the heart rate below 170 in an attempt to match Pistols pace in River Rd, so relented calling an early rollover (then took a k to utter a sentence). I was snookered by the Channel Rd Cha Cha, way out of my depth between Pistol and Rocket, the legs refused to provide pace for the sprint, so fumbled along in the fourties whilst the guns fired into the fifties. The bunch re-congregated at the school to roll back to town, nobody keen on coffee so solo'd a sojourn at Friars with raisin toast to thaw.
A Goat lap Thursday, Coggo, Speissy and Snowman with the return of Hommy (larger than life) , Sandy and Principal Skinner from Italian holiday. Tina was collected in Old Dookie Rd, retirements from duty starting early in Boundary Rd. (weighed down by excess pasta baggage?) My suggestion of indian file was accepted unanimously with just 5 working the windbreak duty, all had done a shift by the time we'd swung into River Rd so assumed the front again. The mental target to reach the dip before handover was adjusted reaching Trevaskis Rd, the engine felt ok to drive further. The new limit of Laws Dr came and went, to hell with limits, it's go till River Road's end to set a personal challenge. I handed the controls back to Coggo when we rolled into Central Kialla Rd (tank a little empty), Hommy, Sandy and Speissy abandoning ship to short cut via Archer direct to caffine infusion. The remaining six continued on course, shifts shortening with a NNE hampering the Raftery progress. All were pleased to see the finish, a week of holidays for me allowed a rare post ride socialise over coffee, viewing the full extent of Hommy's handbrake (12 kg of imported Italian calories)
The creak and groan (from the body, not the bike) on Friday played havoc with the motivation, almost veered off on a solo lap till the negatives were negated and resolution returned. Couldabeens don't bite! (well, most don't!) Rocket, Pistol, Nick, Shorty, Cougar, a Broome bronzed AvantiTrev, Kenworth, Jen and newcomer MasiMario had gathered for Friday frivolities, a calmer karma than had previously predicted. The identical circuit to Wednesday seemed so different with positive degrees, but it's "hello darkness my old friend" with no hint of daylight now till the lap is tapped out. Rocket, Pistol,Kenworth and MasiMario were the only sprint punters at the Cha Cha (no prizes for guessing the winner), all keen on the Scottish restaurant epilogue as reward for finishing.
Week 23 171 km YTD 6,748
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