Week 11 : Masochism and a big shovel

Post 336

Was unlike Wozz to be missing from the early Saturday rendezvous, so a time starved commute to A Mart hastened my heartrate for 6k's southward.  Jase, Temple and Nick had assembled, a breathless Wozza arriving at the third stroke, scoring a bed-to-start-line PB of 18 min.   Jase and Temple cut the headwind to Arcadia Downs, our quintet settling into a low 30's warm up of the usual loop, joined by Vince and co in River Rd as a social supplement (but they bolted in Boundary to combine with Cats).  Clouds had curtained the stars, the dark enveloping all behind us on a look back for traffic. A hint of helpful tailwind in Boundary Rd took us to the super swept turn into Channel Rd, hereinafter dubbed Wozza's corner.  Temples tempo got us back for a 5:56 landing to the 6:00am crew, AvantiTrev, AvantiAndy, Jen, Car+Mel, Fisky, Cate, Lynda, Ange, Ross, Pat, Shorty, Cougar and (pedalling a precursor to playing in a pussycat peleton) Scott-not-BassoDave, assembled for the Saturday soirée. The carefully controlled crank east on Channel Rd combined with Kinder corner caution, kept things social, Pat all over his Trek like a bad suit though.  A long drive on Old Dookie beside Jase then Nick got me into zone 4, Car+Mel turning up the torque to the Emu.  On a conservative (criterium) cruise, SuperMario joined us from the west in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, Weapon too, warmly welcomed.  Placement in the pack had me doing a turn on the front in the last leg of Ford, suitably in a draft for Wanganui Rd but boxed in as those in the right line advanced.   Perfectly positioned to pounce, Wozz, Ange and co arrived at the front at Kittles Rd, their explosion of speed left me midfield (and minus the urge to sprint anyway) but I still rounded up several of the Wanganui wasted.  The customary idle on Rudd Rd re congregated the bunch as I filled the social tank with Weapon on the Boulevard roll. Forming a femme filled foursome to add a 28k circuit, I peeled off the Boulevard with Cate, Car+Mel, New Dookie Rd to the church and Old Dookie back to town at a revised rate of rapidity, the SSE'er against us.  The mathematics of less numbers=more work eroded enthusiasm, but great company and a few chuckles diverted attention from lame legs and a punished posterior (how soon we soften when a bit of distance is covered!) Better to finally see the targeted turn (Pine Lodge church) instead of guessing the distance to drive, it was an easier effort westbound on Old Dookie, although Cate added the spice of a special stage sprint at Dobson's.  The Lemontree came into sight as 100 clocked up on the Garmin, many of the 6am crew were still seated, a chin wag on gear ratios, goals and moving on with life rounded off a satisfactory Saturday.

It's been 17 weeks since taking more than a day off the bike, Tuesday called on a re-education programme for legs and lungs as I creaked and rattled my way to Friars.  Principal Skinner, Belly, AvantiAndy, Dipper, Snow, AvantiLeigh, Joe, Spiessy, Deb, Sandy, Hommy, Heady and Phil formed the Goat gathering, oddly Coggoless (on a 3 peaks recovery)   It was a little hard to adjust to 14 degrees from last weeks mid 20's, cool calm and collected we cranked to Doyles Rd where Tina made up a crew of 15.  Rolling turns seem to be history as pairs take on something between 100 and 1000 metre efforts, Hommy's competitive streak raising the speed when he faces the front.  I'd slotted in between Snow and Joe to follow up on the Hommy hysteria, Snow in for a long go but Joe short shifting.  A heart rate in the low 130's made River Rd relaxed, just nudging the 150's when my number came up for the front to Mitchell Rd.  Sandy and Deb took on the rear roll call as the pot brewed for the closing four k fury, Belly questioned if I was awake as we rounded Roubaix, must admit it had been a cruisy lap till then.  Visits to the front became a rapidly repeating role as others shied from a turn of toil, I'd returned to the front yet again as the bunch crested Conrod's first dip, so figured a long lead-out was on offer to anyone who followed.  Well on top of the 14 cog as I passed Snow, the Cosmic's came on song at the 500 mark, watching my shadow from the following headlights stayed steady till 48 km/h and 190bpm at the second dip prompted my elbow.  AvantiLeigh and Dipper shot by to take the one-two, I took 300 metres of oxygen gluttony to Raftery's skinny bridge before the social intercourse could happen. 

A rapid 2k pairing with Trav southward on Archer, then with Wozz on Mitchell into the easterly, called on a big mental shovel to dig deep, four k's at a suffering speed needed a positive mindset to go the distance. Speechless in Central Kialla, I was happy for Bo and Wozz to drive to River Rd, the rotation of Wednesday's Couldabeens (AvantiTrev, PistolPete, Nick, Chops, Shorty, Gazzagrasshopper, Kel, Cougar, WhisperingJack, Car+Mel, Temple and Troy) slowly turning as the River Rd pace yo-yo'd, a headwind hurting the journey east.  It was a bolt along Boundary, sweeping through Wozza's corner, Trav drawing alongside again as I reached the front on Channel Rd's S bend, the light tailwind driving our momentum into the fourties (wind noise would drown out any complaints from the caboose, but I could almost feel the twist of a knife blade between the ribs).  Sitting third wheel in the left line at Kinder corner boxed in any attempt at my Cha Cha contention (waiting for the right line punters to pass), Car impressively steamed to the front anyway, just as the sprint squad was winding up the wattage at Prentice Rd behind her.  A few expirees had elevated my ranking as the next 400 metres blurred by, Mel storming past from behind as I eased for Orrvale Rd. The crew calmed and collected for the social roll back to town, a chance find of Fox, Fee, Meags, Princess, Minno and Wizz topped off the ride with caffiene chat. 

My prologue addiction flared up Thursday, Friday's forecast threatening a surplus of rain with a deficit of k's, so an eastbound thrash on New Dookie Rd (masochistically into the 15 km/h northeaster) warmed up the old engine, Boundary and Old Dookie roads back to town spent recovering from the silly idea. The Goat clan had assembled at Friars (Deb, Belly, Spiessy, Joe, Coggo, Dipper, AvantiLeigh, Hommy, Kate, Phil, Sandy, Principal Skinner, MeridaJohn, Snow and Leon) all congratulating Coggo on his epic 8 hr 3 peaks effort.  There was a little shuffling of the order as wheels of choice were chosen, Tina climbed aboard at Doyles,  AvantiLeigh alongside me to set high stakes to Dobson's bridge, the rolls of various lengths and forms then underway as many adjusted to the headwind.  Geoffrey assimilated into the assembly at the Fig Farm, the tempo smoothing as most got into a groove (Hommy the exception of course).  A cruisy calm called to co-ordinate compensating cornering for cars crossing as we approached River Rd, then it was full steam west with the wind up our arsenal.  Geoffrey's rubber band snapped as the bunch crested the channel bridge, MeridaJohn short shifting under the strain of speed. Rooster Roscoe appeared at Central Kialla, contributors to the rushin' front fading along Mitchell Rd.  By Arcadia Downs Belly had rejoined the small workforce of AvantiLeigh, Coggo, Dipper, MeridaJohn and I swapping turns.  With 800 metres of Conrod left, I turned up the wick to 45, then elbowed four (Belly now rear-retired) past me at the 400 mark to recover a breath or two.  It was all or nothing with 200 remaining, throwing everything at the finish, 194 bpm nearly busted my boiler but pinched the chocolates from Coggo.  Holidays heralded a post ride social stimulation over coffee, a 20 min reprieve till Roscoe's commute home inspired me to lap Archer-Mitchell-Boundary and Channel, squeezing in the k's probably denied on Friday's forecast.  The ENE'er strengthened to make the memory lane of Mitchell mean, Boundary Rd better apart from the push and shove of wind at the wheels. Legs had gone mushy by the Broken bridges but Channel Rd promised repose, the tailwind back to town like Christmas on a stick.  Home 6k shy of a ton, but pleased when predicted precipitation in Friday's early hours heralded a holiday from the pain train. 

Week 11 :  274km         YTD 3,502km

Week 10 : The Big Bunch Theory

Post 335

There was no early entertainment of inebriated nightclubbers, pole screamers or nocturnal television removalists on the way to the Couldabeens 5:00am Saturday shift, some may question our sanity but it cements selfs seaworthiness.  20 degrees and windless populated aplenty at A Mart, Wozz, Rocket, Jase, WhisperingJack, SuperMario, Temple, Nick and AvantiMat (he skipped the hotdog breakfast on offer for rising early) ready to warm-up on the usual 30k tap of Raftery-Mitchell-River-Boundary and Channel, pitch blackness swallowing everything our headlights couldn't reach.  I followed Temple's usual rebellious rounding into River Rd, 6k's of eastbound tarmac to ourselves, towed till my number came up beside Rocket in Boundary Rd. A cautious turn into Channel Rd avoiding the gravel and a steady slog back to the Archer Rd shop gave us five social minutes on the 6am starting grid.  It was a Field of Dreams moment of "build it and they will come" as bikes emerged from all directions to cram the carpark (testing Fossil's recollection rollcall for this blog!)  A pencil and paper needed if this attendance continues......Boof, Shorty, Cougar, Car-Mel, Fisky, Lynda, Ange, AvantiTrev, GTCraig, '51's Trent and Mitch, BigRon, FDC's Ralphy and Troy, KilkennyPaul, PistolPete, Lucy, Ross, along with (hallelujah!) Hollywood and (blimey!) BigMat in a rare double sighting of endangered species.  A last minute thought to split the bunch into two groups was deemed unmanageable, so a lengthy line of red LEDs led into Channel Rd, feathering the throttle lightly to avoid detaching carriages.  Extra caution at kindergarten corner (in light of recent close car calls) and calm beyond intersections kept the congregation collected, Hollywood spent after one turn at the front (recovered nearing the Toaster), BigMat speechless after a half shift at the S bend (the price paid for 6 weeks self inflicted 'doonitis').  Nath joined as #30 in the big train on Boundary Rd, Ange concurred on Couldabeens corner caution, a somewhat serious chat with Temple on raising the standards of caboose car calls, signalling hazards and finessing formation, all in the profoundly perfumed piggery pong approaching the Toaster. Calculations of one full rotation in 21km might be numerically nerdy, but it highlights the big bunch theory of many wheels make light work. A rapid reconnaissance of Lemnos-Cosgrove and Ford Rd's., cars coming split the pack at Numurkah Rd, the rearmost tested to catch the front runners by DECA (a long thin line probably best for the forthcoming sprint rather than a massed and messy war up Wanganui hill).   Fisky valiantly cranked at the pointy end beyond the test track (a case of premature emancipation) but the timing was perfect for Trent, Boof, Rocket, Mitch and Wozz at the base of the ascent.  Even sitting eighth behind the victor (who else?) I scored a PB in the draft, a long slow in Rudd to pick up the pooped pieces, then a relaxed roll on the Boulevard to breakfast, apart from BigRon inciting a coffee shop sprint for seating honours.  Cadence, lawn mowing and spinal surgery got tongues wagging at one end of the long table, tongues thirsty for Coronas at the other end applying the Adelaide rule (+14 degrees = beer) 

The moons' thin orange crescent set the Monday course to the Emu, cranial content to crank a cautious cadence on a solitary Toaster lap.  Shortchanged on a promised easterly, a southerly took up the slack to the Toaster, the nasal Nagasaki of Old Dookie Rd's pork palace to bear up to the East Goulburn main channel, a distant bunch oncoming till I swung into Boundary. It's a good exercise (exorcise?) to crank a steady hr over a distance rather than the see-saw of efforts in a bunch, the plan to keep in the aerobic zone now revised to the +150's being pursued by a pack a k or two back. Flybys identified the solo Wozz, then Mr.Lotsalumens, then a small Couldabeens peace train in River Rd from just lights piercing the darkness, a sneak peek back in Central Kialla (chasing lights looming larger) inciting inspiration to finish faster. Confident reaching Galbraith's gate with the hunters lights not yet at Roubaix, I ground on to the end, over the line just as senior Cats entered Conrod. 

Saddling up five minutes early allowed an idle to Tuesday's turtles, bringing a knocking knee slowly up to operating temperature in preparation. SuperMario, Jase, Choppy, AvantiTrev, Kenworth, Shorty, Nick, KillkennyPaul, Ric, Hollywood, Temple, WhisperingJack and MexicanAngelo filtered into the carpark, our leg 1 escort (ChrisA) warming up early for the hares.  It was a delight in the draft of Kenworth then a challenge with Chops to the cypress trees, passing the petite ponytail peleton of Suzie and Kev and collecting FDC's Troy and Ralphy to our crew. Momentum wained in Boundary against the (light) southeaster, AvantiTrev at peak torque, Ric rolling rapidly to leave Killkenny Paul to take on a big shift.  A short cutting Trav appeared oncoming in River Rd (missed the start flag by a minute), rhythm returning to rapid but retiring some to the rear. It was full steam on Mitchell and Raftery Rd's, Kenworth threw in the towel at Conrod's first dip, Chops was missing in action, Troy bolted at the 450 metre mark (check out the convenient yellow numbers at Conrod's edge!) as Ralphy imploded. I scored a short tow from Jase's passing wheel to draw a breath or two, but the launch to catch Troy was a bridge 5 metres too far.

Sauna specifications Wednesday, 26 degrees at 5:40 summoned some sweat, Boof, Rocket, Wozz, Hollywood, Nick, Shoty, Cougar, AvantiTrev, SuperMario, Car+Mel, Cate, Pistol, Temple, Lynda and newbie BamBam took up positions, a northeaster propelling us to Mitchell made my decision for an early turn at the front easy. Jase and Hollwood raised the bar on leg two, several lights dropped off the back as we turned west.  Mel's mechanical misdemeanours and a BamBam kaboom u-turned a few back homeward, the remainder soldiering onward.  Car-Mel ripped into a ripper River Rd turn, Wozz and Boof boring into Boundary, my vision narrowed as the effort was applied to match Wozz from the bridges to Channel, pleased with my pace against the niggling northeaster till the gust from an oncoming car flattened the ego.  Jase and Hollywood hurried the heartrate in Channel Rd, the Cha Cha stretching out the bunch long and lungless as my position in the pack prevented any ranking.        SuperMario ground to a halt near the school with a bi-bindii breakdown (flattening front AND rear tubes), target practice launched on supposed satans of speed as a pit crew minimised downtime to roll back to town.

Something stirred the slumber and nagged at the neurosis at 4:30 Thursday to inspire an early effort, a personal aim at clocking Strava's monthly challenge for 2016 acts as brain bait.  The 28k aperitif to the Emu, Toaster and back to town forged the resolve, a 20 km/h SSE'er punished the gastrocnemius to hold a speed, the almost forgotten delicious aroma of an earlier shower on the toasted grass was a sensory bonus. Heading to the Toaster was short torture, the turn toward the towns glow on the horizon a vacation for the vexation.  Back to Friars on the stroke of six found only Principal Skinner on the start line, the odd spit from the heavens diluting his determination, deferring to the desire of the doona.  Carpe Diem me thinks, so set forth solo to tap a Goatless lap, but found Tina tough enough to shrug of a touch of damp.  Race wrecked from Sunday's scorcher, Tina sat on, which only inspired me to grind a steady pursuit of the red led's ahead.  A windswept battle in Boundary Rd actually made ground on the bikes ahead, two escaped via Channel Rd, the other pair pushing on to the Broken bridges.  The SerialPest and Trish were caught at River Rd, our way went west as they slogged south.  A flattened fox, several snapped sticks, a pancaked possum and a few damp patches to dodge en route to Central Kialla, time turning us homeward in Archer, at last an 11k tailwind reward after 54k of toil.

AvantiLeigh had stalled on the Friars Friday starting grid, a ballooning Coninental sidewall tearing up his pain train ticket with much regret. Coggo, Belly, MeridaJohn and Phil were the only other punters for pain, John taking the helm out of town but put me in the early hot seat (90% humidity prepared a precipitation of perspiration) from the roundabout to Dobson's bridge.   Coggo was riding reservedly with 3 peaks on his weekend list, Phil driving well despite being time starved and k craved, Belly firing on all cylinders (and a dream draft into the bargain).   Satisfied with my second go at the rushin' front (one tree dam to River Rd's second k) it was Christmas slipping into the draft to recover for the next contribution in Central Kialla.  We steamed up Mt Nicolaci to view a "believe it or not" scene of Cats actually stopped rendering assistance to one of their own punctured!  Relief was nigh rounding Roubaix, just 4k of effort till the finish line promised respite.  In perfect real estate, I crept up beside Belly in the closing metres (to inspire him to push to victory) but MeridaJohn, in the tow, pounced to pinch the chocolates, a 38.3 average fair for five.

Week 10    327 km         YTD  3,228 km

Week 9 : A matter of mind over matter

Post 334

There's only myself to blame setting Strava Grand Fondo targets then leaving the challenge till the last weekend! The now habitual Saturday supplementary drew Wozza, Rocket, Trav, Nick and Temple to A Mart at 5, a "cruisy" 30k suddenly an effort fighting the southerly (15-28 km/h), so I was somewhat spent by Galbraith's gate after an 11k push from home at the breezy end. "It's us!" was hollered from Roubaix, Kel and Bo emerging from the darkness to form an octette, record numbers for the earlybird special.   Wozz and Bo paired in Mitchell and raised the stakes, Kel, (off colour) sitting in the rear ranks. Well ahead of our timetable, we'd travelled the River-Boundary-Channel course to have the luxury of seven minutes socially spare at the carpark, welcoming ChrisA, Cate, Mel(-Car), Jen, Cougar, Pistol, FDC's Ralphy and Ozzie, AvantiTrev, Shorty, SuperMario, Ange and GTCraig into the family, twenty one to spear East on Channel.   Nerves were neutralised without strangers aboard, many finding comfort in familiar company,  Bowie's "we can be heroes" playing on my cerebellum as the breeze boosted our velocity north on Boundary. There's no more scenic sunrises in Old Dookie as days shorten, an oncoming car at the narrow bridge in Pine Lodge North Rd compressed the bunch short with a sudden slow.  Mel, Cate and Jen ploughed into the westerly struggle home, sandwiched between Pistol and Wozz kept me speechless, trees and an occasional orchard a blessed shelter from the southerly. Sitting out the sprint (predicting the tyranny of distance) I inherited AvantiTrev and Cougar in tow though, some pleasure in picking off a few martyrs that had paid the price of early pace up Wanganui hill.  Boulevard bound back to town, it was a struggle to tear away from a social epilogue, but solo out New Dookie Rd to top off the ton and be Stravasatisfied, the long track to the church was a wake up exposed to the elements, sorely missing the cover of a bunch.  Hope was pinned on the wind staying southerly, just the short 1000 meters to the Toaster to endure before the westward leg home. The breakfast menu scrolled through my wish list as a diversion for the buffeting breeze 12k's to town, the distance estimation spot on as 100 clicked over just 200 metres from the Lemontree.  Many from the 6am bunch were still ensconced in breakfasts banter, my reward was a warm welcome and witty words with Cate and Mel on mind-over-matter, reachable goals and climbs.   Seems the floodgates had opened to clocking a ton, Rocket, Wozz and Mel all ticking the Grand Fondo box that morning.

Just a little bit of choke and easy on the throttle, taking the old engine on a gentle 5:10 warm up round the golf course lap on Monday.   Mental preparation was lacking for the niggling southerly, the plan to loop Raftery was the rigorous route, inspiration to reach the end coming from the predicted relief in Mitchell.  Don't you just love the serenity of a tailwind, all goes quiet (save for the Carbone chorus), pedals turn to feathers and the ego inflates proportional to the speed. A glide up Archer found AvantiTrev, Pistol, SuperMario, Cougar and WhisperingJack southbound to the Sanctuary Park roundabout, so I u-turned to join their peace train (seems to be the popular peleton of late).  Bikes back were noticed on our turn to Mitchell, Gazzagrasshopper and RossT climbing aboard after starting from the wrong grid.  A steady tap along River Rd, passing Craig Lotsalumens (two headlights......really?), then a windswept tour of Boundary and Channel roads home, all in the cardiac comfort of zone 3.  Gazzagrasshopper and RossT (hereafter dubbed Hash-brown) were unable to resist the lure of legging it on the Cha Cha, whilst the peace train rolled casually back to town. 

A copious congregation at Friars on Tuesday for a Goat gathering, Heady, Belly, Snow, Coggo, Carl, MeridaJohn, Sandy, Kate, Joe, Speissy, Phil, AvantiLeigh, HG Phillo, AvantiAndy and Deb had assembled, newbies Stella and Sunbeam (cadence like a mixmaster) into the bunch as the group exited town, collecting Tina and JB.   It was a yo-yo start to Old Dookie Rd when half the bunch baulked for a B double, AvantiLeigh lighting the afterburners when all were back on.  Speed had settled beyond Central Ave, the newbies making a cautious contribution in Boundary, Geoffrey (on an early getaway) was caught and absorbed into the crowd.  13 degrees had invited armwarmers and even a pair of 3/4's to be worn, I braved a base layer but was beginning to cook by the turn into River Rd. Rhythm returned for the tour west,  Fast Eddy appeared in the rotation at Archer, pace picking up toward the serious end of the ride. Carl opened up the throttle in Conrod to turn the bunch single file, Phil hanging on behind till his rubber band snapped.  I took to the front as Carl's speed spluttered, but Coggo had his turbo wound up at the last dip to take the trophy, no complaints from me as runner up. 

As welcome as a crutch carbuncle, a southerly (18-24 km/h) harassed the hippocampus commuting to the Couldabeens Thursday, uncomfortable with the negatives on the neurals even before a lap had started.  I felt like a Mahindra amongst the McLarens following up the performances of Boof, Rocket and Wozz in legs one and two, but survived the speed surprisingly.  Startled by the sudden appearance of a car from behind the long grass of kindergarten corner (copious complacency craving caution for the future) panic stopped the pack (KillkennyPaul hit the deck, but without injury) causing a slow leg four to regroup by the cypress trees.  Back on the gas, the big engines of Bo, Ron, Huddo, Nev and Robbo propelled the mob to River Rd and beyond.  Long time no see Robbo and old faithful Opera, still performing perfectly, Lucy braving the front too where many feared to crank.  Bo retired to Kel's mechanical aid, velocity hiding half the field, relegated to the rear without an appearance. A clear and quick cross of the highway set up a swift finish, pride polished glancing at the Garmin's 45km/h display but the tenacity tested fronting another turn.  Against all reasoning I went again to the rushin' front as the turns rolled quickly, 50km/h at Conrod's first dip signalling my swansong.  Nev's long lead out pickled many, I crept round Jase as he threw in the towel, Trav (always with a bit left in the tank) cranked by, but it was Rocket and Wozz launching from Nev's draft to take gold and silver, only on the recovery roll did WhisperingJack, Nick, AvantiTrev, KillkennyPaul and AvantiMat appear from obscurity.

It was hardly like lambs to the slaughter at Friars on Friday, a whole lot of pain predicted for a little perverted pleasure (a peculiar past-time) aboard the pain train.  Talk of a tame tap around was a fairytale figment of the imagination, down to business in Old Dookie Rd, Tum, Heady, me, Dipper, Coggo and Belly formed the Indian file east, Tum opening the account with a big donation of drive.  The pursuit of a small bunch ahead pumped up the pace, 51 swept into Boundary as we slowed behind the four now caught. Passing Sue, Jim and others in Boundary, one jumped aboard, seven now southbound swiftly. Head handed me turn two at one tree dam, my mixed mindset of relax shoulders, touch thumb and index fingertips, regulate breathing, loosen the jaw, don't look at the heartrate, focus ten metres ahead, smooth the speed, think things delicious, arrow the trajectory......all seemed to work reaching River rapidly, but the oxygen starvation, hyper heartrate and rubber legs made catching the rearmost carriage hell in River Rd.  There were encouraging words delivered for all who peeled off the front spent from speed, difficult to say thanks when each breath seems like your last.  Tum put in an epic effort from Rivers' bridge to Mitchell Rd, Heady toasted at the turn.   I had the perfect real estate at Arcadia Downs with Tum's next turn steadily increased to keep Heady attached (Heady's hernia happened just 50 metres later) then flicking me an elbow on the flat after Conrod's first dip.  Right on top of the 14 cog at 83 rpm carved me through the easterly for the final fling, inspiration from Saturday's chat driving me to the chocolates, lapping up that semi surreal sensation as 50mm carbon wheels do their aero thing, or is it a matter of mind over matter?

Week 9    340km.       YTD. 2,901 km

Week 8 : Ninja turtles and taking the candy

Post 333

It was a solid solitary slog to A Mart just to join Temple and Jase, nightclubbers still staggering the streets wrecked.  Raftery Rd was vexed with the effort of a 28 km/h SSW to the point of pain, what drives this voluntary self harm? Feeling better when it stops? Goal kicking? Performance anxiety? A pair well ahead remained uncaught, some ease with the breeze behind as we plied our course through Central Kialla, collecting Nick (with a click).  The pacy tap around kept us on perfect agenda, Nick, ticked off with the click, out of the saddle several times in the hope of isolating the annoyance (to no avail).  Back to the carpark at 5:57 finding a formation from the grid's halfway point, compressing contenders (ChrisA, Boof, WhisperingJack, Wozz, Shorty, SuperMario, Pistol, Rocket, Lynda, Ange, Fisky, Ross, RossT, Gazza, KillkennyPaul, Pat, AvantiTrev, GTCraig and Ric) back to the dumpmaster. A slingshot start as 22 reactions responded, kindergarten corner chaos with a car suddenly appearing stage left to split us into sprinters or stoppers. Each corner became a special stage as the rearmost (still braking) struggled to stay in touch with the front runners off their seats accelerating. Nath joined us early at the S bend as I discussed the finer points of bunch rhythm (or lack of it!) with KillkennyPaul. There was a surge fest bearing west from the Emu, was it coincidence that two's and three's of similar abilities arrived at the front to stagger speeds as the grades changed?  (It feels like the bunch ethos has skewed slightly, some regulars missing and an altered mindset with the influx of of new students) Predictions of an ugly finish, tangled up with haves, almost haves and have no ideas' being blown about by the SSW and speed, kept me (and others) conservative, happy to sit back and watch the Wanganui campaign from a distance. Pat kaboomed soon after Verney Rd, the lesson not learned from repeated turns of mass destruction.  A battalion of heavy artillery (conveniently bunched) upped the ante passing DECA, the cross wind snapping the resolve of many newbies to be shunted OTA.  Comfortable midfield and out of harms way, I slowed to join Temple, Nick and Jase for the four second ascent of Mt.Wanganui, then a coast on Rudd to collect the previously expelled.  Bunch character, turn types, bureaucracy and carbon wheels on the conversation list as wanks in yank tanks hammered the streets.  

Timed a roll-out on Old Dookie Monday, ahead of the Cats with the intention of jumping aboard their train home, the fast femmes in the distance, blinking their red course clockwise. Random riders cruised the course in wait, a solitary BigBen drawing alongside me in Boundary Rd.   Chatting on frames, wheels and Melbourne oddeseys, we'd made some ground on the quick chicks to River Rd but abandoned plans to catch as their leds drew away on a track turn mission.  Mo, MeridaAndy, Scott-not-BassoDave, Sly, MeridaJohn and a handful of others caught us crossing the highway, 4k's of track turns took us home pronto, only in town did we catch Cate, Mel, Jen, Sue and Eggy. 

Untroubled on timing, it was a tranquil tap to the south of town, Tuesday's steamy 23 degrees a backflip to Monday's 12, a northeaster assisting transit to the turtles carpark. Punctual students KillkennyPaul, Ric and Lucy were gradually backed by Jase, Trav, Nick, Shorty, Temple, WhisperingJack, Vince, PistolPete, Lynda, Kenworth, AvantiMat, AvantiTrev and SuperMario, a turtle attendance testament.  Lucy took the first turn with me, Jase then alongside turning up the heat to Orrvale Rd.  There was (unsignalled) pinecone panic at the cypress trees, AvantiTrev had a minor airborne moment and was then cooked with the Vince vs SuperMario 40+ war on whose wheel belonged first. It's been a while since a northeaster has helped us along Boundary and River Rd, hence there was no sparing the wattage working westward (but wished the front runners would move up the road to lend a little shelter to the spent souls)  Ric rapidly retreated to the left line as the reality of the right lane reeked rigour, Killkenny Paul moved up to the pointy end for a dip at the last k of River, an admirable apprenticeship served.  Another of Vince's hit was delivered in Mitchell, the bunch stretching under the strain, SuperMario stoically surviving.  A brief traffic break at the highway eased the heartrate 15 bpm, then rapidly round Roubaix to build for the finale. Vince was at the business end as we swept into Conrod, two lines suddenly blending to one behind him. The torture of the northeaster soon wrecked Vince, Kenworth, Temple, then Trav, Jase thought briefly about facing the music till the wind changed his mind, me blessed with the perfect real estate to sink all the jellybeans into the lead.  On top of the 13 at 191 bpm at the 300 metre mark was enough to gap contestants, a win for old age ninja turtle power! 

It was steamier than Gisele Bundchen in a hot tub Wednesday, 25 degrees before 6 didn't stop Cate, Jen, Car+Mel, Cougar, Lynda, Chops, Rocket, Nick, Pistol, AvantiTrev, AvantiMat, Jase, Boof, WhisperingJack and Gazzagrasshopper turning up.  Only Pistol had formed the right line south of Kialla Lakes, so I made the pilgrimage to Pistol's punishment, AvantiMat much kinder to Mitchell,  FDC's Ralphy and Troy joining in to make 18. Sticks and pot holes went unsignalled in River Rd, Rocket handed a strike by stick, struck by wheels ahead.  Chops coached Cougar to a turn in Boundary Rd, two long lines then working west on Channel Rd home.  AvantiMat and Rocket led the group to Hopeful corner, AvantiTrev running low on steam got the bunch well packed at Prentice for a late charge at the Cha Cha.  Emerging from a 30k tow, Gazzagrasshopper suddenly arrived (unlit) at the front to summon a sprint, Rockets response rapidly dispatching all comers to goners.

A compulsive k craving eased the eyelids open at 4:30 Thursday, wheels working along the Boulevard at 5 on an Emu-Toaster-town trajectory with a Goat lap planned for part two. A whiff of west wind wafted me to the Emu, trying to distract thoughts of the torment turning toward town and into a headwind.  The negative neurosis was soon nullified holding a good speed west, just ignored the legs complaints at staying on top of the 15 at 72 rpm back to Friars. There was two minutes chat time to spare with AvantiAndy, Heady, Deb, Sandy, Phil, Snow, Hommy, Coggo, Speissy, Kate, Tum, HG Phillo and Belly, grouped for the 6am starters gun.  A beige Camry (with the optional impatient pack) narrowly squeezed by at the roundabout, honking the cautious car ahead (an accident looking for a place to happen), but 15 Goats (Tina added) wound up the smooth knots east (except for Belly, on broom duty he tells me). Phil drove a strong turn with me in Boundary Rd despite the strengthening WSW'er, Hommy a smooth and considerate follow up beside me to the pub.  Damp spots on the specs turned out to be precipitation, not perspiration in River Rd, by Central Kialla the tarmac's gloss and wheel rooster tails put caution to the forefront.  Phil drove another hard bargain ascending Mt.Nicolaci, calculating who would be at Conrod's business end impossible to gauge with 12 drivers reducing to 6 by Galbraith's gate.  Belly finally fronted for duty, but struggled to pace Coggo and Tum brewing a strong expresso.  Just catching Tums slipstream as he jumped past Coggo set up my scene to take the candy from the baby of the bunch (well, he's twenty something)

Craved crispy concrete cornflakes Friday morning, something to feed the fortitude in preparation for the pain train. A southerly en-route pickled the perseverance, only Coggo, Dipper, Belly and Tum turning up meant hard yakka.  Five set forth with senior Cats in the distance a target, Coggo and Tum setting a flying fourties standard. The Cats turned into Boundary with '51 almost on their tail from the east, Coggo winding up an epic pussy pursuit as '51 hurtled to the horizon. We passed Matho and the meiow menagerie at the bridge, Coggo finally elbowing Tum to the front.   I found it hard to summon the speed from Channel Rd to one tree dam, willing myself to the next white post before handing over to Belly.  The Couldabeens had an eastbound train of many carriages in River Rd, our rolling stock of five puffed west with the Tum and Coggo engines delivering me to the dip.  Facing the front for the fourth time felt futile, fourty fading from the Garmin despite all efforts to keep pace.  Self was spent cresting the bridge, Belly and Dipper took up the tow to Rivers end, on the turn south my rear tyre felt as soft as Hollywood (an explanation of prior poor performance), the puncture halting all.  Cats soon passed us despite the quick change with Coggo collaberation, chase #2 then got underway to Mitchell.  Rounding the bend, the Cats had capitalised the width of the tarmac, but we eventually squeezed through, back on the gas for a rapid roll to Raftery.  Dipper's turbocharged finish in Conrod was hard to hold onto (85 psi from the C02 in the Michelin, a distinct disadvantage), the roll through town with congenial chat on the signs of reaching the limit, was rudely interrupted by puncture two.

Week 8.      316 km             YTD 2,561 km

 

Week 7 Heroics and haemorrhoids.

Post 332

A de rigeur early rendezvous with Temple and Wozz Saturday, 10% better progress than expected cranking south to Mitchell Rd, a week of torture may have educated my legs to a new standard?  Jase joined us at Central Kialla, the 30k prologue broken into bite sized pieces to terminate back at the carpark for a Couldabeens conference at the startline.  I'd elected to vocalise recent concerns, a call to order for smooth and sensible after last Saturday's shenanigans.  It wasn't the sermon on the mount, but the 6am departure was deafened by a pin dropping (maybe I'd been a bit vicious with verbs or acrid with adjectives), but agreement finally flowed as the wheels of rotation began eastward.  A fleet of cars appeared at the highway to incur an intermission, the prolonged pungency pedalling past Porky palace harangued heavily on Hollywood's hooter. Svelte and slick, two rows made an orderly way to the Toaster and up to the Emu, westward homeward without a glitch.  Hallelujah!  A 2k turn at the business end in Ford Rd with Pistol wasn't the torture I'd expected, and luck got me back in the draft before the competition of Wanganui beckoned.  Pat seemed unsure of his turn commitment at DECA (till the lungs expire Pat!), 'twas a tidy sprint though, with Wozz delivering Hollywood to the base of Mt.Wanganui (but made him earn the chocolates), Rocket, Shorty and SuperMario sitting out the sprint in Crit conservation.  Lucy and Lynda sprinted the cafe stage to be first seated, going parking, criterium tactics and the Ford vs Holden debate tempted tongues at the breakfast table. 

Overtaken by an opportunistic upstart on a flatbar (while I foot fumbled to clip in at the traffic lights) fanned the flames of pursuit (and passing) on New Dookie Rd Monday morning, the bit of west in the south southwest inspiring a push to the Pine Lodge church.  The heavenly hotmix soon ended, a coarse 20mm tarmac handbraked the speed till beyond Boundary, then 12mm stone a comfortable concession to the church. Heading south to the Toaster was about as inviting as a holiday in Aleppo, but spinning (78rpm) on the 17 making some progress.  Worked west on Old Dookie through the methane of the hog hotel then atop the main eastern channel bridge, I could view the bunches bearing westward and a soloist southbound.  Distances get skewed by darkness but no gain was made on the l.e.d. ahead (later Flyby'd as Wozz....no hope catching!) and I seemed to be holding station to the lights behind, once in River Rd a glance back better guessed the pursuing pack to be a k in arrears. River's length seemed a little shorter somehow, an oncoming collective of calm Couldabeens (birth of another Monday peace train) cruised into view at the bridge.  I'd drawn myself into zone 5 (+160 bpm) by Raftery Rd (avoiding being Catcaught?), expecting an imminent swamping in Conrod straight, it was pleasing to see just a sunrise sky smudged orange as I looked behind.  

More of the windy workout bearing south to Tuesday's turtles, a south southwesterly (22-39 km/h) to test the gluttons for punishment, Kenworth, Lucy, Jase, Nick, Temple, KillkennyPaul and AvantiMat 

(Ric and RossT sitting in the caboose). Temple and I took turn one, the pairing with Nick to Orrvale Rd got me speechless. A repeat performance came around all too soon with just 8 working the wind, KillkennyPaul and Lucy bearing the brunt of Boundary's blast. Turns turned smoothly despite the crosswinds headed west, shared evenly amongst the drivers in a bid to keep the 6am hares behind. Lucy and KillkennyPaul steered us to Galbraith's gate but Temple's tempo turned tortuous, rounding up and gapping the apprentices in his storm ahead toward Arcadia Downs.  Kenworth, Jase and I responded, burning wattage we'd rather have saved till the finish, swapping turns to Conrod's first dip, Kenworth buried himself till 300 shy of the line, Jase given the elbow ahead at the last dip. Temple drew alongside my third spot with just metres left, RossT emerging from a 30k tow to contend for a place may earn him the nickname of haemorrhoid!  The stretched bunch reunited at the bridge for a post mortem tap to town, quietly chuffed at beating the hares home. (an messy finish mixed with felines I'm told)

Leading ten on a relentless 2900 metre leg to the Sanctuary Drive roundabout was a stupid idea Wednesday, a 25km/h southwester carving a deep psychosis into the brow, my 20k prior prologue poor preparation for the persecution.  Wozz saved the day donating a draft to the alternate route, the road to respiratory recovery took till central Kialla for a tailwind North.  Chatting with Pistol, Boof, Shorty, Car+Mel, Jen, AvantiTrev, Rocket and SuperMario as the rotations rolled, River Rd's progress wound up from AvantiTrev's 33 intro to be beside Boof at 40.  Speed was on a similar simmer in Boundary Rd, a tailwind honeymoon soon over, turning into Channel Rd.   A few had ducked for cover as the Cha Cha drew closer, I'd found myself in a spicy speed sandwich between Boof and Wozz as we swung into Kinder corner at 40, hanging on till hopeful corner for a Wozz draft (needs to be on a cake and pie diet to fatten up his matchstick profile though). Rocket lit the afterburners at Prentice Rd, taking Wozz and SuperMario with him, nothing left in my tank to stay in touch as the gap opened.  My elbow at 181bpm enticed Pistol to slice the breeze in 4th, the last of my jellybeans spent in hanging on till Orrvale Rd's slow. 

To purge the persistent practice of 30-40k rides,  I saddled up at 5 on Thursday for a longer lap, destination clockwise toaster circuit and to intercept Goats in Old Dookie Rd to make a social second half.  As regular as prune juice, the wind (S-SW) blew an advantage to the Emu and a hinderance to the Toaster and back to town, happy on the 14 outbound but grappling with a grratio inbound, swapping between the 15 and 17 in a search of something between grind and spin (a grin?).  Belly, AvantiLeigh, AvantiAndy, Dipper, Sandy, Head Goat Phillo, Speissy, Phil and Hommy appeared exiting town, collecting Tina on the outskirts, then Geoffrey nearing Central Ave.   It was up to Hommy and I to cut the breeze in Boundary Rd, his competitive cravings half biking me 5k faster, accelerating the moment I drew level.   I rolled the turn at the bridge, Belly at least smooth and sans surge.  Regular (and respectful) rotations resumed to River Rd, Hommy's heroics repeating as I attempted to draw alongside again. I hunkered down for a long haul, half a bike back and playing the waiting game for his expiring effort (sometimes stubbornness knows no bounds!)   He finally pulled the pin near the church, Belly then contributing (kindly) to Laws Drive.  The troops had rather rapidly all served another term by Central Kialla, Hommy now testing Tina into the SSW. My turn came up again, this time it was payback by driving a few lengths on Hommy up to 38 for a few hundred metres.  Point proven, velocity was restored in Mitchell Rd, my mind already set on sitting out the sprint.  Timing and a degree of fate / luck had AvantiLeigh at the exertion end of Conrod, Dipper at second wheel being gifted the win, a long line of laboured lungs behind. 

There was a gathering of the clans as I idled the streets on a warm up Friday, Cats, Goats, Hurtlocker and Couldabeens were assembling, settling on the latter as the variety of life's spice.  Pistol, Hollywood, Wozza, Cate, Kenworth, Shorty, Nick, Rocket, Lucy, Nev, AvantiTrev, Jen, Chops and Jase swelled the ranks for the 6am off, I settled into the midfield as Wozz drove the first leg, observing Pistol, Rocket, and Nev forming the second line while many ducked for cover in a soft shoe shuffle at the rear.  Bo and Kel joined on the second k and we'd inherited FDC's Troy and Ralphy to the bunch en-rout to Mitchell. Beside Rocket at the front in Central Kialla, the tailwind and Rocket's enthusiasm (despite his tough 100 last night) took us into the 40's, making me officially knackered to pair with Shorty for the first k of River Rd.  Thankfully there was a lengthy respite with 18 others doing shifts, the oncoming aforementioned clans worked west as we lapped up the tailwind anticlockwise. Channel Rd was mostly shielded from the breeze, sitting fifth wheel at Hopeful corner was a lucky berth. Wozz, Hollywood then Chops ramped up the speed at Prentice Rd, sympathy for Chops being left to suffer (post man-flu,10 cents short of a million dollars) urged me to the front to lend him a tow, but nudging the fifties couldn't hold off Bo (with Wozz at his heels), Hollywood nipping up on my left to steal third.

Week 7.     325 km.          YTD 2,245 km

Week 6 Friday flagellation, the freaky fashion?

Post 331

Missed the text of Saturday's early lap, so set off solo at 4:45 with a niggling northeaster (11-15 km/h) to battle en-route to the Emu, but peace and solitude to clear the cranium.  Distances evaporated quickly zoning in on a rhythm (sounds better than being totally away with the fairies!), the grind on the 15 laboured the legs but was kind on the cardiac.  Ahead of agenda at the Toaster, I eased the throttle back to town, cruising to the carpark finding the masses assembling.  Boof, Lynda, Rocket, Shorty, Trav, Temple, Wozz, Mel-Car, Ange, Hollywood (finally out of mothballs) Fisky, Cate, Ross, Pat, KillkennyPaul, Pistol, Cougar, AvantiTrev, G.T.Craig (a rather late New Years resolution of revolution), Nick and WhisperingJack.  AvantiTrev opened the account calmly, Pistol and Wozz cooking up the cadence on leg 2, my go at leg 3 beside Wozz in the high 30's sure to vocalise critics.  Pat's turn transition across from up line at the S bend, was by sudden sprint followed by freewheel, sending a tsunami through the bunch (perception of how the peleton performs politic is not his strong point!) Two long lines speared north in Boundary Rd chasing a pair of l.e.d.'s, the sweep into Old Dookie Rd rounding up BigBrad and buddy (giving no quarter of their slice of tarmac), then all went messy, accelerating to 40 then suddenly on the anchors back to 32 for an odd call for slow.  The pork palace was particularly pungent at 6:20 (barely a hint at 5:35), rapid rolls by Ross and KillkennyPaul ruptured the regular rotation, raising quite an aura of unease amongst the troops.  A hint of tail breeze in Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd spiced the speed, a pair of errant geese cajoled from their asphalt roost, then a sudden unsignalled slow by some u-turning (to congregate with Cats) split the bunch wide open, so yet another calm to restore the order.  Colour co-ordination tips from Hollywood (bluewall tyres with a blue banded Baum needs blue shoes I'm told!) and the social stimuli occupied me till reaching the soup tin, a blackbird (slow to launch from its Ford Rd landing pad) was nearly shredded between our rows.  Many had now become nervous wrecks, missing the standard Saturday smoothness, the sprint to come had some wanting to increase their life insurance!  Eagerness brewed in Wanganui Rd passing the test track, and with hopes lost at the business end so early, Wozz buried himself in speed to make any podium position particularly prized.  Seeming to be caged in the left line, I let Rocket across to the right and into Boof's draft, Ross and KillkennyPaul gave split second turns, then the bunch went pear shaped. Boof bolted, Rocket, Trav and Ange pounced (four wide), Pat sliced across wheels in sprint desperation causing chaos as an uncalled car passed in the gravel.....a hideous finish, with all a bit shaken but thankfully upright.  One or two meandering like Browns cows Boulevard bound put a dull finish to a ragged ride, the subject of much chat over breakfast, with the statesmen pondering policies. Adelaide's +14 degree rule tempted several to partake an ale, birthday boy Ange relishing a rasberry JD kick starter. 

Monday's solo followed the familiar track east on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, not looking forward to the turn south into the headwind, (the God of cycling boosting it to 17km/h gusts), but 78 rpm kept a satisfying speed, slotting between the hexiCats and Cats by the time I reached Old Dookie Rd. A distant soloist ahead inspired a chase, slowly closing the gap by the Broken bridges, catching and passing Sosso (who had no interest in a draft).  A mass of lights some distance behind kept my wheels turning, chase or be chased seemed to be the order of the day (a more inspired pace than a lap without targets).  Another red l.e.d. ahead drew closer at Central Kialla, passing an unknown addict in the opening metres of Mitchell.  Estimations on glances behind (as the Cats prey) guessed I'd reach town first, legs were rather rubberised in Raftery but the tailwind kept pace positive back to town, the new main drag resurfacing as rough as hessian underwear. (yet another cheap as chips works tender?)

Missed the turtles flagfall by 2 minutes Tuesday, and without the wattage to cope with the 6am hares, I set sail for the Goats.  AvantiLeigh, Brendan, Heady, Phil, Coggo, Snow, Dipper, AvantiAndy, Kate, CerveloJohn (the Cervelo's swansong before being divorced for a Merida), Hommy, Carl, Manny and Sandy the Friars starters at 6.  All pretty pacy on the Old Dookie dash east, Geoffrey and JB blended into the bunch beyond Central, Brendan happy with a short shift, AvantiLeigh in for the hard (and fast) yards beside me in Boundary.  Rotations had gone full circle by the Broken bridges, AvantiLeigh drawing alongside with a similar goal to me (reaching River Rd) and a rigid resolve to match.  Boring into the southerly (15-22), the dogged drive whittled at my will to continue (curse the prefrontal cortex and its testing target!), a momentary draft from a passing car my only salvation from an early explosion.  Recovery was relatively rapid in River Rd, back to 137 bpm while Carl, Coggo and Manny headed the charge to Central Kialla. Another stampede with AvantiLeigh for the last k of River Rd waned my wattage, feeling I'd cooked calves earlier. Kate QOM'd Mt.Nicolaci (Heady, the King), our bunch flying by a despondent dude wheeling his bike toward the highway (mechanical mayhem).  Rolling turns in Raftery stirred the sequence swiftly as many abandoned ship at the bow for a sit at the stern.  CerveloJohn cranked past me in Conrod without the call I was next, suddenly there was three lengths to make up as CerveloJohn dived left for a tow home.  I was left in the limbo of the up line as Coggo powered the last 400, Carl emerging from the perfect draft to take the chocolates with Manny making him earn the position. 

An early golf course spin restored the spirit, legs could drive a better rate of knots than yesterday, even into the south southwester.  Plenty of punters were at the start for Wednesday's Couldabeens whip around, Wozza, Chops, Rocket, Boof, Shorty, Nick, Cate, WhisperingJack, Car+Mel, Ange, SuperMario, Lynda, Saturday specialist Fisky, AvantiTrev and Pistol. The tradition of single file to Kialla Lakes drive is followed by the quiz of who braves forming the up line, nearly always it's Boof, Wozz, Rocket or Pistol while others bide their time for an ideal berth.  The aforesaid towed us to Mitchell Rd post haste, a tamer tempo bearing east seemed to calm the km/h concerned. Shorty gave me a good workout in River Rd, next up Fisky had a turn shorter than Hollywood's revival. Boundary Rd was at a good gallop, the Channel Rd stage at a more peaceful pace, Pistol pairing with Cate calmed the kinder corner, the sprint slightly delayed for oncoming traffic. With the coast cleared, AvantiTrev ducked to the shelter of the left line, Shorty wound up the wattage to catch Wozz, I scored a dream draft into the fifties and was feeling hopeful till Rocket and Boof bolted by as if we'd stood still. Only just pinching third from a sacrificed Wozz left me speechless, a calm to reconvene the stretched bunch then tap to town swapping achievements, what if's and next times.

Like a diet dedicated to dimsims, the relentless wind blew again Thursday, the diehards (Rocket, Boof, birthday boy Bo, BigRon, Vince, Wozz, Trav, Shorty, Nick, Lucy, SuperMario, Kel, Pistol, AvantiTrev, Temple and newcomers KillkennyPaul and Ric) were undeterred in a Couldabeens carpark convergence.  Chocks away at 5:45, Rocket and Boof set the standard for leg one, a split for traffic calmed leg two, BigRon and Bo upping the ante for three, newcomer Ric diving left for a draft as the ride reality reared its rapid head.  From kindergarten to the cypress trees was my workout with Bo then Kel, Vince must have had nitrous on Nutri-Grain hammering SuperMario well into the fourties at the S bend.  Wozz, Temple, Nick and Trav bore the brunt of Boundary's southerly, the bunch then fanned across the River Rd asphalt in an attempt to minimise work for all but two, Kev and Susie on a ride of recovery, overtaken swiftly.  The mental vault of matching the younger, fitter and faster Bo nagged at my neurosis fronting the driving end (a Garmin glance at 177 bpm didn't help), so I called a short turn (would it be such a head hurdle with apples beside apples?).  Vince and SuperMario paired again for River Rd's last k, the plucky plumber defining tenacity beside Vince's vigour.  Newcomers and the odd regular were populating AvantiTrev's convivial caboose congregation ("hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way"), Shorty chuffed at avoiding Central Kialla's facefull of SSW'er.   Getting from Roubaix to Galbraith's gate was a bit beyond me beside Bo, gasping to Arcadia Downs signed off my swansong, it was down to Ron, Boof, Wozz, Pistol and Bo as the only drivers left to crank Conrod. I rounded up KillkennyPaul who'd emerged from the rear stalls to fang the final metres, finishing fourth as many sprintenders dropped like flies. 

There was a hint of hurt hesitation heading to the pain train Friday, but I'm guessing Tum, Coggo, Heady, Phil, Belly, Dipper and AvantiLeigh were feeling the same. Is Friday flagellation the freaky fashion?  Defying rationality, I took the helm for leg one (the toil before the tow) to Dobson's bridge, pleased with personal pace but pulling out all stops to grab the last wheel on the handover.  Phil, Heady, Tum and Dipper took us to Boundary Rd and swung south a half minute before the 51 express did likewise from the east. Coggo and Belly poured on the hurry to the ham house as the 51 express steamed by, our little Choo Choo happy to dig deep and hang on, Dion, BigBen, Oscar, Mitch, Eggman, MexicanAngelo and Eddy were amongst the engines rolling the turns. Belly flicked an elbow to nominate me as the joining link, staying in the draft and smoothing the waves with the task of keeping our mob in touch was a difficult balance, the big guns not without their close calls and surges of speed.  Heady and Belly lost grip in River Rd and went OTA, understandable with 5.5 k's covered in 7:26. Sitting in the 51 tow was hardly a Goat train achievement, but certainly an individual effort. By Raftery Rd a few had taken reartirement, a couple more bowing out at Conrods first dip. Goats respectfully remained in tow to the line, pleased with a 40.7 average albeit with much assistance. 

Week 6.     306km.          YTD 1,920km

Week 5 : Brain baggage and bursting the breakaway balloon

Post 330

Temple and Wozza were keen to crank early, departing A Mart at 5 we inherited Rocket on the rear (predicting the usual punters would be following the Saturday tradition). 13 degrees had drawn base layers and arm warmers out of obscurity, spearing into the darkness of Raftery Rd two k turns soon warmed the legs up as the subject of Strava junkies made light relief. An errant kanga bounding Mitchell Rd forced a slow, a cruisier crank in Central Kialla hinted some SSE assistance.  With the grind of River Rd done, Temple, in prime performance, had us well ahead of schedule on Channel Rd, five minutes of social stimuli to spend before launch.  Fisky, Boof, Car+Mel, Jen, SuperMario, Shorty, Pistol, Cougar, Jase, Ross, Ange, Lynda, Vince, Trav, AvantiTrev (and yet another newcomer) set forth, but barely 100 metres were covered when Rockets bus stop puncture halted the train. A little more chat, repair done and the wheels turned east, a meet and greet with KillkennyPaul (aboard a white Giant), an apprentice to bunches, taking up the addiction 4 months ago. Nath managed an appearance in Boundary Rd, Old Dookie Rd was particularly porky palace pungent, but there's that scenic sunrise to divert the senses.  I'd finally reached the rear stalls turning at the Toaster, two rows of praying protagonists counted (22) needed a keen eye.  The rubber band effect (front runners accelerating from a corner the backmarkers were still braking for) tested the sprint capabilities at the caboose end, half a k later all was well, everybody tucked in for a tow home. A turn at the front came up again as we entered Ford Rd, zoning in on relaxing everything but the legs to keep pace with Pistol till the Grahamvale Rd change-over. Panting, I was putty in the plumbers hands of SuperMario to Verney Rd, back into the tow to Numurkah Rd was a welcome change from the usual front-of-house work in Wanganui. Wozz and Rocket drew the short straw of driving to DECA, Rocket self sacrificing himself dragging the masses to the base of the ascent for Boof and Trav to thrash out the honours.  Kits left of centre and zoning on ascents too'ed and fro'ed at one end of Lemontree's long table, the noise of natter indiscernible at the other. 

Continuing questions on why I do this, I pointed the Corretto to the golf course at 5:15 Monday, reducing wear and tear on bed linen?, enhancing Michelins' production?, maybe just trying to keep an old engine in tune to keep up with the young'uns.  (Probably best not to self examine in case of frightening oneself!) It was another cool excuse for summer, 11 degrees prompted base layer and armwarmers, a spin on the 17 cog putting some warmth into a 25k prelude to the peace train.  I caught Tina entering town in time to u-turn aboard a Goat/Cat conglomeration, just Sly, Trav and Liam had fronted the feline grid, so joined the Goat gathering of Belly, Coggo, Brendan and Phil.  It was a peace train at a (feline influenced) faster idle, finding the convalesced Greendawg in the dark nearing Boundary Rd's sow savoy, congrats to Liam on the Australia Day sports award, a gong too for Coggo, Tina and Belly with a Saturday squirt up Buffalo.  The slightly faster roll allowed me time for a full circuit, no sprint launched keeping things civilised to the end.

Being first to arrive at the Tuesday turtles had a price to pay, doing the hard yards (all 1859 of them) with Ange to the truck route on leg one got the metabolism motivated. The turtle team comprised Chops, Lynda, Nick, Shorty, Kenworth, AvantiTrev, AvantiMat, Temple, Vince, SuperMario and, surprise surprise......WhisperingJack was back. SuperMario had the dream draft of Kenworth (but then had the task of matching the torque beside him), Vince with a cogitated call for a rare case of traffic at the kinder. WhisperingJack braved a turn at the business end (albeit a tame tap beside AvantiTrev) from one tree dam to half a k into River Rd, his sole performance being a legacy of a month off two wheels. AvantiMatt was harried by high heart rate (20 below most), Lynda belting out a beaut burst at the rushin' front. Thoughts of the 6am hares hunting behind kept pace in the pedals, freaky to find fog in the fields for February. A drag race up Mt.Nicolaci with Ange peaked my pulminories, only eight drivers were left by the time we rounded Roubaix. Kenworth hit the front in Conrod straight, the wise quick to sit in his draft, Ange and Vince lay in wait and pounced at the last dip, the lap clocked in 45:50, a headcount confirming none were missing in action.

A sense of being stalked on the golf course loop turned up my tempo on Wednesday, a light in the rearward distance kept up the heartrate till the southerly (20-41 km/h) punished progress to the Couldabeens start.  Shorty, Boof, Pistol, Wozza, Nick, Car-Mel, Cate, Rocket, WhisperingJack, AvantiMat, SuperMario, Chops and AvantiTrev had aligned at the car park, Chops falling on the sword of first turn into the wind. A few spits from the heavens suggested a possible drowning, but the damp held off, the usual 1.5 k turns at the front quickly ditched in favour of brief belts into the bluster, and I'd chosen to pair with Rocket!  It was relief reaching Mitchell and utopia northbound in Central Kialla, peak hour traffic fronted in River Rd with passing peletons and the odd car crowding the tarmac. Wind gusts were whipping wheels wildly, close concentration needed in a somewhat erratic echelon, the rearmost struggling at the roads edge. A smoother straighter line was possible headed to Channel Rd, mid fourties cranked as the tailwind advantage was taken. I'd lucked the rear berth of the bunch as we ploughed into the kinder corner (Rocket ahead meant I'd be lucky just to score a minor place), so spurred Cate to follow as we carved through the expirees imploding beyond Prentice Rd. Car-Mel had joined our charge to score the fifth spot, the final k's enjoyed recovering oxygen and basking in accomplishment. 

Being squeezed through a roundabout by an impatient Territory wanting extra territory bumped up the h.r. starting a 20k solo Thursday, another stiff southerly (22-34 km/h) guaranteed rest was off the agenda, but back to town as slow Cats then fast Cats exited east.  Coggo, Snow, Dipper, Heady, HG Phillo, Tum, Sandy and Tina Goats grouped for a slow saunter out Old Dookie Rd, numbers down as many had traded in duty for doonas. Up front, Tum was on for a chat while Heady was craving oxygen, HG Phillo struggled to reach the front at Coggo standards, and Sandy sat back while others rued a second day of southerly slog. I had a manageable berth between Snow and Heady, keeping a cautionary pace so as not to flog the horses (Heady's last Friday scars still a bit fresh?) Phillo however, thrashed his attempt at River Rd's bridge, an exalted punch of the air cresting the climb first was soon swapped for a face full of flabbergasted fatigue a moment later.  Time was ticking away turning into Mitchell Rd, Coggo keen to apply the wattage up Mt.Nicolaci, the aero (haircut) Tina capably matching his ascent. Anticipation of being blown home by Rafterys tailwind buoyed the boys driving to Galbraith's gate, I threw the curved ball of an early break at Arcadia Downs drive, if only to twist the routine of the ride.  Plus fourties only lasted 600 metres when Coggo, Tum, Dipper and Snow busted my breakaway balloon, Tum pouncing the pertinent podium precisely to perspicaciously pinch the prime prize, per perspiration.

A blend of trepidation and transcendence filled the cranial cavity on Friday, would the Pain Train score or scar me? I guess AvantiLeigh, Tum, Dipper, Belly, Phil, Coggo, Manny, Col, BigBen (too late for Cats, too good for Goats?) and Tina felt the same, but something drives that urge to attend.  6 bells and the train departed Friars, my deliberate position at third wheel was to prepare for the pointy end instead of diving in at the deep end, Coggo and Tum taking the first and second shift (nothing quite prepares you for slicing the atmosphere the first time, the task of towing the carriages and their expectations is quite the burden of brain baggage).  Pain Train trainee Col hit the front in Boundary Rd and went ballistic to 46, snapping Phil's chain and sending Tina scurrying for caboose cover, but Coggo and Tum soon settled the speed back to Vox populi to the Pub, my go to Channel Rd had barely enough in reserve to climb back aboard.  SuperMario was spied solo in River Rd (Couldabeens in puncture arrears), many Goats now preparing for what Col's next surprise would be (turned out a tamer 42).  Manny and BigBen put in solid performances, great work by Dipper, Belly, Coggo and Tum keeping the kettle boiling too.  Col cut loose again at the Kialla hall, Swiss cheesing the line (futile with the Mitchell Rd turn looming large).  Turns were becoming brief beyond the highway and gasping to Galbraith's, I'd hoped Tum would deliver me to the front half way along Conrod, but his elbow gave me the lead at the first dip.  Despite BigBen's encouragement, my legs and lungs had resigned (187 bpm) with 200 to go, i was swiftly swamped by all as Col then Manny made a sprint of the finish. That was a whole world of effort to shave just four seconds off a P.B., but the 40.4 average suitably satisfied.

Week 5:   340km.         YTD 1,614 km