A balancing act of effort vs explosion

Post #681

14/1 Started steady, finished fast.

The advance line could only attract Bo and The Godfather when PistolPete set us south at 6am.  The 5ft Ninja, Lance, Grumpy, me, Tina, Kim and Molly were firmly fixed in the left line, probably in wishful thinking of this being a single filed Saturday.  It seemed nobody wanted to follow the schoolboy antics of Bo and The Godfather, but Grumpy finally relented to join the queue beyond the truck route.  

It wasn't till Mitchell Rd that Molly took the plunge of promotion forward and that finally got the wheels of progress happening.  This would be two rows rotating after all. An east southeaster kept a hint of a handbrake on speed to Central Kialla though the two terrors played half-wheel hijinks anyway.  I wouldn't have expected anything less. A little calm came when Grumpy co-piloted The Godfather toward River Rd but Molly's short shift toward the bridge told of being cooked.  Tina and Kim drove to the dip while I waited for duty; I'd scored considerate company in the scheme of things.  Alongside Lance at the quarter horse fence, we took tempo under our control and to hell with anyone who didn't like it.  That wind became our excuse for 33's and 34's.  Lance called half time a kilometre on but then inherited the Ninja's hurry to match; she was serving speed , not sympathy in a charge to rooster corner.  Lance had little chance without the legs to match and struggled with what little draft he could get to Coach Rd.  

Bo and Pistol were back in charge and aimed at the highway in a hurry, that east southeaster had swung northeast but had little effect.  I thought I was suffering the effects of sustained speed till the shop squad hurtled past, GiantAndy leading a line of eight into the distance.  The two terrors fronted in Boundary Rd in another battle of I'm-better-than-you, the consequences of cooking a few at the back of little concern apparently.  Fractures in the line appeared beyond the fig farm when Molly ran out of determination, the decision for Tina and Kim to join her in a short cut to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd an easy one.  Bo and Grumpy had the tail-enders in the right gutter of Old Dookie Rd, the remaining seven in a shambles till PistolPete took charge of the lead and set a proper tack to the Toaster.  

Sweat stinging the eyes diverted thoughts from the sting in the legs (but 20 degrees and rising at 6:20 am is better than those 36 days in winter below 3 eh Foss?)  Pistol guided our path north to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd where the northeaster would help rather than hurt toward home.  Speed would get spicier of course.  Long shadows and big breaths were on the Indian filed agenda back to town, 40's now the benchmark with long turns from Grumpy to Boundary Rd and the Ninja to Lemnos North Rd.  Ford Rd's first 3 k's had Bo at the helm, though Surgio might be a better name when he started at 38 with bouts of 45 to Grahamvale Rd.  Why?  Ask Bo.   Depths of determination were dug by a few to stay aboard.  The Godfather's shift to the highway was far smoother, so I gained some breaths to take on the Wanganui Rd leg.  That 'they-can-go-to-hell' theory was applied as I set 38's as the standard (they could roll past if they didn't like it) though my own benchmark was being questioned at DECA's skid pan. 

That remaining k to Mt Wanganui wasn't worth looking at, the blur of tarmac 5 metres ahead was a better focus.  The mountains' cruel 0.6% ascent drained the tank dry so 36's humbled my heroics to get to Rudd Rd (if I could see it through the squint from sweat stinging both eyes)   Lance got his head down and the speed up south, but I'd missed the draft by wiping smarting eyes when five followed him toward the cemetery.  Thanks to Bo's glance back, the bunch slowed slightly for me to rejoin.  Knowing I'd avoid another flogging at the front brought some comfort on the Boulevard, 37's set by PistolPete was sustainable in the slipstream (and the mental stimulus of a forthcoming fruitbowl breakfast shifted the focus from my rubber legs)  Steepest streets, yukkas and Adelaide's attractions filled the Butter Factory's space with the already seated shop squad (Rocket, GiantAndy, Wozza, Troy, Boof, Emil, Gazza, Lenny and Liam).  My hurt became insignificant seeing their 41.7 lap average.

15/1  Edge 130+ & Varia RTL515 test.

A short spin on the sabbath was purely to test a bit of technology. Ye olde Garmin Edge 500 had reached the end of its' days, showing the scars of 176,000km of service, so it seemed timely to embrace the radar tail-light technology as well.  A quiet spin of the local block was purely to climatize to new controls and learn the radar signals of traffic behind.   I can see why this gear is flavor of the month.

16/1 Strangely serene.

I hadn't figured out the new Garmin's back-light yet (might read the instructions some day!) but it was probably a good thing not to see those numbers on Monday morning anyway.  Riding blind to the speed and heart rate was actually quite liberating.  (How we stew over the lows and highs of the engine's performance eh?)  The 130+ lit up for traffic behind though, a new and comforting feature that certainly justifies the price.   The Tour Down Under will be slashing the Sanctuary starting grid this week, many of the regulars over to Adelaide will certainly thin the attendance here.    So it was a surprise to find Trav, Rocket, Tina, Troy, Kel, Lenny, Emil, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Wozza, TrackStan and Grumpy forming two lines at a noticeably darker roundabout for 5:40's spin.  

Days are shortening already with Summer only just started!  In PistolPete's absence, Emil was stand-in for lead-out duty to Mitchell Rd, Grumpy his protagonist in pace for the 3k drive into the breeze.  The Godfather was noticed by his absence ; the serenity a shock to the system!  With nobody to bait Bo, pace was particularly smooth, but Rocket and Wozz could write a book on it, towing us to River Rd.  From left line to right, I joined the advance at the bridge, pleased guessing I'd get a turn at the front with a breeze up the backside (Tina ahead and Trav behind made mine a perfect placement).   I should soak this up; there might be some work to do in smaller packs for the rest of the week.  Bo and Kel supplied more draft to the Broken bridges, Tina and Kel on towing duty to the highway.  

Considering Tina's near empty tank for part two, I went easy on the throttle toward Boundary's bridge but Tina signed off at Pogue Rd for me to pair with Trav.  Gentle on the accelerator (to avoid a knife in the back from Tina) to 35's wasn't bursting the boiler thanks to the prevailing breeze, so setting sights at reaching Old Dookie wasn't out of the question.  The Ninja's shift on Old Dookie was short toward School Rd (seems like her Sunday was swift), Trav and Grumpy taking over the drive to Central Ave.  Many commented on the considerate pace, a 34.6 average not so shy of the usual, though that was probably pumped up a bit by Emil and Grumpy's hurry to the truck route.  Rocket kept the SPC shift smooth, not supersonic. 

17/1  Molly and the mozzies.

Emil had nearly bitten his tongue in half.  To the rescue of Molly and her punctured Schwalbe, the tube went against Emil's religion in the refit.  The tyre didn't want to remount so was persuaded with levers and the subsequent injection of CO2 went awol.  A pinched tube had Emil near explosion so Foss was summoned to fix.   I have changed a tube or two before (tant amount to heresy in Emil's tubeless theology).   Mosquitos had their feed of us at Channel Rd's ChaCha while I fitted another tube and thumb wrestled the testy tyre back onto the rim.  Success came with the second serve of CO2, so the squirrels set sail again, a little itchy from the mozzies and keen to get the lap done so that coffee could cure us.  

Since Emil and I had ridden our routine to the truck route and to Orrvale, Molly took on the shift to the Kinder, leaving Tina the south and east effort to the cypress trees (done well considering the east northeaster).   Wendy's two week NZ getaway hadn't worn away too many watts to get us beyond Beckham's bend and Kim was the dark horse with the horsepower to drive to Channel Rd's end.  Jen's Sydney sojourn had shortened her shift to Boundary Rd's bridge and I guessed Emil would extend his turn to New Dookie Rd.  Guessed correctly.  The wind had taken on a northeast flavour when I was handed the lead to Lemnos-Cosgrove, the gals behind pleased they'd get the advantage of its' help to work west.  

Another of summers' scenic skies backlit Molly's spin to the bridge where Tina got into the groove of 38's to Ford Rd.  The radar tail-light has delivered some comfort warning of traffic way  before it's heard (rather convenient when it's that dark car in the half light of dawn that hasn't optioned headlights).  Wendy worked her watts again on Ford Rd but  ran out with 400 metres remaining to Grahamvale Rd, a challenge gladly taken by Kim to finish the shift and press on to Verney Rd.  Jen drew the southward leg to Balaclava Rd and may have bribed Emil to stay at second wheel 'cause she was still in charge at Clarke Crt.  Ah, but wait!  Emil's itch was worse than those mosquitoes; it was only natural for him to bolt to the red light and poke that pedestrian button. 

18/1 Seven steamed Dim Sims.

A small gap in Wednesdays' radar was just wide enough to squeeze a lap in - though I reckon there'd be a few empty spaces in Sanctuary Drives' grid.   The sensation of being a steamed dim sim came with little effort, 20 degrees and 100% humidity was about as tropical as I could take after 25mm of rain yesterday.  Jen, Emil, Tina, Bruce, Troy and Lenny were the sole starters for what would be a single filed social, so when Emil got 38's happening to Mitchell Rd, I wondered what his definition of social was.  

As the watts wear away over the years my standards of social are slipping; happy to hurtle around not so long ago, social has sunk to something snail like! (or maybe these young whipper snappers are just getting faster?)  Lenny was put in charge of the eastern drive to Central Kialla and I was finding second wheel a struggle; I'd set the backlight to 'always on' yesterday but today had a screen of darkness, so had not a clue on speed (which was probably a good thing)  (Might have to set the backlight for each ride?Ah....read the instructions Foss!)  Clueless on pace and no clue on wind direction (I took guess at a west southwester when the wind hit me fair in the face as Lenny diverted for a broken branch on Mitchell Rd), I set sights north to River Rd, eyes peeled for puddles but more importantly, bits of branches decorating the tarmac.  Briefly under Central Kialla's only street light, I sneaked a peek at 36  (ok for an old fart?  Well, it was my idea of social!)     Tina had her head down and worked east to River Rd's bridge, Jen looking effortless, aiming long to drive beyond the dip and almost to the quarter horse stud before letting Bruce into the drivers seat.  The Bosi must have been packed for Adelaide 'cause the Trek was his weapon of choice to take us to Coach Rd.  But that must have been a short shift for Bruce; he continued the pace north to the highway before he let Troy take charge.  

I'd hardened the head expecting Troy to hand out some hurt but his elbow expected Emil to drive just short of the fig farm.   That and Bruce's big shift must have thrown down a challenge for Emil; a waft of burning martyr filled my nostrils as his chain stepped down the cassette and his head lowered for something swift to Old Dookie Rd.  (38's are his social standard).  Bums lifted from saddles to catch his work west; that challenge spelled Central Ave before he'd hand over.  Lenny needed little encouragement to maintain the pace.  With just enough daylight to see the reality on the Garmin screen, it was easy to understand the why legs labored to hold Lenny's wheel.  I'd definitely drive a social speed to SPC!   But Lenny was on a roll to reach it first,  a slightly slower speed through the streets seemed to get the sweat at full flow. 

19/1  Braving Buller.

Motivation is a hard thing to muster when solo and when the task is an uphill one it will evaporate in the blink of an eye.   So when Wendy sought some company for her mountainous training mission, I completely understood.   As much as I loathe climbs, there's nothing like company as a tool of persuasion. Stepping out of my well worn comfort zone was long overdue anyway!  An 11-32 cassette was an essential ingredient to get an old engine up a mountain and Mt. Buller was chosen as a not-so-tough target to aim at.  16 kilometres at 6.2% isn't the heartache of all hills but this would be two months worth of my normal elevation in a day!  We'd taken the car option to Merrijig then ridden the 10k to Buller's base as a warm up, hopes hung on a warmer temperature at the top that the 6am figure of minus 0.2 (and a feels like minus 7!)   Layering of insulation was the key - a few things to pocket or unzip for the climb and to then refit for the descent.  

The 10 degree start at Merrijg was a bearable introduction, the temperature bound to drop on the climb.  Under the load, this old engine would generate some heat.   Keeping within eyesight was the agreement with Wendy, but that might have been a silly idea given I climb like a snail.  Thankfully, Wendy likes the slow and steady philosophy.   My chain hit the 38 ring for the first time in ages at Mirrimbah and there it stayed for the next 90 odd minutes while a steady rhythm kept the heart form detonating.  The aroma of eucalyptus, cool and calm conditions on the sheltered side of the hill and birds singing their morning songs set a serene scene to get over the weird sensation of wheels only just rolling over the tarmac.  Just a slight increase in speed would quickly put my engine over the red-line.  It's a very fine balancing act between effort vs explosion.  That 100 metres of level ground half way up doesn't last long, just enough to get an extra breath or two before you're back into the 6 and 7 percents.  

The sharp rise on the apex of a few hairpins threaten to stall progress and closer to the top, the recall of the last 1300 metres at 8.6 % called for some conservation of watts for the last effort.  Though reaching that rise wasn't as bad as I remembered (way back in 2017), that slow and steady approach might have been the salvation?    A few minutes off at the top for the essential dose of caffeine and to lay on a few a layers (2.7 degrees at the peak) got ready for a conservative descent.  Wind gusts on one hand (SSE 26-33) and the urge to stay upright on the other kept speed on the downward sensible, remembering those hairpins and keeping clear of traffic sharpened focus for a far better average speed back to Merrijig.  I'll admit to it being an enjoyable ride; the descent being the sole reason to ascend!  (Thanks Wendy, I might need another step out of that well worn comfort zone). 

20/1 The Friday few.

Single file naturally formed with just five ready to roll on Friday, Tina stoked to score third wheel as Emil rolled out to lead the line into a 13 km/h southerly (she was a certainty to score a tailwind shift through Central Kialla!)   I wasn't doing too bad with the second wheel spot, only the wind to deal with at the right shoulder for Mitchell Rd though I was well worn arriving there with Emil's 37 km/h shift softening me.  I plied my pace east on pedal strokes, blind to the speed without that Garmin backlight issue resolved yet.  Positive feedback on the drive as I handed the reigns to Tina told me I'd passed the tempo test.  

Tina got her wish to have the breeze boost her shift to River Rd  and Lance followed for the eastern effort to the bridge, but the Couldabeens most senior citizen still had another k in him to take us to the dip (hope I can manage that effort at his age. Yikes! 18 months away!)   Most were prepared for the Ninja's opening salvo when she threw the watts into 37's out of the dip (Lance had wisely saved some horsepower to catch the tail) though my money was on the Ninja's pace petering out in a k or so.  A couple of hundred metres beyond the quarter horse fence the tempo tamed to 33's and 4's and that got a few breaths in the bank ready for Emil's effort northward on Coach Rd.  I'd pictured me pickled at the highway hanging onto his hurry for three k's and the expectation to drive another three to Old Dookie Rd would have me valve bouncing, so wasn't it a shock to have Emil's elbow shown to me at the Broken bridges.  

There'd be sharing of that joy that a tail wind brings.  One and a half k's to the highway wasn't out of the question with that southerly as an assistant.  Tina kept speed stoked for a k and a half too, the same distance to Old Dookie driven by Lance.  The work west was left to the Ninja, a short straw drawn suffering the southerly.  (Luck of the draw I guess).  With a moment taken to see all were aboard, Emil handed out the hurry to the truck route, and in a strange circumstance, I felt ready to deliver a decent drive for the finale to SPC.  Ah, but no heroics for you Foss, Emil had stamped his name on the shift and who was I to argue? (let alone equal his effort!) 

This week  327km

YTD 829km    

High on hopes, low on horsepower.

 Post #680

7/1 Mine's bigger than yours!

Setting a weekday alarm on Saturday was a brain fade moment; up and about half an hour earlier than I needed to.  So, what to do with time to kill at stupid o'clock? Ride of course!  A very casual tap to Sanctuary Drive, taking a magical mystery tour of the streets was a stress-free start, and with the shop squad back in action, there wasn't likely to be a mass of horsepower at the Sanctuary grid.   Troy, Jen, PistolPete, Tina, Lance, Kim, Bo, Greg, Molly, The Godfather and the 5ft Ninja filtered in for the 6am flagfall, Jen taking on the challenge of first shift with PistolPete (as if it would be anyone else!).   I got a good berth in the bunch with Troy ahead and the Ninja behind, though Troy's on fire and the 5ft one is a lousy draft (better than being sandwiched between GiantAndy and Rocket in the shop squad though Foss!)  

Duty called for me at River Rd's dip and finding 37's was the standard beside Troy had my head searching for something else to concentrate on.  The quarter horse gates would be an easier focus than the speed (and the strain that went with it).   Confidence grew when I wasn't close to explosion and that fence drew near; the surprise was Troy calling me across short of the mark.  The Ninja would be the issue on my half empty tank.  Known for her determined drive when she hits the front, I might need to get the white flag ready to unfurl fairly soon.  A positive outlook is hard to keep when the engine starts to strain a kilometre on, but the Ninja's speed was beginning to sink by then.  Far be it from me to half wheel a co-pilot, I was pleased to ease off the throttle and actually enjoy the last k to Coach Rd.  I'm usually bang on the red-line at shifts' end and worried about going o.t.a. thereafter.  This was a bit of heaven come early. The rooster greeted us on the turn north (an in-person appearance atop the fence no less) though there were a few rapid roosters in pursuit behind (the shop squad breed) to watch out for.  

The gals kept the testosterone calm toward the Broken bridges, the call of "bikes back" as we'd crossed them had GiantAndy, Rocket, Bruce, Boof, Lenny and Wozza shoot by with Emil (in his element) driving the train toward the highway.  Line astern in the advance, Bo and The Godfather would be up to their usual antics but I didn't expect Greg to bait Bo with a half wheeling battle on Boundary Rd.  (Boys will be boys eh?)   Some in struggle street didn't see the funny side of it.  

A little east southeast breeze gave Greg and The Godfather some grief toward the Toaster but it didn't slow their pace, thoughts of the tailwind home on Lemnos-Cosgrove made the hurt worth it.  The order had shuffled when Molly, Tina and Kim took a raincheck on driving duty so that put The Godfather on my wheel.  Broken glass and skid marks painted the scene of Wednesday's fatality at the turn west back toward town, my turn again at the business end, again with Troy.   I'd shortened my aim to get to the Pine Lodge Creek even though the breeze was in my favour, something said I'd have yet another shift before the lap was done (I could thank Tina, Molly and Kim who'd taken up permanent residence in the caboose)   The Godfather was gracious staying level with me to Boundary Rd; beyond that the 'boys will be boys' thing started again.  Nudging 40's on Ford Rd confirmed a few would be staying at the back.  

That third shift became a reality in Rudd Rd and I was keen to get it over and done with before getting the breeze in the face on the Boulevard.  I made Golf Drive my half way point where the Ninja returned to pair for part two, so reaching the roundabout at Canterbury Rd I was glad to let others do the driving toward breakfast.  A few were watching for bits breaking off the back of the bunch as the excitement elevated to Tarcoola though a dozen finished at the Town Hall almost combined, girls to the Milk Bar and boys to the Butter Factory to babble about old signs, building costs and Turks and Croatians.

9/1 A Monday for masochism.

Like a cork out of a shaken bottle, Emil and PistolPete had the bunch flying to Mitchell Rd, some hoping for a gentle introduction to the week would be disappointed for the next 48 minutes.  

One wheel ahead of the other, a show of who's most stubborn, Monday's frustration of going back to work or maybe an attempt to deliver some weird sort of masochism might have been the reason? Whatever the excuse, 13 behind were muttering something about big shots or just suffering in silence.  It wasn't much fun for me on PistolPete's wheel, but I'd be at maximum delay for a turn in the drivers' seat.  Lenny seemed to take the speed as the standard, nudging 40 on the eastern drive to Central Kialla (though Emil's effort alongside started to fade with a k remaining to Euroa Rd.   Thinking that slight slow of speed was the new normal was pure fantasy, Greg was on the gas north to River Rd and Troy rose to the occasion for his aim at the bridge. Some might abandon ship at this rate of knots though being a part of the bunch tends to be a powerful magnet.  Wozza and Rocket have this sort of velocity in their dna so my money was on Kel, the Ninja, BamBam, Jen and Tina (conveniently in procession) to take the edge off when they reached the front.  

Without any wind against us (not even a breeze to battle) velocity continued to the highway.  Oxygen wasn't so precious on Boundary Rd, some could be spent on social stuff as Kel and the 5ft one took charge with a speed something more manageable toward Old Dookie Rd.  Jen and Tina took aim at School Rd working west, and convinced that there was an easterly assisting probably erased my concerns of pairing with PistolPete to Central Ave.    

Deja vu last Wednesday.....only this time I kept eyes off the Garmin to conceal the facts. Legs went to licorice to catch the Emil and Pistol pairing toward to the truck route, masochism making a comeback when I mistakenly glanced at 42 on the Garmin.  

I'd willed a dozen B doubles to arrive at the truck route for 20 seconds worth of oxygen intake but that's fantasy too (Only a k worth of cruelty to SPC old boy.......get over it!)  Legs refused to deliver the drive to hold PistolPete's wheel, so I slipped down the order as plenty passed by (at least that boosted the slipstream).   What the head wanted was at odds with what the engine would give, so slipping off the back of the bunch through the lefts and rights of Shepp's streets en-route to caffeine wasn't an issue.  I caught them at the traffic lights. 

10/1 Four to the fore.

I spoke too soon about riding without the wind wearing you down; a south southwester sprung up to make a task of Tuesday's commute to the shop and although Boundary Rd would be blessed with assistance at the arse end, the rest of the squirrel circuit would be bearing the brunt of 15-30 km/h worth of work.   Absentees outnumbered attendees today, Emil, Kim and Tina were the few to face the starting grid, Emil (of course) the first to face Channel Rd bound for the truck route.  I'd struggled to keep 31 on the speedo to the shop yet managed Emil's 37's for the first two k's at second wheel.  Go figure!   Unsure at matching that pace when I got the Doyles to Orrvale duty, 36's was surprisingly sustainable for the 1200 metre leg.  Tina sped the Specailized to the Kinder where Kim drew the short straw of the wind in the face on Central Ave.  

I'll bet the eastern leg to the cypress trees felt better (still without a speedo, Kim judged the tempo to a tee).   Four swapping turns meant shifts would come around again quickly though Emil's long drive to the end of Channel got a few extra breaths in.  The wind behind in Boundary made the labor lighter and aiming at the fig farm might be a bit greedy (nobody likes a tail-wind thief) so I handed the reigns to Tina a 100 metres beyond the bridge.  She and Kim could enjoy the pleasure of pace without punishment, Emil could tough-out the side wind to Lemnos.  The call of "Car up" seemed strange till a charcoal coloured Hyundai emerged from the 5:45 darkness, minus headlights (the driver obviously still asleep!  Or maybe headlights were an optional extra?)   Emil predictably did the distance to Lemnos North Rd so that first 3 k's of Ford Rd was mine to drive yet again.  Talk about familiar ground!  

The shift went well till Mouser Rd, the reality of that distance remaining to Grahamvale turning up the regret of setting an over enthused pace. Orchards shielding me from the southerly was the saving grace.  Tina got lucky getting the short drive to Verney, Kim not so lucky getting the headwind to Balaclava Rd.  It seemed strange to see Emil restrained at second wheel for the long drive south while Kim kept pace precisely at 31 (kudos, minus speedo) to the traffic lights, even more strange to have them change to green as we got there.  Kim's magnetic personality?  Or do they just stay red for Emil?

11/1 A conga line of cruelty.

The shop squad had attracted some horsepower from the Sanctuary ranks, so the Wednesday grid had just PistolPete, BamBam, Tina, Lance, Molly, Kel, Bo and The Godfather lined up for the mid-week spin, so naturally the numbers formed an Indian filed format under PistolPete's guidance toward Mitchell Rd (me perfectly positioned in BamBam's draft at third wheel).  A mild southerly (10 km/h) had no effect on Pistol's 38 pace (and I thought this was social speed Wednesday!)   Smug as Rocket in the specials aisle at the bottle shop, I was banking on the Central Kialla shift with a tailwind.....till Pete did the martyr's thing and drove the second leg to Euroa Rd.  

But wait, there was more!  Pete took on Leg 3 to River Rd as well, a most effective way to cook BamBam at 2nd wheel.  Try as he might, wattage wouldn't come to BamBam bound for River Rd's bridge, his elbow eager to have me at the front just 300 metres into the shift.  The south southwester at the right shoulder wasn't doing me any favors but 35 wasn't bursting my boiler and a little martyrdom (from Pistol's epic effort) had rubbed off to inspire me to drive to the dip.  I arrived at the bridge in a reasonable state but turned somewhat secondhand by Laws Drive (high on hopes, low on horsepower Foss!).  Speed sank a fraction to reach the dip but that lowered the standards for Tina's turn.  The back of the bunch was bliss!  Tina, Lance and Molly provided a similar pace to Coach Rd so recovery didn't take an eternity, Kel's speed to the Broken bridges a little spicier (though that's kosher with the breeze up the backside).   

Bo's the tailwind specialist and he boosted speed to 40 of course, but shied from doing a 'full block', no doubt baiting The Godfather to go long distance to Old Dookie Rd.  Problem was, the variable velocity we had to endure!  Anything from 35 to 41 was murdering muscles at the back, wearing brake pads and rubbing nerves red raw (give me PistolPete's smoothness at almost any pace, anytime!)   Pete pointed us west on Old Dookie but that smoothness was a little swift for Molly, Kel delivering the news of the infringement to the front.  A social 35 returned to the agenda and made many happy, even to the point of BamBam fronting for duty to Central Ave.  So, I got the shift through Dobson's estate and took aim to the truck route, only attempted 'cause orchards saved me from the south southwester.  PistolPete delivered the final drive to SPC, keeping a considerate 38 cap on the speed.

12/1 Crank'n to Frankst'n.

With a decent dose of hesitation, I eyed the Nepean highway at Mordialloc as an alternate course while in the big smoke for a couple of days.  The repetitive route of  Mordialloc to St.Kilda and back was wearing a little thin but doubts on the safety of other untested courses played on the nerves when thinking of Melbourne's 5,151,000 crazy inhabitants! Beach Rd has bikes by the bucketload, though a few flashing led's were southbound over the bridge, Frankston bound.  What could go wrong with a spin on the three and four lane highway while the city woke and commuted south and north?   I stuck the mindset into solo mode, knowing I'd cook myself at 35's without a bunch to seek a slipstream from, so I'd just have to accept 31's and 32's as the standard to survive solo.  (No point expecting others to donate a draft).  Barely into Aspendale and I found a guy glued to my wheel, obviously he wouldn't mind being labelled a wheel sucker! 

With little purpose to putting him o.t.a. (and cooking myself doing so), I stayed at my pace through Edithvale and Chelsea, with traffic lights being the only interruptions to the rhythm.  Mr, Wheel Sucker was excused for hanging on the back; my pace and the bike was complimented in a friendly chat at the Bon Beach traffic lights.  The bayside sea air played a part in keeping the head happy, it distracted thoughts of the climb of Olivers Hill just the other side of Frankston. Mr Nepean's highway is as smooth as Boof's head, and doesn't that help to preserve the pace, though the odd parked car needed a glance back to check for following traffic.  Mr Draftalot had vanished and a pack of eight tapped past, seemingly without effort, to deliver a dose of reality about my snail-like speed.  Frankston is looking a little funky in places since I last passed through though Olivers Hill still has the 7% climb to get me into the heights of zone 4.  

Thinking of the pleasure of its' downhill got me through the curses on the climb, a couple of k's tapped to Mt Eliza before a u-turn pointed me north from whence I came.  Olivers downhill was a sweet start to the journey back, a light south easter at the posterior a positive too.   Bikes were as rare as rocking horse manure on the return, the waves of commuting traffic well behaved to keep the course comfortable, except the punishing pot-holes dotted about the left lane in Chelsea and Edithvale (must book in a spoke tension at the bike shop; these wheels have rolled 47,000 km without a hiccup).  Back to Mordialloc and Beach Rd was bike city, that light southeaster still soothing the ego up to the grand old Mentone Hotel.  Enough solo for me, coffee at Tour de Cafe was calling. 

13/1  Socially Southside.

Sneaking in a spin with the Southside Knights was an opportunity too good to pass up while in metropolitan Melbounre. This would be the usual eastern skirt of part of Port Phillp Bay, but travelled south then north, contrary to my usual tack.  Mobbed under Mr. Moon (Luna Park's main entrance), fifteen or more gathered for the strictly social trip to Mordialloc's pier and return in Beach Rd's bliss. Ness called the protocols of anti-clockwise rolls and short shifts at the business end with low 30's to fit the no-drop rule (a refreshing change from the bunch charge back home!).    There'd be very few 2k shifts at the front with this amount of players, a little labor into a light southerly on the way to 'Mordy' but the bliss of a tailwind back and caffeine to conclude.  Bollards separate bikes from commuting cars at random places through St.Kilda so wits were sharp not to have a horizontal malfunction with them, extra Knights from other suburbs lying in wait to join in.  

Variables in speed needed the sharpest focus - maybe the ups and downs of the tarmac played their part in pace though unfamiliar riders may have raised my caution a little.  (No cause for concern as it happened;  plenty of calls, hazards signaled and smooth trajectories built comfort in time).  It was just my luck to reach the front near Black Rock to face the breeze and an uphill with it, though the young Knight beside me was courteous with the velocity (probably pitying the pensioner's performance)   A lot like the Boulevard back home, parked cars became the problem as the bunch had space squeezed by passing vehicles, although bikes almost outnumber cars on this course.  

The sky looked like July but the temperature was definitely January, almost to the point of a misting rain, but it didn't. Beaumaris appeared sooner than I'd expected (a bunch knocks over the k's way faster than a solo ever will I suppose) so the Mordy u-turn was next; a brief pause at the pier for the riot act to be read (maintaining tempo for the benefit of those at the back) before setting sail north back to St.Kilda.  The tailwind was the treat, low 30's ditched for the high ones (with a few 40's thrown in on the downhills) back toward the metropolis, eyes wide open for the few slower soloist and the pairs intent on staying side by side as we passed.  More time was spent on focus ahead than on conversation.  Traffic thickened for the 7:30 - 8am rush but 20+ Knights arrived at the Esplanade where the craving for caffeine was cared for at Cowderoy's.

This week 300km

YTD 490km                                                

Uniformed unity

 Post #679

31/12 Well, that's 2022 o.t.a!

Somewhat second-hand legs (335km a week is starting to punish this pensioner!) had hopes pinned on a sedate Saturday crew, so murmurs from some at Sanctuary's grid about a short-cut (should speed get out of hand) said I wasn't the only one seeking something sedate.  A big bunch of Greg, Bruce, Nev, Troy, Bo, PistolPete, Emil, Tina, Rocket, BamBam, TrackStan, Wozza, Molly, Lenny, The Godfather, Jen, Trav, Kim and Liam assembled, keen to round off a few k's for 2022's total, hopefully the mix of those with wattage and those who wanted it might balance the speed in my favour?  (I guess I could side with the short-cutters if the hurry got too hot).   River Rd's chat on New Years' resolutions reached a consensus on their futility (though I do try to stick to the 'stay upright' one).  

Molly ahead and Trav behind wasn't a bad place in the pack though there'd be a wait before we'd see any driving duty.  TrackStan seemed keen on chewing Wozza's ear and a big gap opened ahead, Molly jumping the queue to preserve a reasonable slipstream and prevent the bunch looking like Swiss cheese.  So that put me on TrackStan's wheel for Old Dookie Rd's leg to the Toaster and wasn't he all over the bike like a bad suit! (Allowing an extra half metre gap might stagger the order a bit but I figured it was good insurance).  Being towed for 20k's warranted some work at the front, partnering TrackStan for the northward leg to Pine Lodge Church at least wasn't head on into the easterly.  I was prepared to drive the "full block" as payment for that 20 k tow though TrackStan gave me a discount calling quits before we'd got to the church.  

Trav and I headed toward Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, sticking to our gentleman's agreement that we'd set the pace and the rest could go to hell! The bonus of a breeze up the backside following a turn at the front was a win; it sped up the recovery process a treat!  BamBam's turn at the business end had that bonus too though a procession of horsepower behind him bumped up the velocity when their turn came to serve.  The whiplash effect is the downside to a bigger bunch; a burst of speed beyond intersections puts the back-markers (still on the brakes) at full gas to keep in touch. Shame there's only a few that front and take their time applying the accelerator to avoid breaking bits off the back.  

Bo and The Godfather were well apart in the peloton's procession so we were spared the half-wheeling hijinks they normally get up to, the pace still kept considerate given the proximity to town and the tailwind helping us get there.  Being at the back for Wanganui Rd had the benefit of maximum vacuum but maximum throttle was needed to be counted as part of the crew into Rudd Rd.  With a lack of traffic (and GiantAndy's absence), two lines braved the Boulevard where 40's was sustainable, though being off the gas for Tarcoola's roundabout while the leaders bolted south, disconnected Molly from the back.  Rather than see her set adrift, I delivered the diplomatic draft to Mason St where our recue vehicle (PistolPete) was picking up the pieces, so all finished with some sense of unity.   Water quality, bogans and demon descenders captured the conversation at the Butter Factory breakfast.

3/1 New Years' play.

A spin with the squirrels was the perfect start to the new year when another crossed off the calendar brings on that Jurassic feeling.  Jen, Emil and Tina made up a small squad but Emil had convinced Graeme to clear 3 years worth of cobwebs off the bike and join in.  A black Look (his bike, not his attitude!) rewound the memory many years to the Hospital bunch and being cooked by Bomber on a Tuesday and Thursday night (feeling even more Jurassic now!)   Two days off and the rust had set in for me, the commute into the southerly toward the shop serving up some reality.  A good introduction as it happened to the labor needed when Emil set 37's to the truck route.  

The southerly wasn't so hard to deal with to Orrvale Rd, but I was delighted to get there and handball the lead to Jen to get my recovery happening.  Another turn at the front wouldn't be far away.  Tina drew the short straw of a headwind in Central Ave though the east path to the cypress trees was less taxing.  There were no cobwebs on Graeme driving toward the S bend, the pace no problem for him to continue to Channel Rd's end.  (What is it with these guys who can take a week, months and sometimes years off two wheels then make a comeback like they've never left?  Oh yeah, it's called youth!)   Emil was enthused by the southerly to drive north on Boundary Rd so wasn't it a surprise to see his elbow flap at me before the fig farm; sharing the breeze up the backside was his diplomatic deed for the day.  Continuing that courtesy was my excuse to cut the shift short at Old Dookie Rd so Jen and Tina got their share (truth was I needed the oxygen!) 

Graeme missed out on the tailwind and had the southerly pushing at the port side on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd so understandably, Emil was ushered to the front at the bridge.  Orchards to the south side of Ford Rd sheltered my shift to Grahamvale Rd so speed was almost up to spec, the last 300 metres the hardest part as legs mumbled something about mercy.  I'll bet Tina wasn't looking forward to the shift to Balaclava Rd as Jen did the leg to Verney, but Emil did his trademark take-over bid just a 100 metres after turning south, while Graeme and I jumped the queue to serve Tina a better slipstream.  Most were happy to be held up at Balaclava Rd's red light to overload on oxygen while Emil prodded the pedestrian button. 

4/1 Just a bit breezy.

The Bureau confirmed that whistle through the kitchen rangehood was a 44 km/h south southwester and it blew about a dozen excuses into my head to park on the couch and drink coffee for an hour or two.  But the fellowship of the bunch beckoned (suffer south to Mitchell Rd and the rest would be easy Foss!)   Emil had chosen Sanctuary over the shop squad today, claiming he was a little off song, but he had the horsepower to tow Tina and I to Kialla Lakes Drive.  Suffering a sudden attack of the guilts, I hardened up and faced the front to Sanctuary Drive.    Yeah, it hurt.    

Noise of that wind may have kept a few from fronting the grid 'cause only Bo, The Godfather, PistolPete, Kel and Lenny arrived for 5:40, Weapon the days' wildcard entry having ditched the Woulda's for the Coulda's.  Pistol and Emil commenced battle toward Mitchell Rd.  The only way I could manage 35 km/h into a 40 km/h headwind was at second wheel (and that needed a chin flat on the headstem).   I don't know where all that horsepower comes from but I'll have a ute load if it's available somewhere!   On Tina's instructions, I had PistolPete's wheel so that meant last shift before round two started.  The devilish duo (The Godfather and Bo of course) led the eastern assault on River Rd, needing guidance on echelon etiquette naturally, though their pace was toasting Tina who'd braved the advance line (She found some comfort in the caboose). I was quickly promoted to Kel's wheel.  

Weapon braved the drivers' seat with The Godfather to the dip but part two had her want for watts to match Kel's cruising speed.  I was put to the task just a 100 metres on, and keeping Kel's tempo with an aim at the quarter horse fence wasn't so bad.  The old engine was close to the red-line getting there so matching PistolPete for part two might blow a gasket if the standards were lifted.  But Pete's a gentleman, matching wheel for wheel till I raised a white flag a k later.  Emil added an extra two k's in the hour toward Coach Rd and that turned my legs to jelly, though there was some hope in getting my lungs back with a tailwind due on the turn north at rooster corner. (hearing him at the turn into Coach Rd confirmed he wasn't Christmas lunch after all)   Lenny and Emil put a hold on their haste to the highway at 40 and that enticed Tina from the caboose to brave the advance.   

I got a second term at the business end when Weapon short shifted  beyond Central Ave to pair me with Kel, my aim at Dobson's bridge made easier when Emil called a cap at 35 to keep Tina in touch (music to my ears; 35 was my maximum!)  Part two would be a short one with that wind tearing in at the port side, staying with PistolPete till my head gauged I had just enough left to hang on at second wheel (hung on the hope Emil didn't perform any heroics from the truck route to SPC).  He didn't......and that was a win for me!

5/1 A smooth straight six.

A wallaby bounding Rae St put a little excitement into the squirrel commute, otherwise the spin to the shop was like any other day......head down into a southerly!  Thankfully Thursdays are therapy day, pace discounted a little so that legs can survive the rest of the week.  Molly, Kim, Tina, Jen and Emil made it six for the circuit, Emil opening the account to the truck route as usual.  Far be it for me to rattle the routine; I did the bit to Orrvale Rd. It's in my job description. (Consistency keeps the crew comfortable I reckon).  

Tina and Jen performed their respective roles to the Kinder and the cypress trees for Molly to take on act five (in fine form beyond the S bend to Darth Vader's place before giving Kim the elbow).  Without a speed display, Kim would be flying blind but managed quite well to Channel Rd's end and continued north to the highway.  But wait, there's more!  There was no stopping her to drive onward to Boundary Rd's bridge, speed quite smooth considering the lack of reference.  Seeing speed can often be your worst enemy (just like those heart-rate data), how the head raises the white flag when you sight those big numbers!  (Gives credence to the "what you don't know can't hurt you" theory).  Emil kept a lid on velocity despite 20 k's worth of wind at our backs, preserving the pace that's on Thursdays wish list, almost.  I got the Old to New Dookie shift and delivered it without drama; achieved right on my recommended maximum h.r. seemed soft.     

Tina enjoyed that tailwind assistance to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd for the turn west, the road blocked eastward for last nights' quadruple fatality investigation.  Jen had no problem towing us to Lemnos in The Godfather gear (big dog and the 11 sprocket to really test the chain).  Molly made good progress for Ford Rd's first 2 k's, Kim guiding us to Grahamvale Rd then going the extra kilometre to Verney.  For something completely different, it WAS Emil's turn to drive us south to Balaclava , the headwind helping to keep that cap on 32.  And for something else a bit different, the red light turned green on arrival.  Believe it or not!

6/1 Easy for some, effort for others. 

Some would be snoozing and some would be struggling though on Fridays the whole family combines for kit day (and suffer the consequences anyway).  It's been a proven recipe to keep the clan as one over the years - smaller divisions forming to cater for a wide range of horsepower allowing all to get a drive at front in their respective classes (and a sense of belonging with it).  So Fridays the fast cope with a cruise and be social, those somewhat slower stepping up a rung or two to suffer under the flag of uniformed unity.  Pistol and Rocket started the squad (Liam, Bruce, Wozza, Kim, Troy, Kel, Emil, Tina, The Godfather, Lenny, the 5ft Ninja, TrackStan and Bo) south, 9 degrees feeling quite cold till the speed warmed up the legs to Mitchell.

With and easterly wind bound to smother any sort of speed, I was attempting to avoid the front for a while, so second last suited me quite nicely.  With plenty ahead yet to serve their time, I might even score a tailwind on one of the homeward shifts.  (If I'm going to front up six days a week it can't all be at full gas early!)  Social stuff got into full swing for the fit while those on lower rungs of the labor ladder sat mostly silent coping with 37's and 38's and preserving what little oxygen was spare for good use later.  Emil and Lenny guided the path through the metropolis of Central Kialla, Bruce and Lenny into the breeze on River Rd.  Weapon made a late appearance via the truck route.  

Those with watts always seem to band together and the pair most likely to steal your lunch money (Bo and The Godfather of course) are usually inseparable.  The lasses had lined up line astern too.   On a quiet tap prior to race day, Liam paired with Troy (back on level ground after breaching Buffalo) to propel us east toward rooster corner, that easterly I'd hoped to hitch a ride on back home had now shifted to a southerly.  (Just my luck!)  Assistance northward wasn't to be sneezed at though.  In a change of routine, I was Tina's shadow in the advance line while Kel and TrackStan did the driving to Old Dookie Rd.  

Turns rolled quickly heading west, Weapon, Kim and Tina all making cameo appearances at the front (that southerly changed their minds about extended stays in the drivers seat) and when Tina called for mercy at School Rd, I rolled across to have Wozza as partner to Central Ave.  Oxygen was the precious commodity arriving there though getting a tow to town was the bonus.  Hanging on to Wozza and Pistol's 40's to the truck route was the price I'd pay for a late shift.  Coffee would mend the hurt.

This week 189km