The stuff to suffer.

Post #685

13/2 Oh, the woes of wind!

I should have been the cork out of the shaken bottle after three days off the bike, but the southerlies were blowing again to haunt me for the ten k commute to Monday's lap (and handbrake any attempt to keep thirty on the speedo).  Emil was kind enough to halve his horsepower and stay alongside, Wendy, Tina and Jen having no complaints glued to our draft.  Troy, Kel, The Godfather, Wozza, Kreeky, PistolPete, Bo, Greg and Rocket converged on Sanctuary Drive for the 5:40 habit and with my tank almost empty from the drive to the start-line, I'd softened to take the last place in the order (though with just thirteen others in the pack, this wouldn't be a free ride 'round.  I'd probably miss out on a tail-wind turn but really, it's a bargain if you drive a couple of k's and get towed for the other forty)   

PistolPete and Emil weren't exceeding 35 km/h to Mitchell Rd but it wasn't a return to social speed standards, 35 km/h gusts head-on hampered any more hurry.  A collective sigh of relief came turning east, Emil and Wozz adding a couple of k's to the tempo toward Central Kialla.  The 2k's north to River Rd were bliss and of course 40+ blurred the bitumen getting there.   An approaching car meant we couldn't skirt around the patches on the patches on the pot-holes (400 metres before the turn east), the experience earthquake-like and a pain for the posterior.  You soon appreciate the shelter of the left line when it's time to transition to the right, the southerly making steering a straight line a precision operation in the advance line.  (Banging elbows with the rider alongside isn't the ideal scenario).  A few were running out of gears toward the Broken River, Bo and (later) The Godfather timing their turns to get the advantage of the wind up the waste-gate. They're good at it!

Rocket complied with Jen's want for a short shift on Boundary Rd, invoking the "full block" demand from The Godfather.  Tina made the most of the southerly heading north to Old Dookie Rd where my turn west became due.  A fair amount of labor was needed toward School Rd till Tina raised the white flag half way, PistolPete the consummate co-pilot while I wore down the watts for the "full block" (as payment for the draft till now) to Central Ave.  Emil's pairing with Pistol beyond there raised the stakes higher ('cause they can!) and traffic split the pack at the truck route , so what's usually the squirt to SPC was but a trickle till the team re-united.  Holding the wheel became a challenge through the lefts and rights of the course to coffee, the thoughts of the tailwind home keeping me on the tail till a red traffic light detached me. 

14/2  Snap, crackle, pop.

I'll be diagnosed with RSI soon.  The Repetitive Southerly Injury is showing signs of physical and mental stress; wind is almost constantly against me the moment I swing a leg over the Fizik.  Maybe electroconvulsive therapy is the answer to convince the cranium a headwind is good for you?  Wendy, Emil, Jen, Tina and Graeme seemed to enjoy exposure to it, turning up in Balaclava and Rae St for another stupid o'clock Squirrel session. 

31 was my red-line to the shop; I could have managed a higher pace to be honest, but mentally, I needed something left in the tank at the start-line if I was to contribute something like a fair share to the workload.  After 8 k's worth of wind in the face, Emil's 2k introduction to a 37 km/h standard was a big ask, though a couple of k's with the wind at the starboard side is bearable when there's 8k's worth of sitting in the slipstream to follow.  A couple of k's to the Kinder with Tina in charge commenced my recovery at the back, but when Jen opened the throttle into Central Ave's headwind, the respite went on hold till the ease of effort east to the cypress trees.  Wendy's work to the S bend was steady and h.r. dropped to mid 140's though Graeme's eagerness to finish off Channel Rd ruined the recovery again.  

Emil went easy on the accelerator to the highway and careful again to get up to pace on Boundary, though sitting second wheel had little of the draft available in the caboose and 40's became the stuff to suffer. I'd expected to be handed the reigns at Old Dookie and found the front a little easier for a while.......till preserving the pace began to use up the watts.  A passing truck delivered a draft to save me.  A little hesitation for westbound traffic on New Dookie Rd stretched the line long; silly me waiting for the tail-enders made mine a challenge to catch Tina's hurry to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd.  The fun began westbound toward Lemnos with Jen leading the way, the road recently resurfaced and coated with plenty of loose stone.  Just a few millimetres off line from a cars' wheel tracks and bike tyres squirmed for traction, the snap, crackle and pop of coarse Cosgrove stone under high pressure rubber got gloves gripping the bars tight.  

An echelon to seek cover from the southerly became a high risk activity.  Jen did well to follow a line less gravelled, though rumble strips now camoflaged by the re-seal awoke the posterior with a start.  Ford Rd felt like a billiard table in comparison and the relief of Wendy's shift to Grahamvale Rd at 33's allowed nerves to settle.   Too settled for Graeme it seemed; he bolted to Verney at 38's, the breaking point for Wendy attempting recovery at the rear.  A moment off the gas to regroup and Emil built the speed to something all could survive to Balaclava (but Graeme got itchy again to sprint to the traffic lights).  Yep, red again. 

15/2 Flogging this dead horse.

This shift would be short.  Feeling a little guilty as others did their duty at the front urged me to join the advance line when reaching rearmost in River Rd, though Tina (sensibly) took the rear-gunner's role as tempo climbed to 38's.  I wasn't sure I'd have the watts to power this sort of pace when promoted to the business end but going beyond the comfort zone is part of the job description when you take up this habit.  I might not meet the k.p.i.'s for long, particularly as an east southeast breeze brewed to become a northeast wind, but a small donation is better than none isn't it?  

Greg was being half-wheeled by The Godfather to the dip and my time with him was up next.  Kreeky (behind) for part two would hopefully grant me concessions on compassionate grounds.    PistolPete, Wozza, Emil and Rocket had set their standards so far while Boof and the 5ft Ninja were waiting in the wings for their turn to come.  I have seniority over The Godfather though I'm outranked in watts, but the young fella took pity on this pensioner.  Hopes of co-piloting with him to the quarter horse fence was pure fantasy as this old engine spluttered at his speed, reality rolling me across at the half way mark to seek Kreeky's kindness for part two.  Dropping a k off the velocity was my only hope.  Kreeky was compliant alongside to the fence, his drive with Boof to rooster corner showing fine form (though he wasn't talking much as the Ninja and Boof drove north on Coach Rd).  

The Godfather's greetings were gushed to the southbound bunches as we crossed the highway, Boof, PistolPete and Emil typically quick on the northern path to Old Dookie Rd (they must have immunity to headwinds?).     Speed is no longer a worry when wind whips at the backside, so 42's to Central Ave in Rocket and Wozza's draft was sustainable.  With a clear path through the Doyles roundabout, the afterburners were lit toward SPC, 45's became the norm till a sudden slow for an approaching van turning in front of us to head south.  Catastrophe avoided, 37's seemed snail-like on the commute to coffee till High St's traffic light let the lungs refill.  My hopes were that dead horses could be revived by coffee.

16/2  Like silk..... 

Kilometres seem to evaporate when you get in that zone.......a smooth speed (under the cardiac danger zone), trust in the wheel ahead and barely a breeze to battle had the tarmac blurring under the bike so smoothly for Thursday's lap of luxury (no gasps and groans, no legs like licorice, not on the brink of heart failure and the views were actually in focus!)  Thursday's 35 limit works well and has most in the comfort zone where facing the front isn't a fear.  I'd done my duty to Orrvale Rd as usual and settled into the draft at the back, well below the point of implosion and still with oxygen to spare!  I could get used to this. Emil had restrained his rush on the first drive to the truck route and Tina took us to the Kinder at the same steady rhythm.  

Nice when everybody is on the same page (Is it me or is that a rare thing?)   With broken spokes replaced, Molly had returned to Thursday's therapy and did her time to the cypress trees for Wendy to lead us to the S bend (without the concerns of Graeme's acceleration thereafter).  Kim's care at keeping the cap on speed kept the six stuck together to Coach Rd for Emil to lead us north.  The northeast breeze wasn't really a bother when Emil elbowed me to the lead at Old Dookie Rd, those few k's below bursting point making my time at the front almost enjoyable to New Dookie. 

After Tuesday's gravel fest on Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd the joint decision to use Hill Rd as a diversion was less stress to Lemnos, Tina and Molly dividing the distance to the old shop.  Wendy piloted the brief roll on the super smooth stretch of Lemnos North Rd and was keen to take on Ford Rd too with the pace less tortuous than Tuesday.  So the squirrel ritual was preserved when Kim did the drive to Verney 'cause Emil got his trademark turn south to Balaclava Rd (and the red light that comes with it).  Looking forward already to the next therapy session!

   

17/2 A Friday to favor the fast.

Tailwind assistance to the starting grid is as rare as rocking horse manure, though something to help my hurry is always welcome.  Where I could hide from the headwind for most of the anti-clcokwise lap was the real issue though.   (Take a concrete pill and harden up Foss, escaping that effort is nigh on impossible - I just needed to choose a compliant co-pilot!)   The choice was out of PistolPete, Emil, BamBam, Greg, Tina, The Godfather, KnightPaul, Kel, Graeme, Kim, Kreeky, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Jen or Troy who'd made up the Friday squad, though the order of arrival doesn't always give you many options.  Lining up on the Ninja's wheel wouldn't have much aero advantage but Jen (behind) can be counted as a smooth operator.   PistolPete and (birthday boy) Emil got wheels in motion at 5:40, the tailwind down to Mitchell Rd setting a swift precedence on pace.  Why that tempo became gospel into the headwind I have no idea!  

It's alright for these young guns untroubled by wind, regardless of the direction - my trouble is that most of this mob are young!  This would be a Friday for the fast.  Rocket, Wozz and Boof were noted by their absence, Bruce has been on sick leave and Lenny's listed as a missing person but KnightPaul had made a special guest appearance again and BamBam made a comeback.  Greg and KnightPaul had the horsepower to haul us through the headwind at Central Kialla, Troy and The Godfather lengthening the line into River Rd (yet another thrash at the back to stay aboard).   I'd hoped for something a little slower than 38's toward rooster corner although being in the advance line at least had some shelter. (poor position really, I'd be exposed to the northeaster advancing to the front. Reversing the roll would have made sense but that gets complicated for some).

25 degrees at 6am said Summer wasn't quite finished. BamBam ran out of watts at 3rd wheel and withdrew from the advance to take residence in the caboose nearing Coach Rd, Kim taking the left line option as Kel and Bo took us toward the Broken bridges.  Tina had braved an appearance at the business end and drove well (with some verbal motivation from behind) to reach the highway. Part two of her shift was understandably short so Jen and I took our medicine in Boundary Rd.  (Were the gusts of 34 km/h just for us?)  I called half time a bit beyond the bridge and despite preserving pace, the Ninja had ideas of fronting faster and whole biked me to the fig farm.  When I didn't respond to her new standard she rolled across, though PistolPete turned the tables when her speed sank back to the previous pace in the last half k to Old Dookie Rd.  With wind almost at the back door for the way west to town, enthusiasm (and naturally the speed) built toward Central Ave and although legs had had enough, my head drove the incentive to hang on (the cure of coffee wasn't far away now). 

Almost o.t.a several times this week, I was determined to hang on for the squirt to SPC and although being slowly demoted toward the back I made it to the roundabout. but the numbers didn't add up ahead arriving there.  BamBam, Tina and Kim were 30 metres in arrears so duty and diplomacy had me drop back to keep them company for the commute to coffee. 

This week 244km

YTD 2,024km

Cooking cadence

 Post #684

4/2 Heinz speed; 57 different varieties.

Who turns up on a Saturday has become a mixed bag lately.  The shop squad has drawn a lot of consistency away from Sanctuary Drive and with the big horsepower otherwise occupied, a bit of bravado has been brewing in division two.  Just Molly and I on the southbound commute pondered who'd be on the starting grid.  Hopefully it'd be a co-operative crew.  Winter-like weather had dragged arm-warmers, gloves, a base layer and knee warmers from the mothballs and a west northwester (9-15 km/h) wold help on the way out but hurt on the way home.  Mr Reliable (PistolPete) was already in the number one position, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Lance and Nev rolling in for duty soon after.  Naturally, The Godfather was last to arrive. I guessed this would be an Indian-filed, somewhat anti-social Saturday.  With no qualms at second wheel to Pistol, we set sail at six (Pete's quick, but smooth and I had no jealousy of him dealing with the west northwester while I hardened up in his draft for what would be an almost tail-wind turn on Mitchell.  

37's seemed no problem for PistolPete (you can't tell if he's cruising or cooked anyway) but 36's was all this old engine could muster to Central Kialla (gasps and groans give my game away)    The Ninja seemed to be in Struggle St toward River Rd though 33's and 34's was ok for me attempting recovery at the rear.  Nev mustn't have read the signals of stress 'cause he wound up to the 40's eastbound on River Rd being the tail-wind thief staying in the driver's seat to the dip and still heading the hurry toward the quarter horse gates.  I could almost smell Lance cooking at second wheel (Nev reckoned there wasn't any wind; he'd miss-read the weather too)   Finally handing the reigns to an over-cooked Lance for Coach Rd, Nev retired to the rear at rooster corner.  The attempt to keep 36's toward the Broken bridges soon had Lance well over the red-line, his elbow raising the white flag to Bo to take control.  At least Bo stayed slow for Lance to fill his lungs but soon got 40's happening to the highway (boosted by bravado having The Godfather on his wheel?)   

Over the Midland and into Boundary Rd, The Godfather offered some hope of a tempo to suit the team but 36's didn't last long.  Anything from 34's to 39's murdered muscles of those behind for the next 3 k's to Old Dookie Rd.  (I'd expected the shop squad to have passed by now; Nev's heroics on River Rd may have had us ahead of agenda?)   I assumed the role of shock-absorber when PistolPete's power gapped the pack into Old Dookie, but Nev (assuming I was spent?) jumped the queue to second wheel.  Pete's pace was perfect at 36's when the gaps had closed by the bridge and that's where the shop squad (Rocket, Grumpy, Boof, Greg, Bruce, Wozza, Emil and Gazza) caught and passed, though Greg uncoupled from their train at the pork palace.  (another player in our pack would be handy).   PistolPete took us smoothly to the Toaster but Nev was in his own little world pouring on the watts toward the church, oblivious to our attempts at getting up to speed.  

Again in the shock-absorber role, I became the tow truck to New Dookie Rd where Nev had awoken to his solo status.  I don't think he got the hint 'cause he was the cork-out-of-the-bottle across New Dookie toward the railway line while I continued my new job description.  A little smoothing of speed would have us all able to hold an unbroken line, get a decent turn done and survive tempo as a team, but that might be asking a lot?  Bo judged (correctly) that I was cooked arriving at Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and considerately set 35's on the menu for the way west (with a little guidance to sit at the road's centre as our shelter from the now northwester)   The smoothness set to Boundary Rd was the saviour to many ; I'd even recovered enough to donate a Boundary to the bridge shift.  The Ninja preserved pace to Lemnos North Rd where Nev became captain again.  (Some had withdrawn from the previous order, no doubt to upload on oxygen).  Smoothness was now the struggle, 34's to 38's and almost everything in between made a mountain of labor on the legs toward Grahamvale Rd; frustrating for me at the back when all I wanted was something steady for respite.  

Lance had the answer when he set a standard to Verney Rd but his distance had been compromised by the prior variations.  Greg's gift of a steady speed to the highway helped as a precursor to Pistol's quick (yet considerate) momentum along Wanaganui Rd.  The coast was clear at Canterbury's roundabout to take an American approach and keep the pace percolating, Bo driving the Boulevard's length saved me more pain at the pointy end.  The combination of 53/15 was the ideal gear as The Godfather took the lead at Tarcoola's roundabout, just the right ratio to hold his wheel for the bolt to Knight St though 44 was cooking me at the plasterworks (but the relief of the cruise to the cafe was just moments away).  Legs went to jelly when the traffic lights turned green at the town hall but that would be cured by caffeine.  Nev's chain jumped a gear in his eagerness to restart - the real cause was a fractured chain-stay, signing the Merida's death warrant.    Camper trailers, aircraft maintenance and Bo off the beers (?) interrupted the intake of breakfast while a few spots of rain told us we'd timed the lap well. 

6/2 Mild mannered Monday......till the end.

The pace was pleasant for a Monday; normally the pent-up horsepower from a Sunday off is released to make Monday's ride rigorous, so 36's and sometimes 35's seemed relaxed.  I wasn't expecting The Godfather to turn up after an over hydrated Sunday birthday, but he emerged from the sea of lights behind at Sanctuary's grid.  Kreeky, Tina, Bruce, Wozza, Jen, Gazza, Rocket, Greg, Bo, Emil, PistolPete, Kel, Grumpy and the 5ft Ninja in the mix made for a massed start, and of course PistolPete led the way south with Emil as his understudy.  Gazza and Grumpy had both made the start-line on time but a little light on the horizon gave the impression we were running a bit late anyway.  

The order got sorted with the usual collection of horsepower at the front and the gals grouped together mid field while something like summer (12 degrees was better than last week!) had legs and even a few arms exposed to the atmosphere.  Strangely, there were no side effects from the appearance of The Godfather and a full moon at the same place and time.  Weekend activities occupied the left / right banter from most who could spare the oxygen while Wozza and Rocket led the two lines toward Coach Rd.  The smoothness was worth bottling.  New front wheel-bearings have silenced a persistent creak in my bike, thankful it wasn't the noise of the engine about to throw a con-rod from this 18 year habit.  The deck had been shuffled today; Zig and Zag hadn't followed each other in the advance line for their usual circus act; instead Greg kept The Godfather honest to rooster corner and Kel had Bo behave for his appearance a little later.  

Cats don't do Mondays (against their religious beliefs?) but LegalSteve was braving a lap on Boundary Rd and Keeno (a distance behind) was on a solitary too, so some have a craving for k's. The Hurtlocker were the early birds in River Rd and '51 fielded a few but it won't be long till hibernation begins for many of these lads I suppose.  Grumpy and Bruce paced their pilgrimage to Old Dookie Rd, Kim finding comfort changing to the left line as we steered west for town.  Kel had Bo on his best behavior to Central Ave where Jen paired with Kel to Dobson's bridge.  Digging deep to drive 36's to the truck route, Tina put in a good turn so I would see duty after all, albeit the last shift left.  There's an effort expected toward SPC so I put plenty of throttle into the exit of the roundabout but PistolPete had an urge to pass........but I was going to get my turn done first if it killed me (Nearly did!)  44's to Drummond Rd to put Pistol in his place but had pickled me, my elbow relenting to give him the glory of heading the crew to SPC while I paid the price of pace dropping rearward to recover.  There was little the legs would do but hold on to the tail toward the cafe, though I did find Kim in Struggle Street at the showgrounds to tow her back to the bunch, possible when the red light went green at High St. 

7/2 Suffer'n southerlies.

It's only 8715 metres to the shop so, for the most part, the suffering should end there.  Maybe a little shove at the side for the east way out and the west way back in and it's rare that anyone but Emil gets the last leg to labor into it.  Yeah, those southerlies were at it again!  As if to crush your hopes the moment you get wheels turning toward the squirrels start-line, there's the expectation of providing some sort of pace for those behind, let alone equaling Emil's effort alongside.  A constant 20 and gusts of 32 burned up the calories to get to Channel Rd.   

Molly was missing and Kim had called a morning off but Jen, Tina, Emil, Wendy and Graeme had assembled for the Tuesday routine.  Wind in the face had Emil excited to set 37's as the opening tempo to the truck route, but the pace pickled Wendy. (280km and 3900 metres of elevation in the past three days might have something to do with it!)    She'd earned a permanent seat in the caboose today.  Not wishing to dislodge her from the line, I set a slightly slower 35 for my usual Doyles to Orrvale Rd thing and that seemed to agree with Tina's goal to get to the Kinder.  Jen copped the headwind on Central Ave but less effort on the east drive to the cypress trees.  Graeme's legs were a blur toward Coach Rd, a chance peek seeing his chain on the 21 sprocket confirms he's a spin doctor.  (Jen favoring the 13 highlights the highs and lows of cadence we all finally find best to drive. We've all got different engines I suppose ; what speed they can deliver and the distance they drive varies too)  

Emil started round two into Coach Rd and didn't get selfish with his shift, sharing the tailwind turns with me, Tina and Jen, but Graeme scored the portside pain of the wind on the west way to Lemnos.  For a moment I thought he'd tow us to Ford Rd but the wind wore that idea down to throw an elbow to Emil a bit beyond the bridge.  Emil delivered us to Ford Rd where I got to enjoy the strength of that south southwester. I made a mockery of holding a straight line!   By luck, the sweetest shift (the shortest one) to Verney was Tina's to tap though Jen wasn't so fortunate to have the wind work off her watts toward Balaclava.  The urge ran out at Graham St where Graeme put his spin on speed to get to that red traffic light.  Emil took on the tow truck role back to the Butter Factory where the good news (after coffee) was a tailwind home. 

8/2 Social speed (for superhumans!) 

The 'roo in residential Regent St probably slowed the Wednesday commute with Emil slightly, although that almost standard stiff southerly had me losing the will to live.  Three leds ahead at the Showgrounds inspired a sprint to catch them at the Benalla Rd lights ; well worth the watts spent to catch Boof, Wozza and Rocket en-route to Sanctuary Drive for the free tow there!   Darker mornings and the pre-dawn wildlife has cancelled the shop squad storming the mid week circuit (a late afternoon session is on the cards apparently) so the once calm mid-week social now has some horsepower to hurry it up.  

The bigger field (Gazza, Kel, Bruce, the 5ft Ninja, Kreeky, Bo, PistolPete, Emil, The Godfather and Troy) meant less work but I'll bet there'd be a swifter speed than social.  Rubber stamp PistolPete leading the suffering into the southerly (15-22), Rocket his partner in crime pushing 37's to Mitchell Rd (glad I resisted my usual sit on Pistol's wheel; five wheels back from the business end was hard enough!)   Gazza and Rocket made muscles complain to Central Kialla so the wind behind toward River Rd delivered some respite.  Being last in line as Bruce and The Godfather guided our path east needed 45's to catch the tail, thankfully Bruce guided The Godfather up the road so Emil and I could get out of the gutter. 

Towed to the dip by Troy, plenty of pace was on to reach rooster corner. The Godfather's demands for a 'full block' from Kel were ignored; she was being kind on Kreeky who seemed to be bursting a boiler to get there.  The Ninja wasn't guided by Garmin for her shift with Kel (a lack of volts may have kept her in the dark?), guesswork took her at 37's to the dam where she called half time. (Greg had missed the memo on the shop squad cancellation so had driven Channel Rd to intercept us).   I stayed level with the Ninja, waiting for the white flag to be hoisted aloft and not long over the Broken bridges her call came to roll left.   Being whole wheeled to the highway by Emil's enthusiasm for velocity didn't bother me, 38 was my limit if I were to reach it without blowing a gasket.  

Boof and Emil stepped up to the 40's for Boundary Rd and I could survive that with the advantage their draft.  Yet another orange horizon lit our way west on Old Dookie Rd, 38's and 9's seemed the standard no matter which way the wind blew! (Rest in peace social Wednesday!)  Wozza and Pistol kept the cadence cooking toward the truck route, two lines turning single file as the afterburners were engaged for the squirt to SPC.  The southerly at the side felt like a handbrake once out of the little shelter I had.....a gap had opened and a few shot by. That ota moment was close, so when a car crept forward from the side street ahead, my moment of caution put me 20 metres shy of the bunch.  I had no regrets; in fact I was happy to roll solo and recover back to the cafe 'cause traffic lights were against me anyway now.  Thirty seconds late for coffee wouldn't kill me. 

9/2 A squirrel smoothie & a tap to Tally.

Half way to Tarcoola and something didn't feel right.  Tyre pressures were ok, the wind wasn't a worry (for a change), I had remembered the helmet and shoes were on the correct feet.   D'oh! Pockets were empty! (and we all know what happens risking a ride without tools, tube, a CO2 pump, phone and keys to get back indoors!)  A hurried back-track home, a text to Emil to meet at the shop, tools and equipment aboard and ready for take two to Thursday.  I'd got to the shop at 5:28 with a few breaths left in the bank just as Emil, Kim, Wendy, Tina and Molly finished a block of the shop as a prologue.  The role of second wheel in the procession was still mine though.  It was therapy Thursday so 33's and 34's would be todays limit of labor.  Eastbound shifts to Coach Rd had a hint of a south southeaster to contend with but it was happy days headed north with all but Molly getting a taste of the tailwind to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd. (maybe a payback for being awol on Tuesday?)   

She managed well headed for Lemnos; conditions weren't so cruel. Kim seems to relish the relaxed Thursday format, towing us to Ford Rd and a k further into it before letting Wendy do her work to Grahamvale Rd.  Emil had the short shift to Verney so naturally took on the south leg to Balaclava Rd and was a well behaved boy sticking to the speed limit. Of course the pedestrian button needed a prod. 

My daily grind of 45 or 50 k's needed a shake up, so with coffee in the tank at the Butter Factory,  I added an extra 40 to get a little more distance banked and teach the legs about longer labor. (Making up for lost k's really; the bike will be mothballed for the weekend for other pursuits)    Usually starved of different scenery, I had other views planned today, not that there's a lot of stunning vistas to look at in the flatlands near home. I just craved something other than Old Dookie, New Dookie, River, Mitchell, Ford, Verney, Boundary, Coach etc, that we all seem to be wearing out. 

North to Zeerust then west to Church Rd harked back to Covid times where bunch riding was taboo and variety in a lap was needed to keep sane, sunshine the pleasant company to the circuit even if all that dry farmland didn't look very interesting.  I continued the therapy theme rolling at an aerobic rate but making the most of the south southeaster  'cause the homeward leg would be work.  Bowey Rd east to Tally had a car or two to contend with, the new radar tail-light a real bonus on the back-blocks when solo, knowing the light pulses for approaching traffic (particularly comforting when you're aimed right at the rising sun and the car behind has that view too).  Southbound from Tallygaroopna wasn't the work I expected; sure there's the vehicle vacuum on the highway as commuters pass by but that breeze has swung to an easterly to lessen the labor.  35's were possible so that therapy thing was thrown out the window for some work into the 150's back home, some sort of effort to earn a second breakfast at normal o'clock (now that the stupid o'clock piece of toast was burned up).

This week 294km   

YTD 1,777km      

The riding romance

Post #683

28/1 Suffering and satisfaction; standard Saturday stuff. 

PistolPete poured on the power to Mitchell Rd but only Greg had braved the advance line. There was a long left line of many contemplating the commitment of an early shift at the front, and speed might have been the issue.  Guilt was getting to me, tucked into 4th wheel.  Starting in this safe haven has become a habit (Harden up old boy and do your duty, Greg won't bite! Hopefully he'd been fed)  Like days of old, TeamTat appeared at Archer's end, TatMat, Dan the Man and TatPaul joining the procession as we slowed for the turn into Mitchell Rd. 

Change of shift and I was straight into the deep end at the front end with the expectation of 37's already set. (No pressure!)  Off the Fizik to imitate some sort of speed, I'd prepared for  disappointment glancing at the Garmin screen but was shocked to find 36's already there. Let's not think about maintaining it for nearly two minutes Foss, let alone another two k drive for the second half of the shift.  The voices of Jen, Graeme, Lance, Molly, Bo and The Godfather were heard behind but Lenny's seemed closer; he'd be the one to match for part two (just a week after a tangle with a motorbike and he's back.....probably fitter than ever)  Greg talked up my tempo arriving at Euroa Rd and that got the head in the right space to take on the next two k's to River Rd.  Just hoped the legs would provide a positive pace.  Lenny was considerate with his speed and silent (I couldn't spare the oxygen to reply anyway).  Thoughts of the draft to come got me to River Rd.   

Many were expecting a circus act as Bo and The Godfather paired at dip so it seemed a miracle when speed stayed stable. (Early pace may have played a part in Molly cementing her place in the caboose).  It seems ages since socialising with TeamTat; is it really three years since their regular showing on a Saturday?  A glance behind at the Broken bridges expecting the shop squad in hot pursuit saw lights a little further back than usual - not that they'd be going any slower! (Maybe we'd made better progress today?  Maybe the Earth was flat too!)

 Troy, Rocket, KnightMichael, Bruce, GiantAndy, Gazza, Wozza and Liam bolted by soon after we'd crossed the highway, the brief burst of speed from their passing draft short-lived till reality kicked us down a few rungs on the horsepower ladder.  

Jen partnered PistolPete for the way east on Old Dookie Rd, driving the 53/13 like a diesel toward the Toaster (I'll have what she had for breakfast thanks!)   All had made their contribution arriving at Pine Lodge North Rd so Pistol and Greg started round two toward the church, and not sparing the watt to get there.   Those at the back were at full throttle out of the corner to be counted as part of the team.   It's a common conundrum; eager at the front / brutal at the back.  A tempo tsunami.   Greg and Pete led to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, some comfort for me knowing my turn to come would have help from the north northeaster.  Frustratingly, despite the breeze behind, the old engine was close to the red line at 37 and with Greg happy to stay alongside that's what the bunch would have to endure.  

Lenny and The Godfather would no doubt spice up the speed but this was my contribution to progress (with a pensioner discount applied!)   Happy I'd reached Boundary Rd, Lenny and The Godfather lived up to their expectations.  TrackStan appeared at Numurkah Rd, many believing he'd been dropped from the shop squad but he'd missed the 6am flag at the start.  If I was lucky with the shifts staying to standards, I might just get towed to breakfast without another appearance at the business end.  

A headwind on the Boulevard wasn't my idea of fun.  Single filed beyond Canterbury's roundabout, I was banking on PistolPete and Greg driving long.  So far so good when Pete lasted till Jordan's Bend but Greg's drive to Tarcoola might just be his swansong.  (Yeah, as if!)   He'd lit the afterburners out of the roundabout and Lenny and The Godfather had the legs to respond, so I slid down the order as Bo and Jen passed me too and had just enough left to stay with Lance at the back for a bout of 40's to Knight St.     Rule #90 (driving the big ring), casual staff with casual attitude and walking was the philosophy over breakfast.

30/1 Just another manic Monday.

I reckon I'm developing a southerly psychosis.  Yet again a headwind did it's best to discourage a respectable speed toward Sanctuary Drive (I'd turned off the speedo's backlight in Monday morning's darkness so as not to be shamed by a sloth-like speed but how do you avoid that Garmin glance going under a street light?)   Emil turned the two pairs commuting to single file for a passing car and his draft was instant bliss, so it took a lot of cranial concrete to pair again for the rest of the commute to the start.  Tina and Rocket happily chatted behind. The want for oxygen kept me silent.   

With a half empty tank at the grid, The Godfather, Bo, PistolPete, the 5ft Ninja, Troy, Kreeky, Bruce, Lenny, Kel and Greg assembled for duty.  Bruce and PistolPete must love pain, powering south to Mitchell Rd into the southerly in the 37's with not one complaint from those in their draft behind.  Nitrous oxide injection would have been handy to stay in touch when Bruce and Emil hit the boost button bound for Central Kialla, though one shouldn't grizzle when being gifted a slipstream.  Gazza did a Grumpy impersonation with a late arrival via the truck route, I just hoped someone would tame the pace a little so an extra breath could be uploaded.  No hope when Troy and Lenny fronted for River Rd; 49 to catch the tail as the pair got excited by the little bit of west in the south southwester.  Transitioning to the advance line at the dip, the wind became a chore at the right side after enjoying the shelter of the left.  Rocket had set a suitable echelon toward Coach Rd but being on the Ninja's wheel had all the shelter of hiding behind a short matchstick.  The best of the tailwind was in Coach Rd so pairing with the 5ft one at the Broken bridges was feasible.  

I'd hoped part two would be easier calling "As slow as you want Tina" when we crossed the highway, but the wind up the exhaust pipe inspired plenty of pace to the bridge.  Zig and Zag, sorry......Bo and The Godfather were line astern again so many were prepared for their Old Dookie Rd antics.  The wind worked in our favor to minimize their mayhem, one or the other calling School Rd quits for Kel to keep Bo company (and under control?) to Central Ave.   (So much for the "full block" rule).  Bruce and Pistol were back in charge and heading to the truck route with 40's no problem to maintain.  (Yeah, I wish!) It doesn't take much to drop the wheel ahead when the throttle goes wide open toward SPC, a grab for a lower gear and off the saddle for the acceleration......and a gap had opened already.  Legs were on the limit to get back aboard, luck changing the Wheeler St lights to red so I could re-inlist.

31/1 Optional extras.

Through a cloud of cobwebs on Channel Rd BamBam and Ralphy emerged, surprise extras to an already long line of squirrels, and that got Emil's excitement up.  (A fairly stiff southerly already had him un hurry-up mode; any excuse to turn up the tempo!)  Wendy, Kim, Jen, Graeme, Tina and Molly were lined up behind for my usual attempt at the Doyles to Orrvale bit and I'd almost equaled Emil's previous effort at the school where the real work began (to finish what I'd started!)  At least there'd be a long spell between shifts with this many players in the pack.  Wendy to the Kinder and Kim to the cypress trees and I'd returned to an aerobic state, Molly spinning a short shift to Hanlon Rd but Jen got that diesel engine on the torque curve to drive long and make up the shortfall.  

Graeme took advantage of the tailwind (15-22 km/h) to set 40 to the highway but his Boundary Rd to the bridge bit didn't have the hurry he started with.  Tina did the drive to the fig farm, BamBam making reasonable progress to mid way between Old and New Dookie Rd's but a total of 169km clocked for the year made Ralphy's shift a struggle (I applied a discount for riding with a broken toe)   Emil saved him from suffering by passing as he'd reached the first rumble strip (just to remind us of the railway line that hasn't been used for years), towing us all to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd, but of course that wasn't enough.  

I'd hoped Emil would be slowed slightly by the fraction of westerly in the now south southwester, though that's wishful thinking.  He set a speed I felt obliged to live up to in Ford Rd (only my second turn but being second wheel to Emil factors as the front for me)   There's enough trees and orchards along Ford Rd's first 3 k to give a little shelter so getting back up to speed beyond the intersection wasn't a big ask - it's maintaining it for about four minutes that's the problem.  A distant truck on Grahamvale Rd was worth the call of "Watch left" though the long behind did split in caution, the subsequent slow with Wendy, Kim and Molly gave us a moment to do an oxygen stocktake till the rest rejoined.   Jen tackled the front for the southern leg to Balaclava Rd but wind wore away the watts by Graham St.  Of course Emil's appointment to poke the pedestrian button led us to Balaclava and the red light it usually shows us.  

1/2  Squad swap.

Siding with the Wouldabeens was strictly social ; a slightly slower speed, a six o'clock start and maybe a different loop could have been the motivating factor but it's been many moons since swapping a sentence or two with these (mostly) former Couldabeens. Optimistically short sleeved to the Kialla Lakes start-line, feels like 11 got me wishing I'd worn arm-warmers, though the temperature is positively tropical thinking of the winter just past.  

(Hey, another winter is just 16 weeks away!)    Crossy, Laura, AlmostRetiredTrev, Wendy, Joe (not Tony), Shorty and Jase lined the footpath at Gordon Drive's roundabout, Crossy nearly as pleased as Bo in a bottle shop aboard a new back Giant.  AlmostRetiredTrev succumbed to the pleas of a northbound lap (a 11-17 km/h southwester squashing motivation to head south) so he steered us toward Channel Rd for what was to be a squirrel circuit. (so much for that different loop Foss).     Plenty of procrastination heading east on whether this was to be a two row or single filed lap (and with the tail-enders in the gutter), I took my idea to the front to lead a centre of the road drive to the truck route, hopeful of a single filed solution.  It seemed to work when Joe (not Tony) captained to Orrvale Rd but all had suddenly become shy to follow suit.  Another turn for me to the Kinder fixed the format to single.  Laura scored the headwind on Central but got the benefit of the southwester to the cypress trees.  Seems shifts start and finish similar to the squirrels, or is it that two to three minutes in the driver's seat empties the tank? Whatever the reason, with six ahead to serve their time in (hard?) labor, I'd have ten or twelve minutes to compose myself before the next call of duty.  Slight changes of temperature nearing Channel Rd's channels felt like the fridge door had been left open, Wendy signing her time at the front with a long drive to Coach Rd to hand Jase the reigns (and a tailwind with it).   Crossy baptised the Giant to the lead role somewhere near the fig farm and I'd guessed settling into a new position on a new bike would take some time finding true comfort 'cause barely a k later AlmostRetiredTrev was elbowed to lead. 

Captaincy changed to Joe (not Tony) at New Dookie Rd, his donation to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd denying me the treat of the tail wind but then that's the luck of the draw isn't it?  Given the task to lead west, the wind was more like south southwest at the portside, so I set my target at Lemnos North Rd.   A slight rise and fall at the channel bridge and the few gaps between trees and orchards made the job of setting a smooth speed tricky at times so I hoped variations of a k or so weren't making a roller coaster ride at the back.  No knives in the back as I rolled to the rear in Ford Rd said the variables weren't too bad. I might have toasted Laura at second wheel on the long drive 'cause she'd pulled the pin with a k of Ford completed.  Shorty filled the position of pace to Grahamvale Rd where Wendy towed us to Verney.  Jase had the short straw of a headwind to Balaclava Rd but there was no charge to prod the pedestrian button (though the lights were red as always) and not such a charge to get to caffeine so the course had a calm conclusion. A long chat at the Milk Bar fulfilled the social stuff.

2/2  Thursday therapy.

Thursday's have become eagerly anticipated.  A cruise with a cap at 35 (tailwinds invalidate that limit), a chance to get a few k's done well below the red-line and a smooth rhythm keeps the riding romance rather than regretting it (unless of course you prefer all your kilometers being cooked)     An extra layer and long sleeves made feels like nine bearable, Kim, Molly, Emil, Wendy and Tina kitted likewise for the therapy session to start from Archer St's shop.  This was a three day trot of squirrels, Woulda's and squirrels on the same circuit for me; you could call it a holiday from hurry but it's way faster than sitting on the couch eating Cheezels off your fingers (no names mentioned!)  

And so the single filed format started again with Emil assuming the lead role and me as 2ic to Orrvale.  The lasses did their thing thereafter while three worked westbound (Gazza and his development squad) driving toward town.  Traffic was busier than usual, one car passing as we neared the Kinder and another rounded us up near the S bend (rated as peak hour in these parts)    Molly got the leadership role northbound on Coach Rd with a suitable southerly breeze to boot, but seemed disappointed in the lack of drive from her engine (too much running, not enough riding?)   But this was therapy day where great goals and supersonic segment times could be shelved and the simple pleasure of a spin could be relished.  It's a nice change to have legs and lungs liking a turn at the front and not hating what the head had in mind.  Emil's standard shift to Old Dookie Rd caught me snoozing at second wheel so the k between Old and New Dookie was spent attempting to keep 34.5 frozen on the Garmin.  

Not as easy as it sounds, even on our flat ground.   The way west seemed to slip the handbrake on a notch, or was the hint of a southwester stronger than I thought?  It wasn't a problem for Kim and Wendy to tow us to Lemnos North Rd.  Averaging 32 was once a solid lap for the squirrels, now it's a cruisy one if you want to reflect on the ground gained since 2021. Verney Rd's slick surface (ignoring the gravel section at the North Quarter development) made pace a lot easier despite headed into that southwester (go figure?) and remarkably Emil kept the cap of 35 firmly on and didn't do the charge to prod the pedestrian button.  The traffic light was red as usual (maybe a can of green paint might help?)

3/2 Fridge-like February?

Overnight rain, a westerly to wear away the watts and feels like five had a lot of excuses to take a day off  fill the head at stupid o'clock.  The search for positives to over-ride these thoughts was on and coffee got the ball rolling.  Kit day with the crew was worth the work and that wind would only be a pain one way.   Finding Wozza, Boof and Rocket on the commute gave me a draft to Sanctuary Drive, saving a few watts to spend later on the circuit.  Bruce, Gazza, TrackStan, Kel, The Godfather, Emil, Bo, Tina, Troy, Jen, Greg and PistolPete at the start was a better than expected attendance but my mistake was getting on Pistol's wheel on the 5:40 roll-out ; I'd get the work into the wind by the time my shift was due.  

(Gave me plenty of time to harden up before that happened though).  Wozza went to work with Pete with the west northwester at the side to Mitchell Rd, the right row forming quickly with many keen to get an early tailwind turn, effectively snookering me to last in line.  Emil, The Godfather, Bruce and Troy were in for their early effort, taking us the length of River Rd while Gazza and TrackStan emerged from the mass of lights behind.  Forties found favor to rooster-less corner (nothing to crow about in the dark).   Changing from left row to right on the turn north at least scored me the sheltered side.   Just three of the Hurtlocker speared from the darkness of Coach Rd suffering a clockwise circuit.  Covered arms and gloves (with fingers) was the day's dress code, some with knees insulated against the July-like temperature.  The common thought was that we've been short-changed on Summer.  

Bo and Kel did the distance to the highway, a pause for traffic making extra effort to get up to speed again.  Drama in Old Dookie Rd looked likely for me but pairing with Tina who'd braved the advance meant we'd share similar standards - slower!   Greg and Jen were first to face the westerly with a solid shift to the petrol station (sorry..........new house under construction) beyond School Rd, Jen hammering the 13 sprocket when most were on the 17.   

Tina turned on a good tempo with Jen to Central Ave and survived longer toward Dobson's than I expected.  Our speed wasn't much slower after    all, but my watts were evaporating faster!  I could barely keep up with PistolPete to the bridge and called for the mercy of a draft, the view to the truck route rather blurred as he and Wozz kept the thrash of 38's on speedo's.  The few ahead stepping up the speed to seize a slipstream from a gradually passing car quickly cooked me toward SPC, legs refusing to stick to the speed standards put me at the back before I knew it.  A sudden surge of incentive came without that safety net of bikes behind as a backstop.  I felt wrung-out arriving at the Butter Factory, but glad to have ignored those earlier excuses. 

This week 304km

YTD 1,483km