The circumstances of speed.

Post #631

29/1 The Saturday sweat squad.

If you believed the forecast, Saturday would have been a sleep-in.  So maybe it was optimism that had me gazing skyward at 4:30 am (hard to shake that stupid o'clock habit!)  Cloud crowded the sky but nothing ominous threatened a drenching, the radar showing the worst of it had passed at 3. I'd get to ride after all (And you'd think the cravings would have passed after 17 years of addiction;  I must have contracted the Delta strain!)    20 degrees and a stiff southerly had dried the tarmac of the earlier 5mm, just a few puddles, a lot of twigs and a few small branches blown about were there to avoid while I gave the old engine a gentle introduction to propelling a bike.  Emil's enthusiasm to get to Sanctuary Drive got the engine well into operating temperature (and lightly toasted the legs), the 15 km/h worth of south southwester readied the heart rate for the labor to come. Boof, Bruce, Gazza, Wozza, Lance, Lenny, BeerMat, Emil, Greg, Didak and PistolPete rolled in for duty, a little shy on the usual Saturday attendance so some may have believed that forecast?  

Horsepower had risen to the top of the order, PistolPete and Wozza doing duty to drag us south to Mitchell Rd. Those recalcitrant little fur balls charged from the Archer Rd driveway again, causing a little panic at the rear (action needed before this gets ugly)   Greg ahead and Lance behind had me in a comfortable zone, duty at the front wasn't due for for me for an estimated 10 km (judging by the horsepower yet to serve their speed).   We were about to enjoy the tailwind toward River Rd when Boof called a halt for a puncture (the third in two weeks on a new bike so I reckon he'll be changing tyre brands)    It was a pleasant change to get some breath back before facing River Rd's 6 k's.  Stacked against the southerly bearing east, Didak got a little echelon education while BeerMat and Lance prepared to serve speed at the front (BeerMat had some verbal encouragement to reach Rooster corner).  Lance and I had charge of the tempo in Coach Rd so speed was steadily built to suit us seniors.  

I'd aimed at reaching the Broken bridges before calling half time but Lance called it quits a little short of the mark, Greg being my co-pilot to the highway (my speed was sponsored by the southerly so I could even manage a few words reaching the pub).  A blue-grey day was a contrast to the scenic sun-ups we've had for most of the week, everything feeling dampened by the 100% humidity.  ( Maybe if Bo or The Godfather had turned up they may have benefited from the sauna-like sweat to trim some of Adelaide's excesses?)   Emil and PistolPete had the speed spiced up on Old Dookie Rd to the Toaster,a waft of piggy parfum from the Pork Palace cancelled bacon from the breakfast menu.  

I guess I've traveled Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd at least 800 times yet there's always something new to see (a house not noticed during Winter's darkness but usually just another pot-hole or stick to avoid, thankfully not a wandering steer I side-swiped on a Tuesday night years ago)   There was no avoiding another turn at the front, Boof, Bruce, Gazza, Wozza and Emil had made their turns to tow us toward town, BeerMat and Lance had done their bit from Verney Rd, so I paired with Lance to open the Wanganui Rd innings.  Using the excuse of waiting for all to get across Numurkah Rd, we gradually stoked up the speed to the water treatment plant.  Lance raised the white flag at the transfer station and I was prepared to tough it out to Mt.Wanganui but Greg rolled the turn at DECA's test track.  (No argument from me, I'll take a free tow to breakfast any day!)  Emil couldn't contain himself seeing Mt.Wanganui ahead and forged forward leaving Greg in his wake for line honors  (it's nothing personal Greg!).     Lots of legs  weren't happy with the hurry to contain Emil in Rudd Rd, the line drawing long and Indian file on the Boulevard (finishing the circuit together becomes an overpowering must)   U.S. and Russian driving standards, tasty tennis players and E racing occupied the discussion over breakfast.

31/1  A cohesive crew...oh, and The Godfather. 

This slightly earlier start and slow build up speed seems to be working.  There wasn't so much suffering on the commute to Sanctuary (hey, I could even manage a few sentences to Emil on the way!)   Legs weren't ready to divorce me and I wasn't needing an ambulance just to get to Kialla Lakes.  All that worry that I was washed up could be erased ; I'd finally found the key to keeping up......oh, hang on, there was a northeast breeze blowing me to the start line!   Trav, PistolPete, Bruce, Emil, Kreeky, Tina, Wozza, Kim, Lenny, Kel, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Greg and The Godfather filtered in from the side streets to form a starting grid for 5:40.  

PistolPete must have tired from taking on the first shift, Emil and Bruce took his place to spin the Mitchell Rd leg.  With great intention to join the front, I fumbled for a footing on the start line and that dropped me down the order. There was a little unease till passing the doggy driveway in Archer Rd, but with a clear road ahead, there was no canine calamity to deal with, bike business could take priority.  Positioned in the left line, I'd have a while to wait before duty called at the front.  It was PistolPete's turn to call a halt today, a puncture making an intermission at River Rd's bridge.  

The argument for tubeless tyres had a lid shoved on it as the cool, calm Pistol tended to repairs.  Lenny led the restart in roughly the same order.   Somehow, the two troublemakers (need I mention names?) had paired in Boundary Rd and the matter of sneaky Saturday rides (caused from sleeping in and missing the Sanctuary start I'm told) stoked up the rivalry, The Godfather turning up the tempo at the fig farm and Bo holding station in defiance alongside Kreeky.  The crew seemed content to let The Godfather (with Trav in tow) stay ahead.  (No protests from a few who were just hanging on anyway)  The way west on Old Dookie was a little easier, confirming that northeaster wasn't just in the imagination and it looked (at last) I'd get a moment in the drivers seat.  Tina braved the front with Wozza to Dobson's, Kim rolled straight across and had Pistol do likewise, so Pete and I did the duty to the truck route.  The 1400 metres to SPC begged a single filed format (to settle the angst that some motorists seem to have with just a second's delay) so mine was the task to make respectable pace to the roundabout.  No pressure Foss, 40 will do! (and no stop light to get a breath or two back!)

1/2  Six swift squirrels.

Short shifts were on the Squirrels Tuesday agenda again, the tempo raised a little as a trade-off.  Last week had netted a slightly higher average so with almost a full compliment of the crew (Kim, Tina, Jen, the 5ft Ninja and Emil) we may just cover the course a little faster again (nothing quite like a challenge to raise the bar).   Emil was delegated first shift of course, but he may have missed the memo about shorter shifts ; all the way to the truck route in the 37's blew the cobwebs out of me at second wheel. (It's alright for these young fella's, I'd be following the memo!)  

A little northeaster added to the workload to get to Orrvale Rd so when Kim calmed the velocity a fraction on the ChaCha, I stopped seeing stars.  Thanks Kim!   (she'd missed the memo too, driving to the Kinder where Tina was given the reigns)  The feint glow of first light lit Tina's turn to the cypress trees, thankfully the Ninja had turned down the turbo so all were lined up behind for her spin to the S bend. Jen took on the last 1500 of Channel Rd.  With Emil back in charge I'd almost expected another long drive, so it was no surprise to finally see his elbow at Old Dookie Rd.  I kept to the brief of a brief shift to New Dookie.  The northeaster needed more muscle to keep to the prior pace or was it the humidity hampering the hurry?  There could have been a dozen reasons, I just needed something to blame for my struggle.  

Kim drove us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd and Tina dragged us to the eastern channel bridge ; seeing mid thirties being the flavor of the day was a far cry from the 30 average the squirrels could clock just 5 months ago.  I'd kill for a 15% improvement in that time frame! (the last few years seemed to be just treading water)   The Ninja set the speed to Lemnos North Rd and there, I reckon the order of service was set in stone ; Jen would do the distance on Ford to Grahamvale and Emil's uncontrollable urge would drag us to Verney then south into town. Predictable.  Just to rattle the routine, I stole the drivers seat at Balaclava Rd to lead the line to the Butter Factory.  20 degrees and 86% humidity predictably had iced coffee the refreshment of choice.

2/2  As good as a holiday?  

As much as there's a great bond with the Couldabeens clan, some days a change is as good as a holiday.  So Wednesday was made the day to socialize with the Woulda's.  (the Coulda's might enjoy a break from me!.....and the handicap I have on their hurry?) There was a holiday from the humidity too, summer's weather was put aside for feels like 8.5 and a south southwester turned up the suffering to 35 km/h.  The 8 km to Kialla Lakes (and a few more round the ponds) climatised me to the conditions, finding Laura, AlmostRetiredTrev, Jase, Wendy, Weapon, Troy, BamBam and Pelly at the roundabout, prepared to face the music.    

I'd get a holiday from the same old same old circuit too, the Woulda's favoring a Channel, Coach, Mitchell, Raftery route (most of it fighting the wind.  No holiday in that!)      Jase got the introductory shift up to Channel Rd then handed responsibility of reaching the truck route to me.  Guessing a tempo to suit the side wind was tricky - too slow and I'd be deafened by snoring, too fast and i might not be welcomed back! (I may have set the speed a bit keen, eight had Indian filed behind)   Two rows formed when I handed the reigns to Wendy, AlmostRetiredTrev doing the co-pilot to Orrvale Rd (though I wasn't too far off the right pace, it had settled just a bit below my original guess)   Headed east was cruisy, the reality of riding south on Coach Rd would be a bit different!  Jase and I had the last k of Channel Rd (hasn't he bounced back from an Omicron episode) then with BamBam as partner in Coach Rd's delightful head wind.  

There was enough pain just getting to the Broken bridges, so I called BamBam across to donate me a draft (much to Laura's displeasure.  She was to experience the effort next)   Shifts swapped fairly swiftly over the couple of k's to Mitchell, Pelly, Troy, Weapon and Wendy putting in their fair share into getting to some respite in Mitchell Rd although the way west needed a little more work than expected (thanks to the W in the SSW)   Laura seemed to struggle with saddle height, Wendy had no struggle with her speed (enhanced aerodynamics?) while Weapon had a struggle with the speed of powerful partners  (I know that problem!)   BamBam wasn't easing up on Mitchell and kept me speechless to the dog-leg.      I'd expected Jase or Pelly (or both) to launch an attack at the finish line but a lot of energy was spent into the wind just to get to Raftery Rd, the conclusion in Conrod straight was restrained.  There's a lot of old memories reaching the 80 sign, long gone are the days of desperate sprints in a bunch of 20 or more, so a sedate spin to the skinny bridge made it an easy end.  The chat over coffee at Degani mused the cheapskates and cycling characters we meet.

3/2 Who turned winter on?

No chance for a balmy morning, someone had turned the winter switch to 3/4 strength for Thursday.  Yet again a south southwester blew to chill the bones (feels like 8).  A standard set of squirrels (the 5ft Ninja, Tina, Kim, Jen and Emil) assembled at the shop and yet again, Emil set his standard shift to the truck route.  Despite my deliberate slow roll from the start line, nobody took the place of second wheel, it was mine whether I wanted it or not!  I presumed standard shifts were on the menu, short ones seemed to have slipped by the wayside.  

Emil's high 30's set the bar high and that set my shift shorter than the usual Doyles to the Kinder, a quick squirt to Orrvale Rd was about the best I could manage under the circumstances of speed.  There wasn't a lot of respite at the rear when Jen charged through the ChaCha to the Kinder.  Wind at the starboard side was a nuisance, though all squirrels understand what echelon means, most were looking forward to steering north onto Boundary and getting the bonus of a tail-wind.  (Keeping up with Emil's enthusiasm would be the effort though)   Daylight has become a rare commodity lately, most of the lap now threading through the darkness at stupid o'clock  (and doesn't that mellow the mood?)   Just as well others are out and riding, it's hardly an attractive proposition alone!  Emil did his standard shift to Old Dookie Rd and all the intention in the world to go beyond New Dookie Rd had   objections received from lungs and legs.  1400 metres wasn't that shy was it?  (if it was, can I apply a senior citizens' discount?)

 Jen led our path north past the railway rumble strips (that rumble for no reason ; no trains!) across Hill Rd (that has no hill) and up to Lemnos-Cosgrove for the west way back to town.   It's hard to resist guessing who'd do what and when and where ; it hints to my next appearance at the front and when to prepare for pain.  Watching Tina take us to the bridge then Kim and the Ninja delivering us to Lemnos North Rd was nothing out of sorts, question was, what lengths would Emil go to?  3600 to Grahamvale and another 1700 to Verney (with a short slow for Kim to catch the caboose) and I reckon Emil had done more than he needed to.  I made myself the martyr to drive south to Balaclava and when Emil called for a little leniency (to keep Kim aboard) I had no objection ; the headwind hurt!  Jen steered the squad through the streets to the cafe conclusion, hot coffee today 'cause warmth was wanted. 

4/2  Fellowship Friday.

A third day of south southwesters provided the h.t.f.u. and the 10 km commute to Friday's ride was likely to register a higher Strava suffer score than the 30 km ride itself!  Kreeky, Bruce, Lenny, Boof, Rocket, Kel, PistolPete, Jen, Emil, the 5ft Ninja, Bo, Greg, Tina, The Godfather and Wozza gathered uniformed for Friday's fellowship, though with these numbers, some may not even see duty in the drivers seat.  There's quite a shuffle when 5:40 strikes, Pistol and Bruce set the squad in motion while many chose / inherited / fought / for their wheel of choice to follow, and possibly prayed for a considerate co-pilot behind (the reason that factions of fitness form, I wonder?)  Apart from the 3 km of struggle to Mitchell Rd, the rest of the route shouldn't be too taxing. (Maybe the workload would be wound up once the wind was behind?)  Greg and Boof kept the velocity below boiling point to Central Kialla and the 2 km leg to River Rd was an easy cruise touching the forties given the south southwesters support.  

Punctures have become a not-so-popular past-time in recent weeks, today it was Wozza's turn to feel the pressure of a lack of pressure when striking a pot hole took the wind out of his wheel. ( Who dares dig up the debate on tubeless tyres I wonder?   Like disc vs rim brake, cable vs Di2, 25mm vs 28mm, some choose not to go with 'the next new thing' ; does the 'advantage' justify the $ ?   A new set of wheels just to go tubeless?  I'm happy to tolerate a few punctures while the wheels still work).    The restart was most respectable, the speed carefully stoked up by Lenny to River Rd's dip.  Being on the back of the bunch at Rooster corner wasn't the best berth as the long line swung north into Coach Rd, it needed full gas to get back into the slipstream.  Not the fault of Rocket and Wozz driving, it's the multiplied reaction times of all those ahead at a cautious corner that cause it.  

There were plenty yet to serve their time so I'd have a while to get the head into hurry mode.  With and exchange of expletives, we crossed paths with the Cats at the Broken bridges, the Goats not long after as we neared the highway.  It's for the better that most bunches avoid a common circuit ; it tames the temptation of a chase (and didn't that cause chaos a few years back!)  The Godfather defiantly drove ahead of the pack in Old Dookie Rd on some sort of mission, Wozza holding station (with the will of the bunch) till the reality of one vs fourteen had The Godfather drawn back into the fold.  With three still to serve their speed at the front, I'd be a freeloader on this ride, towed around for the duration without so much as a turn!  Nice work if you can get it! I took it as a bonus.......

This week 295 km     YTD  1,391 km    

          

          

Watts are what's wanted.

 Post #630

22/1 Worth the work for the tail-wind home.

Stop your grizzles and brave the first shift Foss!  These guys (and gals) don't bite! Besides, if you don't face it now, that east northeaster will give you hell when you get into the drivers seat later.  So with brave face fitted and teeth clenched, I set south from Sanctuary's roundabout bound for Mitchell, two and half k's away.  (Pressure's on Foss, don't f%#k it up!)  Gently on the gas pedal for the first 100 metres so the tail end isn't whiplashed, then build up to a speed something like respectable toward the truck route.  (Silly me glances at the Garmin.  28 km/h.  Is that all?!  Wipes the screen to see it's not a smudged 38.  But it isn't!  Time to h.t.f.u. old boy!)   

Eventually up to 37 and still without a co-pilot, the frightening thought that Liam would draw alongside was soon erased when Greg formed the advance line and partnered.  (Phew! Liam's a hell of a nice guy, but just oozes horsepower!)  Promising to be social later when oxygen wasn't such a valuable commodity, Greg tolerated my speechless shift while I fixed focus on the distant Mitchell Rd.  I'd forgotten about the fluff ball dog that caused a sudden slow the other week till three feather dusters on legs shot out of the Archer Rd driveway.  They came to an abrupt halt at the sight of Greg, Liam, Wozza, Trav, Lenny, Tina, Rocket, Bruce and the 5ft Ninja at speed  (would have made a messy rumble strip!)    I had an overwhelming urge to keep the throttle open ; not so keen to be shunted by 10 behind.  Taking bigger breaths on the slow to turn east into Mitchell felt like Christmas had come again.  And I was right, nobody bit me! (perhaps they'd fallen asleep ?)   

Wozza advanced to pair with Greg toward Central Kialla while I did the stifled gasp and groan thing in their draft.  (I dips me lid to Greg taking on the headwind for 2 k's with Wozza's wattage as the workload).  The profile of DeterminedDan approached from the east and u-turned to hitch a ride.  Smug as a politician with a pension that I'd avoided the wind , the free tow north to River Rd allowed recovery courtesy of Wozza and Trav's energy at the front, I could settle into the social stuff now that focus was restored  and the head wasn't filled with hurt  (Feeling almost human now!)   The speed wouldn't be too spicy for the next shift following Lance, the Ninja and Tina in the advance line and could possibly avoid the wind again if shifts stuck to standard lengths.  (Yes, I do overthink things!)  Up Coach and Boundary and east on Old Dookie, the 5ft Ninja, Tina and Lance drew the short straw of facing the east northeaster (and probably felt the expectation to reach the Toaster)  

Wind at the starboard flank wasn't so tough toward the Pine Lodge church but care was needed not to toast Lance on part two of his shift.  (Goats had got going early, heading south to the Toaster with Amy aboard from abroad).  Lance's tank was dry at New Dookie Rd and I was happy to roll to the left line and have Greg's shelter up to Lemnos Cosgrove Rd.  I wish his enthusiasm didn't exceed my energy though!  That wind behind as we turned west eased the pain of Greg's pace, 11 could do their bit at the business end while I got on with the recovery process (retract tongue off the headstem, wipe the drool from your chin, put a lid on the gutteral groans and relax the vice-like grip on the handlebars)   Cats and the '51 pack were probably missing The Godfather's greetings as we crossed paths, two dozen wheels humming along the tarmac in the 40's made mesmerizing music though that speed probably spooked the Ninja and Tina from joining the advance line again. (I wonder would we become fearless if that data weren't on show? (Numbers nobble us eh?)  

Joining the advance with Lance (I'm a poet and didn't know it!) came with the comfort he wouldn't tear my legs off when we played pilots, those with tempo on tap at the pointy end could drag us into town in the mean time.  Determined Dan was put to work on the front at DECA, all those solos giving him the strength to take us to Mt.Wanganui alongside Bruce.  Lenny and Lance were in charge past the cemetery but my days of having a windward advantage were done.  A third shift came due at Canterbury's roundabout and I had the headwind to deal with (and what I thought was wattage went to water 800 metres along the Boulevard).  Reality had ruined me!  (didn't George Orwell say " reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else")   Greg and Wozza could drag us to breakfast. TV's optical illusions, Europe's passion for food and the Springnats on a slippery slope provided the racket across the Butter Factory table.

24/1  She hurt me Mum!

Going gently on the old engine on Monday was easy, the solo to Sanctuary had a little help from an east northeaster.  Hopefully I'd have some sort of horsepower to spare for the lap to follow.  Greg, Rocket, Lenny, Bruce, Jen and Wozza on the grid was average numbers for a 21 degree weekday morning, many still soaking up Adelaide (and alcohol?) for some of this week too.  Surprisingly, two rows formed when 5:40 set Rocket and Bruce south to lead us to Mitchell Rd.  Hesitating for a moment, I joined the advance on Wozza's wheel, quick calculations estimating I'd pair with him at the front for the Central Kialla leg to River Rd. (Good, the east northeaster shouldn't be too taxing there).  Rocket and Wozz had the reigns east on Mitchell, the wind fair in the face of no consequence to their pace but second wheel was hard work! Wozza was kind enough to allow me to split the 2k drive, rolling to the left line to have Jen alongside with a k to go.  

Despite the long lay off the bike, she's got the fitness (and aerodynamic advantage) to drive the high 30's, the last half k for me spent seeing stars and with nostrils full of  the aroma of toasted Foss! (Maybe she's on some "special supplements"?  I should get the phone number of her Spanish doctor!)  Speechless to the River Rd bridge while Lenny and Bruce did the driving, I held hopes that Bruce, Rocket and Wozza would do the long shifts to delay my next attempt in the drivers seat.  (Getting the heart rate below 170 was taking too long!)  The three lads didn't disappoint, all the way to the Midland, still in the high 30's, still into the wind, and able to carry on a chat into the bargain!   Freaks! (and I'm still in the 160's, and still speechless!)  Wozza tolerated my poor attempt at a turn on Boundary Rd to the bridge ; I'd warned him that would be my limit, I'd need something for part two. 

Hopes of contributing a similar distance with Jen alongside evaporated (along with my energy) well shy of the fig farm.  Easy for Jen and Lenny to drive to Old Dookie Rd, hard for me to tolerate an engine that wouldn't deliver something decent.  (Watts are what's wanted!)  A sky painted pink and orange distracted the hurt while Lenny and Greg did their 40's business west (and why wouldn't you with the wind up your what's it!)  Greg's exit at School Rd put Bruce in the drivers seat, trust in Rocket and Wozz delivering us to town took away the stress of a possible third term of torment.

25/1 Three steamed squirrels....and hold the soy sauce!

Squirrels were scarce! Tina and the 5ft Ninja were the only ones to front up on Tuesday while others took a break on Adelaide's coastline.  Just three swapping turns would raise the usual effort and standard 2 k turns on the front had returned ; those short sharp shifts of last week might burn up the reserves too soon, so low to mid 30's would ensure we'd all survive the 30 km lap.  (22 degrees would make it a steamy effort anyway).  There'd be four to five times more shifts than Sanctuary's spin so I had no qualms with tempo being a tad slower.  Eyes went straight on me when nobody else turned up, so I obliged by doing the 3200 metres to the truck route.  

The sharpened sense of wind direction most of us develop when taking up this two wheeled addiction told me a northeaster was breezing at the brow, a little extra push needed from the legs to make mid 30's appear on the Garmin.  The truck route gave us an extended intermission for peak hour traffic (3 cars and a B double).   Tina took on leg two to Orrvale Rd while I swung to the rear for a little respite ; Oh great! I get the matchstick-like draft of the Ninja for recovery!  I was  delivered to the Kinder where turn two began, the northeaster putting a load on the legs when swinging east into Jameson Rd.   Mid 30's seems to be my sweet spot of late, gets the engine warmed up but without blowing a head gasket.  (I looked forward to less labor in Boundary Rd though!)  Tina and the Ninja towed me there.  

Progress was easier bearing north....or was I imagining it?  The tank wasn't empty at the bridge so continued to Old Dookie, such a contrast to yesterday when I was on the rivet just 2 km/h faster.  (Go figure Foss!)  Tina preserved the mid 30's pace to New Dookie Rd (and she reckons she's off form!), the Ninja towing us to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd where, in Emil's absence, I felt duty bound to drive a long turn to Lemnos Nth Rd.  The wind was now my friend anyway.  Hats off to Tina when handed the reigns at Ford Rd, she dug deep to drive the long leg to Grahamvale.  The 5ft Ninja did the proper martyr's shift, west to Verney and south to Balaclava ranked it as an Emil effort, no motivation needed for any of us to get to the Butter Factory where iced coffee was the prescription for a sweaty spin. Doubts about the wind direction were answered by the bureau's stats - calm!  Another go figure!

26/1 Doin' the Dookie distance.

I'd found Bruce and Lenny on a very casual cruise to Wednesday's start-line and got the guided tour of Sanctuary's side streets till 5:40 neared, psyching myself up to do the longer ride planned for the Australia Day holiday.  (Dookie and back with a loop of the hills would clock up a hundred.  It had been many moons since dialing up those sort of k's, convincing the head it was achievable was the hard part!)   GiantAndy, Wozza, Rocket, Lenny, Lance, Bruce, the 5ft Ninja, Tina, Liam, Greg, Jen and Grumpy assembled, suitably psyched, so if they were braving the distance, why shouldn't I? 

There was a good mix of division one and two so it wasn't as if I was the Honda 90 lining up on the Moto GP grid!  This would be a standard Saturday circuit to begin, up to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd but then east to Cosgrove then via the Camel Farm to Dookie.  Just my luck to have an easterly breeze brewing with a turn due in River Rd.  Promoted to the front at the bridge, I was relieved to hear Greg was keen to ease the hurry, there were plenty of k's to cover yet.  I'd reached the expected end of the shift (the dip), rolled to the left and found GiantAndy my partner in pace.  Talk about teaming up with torque!  But a gentleman he was to turn down all that horsepower and stay level as I labored to the quarter horse stud.  

I should have joined division two's queue ; they'd timed their appearance at the business end with the breeze at the port side.  The headwind didn't hamper Lenny and Bruce headed toward Cosgrove, I'd certainly be easing off the throttle when given the lead role again.  Lenny u-turned for home at the Quarry, there was no holiday for him. A second shift was beside Greg to New Dookie Rd then paired with GiantAndy for the first k of Kellows, aimed at the Camel farm.  That was enough energy spent for now, I needed what little was left for those things called hills to come.  North on Caniambo Rd then up Sutherland's hill flooded the head with (painfully slow) memories of mounting mountains.   A lot of the sprockets, usually covered in cobwebs, soon had a chain cleaning them!  Without so much as a grunt or groan or eyelid batted, GiantAndy changed up to the 53/11 to grind up the hill. Not intimidating at all!   

Through Dookie, Tina and Lance chose the option of a steady tap to Tallis and back while the rest continued on the Devenish Rd to Duggans to climb a few more lumps.  I was happy to drop off the back of the bunch and take a slightly slower approach, prevents blowing a gasket (besides, it's better to deal with your demons alone)  They didn't get more than a k ahead so I'm not that snail-like after all!   To Major Plains Rd and working west toward Tallis, the chain got associated with the 38 ring to get me up the hill, Bruce then Wozza and Grumpy had kindly come back to tow me back to Dookie.  

The clan had assembled in town to top up bidons and fuel the tanks for the 30 km return, blessed to be gifted a tail-wind home.  Overtime on the Fizik was taking it's toll by now and legs forced to climb those thing called hills had filed an AVO so I'd confined myself to the caboose for a few minutes as Rocket and Wozz flew the 40's flag toward Cosgrove, hoping that a little respite would re-invigorate. To the Pine Lodge church and south to the Toaster, a sort of second wind came to face the front again, Bruce giving me the choice of pace to School Rd and Tina tackling a turn to Central Ave.  There was relief to get to town as temperature climbed, iced coffee and chat at the Butter Factory a fitting finish for 116 km. 

28/1 Way to start the day!

Holiday makers had returned! Sanctuary Drive was standing room only for Friday's family re-union, Boof, Lenny, Bruce, Wozza, Kim, PistolPete, Kel, Emil, Tina, Didak, the 5ft Ninja, The Godfather, Jen, Gazza, Bo and Greg had filled the 5:40 grid.  Wozza and Gazza broke the PistolPete tradition of first cab off the rank but it wasn't long till news reached the front of bits being broken off the back. (17 reactions at the start-line could mean a 30 second deficit to the rear I guess). Feels like 26 with a hot northeaster would stir up a sweat (a far cry from the torment of June) and wasn't I the fortunate one to be second wheel in the left line ; 16 others needed to serve their sweat before duty called me!   Lenny had hurried from an alarm malfunction and overlooked it being kit day but The Godfather's excuse for being out of uniform was caused by calories I'm told (strangely, Bo seemed to be in some sort of tight situation too) 

Another scenic sunrise brewed on the horizon, drawing the train toward rooster corner while the Adelaide holiday-makers faced the reality of life back on the flat-lands and work's time clock.  I'd finally been demoted to the back nearing One Tree Dam so being promoted all the way up to the drivers seat looked likely somewhere west on Old Dookie (with the wind in my favor if I'd played my position right). Kim was on the red-line as PistolPete guided us toward the highway so a gap was opened in the left line for her to seek shelter while Wozza played human shield in the right.  The Godfather's greeting at the highway to southbound Cats shattered the silence  (I think they've missed their daily dose of abuse while he's been away!)   

Aside from minimizing the work at the business end, it's good to have almost a full crew back for the social satisfaction (the tow from 16 wasn't bad either!) Turning west with the wind no longer whistling between the ears delivered relief in Old Dookie Rd, Greg bid his adieu at School Rd while I followed Jen's wheel in the promotion forward. Wozz and Tina kept the speed simmering to the truck route.  Matching Jen on the sprint to SPC was my one and only appearance at the front but it called on all the muscle I could muster.                      

This week 313 km   YTD 1093 km       

The martyr's mood.

 Post #629

A question of conformity.

A blend of hopefuls and horsepower assembled for Saturday's spin, not too heavily weighted one way or the other so the speed should settle somewhere between snoring and suffering.  Naturally, PistolPete pointed us south and, just for a change, Bo was his partner in pace to Mitchell Rd.   Boof, Molly, Greg, The Godfather, JJ, BeerMat, the 5ft Ninja, Lance and TatMat trailed behind. Emil seemed set on speed to Central Kialla or was those pair of red led's ahead his bait? Out of the easterly and bearing north toward River Rd , curls gave Tina's identity away, 3ft wide handlebars meant Nev was back on that mtb.  (Everyone else can turn up on a road bike, but not Nev. Here we go again, avoiding being impaled!)  

On the front and bound for River Rd, energy was evaporating half way, so granted a short shift beside Emil, I rolled to pair with Greg for the second k.  River Rd couldn't arrive soon enough!  The will wanted to get there but there wasn't the wattage to match.  Greg's careful use of the throttle kept everyone aboard for the eastern effort toward Coach Rd, the 5ft Ninja hopeful that TatMat and The Godfather would endure the east northeaster and stay at the front till rooster corner.  The sense of being skewered became overwhelming as Nev drew close alongside (he's a space invader at the best of times so scoring a steel pole between the ribs felt possible.  Mtb bars tangled within road bars doesn't bear thinking about.  Oh, for the want of conformity!)  JJ had the pleasure of pairing with Nev on Coach Rd, Lance, BeerMat, Tina and Molly conveniently classed together, line astern, ready to make their contribution. 

 PistolPete and TatMat provided the horsepower to push through the wind toward the Toaster while Bo and Emil crept the pace up to the Pine Lodge church in a "mine's better than yours" pairing of pace.  I wasn't playing that game when my turn came due (despite Emil's eagerness to stay half a bike ahead), 36-37 was my limit if I were to reach Lemnos-Cosgrove in a conscious state then provide some sort of pace west.  How fortunate to have that east northeaster helping the way west, Greg showed respect for senior citizens to level with me toward Woolshed Rd, the shattered remains of a tree branch had formed a chicane there so it seemed fitting to ease the speed and call my shift done. 

Boof had kindly kept the handbrake on his horsepower so it wasn't a peloton of pain for others;  I can bang on about riding on the limit but for a few it's a battle to supress speed.  Velocity had simmered nicely past DECA on Wanganui Rd but Emil had itchy feet 300 metres from the Mount and launched a bid for line honors (the absence of Wozza and Rocket from the bunch may have had something to do with it?) but there was little interest shown by others for the winners trophy (not that there is one!)   Emil was still well ahead in Rudd Rd and the urge to chase became irresistible for some by then, the line soon stretched long and Indian filed on the Boulevard while the rearmost regretted the chase (but hung on for the sake of finishing in formation?)   Petulant tennis players, Dakar trucks and the unraveling of Covid restrictions made the breakfast conversation back at the Butter Factory base station. 

17/1 Injun' file.

Monday's seem like starting from scratch.  Take a day off the bike, muscles and joints seize up and there' a struggle to deliver anything resembling speed a day later.  (Or is that just me?)    Maybe rigor mortis setting in already?  Swinging a leg over the bike two minutes earlier and going gentle on the rusty old engine was a sensible introduction, a couple of k's later almost able to match Emil's enthusiasm to get to the Sanctuary start-line. (Kim was the wise one sitting in the draft)  The National Road Championship and many on route to visit Adelaide (for the Tour Down Under that isn't) had thinned the grid to Bo, Lenny, Kim, Greg, Kel, the 5ft Ninja, Tina and Emil.  Wasn't it weird to have Lenny lead us south to Mitchell Rd (almost as kind as PistolPete in priming the pace)   Emil was keen to play co-pilot, but with limited numbers, most had stayed Indian file behind Lenny.  (It's nothing personal Emil!)   So a single line it was behind Emil as he assumed the lead to Central Kialla (and Lenny graciously took another turn to tow us to River Rd).  There's a big shift in mindset when pace-line becomes the protocol, with no need to match the horsepower alongside and a shift can be as long or short as you like (if you can block out the expectation of conforming to the standard length shifts) Greg headed the first effort east on River Rd so I prepared to face the music at the bridge (if he conformed to those shift standards!)   Without the pressure of a co-pilot alongside I had a chance to ease or raise the speed, so sneaky me backed off the throttle a tad to benefit Kim (or was it Tina?) when duty called them to drive.  

I had the benefit of a few breaths left at the shift's end too.  (just a k or two off the cruise control can mean the difference between surviving or suffering)   A bit beyond the dip (waiting for the car that was called to come) It was Kim I handed the reigns to and she kept the speed at a simmer, the northeaster of little trouble to her tempo.  Tina had surprised us being at the Sanctuary grid before flagfall and still managed a decent drive at the front (or was she being nagged by Bo behind?)  He finished off River Rd for Kel to drive us north.  At this rate of turns there'd be another donation to deliver at the front.  The 5ft Ninja did her bit to the highway, that northeaster wearing away the wattage by the time the pub came into view.  Emil was careful winding up the tempo on Boundary Rd and let Lenny loose in Old Dookie Rd, the wind now behind us lowering stress and raising speed.  Nudging the 40's, Lenny dragged us to Central Ave where i calmed the velocity a fraction so I could reach the truck route without heart failure (and to favor a few that were nearing their limit)  Kim took on the shift to SPC but Emil stole the drivers seat just 100 metres on.  I reckon he'd be taxed heavily later on.  Hell hath no fury........ 

18/1  Being bait.

I'd grown tired of fighting northeasters and Tuesday spared me from that.....a stiff southerly was blowing right at me instead!   It's that time of year when the weather becomes a lucky dip.  Squirrels had ventured south to support the slim Sanctuary numbers and today the squad had thinned to just Lenny with squirrels Jen, Tina, Kim, Emil and the 5ft Ninja.  Bo must have broken a fingernail? Or had the sound of the wind kept him in his cot?  Only seven meant single file again so there was little fret about placement in the pack.  

In fact, I had the dream berth at third wheel, destined to have the 2k shift to River Rd with the southerly as support.  Emil made sure heart-rates weren't on holiday with a quick move to Central Kialla so when I was handed the helm, speed could be set to suit me.  36 - 37 seemed to meet approval though guilt of being a tailwind thief got to me, so I stayed put at the front to to do the east leg to River Rd's bridge too (there had to be some toil in a turn).   I knew there'd be no rest handing the lead to Jen so had spared a bit of wattage to hang on.  

The lights of the shop squad at Tuesday tempo (that means something approaching supersonic!) were in pursuit behind.  Tina and Kim emptied their energy into reaching rooster corner.  Fate had been fair to the 5ft Ninja gifting her a tailwind to the highway, those shop squad lights now looming large.  We'd become the bait in their scheme of speed.  Lenny led the Boundary Rd leg toward Old Dookie and built the velocity into the 40's but the shop squad (Boof, Liam, Rocket, Wozza, TrackStan, Gazza and birthday boy Bruce (close to detonation) shot past like we'd pulled the brakes on.  Bruce didn't seem to be enjoying his birthday present.  Lenny kindly avoided a chase and stayed at our prior pace, even continuing at the front on Old Dookie to School Rd.  Emil took on the task to Central Ave where I sensed a deja vu of yesterday's drive through Dobson's, but Emil had that martyr's mood again to continue to the truck route.  I got the SPC shift.

19/1  Less is more.

I hadn't done a solo commute in ages but a southerly fair in the face kept me company to Sanctuary Drive, just to make sure most of my wattage was almost drained before the ride.  Rocket, Greg, Grumpy, Wozza, the 5ft Ninja, Bruce, Tina and Lenny converged at the roundabout to prove less is more ; less of the usual players but more with the horsepower.   Rocket and Bruce assumed the PistolPete position to guide us to Mitchell Rd, the bunch blessed with muscle power but I reckoned Wednesday's social speed standards may stick.  

The order of duty got sorted and I found myself on the Ninja's wheel ; I wouldn't call it a draft and the word slipstream is a grossly exaggerated description, though Grumpy and Lenny a couple of wheels ahead did disturb the air a little.  Abiding to Rule # 86 is the done thing, particularly in a bunch of mixed divisions,  the guys with wattage to burn are kind enough to halve their horsepower on a Wednesday, the least I can do is ease the effort a fraction to stay alongside Tina and the 5ft Ninja as they faced the front.  The southerly was a nuisance on River Rd but our best friend on Coach Rd. (you can bet it'll change tomorrow!)  

Darkness seems to cloak morning longer or maybe the cloud cover and "feels like 12" had me imagining winter's closing in already?  The Hurtlocker were huffing and puffing their way south at the Broken bridges (not that we gloated with the breeze at our behind toward the highway) but just a hint of winter soon will have them vanish for the rest of the year I suppose.  Rocket and Bruce took lead role on Boundary Rd, the social speed amplified a little with the tailwind (but no complaints recorded).   Greg made a short second shift on Old Dookie Rd to keep to his agenda of a School Rd exit and I'd been rostered for a second drive at Central Ave, keeping considerate with the Ninja and Tina again.  Indian file for the final fling to SPC has become habit, the pace through the streets toward coffee as keen as ever.

20/1 

Four foot ten worth of Ninja (she gets a bonus 2 inches in cleats and helmet) proposed shorter shifts when just Jen, me and her met up at the squirrels start-line.  Rather than the usual 2 k turns at the front, a k or so with a bit more pace would elevate the effort a bit, half the usual field would double the workload anyway!  The change would be as good as a holiday and minimal recover time would sharpen the focus too (none of that daydreaming in the caboose waiting for duty!)   I was given the opening act in Channel Rd so the aim at Kensington's roundabout was less daunting than the truck route 2.2 km away.  Was a build up to 35 km/h too much too soon?  

Hell no! Jen added another kilometre to the hour when she faced the front.  Speed becomes an infectious thing in a group and the change of format threw a fair amount of incentive into it.  The 5ft Ninja got Jen and I out of the saddle to catch her drive toward the Orrvale school, no rest today though 'cause her elbow beckoned me to the front soon after.  (this was going to be a busy morning in the office!)  And so Channel Rd used up several shifts at the business end without any respite, what felt like an easterly was wearing away at the reserves but Boundary Rd would be better.  Given the lead again at Channel Rd's end, the spin to the pub seemed to short, so set Hosie Rd as a target for Jen to take the reigns.  Less time in the drivers seat was hard to get used to, but two minutes and I'd be on duty again.  I wondered if this shorter shift scenario would get approval when all squirrels were aboard?  (I might put it to the research and development committee for review)  

Northbound to Lemnos-Cosgrove Rd was marginally easier so hopes got set for less stress for the way home (forget that fantasy Foss, it felt like a headwind there too!)   The three of us divided the drive to Lemnos North Rd where I chose the martyr's option of the 2.6 k's to Grahamvale Rd, a reward of respite for the gals for their determination.  Not a lot of recovery after though, Jen put her worth of wattage to Verney Rd and the Ninja drove us all the way south to Balaclava. Not so short shifts to finish the lap but maybe it was burning up the excess enthusiasm for the early arrival at the Butter Factory?  

21/1  Ready to ride at a bit before stupid o'clock, I sat and finished my coffee, contemplating what the ride would bring. And promptly woke at 5:55!  Rest day signaled loud and clear.

 

This week 246 km   YTD  780 km