Morning all

Smashing day for the spin in with only 25 or so out on the pedals to enjoy it.

Many newbies and recent joiners taking the strain; welcome to Marks x 2 from the West of the Pacific Highway Sect; Andrew from Chatswood, Ian from Gordon, John from Macquarie (sorry mate not sure where you start) – all safely mingling in with the seasoned campaigners.

C.Hippo not disclosing the make date or weight of his replacement frame, due to hit these shores later this week. Trust it will adorn the tomato and egg colours for full effect.

B1 Chris complaining of a whipping on the return journey last night at the pedals of BamBam, who’s still operating on one lung. BamBam thought it was the other way around so a stewards enquiry should confirm.

Bullet’s Strava record along Lavendar remains intact. Just putting it out there in case anyone feels inclined to give it a poke.

Awaiting BT’s return from the Pyrenees – looking forward to another Chavanel bidon to add to Bullet’s sacred shrine. Ditto Phantom.

Our Simba rumoured to be recovering well – broken shoulders feigned by the peloton on hearing a female-delivered sponge bath has been necessary for the last month or so. Look forward to your return mate.

The B&T overflowing this morning, standing room only for WBA by the time he got there; dejected, he headed off to issue more patent infringement notices.

(Almost)FTOTM Lunch Club today – remember it’s a new venue – all welcome. Sir Lunchalot issuing terms and conditions shortly.

Normal departure services tonight; 5.15pm and 6pm from SHB South – be sure to keep an eye out for any of our many newcomers to ensure safe passage. Anyone going at alternate times pls ping an email around to find a fellow journeyman, sorry person.

Have a good one all.

Yours in spreadsheets.

Mark/Satnav

Morning all

Slightly brass out and about this morning but not near enough to dissuade the 7 combatants in the barriers at Gordon.

The only incidents to report were (i) Bucky suffering some form of chain mechanical on Scaramanga, later reported by Crashant as being “the result of poor workmanship”, and (ii) my cappucino being spilt on arrival at the B&T.

Stealth was in his now-typical Friday “off the wall” mood which was enjoyed by all. WBA mentioned still extracting desert sands from places we did not enquire. Schleck suggesting the ER Country Tour in October should take in Wilson’s recent jaunt to Newcastle (thence to the Hunter). Derek’s speech was frozen until consumption of first pot of tea. FM Coops suggesting Wiggins wasn’t actually born in the UK. DT looking the part in the Axel Rose bandanna. Agro sharing his views that the Thpanith banking thector ith thtuffed.

Clyde spotted on the return leg of his BEWDIJ challenge, riding back up Miller Street even though he’s having the day off – 100% hit rate so far, well played mate.

Brownie spotted wheeling the track machine up Market Street in prep for the first installment of Raw Track tonight.

New boy AAAndy making his first recruit after only being with us himself for a fortnight – welcome mat out to (very) new boy Graham.

The Strava 6000m crew will be out in force again at sparrows this Sunday morn – all EOI’s to Stealth.

Coffee consumed in the duplicate and off to the office we sped, well crawled.

The 5.15pm is the only bus running on Friday evenings – Derek suggesting the Groin being the first stop.

Can’t wait to BT’s return to get some quality back in to the ride reports.

Have a good one all.

Mark / Satnav

A not-quite-so-brisk-as-yesterday morning greeted the 15 strong peloton gathered at Snives for the off. Yes, 15.

Of particular note:

• no-one was awake at home to wish Clutters a happy birthday. So we all did.
• Wilson looking resplendent aboard the new Paris, Di2 equipped
• NNNick looking similar on a remarkably similar steed
• B1 driving the magnificently restored Peugeot, rightfully thrilled at the turnout to his “shortest day, longest ride” suggestion
• The great VD had returned temporarily from his travels, responding to the lure of the Flutter – great to see you back mate
• Drastique disappointed the throng by not turning up on the SS MTB
• The proprietor of the TSS sported his (newest) Colnago Master
• Dobbo, rumoured to be starting an ER Epping chapter, made probably the longest haul to the start line – kudos muchos
• Schleck looking to put everyone and anyone to the sword aboard the Movistar Pina
• Velo 2073 there in droves – Jim, Clive and new boy Phil – talks of a JV prevailing
• B1 out to show that he’s more than just a 200km on the weekend pony
• Clutters’ mate Mark out to dish out some pain
• and I was there to take the minutes

A lovely run down into the depths of Akuna – no problems with visibility with 15 hella halogens all on bright – and everyone arriving at the bottom safely. Saw another few pelotoa passing the other direction, but none as well turned out as our ER throng. Poor cousins we assume.

The climb out of Akuna saw Drastique playing Hansel to Clutters Gretel by craftily keeping all challengers at bay – “the birthday boy will be teary if we kick his arse up here” I heard commented. Gold Medal Clutters, daylight, well moonlight, second.

A quick regroup and roll call at the WH turn off – everyone looking spritely and toey for the downhill ahead. Good speed through the undulations of Church Point with NNNick dishing out pain by the plateful through this section – obviously keen to see if we could intercept Our Captain on His bus along Pittwater Road, unfortunately not to be seen hanging out the window offering abuse.

Not one to take on the relative flats of Pittwater Road, Clutters took us eastward through a number of hills which was certainly worth the pain – the sunrise over Narrabeen was sensational, with the temperature ramping by the km – not sure these coast dwellers know what a fresh morning is.

To the Manly seafront, equally spectacular, Drastique feigning a puncture to give the group a breather – regroup, on through a new section that again we let our Birthday Boy dictate.

There the fun ended.

• A bloody big hill.
• Hidden by trees until you were half way up.
• No end in sight until peaked.
• Rumoured to be “Col de Clutters”.

“By the looks of some of the faces I’m not sure that was the best move”. Too right. Lucky it was your birthday otherwise you may have heard some of the abuse pent up.

Breathing restored, defibrilators stowed, on through the Spit, up Parriwi, through the poor parts of town to the Bridge, coffee convened at the B&T at 8.15am where Lunchie was skillfully shuffling the pews for our arrival.

A great spin, kudos to all, motion to make a more permanent fixture in the weekly itinerary – possibly cutting out some extended sections to help those who need to be at work a little earlier.

Well done B1 Mike for the concept, Clutters for being born on the darkest day, and everyone for joining in the fun and frivolity in the name of the Tomato and Egg.

Return flights taxiing for 5.15pm and 6 bells.

Have a good one all.

Mark / Satnav

Afternoon all

Belated report – a bit like WBA, hard to start the clock ticking without a report coming through on the wires. Speaking of WBA, Lunchie, Welchie – no sign at the Hill Street bus-stop – wherefor art thou.

DT counted 14 in the gates at Gordon – slightly short of a quorum however we ventured forth notwithstanding into a much dryer commute than yesterday (when we also had 14 hardened gents out).  No sign of BT again however fears were doused when we remembered this is his day on the wind trainer, sorry, working from home I meant.

No incidents, accidents etc which in itself is a great feat given the amount of debris about.

The main talking points were the Strava segments along Lavender Street – there’s two covering that stretch of tarmacadam – and how much of a skilled rider one must be to master that challenging stretch of road……I don’t get many opportunities to boast; Drastique unceremoniously nicked my last record….if he doesn’t get it, Clutters, Schleck, Bam, 1/4 and about 30 others will….

Simba’s last spin for a while – he goes under the knife tomorrow morning. No, not that knife that us older gents more closely associate with. Apparently he keeps throwing his shoulder out when sculling pints, and hence needs some running repairs. Hope it all goes smoothly mate and look forward to your return.

Continuing to enjoy Beebs’ reports, VD’s photos, Wilson’s bike selection discussion…..great stuff all.

BamBam spotted in pinstripe suit astride the Reid – imagine he may have got a bit damp on the return leg following his meeting back to North Sydney.

SHB South for the 5.15pm tack north; 6pm running on time too.

Have a good remainder of the day all.

Mark / Satnav

Morning all

A tight posse of 8 or so on the inbound this morning – safely navigating through fallen trees, sticks and stones etc – applicants for the annual HMOTN award would have benefited from last night’s return buses….those who didn’t have some ground to make up…. Zlatko joining via the Brown’s Waterhole route – reported water was “only up to the bottom bracket last night”.

Flash and Stealth rekindled memories of their time together at 3 Peaks in their little boys room – having disappeared somewhere in Chatswood for a good 10 minutes. Actually neither reported it being good.

TFS spotted running through North Sydney but not seen passing the B&T – suspect the final swim leg across the Harbour may have taken him a little longer with that swell.

A great crowd for Lunch Club yesterday – thanks all for attending – schnitzels weighed heavily on some for the afternoon by all reports.

C.Hippo spotted loitering with intent outside Milsons Point Station awaiting our arrival – rumoured to be back on the wheels next week, look forward to your return mate.

A good chat with Simba this morning re his medical feats in Zambia – a real eye opener – Mike Pye you should hook up for a chat, that being your part of the world.

Amongst the chatter, our Simba was heard saying:

something something something something “Captain” something something something something

From that the B&T crew concluded that Captain has prescribed it mandatory for family members to address Him accordingly. Doorbell ring of the Newport abode: “there’s someone here for you Captain, I’ll get it”.

Track Crack on Sunday 10th June – applications to Drastique ASAP. Lunchalot’s Tour de Dungog coming up shortly too.

Great to see Bucky on Strava hammering the hills around the Sea of Galilee. Awaiting the photos of the famed ER jersey to adorn the website.

With nothing else of substance to report, headed to the office we did.

Departure valves blow at the usual 5.15 and 6pm.

Have a good one all.

Oh, Andy won KOM on his MTB. Daylight second.

Mark / Satnav

Morning all

As the home page suggests, perfect weather for riding in Kuitpo….

A good dozen chaffing at the bit at Gordon for a steady roll in picking up Winkie and 3/4 (in total) in transit. No incidents or accidents to report with a steady pace the order of the day.

A few absences this morning, with the majority of offenders coincidentally doing the Thredbo spin over the weekend. This extended taper will see them with doing the dishes Friday night prior to the 6am depart Saturday – I think that’s what PD mentioned anyway…..

BT firmly entrenched at the B&T when we arrived – something about his carbo loading not permitting him to ride in today. Great to see even those not on the pedals joining for the staple coffee at the B&T each morning.

Shrieks of delight could be heard from the Tower building at Milsons Point at the B&T’s latest recruit. Vic played to the crowd well by requesting a rating be given. Being Sensitive New Age Guys, we thought it inappropriate to comment. Except Clutters whose “10” became an “11” after seconds were served.

Browney of the TSS pulled up on the new Colnago Master – poetry in motion that. Need photos pls. Rumours of a “who has the best” challenge between Browney, Craig, Flash and Quarter. Ernesto would be well proud.

A number of new boys out and about currently, gradually getting onto the email list and website. Newbies pls feel free to email the group (via the googlegroup for now) if you’re not sure where to hitch up or who’ll be there when you do. Numbers will be down a little tomorrow however normal services will still run.

Now the website is becoming presentable we plan to get moving on some more proactive marketing. TV appearances and all that stuff. Watch this space. I’ll stick to radio for obvious reasons.

Normal departures this evening; 5.15pm and 6pm

Have a good one all.

Regards

Mark / Satnav

Morning all

Damp under pedal again this morning however little to dampen the enthusiasm of the true HMOTN – from memory 8 in the stalls at Gordon including Apprentice HMOTN Colnago Craig, in ER colours and all.

BT had hardly raised a sweat by Gordon and can confirm that he was in similar shape at the meeting point of the West of the Pac Hwy Sect at 6.30; all that training and advice by the Pampster coming through. The umbrella and keys to the Subaru may have played a part.

No interest in Rhodes today although rumour circulating Bam donned the togs and waded through.

No thrills or spills this morning – lucky you didn’t stack this morning Rowds as we would have only seen you from the neck up, as that corner was deep underwater. Hope you’ve recovered OK.

Excellent casual spin home last night with Rabs, Flash, and two other potential new recruits we’re hoping to rein in during the day.

Arrival safely at the B&T where discussion soon turned to professional matters (as most mornings do) where Chippo announced that he churns out around 250 tweets a day; fortunately he does his paid work in 2 minutes being the target of efficiency to which we all can aspire.

Patent Attorney pinup boy WBA was unbelievably heard to mutter the words “copy” in reference to jerseys.

BT gave us the run through of the readings from Pamp’s thermometer up the Khyber and what it meant for his form going forward. Interesting stuff.

Groin strain scheduled for 5.15pm this evening from SHBS; suspect other departures at 15 min intervals thereafter.

Have a good one all.

Mark / Satnav