YHC was roused in the middle of the night again, pitch black and blinking as the alarm insisted it was time to be up..everything else was certain it was not. Not even a hint of Bdouble or essence de truck out on the Old Northern, it was definitely dark out there.

Motion by pedal to the Loftus rendezvous, in a deliciously cool predawn daze.. YHC resumed automatic pilot while the brain claimed one or two moments of REM making one last attempt at a sleep cycle.

Danny the Boy and TD arrived within mere seconds of each other from different directions, kicking the OTPe in action with a minute up the sleeve. TD on the Bundy ( one day he may be able to afford gears on it but not today, it was configured with some tiny cog on the back and was looking for pain ) Dtb and YHC found a gap in the Beecroft traffic and sauntered into the rollercoaster lottery, TD held back and chased, but as there were multiple red lights we all arrived at the railway tunnel well gassed and perhaps a PB up the ramp. Alas I had selected the wrong gear ( must have put the wrong legs on ) DtB and TD flew past, leaving YHC in the dust.. The rest they say is history.. OTPe is really is a ride of two halves.. the good bit was over, and now there is a ridiculous roundabout network of interconnecting back streets which spit you out at Delhi Rd.and then interrupt normal progress by a succession of traffic lights and junctions.  Lobbster set a cracking pace from Vimera, a rolling boil for the 15 minutes up the 3 Epping climbs..YHC was cooked to a turn by pacific highway only to be overdone at Scaramanga.. limped over the SHB in time to rearrange the tables at B&T. Composure was just re-established as the ER OTP arrived and a pretend nonchalance betrayed by steam and sweat.

ERs arrived from all points, the new Manly chapter arriving as the first wave was leaving, the TSS was also a visitor, 9 weeks off the bike and feeling it, banter and tall stories of week end rides, Canberra, MTB exploits, 200plus Audax, Goader’s hill fest, there was pathos, hyperbole..all the devices used..

Choice abounds for the return rumble, blazing sunshine expected as afternoon is misnamed as evening.

Have a great day all

BT

The garbage trucks of Monte Dural were running a little later than usual so YHC was not roused from slumber until the last minute.. a quick cup of tea followed by a positioning drive to the Gordon car park ensued.. then realised that the temperature was at a barmy 8C ..shocking considering there was no warning of these near wintery conditions. I thought global warming had taken care of this.

Good thing there is always the Rapha jacket option curled up in the bottom of my kit bag.. you know you all want one.. well you would if you knew the fact that Rapha gear makes all conditions perfect for a ride into town.

A mere dozen on the pedals accumulated on the OTP , mallows all, crystal pace in for the Friday relax and recuperate session before Goaders launches a team into the stratosphere via every hill in the district, or Flash saw tooths his way through 15 gorges.

Slight overcast then saw us shivering into the Hills of Death, YHC quietly falling to the rear of the peloton and offering a few sympathetic words to those laughing in the rear carriage..and then got overhauled by the B2B peloton , the effervescent Mike Peppou greeting us with “did you think this was the stragglers of the ER peloton.. “ to which I replied “ no I am the straggler of the ER peloton”..

Good thing everyone waited for me at the Hill St stop.. by now I was breathing a little better and could carry on a conversation with the best of them. The sun poked its nose out behind the clouds and things started to look much more like the weekend. The group was split and reformed through Chatswood, our “highway patrolman” on the white Beamer Bike managed to negotiate a safe passage past us without cosying up and all was well with the world..problems all discussed, resolved, mooted and minimised.. exactly what you need on a commute.

Bar Fredo ..hmmm nice sunshine, we moved their tables out from under the shade into the blinking light..and they managed to delay the moment of delivery of caffeine almost to perfection..YHC was gagging for coffee, and could barely contain the enthusiasm for it, just about every order of food was trotted out before a single wiff of the large flat white.

Busses are a booked for the GG and all points of interest north at the usual times, YHC will hopefully be on an early one..may have to delay to join the 5:15 express. A beer is already calling..

Have a great day all

BT

YHC hereby congratulates the ER legends of the Newcastle express.. consider yourselves “Hard” no quibble.

Another perfect start to the day, all settings seem to be set on “perfect” cannot seem to wind it back to normal.. 13C, viz 10,000 m or more,  sky clear, traffic still at holiday levels ( except on the turra bottleneck)  thus it was big Monday turnout..  YHC running a little early had a short rest at the Bullet point on PH before joining the fray into town.

Sunnies now are standard for the roll in, ER kit should now include  “eyewear”  perhaps our fashionistas could find a suitable manufacturer and then be able to supply at as a ridiculously low price to match the rest of the ER kit. ( just thinking out loud here )

A large gaggle of riders accumulated at the Gordon launch, no matter how many times  I tried to count it would not go above 20.. A Captains ride, ( astride the Pina.. adds at least 5kmh to his average )however in Rawhiti st over the first traffic calming bump, our fearless leader dropped his banana.. was forced to turn around and collect it, avoiding being one piece of fruit short of the full picnic.

Banter and bonhomie were the watchwords of the day, much to banter about, did I mention the 320 plus ride to Newcastle.. backslapping and much doffing of caps to the offenders.

What followed was a standard ER ride, courtesy, easy pace, everyone watching out for each other by calling hazards, and safe play through the junctions and intersections all the way to town.

No accidents, incidents, mechanicals to report.. unless you count Bullet on the bomber whispering to his rear wheel in Chatswood. In all perfect…

And thus it remains one of the north shores most enjoyable modes of transport, something to trumpet on street corners and begin this year’s new recruitment drive..

On that note, Have a great day all

BT

Another superlative morning for a ride into town, YHC rolling into the car park at Gordon a sufficiently  polite time behind the Captain to avoid a conflict in car position.. the Captain’s reserved parking  duly performing its required task. Opening the car door to be hit in the face by a wall of cold air.. didn’t global warming fix that ?

There were initially a very small crowd girding their loins in the appointed spot, awaiting the appointed hour..but just as it looked like a “traditional” ER ride with only about 5 riders, who should show up but all the usual suspects..and a “traditional” ER Captains ride ensued.

BOF on time, sending Teflon ahead at a canter, and due to many calls of Car back, the remaining peloton filtered out on a single file basis, to string out into the HOD in a very ship shape and Bristol fashion.  Single file for most of it.. and slow like a pro Friday..even Drastic would have been impressed.  Traffic flowing freely, cordial relations, courtesy and safety hand in hand..just what you need for a tremendously enjoyable commute.

20 or so in the peloton, the heavy weights hanging back to assist Bullet with his rear, which is still slightly askew, probably needs a new axle, spacer and lock washer to hold things in place. Steady pace, and typical shredding through the Chatswood steeplechase, pulsations of ERs regrouping as per standard at Tindale for a well aspirated roll through Artarmon. The path again providing a single track for a single file and easy march through scaramanga, narrem burn, to the next regroup at Crow’s.. YHC rolled on as a safety group was called so stretching the ER elastic once more into a thin yellow line.

North Sydney did its thing as usual, however YHC having led the safety group forward caught all the greens, ( a privilege usually reserved for Andy Schleck..) and thus was first in the coffee shop..and in the sunny spot at that ( yes YHC was not at B&T.. having slipped through to Bar Fredo to sup and sip in the sun )

How good is that ? and to think some people actually take a train..

Remember to find some time to give the NSW gov some feedback..see yesterday’s for the URL…

Have a great one all

Fisticuffs starts at 5:15 for the GG  return bout.

Cheers

BT

Traditional Egg and Tomato breakfast today, the flavour was ‘perfect’ , compliments to the Chef.. the plate was a little bare to start with as the entree was served early , without  condiments of GOTFR or Incidents.

Once the main course was served though, another crescendo of colour and frivolity, leaving the palate slightly overwhelmed.. had to bite my tongue through Killara as a Highway patrol wannerbee on a BMW MotorCycle tried to make intimate (*&%&) to Clutters.. OS had to have words at the lights, a muffled reply that could have been Russian was all our hero could grunt from behind his full face helmet and F1 flame retardant hood.

Suitably Spiced the peloton rolled through to the B&T for a cleansing Coffee and banter.. gently paced, well aspirated so spirits were high.. behaviour exemplary, but formation en route could be tighter.

YHC rolling past the Fort St school was waylaid by the very nice people from the City Of Sydney, who were there to pour oil on stormy waters created by the passing of a Force Ten puff piece about unruly cyclists nearly hitting the kids going to school.. ( Our very own Captain was due to meet with the principal of the school to discuss options and schmooze where BicycleNSW are MIA )

So picking through their freebie basket I trousered a Hi Viz strip ( and one for Bullet ) enjoying some witty conversation as one does , and the upshot is they are asking for all cyclists to visit the following site at some point and ‘have your say “ .. www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au

B&T – wall to wall.. 30 plus shouting room only..waifs and strays , various chapters from all points converging for a quiet conversation and cool down having enjoyed the second best way to start the day.  ( where is our Flash ?? departed Turra.. but DNS )

We will be doing this all again soon.. can’t wait.

Have a good one all

BT

After chugging down only 1/3 of the beast charred to perfection at the BBQ.. YHC was looking to expend a little energy on the OTPe this morning, and was up well before the dawn to pump up the tyres and oil the chain ( it’s all about performance ).

On the road at an early 5:45, the sun was well up, heralding daylight saving soon which only means even less sleep than required for good health.. but also a chilled 12C air temp whistling past the ears, therefore bike comfort only high when pedalling hard.

A strange quiet on the Old Northern Road, perhaps only 4 cars actually went past, no trucks, that magic sweet spot before the mayhem of Castle Hill rd and somehow more single person vehicles intent on averaging 80 in a 60 except where the speed camera resides.. YHC making the no left turn into Victoria in record time and then once more into the bliss of solitude and damn arrived at Loftus with 10 minutes to wait for the OTPe off.

DtB DNS ( under the weather was the excuse straight out of the Captains book  U and W ..soon will be scraping  XYand Z ) ZZZZZ being slept in..had to take the bus ..

TD and Dobbo providing witty repartee and wheels to chase, TD having visited the bike whisperer yesterday was suffering still from Crank Creak..perhaps he needs a little Teflon on them..( oh that’s right Teflon could not stand the noise so gave them to TSS to get rid of.. what goes around..)

The ‘ping road rollercoaster 3 spirited climbs later put us in the box seat for an early B&T arrival. And as that first swig hit the palate and shortly after caffeine to the brain, YHC worked out that it is school holidays so hence the delicious lack of traffic. No incidents, no GOTFRs, just the second best way to start the day.

Hopefully many happy returns this evening, choose your bus wisely

Cheers

BT

There is a cockerel somewhere near the garret on the col de Monte Colah.. and 4:05 is his witching hour.. calling the first rays of sunshine on the peak miles above the valleys..unfortunately this means YHC awakes with thoughts of Cock au Vin and or Creme Poulet.. administered of course with extreme prejudice.

Blearing out into a bright dawn and onto a bike though is perhaps the only remedy sufficient to change ones mood..and this morning’s extravaganza was written by a virtuoso.. moisture reduced to near zero, temperature raised to a balmy 12C, sun hung at a low angle streaming picture perfect rays onto the tops of the trees..yup even Dylan Thomas would not be  Raging into that dark night..( at least feeling a little relief )

Pushing off with murderous thoughts, quickly faded into the usual fight for breath and power, then once warmed to the task, and backing off into a suitably pleasant cruise, I managed my first GOTFR passing Salisbury road, our hero had to wait for me to pass so at the opportune moment provided YHC with a horned accompaniment, and YHC managed to maintain equanimity ..followed by a PB down Sherbroke to the roundabout. YHC managed a second GOTFR on the short section on Edgeworth David before turning onto Park Ave.. as usual I “command “ the lane by taking up a central position on the right hand lane .. which our hero obviously objects to.. the 100 metres is perhaps 9 seconds of hell after all .. having turned this hero actually speed forward and then took a parking space opposite the oval.. I gave him a tinkle on the bell and a smile with a good morning to polish off..

Catching a Bullet on the Pacific Driveway brought  traffic to a standstill, thus a sedate well aspirated transfer to the launch pad at Gordon..and the usual suspects all gathering for the fray.

20 or so on the OTP, led out by Dave on the snot of 6:45, a BOF rolling into the station seconds behind.. sometimes I think the rail could set their watches by us..

Rolling into the hills of death, a bulge of ERs finest, car back calls being bugled but due to sheer numbers there was a good lag before compliance into single file and by the time the front runners got the message the car was already making its way into the middle of the group.. hmm that safety group idea of 10 to 20 riders leave as soon as they can ahead of the main bunch is looking really good.

The roll into Archer was for some a sweet spot, greens and spaces aplenty, the rear riders managing to cop a red or three, hence you can ride the OTP but never experience the same ride twice. If only Schlecky were aboard, there would have been greens all round.

Tindale regroup turned into a charge through the park, well spaced and in good fashion, YHC managed a PB for that section..yup startled as I was to see it, apparently I have never really given that section any wellie.. even Drastic chuffed past me on his single speed MTB up the last blast..

A swell of riders for the Burlington burn.. ER traffic jam .. interesting to note that 30 single person vehicles in a minute made it through there.. just try that in  cars and see how much longer it takes..

The coffee sprint was comprehensively won by DLHK and Bucky, both had to warp time and space to do it but they were sat in the B&T having ordered before the ER mayhem took place ( alas DLHK had to fetch his own coffee after 15 minutes of waiting..awww )

The congregation was in fine form for a Thursday, fluffers and sniggles OTPs etc all arriving at the same time..ensuring the general public get a display of lycra, and a little glamour that lights up their lives..

Return busses are already reserved, pity there is a little work to do before departure

Have a great day all

BT

Yes , it was dark and cold on Monte Dural this morning, even Tigs the geriatric cat was unwilling to stir and used all claws to cling onto the heated geriatric cat mat rather than go out into the chill. A light overcast and southerly breeze, perfect conditions for a ride into town..just had to find a gap in the truck jam along Old Northern and it was out into the world of cold and pain.. Got tooted within the first 100 metres, and was buzzed by a B double heading into the dip at Hungry Jacks..so nearly killed twice in the first five kms..but YHC is not counting .. much.

605 rendezvous at Edward Bennett Drive.. Danny the Boy a DNS..was not going to hang around as 7C on the clock with a warmed sprint through the Dural Double dipper meant chill factor -10 ..a quick polish of the glasses and roll on..dawdled a bit up to Loftus and lo DtB chuffed by, I had to check the wheels for glass as the bike path was nicely smeared with a VB bottle..and DtB whooshed past. ( only to make sure TD pulled over and waited ) so the Band of ERs OTPe reached a quorum of 3.

TD was aboard the SS, Bundy built by Brownie, so rockets and the Cancellara motor being given a test run, watching his tail light disappear down Beecroft effortlessly. YHC and DtB selecting biggest cogs and smallest cogs to sprint after him. It was only when I checked Strava did I realise he had lead me out to a 5th place on the tunnel climb..nice.( he is of course KOM on that segment )

The rest of the ride for me was through a haze of hypoxia, having fried all the common sense on the easy bit, YHC actually hard to work to keep up and DtB provided the incentive as he seemed to float ahead just out of earshot so he could not hear me cursing. TD fell back and kept me company so OAFASR rules applied. The OTPe is an entertainment, humour and pathos all went into its design, there are parts of flat boring bits, interspersed with short climbs and traffic lights turn offs and shops so you are never left to cruise like a Melbourne commuter..the lights have hidden call buttons and refuse to change unless you apply brute force to the thing in the form of a left hook, followed by multiple palm slaps.. even then they keep you waiting a minute ..or 2 ok up to 3 mins at Lane Cove. ( YHC used these pauses to regain oxygen to the brain )

Before too long you arrive at the Scaramanga climb out, and suddenly it all looks like familiar territory, our peloton observed the Boundary riders all arriving at the Naremburn cafe, which gave us the idea to sprint for the B&T as ERs would be a good 5 mins behind..( refer earlier comments about temperature )

And then TD found a nicer commuter to hang out with as YHC and DtB were shredded through North Sydney, she was blond, blue eyed and on a Colnago.. no competition really. We regrouped at the top of the SHB stairs, and sprinted to B&T for a recovery coffee..

( and it was not long before the might of the ER megolaton arrived from all parts of town having amassed many 1000’s of combined pedalled KMs )

Returns are just as varied, YHC will be tasting the new flavours of M2 westbound.. a TT track hotmix and every contour in the landscape smoothed flat to perfection for a roll home.

Have a great day all

BT

A carbon copy of conditions for the second best way to start the day, with ERs accumulating at all the right places for their saunter along the OTP. Once more there were multiple pelotons departing various suburbs around the very limits of sensibility to ply their way into town by some of the most circuitous routes available.. So ERs tramped LCNP, Akuna Bay and Northern Beaches, ( i think the MTBs took a rest day ) but needless to say kilometres of pedal power were nailed to the strava wall with gusto and panache.

The OTP accommodated the faithful in its magnificence, sun rise hung for a poets eye on departure, blinded by the light at Archer/Chatswood and illuminating the city for a view across the bridge that the great unwashed on the trains never get to see.

9C has to be perfect riding conditions, just cool enough to have to layer up, but gulping in fresh air and needing to keep pedalling to stay warm, it just makes the ride invigorating, without being uncomfortable.

Yup one of these days this riding lark may just catch on..

As we climb out of the depths of winter, with some really interesting spring classics on the cards, now would be a great time to encourage that friend or acquaintance to maybe join in and give this cycle to work thing a try..membership drive if you will but now there are so many people on the ride at all levels of fitness and ability we truly can offer something for everyone.

The B&T may be getting some competition, YHC noticed some people standing outside what was Bistro Lily next door..they are doing lunch and dinner but seeing us out the front of B&T they said if we put in bike racks and a heater for the forecourt perhaps the ERs would switch venue.. ( actually I made that last bit up ) but they were interested to see how much morning traffic is walking past..

All good for the multitude of return rides..Sydney fine one day perfect the next..

Have a great day all

BT

A pea souper in the vicinity of Monte Dural, and a balmy 11C on the dashboard over to Fox Valley, where a mega peloton was gathering in the morning gloom. YHC, B1c, Onya, Elle, DB, Dave, Teflon, Drastic, launched or should that be sauntered towards Gordon, in a well aspirated and nonchalant manner…the fog of course did not last once crossing the Pennant Hills Road it was into the globally warmed and clear felled North Shore. Nice not to have gridlock through Turra but the tailback still reached the top of Pymble hill.

Once in the starting blocks of the OTP a further 10+ girding their loins for a good roll in. DT, TFS, Bullet, mark, Jamie, Turnip the Strati, and uncleTom cobbly and all ( which means the memory is fading too fast to actually recall )

Several incidents to report..viz…

Strati tripped on roll out..and there were no scathing remarks from the stoker.

Once under way HOD were achieved in ER well managed style, mostly single file and multiple car back calls..however..the car traffic were on show today, first one decided to swing a door open at Lindfield, with a string of vernacular, probably a loud good “morning guys great to see you out and about this fine day” but wind noise and banter prevented me hearing the exact comments. Once through to Roseville another passer on the wrong side of the double whites had to barge in when oncoming traffic appeared.. then a car behind noticed the slip road and stormed through at speed, ignoring the stop sign at the far end, barging into the peloton with brakes hard on ..only to be brought to a stop at the junction of Boundary, when everyone deliberately over took “with extreme prejudice” ..ok just a little belligerence..our hero over took on Archer and made a hasty left turn asap..

Regroups and so on seemed to work well, however the elastic must have snapped, as I noticed a small group of about 6 arrived a good 10 minutes late at the B&T.. Another rap for DT who was shepherding the stragglers.

B&T once more providing essential sustenance to all, a hot coffee minimum..but for some you have to have friends.. alas seating still a little challenging for our host, good thing there are planters all around as each was occupied. 3 more ER pelotons arrived the Epping, Fluffers, and LCNP contingents all arriving after all seats were taken..incentive perhaps for a speedier ride or earlier departure, but if you don’t want to be up before you go to beds perhaps byo stool.

Returns planned for all the usual times along all the usual route options..( except perhaps the Flambie as DLHK is now cooling off in Paris ) it is apparently forecast to turn cold and perhaps wet in the next few days which reminds me to restate the July challenge of riding every working day ..while staying up to watch the TDF …

Q is there a TDF sweep ? is anyone bold enough to back Cadel ?, will Alberto really ride ? Is there a Schlek in the race ?

Have a great day all

BT