A dull overcast this morning made for a grey somewhat chilly dawn. Jumping into the Subaru and away, there was a sudden rush of blood to the head and I found myself parking off Fox Valley just for the extra warm up required…Teff was already at the ER bus stop once I had geared up, and soon there was Ravi and B1c for a small if not perfectly formed groupetto ready for the second best way. Mike had a few chosen words about the tight fit of the Continental Gatorskin..which was met with some suggestions about using lube and a little more force. Tef actually puts his on an old rim for a day or two first..anything to stretch it so that you can be swift at the side of the road.

Rolling into the Gordon bus stop, and onto what is now becoming a normal 15 to 20 odd riders…I say odd …some wearing superman socks with open toed sandles..some on MTBs others on vintage steel antiques..( and old bikes too ) .

The peloton took off in two by two order, similar to what a real peloton should look like, a formation that lasted all of about 100m ..although it was generally narrower than normal, the hills of death , Lindfield , Chatswood all traversed with style and aplomb…Tindale and KOM…( deep inhale and …) the party line is we take it real easy on the SUP as plenty of traffic at this time of year makes for a dangerous potential accident..YHC can remember last year seeing a lot of blood on the ground and paramedics attending some poor gentleman in the dip before the KOM.. not having any fun at all..

This morning we missed a similar incident by a gnats whisker..so please all take more care especially where speed and surface are concerned..the oncoming traffic cannot stop in the dip and there are usually leaves and debris on the corner at the bottom of the dip. In aviation terms this would be called an “Incident” and the man from  CASA investigations  would council all parties concerned and remove a license or two pending a review of training and perhaps require a new examination by a testing officer. Luckily all you have is a  RANT about safety.

A view from the top of the KOM was a cafe full of the Boundary riders…great to see the MAMILs in their natural habitat…

The Burlington sprint …” no speakies “ was all Bullet could manage having turned a short section of road into a window of the vision splendid..a dark tunnel with blinding light ..not quite ready to step across the void he chose to turn away…and rejoin the living, but with that ethereal look of someone who has just had a near death experience.

B&T were pumped this morning, dispensing coffee with wit and repartee, several new waitresses in ER colours..Suggestions that Bullet would talk to his people to talk to Vics people and arrange a retro show at the MCA…all way above my head ..no idea what they were referring to …and if you ever hear of “ Jack Hunter “ let me know in what context..that is Vic’s stage name…

All good for a scheduled on time departure this evening, it seems the 6ers have been getting more popular, making the return almost as much fun as the commute in.

Have a good one all

BT

Goood Morning Vietsydney. Well yet another paradise roll into town, the chill rapidly being expelled by a spring sun, and then there is the delicious aroma of a post rain event..does it get better than this…

Hard men of the North, joined this morning by a new comer “Wardy” ( as yet undubbed ) for the second best way to start the day. Wardy one of Herb’s mates was astride a Madone..showing real promise but as it was his second ride ( after the troll around the block from the bike shop ) he may not have realised where on the learning curve he actually was…Herb I think made sure that he was not alone on the one true path long after the ER peloton had steamed into the distance…

A swiftish attack of the hills of death, followed by the usual regroup at Roseville, saw numbers swell to about 25..YHC was distracted from a departure tally by Bucky who protested loud and long about the new adage to his ride name, of “the grate”..Bucky the grate..harsh as his encounter with the wheel eating hazard did not include a trip to Casualty and plaster of paris jacket..

One of our Ute brethren went seeking attention today, the 30 seconds it takes the peloton to pass the length of Hill Street being too much of a delay, our hapless driver tooting the horn initially and then when that did not make the peloton disappear, he then started hurling verbal assistance to the horn, and finally an ill timed acceleration over the double whites straight into the path of oncoming traffic..to which he then just pulled into the middle of the peloton..and attempted a turn into Victoria St..Lunchie was in the way so a swerve to avoid followed by an intentional swerve back in to intimidate ensued…at this point the peloton swooped, our Ute was quickly surrounded and let’s just say a few raised voices…not a “best “ way to start the day by any means..

BT preaching from the book of Cycle Martyrs..calls upon all Cyclists everywhere to riot in the…ahem sorry..be a bit more chilled around testosterone fuelled Utes..their frustrations should not become our problems ..and when metal meet flesh even at slow speed…it is never an even contest. ( YHC has been guilty of provoking confrontations but since the road to Damascus preaches peace and goodwill )

Not much else to report..1/4 KOM …Schleck finding a green when off the front ( I think a case of a tail wagging the dogma ) to claim first rights at the B&T.. magnificent mornings ride in, ( utes aside ) it really does not get better than this..

Have a great day all
BT

PS DLHK will crow about the RBD and never meeting the uncouth on his commute… can the juggernaut of the ER peloton be persuaded to leave the OTP for a leafier path?..your comments on the subject eagerly anticipated.

Return bouts starting from 5pm, they should be tapering to a gentile crystal crank in preparation for the Bowral trip on the weekend.

A superlative morning for a ride in, dawn broke in a typical flashy display of colour, the high clouds providing an artistic canvass to present a Michangelic scene across the skies over the north shore. The only thing missing were a couple of naked blokes trying to shake hands.

No heater required so no shock on exit into the carpark, YHC even neglecting to don extra layers, although with a winter coat un-moulted you would not really have noticed. Crossing the road to find Comet already for a swift departure it was not long before I volunteered some more chosen facts about food, diet and some overlooked but salient data it may have been only five minutes before the peloton started arriving but Comet looked ready to bail …I must be getting old usually it only takes me a minute to reach that point.

Much the same as usual, numbers tipping into the early 20’s, smattering of old faces, plenty of new ones, a sea of egg and tomato jersey’s launching forth onto the one true path, following the captain’s song sheet, managing to maintain poise and repartee in equal measure, today’s ride in was all pleasure and no pain..not one to have missed.

Brownie rolled into the lantern rouge carriage as we rolled out, crystal cranking for a nice little stroll before tomorrow’s display of explosive power and aggression. If we can’t all manage to be at Dunc Grey stadium in person, I am sure there will be many there in spirit.

Road discipline was good, with the numbers it looked ( from my usual afterdeck perspective ) like a well oiled machine..lights, signals, manoeuvres conducted as per the RMS guidelines..regroups and making sure all aboard would have passed the Gooses exacting standards. Pace was to the Captain’s preference.

KOM ..will call it as ¼ ( default while BamBam and Drastic are no shows ) unless the real KOM would stand up.

Shredded again through the North Sydney lights, regrouped for a last ditch sprint for coffee..and blessed once more with an attentive barista, 20 odd deliveries in swift and efficient service. Perfect.

Departures may be in less than clear conditions, forecast is for ride with a little precipitation, hard to believe but we could do with a bit of rain.

5 – 5:15 – 5:30 6pm all available.

Have a great one all
BT

Well the alarm went off at what felt like midnight, not a sign of Dawn anywhere, not even the quarry trucks to be seen or heard. YHC rolled forth into come what may..lights flashing, annoying no one but the kookaburras warming their feet on the high voltage power lines along Old Northern Rd.

Left turn into Dural, why ? because it’s there.. Galston, a scar in the landscape, a gash with a grin…chooks about the only company , and definitely the second best way to start the day. Chilly to start with but nothing like the bite of only a couple of weeks ago, it was a pleasure to be out and into it within about 20 minutes of riding. Tapping out into Hornsby Heights it was a toss up between the shorter direct route or a second bite of the Bobbo Gorge…the gorge won on a technicality. ( Strava , ego, the age since I last did the double, ) But now I would have to pedal a bit harder to make Gordon by the appointed hour. Managed to just hit the Gordon Wall at 6:43…and into cardiac arrest for an on time departure with the waiting crowds…

Did not count the crowds, but ball park was around 15 to 20…all the cracks had gathered for the fray. Hypoxia and aging memory prevents YHC from naming them, living like a goldfish it was heartening just to say, “oh look there goes the ER peloton….” ( Amongst our weapons ..VD, DT, Bullet, Comet, Andy Schleck McD, Chief, Simba, Clive, Phantom, B1, B2, Andy, Lunchie, WBA, ¼, Virgin, YHC, ….er er..it’s getting difficult now…amnesia, flea like concentration…gone )

A very gentlemanly pace ( or was it just YHC starting up front and slowly making a bee line for the rear of the peloton, ) almost instantly DT managed to blow out a tyre which chopped some off the back for the duration. A roll through the Archer St shredder and onto Tindale without a regroup put the main bunch into an unassailable lead..

KOM I will call ¼ as the man most likely, I saw Schleck and Phantom kicking to the front, but I tucked in behind Lunchie for a tow up the Scaramanga..and ¼ was looking like a man on a mission.

The climb up to the top of Crow’s Nest, punctuated by an amusing dog, chasing a cyclist on the pavement..goes to show you are better off on the road..

North Sydney seemed to flash by, and Schleck saw green and pleasant lands where we saw red and hello officer …yes we know what an amber light means..hence the sprint to and arrival at B&T was delayed by a couple of turns of the lights. Virgin kicking up a bit to attack Bullets Lavender St KOM.

Once at B&T, 25 to 30 coffees arrived with style and panache, Pocahontas has returned for a stint on point at the B&T.

YHC will be crawling at snails pace home, departure in the region of 5pm, the 5:15 should be able to pass with ease, and even the 6pm may make the catch if they are going past Fox Valley..

Have a great day all

BT

How many superlatives does it take to describe how perfect the conditions are at this time of year for a ride to the office…? Just enough of a chill to make putting in the effort seem like a great idea, and judging from the enthusiasm on display this morning there are a few ERs who agree…30 odd looking gents in lycra, hanging about at Gordon waiting for the balloon to go up..our very own paparazzi stationed across the street to record this daily event for posterity.

YHC has given up counting, ( as I have said many times once it gets past 21, it gets too difficult to track )

A superb sunny morning, much jocularity, and camaraderie on show, the peloton even slowing to a stop to let people cross on the pedestrian crossing en route. Spring has sprung, moods lifting as bright and breezy seems to be order of the day…pace perfect for a natter, even the greyhounds could not find the gas to take off up front. Regroups working well to ensure all aboard and only going as fast as the slowest rider…( or so the song sheet says )

Turning through the Boundary /Archer chicane, the fat controller managed to secure enough red lights to fracture the peloton into groups of 10, and turning through to Tindale a very unusual event occurred which was a cyclist going the other way…( who gave anyone permission to ride up the north shore at that time of day ? ) ( actually great to see more cycle traffic in any direction )

Into the KOM as a disciplined considerate blob of egg and tomato, encountered more oncoming traffic, damn it is getting busy on the SUP…must be spring.

Crow’s Nest, North Sydney SHB stretched the peloton into a long thin line, all the usual suspects sitting around with their coffee before YHC arrived, one day I might take a podium position but not today…Coffee over but lunch..booked …Red Oak…it is an ER red letter day on the calendar where we can actually get to see what the peloton looks like with their clothes on..

The return ride should be interesting, beer and skittles over, back to business as usual..a 5:15 social, and 6 o clock thrashing

Have a great day all
BT

Chapeau to SatNav again, galstoned and bobbo’d ( commitment, style and panache, mate that halo is looking very shiny ) , and the Flutterers arriving steamed and pressed before 7:50.

Colder…than a mother in laws kiss this morning …( well about 10C but with wind chill it felt like 5C )

Jumped into the car as per Friday norm and was off to Gordon, to complete the pre GG ride to the office. There is a very difficult moment on such mornings, bearing in mind that the car interior is cooked to 28C and YHC has to open the car door into what was then indicated as 7C on the dashboard outside temp gauge…good thing YHC has good quality Rapha gear to assist with these transitions.

A lively bunch of OTP practitioners this morning, minus one invited guest Louise of Macquarie Uni, who apologised in advance for having a cold, next Tuesday was her next available opportunity.

Bullet(le) introduced Michael from Berowra, as a new rider, on a robust looking hybrid with flattish tyres..Michael is trying to get fit for a ride to Bowral , biting off a short Berowra to North Sydney as his inaugural outing. Definitely fits the ER mould and ticks the HMOTN boxes, let’s hope he does not buy a Pina Dogma too soon and start dishing out stick to the regulars…today however he was happy to hold the Lantern Rouge and keep the “ arriere du peloton” honest. Welcome aboard.

No puncture, or other excitement to report, only riding at the pace of the slowest rider meant YHC was nowhere in sight of the leaders as usual up the KOM, I am sure the leaders made it through to coffee before the Tail was at Crow’s Nest, but some days that is absolutely fine..Once Newbie Michael had peeled off in North Sydney it was time to hammer it a bit over the bridge to arrive before seconds…YHC gave the Sprint Home a bit of a go but was pursued by Bullet(le KOM) and was overtaken up the last 25 metres as Bullet nearly blew a blood vessel to hold his trophy…priceless.

Chilled rapidly out the front of the B&T in bright sunshine and an icy south westerly….late to the party only a hardened few still there, but definitely the second best way to start the day..

Debriefing booked at the GG for 6pm making the 5:15 a good time to leave the SHB..if it at Monday’s return ride pace, arrival will be at 5:45..with a paramedic on site, paddles on hand and oxygen bottle nearby.

Have a good one all

BT

Greetings all practitioners of the pedal.. and another perfect morning for a roll into the office.

The mercury atop Col Du Dural a balmy 9C with clear skies enough to appreciate the new moon and planet mercury before hypoxia removes those artefacts from sight. The New Line Road war continues a pace, YHC now opened up a correspondence with Hills Shire Council to beat them on the cycle for transport front…this mornings run punctuated by very few trucks but still finding a warm reception from the Ute brigade, no GOFTFR tokens but definitely a game of chicken being waged, how close to the bike can you drive..but I have to say most are beginning to leave me plenty of elbow room. Boundry road saw me dropped by a hooning cyclist, sprinting up the “Hoars Drawers” strava segment where I usually spin..he had the look of a man possessed so would probably scorn the “Easy” word emblazoned on the ER kit.

Rolling up the Fox Valley to join the bus, an on time departure according to the timetable nailed to the post with Bucky, Teflon, B1, Satnav and YHC making it a heavyweight peloton sufficient to stop the traffic between there and Gordon…of note was a trap for young players, there was a car that overtook the peloton only to realise suddenly a lack of petrol so full brakes required to make the entrance of the servo just before the Bobbin Head road..YHC left a little something on the road in the emergency stop which saw a 4X4 and 5 cyclists nearly pile into the back of him.

Gordon holding point already replete on arrival, a doughty bunch, various colours on show, well snapping at the bit to be away. YHC noticed how Bucky slides to the pole position, and is away at the stroke of 6:45, the launch into action before the Bazz has a chance to sound its horn. First hazard was a lady walking the dog, small terrier on chain trying to attack two Rottweilers sitting with their owner at the cafe…luckily a fence separated them, could have been an interesting contest. Bucky slowed to watch YHC being a little squeamish pedalled on quickly.

A swift transfer through to Roseville however a large pothole on Hill St grabbed Bucky’s rear wheel, and shortly thereafter he felt very deflated…there was a Californian puncture repair for Bucky on the turn into Archer, 1 to change the tube and 9 others to share the experience…needless to say the rest of the riders rolled on..YHC happy to watch on in admiration as reinflation operations took place.

Once back en route, every single available red light was red…strange how this happens but a good 10 minutes of wait time was thrown into the mix…tempting us to transgress the letter of the law..but as Zlatko’s ticket and Jimbeau can attest, it just ain’t worth it..

Coffee was well under way as the tail enders rolled in..but Vic squeezed out the beans in a timely fashion ensuring everyone got theirs in a jiffy.

I am informed the 5:15 is running to schedule and if the temperature remains clement, the 6pm will too, it seems that the mercury can affect the 6pm sending it off early if it falls below comfort levels.

Have a great remainder of the day.
BT

There are a few things in life that seem to be absolute certainties…death , taxes , and now I add to that list the ER bus on the one true path…

As per usual ,the wake up call sounding the instant I finally fell asleep, so with about 2 seconds rest it was into the lycra and then onto the bike for a planned spin through the Galston gorge, on rolling up the garage shutter however into a what can only be described as a deep freeze, it was roll down the shutter and get some breakfast time, then a short drive over to Gordon. Migraines being what they are, and wind chill combine to make ventures into the GG feel like a gorge too far.

Arrival into the Captains park still well before the dawn and well before the mercury climbed above 6C, I was beaten to the holding point by Herb who had done the bobbo banana and so had been cleansed, redeemed and basking in the golden glow of that halo..( not the sacred halo….wrong colour nicks but I am sure you know the glow I am describing…the second best way to start the day…)

The rolling masses started arriving and soon there were 18 in the starting gates, though Satnav, hammer in hand and a lot of new bus timetable notices went forth ahead of the peloton to nail the colourful little notes onto railway commuters notice boards. Hopefully the disillusioned rail commuter will be converted into Mamil upon reading.

A delightfully gentle pace, as the sun rose to blaze into the eyes at the most dangerous corner on the commute…much research has been done about the effects of bright sunlight in the early morning, apparently it triggers a load of serotonin and apart from waking you up makes you feel good about it too..but looking into the sun at Archer Street off Boundary St, YHC was feeling apprehensive and nervous about not being able to see the oncoming bus travelling at speed. Good thing ¼ was wearing his visor, as he called the all clear, it could have been nasty if he’d called it wrong.

Warmth, jocularity and relief ensued, KOM was attacked and conquered by the Clutters train, C.Hippo making a few chosen remarks to his rear wheel, and as per usual YHC was utterly unable to see the action due to the numbers of ER brethren in the way. Youth and enthusiasm trumping old age and cunning, c’est la vie. Burlington saw YHC tearing off up the road, having anticipated a red light change to green by a second or two, only to see the patrol car parked on the corner in a prominent position..but such indiscretions have been covered at length ..so no further comments will be entered into…red faced …that same patrol car overtook the peloton on West st …luckily no further comments were entered into..

Quite the shambles as usual through the North Sydney to Harbour bridge sector, punctuated by slow moving buses and irregular red lights, YHC notes that the plan for the bike path from the Naremburn hill to SHB is still a hot topic of discussion among cyclists but alas not among the powers that be, it may never be built..but hey we certainly had some great chats about it.

B&T back to full staff and still Satnav polishes his coffee carrying credentials..only a single serving this morning as the courtyard heating system seemed to be out of commission, freezing the peloton ( sort of ) making that warm shower much more attractive than the second caffeine hit.

Bookings already in place for a 5:15 / 6pm return flights, keep your baggage within the proscribed limits…carry on only these days..

Have a great day all.
BT

Who’s been playing with the air conditioner controls…opened the car door this morning and was assaulted by a wall of freezing cold air..harsh after the near balmy conditions of only yesterday.

As the dawn broke over Gordon, mallows of the OTP gathered as they will, lured by the promise of redemption, to be cleansed by the hills of death, and seared up the KOM. Some call it a Commute but we all know it as the second best way to start the day.

A baker’s dozen set forth at the appointed hour, heavy weights all, king hitters of the ER peloton, a well wrapped bunch lead up the hills of death by DT and flagellated by the Schleck Phantom train into Roseville..thankfully a gentler spin in from there. If you were looking for a slack Friday ride though this was not the ride for you, Jerry ( the greek) ..a new rider quickly found the “arriere du peloton” and used all reserves to hang onto the back..but with regroups at all the regular stops, was never in danger of dropping off the back..so says the recruitment poster at least..

I noticed the magpie write up in the SMH yesterday and was on Mag watch this morning, not that there are any to report at the moment as I think there is an element of “one swallow doth not a spring make” ( I do love a good misquote ) in there somewhere, reports of aggressive birds though precede the season by a week or three. ERs enjoy aggressive birds.

Other eye catching events,
Andy Schleck peeling off the front at West St to beat the lights and make the front of the coffee queue,
the main bunch making a turn into Miller St from Ridge on a lengthy green light..at least 10 made it through which makes it a first.
The fat controller at Chatswood pushing the green light button on 3 of the 4 sets only to halt the peloton in front of the police station..red light monitored by the thin blue line.
KOM YHC yet again unsighted ( by hypoxia this time ) .
Swatches and Bullet(le) hatching a plan.

Freezing out the front of B&T ..must be the weather…another morning sans staff, perhaps a get well soon card can be arranged as our waitress is quite ill unfortunately..reports of her being in hospital from Vic this morning as he delivered 2 dozen coffees..( it was cold enough that only 2 each would do ) .

GG debrief booked at the stroke of 6…be on the 5:15 to make happy hour..perhaps we will see the elusive Ravi the Grate..or at least his credit card behind the bar…(not)

Have a good on all
BT

Hands up all those who thought today’s ambient outside air temperature was perfect for a ride into the city…?

Hmmm only 30…

A bit of a scratched record but definitely up there with the phenomenon that is now in ER legend.

What more can be said about the growing accumulation of MAMILS now pedalling the OTP into town, is the more merrier. We are entering into a “Spring Cycle” which traditionally is the time to convince friends, neighbours, enemies, pensioners, wannerbies, any animate human..onto the treadly and out into the world on the second best way. If you have a suitable target for recruitment, the ER press gang are very keen to be directed that way. A red X on the door is sufficient.

Lovely pace and cadence set, once en route the initial shock of not being frozen wore off about 3 minutes into the ride, followed swiftly by the unfamiliar feeling of breaking a sweat up the second hill, and then uncomfortably warm attacking Rawhiti St sprint…YHC had a go at a record this morning only to be humiliated by the wagging tail on Schlecks Dogma, YHC was dropped with ease, although I was only off my PB by about 2 seconds…drawing board…hello Mr Pamp more punishment please.

For all the numbers, regroups and casual chit chat, the ride proceeded with swift efficiency, arriving through all without incident, it was though on the upper end of practical, perhaps a split departure time would be more advisable, the first 20 arriving at Gordon should leave once “critical mass” has been reached, and the remainders leave as per schedule…regroups and differing cruise speeds will naturally ensure a full peloton arrives for coffee at the usual time.

Scaramanga KOM …yes, it was won, by whom though is a mystery to YHC, the last time I saw the leaders heading into the park, Simba and entourage were off the front and accelerating, Tef and myself were bottlenecked behind a random rider, and taken well out of contention, and a tail end bunch were delayed by traffic ensuring a well fragmented attack , a good gap to cross into crows nest and incentive to give the Burlington dash a bit of a tickle.

Stealth was making friends with trucks at the Miller St lights, by the end of the sequence, hankies were being waved, and warm wishes exchanged…great to have some friends with big wheels, and spreading the enthusiasm to our Truckie mates is always welcome.

B&T needed no staff this morning, if Vic had sat down I am sure the ERs would have churned out the caffeine unassisted..delivery to the table by Satnav, a man of various talents and LM for such good deeds..the front of house was wall to wall lycra, standing room only, except that Bullet took up positions in the bushes to conduct one of his new business meetings involving swatches of cloth, a rotadex and smart phone…watch this space for a new brand, and imminent launch of new ordinance.

Return smasher booked for 6pm, and the early bus 5:15 jolly back up the shore.

Have a great day all.
BT