There is a very short distance we cyclists have to cover in order to become champions, YHC has spent many hours grappling with this distance, it is perhaps the hardest distance to traverse but once mastered there is very little that can get in the way of cycling nirvana…of course I am referring to the distance between the ears…an infinite universe compressed into about 15cms of physical space…but filled with demons and dragons, defilements and determination. So being awake at the appointed hour and noting through the window not a hint of cloud, thus perfect weather for a ride to the office, it was straight into the car for the transfer to Gordon and onto the OTP…( the battle for a full ride being lost to one of those demons. )

Bongos and bugles must been on full volume last night as the muster progressed into an avalanche of egg and tomato. YHC lost count at 21, more were late arrivals and successfully chased for a near record 27 entering the Archer St shredder. BOF was nowhere to be seen, a late departure ensued, the peloton inhaled the first few hills with gusto, it was actually pretty bl#%dy cold, but somehow the temperature made not a jot difference to the satisfaction of being in the middle of another magnificent ER commute.

Something for everyone today, a greyhound bunch of “B1s” peeled off the front being goaded by C.Hippo to cane it to town, nice to see the broken leg has not slowed him down much. With the numbers big regroups make it difficult to keep things orderly, so having the peloton stretch out was excellent for safety. It also gave YHC a much greater leeway to fall ever more slowly to the rear until reaching over and grabbing the Lanterne Rouge in order to cross the bridge and join the back of the coffee queue.

KOM was contested a couple of times, the bunch I saw were being lead by Phantom and Turnip, YHC had to attack on the second slope to keep the leaders in sight then having realised my mistake was unable to maintain my lead and fell in behind, then off the back up the third. Crossing onto Willoughby Rd was an interesting time, a dozen riders managed to get into the middle of the road as the lights changed and 4 cars then took the right of way turning right, so a waltz unfolded as bikes and cars took turns to cross.

A swift and green light aided advance through the shambles of North Sydney, the Miller St sprint being a highlight of this section, a rare but enjoyable dish when you can race past the Rag and Famish and not have to touch the brakes until turning into Lavender St.

SHB was too good to race over, ( YHC departing for the summer in a few days took the opportunity to look at the harbour , blue sky, dawn colours, and actually enjoy the scene with a fully oxygenated brain ) B&T queue was actually short , the B1s having ordered, rearranged the tables, sat down and savoured their brew…Vic a little richer by the time I arrived.

The escape valve set to blow for 5:15 , 6:00 and 7:00 with a balmy 17C forecast this afternoon it is difficult to imagine a nicer end of the working than that.

Have a good one all

BT

Just noticed that complete apathy has prevailed amongst the OTP’ers today, with no one bothered to write up a report. Perhaps not surprising, with just 3 in the traps at the start (Stealth, Agro and YHC), and just WBA collected along the way. A minor interaction with a taxi driver encountered at Lindfield, with a Silver Service deciding to do a three point turn in front of Stealth, and when Stealth politely pointed out that the taxi really should have waited until we passed as we had right of way, the driver asked whether Stealth had brakes and why didn’t he just use them. IQ is probably just something the driver has on his Foxtel service. There was a brief discussion held about joining our Rhodes Roubaix brethren at the new café in Pyrmont, however no one could be bothered with that either.

We were joined at the B&T by none other than your regular correspondent BT, and a lively discussion ensued about GPS tracking for bikes including automated anti-collision software, said discussion instigated by the Strava debacle that arose earlier this week where the family of a cyclist who died apparently trying to beat a Strava segment time is trying to sue Strava for causing the accident. Suspect this one will be the subject of much further discussion over the coming months as court proceedings progress.

I’m off early today so won’t see you on the return journey, and back to my second home in PNG next week, so will catch up on the pedals on Monday week.

DT (LM)

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

so the solstice has arrived and many of our brave heroes were off battling the cold and dark out East.  For those who, as Coopz put it, have a ‘job’ it was the OTP – the benefits of which were very evident this morning.  a good complement of FMs; a further smattering of legal brethren, C.Hippo, Chief to name but a few of those who braved the run in.

cold, but clear conditions made for a wonderful spin.  No need for catch ups, round ups, stoppages of any kind – even pace up hill and down dale through roseville, “Chatty” as my 15 year old calls it, on to tindale.  KOM not contested in the least except by one DLHK who spied an opportunity to add a bauble to the empty trophy cabinet.  Bit like Spurs in the Europa League – when you haven’t won anything for months, any kind of victory is welcome even if it is a “cadeau” from stronger opponents.

Onto North Sydney, sun now glinting memorably – the green on Miller lasting sufficiently to permit a MAMIL dash thru to the Bridge – glimpses across the dappled Harbour reminding us all of the 2nd best way to start the day.

a Lung bursting surge across SHB to B+T whereupon chairs were arranged in an unusual fauna watching, line a-breast formation.  I blame the quorum of FMs for such a flagrant act of MAMIL-ation. Conversation turned as ever on the whereabouts of the Captain, speculation being that out indigenous elder had the ‘hump’ for a FM no-show on his triumphant return to the pedals at some now distant point in the past.  Perhaps the Cap’n would confirm?

OS a late show, reduced to silence by a hypoxia inducing chase over SHB.  the sound of silence around OS.  remarkable.  Turnip also a late show, blaming a ‘sleep in’. Minds turned to the first best way, only to be corrected by T’s insistence that significant other was several thousand KMs away.

finally, Lunchie bowled up in civvies just as the show was about to end.  but then the Clutters Crew were about to arrive, so i am sure he was not alone for long.

usual bugle calls for the ride home

1/2

As I get ready to jet off to the summer I am reminded that the July Challenge is but a few days away…

Clear the calendar, order those fur lined tights, strap on the plastic friends because every working day in July is your goal, ( tough to be jetting out to the summer knowing you are suffering but them’s the breaks…)

The car park was dark and the captains spot was vacant this morning when I drove in, a balmy 28C in the car, down to a 7C outside, YHC was not sure if his summer acclimatisation strategy was wise, but stepping into the chilled riding shoes and shivering over to chat with Herb it seemed that 7C was more like -7C , hypothermia kicked in…Herb of course having run the Bobbo gorge was cooling down and peeling off a few layers. HTFU pills notwithstanding, YHC was impressed. A rapid accumulation of ERs arriving timed to minimise waiting occurred as the BOF approached from the south, and before too much ado, it was on…whips cracked, whistles blew, bells doing what they do, and YHC wheezed over the first few hills hanging on to the lantern rouge hoping a red light would slow the leaders down at Killara…a mere 15 or so genuflecting along the OTP.

KOM was comprehensively won by Phantom..after a rolling start at the Tindale regroup, he was off and running, YHC chased from a respectful distance, not letting the ghostly one disappear over the horizon, but putting in a PB to do so..the SUP now dry-ish it was an opportunity to step on it more aggressively through the treacherous Ravi swept corners, and thence over the rise to swing up the scaramanga with style and panache…Chapeau to Phantom needed to extinguish the flames emanating from his backside…form he has not seen for a month or two.

An incident to report going through North Sydney, taking the turn into Lavender Street one of our number slid off and thankfully did no damage except to pride and maybe a bruised thigh…factors involved…sneaking past an amber light, turning too fast, applying power in an inclined attitude while going over a negative camber with white line and dew…or he just stuffed up…but a reminder to all to be aware of how things can all go horribly wrong very quickly.

Another triumph for the B&T, breaking in a new waitress, whose trial by ER was passed with flying colours, 15 served with a smile and American accent. The second sitting arrived as the first left, but it was chilly enough to make the office seem like a good option, so few takers of the second cup. Good to see the TSS roll up and report to half the peloton on their various charges currently residing at the shop.

Returns all booked ..TFS invited to wield the whip ( an up day on the market seems to add about 300watts to his legs ) for another flogging home.

Have a great day all

BT

It was black as pitch as I pedalled out of the garret on the slopes of Mt Dural this morning, joining a frisky Parramatta  puncheur who gave me flogging through the rollers to Galstone, a PB and enough conversation to hear he was heading off to the Alps in a cuppla weeks.. he is the first company I have had on the commute and now has the URL committed to memory so may make a guest appearance down the NorShor OTP.

Temperatures a balmy 11C descending to 7 at the depths of GG cool and clammy as a mother in laws kiss down there, who would want to be anywhere else, perfect weather for a ride to the office. ( Compared to Saturday morning where you could almost swear you were in the grip of an English summer ) Tapping out of the GG in 3/4 time keeping the Pamp big circle form,  panache and style, it will not be long before I will add speed to that list…but not today….

A duck into Fox Valley to collect Satnav and entourage, thence a short gallop down to the Launch via the Luton Driveway…only one small incident to report, a motorist horned me on the merge at Pymble hill, firing Satnav into a sprint that Cav would have a hard time maintaining. Satnav rarely uses such power but occasionally it comes in handy to discipline the traffic and remind them their average is not that much faster than ours.

Gathered at Gordon were 20 odd lycra covered mamils, forming a peloton around the newly fledged C.Hippo, throwing a red carpet out and fanfare for the lead out on his inaugural return ride. The first call as we rolled out was “Ute back” as it lead footed past us on the first slope out. Accreting more riders by the suburb the peloton swelled to a 27 or more behemoth, which considering it is mid winter, no particular challenge on is a pretty good showing , Drastic was making a rare appearance aboard his SS MTB, but still a few usual suspects missing. Not a slow ride in either, it seems that determination beat conversation this morning, YHC was only just able to breath and not talk as the various sprint opportunities seemed to merge together into one. Thankfully the RTA as was have installed enough traffic calming lights along our path to ensure hypoxia was not overwhelming. Archer street worked its magic again and quartered the fleet into even pieces, regrouping on the crest of Tindale and once more into the threshold of pain as Scaramanga loomed…Turnip having a go, swept to an early lead and gave it some welly but was trashed by Clutters at the top…

Various parts of the peloton arrived at the top of the Mur du Crow’s Nest, and rolled on with something like a regroup, but was shredded again through the North Sydney turn pike regathering on the 39 steps, (you can climb the 50 in 39 by skipping some..) and another eye watering sprint to the B&T…nearly a record, I think we had 20 plus seated and sipping by 7:39.

Great roll in and with sunshine today should make the roll out even better. Book your seats on your favourite bus.

Have a great one all

BT/Jenny

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