Waking as I do about an hour before I go to sleep, it was still very much the middle of the night when I turned the first pedal on what turned out to be a spectacular morning for a ride to town. Checking the radar for any hint of inclement weather was a waste of time, a blank screen depicting the lack of cloud cover from all angles to about 500kms…but at 7C the temperature was crisp going on dam cold as I charged into the depths of Gall Stone Gorge. Without really intending to pedalling out became a PB driven mainly by the need to climb up above cold air and keep warm in the meantime…so cadence and gears selected to chaff those parts best designed to elevate the core temp and get out of there pronto.
Once aloft on the leafy NorthShore a different climate ensued, a balmy 13C and wafting warm breezes from draughting Mercs and Lexus 4X4s, however still collected a “GOTFR” token from a ute that was not even going my way, must have forgotten his meds this morning and the turrettes just took over.
Rolling to the top of Foxvalley for the Satnav bus stop , I was just in time as it rolled out exactly on time at 6:35 Old Nick aboard with B1 Satnav and YHC causing the usual traffic jam along Pacific driveway, well we took the blame at least, but pedalled trouble free to the Gordon Launch pad…and into a fast growing Monday FM ride…having genuflected and taken a Pugh communion was promised at the B&T…and thus it was so.
A 20 strong bunch of pedallers on the OTP made grate by Ravi, in his birthday suite, ( happy 45th mate ), Crushant took the opportunity to show a little form and attacked early on, the baroudeur though ran into trouble at the top of the Hills of Breath and was passed by a rampant Schleck chased by YHC who then charged onto the Col Du Lindfield. Descending fast and tempted to stretch the peloton but ER ethos observed the traverse through to the Rawhiti sprint was at a mild canter…Stealth made his way to the front, looking for a hill to attack, and was attacked by Schleck in the hope of beating PBs with fresh legs, that section is blessedly short so YHC thrashes out a sprint but can only hold Schlecks wheel not able to find the strength to pass without passing out.
Effort over for the day, social considerations take over and with a cast of thousands on the ride ample opportunity to exchange pleasantries which is after all why its the second best way to start the day.
Archer separates while tindale accumulates, and numbers seem to swell as 22 count achieved at the top of the ER KOM stretch. Once more unto the breach YHC lead the assault on the Scaramanger listening to BamBam and schelck toss up between them who would steal the glory, in the end Schleck motored past me with gas to spare, BamBam commiserated and held 3rd place, YHC in a hypoxic stupor barely able to complete the final few pedal turns to the crest..Schleck already attacking the Burlington sprint. The bunch overtake me as I regain some consciousness I see a red light and relax on the turn WBA and Stealth whip past, red rag to a bull, so digging into reserves I did not know I had it was once more past the threshold of pain into the quiet world where peripheral vision reduces slowly to a tunnel and noise fades to a murmur…until WBA sits up at a pedestrian crossing, unable to comprehend this event I charge past…only realising too late that a person could well have been crossing the road. ( so that’s how accidents happen..note to self…flagellation is fine on a turbo trainer but be sensible on the bike.)
Chastened I made the North Sydney SHB section with aplomb and in company, making no attempt to sprint against the turning lights across Pacific Driveway..and thus into the B&T well down the GC, Schleck taking line honours, already seated having kissed the podium girls and accepting his stage win with grace.
FM rides..minutes taken…
- Charity ride…meters climbed being mooted as the target. Bobbo repeats, BBQ in the park, ERs to attempt either side as many times as they can..resting with a sausage in between climbs. Sounds perfect…
- Beneficiaries, perhaps St something or other schools in Wahroonga..Goose to confirm.
- Before Christmas…
- Suggestion re challenge still a work in progress feel free to weigh in.
Dress rehearsal FTOTM lunch…Bavarian Bier Cafe was selected, however as the menu is pricey I would suggest having a burger first and just drinking the bier..unless you feel like a $25 meal with a $ 10 bier.
Other suggestions still possible
The ER home bus schedule is running to timetable order you decide the one for you..make sure you email the group at least 5 times to announce your intentions…
Have a great one all
BT