With all the yodelling to the tune of some Lion King refrain, the bongos were drowned out by factor of 10…leaving an annoying catchy little Disney tune doing its thing bouncing around the skull like a scratched record ( yes YHC is old enough to know what that sounds like )
Growling into wakefulness almost before nightfall, and onto the gorge run, nothing was moving through the Dural village, even the drunks were still at the bar…
Chilly but dry, no fog, stars and the open road, perfect conditions for a ride into town. Conditions so perfect that the only traffic I encountered into the gorge were two other cyclists chuffing their way up, and one ninja runner dressed in black carrying no lights running down the hill from Hornsby, only saw him because a ute overtaking me painted him in the headlights, you had to be there.
Much ute traffic heading Hornsby way, but it was chilly enough not to have windows wound down, if I scored any GOTFR tokens they were well contained in the cab of origin.
Noticed a few more cyclists on the highway to Gordon, the left lane now seems a lot clearer which might be because traffic is used to being bailed up behind and choose now to occupy the middle lane..I think the end of the beginning has arrived in the battle, “ the few “ seem to have gained ground.
15 on the pedals gathered for the off, Goose aboard defending ride names against a recasting agent, setting boundaries and leading in the FM style , Poombah was squashed quick smart, ‘nuff said.
A rollicking pace on the BOF, the temperature being incentive to generate some internal heat, not sure if there was a rush on but there was a rush on. In a snap the hills of Breath were behind, and YHC was not in any mood to sprint the Rawhiti bends, but there was a hardy bunch up front giving it a bash. The regroup at Roseville growing the peloton by a few more, so keeping the average up…remember the July challenge is nearly upon us, if you have not got your cool weather clothing ready you will regret it…the “every working day in July” challenge is one not to miss. Drastique has promised to lead from the front on that one defending his championship jersey.
KOM was hotly contested, Comet finding himself in the front of field making an effort to hold back the hoards using Team Sky tactics, commanding the pace along the SUP but alas was attacked on the first slope as Schleck McDaid and BamBam tussled for space, YHC was watching the action amid a scrum and was locked in, DT charging along the outside with a snowballs chance, in the end it would have been a photo finish…
A scattered field regroups atop the col de CrowsNest, and the B&T dash commenced immediately, it is interesting to see how the lead riders put just a little bit extra in to secure their seat at the table first..nudge through lights on the change, shove into the line up the stairs ahead of slower randoms, sprint off the top of the stairs..incremental seconds accumulate to ensure a winning combination…
B&T output has now increased, coffee arrives at a swift pace, often before the order has been given…
News of the Sea to Summit beginning to sound like an ER challenge…gauntlets being tossed already, pick one up at your own risk, but who can resist the moniker of “ the most difficult ride on the continent” …if they added the incentive of a Rapha jersey for all those who complete it would be hands down misere…
Have a good one all,
BT/Jenny