As the storm clouds move off shore and temperatures plunge into the depths of about 9C all I can say is it was perfect weather for a ride to the office.
Strapping on the wet plastic, and jumping into the car as I do, I came across Satnav flying holding patterns atop Fox Valley, so it prompted an early departure from the warm interior to a cool blast down the highway with our LM.
Noticed the good behaviour of the car / ute / van brigade recently ? I think they have been well conditioned to expect cycle traffic along that stretch of highway, not a “GOTFR” token to be had, even from the cement truck brethren, so I think we can almost say that ER’s 1…the rest 0. Every day, in some small way the world is getting better for bikes…( sorry Dale )
A stout 9 on the pedals departing Gordon, YHC, Satnav, ¼, the rider formerly referred to as Falsh, Andy Schleck McD, Turnip, B1 and Simba, departure was rung a few seconds late as the Fattie was well out of the station before the first pedal was turned onto the One True Path.
Wind chill, pedestrians, cars barging into the bunch, all were in evidence before the first roundabout, but a swift if not ungentlemanly pace was maintained at least for the hills of breath, YHC was being “chickened” by a ute up to Killara station, our friend wanted to join the peloton, and tried to draught first then roll past without leaving much room for my elbow..the cab needed cleaning, and front seat was covered in invoices.
A catch of the B2B peloton of two was made at the bottom of Hill St, numbers swelled to 11 as we swung into Archer, and were then impeded by every light between there and Mowbray road. A roll through on the Tindale blast saw Andy Schleck showing form on the downhill went to lead the bunch through Artarmon park, ¼ and Clutters left their attack until the bottom of the Scaramanga leaf strewn corner but when the attack came it was full gas. YHC was chuffing up slope 2 as the victors were spraying champagne off the podium.
The roll into the B&T was another hard fought and stoat like cunning needed to make it to the coffee queue before the crowds, a bus was straddling the bike lane at the Pac highway crossing on Miller st, YHC was able to roll through and attack before the obstruction could hinder progress leaving me ahead of the bunch sufficient to be in first place, only to be slimed by a car moving at snails pace along Lavender St. ¼ and Schleck making the catch at the steps…then it was a slow descent into hypoxia chasing their tails across the bridge, by the time the vision returned to normal Andy had already rearranged the tables and had a skinny flat on order.
All set for the early bus tonight, tickets on sale cut price as usual, management have indicated a 50% discount so bring the correct change.
Have a good one all
BT