Having had a good month off the tyranny of the alarm clock, this morning’s wakeup call seemed to hurt more than usual. Adrenal exhaustion from jet lag crashing into the fatigue of getting up before going to bed and the epic suffer scores from yesterday’s rides all playing a part, the only consolation being a Friday morning and for the fortunate in financial services, a bank holiday Monday long weekend.
Into the car to transfer to Gordon, inside a warm 28C outside a chilly 8C , turning into the carpark fully expecting to genuflect before the Captain, and tug the forelock to a brace of FMs I can only say that it was business as usual along the one true path with all the usual suspects..the FMs must have been on the Rhodes Rubaix, to admire C.hippo’s luscious new Specialized.
9 of the ER brethren on the OTP, managing a punishing pace for the Friday roll, as soon as the BOF appeared it was business as usual in every way, Stealth off the front pedalling at a 200 cadence to take the first hill at least half a kilometre in front of the tail draggers, Satnav and crew probably enjoying wit and pithy commentary at a normally aspirated cruise, whereas YHC felt the urge to give chase and wind the heart rate up to just short of cardiac arrest level. The initial flush of enthusiasm wearing off by the Rawhiti sprint however and normal sociable interaction resumed from there. Very pleasant conditions for the commute, a bright if not warm sun, slight westerly wind and the usual back slapping camaraderie thrown in for luck. Chatswood managed to hold up proceedings with the fat controller on the lights making sure that the peloton was stopped three times in 500 metres. Rolling regroup atop Tindale for an HB lead charge into the valley of death towards a very gentlemanly KOM. Derek McDerek cresting unchallenged for the jersey, Bullet(le) providing a draught for YHC to fill the other podium places. Derek was through the Burlington sprint first to claim the green jersey too, the main peloton bunched at the lights of Chandos St unable to do much but watch on and rue what might have been. Regroup at the top of Crowies there now being a dozen aboard, ½ , WBA, TFS, all making their appearance, and into the next light filled sector of North Sydney and the shambles towards the Harbour bridge. Today’s challenge of the day was to topple Bullet from the Lavender St KOM made more difficult by a strategically placed Post van for a road block into the first downhill. Only Strava can say how this attempt went, but Bullet fired on all barrels showing the peloton some style and panache.
B&T was also on form, sending the finest quality coffee our way into the unheated front of house seats. A pedestrian Captain arrived vowing to pedal at some point in the near future although apparently the economy needs his assistance this week or else the national GDP figures will crash bringing down the government, and starting a run on the RBA…such is the affect of our galactic CEO, planets have been known to change their orbit in his presence. Serious business of the day however was the 100th TDF ER tour…Tormey Tours will be engaged to ensure a ripsnorting time will be had by all so book your place soon..tickets will be on sale shortly.
A GG bus is scheduled to depart the SHBS at 5:15 but as free beer has been trumpeted by our very own Ravi the grate from 5:30 I am sure there will be some early birds.
Have a great day all…
BT