A clear sky, (stars still shining brightly ) as YHC rolled into the chilled air atop col de Dural, strategically timed to coincide when the B-doubles of the local quarry were all about their business, not a car on the road for miles but the only traffic seeing how close to the bike they can get. Good thing most were going the other way..
Not a gorge one for me, by the time I reached the turn off only a kilometre into the ride my fingers were cold enough and changed my mind, right turn onto New Line road, hence forth to be referred to as the valley of death…buses trucks eeejits at 5:45 all playing chicken with the bike…it seems worse than usual compared to a French society that respects cyclery to this one that really does not. Riding through Pennant hills off the beaten track, but still managed to find a car that overtook just before a roundabout and then stood on the brakes to make it around…mmmmm BAU…
Once on the Commenara a clear run to Fox Valley and being well ahead of schedule had to fly holding patterns for 15 mins until the Satnav train pulled in..he arrived armed with a hammer and nails to attach the Bus timetable to a road sign.
Gordon interchange was fully charged and ready to roll , 19 souls aboard, and more enroute..a rampant show of ER colour and style. All steaming in the anticipation of a the second best way to start the day.
Bucky arrived, hollered and rolled through to lead the advance into the hills of death, Schleck walking the dogma enjoying a break from his MTB, YHC thankfully dragged along in the draught of a mega peloton and still finding fresh faces to expound loudly and lengthily about the joys of the French way to start the day. ( Croissants , Coffee and Baguette…before a huge climb )
The theme of the day today was red lights…seemed to be plenty, especially through Chatswood, where the right turn into Archer was a) blinded by the sun, b) delayed by about 5 mins…then c) on the climb out up Archer punctuated by a hoon with a lead foot..passing the peloton by burning about as much petrol as 20 cyclists had saved by not driving in. All good though the halo was still in place for the regroup at Tindale where through good management YHC found the “ arriere du peloton” to grasp the lantern rouge and cruise up the KOM . Safe to say the KOM champ was a) out of sight, b) cresting crows nest before YHC launched up the last slope to at least be in front of a few other tail enders..
One fortuitous green got us across the Miller St crossing of Pacific Highway in a large bunch, and then another charge to attack Bullet’s KOM along Lavender St , not a great place to attain terminal velocity, look out for the many hazards there, I am sure Bullet was possessed by the devil to achieve his accolade but it could have just been a moments madness…
The first wave at the B&T were already served and looking for seconds by the time I arrived, next door’s enclosure looking like an expensive bike park, there was nowhere to prop up the Wilier except in front of the garbage bins…may have to find another bike to prop up against if that is any guide to the future, there has to be a pina or colnago to use instead.
All good to go for the return to base…departures scheduled apparently for 5:15 and 6 pm…BAU.
Have a great rest of the day all
BT…
Incidentally have made contact with Bikewise about doing a course or two ..any others interested, I am looking at doing a bike skills course with a view to teaching it..