There are a few things in life that seem to be absolute certainties…death , taxes , and now I add to that list the ER bus on the one true path…
As per usual ,the wake up call sounding the instant I finally fell asleep, so with about 2 seconds rest it was into the lycra and then onto the bike for a planned spin through the Galston gorge, on rolling up the garage shutter however into a what can only be described as a deep freeze, it was roll down the shutter and get some breakfast time, then a short drive over to Gordon. Migraines being what they are, and wind chill combine to make ventures into the GG feel like a gorge too far.
Arrival into the Captains park still well before the dawn and well before the mercury climbed above 6C, I was beaten to the holding point by Herb who had done the bobbo banana and so had been cleansed, redeemed and basking in the golden glow of that halo..( not the sacred halo….wrong colour nicks but I am sure you know the glow I am describing…the second best way to start the day…)
The rolling masses started arriving and soon there were 18 in the starting gates, though Satnav, hammer in hand and a lot of new bus timetable notices went forth ahead of the peloton to nail the colourful little notes onto railway commuters notice boards. Hopefully the disillusioned rail commuter will be converted into Mamil upon reading.
A delightfully gentle pace, as the sun rose to blaze into the eyes at the most dangerous corner on the commute…much research has been done about the effects of bright sunlight in the early morning, apparently it triggers a load of serotonin and apart from waking you up makes you feel good about it too..but looking into the sun at Archer Street off Boundary St, YHC was feeling apprehensive and nervous about not being able to see the oncoming bus travelling at speed. Good thing ¼ was wearing his visor, as he called the all clear, it could have been nasty if he’d called it wrong.
Warmth, jocularity and relief ensued, KOM was attacked and conquered by the Clutters train, C.Hippo making a few chosen remarks to his rear wheel, and as per usual YHC was utterly unable to see the action due to the numbers of ER brethren in the way. Youth and enthusiasm trumping old age and cunning, c’est la vie. Burlington saw YHC tearing off up the road, having anticipated a red light change to green by a second or two, only to see the patrol car parked on the corner in a prominent position..but such indiscretions have been covered at length ..so no further comments will be entered into…red faced …that same patrol car overtook the peloton on West st …luckily no further comments were entered into..
Quite the shambles as usual through the North Sydney to Harbour bridge sector, punctuated by slow moving buses and irregular red lights, YHC notes that the plan for the bike path from the Naremburn hill to SHB is still a hot topic of discussion among cyclists but alas not among the powers that be, it may never be built..but hey we certainly had some great chats about it.
B&T back to full staff and still Satnav polishes his coffee carrying credentials..only a single serving this morning as the courtyard heating system seemed to be out of commission, freezing the peloton ( sort of ) making that warm shower much more attractive than the second caffeine hit.
Bookings already in place for a 5:15 / 6pm return flights, keep your baggage within the proscribed limits…carry on only these days..
Have a great day all.
BT