Colder…than a mother in laws kiss this morning …( well about 10C but with wind chill it felt like 5C )
Jumped into the car as per Friday norm and was off to Gordon, to complete the pre GG ride to the office. There is a very difficult moment on such mornings, bearing in mind that the car interior is cooked to 28C and YHC has to open the car door into what was then indicated as 7C on the dashboard outside temp gauge…good thing YHC has good quality Rapha gear to assist with these transitions.
A lively bunch of OTP practitioners this morning, minus one invited guest Louise of Macquarie Uni, who apologised in advance for having a cold, next Tuesday was her next available opportunity.
Bullet(le) introduced Michael from Berowra, as a new rider, on a robust looking hybrid with flattish tyres..Michael is trying to get fit for a ride to Bowral , biting off a short Berowra to North Sydney as his inaugural outing. Definitely fits the ER mould and ticks the HMOTN boxes, let’s hope he does not buy a Pina Dogma too soon and start dishing out stick to the regulars…today however he was happy to hold the Lantern Rouge and keep the “ arriere du peloton” honest. Welcome aboard.
No puncture, or other excitement to report, only riding at the pace of the slowest rider meant YHC was nowhere in sight of the leaders as usual up the KOM, I am sure the leaders made it through to coffee before the Tail was at Crow’s Nest, but some days that is absolutely fine..Once Newbie Michael had peeled off in North Sydney it was time to hammer it a bit over the bridge to arrive before seconds…YHC gave the Sprint Home a bit of a go but was pursued by Bullet(le KOM) and was overtaken up the last 25 metres as Bullet nearly blew a blood vessel to hold his trophy…priceless.
Chilled rapidly out the front of the B&T in bright sunshine and an icy south westerly….late to the party only a hardened few still there, but definitely the second best way to start the day..
Debriefing booked at the GG for 6pm making the 5:15 a good time to leave the SHB..if it at Monday’s return ride pace, arrival will be at 5:45..with a paramedic on site, paddles on hand and oxygen bottle nearby.
Have a good one all
BT