Sky dark..clouds obscuring the morning stars, quiet…all except for the odd shell exploding over the enemy trenches…YHC drawing lazily on the last few puffs of a French cigarette..”when is it time to go over the top sir ?”..( then the alarm went off ) any number with a 4 in at the beginning is ridiculously early if you are looking at an alarm clock.. meanwhile having donned the safety lycra, fired the Ayups and kicked the GPS into service it was into the second best way to start the day.
There were a few fellow cyclists heading through the Galstone, but all in the other direction, and one very large chicken transport that headed into Acadia, but other than that the roll into the valley of the shadow of gallstone was pretty uneventful. Perhaps the tradies are still sitting on a beach somewhere making life back home just a little more pleasant for we who pedal. Travelling under lights in the warm , well gassed and at an enjoyable though slightly faster than comfortable speed, the “bonus” was arriving at the end of Galstone road with time to throw in a Bobbo for good luck..and still make the Gordon departure.
Rolled onto the rear of a well behaved peloton,…the BOF was already in the station, and they were off..cranking the pedal in perfect unison..a machine of men and carbon, banter paced, all pleasure and little business..among this merry band..( not all as YHC is weak of mind and may have forgotten a few ) Bullet ( le) , Brownie, BT, Turnip, Phantom, ¼, Clive, Virgin, simon, Fore, and this is where the synapses fail,..please feel free to add your name in to the blanks……. conditions do not get much better than today for a commute, a bit like hitting the jackpot, all the cherries in a row, 20C, dry road, clear of traffic, nil wind, sunshine but behind high cloud, great company, and plenty of bonhomie to enjoy.
The KOM..a stoush between Brownie and ¼…hit the first slope with little speed but accelerating to the first flat, YHC was hanging onto the coat tails, Bullet half wheeling phantom and matching the pace to be in contention on the last blast, ¼ took the outside and was strong but matched by Brownie all the way to the bollard, as the carpark loomed ¼ put in a couple of extra kicks to nose in front and claim a very well deserved KOM jersey.
A pleasant troll through North Sydney put the peloton onto the SHB sprint a little ahead of schedule, first coffees being enjoyed at 7:30..a recovery caffeine enjoyed as various pelota re-congeal for a few tall stories and to sort out return waves..Big ( but getting smaller ) Goaders arrived at just after 7:35..epic effort, and the Epping chapter shortly thereafter..welcome to 2013.
That ERs are fielding double figures, while many are away interstate, holidays, O/S..sabbaticals, over slept, and otherwise engaged ( ok in plaster or healing ) ..is still what I call a “leading “ indicator..but not for resting on the laurels, more = merrier, there are now plenty of places available to be filled by new riders, if you have friends, enemies, or relatives that can ride a bike and work in the city..time to introduce them to the one true path. You know you want to.
Seems like the 5:15 and ( newly introduced 4:30 ) may be the ones to catch, though I heard a 6 mentioned..choose yours wisely.
Have a great day all
BT