A champagne breakfast ride in this morning for the lucky few along the OTP, conditions could not be described as anything but absolutely perfect for a pedal in to the Office..
Aboard the bus were new riders Matt and Mark…Fox valley tapping a rich vein of new blood..welcome and quickly do something silly so we can find names for you..
A darkish morning requiring the assistance of Ayup Industries to illuminate the road, once en route though a swift change as the illumination became rather too bright and thence the “eye wear” had to be swapped for darker shades..perfect temperature and air moisture content, banter at full volume as usual, and as usual the Gordon launch was filled to capacity awaiting the horn from BOF at the appointed hour.
A regular rabble formation through the Hills of Death, YHC sliding to the rear to catch a word or two with another new rider Alex, on his second ride in, but was not finding the pace intimidating, so YHC slid to the front to cane it a bit..( not ) .. with a good 20 in the bunch, regroups and camaraderie are what make this the second best way to start the day. “Goose” there is an APB out for you, calculations being that your garden should be just about dug now and it is about time to see you back on the pedals..apart from missing your humour and occasional wit, plenty of new names are required so an extraordinary meeting will have to be called..you know the drill.
Archer St …well paced assault only had to put a toe down once ..not calling a red letter day until we make it through as a bunch..unhindered..I think the last time that happened we only had 8 on the ride and Kevin Rudd was still PM..
ERs all on through the Tindale turn and it was on for a KOM challenge, Turnip and Teflon off the front and weaving through the oncoming traffic looking for a small advantage, YHC a third wheel forming a tight breakaway into the park, however it was only for a short while, into the dip there was the unmistakable tones of ¼ , getting ready for a gassy explosion of power into the Scaramanga ascent.
¼ by a length, Turnip and then YHC well behind but still on the podium..
Burlington regroup and by now there was the usual 30 passing muster, and into the North Sydney shredder, ERs joining a growing cluster of cyclists making their way through the road works..I think we are nearly on speaking terms with all of them, even the Irish lollipop ladies. Climbing the Bridge steps too is becoming a bit of an ER overload, seeing the entire staircase covered ..please let those at the top through.
B&T regroup was in waves, as each ride arrived the queue never seemed to shrink much, hot seating it required and standing room only for the Fluffers who unfortunately only made it in well after the last chairs and milk crates were dished out.
Whispers of an Allambie Flamby tonight…falling on deaf ears here though ..I will be crystal cranking home at my usual 5pm bus, and will hopefully be overtaken by the 5:15..by the time I reach Tindale..
With only a few weekend rides left before the 3p challenge, no doubt we’ll see some epic achievements advertised shortly..a smorgasbord of suffering on offer..enjoy.
Have a great one all
BT