Another dark start , a fast one today, we are away on a 222k spree.
The scenery is same, same, same, cattle country and scrub. Lots of roadkill, the smell never changes.
Again we have a headwind holding a firm hand against our progress, but we just hammer on. Its just an annoying persistant stall, you pedal all day.
We tough out 222 ks in 8.48 ride time, on the road for 10.30. We topped out at 34 kph and averaged 25.2, so you can see how the wind affected us.
We are in the middle of week 4. At the moment we are in a five day stretch, 216, 222, 185, 227 and 210. This will test a few of us out. Today a few put together their first back to back 200s. Dennise (great effort kid) Ian, Dave, Craig and Jack rode strongly to achieve this.Others already knew the pain of 17 hours bent over the bike in two days.
The toll is also showing in the wardrobe department, most of us struggle to keep up arm warmers, leg warmers and other clothing is loose. The Chinaman has lost all of his body fat and his gear is hanging off. Several have lost their buttocks and I.ve lost my hair.
The Chinaman had a stage win today, first into town and took out the Augathella cup. He gave Tony a flogging.
We do 5 k rotations on the front, taking the wind and covering the peleton. You do 2.5 right, slide left for 2.5 and then slip back in the line to rest and hide. Rossco and Craig do more work than most, helping those who are struggling.
When you are back in the bunch crazy suff happens. Today a competition started, "'who would Allan Moyle look like if he were a woman"' Nominations included, Margaret Thatcher, Helen Clarke, Bronwyn Bishop. But the winner was Amanda Vanstone, they wear the sme shirts.
So another day down, we are all tanned and healthy, still laughing a lot and enjoying a great ride.
Hi Martin
still think ya crazy, I'm sure there must be a greyhound bus out that way that would let ya put ya bike on.
Joan n Phil
Posted by: joan n phil | 07/10/2009 at 07:02 PM