Cootamundra to Yass Revisited

11.10.2006: Cootamundra to Yass

Stats: 107.94km, 4hrs 2mins 39secs, 26.6km/hr
Weather: Hot, Clear skys, Almost no wind at all

Things can change extremely quickly. Throughout the ride it has amazed me how quickly the environment changes. Emotions vary on a regular enough basis on this trip to have most of us locked up in mental institutions.

This morning all the talk in the C Group had been about K.O.M points, questioning why would you stop for lunch 13km from our finish at Yass, and the team time trial we would have on this final run into town. By the finish of our days riding individual glory was forgotten, all of us had been grateful for our stop at Bowning, and any concept of a race or speed inspired finish was long forgotten.

We rolled out of Cootamundra at the relatively late time of 8.20am. The current practice of waiting till the B Team had reached the 5km mark before we started seemed to drag on time wise, and as we completed the first 2-3km of the day we soon found out why.

The Western slopes kicked up almost immediately to the delight of the climbers in the team. Then they kicked up again and again then again. By morning tea at Harden everyone of us was well aware of the efforts we had been required to make so far.

These hills bought with them some of the most spectacular views we have seen so far. As we peaked the climbs with rolling fields spread out to each side of the road. The second stretch threw up more of the same. All though some (wishfully I think) suggested the gaps between each climb were further apart.

It was along this stretch that I think the C Team really came together. In an environment in which our ability to operate as a team is heavily challenged, individual glory was put aside and the supportive environment of a team began to grow.

It was with this team mentality that we left lunch, with the aim of getting into Yass in time to grab coffee before our billets meet us at the church we were sleeping at tonight. Three punctures in 2km (No Perth starter so not in stats) frustratingly put a quick death to this concept. It did however enable the larger team, A's-B's-C's to ride into town as a single convoy.

My afternoon was spent catching up with Warren Hodgson, an experience I value in equal measures to the ride as a whole. Dinner by the river with Warren, Jan, Penny, Elliot and Sally left me in high spirits with three rides to home.

Punctures: Me (0), Group (15)
Brain Snaps: Mild (2), Moderate (1), Max (0)


11.10.2011
Having managed a relatively pain free run yesterday afternoon I made it to Sleep Trains this morning to start the standard Tuesday morning lap around the two hills circuit. Strangely enough it was not the ribs, but really tight ham's and straining at the back of my knee that slowed me down. So with concerns on building another injury the run was cut back to the short lap, normally reserved for Sleep Train on mornings he can't keep up with us.

The day flowed fairly smoothly however the double run Tuesday was transformed into a half run morning with short walk arvo Tuesday. Trying to balance the what can I do philosophy with the your doing a job above your comfort zone and the I haven't slept through a night in months phase Evie is instigating.

As such, Im buggered so Im going to sleeping order to try and ensure Im at the Woods for a splash in the AM. So to put me to sleep Evies song today (language at times if you have sensitive ears):