A pea souper in the vicinity of Monte Dural, and a balmy 11C on the dashboard over to Fox Valley, where a mega peloton was gathering in the morning gloom. YHC, B1c, Onya, Elle, DB, Dave, Teflon, Drastic, launched or should that be sauntered towards Gordon, in a well aspirated and nonchalant manner…the fog of course did not last once crossing the Pennant Hills Road it was into the globally warmed and clear felled North Shore. Nice not to have gridlock through Turra but the tailback still reached the top of Pymble hill.
Once in the starting blocks of the OTP a further 10+ girding their loins for a good roll in. DT, TFS, Bullet, mark, Jamie, Turnip the Strati, and uncleTom cobbly and all ( which means the memory is fading too fast to actually recall )
Several incidents to report..viz…
Strati tripped on roll out..and there were no scathing remarks from the stoker.
Once under way HOD were achieved in ER well managed style, mostly single file and multiple car back calls..however..the car traffic were on show today, first one decided to swing a door open at Lindfield, with a string of vernacular, probably a loud good “morning guys great to see you out and about this fine day” but wind noise and banter prevented me hearing the exact comments. Once through to Roseville another passer on the wrong side of the double whites had to barge in when oncoming traffic appeared.. then a car behind noticed the slip road and stormed through at speed, ignoring the stop sign at the far end, barging into the peloton with brakes hard on ..only to be brought to a stop at the junction of Boundary, when everyone deliberately over took “with extreme prejudice” ..ok just a little belligerence..our hero over took on Archer and made a hasty left turn asap..
Regroups and so on seemed to work well, however the elastic must have snapped, as I noticed a small group of about 6 arrived a good 10 minutes late at the B&T.. Another rap for DT who was shepherding the stragglers.
B&T once more providing essential sustenance to all, a hot coffee minimum..but for some you have to have friends.. alas seating still a little challenging for our host, good thing there are planters all around as each was occupied. 3 more ER pelotons arrived the Epping, Fluffers, and LCNP contingents all arriving after all seats were taken..incentive perhaps for a speedier ride or earlier departure, but if you don’t want to be up before you go to beds perhaps byo stool.
Returns planned for all the usual times along all the usual route options..( except perhaps the Flambie as DLHK is now cooling off in Paris ) it is apparently forecast to turn cold and perhaps wet in the next few days which reminds me to restate the July challenge of riding every working day ..while staying up to watch the TDF …
Q is there a TDF sweep ? is anyone bold enough to back Cadel ?, will Alberto really ride ? Is there a Schlek in the race ?
Have a great day all
BT