Thanks to all 11 of the Flufferers who attended the Birthday Fluffer this morning.  We have 4 Virgin Flufferers including our youngest Flufferer to date – Grant aged 14.

No mechanicals to report.  Flufferettes were on great form (Briony and Anna Banana). The Sunrise and views were all delivered on schedule along the beaches – Thanks for booking these.  A little bit untidy today in the Group Riding but that’s because we were partying hard and enjoying ourselves.

Graham organised the Birthday procession into the B&T right on schedule with a 7.45 delivery.  Great timing.  Well done.  Ravi bought the Birthday drinks – thanks mate.

All Flufferers welcomed by the OTP – Thanks for all the ‘Happy Bird Day’ messages – Go Fluffer your feathers today and enjoy a wonderful day.

Fluffers organised every Tuesday and Thursday – 5.15 start at St Ives – Next Birthday Fluffer Procession is 14 Feb.  Let me know if there is a Birthday on a Tuesday or Thursday before then with an intended Fluffer.

Lots of fluffering fun and frivolity

Enjoy

Big Goaders/Big Bird

YHC was aroused well before first light , atop the col de Monte Dural to the sound of B-doubles rolling past and the unmistakable swish of puddles being bulldozed into atoms..not a portentous  beginning to the second best way…Rule #9…

So straight into the car for a swift transfer across to Fox Valley Rd and strapping on the plastic with Ravi there was some talk as to who and how many “Bad Asses” would be on the ride..Bad Ass Saintnav was the next arrival, “Googleman” made a quorum so roll out was ..Rule 87..on time. On this side of the valley in rainshadow it was a dry roll down the hill to Gordon, of note was the darkening tan on Satnav’s bike, getting the look of a ironmogers yard. ( and adding a kilo to bike weight for training effect )

Much frivolity and jocularity happening on the launch pad, holiday atmosphere but undertones of business as usual, how fast those heady days of alcohol and family rows recede to make way for three peaks training and superhuman basecamp training..base meaning peak in cycling parlance. YHC is still confused sometimes as “base” training entails peak training..and YHC is always base and wanting peak..no matter where in the continuum..perhaps there is an unwritten rule about where in the line between base and peak one actually “is”..Professor has YHC missed a chapter in the explanation of “non event” appreciation, or just eaten one or two of Schleckies “brownies” for breakfast…it is all too beautiful man…???

20…on the pedals to ply the OTP, names and addresses to follow, greeting to “newbie” Greg, from Dural ( meaning the Dural Chapter has expanded by 100% in the first month of the new year )…and  a slow wind up into the hills of death..the first point of safety to discuss was YHC..first roundabout, Ute approaching from the right , YHC jammed on the ancors but only managed zero braking and had to commit to riding through the roundabout hoping the ute was able to stop and give way…I was not travelling fast but had no chance of stopping on the slick road with ‘gatorskin slicks..simply no grip..

Luckily no sticky ending but lesson again on wet road considerations.

Traffic has definitely increased, and once into Roseville we were overtaken by a car intent on breaking road rules ..possible frustration due to peloton size but no excuse for dangerous driving..ignored the double whites and mashed into the peloton when meeting oncoming traffic..could have been messy but again thankfully no injuries to report..there are now nice cycle symbols stencilled on the road to alert the road user to the danger of cyclists but it seems that 15 seconds of delay is not acceptable to some.

Archer St lights did their thing and chopped the 24 strong group into sections of about 6 ..regrouping at Tindale, again the moist conditions making the surge into the park and shared path a possible health hazard..but one ER has mastered with sensible precautions taken..slow speeds and single file, much vigilance to ensure all arrive in one piece..( and no pillory in the SMH due to the predatory practices of the “lone” cyclist ) ..YHC slipped to the Lantern Rouge position to ensure that Greg made it up Scaramanga and would know where the KOM line is, unfortunately by the time he arrived up to the carpark, his hypoxia was such that he rolled over the footbridge, and could not hear YHC calling for the right turn ..he rejoined the group on West St, having found some oxygen on the freeway section.

North Sydney and red light action making light work of the peloton again, good discipline on show, meaning the B&T tables had already been rearranged by the time YHC rolled in for a mega coffee and conference ..rule #56. And a quick thank you to Schleck for the degustation  menu, no evil wheat and a calorie filled comestible with delicious mouthfeel, enough sugar to cause havoc with your endocrine system but keep those legs pumping..( 15 pages of food commentary deleted here )

Great to see such enthusiasm and vigour on show, enough to encourage the other 180 on the list to make an appearance in the near future..

Returns all teed up and ready for the usual times..

Have a good one all

BT

On the hottest day of the year so far the intrepid Flufferer’s conquered yet another ride without a mechanical between them.

9 riders in total – Anna, Alex, Ravi, Blue Stratos, Andy H, Sam, Simon, Sir Lunchalot and Big Goaders (think I got everyone right).

A stunning ride by all involved with regular regroups on the first part of the ride at the Terry Hills Turning, The bottom of the big drop in the National Park and just before we hit the main Mona Vale road.  Pace was as fast as the slowest rider with calls that ‘The Back’ is now the ‘New Front’ where all the conversation, fun and banter happens.

The ride was Hot with a fully diverse team!  Simba – still missing you in your pink!!!

The Captain would have been proud of us – down the 15km of bus lanes we were practising our ‘rolling groups’ where the average speed was 32km per hour due to the amount of drafting going on – effectively we got a ‘free 10km/h’ from working as a team in a closely nit group – lots of changes occurring with military precision. Great fun and great effort. Well done and thanks to all involved.

By the time we hit Manly Sir Lunchalot felt hungry and targeted a $1.5million tuna seen closely offshore.  Running down the beach like Daniel Craig he quickly dived in supported ably by Blue Stratos.  Unfortunately missed the Tuna but had a fantastic swim.

Enjoyable ride from Manly with a good climb from Spit bridge, through Mosman and over the Bridge. Joined by the Flutterers just short of North Sydney which was great that they rode in with us rather than just whizzing past us with a wave.

Great effort by all. An enjoyable ride.

Next Fluffer on Thursday at 5.15am at St Ives

Enjoy the heat

Big Goaders

Comrades,

I acknowledge the traditional owners of this email and give thanks for allowing me to commune in this sacred place. I can feel their presence.

Australian Property Monitors report this morning a sharp spike in interest and value of postcodes 2070-2075 citing “The appearance of the Captain” as the overriding influence.

Local investors and owner occupiers were out in force to see this rare cyclical phenomenon in action, as such factor convergence in market conditions is far too rare these days.

That said, 30 of the 2070-2075’s most attractive offerings were on display this morning. For many it was their first foray into the market this year, for others it was the hope of a more buoyant times after the sluggish conditions of the previous week.

Some highlights from the catalogue:

• Captain’s evergreen stunner – “Rolling Downs”, the perfect combination of ease, with just a hint performance. Luxury and delusion in perfect concert.
• Turnip’s fixer upper – “Balboa Estate” – a rustic charmer in need of some TLC after a recent run in with an erratic buyer during last Thursday’s inspection
• Shleck’s classic Art Deco – “Moneypenny”. The impressive property has been let go in recent times; the hedges are a little overgrown, all of which adds to the mystery of this top drawer offering. Insiders note a recent garage sale of certain fixtures and fitting suggest that the Schlecks may be more motivated than first indications. Potential for good buying here.
• Chippo’s compact entertainer – “Nads”. Crisp, clean presentation with bright colours that create an ambience of fun and functionality. A lot of value has been squeezed into this appealing unit. If you poke around inside you’ll find hidden nooks and private spaces to please. This one’s a real peach!
• The Houghton Family Estate – “Strato Cumulus” a collection rambling gems that carry a warm familiarity. One for the family here

With stock numbers on the rise, many are looking for expansion opportunities to new developments and undervalued opportunities; Flufferville, Aallambie-by-Sea, and Getalong Grove all attracting early season interest.

Tomorrow sees up and coming agent – Goader Partners, testing a bold  marketing innovation – a pre-dawn tour through Flufferville. Expressions of Interest have been strong with many hoping to get the jump on the market and snap up a bargain off the plan.

It’s shaping up to be quite a year and we’ll be looking to set records, maintain high clearance rates and continue the stimulate the market with interesting and attractive offerings from the FM group of companies.

5.15 & 6pm briefings as per.

Bullet (Le)

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

The dull grey of the post Apocalyptic age greeted the eye as I squinted out the window.

“Will there be anybody riding in today?”
“Dunno; I’ll find out when I get there.”

Out of the bunk, throw on the nicks, morning ablutions, morning oblations, change nicks (it’s ablutions before throwing on the nicks, silly), protein shake, out with the bike (feeling in a Unibomber frame of mind) and off we go:

• Swiped by ute within 200 metres – “Happy New Year, D!ckhead!”
• Resolved to commit to medication regime to manage Tourettes.
• Down Luton’s driveway – Dopey streaks past like a rabbit on the run, “Sorry Bullet, I didn’t recognise your @rse!”
• (“The protein shakes are working,” Bullet (Le) is chuffed)
• 16 on the Pedal for the first Post Mayan Apocalyptic Commute – atmosphere reminiscent of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. “We don’t need another Hero! (Tina Turner)” underscoring the ride
• There is a BOF in the New World – crack on!

No incedents or other to report. Business as usual in many ways:

• Quarter, resplendent in the Yulefest garb of the KOM jersey
• Assumed Quarter took the KOM – I was somewhere back around Chatswood…
• UB yellow carded for outrageous manoeuvre at the top of Scaramanga – not satisfied with his newly found media whore status (courtesy: Peter Fitzimons, SMH), he seems intent on doing whatever it takes to ensure he remains in the papers. Propose a “Yellow Card” register for transgressions whilst in the livery – no correspondence will be entered into.
• Big Goaders suggested Le Bullet could be entered into said register for his deft and elegant cornering sweep into West St. Unfortunately, ineligible as I was not in the livery. No correspondence will be entered into (do as I say, not as I do)
• The B&T open on the first trading day of the year. Outstanding. Sarah looking forlorn due to the absence of Chippo.
• Fervent discussion around the cancellation of today’s lunch and potential for Sri Lunchalot’s excommunication as a result. Lunch promptly re-instated
• Planning and strategy breakout groups convened covering – 2013 Ride to the Moon challenge (Total km’s by all members of the ER Group on Strava, sign up ASAP), Fluffer deviations (A Fluffer via Ettalong departing 2.00am from Patto’s – kidding….), The Ride to Work Challenge – track how many of roughly 250 working days each of us ride to work – specifics to follow, The Madison – a beginner’s guide, with keynote address by Richard Measures (in absentia).

So, as sung by the patrons at the World Darts Championships, “‘Ere we go, ‘ere we go, ‘ere we go…..” Set your clocks, start your engines, we’re off on another adventure – 2013.

Confirmation of lunch pending, proposed ETD’s from 16:30 hours onwards (if it’s good enough for the banks….) – as you can see, it’s nose to the grindstone stuff.

Did I mention 16 on the Pedals? Bet you wish you were back at work.

Ride in Peace

Bullet (Le).