More unexpected pleasures

The 6am-er mountain bike adventure ended up getting off the ground in some small way this evening. Mick, Mick and I met at Schwerkolt Cottage late this arvo and hit the trails of Mullem Mullem for what turned out to be a pretty solid effort.

The conditions were super-wet of course but we thought we would get away without it actually raining on us. It appeared to be quite clear. Here's our 'before' shot -


We didn't get away with it and it ended up bucketing on us on a number of occasions through the ride. That added to the already soaked trails to cause this -


- and this -


Despite the water, it was one of those days where it was actually quite pleasant riding in the rain. We enjoyed the trails and enjoyed the company. This is us after a lap of Hans's Loop... It has that smiling effect on you. Mick Shaw, a novice to the loop, was pretty happy with Hans!

Unexpected pleasures

The deluge kept us off the bikes and inside this morning. My daughter Kate reminded me that the kids (Jack, Lucy, Kate) used to alternate going out for coffee on the weekends with me. She wanted to give it another go.

So Kate and I ended up in the local cafe for half hour this morning spending some nice time one-on-one together. My little fashion princess informed me that she used to love dressing up for coffee and remembered on one occasion she wore her favourite dress.

RR - "Why didn't you wear your favourite dress this morning then darling?"
KR - "Daaaaad... It doesn't fit me anymore silly."

I pointed out that she could wear her current favourite dress and she agreed that she would do so on the next occasion. Gorgeous!

6am-er MTB no longer

This is what has put a stop to the 6am-er Yarra Trail MTB epic tomorrow morning...

With a forecast of weather of this nature going through to lunchtime tomorrow (Sunday) there's not much point. Let's hope it clears enough tomorrow to get out on the road bike for a bit.

I'm very disappointed but that's life I guess. I was really looking forward to it.

NRR

North Road yesterday and loving it.

I've missed this ride tremendously and have enjoyed getting out the last two weeks.

Spent plenty of time on the front. Proud to be there with another 6am-er for a lot of it.

Welcomed back Horny to the fold (although didn't see him til the very end!!).

A bit of a rest today.

Trail commute and clever kids

One way commute from work to home this arvo. Extended the route as much as I could and linked every trail I could think of that remotely headed east. Ran into the Fatties boys on the Burke Street footbridge and regretted not being able to join them.

Lucy's first session in swimming squad and dinner for Jack at Pompeos to celebrate his fist successful music (Sax) exam. Such clever children!

2hrs MTB SS

Down to 99kg and getting excited about it - even Ricketts Point "climb" is easier!

Hoot and Hurt

I took the new Giant Anthem out yesterday for it's first spin. Really good! Getting back on the dually made me realise how sweet it is to have a rear shock and how relieving for the back.

The 2x10 took some getting used to. I read something recently describing 2x10 as a 'single ring with an escape'. That was fairly apt. I really really liked it and I do see myself spending most of my time in the big ring, especially when racing. It's an amazingly efficient system and you can ride every cog on the back on either ring on the front. The shifting between big and little ring is a quick snap. Amazingly fast with the new four ramps on the big chain ring. I think I'm going to really enjoy it. The only thing that worries me is the steep climbing in a race such as the Odyssey. I know how much I use my granny there and still walk so it's going to be interesting.

4+ solid hours of MTB yesterday... and loved it.

Today was the hurt box with a great group of 6am-ers. We moved along pretty well this morning too and this week I managed to significantly contribute (unlike last week when I felt like shit).

70k of road bike - most of it hard.

FCUK the blender

No place for this today!

Today was one of those days where I got home from the ride thinking, "That was just bloody fantastic!"

110 ks belted out with the 6am-ers in glorious conditions across magnificant country-side. What a ripper of a day.

Henty Road (Mist and sunshine... splendid!)

Yarra Glen - Kangaroo Ground Road

Fifteen of us headed out despite the racing options this weekend. Out through Warrandyte, Pigeon Bank Road then Henty Road. Down to Clintons Road, St. Andrews and up to King Lake.

It was good to see some guys today who we haven't seen for a while. Smithy joined us before turning for home at Smith's Gully and we were priveleged to be joined by these two wackers (below). Both felt they had to make excuses for not going so well, yet both were sitting in the front group on every climb! Go figure?

Pete and Simon

Smith's for a coffee then hammer-time down to Warrandyte.

No time for the blender here. Fantastic!




Today was one of those days the 6am-ers exist for. Good solid riding, lots of climbing and heaps and heaps of fun.