Oops, that long ago?

The beat goes on ...
The ride from Southbank to Southport (GC100) was really quite difficult (surprise, surprise) and I really noticed it on the last 10km, as all these people just kept riding past me ... Whereas prior to that I had actually been passing people on the way down ... Coming out of the 2nd rest stop started chatting with a fellow who was spinning quite well, and we rode together for awhile nattering away about life and racing bikes-he being of the opinion that they were not warranted on such a ride ... He tried to do track stop at the lights at one point, but fell over just as the lights changed, as you would ... Saw a Canyon bike just coming past Griffith Uni, so sprinted after the bloke for a bit of a chat - turns out a) he was German; and b) knew people over there who bought it for him, and then shipped it to him ... Although, that is an idea ... The organisers gave us so much food, but it did include some of those Cadel bars that I like(d) ... For the most part riders seemed really well behaved, or maybe it was just that I had incredible powers of tolerance? But, either way, there was no slapping of anybody ... Seemed to be a lot of people just riding along alone, so I must really work out how to utilise/exploit such opportunities? Anyway, did the ride, then turned around and rode to the Helensvale station, fortunately with a tailwind :) Had a can of coke to refresh, although as I say, did feel quite amazed at my general level of not excessive pain or discomfort ... The ride back in the train was comical-bikes all over the place, including standing up in seats! Fortunately, not many people got onto the train after the station ... Got home, found the door locked!!! So pottered about, screaming (not quite) silently, then buckled down-had jeans + shirt under house :) so washed self under hose, and dried off with a convenient towel lying about, then headed over to visit Annie. Drank almost a bottle of Cooper's Red before bus came, then bought another before heading over to her place. Brettski was in kitchen making pancakes (+ other foods), so sat down to chat with Annie and friends. One of whom was the William that I had heard of before-turns out that he was as mad as a cut snake, and had some pet snakes ... Could be someone to provide advice, maybe? Anyway, then made way to Rumpus Room to listen to 4zzz and their new tunes, enjoy a few Mercury Draughts. Started heading home, and Shane rang to say he could go unlock door for me, so that I could get in. So went home and collapsed into bed, start to recover. But, at least my legs were not spasming/twitching, as with some previous rides ... Anyway, the statistics speak for themselves: total ride time of 4h 4 mins 41 secs; total distance (from home to Southport) 105.68km; average speed of 23.77kph; max speed of 55.41kph; and, average cadence 85 rpm ...
The night before I had been to a 'End of contract' dinner at the Port Office Hotel, where a fixed menu meal was enjoyed by possibly 15 various co-workers, albeit all others knew each other, being all from the same team ... But, I felt it was important to make the effort, and had a really fun night :) Ended up enjoying a rather tasty piece of rump, and then a nice piece of white chocolate mousse. But I did not stay on too late, as I had the ride on in the morning, which is also why I refused to have any alcohol ... Or so I convinced myself? Wore the light linen pants, along with the blue striped shirt with cufflinks from Father's collection - but discovered that the cuffs were too big for my wrists :o Interesting, very interesting ... The night before that, about 8 of us from Theo's team had met up at the Farmer's Hotel up at Annerley, to have a few drinks, play the pokies, catch up out of work, and to celebrate the end of the contract, even if it was now to continue to March next year ... Oh, and there was also 'singing' (karaoke) involved, but (unfortunately) I had to leave just as that was starting :( Did drink that night, and even got to the bottleshop next door for a bottle of Coopers Red, just as they were shutting ... Anyway, it was good that something was organised, that people came, had fun, including me ...