Up and out early as it was a drive over to the dark side (and it was dark at 4.45am) to meet Tommy H. Ben S and one of Tom’s mates John for the tough Akuna Bay ride starting at Fairlight. Haven’t been on the bike for a decent ride in months and with the Chairman on his new machine who it seems has been training the house down I was already expecting a tough morning ahead.
No idea where we were heading to start with, but his mate John was in no mood to hang around pushing the pace from the beginning, was then surprised when John pealed off at 22ks with Ben and Tom then demanding we keep going and it wasn’t long before we were at the base of Akuna Bay and ready for the 3k brutal climb. It was just a case of head down for the next 10-15 minutes as I slowly made it to the summit (as I nearly took out a poor lizard sunning itself on the road as I battled to make it). Happy to get a little breather at the top before setting of on what is normally regarded as a faster trek home. Ben was pushing the pace at this stage before the Chairman was looking at me to have a go – ignorance was the best form of defense here as I had no idea of the way home and made him do a turn on the front instead. With him nearly at breaking point I then jumped the front wheel and safely got the Chairman back to the comforts of his home.
Great ride all up that covered over 60ks – tough enough and was more then happy when invited into Chez Highnam for a cuppa upon return, No sign of the Sticky Date Pudding that Slim Sammy Agnew was telling me about BUT I was honored when he got the famed ‘English Chocolate Roses’ out and we munched through them at 8am in the morning whilst the poor kids were only allowed Porridge.
A few hours break before it was time to cycle back into town for the monthly 1k swim time trial at the A.B.C Pool, only a very small turnout today due to Xmas parties etc, with Pete Walker, Elan, The Champ and Taffy lining up. Felt very tired before the start but was amazed when I went out hard and pretty much held the pace through each 100, Kept an eye on Taffy but realized he was NOT gaining at any stage and no one was coming past me either. Still had The Champ ahead who was swimming even better and I was unable to reel him in as he took out his 3rd Golden Duck Trophy in about 6 months. Talk about rorting the system…… Not since 1984 since Robbie Waterhouse’s Fine Cotton Race horse scandal has there been such underhand tactics and illegal scams going on in order to take out the duck. At least Robbie got warned OFF for about 10 years J
Very happy to take out 2nd again (for the 2nd month on the trot) But more importantly managed to swim a PB of 16.38.
The cycle home was tough as temps hit the mid 30s so I was delighted then to head back out this time for lunch to the famous Portuguese Chicken shop in Petersham Silva’s for a few beers and a good feed.
Shattered now but keen to get back out in the morning for a bit of a run around Centennial.
Big weekend yet again, back on the radio tomorrow night talking trash all things English footy, and two big games come to mind with Stoke taking on Enda’s Villa boys, whilst in London Slim Sammy Agnew’s Palace take on Toms Toon.
Timmy tips – Take Stoke to beat the Villa 1 – 0
And sit on the fence for the draw in the other match
Have a great weekend
Stay safe and don’t party too hard
Cheers
Times from today’s T/T
Elan 13.09
Pete 14.22
Angus 15.23
Timmy 16.38
The Champ 16.57 …Golden Duck Winner
Taffy 17.03
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