Pushing the "soft" button

Well almost everyone can be called "soft" this week, even though there was plenty of riding to be had. The taunting started with Damian adding a "soft" bottom to an email for riders who chose not to do a morning ride this week. Later in the week we found out that he had enough time to work out voting buttons on email as he left the office for greener pastures, there is even talk that his new employer may provide him with a riding kit. It may even be in his contract that leg shaving is compulsory to ride a bicycle.

The riding started with Joel and I on a frosty Tuesday morning. I am convinced that the mercury did not go above zero degrees for majority of the ride. As the sun rose an indicator in Ivanhoe displayed two (+). We managed with the weather but took a short cut in the ride.

Wednesday was the suburban hills again. Joel had a rough night with his tamagotchi (pager) keeping him up all night with cries to feed it. He pushed "soft" and did not turn up. Andy led Damian and myself till we hit the first climb. We gave it all up the hill and as I won Damian conceeded that he is not feeling too well and maybe we should take the shortcut. We did. The big hill was Damian and Andy all the way to the top, with Damian taking honours. I had 2 sets of lights and must have caught what Damian had, comming in last. The start was: Andy 80 seconds, Damian 40 seconds, Michael scratch. It was coffee time in Kew.

Thursday was rest day and Friday I went out with Richard to do laps of Albert Park. The air was heavy with moisture and by the first lap it started to drizzel. The riding was good but I just wanted to be "soft" and finish there. I looked across at Richard who wore neither leg warmers nor booties and I could just imagine how cold that rain must feel at six in the morning, still dark. He was determined so we continued. Somehow the time flew by and in no time we had managed a healthy 30 km's. I struggled another 10 to the office, a hot shower.