BurbleChaz

So, what did we do today? Last weekend before Christmas, warm sunny day, most of our shopping done. We went to Highpoint, the biggest mall in Victoria, of course. In the fourteen square kilometres of car park, not a single space was free. After thirty minutes of fruitless random search for a space, we adopted a more agressive strategy: we stalked someone with a full load of bags. She was looking more and more uncomfortable as we kerb-crawled after her. I've never seen anyone throw stuff in a car and screech away with such white-knuckled terror before. Whatever the long-term psychological consequences, we had a parking space.

I was searching for a specific present. There were three possible sources at Highpoint. The first one had none in stock, the second one didn't know what I was talking about, and the third one told me it didn't exist. Oh dear. I had to fall back on Plan B. For the first time in recorded history, the Professional Shopper had finished before me. BlokeCred = 0.

Once we got back home, we each focussed on core skills. A siesta was taken while I got on the bike and pootled over to Williamstown. After a hard 20-mile run yesterday, this was going to be a gentle little recovery ride. There was a bit of a tail wind past the container port, which made it hard to keep the speed down. The hills are small, but all hills need attacking. The headwind was brutal on the long riverside path to Williamstown, so I slacked off and rested a bit. Except when I saw another cyclist. Or the wind dropped. Or a seagull needed chasing down (tip: always stick to the path when chasing seagulls). I'd been aiming for an average speed around 12.5mph. It was 13.9 at the turn-around point, and downwind all the way home. Down goes the hammer. Damn damn damn. One day, I will have a gentle, pleasant non-competitive ride on my own. Until then, I need The Sensible Cyclist to keep this mouth-breathing, hill-hunting, pain-seeking idiot in check.

15.1mph averaged over 22.39 miles. Not that I was counting. 2.5 litres of water consumed. Fun. Not sensible, but fun. Nobody caught me. Natch.

In Williamstown, I slowed down for the local traffic. I followed these two for about a mile. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't get them to howl along with me. Too hot, I suspect.

Securely restrained in accordance with the regulations

I need a better camera. The one in my phone does its best, but a better lens would reduce eye-strain for both my readers.

Melbourne