Stage 2: Norwood to Uraidla - Mind Game

Belle and Henriette are in Norwood watching the start.

Terence is, too.

How's Ageless doing? asks Belle.

I looked in the bucket this morning, says Henriette.

And? asks Belle.

Bang! The race starts and Belle doesn't hear the answer.

Go! shouts Terence.

Who are you cheering for? asks Belle.

Poggy, says Terence.

Poggy isn't in it, says Belle.

Poggy's team, says Terence.

Lucky Sweezus didn't hear that. He is too focused. 

I'm going for Team Philosophe, says Henriette.

Me too, says Belle. But they've no chance of winning.

I heard that, says Vello, cycling past at that moment.

Go! shouts Terence.

Thank you, Terence, says Vello. 

The teams ride up Norwood Parade. 

Where is Arthur? 

Has he taken Gaius's advice and eaten some cabbage?

No, of course not. But several riders have added cabbage to their breakfast.

It's not a banned substance.

Summertown, Crafers, Picadilly, Uraidla, Lobethal, Cudlee Creek ... and now, first time up the Corkscrew.

Sweezus is going for King of the Mountain.

You can do it, says Gaius, behind him.

Uh uh uh, goes Sweezus. 

And there's always the second climb, says Gaius.

Maybe if you'd led me out, says Sweezus.

I thought  Arthur was doing it, says Gaius.

Well he didn't, says Sweezus. Where is he?

Arthur is chatting to Jay Vine.

Tried eating cabbage? asks Jay Vine

No, says Arthur. 

Apparently good for the gut, says Jay Vine.

My gut came good by itself, says Arthur.

Lucky you, says Jay Vine.

I write my best poetry with a bad gut, says Arthur. So a bad gut's not all bad.

Yeah? says Jay Vine. Well, I tried the cabbage. Dunno if it's helping.

He speeds off to catch up with Jhonatan Narváez, his teammate.

Carey Gully, Lenswood, Lobethal, Cudlee Creek and again the Corkscrew.

Corkscrew again? says Denis. Who is behind this?

A malevolent spirit, says David.

I'm surprised you believe in malevolent spirits, says Vello.

So am I, says Denis.

We'll see who gets up it first, says David.

He sets off up the Corkscrew.

It's a mind game, says Vello.

He sets off too.

Denis wonders about the efficacy of pretending the course has been set by a malevolent spirit.

And why can he smell cabbage?

Because the scent of cabbage has lingered.

Long after Jay Vine and Jhonatan Narváez have broken away from the peloton, and are now zooming down to the finish.