Tour Down Under: Pre-Race Mindfulness

Hush Terence, says Katherine. Sit still and wait for Jessica Mauboy!

Terence hadn't even been talking.

It sucks going out with a granny.

She won't buy them sugar drinks. She confiscates hover boards. And she says things like that.

He tries to sit still and wait for Jessica Mauboy.

Lucky baby B-B. He got away by pretending he needed to go to the toilet.

And Katherine said go. She didn't want to be bothered with trying to find a bird toilet.

Not in this crowd. Not with Jessica Mauboy just starting.

The lights on the stage flash blue and purple. Jessica bounces on.

She is wearing dark trousers.

Terence finds this disappointing.

But soon the soaring voice of Jessica Mauboy works its magic. Until.....

Baby B-B flutters down by his side heaving big sobs.

Shut up, says Terence. What?

I got up SO CLOSE, gulps baby B-B. And I got SWATTED.

Did you swat back? asks Terence.

No-o, says baby B-B. It wasn't worth it.

How come? says Terence.

She wasn't the best and prettiest, says baby B-B. Except maybe for a human.

What did you expect? says Terence.

GOLD FEATHERS! shouts baby B-B. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?

Do be QUIET! says Katherine. I can hardly hear Jessica Mauboy.

In short, the evening is not entirely successful.

.........

Next morning, the riders are preparing for the Tour Down Under Classic Street Circuit, by drinking coffee at various venues.

Team Condor is at Gingers in Goodwood.

Team Philosphe is at the next table.

There is some cross-table chit chat.

Hey, Vello! says Sweezus. New rider?

Victor, says Vello. He's fulfilling a dual role.

Cool, says Sweezus. Rider and what?

Policeman, says Vello. He's tailing..... er ....Jack Bobridge.

Yeah? says Sweezus. Awesome tactic.

Indeed, says Gaius, admiring the seamless way Vello has avoided telling Sweezus that Victor is also tailing him.

And, says David, we have allowed Victor the title of honorary philosopher.

Mental, says Sweezus.

Victor looks modestly pleased.

We've got our own philosopher, says Sweezus. It's this guy.

He indicates Süu K'ung Shu, who is head down in conversation with Arthur, Dries and Pablo.

Sikong Shu? says Vello. Isn't he a Middle Tang poet?

Yeah, but he's also a Daoist, says Sweezus. He follows the Dao de Jing. It's a Tang thing. He's teaching us mindfulness.

Wanker, mutters Vello.

But other riders are also in Gingers, overhearing these tantalising threads of information.

Not Jack Bobridge (of course not), but Steele von Hoff, Neil van der Ploeg and Sean Lake of team UniSA are nearby, drinking lattes, obscured by the fronds of a pot plant.

Steele nods at Neil. Watch out for these guys this arvo!