Pete’s dastardly plan to ensure “victory” of the loons was to send the main group over a couple of hills and ensure a multitude of unfavourable traffic lights. You would have thought we were on a tour of the red light district.
Once said loons separated from the sensible bunch we were down to 20 odd riders Our plan was to hold the group together until the Leach Hwy – North Lake Rd intersection and then start rolling through.
This seemed to work as a few people were struggling over the hills but had less difficulty maintaining the pace of the main group on the flats.
It seems someone amongst the loons must work for Main Roads as our run along Leach Hwy turned into an interval session with seemingly every traffic light being red upon our approach.
As the more experienced amongst us coached those less experienced in the roll through technique we did however manage to maintain a reasonable pace between the lights.
Our next challenge was crossing the lanes of Leach Hwy to make our right turn onto High Rd. That safely negotiated we continued our interval session between the lights along to Nicholson.
After a check over our shoulders for the loons and a
brief moment for a regroup after the roundabout we stepped up the pace a little as our roll through had by now became a bit more fluid.
As the loons caught us along Albany Hwy, no doubt thanking their mole in the Main Roads Department, things got a little messy. However I’m sure we’ll have a protocol for this next time.
It soon became a case of every person for themselves with a high speed blast to the café where the real race began, that for position in the queue for ordering food and/or drinks. I’m sure this is the only reason the ride ends in a sprint.
Cheers
Chris