A group of about 20 gathered on Sunday morning for the challenging 113 km jaunt (including 6 KOM climbs) to Kalamunda. Conspicuous by their absence were (a) Lorraine’s mobile phone and (b) Peter – with the former containing a message saying that the latter would not be able to make it. Unbeknown to the rest of the group, Jerry had also received the message and this was confirmed after we called Peter to see if he was coming.

The group set off at a leisurely pace down Manning Road and Albany Hwy and there were many happy comments about the lack of wind. Surely on such a great day there would be big pack to tackle the ride ahead!! The climb up Mills Rd began steadily and soon Ben, Stu, Mike and myself had a gap on the rest of the field. We made good progress and continued uneventful until Ben threw down the challenge about 300 m from the finish to take the points.
KOM 1 (Mills Rd). 1, Ben 2, Julian 3, Stu 4, Mike 5, Jerry

At the top, the first murmurings of a shorter ride were heard but we pressed ahead to the Peet Road climb and the finish at Roleystone High School. Stu, Ben and Mike made a break in Peet Rd and fought it out for points. Jerry finished hard but couldn’t quite get the points for 4th.

KOM 2 (Peet Rd/Raeburn Rd) 1, Ben 2, Mike 3, Stu 4, Julian 5, Jerry

The shorter ride murmurs became loud shouts after the climb and most of the group turned left at Brookton Hwy and headed directly to Kalamunda. However 5 hardy souls, not sadly lacking in intestinal fortitude, continued on to complete the whole ride, safe in the knowledge that everyone in the group would get points today. The climb up Soldiers Road was not too bad with the familiar pattern of Ben, Mike and Stu clearing out from Julian and Mark bringing up the rear. This continued for all the climbs, although at the Canning Dam turnoff we weren’t sure where the points were on offer. Ben and Stu realised somewhat belatedly and took off and subsequently missed the turn off! Mike, Mark and myself rode up and a more leisurely pace and negotiated the turn without problem.

KOM 3 (Soldiers Rd) 1, Mike 2, Ben 3, Stu 4, Julian 5, Mark

KOM 4 (Albany Hwy) 1, Stu 2, Ben 3, Julian 4, Mike 5, Mark

The decent into Canning Dam was fairly quick and was punctuated with lots of motor bikes coming the other way. Once we hit Araluen the climbing group split as above before we re-grouped at Karragullen for the final 15 km. By this stage there were a few tired legs but we all keen on getting to the Cafe by 10.45 am.

KOM 5 (Araluen) 1, Mike 2, Ben 3, Stu 4, Julian 5, Mark

The earlier climbs finally took their toll on me and no records were set this week. Up the front, Stu hit the 50 km sign first to take out the last of the points on offer.

KOM 6 (Mundaring Weir Rd) 1, Stu 2, Mike 3, Ben 4, Julian 5, Mark

We enjoyed a good recharge at the coffee shop and caught up with Brett and Simon, back from a Mountain Bike trip near Mundaring Weir. Finally we headed home down the hill and managed to get home before midday, thus ensuring I may even be allowed out next Sunday!