ride report by peter.

 

a cold, cold start to the day but that didn’t stop close to 70 riders turning up this morning.  quite a few new faces and a couple of recent acquisitions returning so we must be doing something right.  i blame the tour de france.  everyone is trying to make up for cadel’s lacklustre performance this year.

the route today was to be an old favourite.  this used to be one of our regulars back in the old bikeforce days when simon used to lead the rides.  the main group would take the tried and true path through ascot, guilford and back via benara rd, while the fast group would take a extended trip past guilford to return via midland before heading back to the original route along benara rd.  well that was the plan anyway.

we all started out well but i had to move to the front to get james and ben to ease back a bit as i was having trouble holding a conversation with brendan.  they said that they were only trying to keep warm.  the group managed to keep together well and despite the size did not get split at any of the lights that we past through.  it didn’t take too long and we were at the split point for the main group to head through ascot.

the group made their decision and i would say ¾ went the main route today.  with the pinjarra race and atta time trial tomorrow, some of the usual fast group were hoping to save their legs a bit. 

the pace didn’t pick up that much and the group continued to just ride two abreast with the front guys peeling off once they had enough.  heading towards guilford, the pace increased slightly but nothing too strenuous as it think that people were a bit unsure of the exact course.  the last time this one was planned, there was not much following the map happening. 

extra confusion as we went to turn right onto west road as another group coming the other way also turned and managed to split our bunch.  the front half then decided to slow down to regroup while the back half wanted to speed up and pass to regroup.  meanwhile part of the other group also sped up and some managed to get past our front half.  we eventually upped the pace and started dragging everyone along.

the roll through had started and the pace quickened such that it began to string out in places.  as we approached the rail crossing the group slowed and spread out to avoid the tracks.  we were riding almost directly into the sun and while we were warning everyone of the tracks, no-one saw the two massive potholes just before them.  last minute warnings and some evasive action still didn’t stop a number of guys going straight into them.  as expected the result was a couple of flat tyres.  james and jerry were the lucky recipients but i am guessing the it is better than actually coming off after hitting the hole.

they both had a couple of helpers so the rest of us formed up a bit further up the road to discuss the important things that cyclists talk about.  bikes, bike parts, bike clothes, you know, the usual.  once we got going we decided to cut the route short to make up for the lost time.  a left onto bushmead rd instead of a right, and we headed back towards guilford.  although melvyn did suggest we just stay on that road, we still managed to turn up west swan road to head to benara rd. 

the group started rolling through again and we had a real good flow happening.  benara rd came up fast and we chucked a left to start the run towards home.  this route is usually planned when there is a massive easterly blowing, so it was an interesting experience to ride it with almost still conditions.  it was so much harder.

the roll through tended to degenerate quite rapidly and the fast boys came to the front to pull turns.  james, julian and ben did the majority of the work with kimbo and myself slotting in for the occasional turn.  we had a relatively good run with the lights but had to slow enough that the majority of the group were together by the end.  we did lose 3 or 4 at one set of lights so we hope they made it home ok.

the run south is punctuated by a number of short sharp power climbs and these often brake the group apart.  today was no exception.  the splintered group managed to reform a couple of times but i was off the back fighting my way back on for much of the remainder of the ride.  we caught up at a extra long light change on whatley crescent but then slipped back on the next hill.  fought back to the group on east parade but then got split at the lights coming down towards riverside drive.  at the end i never saw the sprint so was not sure who claimed coffeeshop glory.

an early appointment for the family meant that i was not stopping for coffee so didn’t even get a chance to find out how the other group went.  i am sure that there is someone in that group that can let us know the story.