Report by Julian 

A good crowd turned up today for the first ride of a 5 Sunday month.  Absentees were expected due to the Pinjarra race but about 20 of us lined at 7 am for Peter’s instruction.  The coffee shop sprinters agreed on their shortcuts and we were off.  The temperature was brisk without being too cold and the earlier sunrise meant the sun was on us not long after reaching Albany Highway. 

Everyone did their bit at the front and we maintained a good pace.  We bid farewell to the sprinters who decided to tackle the Kahuna and head straight to coffee and before much longer the main group turned into Carawatha Rd for the first climb.  I’m not too fond of this climb – too short and steep for my liking – so I sat back and watched the action from behind.  Herve, Matt, Cam, Ryan and Ben set the pace and Ryan got the sprint on the line.  I got to the top on about 20 psi of rear tyre pressure and changed the tube, with great assistance from Mark D, who photographed the event for posterity.  When I was ready to go everyone had reached the top and was well rested, except for one rider who had an equipment malfunction at the Brookton Highway lights and turned back. 

KOM 1 – 1. Ryan,  2. Matt,  3. Ben,  4. Herve,  5. Cam 

The quick descent was followed by the rough climb up Carradine Rd.  A group of 6 stayed together for the first bit before Ryan, Matt, Al and a couple of others broke away.  Tim was not impressed with the road surface, given this was his first climb on this hill.  Ben and I made steady progress and picked off those in the front group who got dropped.  At the line, another close sprint was had with Al pipping Ryan on the line. 

 KOM 2 – 1. Al,  2. Ryan,  3. Matt,  4. Julian,  5. Ben

 Another re-group at the top was followed by a cruisy ride to Soldiers Rd.  Ryan and Matt took off to get a head start on the decent whilst the rest of us followed behind.  A couple of gravel sods left by earthworks provided minor discomfort for some but the rest of the down hill was pretty fast.  We made sure all were on before we turned into Brookton Highway and on to Peet Rd for the third climb.

 The climb began with Ryan, Matt and young Alistair getting a gap on Ben, Al and I.  On the slight drop to the roundabout, Ben and I worked to bridge the gap and soon there were 6 of us chasing 5 positions.  We dropped Matt on the small climb to the final roundabout but as we settled before the final climb, he had caught back up.  Young Alistair made the first move and was quickly covered by Ryan.  I broke away from the others on the final section and caught Alistair.  I noted that Ryan was slowing slightly and made a last attempt to catch him.  To my surprise he slowed at the speed limit sign and I flashed past and said the finish line was at the school entrance.  This was confirmed later by Peter so I claimed the spoils.  At the regroup we discussed the painting a line on the road to note the finish, which in turn led to sex in marriage and somehow, by the time we departed for Karragullen, the conversation has morphed into the merits of drinking urine.

 KOM 3 – 1. Julian,  2. Ryan,  3. Al,  4. Matt,  5. Ben

 Everyone re-fuelled at the service station and the trip to Pickering Brook went well.  Ben and I sat on the front and the group held together.  Even the cars were giving us a wide berth and there was no abuse at all.  We cruised through Pickering Brook and at the start of Patterson Rd Ryan, Damir, Herve, Cam and Al broke away.  I rode across the gap but no one else followed so the 6 of us fought it out.  Al was the first to crack and dropped off before the last climb.  Cam made an attack a long way out and was hauled in by Ryan.  There was no mistaking the line this time as Ryan took the points. 

 KOM 4 – 1. Ryan,  2. Julian,  3. Damir,  4. Herve,  5. Cam

 At the re-group there was a group consensus to get to Kalamunda via the usual climb up Mundaring Weir Rd rather than the more challenging Lawnbrook Rd, which was the planned route.  The quick decent of the observatory hill was followed by a good pace through Bickley Valley.  By the time we hit the climb, Ryan Damir and I had got away and started the climb ready for a good time.  We did turns at the front, then on my turn near the big wall house on the right I picked up the pace slightly and was surprised to find I’d dropped both Ryan and Damir.  I tried to maintain the pace but slowed towards the end and finished with an 8.08.  If anyone else of the newer riders timed the climb, let me know and you’ll be added to the list.  Mark D had a good final climb and picked up a point for his efforts. 

 KOM 5 – 1. Julian,  2. Ryan,  3. Damir,  4. Matt,  5. Mark D

 Peter, Alistar and I had to get back early so we headed off straight from the roundabout.  We were soon joined by Ben, who had gone to the Café but said the queue was out the door and people were complaining about the slow service.  The four of use, all in the SPR uniform, then headed for home.  My top speed on Welshpool Rd was 78 km/h but Peter would have gone a shade quicker I think.  The four of us took turns on the front until Orrong Rd, where I broke off to head off to a netball lightning carnival.  Farewells were said here and a very enjoyable SPR Sunday ride had ended.  I hope everyone made it home OK and that the sprints were keenly contested.  I also look forward to hearing about the Pinjarra results.