Report by Julian 

A good gathering this week despite the forecast of showers and it was something old something new with a few old faces returning, together with a couple of newer riders.  Pre start discussion focused on bowel movements so it could only get better from here! 

Nothing exciting to report on the trip out along Orrong Road and Welshpool Rd.  We picked up Mike B along the way and everyone was in good spirits.  Once the climbing started Mike, Steve and Matt broke away and set the pace.  Matt dropped off up new Lesmurdie Rd and was overtaken by Ben and myself.  There was also a couple of other groups on the road but no problems were had on the climb.  At the end of the climb Mike claimed the points from Steve (NB. points summary will follow at end this week) 

We bade farewell to Brendan and headed off to the Observatory.  The wet roads meant the initial descent was kept in check and there were also a few gum-nuts on the road.  Starting the second hill, Matt and Steve set the pace and were soon joined by Mike and I.  We dropped Matt and I was determined to hang on this time.  By the time we reached the turn to the finish, we were still together and then Mike attacked.  I tried to go with him but Steve dropped off and gave me a push to keep going.  I dropped off about half way to the top and contented myself with second.  The rest of the group followed in good time and were still in high spirits at the re-group.  Stu was happily telling war stories from the Timor ride, which kept us entertained.  Peter gave a pep talk about the Mundaring Weir Rd climb and we were soon off through Pickering Brook, again taking it easy on the wet roads. 

The climb to Kalamunda was hotly contested.  Oliver and Alistair kept the pace early until Mike, T-Mobile Alistair (my new name to differentiate the two Alistairs) and myself put a space in the field.  We kept a good pace up the hill with Mike doing most of the work and in the last 100 m T mobile Alistair slipped around to claim the points.  My time of 7.55 was a 1 second PB and has fully justified my decision to get a new bike.  Jerard was very happy at the top as he claimed a point (and is now ahead of Ryan on the table!).  

Stu and Mike D left us for early coffee whilst the rest of the group went down the zigzag quite cautiously, due the amount of gravel on the road.  Big Matthew had a puncture on the descent but waved us on.  Back on Kalamunda Rd Matt and Steve peeled of home leaving the hard core to tackle the final climb.  Mike B and T-mobile Alistair broke away early as I started to struggle.  Ben came past me but I managed to hold his wheel and get my second wind.  We caught T-mobile Alistair and the three of us swapped positions until Ben made a break just before the roundabout.  Summoning one last effort I reeled him in and finished off the climb.  Oliver, who had 2 sixth finishes put in a good last climb to claim a point and make the day worth while. 

We initially headed for the Merchant but Jerard said Paris Brest was quiet so we ended up there.  Service again was very slow (30 minutes to get ordered) but it gave us plenty of time for discussion.  Paul, Peter, Jerard and Lorraine (who joined us at the café) sat up one end and discussed all thing Garmin, whilst the rest of the wondered what all the fuss was about.  Having refueled, on the stroke of 10.45 we were off and we left Kalamunda in the sunshine.  By the time we were down the hill a light mist was falling and this kept up pretty much all the way home.  The strengthening westerly wind also slowed us down but a good work out was had by all.  

KOM Summary. 

Climb 1 – 1.Mike B,  2. Steve,  3. Julian,  4. Ben,  5. T Mobile Alistair 

Climb 2 – 1.Mike B,  2. Julian,  3. Steve,  4. Ben,  5. Matt 

Climb 3 – 1. T Mobile Alistair,  2. Mike B,  3. Julian,  4. Ben,  5. Jerard 

Climb 4 – 1.Mike B,  2. Julian,  3. Ben,  4. T Mobile Alistair,  5. Oliver