Ride report my Mark
The morning started off a bit strangely, as I thought I’d overslept.
Alarm went off at 6am; I got up, looked at the phone – “bugger – I’ve overslept! Its 5 past 7.
Rush to kitchen, get drinks from fridge – look at clock – Relax – it’s only 10 past 6. Blackberry has adjusted for daylight saving – oblivious to the results of the referendum. Turns out the computer did the same things.
Anyway – popped into the city on the way to the start to see how the triathletes were preparing for their world long course championships today. Saw a couple of guys with disc wheels wobbling along mounts bay road in the howling easterly gale. Bad idea.
Back to the start to meet about 18 starters. Peter did the honours of telling us about the forgotten hills we’d be riding today. Then he and Alistair led us off along Douglas Rd, towards Welshpool. I was chatting to Dan and Carl safely tucked at the back of the bunch, and managed to stay there till we reached the first hill – Welshpool rd.
My hill climbing practice has been sadly lacking; with lots of time spent in the tri bars riding to work and back along a flat bike path.
I started off with the front bunch, but about a ¼ of the way up I was passed by a whirr of well practiced climbers, including Mr Bonner, Julian and a couple of the strong new lads. Peter M came flying past – and I expected him to crash and burn. He slowed to let me catch him, but then found another burst of energy which carried him all the way to the top, and some points. Every now and then I’d try and hold onto a wheel that came past, and managed to stay with new Chris for most of the way to the top. We didn’t do the usual Welshpool rd up to the top, but rather turned left into Lesmurdie, to follow the normal home run backwards.
KOM 1: Mr Bonner, Julian, Judd, Jarrad, Peter M
We went right at the roundabout, and were supposed to carry on to Glenisla, but there was an order yelled out to take an early left turn onto Lawnbrook road. Fine by me. I knew we were meant to do Observatory and Chookenberg, in that order. I suggested that as we were about to pass Chookenberg, we reverse the order. Pete wasn’t having any of it. That way it’s too easy he said, as we miss out on the approach to the Chook. Talk about a masochist! Up we went to the observatory, without turning right onto Patterson as we normally do. At the bottom of Lawnbrook we hit a serious wall as we went from 75 to 5 km/h in a couple of meters. My experience of the hill was much the same – started off at the front, fell back and back as the hill progressed, and ended around 10th.
KOM2 Bonner, Julian, Peter m, Tim, Joe

After regrouping at the top, we did a U-turn and headed back down the hill (with the wind this time) and then up the other side towards the infamous Chookenberg. Once again the nice long downhill meant I hit the hill with a fair lead, but not for long. Michael, Julian – woosh and the rest. I was trying to keep something in the legs to ensure that I pedalled all the way up, as I remembered it from last time, when I accidentally unclipped, and struggled to restart on the hill. I looked down every now and then, and think I saw 24% at one stage – but I was suffering from tunnel vision at that stage so it could have been less (but not much).
I made it without stopping, which I was happy with. Alistair came flying past at a scary rate, making me wonder just what he’d had for breakfast. The order at the top was:
KOM3: Bonner, Julian, Peter, Dan, Herve

From there some riders headed off home, while the rest of us went back onto Lawnbrook (3rd time!!) and headed down to the dip, but turned left this time towards Mundaring Weir rd. We began our standard climb up to coffee, but immediately took a right turn into Alderside (where we normally start the clock) and headed along the bottom of the valley before the left turn and steep climb up towards the top of MW road. Same-old same-old on the hill. It was a fair bit steeper than I remembered from the last time we did it – but definitely one of the better cycling hills that we do; tough gradient, a few tight hairpins, beautiful surroundings, and hardly any cars. I rode up with Heiko most of the way, and led him up the last part of MW road, thinking I’d surprise him with my usual kick at the top. Wrong!. I kicked, and then Heiko showed me what a real kick was, and pulled 5 bike lengths before the top.
KOM 4: Bonner, Tim, Peter, Chris, Alistair (medium)

We regrouped at the roundabout, and a few headed back home for other commitments, including watching the triathletes in action.
The rest of us (around 7 or 8) went off to Merchant coffee shop, just down the road from Paris Brest. What a shock to the system.
They took down our orders with unfamiliar efficiency, and then hardly gave us time to sit down and complain before showing up with the coffee AND food.
It was all too much for us to comprehend. Whilst the ham & cheese croissant was not quite up to PB at it’s best, and the waitress behind the till didn’t know my name and order before I’d spoken, I reckon I’ll take my chances at the Merchant in future.
Dr Marc had to deal with his Macchiato Latte being served in two parts (he thought it lacked a coffee flavour on first taste) – but he managed to pick up the pieces and carry on with his day.

From there it was down Kalamunda Rd and along the flat with the wind behind us all the way to the causeway. We managed to keep a brisk pace – and I was loving the tri-bars.
A few of us watched the Triathlon world champs on the foreshore for a while – and marvelled at the real athletes. Sports men and women who spend 20 – 30 hours per week training, come rain or shine.
Not many prima donnas there – I think they’re a rare breed that reflects the true meaning of sport. They compete to see how good they are against their peers – and to improve. Not for money or glory – just for sport.
It was fantastic to see, and who cares if they blocked the freeway for an hour or three. They deserve the freedom of the city in my books.
After meeting my wife there, and supporting the competitors we knew, I cruised home down the freeway. The wind had died down, and the river looked spectacular.
After spending a week in China, I couldn’t help thinking how lucky I was to live in Perth and ride a bike.