by jonny
Well after a quick look at the blog I have noticed that nobody has taken up Pete’s offer to write up the adventures of the fast group, so here goes. Nobody wants to be reminded about all those light again so I will start from where the fast and main group split. Actually I think the title Fast groups may be more appropriate. I am not certain but I think we must have set a record between the fast and main group splitting and the fast group splitting from itself !
As we turned into Ewan St I’m sure I wasn’t the only one surprised by the climb ahead. Somehow I had not yet had the pleasure of discovering this climb but Pete seems to have a talent for finding them and this one did not disappoint. I actually climbed quite well and over the top I was 5th behind Ryan, Julian, Jerry, and Frank from Adelaide. Frank had actually checked out the blog while in Adelaide and decided to join us next time he was in Perth. At the top I looked back down to see a lot of carnage and a very split up bunch.
Once over the top there was a bit of confusion as to which way to go. Where are all the Garmins when you need them ? We did though find our way back onto West Coast Hwy and a small group got through the lights to form a breakaway. Now I know it may be a bit controversial that we kept going but out of the six of us away; four of us were at the front over the first climb and I’m sure Daniel and Chris who joined is in the break wouldn’t have been too far away over the top. Once we decided to go we actually went quite hard and rolled through at high speed. We all worked well together but when we got to the Boulevard it was more a case of work when you can and recover when you can. Climbing back up Oceanic Dr we lost Daniel who had been working hard beforehand and couldn’t quite stay with us. There was a bit of a headwind up the hill and when the elastic goes it’s hard getting back.
Back onto West Coast Hwy again I was actually starting to enjoy myself. It’s a great feeling when you are riding hard close to the limit but know you still have gas left in the tank if you need it. Again everyone worked well and if they couldn’t help on the uphills would help on the flats and downhills. As we turned off WCH I looked back for the first time and noticed Steve had got across. I did not see anyone else but I did hear the chasing groups did have us in sight and we were not home and dry.
The rest of the ride was pretty un-eventful with us sticking together and nobody trying to attack or break up the bunch. As we entered Mounts Bay Rd I decided to be the domestique and led. At this point I knew I wasn’t going to win the sprint plus after working together since Scarborough it was nice to all finish together. Ryan took off up the road to pass the sign post first.