Report by Julian 

Back for a Sunday ride – my first in 4 weeks – and I was keen to see how much climbing form had deserted me in the time.  Thanks to Peter and Mark DC for writing up the last few weeks rides in my absence.  Mark was relieved to see me at the start as it meant there was no pressure on him to get the ride reports out this week.  There were just on 20 of us ready for the 5 climb ride via Canning Dam, but the Elite Group of Paul, Greg, Christophe, Declan, Simon et al. already had a short cut sorted before leaving.  With the easterly blowing there were relatively short turns on the front today (some shorter than others!) and after a trek down Albany Highway the Elite group turned off to take on the Kahnua.  The 10 of us remaining headed further out and were soon turning in Carawatha Rd for the first ascent.  The climb was nice to me today as I took an early lead and made a steady pace to the top without any attacks from behind.  Chris kept up his recent form to take 2^nd and was followed by Brodie, Mark and Peter.  Mike, Lisa, Tim, Marc S and Phil, (not in that order) followed behind and the re-group was only long enough to allow emptying of a couple of bladders. 

The quick descent was rapidly followed by the rough climb of Carradine Rd.  Peter made an early attack and was followed by Tim.  Chris, Mark and I followed behind and about 2/3s of the way up I decided to bridge the gap and left the others to fight out 4^th and 5^th.  I went past Peter and Tim and Peter hung on my wheel and was annoyingly close as the finish approached.  About 150 m from the finish Peter made his move up the inside and I was cooked.  Again the re-group was shortish and was only extended by Peter’s motivational talk to Lisa about continuing the ride.  Happily the 10 of us stayed together for the next climb, the long but no too steep climb up Albany Highway to Canning Dam turn off. 

As we started up Albany Highway we remained together but as the pace quickened, one by one the riders started to drop off.  About 1.5 km from the finish, Mark DC, Brodie, Tim, Phil and myself were left.  Phil was unsure of the finish and made an attack but was hung out to dry.  Tim also tried to go but was wheeled in by Mark DC and Brodie who fought it out to the line.  I caught Brodie about 200 m out and up ahead Mark outlasted Brodie for the points.  Phil hung on for 5^th. 

The sun was out and wind had dropped as we made our way to Canning Dam, then down to Araluen.  Mark DC set a fair clip down the hill and Peter and Lisa brought up the rear.  We regrouped at the bridge and began the 4^th climb up to Karragullen.  After the initial climb, Peter came to the front and said there were 5 of us together and he was about to change that.  With a smile on his face he attacked and the 5 became 3 pretty quickly.  Enjoying the moment I made an attack and this resulted in Tim dropping off.  On the last rise before the left hand turn I attacked again but soon realised I was at my limit and dropped the pace, allowing Peter to get back on my wheel.  We stayed like this until the last climb to the finish when I got away from Peter to take the points.  The battle for 3^rd and 4^th was very hotly contested with Chris and Time sprinting for the line.  I had some concerns they wouldn’t pull up before Brookton Highway but both managed to slow in time.  Time took 3^rd by less than a half wheel and Mark DC took 5^th.  We gathered at the service station to allow for food and drinks to be taken on – Jelly snakes have never tasted so good. 

By this stage there were a few tired bodies and the sun quite strong.  Mark DC and I chatted up the front about recent rides – a couple of weeks ago we’d raced each other of Kwinana Freeway after work not knowing until we broke off who the other was and we happy with the pace set.  We also talked about the last climb and our season ambitions of a sub 8 time for Mark and a sub 7.50 for me but decided that today would not be the day, given the temperature and four climbs already done.  Everyone else did their turns up front and before long we were heading down into Bickley Valley for the final ascent. 

The climb started OK with Mark DC deciding to go straight to the front.  I got passed Mark on the first steeper part and stayed in front maintaining a fair pace.  I looked behind at one stage to see three others hanging on – revealed later as Mack DC, Peter and Brodie.  I kept my head down and by the time we hit the flatter section only Mark and Brodie remained.  I kept the lead and upped the pace to see who would drop.  The others two held on and I figured I try one last attack to get them off.  By this stage I thought my speedo hadn’t dropped below 26 km/h so figured it was going to be a good time so kept attacking and hoped for the points.  Alas on the final rise Brodie and Mark came around and I couldn’t hold them off – with Brodie taking the points just.  As we passed the sign I looked down in disbelief at my time.  The scream of delight from Mark in front confirmed that my stopwatch wasn’t broken.  Mark and Brodie stopped the clock at 7.45 and I did a 7.46 – a 10 sec PB for me and 25 sec PB for Mark.  Needless to say we were both pretty happy.  Peter and Tim came in 4^th and 5^th.  Unfortunately I had to be home early for my son’s cricket so couldn’t celebrate at coffee.  I suffered a few leg cramps going along Lesmurdie Road but kept the pain away by staring at my stopwatch. 

As a footnote, the points table has been fully updated and the final ride for the month next weekend should be interesting.  Five riders are within 10 points of each other at the top so the KOM is wide open.  Let’s hope we get a good turnout as it goes down to the wire.  Also, Peter and I have discussed the hill climb times and this will be updated with recent performances included.