by dr ronny

Today was my third week in a row with the novice group. After letting the main group go, we were left with the Malvern Star people and we all put our names down to win an Oppy bike. The guys and gal there also mentioned that Phil Anderson would be at the carpark tomorrow morning to help with the promotion and took a photo of us!

In addition to a couple of new faces today (Lucas and Emma), we decided we would also tackle the Majestic hill, that is, if only we could find it. When we eventually did find it, Jacqui (or is it Jackie?), went round myself and Tracey to reach the top in front of me with new Lucas just behind.
After a little street searching, Carol found Kintail Rd and we off in the right direction again. We made our way leisurely to the Shelley section where the paced went up a little and our roll through began. I was very pleased with our effort last week and was keen to see how we went into the strong easterly wind.

Understandably, the roll through was a little less fluid but Lucas and Emma picked up on it pretty quick, Carol was a little off and a few gaps began to form so I held back with her and we let the others go. They seemed to do a good job as they disappeared slowly up the road till we regrouped. There was a small chat about rookie marks (you know, those bits of chain grease on your calf) and how to avoid them and we decided to try to make the roll through smoother by slowing down the speed of the right hand riders overtaking those on the left on the way back.
Stubbornly, the wind still felt like it wasn’t quite behind us on our way back but the roll through was a lot smoother and there was only the occasional small momentary gap for the whole time. Our two new riders looked like they were doing it easy so I began to tell them how we would split up a little going up a small rise after a left hand turn (apparently, it’s called Bull Creek Rd) and then regroup. Of course, I did this not realising how far we were from it and every time the road started to curve left, I thought it was it, only to find out it wasn’t. When we eventually did find it, I looked back to see just Tracey, Lucas and Jacqui/Jackie within reach. Lucas asked “Is this it?” and almost before I could say “yes” he was out of the saddle sprinting past Jacqui/Jackie.
It was an uneventful ride back and it was nice to have a small chat to “the other Emma”. We were last to coffee but we will be faster next week now that we know were to go around Applecross.
It’ll be the breakfast ride the week after next so we’ll also have to talk about a route that will lead us to Jerry’s place. If only we could recruit someone with a Garmin…..