Report by Julian 

A big crowd gathered for the Saturday sojourn along Benara Rd.  Instructions were dealt out, the novices sent on their way and the big pack headed out along Mill Point Rod.  After the usual break up of the group at the first set of lights, we all re-grouped by the time we past Burswood and onto Gt Eastern Hwy.  The first drama of the morning occurred when a Hilux Ute decided to stop on the inside lane.  I was towards the back so didn’t see what had happened but it was soon sorted out.  As we approached the split point I was in two minds which way to go, but I decided to stick with the fast group today.  There were about 15 of us and by far the smallest of splits that we’ve had in a long time, with most riders deciding to keep fresh for the Joondalup race the next day.   

Into the wind up Gt Eastern Highway, no one seemed keen on leading and by the time we hit Queens Rd, Chris, Ryan, Mike B, Jerry a couple of others and myself decided to up the pace a bit.  The group held together well and heading back into Midland with the wind now behind us the pace picked up again.  We bade farewell to Melvyn who turned off for an early breakfast and was nearly followed by Chris.  The trip through Guildford was a lot less eventful than the last time with no white van behind us. 

Onto Benara Rd and the pace picked up again.  I’d had a rough night, having picked up a dose of Durchfall (ask Heiko for a translation) the night before so tried to hang on to the back of the pack.  Jarrad and Steve both said I was looking a little rough and I was certainly feeling it.  We caught a couple of lights and this bought everyone back together but by the time we reached the end of Benara Road, a couple of riders had dropped off.  The roundabouts along the way through Nollamarra were successfully negotiated and soon were heading down Coode St towards Maylands and the final stages of the ride.  

There were no great surges today and the pace was kept fairly reasonable towards the end.  Jarrad and Jerry went first up the Plain St hill, closely watched by Ryan.  On the downhill we had the obligatory stop and Wellington St and the front runners down the hill got through (legally) the Adelaide Terrace lights and hit Riverside Drive with no chance of being caught by those who missed the lights.  I sat back at this stage and watched Chris and Jarrad battle it out.  However, everyone caught the final set of lights so the final sprint was an anti-climax.  We got to the bell tower a couple of minutes behind the main group with everyone still feeling reasonably fresh.  I had the usual cricket umpiring duties to attend so couldn’t stay for coffee and bade farewell to everyone, wishing the racers good luck for the Joondalup – details of which can be found in the following posts.