Report by Julian
I managed to wake up in time this morning and get down to the ride. Apologies for not showing up Saturday – I didn’t surface until 8.15 am and decided that (a) I must have needed the rest and (b) it was too late to try and catch up. I hope the ride went well.
Anyway, back to the Sunday ride – a forecast top of 39°C and a route filled with shortcuts. The good doctors (and a few extras) decided that even this was too much for them and they opted for a trip around the river. The more hardy souls of the group – 16 in total – set off along Mill Point Road and out Great Eastern Highway to Orrong Road. The Cyclemania boys, amongst others, set a cracking pace up front, even with the strong easterly in our faces. However, we held it together until the climb began up Welshpool Road. At the start of the climb no one seemed too eager to make the pace and I went to the front to get things moving. This was the cue for Carl to completely decimate the field with a solid attack that had everyone else racing for second. Heiko and Dean caught me just past the Lesmurdie Road turn off and we traded places until the last hill, when Heiko put in one last effort to shake us off. Dean held me off and Mark DC rounded out the points.
KOM 1: 1. Carl, 2. Heiko, 3. Dean, 4. Julian, 5. Mark DC
At the regroup Toby and a couple of others said they were turning off early and going for early coffee. They drifted towards the back as the rest of us went through Carmel. My back wheel felt a bit funny at this stage so I stopped to check all was in order, which it was. However, the stop had put me at the back of the pack as the steep section of the Observatory loomed large. Coming from the rear I was able to count off the riders and noted that Carl, Heiko, Dean and Mark has put a space between everyone else. I managed to get up to 8th as we went into Patterson Road and improved to 5th soon after. Mark was slowing down in front but I was too far back.
KOM 2: 1. Carl, 2. Dean, 3. Heiko, 4. Mark DC, 5. Julian
A short re-group was followed by an interesting great descent of Patterson Road. An errant gum-nut nearly sent me flying about half way down and there was a fair bit of gravel near the bottom, which slowed us down as well. We made our way through Pickering Brook to the General Store, where we stopped for water. The temperature was 35°C by this stage and a few mutterings about an early coffee were heard (mainly instigated by me). We pushed on again, back through Carmel and into Bickley Valley, where there was little respite from the sun. Coming onto the 3rd climb, Mark DC put in an attack and was followed by Dean and Heiko. I didn’t have the legs to go today but sat at a steady pace and watched the leaders slowly disappear in front of me. I heard the fastest time was just under 8 minutes, which was a great effort considering the heat. There was also some drama at the rear of the field with a flat tyre (didn’t get the rider’s name) and he was helped out by Carl, Mark S and a couple of others.
KOM 3: 1. Mark DC, 2. Dean, 3. Heiko, 4. Julian, 5. Ben
We regrouped at Kalamunda and most decided it was time for coffee. Heiko, Lisa, Dean and the Cyclemania boys chose to head down Kalamunda or Gooseberry and back up the zig-zag to complete the ride and Heiko will fill us in on the points. This group hadn’t arrived by the time we left the Merchant, after 30 minutes of R&R, so hopefully things went OK.
The main group met up with Toby’s shortcut group at the Merchant and we descended together and stayed on for the last section. Toby was keen for a sprint at the Albany Highway McDonalds so I led him out from the back. Given the conditions, no one else was interested in going with us. It was pretty hot going through East Vic Park and our water bottles were decidedly warm. At this stage I was glad not to be in the group behind, as they would have had even worse conditions for their ride back. I peeled off at George St and got home just in time for a swim before the cricket started – perfect timing!
Note that the points table will be updated when results from the last climb are through.
Appologies Julian we decided to go straight home after the Zig Zag as the heat had picked up a treat by then.
We set a remarkable pace going along Kalamunda road (until I got a puncture!!) and then we set off again pushing a fab pace along Great Eastern Highway – rolling through. I did have to make the call that I had no more legs left and the pace eased a little which was good 😉 Heiko will let you know who got what points – I naturally came 4th! so totally am not missing out on those points!!!!!