Report by Julian 

Another big crowd today for the inaugural SPR 4 ride Saturday.  President Peter, fresh from his eastern states sojourn arranged the groups expertly and dispatched the advanced group early for their trip out to Canning Vale and across to Welshpool Rd via Crystal Brook Rd. So early were we dispatched that of couple of riders missed out on the start and made their own way to coffee.  The idea of the advanced group splitting at the start was to limit the initial size of the main group and to prevent splits at lights.  This move spectacularly backfired at the first light on Mill Point Rd, where a small group did not make it through. To be fair however, once we got going it was easier getting through the lights on Canning Hwy. 

Ben and I led the group out at the start, mainly to get our turn at the front out of the way before the head wind kicked in.  We hit Leach Hwy and I eased back to let others have their turn and noticed a big gap at fifth wheel.  I turned around to see Judd easing back to let me in – with a comment about not wanting to do any work.  I made a mental note of this and kept going.  The pace increased a little down Murdoch Drive  and once we hit South St the pace really picked up with Mike B, Chris, Brendan, Jarrad amongst those setting it up.  The group began to splinter and soon there were about 15 of us left at the front. 

Going into Warton Rd the roadworks resulted in a single line and the pace slowed a little, but once we got back into dual lanes the rolling started and even Judd had to do his bit.  We reached Albany Hwy and Brendan resisted the urge for McDonalds this week.  Carrying on over the highway, we were immediately stopped by the Bunbury to Perth train but once this cleared we were again off at a fair clip.  The slight incline up to Crystal Brook Rd sorted things out again and there were about 8 of us together when we turned to head down Crystal Brook Rd and Mike B further spiced things up by attacking.  No one seemed interested in the chase but when Jarrad went as well the group lifted and reeled then in.  We continued to hit it hard down the hill and into Welshpool Rd but missing the lights at Roe Hwy resulted in the group getting back together. 

The tail wind back into town was a welcome relief and there was nowhere to hide with everyone to doing their bit to maintain the pace at about 50 km/h.  The usual lights at Leach Highway and Shepparton Rd slowed things down but overall it was a quick ride home.  There were the usual attacks and counter attacks coming into Vic Park and Judd made his move to the front just before the downhill stage to the Causeway.  Going into Riverside Drive there were a couple of moves and in the end Brendan won the sprint from Jarrad and Chris. 

The intermediate group had already arrived, which meant the queue for coffee was longer than usual.  However, we all agreed that this was a minor inconvenience and the split of the advanced group was well worth it.