Report by Ainsy (Chris)

Hopefully Julian can chime in with a cameo for the ride out and climb 1 (Greenmount) as I don’t have the results.

After the first climb we had the pleasure of riding through John Forrest National Park having to hike our bikes over the gate about 30 seconds before the ranger came to open it.  Once in the park some lovely scenery to behold….and some pretty average road!  I could hear the devaluation of the carbon frames with every ping from the loose gravel shotting up into the frames.  After a little game of dodge the potholes we found ourselves at the locked exit gate, having to hike our bikes over again before the helpful ranger came to unlock this gate as well.

Through the park and onto the second climb for the day, with a few of the boys hungry for points trying to get a quick getaway.  I got onto Mike B’s wheel and soon we were near the pointy end passing Alistair and big Jens (Heiko) who was over geared big time and trying to cause pain to himself rather then the rest of the group in his usual style.  I tried to help him with a little motivation to get him up the hill and into the points.  Mike B soon was in the lead and well onto the way to the win.  I was trying to summon up a last ditch effort but Mike was too strong and was over for the win with Alistair, Jonny and Mark O showing some good form by filling the remaining points scoring positions.

Climb 2

1. Mike B  2. Chris  3. Alistair  4. Jonny  5. Mark O

After the second climb we stopped at a general store for some refreshments and a bit of a breather.  I think Jerard was well impressed with the price of the bananas there and would not be surprised to see him do his fruit and veg shopping there from now on!

With some minor bonus climbs in between we came upon climb 3, the first of 2 along Mundaring Weir Rd and by far the biggest climb of the day.  I have only ridden this climb once before and that day I dropped my chain and caused myself over 500 bucks in pain (AND NO POINTS) so was keen to make amends and get some on this one.  Again a few of the hungry boys led by Jonny flew out of the box to get a head start.  I started to make some ground on these boys and was joined by the usual suspect Mike B who soon took the lead and I happily grabbed his wheel.  After a while I pulled out in front and Mike suggested we could stay away if we worked together.  This is what we did and worked really well for us.  I saw “super fit” Stuart about 100 M behind showing the great form he has been carrying but our combined efforts ensured he would not get on and had to settle for 3rd.  Behind Stuart there was a big group swapping turns at the front basically smashing each other for the final 2 point scoring positions.  In the end the banana was the difference and Jerard went on to take 4^th ahead of Brodie in 5^th

Climb 3

1. Chris  2. Mike B  3. Stuart  4. Jerard  5. Brodie

Only 1 climb left for coffee, the usual Mundaring Weir Rd climb.  Mike B and I started out of the blocks early and got a bit of a gap trying to work together to increase it.  I looked behind to see “super fit” chasing us down and before long Stuart was with us and pushing us along.  We swapped a few turns but it was evident to Stuart that he had a little in reserve from the last climb.  With about 400 m left Stuart and Mike B dropped me like and anvil and battled out the final hill for the day with Stuart prevailing with Mike a close second.  I hear that Jonny pinched a couple of points out of Brodie’s pocket at the last minute so points as follows.

Climb 4 

1. Stuart  2. Mike B  3. Chris  4. Jonny  5. Brodie

Onto coffee (well half a one anyway).  I think I should take Brodie’s lead and order a short mac as I never seem to finish mine by the time Pete gives the order to go.

Pretty uneventful ride on the way back.  With Mark D off the bike for 5 weeks we got a reprieve from the usual smashing he gives us on Welshpool Rd.  Onto the sprint and I think a few weary legs abounded.  All I was good for was a lead out for Jerard and Alistair with Alistair just having the better of the good doctor.

All in all another happy day in the life of SPR!