Think this must have been the inaugural Intermediate Sunday Group Ride – presumably its just ‘happened’ before when some of the Advanced Group Sunday ‘hillies’ take an early short cut and head for the coffee shop.
For me, it was perfect with just the two climbs:- up Welshpool and then back into Kalamunda via the Wier Road for coffee. Being only my second hills ride in a year, (last one was the same route but with Drs. Wally & Paul about 4 weeks ago), I expected to struggle, feel pain and self question my sanity – well I did, and frequently, but maybe not as much as I thought I was going to.
I enjoyed that large pack feeling heading out with the Transitions, Intermediates & Advanced riding together for the first section. The Transitions split at the foot of Welshpool and the remainder headed up the hill and onto Carmel.
Managed to keep spinning and not come last up Welshpool Rd, having paced it up with a couple of guys recently ex-the Novice group – for sure they both did well in their first hills ride. With legs feeling like jelly, I was very glad to turn left with the other 7 Intermediates and head towards the Wier Rd whilst the Advance group hit the ugly hill climbing up to the Observatory – lucky them.
Back on the climb up the Wier Road, Doug and I paced each other and swapped turns, and despite a couple of very strong efforts put in by Doug, we still fell well back off the pack. At least we managed to overtake a couple of loners on the way up. Whilst clearly slower, than the others I was still happy with my time, speed and effort and it leaves plenty of room for improvement.
Coffee sitting outside at in the Tea Merchant – tasted good but the service was very slow. Kalamunda on a Sunday is always good for an opportunity to catch up with other riders met or known from past rides.
John and I headed home down the zig-zag whilst the others returned via Welshpool & Orong Rd. Last time I had to solo it along Orong and didn’t enjoy it at all with a few close calls from red-necked rev-heads, so was relieved to find a different and friendlier return route and have company (and a tow) for the ride home.
With legs continuously threatening to cramp up I was very happy to have the tailwind and downhills back into Perth and thankful that I could sit on John’s wheel almost to my door. Glad I took two bidons!
Thanks everyone for the ride and hope it becomes an Intermediate Sunday Regular.
Cheers Mark _S
Yeah I passed you on the Bike Path just after Bayswater Train Station. I waved but then Realised I was waving as or after I passed you 🙂
The ride is in its infancy, but not inaugural. I had a shocker today. Last up the first climb, then stopped to wait for a newby after he dropped his cleat covers – I hate getting lost in the hills so I though I would extend the courtesy – the group didnt wait – then got spat by cleat dropper – then tables were full outside at merchant so sat inside for our coffee with a couple of others. just finished my coffee in time to see the group ride off without saying goodbye… not even a wave 🙁
Toby – apologies for departing without acknowledgement. I don’t thnk that any of us outside realised that you guys were inside ! I vaguely recall that we saw one guy come out in SPR kit and I am sure that he just got on his bike and left – we didn’t realise that there were still others inside. Please be assurred that ignorance and rudeness was not intended by anyone !
cheers Mark _S
No drama Mark!! See you next week!