by dr ronny
First of all, I apologise for the lack of names. If you would like to reply to this post and identify yourself, I would be more than happy to edit it accordingly. Moving on…
After last week’s great ride, it was no suprise to see another good size group with the fine weather. Raphael kindly volunteered to help and we made it somewhat uneventfully onto the Canning Hwy. Just at the shops at the top of the hill past the Canning Bridge, Jordan got a flat. It was the the second flat of the morning (the first was at the carpark) and apparently the 3rd in two days. We all stopped and after finding no cause for the flat, we had the tire on and the tube inflated in a less than inspiring 15 minutes.
We headed off and were split in two groups for a little while before we all came back together just before the left turn at the KFC onto North Lake Rd. Greg mentioned he would head off and left us. The pace was moderate but a few people started to struggle. Unknown rider number 2 on a commuter bike started to fall back after a turn at the front when we began the short uprise before the South St turn. Another rider, (on a Fuji), was being passed as we climbed the short hill and by the time we turned to go downhill onto South St they were 30-40 metres back.
I dropped back to pace rider no. 2 back but as we saw the group getting further away, he told me to go on without him and that he would take the bike path home. I caught up with rider no. 3 (on the Fuji) and eased up to let him get my wheel. We were about 200-300 metres back but everytime I upped the pace, he’d lose my wheel. After a little while (and a lot of work), the group slowed for a light and we got to something I thought I closeable. We were only 5-10 meters off the back when I looked behind me to see that he had moved a little to the right and sat up. I’m sure everyone has made the same mistake before – thinking that you’re on when you aren’t – and has lived to regret it.
The group began accelerating and when I looked back, he was 10 meters back and struggling. I dropped back again and started the pacing all over again. The group had put 70 meters into us when we caught a red light. After the light turned green, a few too many cars came past us a little too close. I don’t really enjoy riding along such a busy road with just 2 people. After another minute, I heard a pop behind me – another flat! – I was told to go on and put my head down for the next few minutes to time trial back to the group as they were turning onto Bannister Rd.
The roll through today was solid – really impressed with everyone and whilst there were a few gaps here and there I noticed a few other riders also taking charge to close them and moderate the pace in both lines to accomodate. We made our way onto Nicholson before Raph called for a second roll-through. I sat off the back by about 20 meters to eat my muesli bar and was VERY impressed with what I saw next – the smoothest, fastest, cleanest roll through. I had to quickly scoff down the bar and waited for someone to pop off the back of the 40kph train but no-one did – very impressive.
The trip home was uneverntful although we never seem to get a green light at the bottom of that hill on Shepperton before the Causeway. We caught the next set of lights and when it turned green, the front 1/3 of the group started at a moderate pace. One or two guys missed their clip ins and when I looked up, 6 people were 30-40 meters ahead. I went round and brought someone with me. We made contact with the front guys and looked back to see a 60 meter gap. I called we had a gap and Raph and co. started to wind it up. We were strung out when Andrew started to move backwards through the small group before getting dropped (aka “spat out the back” in advanced group lingo). Onto the causeway and the 7 of us were flying before the first set of lights turned orange 100 meters ahead of us. We came to a stop and looked behind – still no sign of them. When it turned green, we still had 200 meters (yes – Raph did hammer it!) and the sprint began. Rider number 5 (Wembley Cycles jersey) blitzed everyone after doing more than his fair share of work at the front. I was a good 50m back when we caught another red and congratulated him on the win, having conceded victory. When the light turned green, he stood up and sprinted again just to show he had some left – noice!
Back to coffee last due to slow tire change. My computer said we averaged 30.3kph but I forgot to pause it when we fixed the flat. Many riders mentioned that the pace was slightly higher than last week. I won’t be there next week as I’m in Sydney. Well done again everyone – I was very impressed. I will begin trying harder to remember people’s names as we seem to be developing a good core bunch of riders for our group.
Geez the pace is really picking up on this Saturday ride. I will be there with bells on after missing this last two weeks straight. I hope we get a good turn out for the hills ride tomorrow. Will see you there then. If one of the advanced group riders feels like an easier day tomorrow would be great if one could come along with us.
Howdy,
I’m the guy afflicted by multiple flats. I went to the LBS today to get a few new tubes (I reckon the last batch were duds). Thanks to everyone for their help with changing the tyre this morning. And thanks to the group for waiting for me.
I slept through my alarm, but after 3 weeks away due to lack of wheels (don’t talk to me about plastic bags, rear derailleurs, and broken carbon), that wasn’t going to stop me taking out my new bike, so I decided to take a shortcut to the start of Bannister Rd and join the group there.. I almost jumped on the back of the advanced group as they went past, that would have been interesting!
Anyway, really enjoyed the ride and the pace, and like Ronny said, the roll-throughs have definitely improved a heap in the last few weeks! Hopefully we have better luck with the lights on Riverside Drv next week, they really kill the sprints… that my excuse for not beating rider #4 anyway =]
PS. The Canning Bridge flat would have been Jordan… rider 4 on the Focus is Andrew..
If the write up is by you Dr Ronny, I congratulate you on your coaching today. You were hanging out three wheels wide in the box seat in the middle of the roll through providing the much needed advice to tighten up. I could not ask for more.
I struggled a little and dropped a couple of places down North Lake onto South St over the hills, but after that it was a total cruise, with plenty left in the tank.
I was impressed by the pace of the group overall and what is achievable within a group that employs effective rollroughs/pacelines.
Please forgive my “rollroughs” spelling error previously, I have been out on the river all day in the Swanfish and have had a very nice day…
Thanks Jordan – I’ve updated the post. Forgive my terrible recall for anything name related.
Hey Ronnie,
Good recognition and call out this morning at Subi Oval. Sorry I didn’t stop, I was 2 kms short of the 100km and wanted to set a good time (AKA finish and die on my couch).
No probs Jordan – I make a living out of spotting and recognising things so it’s a good thing I have a keen eye 🙂 Very impressed with the 100k ride, it’s been a while since I did one and will be a while till I do one again. I had a leisurely ride round the river with Emma and our friends Annalise and Tim this morning – awesome!
It was a great ride, how it has evolved over the last month !! Thanks Dr Ronny .. See ya all next week
Dr Ronny,
Thanks for a great ride, learning to roll-through has been safe for a novice like me and the transition group is a really good bunch to learn with. Thanks to Raph as well for some nice pace setting. I will out myself as ” Wembley Cycles jersey” only to stop chris from dobbing me in first.
Hey Nigel, nice to put a name to that jersey that kept flying past us on Riverside Drv… maybe next week we’ll get you!! *shakes fist* =]
Nigel (aka Wembley Cycles Jersey), you can’t really be a novice with shaved legs!!! Seriously, well done! I’d like to blame my hang-over for not being able to contest the sprints at the end, but alas, I don’t think I can. This is my first look at the Transitions – I have to say that Ronny’s done a good job with the group. The second pace-line was impressive indeed. I kept an eye on the speedo – average 42kph in that formation (40-46kph) – and it was smooth with not too much talking. Remarkable how fast you can maintain a pace-line when everyone’s comfortable with each other without too much surging (or rubber-banding). It puts the Intermediates (Main group) to shame. I think it’s worth to rotate Intermediates back into the Transitions, just to get used to maintaining momentum in a pace-line. Sometimes with the pace on the Intermediate rides, trying to contribute to the paceline when your ring’s popping out the back can be overwhelming. It’s probably better to sit at the back and not contribute – it’d feel safer for all.
I’ll be in Melbourne this weekend, but next time I have a blinder on Friday nights…..
Nice lot of positive feedback ‘Transitoners’ and well done Dr Ronny . . . . you having set the initial formula and standard for the Novice ride a couple of months back which Carol and team are now maintaining; glad to see you’re being equally appreciated in your current role. Its all good stuff for SPR’s reputation and I am looking forward to having a ride with you all – maybe on a Sunday or perhaps the Public Holiday ride (presume that there is one for those not attending Pemberton ??)
Thanks everyone for the encouragement and to Raphael for the help on Saturday. It’s nice to see that everyone is enjoying the ride. I’ll be sorry to miss the ride on Saturday but will be there on Monday morning for the Public Holiday ride. PS – well done again Nigel – it’s nice to see someone win the sprint after doing work at the front during the ride.