Report by “Regular” Julian

In keeping with this week’s tradition of getting the report out before the last cyclist has left the coffee shop, I offer the following muse from today’s travels in the hills.

A group of about 25 set off today, with no major incidents apart from a chain ring coming off (see Transition Group report). After the split we continued down to Brookton Highway and the advanced group gathered in the right lane. Rider after rider peeled off to the left and in the wash up we were left with 9 riders – Mike B, Northern Districts Nick, Captain Poser (yes the white shoe covers were out again today), Lisa, Tom, David, Johnny, Brodie and myself. Lisa was even contemplating sabotage on a couple of riders in order to gain a point or two.

The moans of anguish were audible as we turned into Carawatha Rd for the first climb. Jarrad and Brodie set a fair pace but by half way up they’d spent their chips. Mike and Nick had broken away and Johnny and I feasted on the carcasses of the two initial breakaways and Brodie held on for 5th.

KOM 1. 1. Mike B, 2. Nick, 3. Johnny, 4. Julian, 5. Brodie

With only 9 of us the re-group was very short and no sooner had we descended off the hill than we were slugging it out on Carradine Rd. I hadn’t been up here for a while and in my absence the road surface had certainly not improved. Trying to find a smooth line was difficult and in the wash up Mike and Nick got away again, with Brodie hanging on strongly. Jarrad, Johnny and I waged our own battle and I was pipped on the line by a fast finishing Jarrad

KOM 2. 1. Mike B, 2. Nick, 3. Brodie, 4. Jarrad, 5. Julian

We headed off to Soldiers Rd for the big descent and Ryan passed us the other way on the 5 dams ride. As we flew down the hill we passed a few other riders and as we re-grouped before Peet Rd, Jerry and Chris came past and were given plenty of encouragement. Onto Peet Rd and the group split very quickly. Mike and Nick broke away with Jarrad trying to follow. Approaching Urch Rd Jarrad starting going backwards and I got passed him. Up ahead, Mike had cleared out so we pretty much all rode solo to the school with nothing noteworthy to report, apart from Brodie’s relationship guidance advice at the regroup, which he was happy to dispense (maybe there’s a reason he’s single!)

KOM 3. 1. Mike B, 2. Nick, 3. Julian, 4. Johnny, 5. Jarrad

After the obligatory water and food stop at Karragullen, we cruised through as a group to Pickering Brook, then on to Carmel and into the Bickley Valley. Once we hit the Weir Rd the pace quickened but soon enough my efforts of 100 km yesterday finally took their toll and I pulled out. Tom and I settled into a steady pace whilst up ahead Jarrad, Johnny and Brodie battled for third. David and Lisa finished quite close behind and we were all glad to be at the finish.

KOM 4. 1. Mike B, 2. Nick, 3. Brodie, 4. Jarrad, 5. Johnny

Johnny teamed up with the intermediate group for the trip home and Mike also took an early shower. The rest of us headed to the Merchant for refreshments. We met Kel and Tim on the couch and spent an enjoyable 20 minutes refueling.

Back on the bike for the trip home, with the humidity quite high, we made our way down Lesmurdie and Welshpool Roads without incident. Jarrad sprinted off to Roe Highway but was stopped by the lights. No need for a re-group at the school today and soon enough we were at the next sprint point in East Vic Park – Brodie won this won but without competition. Finally, Jarrad and Brodie fought out the South Pert sprint after sitting on Lisa and Johnny towards the hill. I then headed home happy with another 100 km plus ride under the belt.