Report by Reg Julian

I must admit to being quite apprehensive on the ride down to the car-park on Sunday. The word was out that Phil Anderson would be joining us for the ride today and I was quite concerned that the size of group would be much more inflated than usual, making for a nervous day directing the group. Peter and I had discussed possible routes earlier in the week and Mundaring Weir was one of the options considered. By Thursday Peter had decided that we would climb the scarp to Darlington, then cruise through to Mundaring, followed by the long haul along Mundaring Weir Rd back for coffee.

When I reached the car park I was pleasantly surprised. Numbers were around 50 across the three groups and a few riders who were testing out the Malvern Stars were getting fitted up. Phil Anderson had indeed turned up and was happy being introduced to all and sundry and posing for photos, maintaining a smile all the way. Peter suggested that the transition and intermediate groups would head out with himself and Phil to give these groups a chance to ride with cycling royalty. The advanced group would start about 5 mniutes later and would catch up with the intermediates after the first climb. That was the cunning plan.

Once the first riders had decamped we sat around the car park, not knowing what to do. I suggested someone tell a few jokes but no one volunteered. Jarrad tried to recite some Oscar Wilde and after 4 ½ minutes I’d had enough and suggested we head off at a steady pace. Jonny and I led the group out and before too long we sitting on 32-35 km/h. After our turn at the front I was reminded by Carl that this was not quite the steady pace he had anticipated. Sheepishly I agreed and apologised by being overwhelmed by the occasion. I retreated to the back to discuss national English curricula with Mike Bonner, hopeful in the knowledge that the next generation of SPR bloggers will follow correct grammatical and spelling instructions.

Soon the first hill was on us and after an incorrect right turnwas corrected, the group began the string out. Up ahead we saw Peter on the side of the road cursing his mechanical abilities. A lost front chain ring meant a rescue call to Kate was made and unfortunately his day was over. (Your luck will change soon I’m sure!). The rest of us settled into the climb with the sexy one making his customary run to the front. I think there were about 6 of us for the final run to the line with Mike B getting ahead of me in the last section. I held out Jarrad, Jerry and Stu in the minor placings.

KOM 1. Mike B, 2. Reg Julian, 3. Jarrad, 4. Jerry 5. Stu

We regrouped and sent the intermediate group out to Gt Eastern Highway. Phil then joined our group for the rest of the ride and Lennie also decided to join us. No sooner had we started before the second climb up Ryecroft Rd was upon us. Again the group strung out early and a group of 7 or so broke away. Dan put in a great climb here and was rewarded with a second behind Mike. Phil, Jerry and I fought it out for the rest of the points and as expected Jerry and I were out-sprinted.

KOM 2. Mike B, 2. Dan, 3. Phil, 4. Jerry 5. JJ

At the re-group I gave instruction for the next section but couldn’t remember the names of the roads to turn on. Therefore I was sent to the front to lead the way. I was joined by Mike and we made a pretty good pace up the rise to Mundaring. Behind us there was very little chatter, indicating that everyone was going a bit hard. We were all together in Mundaring and I went to back of the group, giving instruction along the way to regroup at Asher Rd. Once the descent started I was a bit too far back from the front group for my liking and was not helped by a dog running out onto the road near the bottom. This caused 4 of us to break suddenly and contact was lost. On the climb out I put the foot down and was given some encouragement from Davina and Lisa but resigned myself to be out of the points. Bec and I kept each other company up to the top and we finished about 9th and 10th I think. Stu took the points.

KOM 3. Stu, 2. Phil, 3. Mike B, 4. Jerry 5. Jonny

All that was remaining was the descent into Piesse Brook, followed by the usual climb. At this stage Phil was concerned about the lack of coffee shops in the area but we reassured him a caffeine hit was less than 15 minutes away. A few of the down-hillers took up the pace and Brodie and I sat back a little to see how it would pan out. At the start of the climb, we were joined by Phil and Jonny and sat in the mid 20’s. We passed a couple of riders who were pretty shocked to see Phil Anderson ride past. They asked if they could tag along and soon there was good train going up the hill. The ride was made all the more enjoyable as there were no cars today. As the hill flattened out Stu went to the front and I took second wheel. I had no idea how many were behind and by the time was hit the last rise I went out past Stu and was swamped by Mike, Phil, Brodie Jarrad and Jerry. I tried to catch Jerry and Phil on the final stretch but there was nothing left. My time of 7.40 was reasonable but not as impressive as Jerry and Jarrad, who joined the sub 7.30 club. Jerry’s time of 7.23 was very impressive and Jarrad 7.26 was also respectable. Jerry and Stu had started a fair way back and picked everyone off pn the way up.

KOM 4. Mike B, 2. Brodie, 3. Jarrad, 4. Jerry 5. Phil

We retired for coffee at the merchant and had a good chat about Le Tour and Phil’s trips that he organises. Coffee was a bit slow today but they were busy and the owner did apologise to me so it looks as though they still want us. Heading back out we settled down along Canning Road but the pace quickened as we started the Lesmurdie Rd descent. Once we hit Welshpool it was on and low to mid 80’s were the order of the day. This stretch was the highlight of the ride for me as I sat close behind Phil to see how smooth he rode and it was very impressive to watch. At the bottom he complained that we needed some decent hills in Perth to come down (we all agreed) and compared Welshpool Rd to a driveway!

The trip back to the car park was done at a steady 40 km/h pace with Brodie taking the first sprint and Jonny (I think) taking the second. It was interesting to note that a usual Sunday ride averages about 27-28 km/h and todays ride averaged 31.5 km/h! I think the excitement got to everyone but on such a great day it was well worth the pain. On reaching the car park Peter was waiting for us to get the run down. A couple more photos were taken and the Malvern Stars returned. If you’re reading this Phil thanks for taking the time to ride with our group and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.