Training ride – By Jarrad

Another beautiful WA morning greeted us, if not a little chilly (and dark), one fears that the end of the nice weather may be approaching, but like this morning there”s (hopefully) a few crackers left until the rain sets in.

Another large contingent at the meeting point with plenty of familiar faces and a few new ones too, and with a few instructions from El Prez”, we were off, with a solid 25 or so riders in tow. Reggie and Capt Poseur led out, nostalgically remembering their last escapade along this route whence they both took control, remembered rather fondly as “the way the fast group should ride”, and with hopes of a similar morning.

A comfortable pace until Scarborough beach road is the preferred order for this ride, with the intention of removing the influence of traffic lights (and the odd speed bump) from the already battling hordes of riders, and so, rolling along the bunch stayed consistently together until Osbourne Park.

The call to roll through smoothly was given and things started to get moving, albeit disjointed by a few traffic lights. Unfortunately, the words smoothly were mis-interpreted to mean “lets get the speed upto 45kph ASAP and go”, which meant a few were left with cold muscles as they fought to hold on.

A few intersections and the inevitable was now into view – Col de Deux-vue, and the usuals rolled through more consistentently now – Squeaky Spud, Magnificent Jerard (i can explain), Ainsy, Capt Poser, Diesel Ben and newcomer-Vaughn all rolling through as the road angled (or very slightly tilted) skywards, the climb wore on and Diesel Ben, newcomer Vaughn and Poser-boy took turns to drive over the climb north of 40 kph (must”ve some skyward angle), and continue to push the pace over the summit and on the descent. Red light!! Onto the brakes hard, the majority of the peloton now joined the leading group for the ride through Scarborough and down West Coast hwy.

A nice stretch of flat allowed the pace setters to open up, with Diesel Ben driving the pace, Dan B (insert nickname here), Johnny from the mother country (this name need shortening) and Magnificent Jerard taking a few turns at the front, the rest of the riders strung out now hanging on (or is that conserving energy for later?).

Yet another intersection (albeit punctuated by the fear of being cleaned up online casino’s by a 4WD) forced a split in the bunch, just as they headed eastwards and upwards at the Boulevard, the handful of riders who escaped were dancing on the pedals up the hill, with the Poser and Diesel-boy making quick work of the gap, the pace went up again with Reggie joining in on the action.

Through the lights and post-regroup, the bunch (which was still a fairly solid 20ish) headed west again, up and over Reabold Hill, with a very strong riding Dan B leading the group. An attack by a rider in white set the cat amongst the pigeons, and Johnny was the first one to bridge the gap as they rode down and back onto West Coast Hwy.

After the descent the bunch regrouped and picking up a couple of “short cutters” on the way, newcomer Vaughn, Diesel Ben, Squeaky Spud and Dan B took the helm as the bunch rolled onwards to Cottesloe.

An attack by Dan B through Cottesloe was picked up by the lights as Claremont, and the bunch was on familiar ground now. The pace picked up a little, however with only two Dans and Diesel sharing the work at the front, the Poser attacked again in an attempt drive the pace up. The group seemed to respond and the Poser was quickly caught and joined by Magnificent Jerard (trust me, this nickname isa compliment of the highest order), new Vaughn, Johnny and Diesel Ben rolling through and eating up the remnants of another SPR group (since been identified as main 2), with the bunch now strung out and clawing on. Down the hill and past the Uni a quick attack by Johnny was neutralised by the lights.

So the group, which was still probably 20-strong rolled out onto Stirling Hwy, in anticipation of what could be called a sprint, but for insurance and common sense reasons should really be called a moderate increase in speed towards the finish. Diesel Ben was, as usual content to set the early pace, with Jason, Vaugh and Ainsy rolling towards the front. With a kilometer to go, Captain Poser was the first to attack, a strategy which proved futile, as he was caught with around 300 to go. Magnificent Jerard started the sprint, resplendent in Black (Next Year”s Colour du jour- white is so 2010) but was beaten to the line by Squeaky Spud and Ainsy, who took second.

All up a reasonable ride with no incidents, although with just one quick comment re: safety – When a rider calls “Bikes back”, or some derivative of such, it must be noted that this is NOT an invitation to look over one”s shoulder and see where the sound came from, in fact it”s pretty much the opposite (and yes i know this could be construed as the pot calling the kettle black, but it”s safety here). After passing another bunch things just got a scary at times – inevitably, when someone looks over their shoulder, they tend to steer that was also, and although everyone did leave plenty of margin, it”s a little scary, and given that some of the more “aggressive” groups don”t show so much caution, i guess it just should be re-enforced that one only needs to hold their line when the call comes.

Until next week – The Captain.