Report by Julian

A good turnout for today’s journey up Greenmount and we set out full of confidence for a good ride. This was short-lived as we first dodged a mattress on Mill Point Rd, then just before Canning Highway lights the leaders called out “glass”. This was soon followed by the unmistakable sound of air pressure equilibration between inner tube and the outside atmosphere. The unfortunate rider was Ian, who then discovered a slashed tyre and this led to an early shower. The rest of us warily started off again and headed towards the hills picking up a few riders on the way. A slight detour in Queens Rd resulted from confusion at the roundabout and this left Gus and I on the front to direct everyone towards Midland. Peter then took control and made sure everyone got onto the climb without further mishap.

On the first climb Heiko, Chris, Nick, Peter, Jarrad, Vaughan, Nico and myself went to the front as the pace quickened. Nico had a bit of fun and made a small attack, which set the cat among the pigeons. Nick, Chris, Jarrad and Vaughan responded, then Nico backed off with a big smile on his face. At the top he said this was deliberate ploy to see who would react – he was not interested in points today. Nick made a further attack and broke away from the others and Mike B, noticeably absent for the past couple of weeks, came up behind me. Up ahead Heiko had spent his chips and I made a move past him, dropping Mike in the process, then had Chris, Vaughan and Jarrad in my sights. In the last 500 m I caught and passed them, with Vaughan trying to hang on. In the wash up I held on and then we waited until the others joined us at the re-group.

KOM 1. 1. Northern Nick, 2. Julian, 3. Vaughan, 4. Chris, 5. Jarrad

The main group were then sent on their way back towards Kalamunda whilst the rest of us followed the friendly Ranger who had opened the gate. We safely negotiated the gumnuts and pot-holes that the John Forrest Road usually offers and before too long the Parkerville Hill was upon us. Heiko shot ahead on a mission for points and pretty much slowed down just as quickly. As I went past him he wasn’t looking too good – a week in Paraburdoo will do that. Up ahead the points were battled for and as I was a way back didn’t see how close the contest was.

KOM 2. 1. Northern Nick, 2. Chris, 3. Jarrad, 4. Vaughan, 5. Peter

We cruised through Parkerville and Stoneyville and going up the bonus climb to Mundaring noticed a group of Midland juniors in front of us, being motor paced. Not that we knew it at the time, but the whole complexion of the ride was about to change with this group ahead. We regrouped at Mundaring, allowing Chris to do a few stretches on his troublesome knee and show us some of his better profiles. We also lost a couple of riders who took the short cut back home. On the descent to the weir Peter, Heiko and Vaughan set a good pace with everyone hanging in there. Coming out of the weir Nick attacked and was allowed to go. Jarrad, Peter, Vaughan and I formed the group behind and soon we were mixed in with the Midland juniors. Their coach was barking out instructions and one of the girls, Melissa, was encourage to hold onto our wheels, which she did admirably. The motorbike would occasionally pass us pushing one of the lesser riders along but poor old Melissa was just yelled at to hold our wheels. We got some further encouragement from a smart-alec mountain bike rider, who received some choice advice from Jarrad. There was also the sight of a somewhat bloated dead kangaroo on the other side of the road holding a pose very similar to that of Chris doing his stretches! Into the final stretch of the run to the top the speed barely got below 40 km/h. We finally dropped young Melissa, after she had reeled in all of the junior group and in the sprint to the line, Vaughan held me out for 2nd with Peter and Jarrad close behind. It was certainly the fastest I’ve been along that stretch of road and I wasn’t looking forward to the last climb.

KOM 3 1. Nick, 2. Vaughan, 3. Julian, 4. Peter, 5. Jarrad

At the re-group “Roo Boy” Chris did a few more stretches, much to the amusement of the rest of us. The stop had allowed the juniors to get in front again, but soon we were in pursuit on the final climb. Heiko made his typical ‘advance and pop’ attack and Nick soon broke away. Peter and Jarrad had a good battle for the remaining podium positions whilst Vaughan kept enough in reserve to hold me off.

KOM 4 1. Nick, 2. Jarrad, 3. Peter, 4. Vaughan, 5. Julian

The Merchant was a welcome relief apart from confusion over Nico’s and my hot chocolates. He managed to swipe all my marshmallows before the order could be corrected so I politely asked if they could be replaced. The young waitress made a friend for life when she brought out 6 as an apology for mixing up the order. The break was a pretty relaxed affair but soon we were off again with the descent to follow. Peter led the charge down the hill but by the time we hit Tonkin Highway there was no need for a re-group. A few riders peeled off on the way back to South Perth and the final sprint was all Jarrad’s after Chris and I had tried to go early. The fast pace of the ride (~30.5 km/h overall) meant that we could get home a bit earlier than usual, or in my case sneak in a couple of extra miles.

photos at the top of greenmount by peter.  please help me to correct the names.