Report by Julian

Prior knowledge is needed for the first bit of this report – please read Nathan’s main group report to see what happened going up Kahuna the first time before the split (yes I’m being lazy!).

KOM 1. 1. Northern Nick, 2. Chris, 3. Jono, 4. Cervelo Dan, 5. Mike B

The group split and unusually most of the riders ended up in the advanced party – perhaps they were all there to see Lennie excel in the hills or to see if El Prez Peter could repeat his winning climb from last week (sorry I didn’t get around to writing that one up). Anyway, the size of the group caught me by surprise and having brought up the rear coming down Urch Rd then realised I’d have no hope in catching the front group, who made a break as we climbed out of the valley. Turning into Peet Rd I started wheeling a few in and was then confronted by Vaughan standing on the road doing some adjustments. I shouted if he was OK and thought it must have been chain problems and so continued on. Brett was out on his shiny new Ridley and made the comment as I went past that his bike was good at climbing but he wasn’t. A group of about 6 of us including Davin, Davina and Gregor made haste on the flatter stages but we were well out of the points once we got to the high school.

KOM 2. 1. Chris, 2. Stu, 3. Mike B, 4. Brendan, 5. Peter

At the regroup Vaughan discovered that his front small ring had bent and the bike was only good for cruising. Fortuitously, then meant he could cruise back down Brookton Highway and get picked up on Albany Hwy, which I presume happened. He was last seen at the shop regroup before the second attack on the Kahuna.

Once on the hill everyone settled into their own rhythm and there was little overtaking at the front. Cervelo Dan and Sato were close enough to keep me thinking I could get them but far enough away to challenge. The sight of a recent car crash in the scrub near the top of the climb made for a bit of excitement and after finishing Mike B and I rode back to help out the back-markers. Gus still had a smile on his face (or was it a grimace of pain) at the top and Lennie was questioning her sanity for going with the fast group.

KOM 3. 1. Northern Nick, 2. Mike B, 3. Stu, 4. Jono, 5. Sato

It was then pretty cruisy along to Pickering Brook and Kalamunda. There were hardly any cars on the road and the pace was quite lively. A couple of riders decided to forgo the final climb and head straight to coffee via Canning Rd, whilst the rest of us took off on the usual route through Carmel and Bickley Valley. Stu and Nick set a cracking pace in the final stretches and pretty much has an unassailable lead once they hit the final climb. We set the timers as we passed Aldersyde Road and settled into a good pace with Peter and Mike B ahead of Jono, Sato, Brendan, and myself. On the last flat bit I went to the front to keep up the pace and was passed on the final rise. With the urgings of Brendan and a determination to at least get one point I put in one last effort and got 5th. I was happy with a 7.49, as was Peter who set a PB with the same time. Nick did a 7.30, again another PB and special mention to Heiko who was very proud of his personal worst of 10.30.

KOM 4. 1. Northern Nick, 2. Stu, 3. Mike B, 4. Peter, 5. Julian

The group then split with the coffee drinkers settling in on the couch and those who needed to be home to help in the garden, attend birthday parties or to go to Atomic heading off straight way. There were a few 80 km/h+ times on Welshpool Rd and a general easy cruise back home. Zak won the final sprint along Berwick St, just in front of Anna.