Yanchep Cyclo Sportif  SPR4

The Day    : Overcast, with the chance of a shower.

The Place :  YANCHEP Western Australia.

The Team  : Dr Wally, Dr Carl, Dr Doug, Eng Frank, Mger Brett, Esq. Declan, Elect Will, Erec Nev and Ms Katie.

The Route :  Mainly Flat  BULLSH*T!

We headed out at 9.03, the fifth team on the road and we were travelling well over the little hills that would become major ones later in the morning.

We lost our first rider at the 15 k mark with Declan deciding he would like to ride with Malaga Cycles for a while!

Our team Capt Wally wanted to go back but after some discussion we decided to pick him up on the way back after the first turn around.

The bloody wind was certainly a factor on the way out on Marmion Ave combined with the long hills made for a tough slog, but we were all there bar one.

At the first turn around we had major indecision with our local rider a bit unsure if this was the right turning point, I will not embarrass the guy, but Wally,Carl,Brett,Doug,Katie,Nev,Frank (Declan was with Malaga) made the turn no problems.

GPS were called into action but in did not matter there was no way we were riding into that breeze more than we had to.

The breeze was behind us and off Brett went on his time trial bike, we had to remind him that we had 80Ks to go so he eased off , but we were making up time now.

As we approached casino online Yanchep Rd roundabout we had Carl on the front with Katie behind they both missed the left hand turn.

Katie was able to swing around but Carl slammed on the brakes mounted the kerb flicking up sand with his back wheel, he saw what we did to Deco and was not going to be left behind.

We also had a mechanical incident, I rode over two limestone boulders on the side of the road giving me a rear flat and also a 5-6mm split in the tyre.

At this stage I believe I used a great portion of energy I had left telling my team mates who were in front of me in the I thought of their signaling skills and why we riding on the verge.

At that moment Declan went past with his Malaga Cycles team and gave us the finger!

This helped me regain my focus and repaired the tube and only pumped the tyre up about 3/4 hard to see how it went, it lasted the next 60ks SWEET!

The ride out went well then back past the finish for the first lap, Katie left us here, she had put in a good effort taking her turns at the front as required.

We then came upon Lennie”s team,Lennie was at the back, so I gave her as any fellow SPR rider would do I gave her a helping hand, I stress this was a purely a professional act of sportsmanship. No matter what my team mates say.

We then hit that bloody wind on Marmion Ave again with no coverage at all, I was feeling it on the climbs and could have easily called it quits if Brett had not called on everyone just to slow down a bit, for me it was all I needed just to get back on track.

We turned once more and off went Brett again it must be great to be forty! It was Carl, Doug, Wal and Brett leading the way with Will and I hanging on and Frank who did some major work at the front into the breeze at the rear.

Doug did a big turn at the front but would pay the price with cramp and his day was over.

We had lost three by this stage but then suddenly Declan appeared and we were not complaining. We did not have to as Deco was.

He wanted to physically harm our Capt Wally and suggested that each team member should do something that is physically impossible!

In hindsight we did make an error in not stopping for Deco but it made for an exciting last 15Ks.

The finish was certainly welcomed and we had a team hug, lunch and as any elite team would had a beer at Wills place.

Toby your write up made me feel better as we all agreed it was tough ride.

Nev