First Sat ride without having to put my lights on, ‘This will save weight’. I figured I would need all the help I could get today. I had stupidly mentioned on the blog that I would go with the Fast group today. This has been a goal of mine for quite a few months now, since my self impossed lay off in the winter of ’09, due to every excuse we cyclists use when you get in a rut.
The numbers were good at the meeting point. I’d checked the blog the day before and saw Ridge hill and Hale rd were on the cards for Main. This is a great ride, probably equal favourite of mine with Benara, the temptation to go with them was palatable. Pete ran through the points of interest for the group as per usual before the ride, then called for people to indicate which group they wished to ride in. The last few weeks have seen the handful of fast guys/ gals join main1, so I felt sure this would happen again and I would be let off the hook. Not to be. Lisa also had expressed an interest in taking the plunge, but was in two minds. I mentioned I was going and this may have swayed her (Lisa is riding really well at the moment- better than me, and has been away competing in India and Melbourne). Pete called for the Fast group to leave first, there were about 18 of us. As I found my way through the milling group there were a few encouraging voices heard to say “You’re going!”
As we rolled out Ryan was seen getting ready, late as usual. He would join us. Lisa was heard to say “Oh no! Ryan’s going, I’m out.” But the group would have none of that, and she came along to suffer with the rest of us.
As we rolled out and along Canning Hwy, I noticed the pace was a touch higher than Main, not a lot but it was there. I was already starting to write the Blog in my head, and all I could think of was how I would end it- ‘and I rolled into the Bell tower cafe shattered after being dropped. The rest of the group were already there enjoying their coffee’. The other thought was ‘Where are we going today? Damn didn’t check the Fast group route’. I started asking around casually if anyone else knew, but everyone I asked seemed confident they would stay on so hadn’t checked.
I’d already made it known to as many fellow riders that I wouldn’t be doing any roll thru’s and no turns at the front as I wanted to try make it to the end with the group, Lisa seconded that by expressing the exact same sentiments. The pace out to Guildford remained constant, pairs rolling off the front as they finished their turns, quite lengthy ones at that considering we were riding into the breeze. I got a chance to chat with the rider beside me, Morrison, nice guy who turns out to be our resident Psych and runs a Yoga studio in Subi, also had a brief chat with Kiwi rider from last week, Mike, I think he shouted out when I asked his name (no political discussions this week). I got to thinking how pleasant it was riding in amongst the others, as if I were being held in the grasp of a nice soft hand (the symbolism of this will become apparent very soon). As we crossed the bridge into Guildford Lisa found herself at the front, wisely she did a short stint and then peeled off.
As we turned onto Swan and Bushmead I sucked down a one of my two Gu’s, as I knew this pleasant pace couldn’t last and I would need it. Someone in the group called out for a roll thru to start, a short one ensued but was soon ended as we turned onto Midland Rd. Anyone who has riden this road knows it is that terrible, dead, chunky blue metal type road and it has a few ever so slight rises. Needless to say the big boys came out to play here, not sure of all the protagonists but I’m sure Ryan, Jerrard and Chris could be named. I know it is important at times like this, as the pace picks up, to hold the wheel in front of you. Believe you me I tried. Like a yoyo used for the first time by a novice. I felt myself gently leave the embrace of that loving hand where I had been so warm and cosy, only to find myself dangling at the end of the string looking for a way back. Fortunately I was already last wheel, so didn’t cause anyone else to get dropped. I was just behind another rider, black Giant I think, Assos jersey with a red logo on it (Sorry didn’t get your name). I kept up a pace and finally got his wheel. We worked together, both doing what we could to minimise our loss. I noticed another small group of three riders who were between us and the leaders and tried desperately to close the gap.
By the time we came out onto Kalamunda road we still weren’t on, and I was seriously considering looking for one of the two Main groups and joining them. Ridge hill has to be easier than this! I saw one of them cross the lights up ahead at Hale Rd and thought ‘Is that Main 1 or 2?’ I was scrambling to hold onto the other guys wheel as we turned onto Hale and there to my right, going the other way was Main2. ‘Should I? That hand looked so nice and inviting. Damn it, the rest of the group weren’t that far ahead, I might still catch them.’ I shouted out a hello to Shun and continued on my not so merry way. The two of us continued to work together, the Assos guy seemed to be riding stronger than me. Hale road is another of those terrible surface roads for part of the way and also undulates ever so slightly, which hurts tired legs. The other three riders were just ahead, and looked to be within reach, I’m sure we were catching them. I swore to myself that I was going to catch someone. Then came our saviour! A large excavator was being escorted in the other direction, causing all traffic going in our direction to come to a stand still. We were back in the embrace of the not so loving hand!!!
The rest was very short lived and I hadn’t even caught my breath when it started all over again. There I was tumbling away from the grip of the hand again, containing might I add, Lisa who had stuck it out all the way with the pace setters. This time there were a few more of us. The gap wasn’t that large but I was worried it would grow quickly and I’d find myself dangling at the end of that string again. I think I spotted John (Carol’s other half), Morrison, Kiwi Mike, Assos man and Snuggles. We worked together as best we could along the remainder of Hale. At one point there Morisson saw me struggling at the front, he came past and offered me his wheel but I had nothing. We reached Welshpool rd and the lights were my friend, holding up the group just long enough for me to re attatch myself.
As we passed under Roe Hwy, Snuggles was heard to utter something along the lines of “I’m too old for this”. The pace must have backed off a touch along William St because I was able to hang on. We were stopped at a set of lights when Lisa turned around to spot me, “You alright?” she asked. I think the blank look on my face told her everything. We continued to the intersection of Albany Hwy where a light change allowed me to suck down my last Gu. I made a joke that ‘Now the only thing I had left were wheels to suck!’ Seemed funny to me.
The trip back to the Causeway was a touch faster but I wasn’t going to let that hand cast me away again. I hung onto every wheel I could, most of the time this was Carlos’s, he makes it look easy, he’s also a great person to sit in behind as he cuts a nice hole through the wind. Onto Shepperton rd, still hanging in there. Ryan and a few others began to stretch there legs again as we hit the little rollers, starting to lose ground. Another chance to catch back on at the lights leading onto the Causeway. More surprised looks from people that I was still there. Just Riverside Drive to go. Ryan was just ahead of me, I tucked in and hung on for dear life. The group started to splinter as the sprinters came out to play. Ryan took off to claim victory yet again. Or did he?

We got to the last set of lights before the Coffee shop as they turned red, and yes, I was still there!!! Still in the grasp of the hand. I guess it got tired of playing with me. Looked at my average at the coffee shop 36km/h.
I wrote this so those of you who have wondered whether you could make it in the Fast group will know what to expect. Well on this particular day anyhow. Some of you know where I fit within the group as far as fitness, and where you are in relation to me. Would I have made it if the truck hadn’t stopped everyone, who know? But I sure was going to give it my best shot. It’s a real buzz to have succeeded. Thanks to everyone for letting me suck your wheels. Sorry for the long winded account. But hope it inspires some of you to give it a go.