Well to say that there were a few hills would not do this course justice.  But more of that later.  After organising the team and getting everything sorted out, we were notified of our start position.  LAST!  WTF!  Why did SPR Fast get a start time 5 minutes earlier than us.  I guess Cyclo Sportif have been talking to Toby too much and decided that the Mains would be able to sweep up the “not so” fast members of the SPR Fast group.

Anyway, Jordan picked me up at the respectable time of 7am and we headed down to Waroona.  Not much to report really.  Lots of bikes, lots of MAMILs, lots of pro looking riders with expensive bikes. One Very Pro rider with one very expensive bike (well it would have cost a lot if she wasn’t given it by her team). Yes Emma Pooley was doing the event.  Who????  Emma Pooley (More on that later.)

We were all ready to go and the first teams were released to the varied comments of the announcer.  SPR Fast lined up

This one of two times that we “caught” the fast group, at the start.

We awaited our departure and listened to the various comments coming from the announcer, including bagging Ryan about doing the event on one day a week training.  It was finally our turn to go as the last of the teams in the 79km event.  The announcer informed us that Anna had indeed been replaced by “Anna Hussey” and sent us off with a “and away go SPR1 with a Hussey in their team”

We made our way up Hill St for the right turn onto Hurt Hill. 8km’s of climbing.  After about 1km, there was a call to ease up and I took the opportunity to get off the front and take a photo of the team as we made our way up the climb.

As you can see our faithful Mountain Goat Anna the Hussey was at the rear as the Sweeper making sure no one got dropped or needed a tow up the climb.  For some reason, later on both John and Jen were seen at the back of the group struggling to keep up and so Anna kindly gave them a tow.  I’m not sure why Jen has his hand on Anna’s bum, but he assured us that this was the best position to get the required speed up the hill.  Needless to say that Jen’s hand was on Anna’s bum for quite a few climbs.

We managed to catch a few groups on the first climb, much to my surprise, and throughout the day kept on passing groups of riders. A lot of MAMILs with expensive bikes were passed by those with the not so expensive bikes.  Doesn’t matter what sort of bike you have, you still have to have the engine to power it. I am pleased to say that we were not passed at all during the ride which was a great effort by the whole team. I do recall passing group 8 and 9, and considering we were group 51, not a bad effort.

After getting close to Dwellingup, we had our first look at the first teams that started well before us.  The first was lead by Emma Pooley (followed by 9 guys in a line, who readily admitted to being in the hurt locker for the whole ride).

We also “caught” the SPR fast team, well….. caught a glimpse of them as they returned to Waroona.  That would be the last we saw of them until the food hall.

We continued to pass other riders and teams, while setting a good pace.  We passed quite a few of the teams on the return from Dwellingup.  It was a more pleasant return trip, although still hard work.  Jen cramped up at one stage, but fought on and pushed to the end.

We were clocking up the teams and the km’s until the last downhill section.  I am pretty sure in the last 8km’s we averaged well over 50km/hr (all downhill mind you). I hit 62km/hr at one stage.

We all made it back together as a team (more than I can say for the Fast Group…he he he) and then had a feed in the rec hall.  The fast boys (as I said) had saved us some seats which was much appreciated.  We all told our stories, packed up our gear and headed home. We averaged 30km/hr (on the Garmin) for a total climb of 1300m.  All in all not a bad effort.  Thanks to all the guys and the Hussey that came down to the event. I think we all had a good day out. We were 17th out of 51 and managed to only be 23 minutes behind (in riden time) the Fast group.

My legs are still hurting, even though I have been telling them to Shut Up Legs for at least the last 24hrs.  I guess I need some more time on the Trusty Steed.