Sometimes a ride seems so good that you just want to share it with someone – or maybe everyone. . . .Today’s Sunday short hills ride was one of those (for me anyway – and I imagine the other 40 or more SPR-ers who joined in – including several from the Transitioners out for their first hills experience). Heading down to Coode Street met up with another rider out for a spin; bit of chat & maybe he’ll turn up next Sat to join one of our group rides – but he broke the news that the Zig-zag had its festival day so probably couldn’t ride up that one today.
Toby rallied the troops as the suns warmth came through, off with the arm warmers and then straight out onto Canning and great Eastern Hwy. Sitting in third wheel chatting to Davina and the pace in the low 30’s as we passed Ruth waiting to tag-on – wondered how she was going to get into the pack, but thanks to Mike B who dropped back to give her a draft. Today’s ugly incident: the passenger in a brick layers truck spitting water at us as they drove past – very classy. Found myself paired up on the front into a slight headwind and did my usual trick of trying to lead the pack astray – this time by heading for the Tonkin Hwy turn off; fortunately the pair behind knew better and we made it to the base of Greenmount as intended.
Greenmount is a new climb for me so I looked around trying to find a wheel of someone who seemed to know what they were doing. The usual group had headed off the front and about a third of the way up sitting comfortably behind Mathew (blue BHP jersey) settled into a nice rhythm, concentrating on keeping my cadence up, peddling in circles, relaxing arms shoulders and everything else that didn’t need to do work. Passed a few of the early runners and then it was my turn on the front; Mathew tucked in behind and we got to the top in the first third of the field – felt pretty happy with that. The group had turned left into Park Rd for the re-group whilst I sat on the other side of the road watching as the back markers wound their way up to the KOM point & waited for the few who I assumed would be heading on the short route via Darlington Rd. Not sure how many actually went for the long course as it seemed like most of the pack (well 30 anyway) were heading in my direction for the short ride. Pace was well up along Ridge Hill; arriving at the base of the Zig-zag and the traffic marshals, bollards and community buses put paid to any thought of sneaking the onto the Z-Z climb. Someone suggested Gooseberry – but having done this for my first time a few weeks ago I reckoned that several of the Transitioners would be walking the steep bit so voted for Kalamunda Hill and online slots we headed on.
I think as hills go – I like this one; I started off near the front as couple of guys went early but wasn’t long before they were reeled in. Ian came around me and I stole his wheel for most of the way up and then suddenly he was gone with a 20 metre gap. Mathew came around from behind me; I chased & had his wheel for a bit but as we approached the first roundabout at the top, Ian was parked up and waiting and Mathew pulled away to gap me by about 30 metres – but hey I was very happy with third.
Mocha and muffins at the Tea Merchant and as we occupied a fair chunk of their alfresco tables, the service seemed pretty quick. Looking around, everyone seemed pretty pleased with their own personal efforts. All to soon it was time to get back on the road and head for home. Welshpool Rd downhill is a personal nemisis for me – always pre-promise myself to take it easy and sit up . . . but always get sucked in to tucking down streamlining and chasing a wheel. One day it will end in tears I know – but today it was just too irresistible.
At Welshpool Road Toby called a re-group at the bus stop, tightened up someone’s loose stem bolts; then back up and at it with a left /right through McDowell after which it was on for young and old as Toby, Mark H and Ian swapped off turns & setting up a huge pace on the front, with Mathew, myself and a couple of others hanging on for dear life . . . . And everyone else ? no idea what happened to them. Wow that was was a rush!
The three amigos finally got away about 500 metres before Albany Highway, & I was just about to blow up when Mathew came around to give me a freebee up to the lights – yeah they’re on red !
The front bunch were heading left for Berwick St, so I said my thanks and goodbyes & sat up waiting for the rest of the north of the river crew – mostly Transitioners it seemed. Cruised down Albany Hwy, onto the Causeway and home.
Great weather and a great ride – thanks everyone
Cheers Mark _S
rippen some legs off!
was a good ride this morning and the 5 minute ride home from Kalamunda was a bonus. First hills ride in 9 weeks and I spent most of the climbs in the Saddle. Normally I’m on the pedals so was an improvement. Maybe it was the loan bike 🙂
Great write Mark 🙂
write up ….
I’m kicking myself for having missed this ride – but then a day at Rotto watching the race with a beer in hand was pretty good too.
I don’t do the hills rides (yet) but 1 of my Transitional mates had a go. let’s just say he is geographically challenged – we make sure he doesn’t ever lead the group coz he gets lost. He really struggled up Greenmount and by the time he got to zig-zag, everyone had disappeared. he could have been in the wilds of Africa but fortunately he struck another group of riders who showed him the way back to Perth – the long way through Guildford!! spent the rest of Sunday on the couch.
sorry to hear that gazman. we try not to leave people behind, but sometimes it is hard to keep track of everyone. especially now that the weather is getting better and the group is getting bigger again. it may be time for 2 distinct groups.
We did wait a long time with Toby on the corner to check that no-one was still coming. The shorter course group also headed down the hill towards Darlington Rd and no-one clocked him even then.
Perhaps he had already gone past the turn-off without looking up (to see where others were turning) or looking sharply to the right. It is easy to miss riders waiting at the entrance to the park and it has happened before (just ask the post author).
It seems that a lot of people were in a hurry to get back to watch the UCI road race on Sunday. The long course group was rapidly reduced down to just 6 hardy souls, but we enjoyed a nice trek past the weir nevertheless.
Absolute suprise to me. I made sure the new transitional riders I knew where safely in the group before we left Greenmount. There definately wasnt anyone coming up Great Eastern when we departed.
We did loose a few newbies on the descent through Darlington, Mike and Sandy and co. I did go back down Ridge Hill Rd myself until I found them. By the time we made it to the Zig Zag the group had pressed on to Kalamunda. I chaperoned the small group up to Kalamunda myself where we joined everyone for a quick drink before departing for home.
I completely understand the distress though. I’ve been dropped and lost by the group before myself. One of the reasons I make sure I know the route before I head out.
Apologies again.
Yeep I was home and on the couch watching the race before you got down Welshpool 🙂
Really enjoyed this ride. Thanks again SPR.
Just to ensure no misunderstanding – I meant no criticism of the group leaders when H got left behind. He certainly wasn’t upset. It just gives us more ammunition to rib him about!!
The group was waiting for him on Greenmount, so no problem there, he just got stuck on Ridge Hill.