I managed to get out on all three rides on the long weekend so will do an all encompassing report, complete with ride and after ride highlights, plus the points from the Sunday hills.
Day 1 – New Years Day (Benara Rd)
Last year it was just Ronnie and I at the start – this year there were just on 40 of us ready to tackle Benara Rd. The group ranged from fast group regulars to a few from the development group. We decided to stick together for the ride with the stronger riders doing all the work at the front, and a couple of others keeping an eye on things down the back.
It was evident from the start that there was a complete lack of broken glass and tired and emotional party goers to contend with so we settled into a good pace. A couple of light changes split the group on Gt Eastern Hwy, and the head wind in Midland played a bit of havoc but we stuck together well. Russell over-ruled Peter on the route through Midland shops and before too long we were on Benara Rd, with a call to re-group at the end. This gave everyone a chance to stretch their legs, but soon enough we were back together (except for those who took the short cut and headed back into town). Coming into Bayswater, the call went out of “car back”, this was the only time on the whole ride we were disturbed by traffic. The trip up Plain St hill broke everyone up but the lights down the hill brought us together for the final sprint. Danny Boy took the honours I think.
The Bell Tower was shut but someone mentioned Mends St café was open so we headed over there for coffee and for me the highlight of the ride. The manager on duty made Basil Fawlty look like a model host as she proceeded to abuse/be surly/annoy pretty much all the customers and staff. It got to the point that some of us were too scared to get a second order for fear of more taunting. We also caught up with Lorraine, Nicole and ‘new bike’ Paul, who were out on a more leisurely trip and were much more approachable than said manager.
Day 2 – Sunday Hills Ride
35 of us for this ride, with about a half/half split for the short and long rides. The wind wasn’t that strong, but was enough to be quite noticeable. The Welshpool Rd climb split the group with Jerard and Nico sitting on Mike B’s coat-tails before Jerard won the sprint.
Again it was pretty quiet in the hills with the only excitement dodging the gum nuts and branches left by the cockatoos. The group split in Bickley Valley with the main group heading up the Observatory road before turning into Patterson Rd for the last couple of hundred metres. The road has been re-sealed so it was easier to ride than in previous weeks.
Back down Patterson to Pickering Brook for a water stop before dodging more plant debris and the climb into Kalamunda. Sato set a hot pace from the start, with Jerard, Nico and Mike in pursuit. Mike, starting from way back clocked a 7.29 to claim the fastest time for the year but couldn’t overhaul the leaders. We then split the group again with some heading straight for coffee and the rest of us going down the zig-zag and up Kalamunda. The strengthening wind made the zig-zag a bit hairy in places and we were all ready for coffee at the end. At least the trip home was fast with a big easterly blowing
KOM 1. 1. Jerard, 2. Mike B, 3. Brendan, 4. Sato, 5. Gregor
KOM 2. 1. Mike B, 2. Brendan, 3. Sato, 4. Jerard, 5. Gregor
KOM 3. 1. Brendan, 2. Sato, 3. Mike B, 4. Jerard, 5. De Rosa Dan
KOM 4. 1 Mike B, 2. Brendan, 3. Sato, 4. Jamie, 5. Gregor
Day 3 – Monday Public Holiday Ride
The day started early with a 5.30 start for a la of the river. About 20 gathered for this, including ‘new bike’ Jerard showing off the new time trial accessory. It was pretty standard lap with Jono setting a fair pace on his turns at the front and nothing eventful happening. Ryan left us at Raffles and we made our way back to the car park for the start of the 7 am ride. The rules about sprint places were set and the emphasis on sticking together were reinforced by Peter and the group set off in a jovial mood.
The Shelley sprint was dominated by those who were at the front at the start, with Jono again setting the pace. Back together again through Mt Pleasant and Canning Hwy, we managed not to get split by lights. We re-grouped at the top of Stock Rd and I managed to find a garden tap to top up the water, which was being sweated out at a rate of knots with the high humidity. We had a bit of trouble getting around another group at North Port, mainly because they insisted on not going to single file as we were passing, and Cottesloe was the usual careful ride, given the amount of pedestrian traffic. The final leg through Dalkeith saw all the usual suspects come to the front with the increased pace and Toby claimed the sprint on Mounts Bay Rd. Atomic was the first stop for coffee, but this proved fruitless, as the place was packed. We then settled on going back to the Bell Tower for a well earned drink and an end to 3 good days of riding.
Having suffered on all three of the SPR Public Holiday rides over the long break – and noting the lack of Transitioners rocking up, I can see a need for an official SPR Trans group P/H ride which is possibly a little shorter – but certainly more ‘T’ group friendly the current SPR P/H rides.
From where I sat (frequently hanging onto the back of pack) this mis-named ”Recovery Ride” seemed to me to be a full on Main 1 blast. Not saying that I didn’t enjoy it – because I did, and it was the three hardest rides I have done for a long long time (each requiring an hour or two of post trauma horizontal recovery afterwards – but I’m still wearing a raised endorphin silly grin) . . . . but it really is way above Transition group level.
On the 1st Monday after Xmas, several Trans had turned up at Coode St, but decided to do their own thing due to the P/H ride’s reputation and despite my words of contrary encouragement at the time – in retrospect I realise they made a good decision.
With the numbers up in the 50 to 60’s for each ride (meaning it can take 3 sets of traffic light changes to get everyone through at an intersection) maybe an alternative would be to split the group into 1 & 2 and stagger the start as per the Sat Main group rides . . . . . or have an alternative T P/H ride ?
thanks Mark S for your comment.
as a new member and a T2 rider, i naively attended the unofficial xmas day ride. about 20 riders started and judging by the calibre of riders, i knew it was more a question of when and not if i would get dropped. sure enough i got dropped in dalkeith so i just made my way home.
after that experience, i knew i wouldn’t be able to keep up on any P/H rides full of Main riders and therefore missed all following P/H rides and all rides on the New Year Weekend. A Transition group ride probably would have tempted me out of my cave over the holidays but i guess it just depends on demand.
Looking forward to a return on this Saturday’s ride with the T1/2 groups 🙂