In the absence of anyone else filing a ride report I reluctantly take up the challenge.  In comparison to the pain dished out on Saturday’s ride however, this really is a walk in the park.

We rolled out of the carpark as per usual, a few regulars where missing in action – either still recovering from TDU kms or scared off by the possibility of rain (looking at you Cawthorne!) – but still a reasonable group size. Probably about 15 or so up for the fast group.

Jonno led proceeding out of the carpark, but this was short lived as he didn’t know where he was going and set off down Mill Point Rd by himself.

We settled into a good pace along Canning Highway.  Things got a little heated when Jonno and Ash took their turn on the front.  I’m not sure why they what was going on. Maybe a bit a half wheeling contest.

Nick and I took the group up North Lake Rd.  We pushed it up the rolling hills which was pretty dumb as I put myself into struggle town.

Up the top of the hill we picked up Mark H.  He stayed with us for about 60 seconds before declaring he wasn’t up to it today and dropped back in search of Main 1.   Maybe the toe is still playing up…

By this point I was completely stuffed.  I was really happy when a couple of us caught an amber light and the group split.  Gave me a chance to recover on the downhill past Adventure World as we waited for the group.

Peter had programmed in way point markers into the route map for me for this ride – which came in really handy as we approached Berrigan Drive.  As we got to the turn I called out through my heavy breathing ‘left…left’ but nobody turned left except me.  So I went riding down Berrigan by myself.  Was a bit worried when the group didn’t follow.  But then they did and my technology was vindicated!  Sweet Garmin Goodness.

Anyway.  From here until Shepp Rd the story was the same.  The big guns rolled through up the front in all the fitness and glory, and I hung on for dear life with a select few at the rear.

On Shepparton Matty U told me he was leading me out as he needed the leadout practice.  I told him he wasn’t.  Too rooted.  I was actually going to drop off and roll home solo when we hit Albany Highway.  So instead of leading me out he attacked the group a few times.  This forced a split in the group some lights with Matty U, Jonno, Flying Finn and myself getting a gap.  The gap given to us by one set of lights was quickly taken away by the next set of lights, and come the Causeway we were all together again for the finale.

I’m not sure what happened in the closing stages.  Jonno went up the road, Finn chased and I held his wheel.  We caught Jonno 20 meters before the line and I dragged myself up over Finn for the win.  And the dry reach.

But man that was a hot and humid ride.  Totally disgusting.  I was dripping wet and ran out of water 10km before the end.  Hard.

Lennie found it hot too and took relief from an ice-bath at the Belltower.