The seeds of the Sunday intermediate ride were sown at the coffee shop on Saturday morning.  Still recovering from the shock of the girl in the pink singlet at the end of Plain St (The males in Main Group 1 will understand what I’m talking about) I agreed to go on the Sunday early bird with Ainsy, before doing Kalamunda Rd and heading back to watch the state crits.  Simple. 

Arriving under the narrows just on 5.30, we were joined by Jason.  The easterly was up so we decided to make hay and spent the trip to Claremont at an average of 38 km/hr.  We by-passed the Mosman Park hill for fear of not getting back in time for the 7 am start but needn’t have worried.  By the time we crossed into East Freo the wind had dropped so the trip home was also quick.  At Canning Bridge the average speed of the trip was sill 36 km/hr and so the last few kilometres were spent freshening up as we made our way back to the car park.  

A group of about 30 gathered for the Sunday ride proper.  The talk was about ride routes and short cuts (the pink singlet also raised a mention!) and by the time we set off there were about 6 different options planned.  A few old faces showed up today with Heiko and Brodie returning to the fold, along with the regulars.  There was plenty of conversation on the way out and not much traffic or wind to speak of so all in all it was a pretty enjoyable start. 

Approaching the Kalamunda Rd climb the group split at the last set of lights.  As most of the climbers were at the front we decided to push on and re-group at the top.  This suited everyone except Mr Bonner, who had to make his way from the back.  Chris was having a blinder and broke away early.  Jerard, Stu, Brodie and the ‘man in the Bike Force top’ whose name eludes me formed a second group and I was off the back of this.  Brodie’s lack of recent climbing became evident as he neared the top and Mr B and I went around him together.  Mike tried hard to catch the others but couldn’t stay on when the group kicked on the final section 

KOM 1 – Ainsy (10 points), Stu (7), Jerard (5), Bike Force Man (3), Mike B (1) 

After the re-group some riders headed for an early coffee and Chris, Jason and I decided we felt OK and stayed with the group down Lesmurdie Rd and then up the last section of Welshpool Rd.  I quite like this climb as all the down hill glory boys get in front before Welshpool Rd and then become easy pickings on the climb and today was no exception.  Chris, Jerard and Mike led from the front and I couldn’t quite get across the gap at the start of the climb.  I settled into a good rhythm and watched the cat and mouse games up front.  Chris got away from Jerard on the line and behind me Jason and Mark DC had a good battle for 5^th.

 KOM 2 – Ainsy (10 points), Jerard (7), Mike B (5), Julian (3), Jason (1) 

The second re-group saw another split.  The long ride group was down to about 10 and I look forward to receiving the points from this.  Heiko and Brodie were determined to get on the board.  The bulk of the group, Chris Jason and I included, decided to do Mundaring Weir Rd, then head back down.  Bickley Valley was very peaceful and the final climb was done in about 8 min for the front group. 

 There were more splits here with some deciding to head down the zig-zag, a couple going to coffee, Brothers Dan and Todd, going back down Canning Rd and the rest of us doing the usual route home.  We agreed to re-group at the school for a water stop and just before heading off I noticed my front tyre had worn through.  I therefore decided to take it easy down the hill and this allowed me to catch up with Rob and his new Cervelo.  

Once everyone had water on board we headed off again.  I then had the memory flash than I hadn’t has anything to eat since the car park and suddenly started to feel faint.  Luckily Chris and Lisa were on hand with much needed sugar (thanks for that) and I was able to make it back to Dome in East Vic Park with Chris, Jason and Mike T, the others having decided to go to Atomic.  We re-fuelled and Jason tried (unsuccessfully) to get free cokes because we had Dome on our uniforms.  He did manage a sympathetic smile from the waitress though.  It was then onto the crits for the men’s and women’s races, and afterwards a good rest (and dreams involving pink singlets!). 

Footnote:  I’ve been having trouble updating the points page of late.  The points are still being tallied and once the final 2 sections of this ride, and those for March 6 and 13 ( I presume someone has these) are available, I’ll post a blog.