Training ride write up by Jarrad.

It”s been a while since a write up”s been done, and i”m sure i”m not alone in inviting many newcomers, or at least new writers to contribute once in a while.

Anyway, rolling up for a semi-dry morning, to be greeted by an impressive turn-out given the conditions, it”s great to see so many riders out there despite wet-roads and cold-weather. Must be something about this time of year…

After after the usual formalities, the “Fast group” were off to head down to South Lake and back, about 10 or 11 strong. A couple of minutes in, we were to be joined by The Flyin” Fynn, and a nice, steady warm up pace ensued. Through Applecross and heading South, our steady pace was beginning to be disturbed by traffic lights, and more frustratingly allowing the main group to catch up. Up a couple of the rises, and we waved goodbye to Nick “the Diesel” Churchill, who”s still coughing and sneezing so much it sounds like he filled up with unleaded instead.

The advantage of riding this, well trodden (ridden?) is that  most of us pretty much know the deal, a few little undulations and then its all flat all the way home, and so with the last of the little hills on South Lake road dealt with, not to mention a couple of riders spat out the back, we began a roll-through.

Quickly the pace lifted, perhaps due to Captain Poser”s somewhat infamous “full-gas” roll through technique, even The Flyin” Fynn absconded from duties at the front of the bunch. Well, until a couple of tongue-in-cheek hand gestures motivated him into action (besides Fynn, the Poser must”ve  learnt the “full gas” method from one person…).

So, in somewhat of a Tour-esque fashion, the depleted fast group of 8 (or 9)-odd riders rolled on, steadily building a gap to the peloton (Main group), with a fairly quick, steady roll through.

Right turn at the round-about, around the back of Jandakot (or wherever we were), the road seemed to get a little more damp, flicking lovely morsels of road detritus for all to sample, and the roll through continued. Jonno Bolt-ons was looking quite steady, along with the ubiquitous (mysterious) Mr Bonner and 3Dian, who”s secret training of late seems to be paying dividends, (and, pardon my memory,  PaulO?.?). Up and over a couple of small undulations and a few of the group were beginning to tire, with Jerard “Mr G” seeming to take some time to get the legs into action, and at times, pushing to roll through, although somehow managing to get the job done each time.

Left turn at (insert road name) and it”s time for the run home. Smooth, new two-lane tarmac allowing the now warmed-up breakaway to keep turning on the pace. Rolling through now, each rider now, La Chihuahua, 3Dian, Bolt-on, Mysterious Mr Bonner, Flyin” Fynn, Captain Poser (and, i”m ot ure of memory, PaulO aswell), Mr G each sharing the pace making, with El Prez in tow, and now smoothly rolling quickly home. Onto Nicholson, and the roll through kept online casino up, with El Prez even putting an effort in every now and then, the pace was nice and brisk – not too fast, but certainly not too slow either.

Towards the end of Nicholson, the roll through began to wane, as 3Dian gave a fair effort over one of the rises to spit out El Prez and put the pressure on.

The group began to take turns at the front now, with each rider taking 30 odd seconds at the front and rolling off. Onto Albany highway, each rider still worked together and kept the pace nice and high.

Rolling onwards through Vic Park, and Captain Poser took the initiative to attack at the usual “Fynn” point, driving the speed from the mid 40″s up to somewhere around the speed limit, and taking The Flyin”s Fynn with him. All was in vain, however, as the two attackers were held up by traffic lights.

At the green La Chihuahua took a turn to attack on the slight descent, again, only to be held up by lights.

Again another green, and the remaining 7 riders all looked a little more organised, as they rolled past the Trannies and over the Causeway, first it was Mr Bonner in the leadout, followed by Jerard pushing the pace over the bridges, followed by La Chihuahua, pressing pace off the bridge and onto riverside drive. With La Chihuahua beginning to tire 3Dian was next in line, dragging the remaining 3 at pace, until his legs could turn no more and onto Bolt-on, who kicked the pace up another notch, with only Fynn and the Poser on his wheel. 500 to go, and Bolt-on”s shoulders beginning to roll, 400m left, and time to go, Fynn kicked, with the Poser kicking at the same time.

Head to head, the two riders out of the saddle and kicking hard, Captain Poser managed to roll over The Flying Fynn, and drive the pace home and over the line.

All up a good solid training ride, nice and fast, nice and smooth and nice and safe.