Ride report by Kimbo.

Having not seen a main group report for a while and Pete putting the captains armband on me for the day (in the absence of Russ) I thought I should make a little effort with the pen. Please read this with a hint of sympathy as I am not all there in the head. 🙂
Lack of numbers due to this weekends races merged the two main groups back to one with about 26 riders. Todays ride would take in the sights of Burke Drive, onward to South Street, Stock Road then Nicholson Rd finishing with Albany Highway through Vic Park. Rain overnight left the roads wet but the morning was shaping up to be a nice day for a 50.47km ride.
Meg and Janelle (the new 15 year old superstar on a Pinarello wearing a manga jersey) took the first turn on the front until Meg realized that she had no idea where she was going, so rolled back to third wheel before the lights at Mill Point Road. Gus and Scottie warmed us up along Canning Hwy until I flashed my big boss captain armband and raised the pace a little. Burke Drive was holier than the Popes undies, so there was much pointing at the roads surface to warn the following riders. Those that have ridden with me before will know that I’ll point at a wayward lackey band on the bitumen so this was a big moment for me.

I won’t mention much about the climb up Stock Rd because basically I started first and didn’t end there so well done to those flying past me with ease. Along Stock Rd, well not much going on there, didn’t see any stock, Gus seemed to hit the red button when his chain got caught in between his crank and rear stay which brought me much amusement. Not the mechanical but his reaction was classic.
A left turn onto South Street brought on an extra gear and the group got excited. A couple were caught napping so Mark (Look 595) and myself worked with these guys to help get the group back together. The group self managed itself through Bull Creek and Canning Vale, correctly selecting Nicholson over Bannister Rd. It’s good when the group seems to know where they’re going.
Mark and myself then sat at the back with the FCC’s (Fleet Cycling Chicks) and watched in awe as the finely tuned machine (commonly known as the SPR Main Group) danced like ballerinas. Well they rolled through and kept the pace between 39 and 42 km/h anyway. Later after the ride, a whistle blower came to me with information that it was a little messy in there, so remember to keep your line with no erratic movements.
Albany Highway and the group was still together and we made it though Cannington without even one “Get the F*#k of the F#*king road you bunch of F#&king F*%kwits”. A first for me I think. We had only just past the Hill View Terrace lights when some pelican thought he was better than he was and charged to the front like a dog on heat. I heard a couple of shouts and we were away. I spoke to the pelican later and he filled me in on what happen on the front. Apparently after a few attempts to get away from the group, his lack of ability and few red lights saw them all back together at the causeway. The pelican was on the front again with others and thought he had the legs to smash the field from the start of Riverside Drive. Clearly he didn’t.
I personally don’t like change, so the line of red witches hats in the left lane was enough of an excuse for me not go for the sprint today. If anyone wants to put their name up in lights go ahead.
Highlight of the day….. was Janelle’s Mum. Getting out of a warm bed at god knows what time in the morning to drop your daughter at the car park for a ride is gold. Happy Mother’s Day next weekend!!
Thats it, good ride and I’ll see you next time 🙂