Haven’t joined a Main group ride for about 18 months and after hanging off the back of the last 3 public holiday rides realised that I need to indulge in something with a bit more zip than my regular Transition rides.
Yesterdays M2 ride was a big step up from the usual T1 in pace (my computer averaged 32.9), but it didn’t have the consistent ‘group cohesion’ that the T1 ride enjoys. We had around 27 starters and for the first half it was going really well with Russell and Christophe putting in a good lead out in the mid to high 30’s for several klms along Canning & Gt Eastern Hwy. We played tag with the back end of M1 every time they stopped at the lights, but always left a gap when the lights went green. Sitting comfortably close to the front of the pack but wondering at this pace what was going to happen when it was my turn to pair up on the front . . . . fortunately all went ok when the time came – must have found a down hill or tail wind section or something.
Still all nicely paired through Guildford and across the tracks at Bushmead; passed the gaggle of SPR’ers huddled on the verge seemingly engrossed with a puncture repair as El Prez rode towards us on his way back to the group. Mistakenly assumed that it was simply an M1 pit stop and wondering how long we could hold them off for . . . .very sorry to later hear and read about the wheel kiss and crunch and hope Carlos has fixed his wheels in time for today’s crit.
Along Bushmead the road had narrowed, with a single lane each way and the surface had roughened up; whilst most of the group were still sort of paired up and forming a long line – it was starting to get bit scrappy. Soon after that, the joker in a white van hammered passed overtaking on the r/h side of the road – only to be confronted with a 4wd with caravan which had just reversed into and blocking the lane in front of him. No way was the van going to slow down and from where I sat mid way down the pack, it seemed like the van cut right across the front two riders. It could have been really ugly and there does have to be a lesson in it for us and how a group should ride along narrow roads. At the end of the day its irrelevant who was legally in the right when maybe with a bit of prudence we could have significantly reduced the risk.
From here on the group started to splinter at the lights on Kalamunda and again on Hale Rd as a few broke away off the front – at the end of Hale we seemed to be down to around 12 and then slowly others latched back onto the back. Looping back east along Williams; we saw the fast group heading west for Albany Hwy and the direct shortcut home.
Russell had tried to get the roll through happening a couple of times and it seemed that some folks didn’t understand the process – a few would roll through nicely then the next one roll right off the front gapping the group and the roll through was suddenly all over as other assumed a sprint had started up.
Pace was up again on Albany Hwy, the group back down to 10 or so with Bill, Russell and a couple of others putting in some good efforts; another split as 3 or 4 snagged the lights leading onto the Causeway; and whilst pace was good, there was no really serious sprinting on the final stretch of Riverside Drive.
I really enjoyed the pace of the ride and the way the work load was shared, but I do think that a few of the M2 riders yesterday need to be more savvy on the broader skills & safety issues associated with pack riding, particularly with such a large group on narrow roads or when they’re tired at the end of a ride – that’s when the risks increase big time.
Seems that the new Aus Standard “AS/NZS 2063:2008” for Bike Helmets comes into force as from mid-night 12 Dec 2010 (check out the web sites below) . After this date it will be illegal for Bike Retailers to sell their stock of helmets with the “old” (AS 2063.1996) label. Presumably retailers will be madly discounting their existing helmet stock with the old AS label up until 12/12/2010 and any that they have left on 13 Dec 2010 will end up on the tip. May be a good time to upgrade ones helmet on the cheap ?
Looks like the T-1 / T-2 ride split up is now working really well, after last weeks confusion when we had people dropping off big time from both rides, ending up with some people being escorted along the Mounts bay Bike Path and a bit of ‘discussion’ and frustration at the coffee shop . . . . . Still have to finalise details with El Prez but looks like theT-2 ride will have one or two standard ride routes – aiming for about 37 klms with a couple of hills and typical pack speed on the flat of 25-35 (depending on the wind direction). This ride will cater for newish riders who have come up from the Developers Group on their rise up to the heady heights of the T-1 group.
T-2 will have more catch up / re-group points than T-1, and the general aim of improving basic safe riding skills and group etiquette rather than pushing riders to the limit. The focus will be on keeping the ride group working together, particularly on the flat and windy sections or along Mounts Bay Rd, and making sure that if anyone’s flagging at the back that they are looked after and not dropped off and left stranded.
Whilst this may mean that some fitter new riders feel they won’t get a work-out – there’s always the opportunity to sit on the front and pair up with the ride leader into a head wind, or push harder up the hills and sit up and wait for the others at the re-group point.
We’ll try and arrange for more roll-throughs too, which is something that traditionally gets taught on the Development Group rides. 6 out of today’s 10 riders hadn’t done it before and whilst ironically it’s harder to do with a slower pack, you have to learn this skill sometime, as its an essential pack riding technique and you’ll need to have a good level of confidence in doing it when you move up into the next group – plus its a real buzz when it works well.
The overall success of today’s ride was the result of 3 critical factors:
• El Prez’s pre-ride briefing and getting people to correctly choose which of the two Transition groups to ride in.
• Group size – we had 10 today and probably 12 is a comfortable maximum.
• Experienced riders joining in to help.
The third point is probably the most critical; Leon and Dan joined today’s group and their experience made a huge difference to stabilising the pack out on the road. Leon consitantly sat back to give a wheel, protection and encouragement to a couple of the back markers, and Dan looked after the middle of the pack or paired up and sat on the front to help push through into the head wind – so a big thanks to both of them.
But we do need other SPR riders to occasionally drop back down a level of two to ensure that there’s always a minimum of two and preferably three (for T-2) experienced riders helping out or leading the Transition Rides.
I’ll be away for the next two weekends and Leon has offered to run T-2 next week so step up and offer to give him a hand.
Necessity being the mother of invention and thus the unofficial “Transition 2’ Group ride was born. The Transition rides have been growing in numbers with 20+ regularly turning up and ave speeds increasing up & close to 30 kph – this makes a big leap up from the Developer’s group where ave speeds hover around the mid 20’s.
Last week the Developers had decided that they were bored with Shelley, so I took them around past UWA and along the river through Dalkeith, up to Scotch College and back. Everyone seemed happier with the ride since it had a few ‘hills’ and a change in scenery, although there were mutterings that it was a bit short at 30 klms. The only dodgy bit was heading west in the low 20’s along Mounts Bay into a 20 knt headwind – sitting in a slow pack is a bit unnerving on this road with the traffic, and so half way along I moved them onto the bike path at the Brewery, aware that 13 yr old Stephen and a couple of others were with us for the first time.
Assembling this week in Coode St; Ruth and Shaw holding the Transition Groups reins, and assuming that Carol would be back from Europe to lead the Developers, I had intended to sneak into the Main Group ride and stretch out the legs a bit. But no Carol – so no Developers ride leader. Looking around & reading the thought bubbles sitting above peoples heads (Gwyn’s in particular) I got the clear message that no-one wanted to do the Shelley Developers ride anyway. Young Stephen had held up really well last week & had brought father Mike along and since he and Robyn, (introduced by Mike B) were the only two new riders, a quick chat with Ruth combined with Gazman’s offer to help out sealed the deal, and T-2 was born – for today at least. I suggested that we’d do the same ride as last week but with an extra 6 klms and one more hill thrown in for fun – no dissention so that was it and we were off.
Slight easterly and the 8 of us paired up & cruised comfortably out along Mnts Bay at around 30 with Stephen doing a good turn on the front. Up Steves hill (chatting stopped and panting took over) and then a bit of hit and miss along Victoria trying to gauge the right pace to keep the pack together and the chatting minimal: turned out that 27-30 seemed to be the optimal speed depending on the gradient and wind direction.
A few times the group got a little strung out but mostly stayed together and the next little rise by Scotch didn’t seem to challenge anyone – all good so far. Single filed down Curtin, left turn across the rail line at Jarrad, back up the next rise along Railway St. before return via the underpass and across Stirling Hwy and the usual way home.
Garry was sitting back with Robyn at the tennis courts along Victoria, so dropped back to pair up with him and we towed Robyn back into the pack and straight out to the front as she discovered the joys of drafting. Mike B caught up and sat in with Robyn as a few others from the fast group came through. They took off at the lights onto the Mts Bay, whils we paired back up and although we had a bit of headwind, still managed a steady 28-30 past the Brewery up to the Narrows and onto the Bell for coffee.
Sometimes a ride seems so good that you just want to share it with someone – or maybe everyone. . . .Today’s Sunday short hills ride was one of those (for me anyway – and I imagine the other 40 or more SPR-ers who joined in – including several from the Transitioners out for their first hills experience). Heading down to Coode Street met up with another rider out for a spin; bit of chat & maybe he’ll turn up next Sat to join one of our group rides – but he broke the news that the Zig-zag had its festival day so probably couldn’t ride up that one today.
Toby rallied the troops as the suns warmth came through, off with the arm warmers and then straight out onto Canning and great Eastern Hwy. Sitting in third wheel chatting to Davina and the pace in the low 30’s as we passed Ruth waiting to tag-on – wondered how she was going to get into the pack, but thanks to Mike B who dropped back to give her a draft. Today’s ugly incident: the passenger in a brick layers truck spitting water at us as they drove past – very classy. Found myself paired up on the front into a slight headwind and did my usual trick of trying to lead the pack astray – this time by heading for the Tonkin Hwy turn off; fortunately the pair behind knew better and we made it to the base of Greenmount as intended.
Greenmount is a new climb for me so I looked around trying to find a wheel of someone who seemed to know what they were doing. The usual group had headed off the front and about a third of the way up sitting comfortably behind Mathew (blue BHP jersey) settled into a nice rhythm, concentrating on keeping my cadence up, peddling in circles, relaxing arms shoulders and everything else that didn’t need to do work. Passed a few of the early runners and then it was my turn on the front; Mathew tucked in behind and we got to the top in the first third of the field – felt pretty happy with that. The group had turned left into Park Rd for the re-group whilst I sat on the other side of the road watching as the back markers wound their way up to the KOM point & waited for the few who I assumed would be heading on the short route via Darlington Rd. Not sure how many actually went for the long course as it seemed like most of the pack (well 30 anyway) were heading in my direction for the short ride. Pace was well up along Ridge Hill; arriving at the base of the Zig-zag and the traffic marshals, bollards and community buses put paid to any thought of sneaking the onto the Z-Z climb. Someone suggested Gooseberry – but having done this for my first time a few weeks ago I reckoned that several of the Transitioners would be walking the steep bit so voted for Kalamunda Hill and online slots we headed on.
I think as hills go – I like this one; I started off near the front as couple of guys went early but wasn’t long before they were reeled in. Ian came around me and I stole his wheel for most of the way up and then suddenly he was gone with a 20 metre gap. Mathew came around from behind me; I chased & had his wheel for a bit but as we approached the first roundabout at the top, Ian was parked up and waiting and Mathew pulled away to gap me by about 30 metres – but hey I was very happy with third.
Mocha and muffins at the Tea Merchant and as we occupied a fair chunk of their alfresco tables, the service seemed pretty quick. Looking around, everyone seemed pretty pleased with their own personal efforts. All to soon it was time to get back on the road and head for home. Welshpool Rd downhill is a personal nemisis for me – always pre-promise myself to take it easy and sit up . . . but always get sucked in to tucking down streamlining and chasing a wheel. One day it will end in tears I know – but today it was just too irresistible.
At Welshpool Road Toby called a re-group at the bus stop, tightened up someone’s loose stem bolts; then back up and at it with a left /right through McDowell after which it was on for young and old as Toby, Mark H and Ian swapped off turns & setting up a huge pace on the front, with Mathew, myself and a couple of others hanging on for dear life . . . . And everyone else ? no idea what happened to them. Wow that was was a rush!
The three amigos finally got away about 500 metres before Albany Highway, & I was just about to blow up when Mathew came around to give me a freebee up to the lights – yeah they’re on red !
The front bunch were heading left for Berwick St, so I said my thanks and goodbyes & sat up waiting for the rest of the north of the river crew – mostly Transitioners it seemed. Cruised down Albany Hwy, onto the Causeway and home.
Great weather and a great ride – thanks everyone
Cheers Mark _S
Great ride today guys – don’t really need to say any more . . . . but I will anyway.
Toby was wandering around the carpark in civies making sure that rides had leaders . . . . Whats this – Toby in civies ?? then Lennie explained later at the Bell that after last night he ‘d probably be vowing never to drink again – or something along those lines anyway. . . .
The “T” group’s numbers have reached a consistent 12-18 each week (14 today) and the regulars have really sorted out who they like riding with, who’s good to sit behind in a head wind or sprint and who they can challenge on the climbs. The group’s speed and ability has melded well; there’s always the regular few who join in at the front, whilst others are happy to sit in and save their legs for the faster sections on the return home. Debbie stepped up from the Developers this week and worked hard to stay on the pace (big thanks to Rob who gave her a consistent helping hand up the hills). Certainly makes life easier for me when some of the stronger riders help shepherd the back markers.
We were just turning off Canning to head onto Riverside and then that sickening double crunch of carbon meets tarmac. With a lump in my stomach I look back to see two of the girls both in pink and white, sprawled across the road. Happy that no damage done, still not sure what happened – apparently no wheel contact and possibly just an extra strong patch of gravity. Shooed the riders off the road, Debs chain back onto the ring and with the lights at red we re-grouped, paired up, and settled back down. Eased away from the lights gently & held the speed down to mid 20’s to restore lost confidence. After a few hundred metres the chattering behind re-started – that’s always a good sign that we could pick the pace back up to 30+.
Slight tail wind, cool but not cold, and sunny – perfect conditions and who could ask for more. Past the brewery and the rhythm had settled back into the pack, right into Thomas and the rise up in Subi where Rob’s helping hand technique had Debbie leading out the front at the traffic lights. Under the Nicholson sub-way and the climb up Lemnos stretching the team out for the first time. Safe entry into Underwood and right through Perry Lakes where the pairing up was a bit scrappy as a couple of the guys on the outside wandered out to the centre line. Need to hone our ridig skills a bit and keep the pairs nestled close together – not only does it look good, but gives consistency and space for cars behind to overtake. Average speed so far was ok and up in the high 20’s.
Up the Oceanic climb, Robert stretched his legs and no doubt claimed the KOM as I sat back talking Debbie up the hill before coming across Mike pushing his bike over the kerb with a front flattie. Popped his wheel off (touch of envy as its half the weight of mine) new tube in & pumped back up to 110 and we’re quickly back on the road. Ramped it up to the mid 40’s to catch the others with Mike glued to my wheel. As we turned left onto West Coast, legs had warmed up nicely & with a good rhythm going, just couldn’t slow down as we caught the others. Single filed up West Coast and then stretched it out again with Michelle tucked in behind as we ran down into to Cottesloe.
Across Stirling and into Victoria Ave, waited at the corner of Waratah trying to tempt a couple with the shortcut; but Debbie (by now Rob’s hand had become surgically attached to her back) was on a roll and shooting straight past would have none of it; so that was it – no takers today and the pack disappeared down the road.
Worked hard to get back on, sitting on 40 and thinking how slowly I seemed to be closing the distance – the pack must have been chuffing along the mid 30’s. Finally slid onto Emma’s wheel, then up the outside and sat in with Shane for a breather. A lead group was off the front by a couple of hundred metres – Hmm time to close this one down before it was too late & we’re into the sprint. Rob – the usual sprint winner was happy to sit back (should have realised it was plot to help Michelle) so a quick nod to Shane and we’re off with a couple of others in tow. Hit the front pack, straight up the outside and kept going – Yeo and a couple of others had a go but ran out of legs. Past Warratah sitting in the low 40’s. Couldn’t hear anything behind, thought I had it under control & was on an easy solo run so eased up a bit . . . . fatal error . . . . and ‘bang’ Michelle (who’d apparently been on my wheel the whole time) was up and out of the saddle, accelerating away to claim the points. Classic victory !
Mounts Bay and the last chance to regain cred. Sitting paired up in No. 2 wheel enjoying the easy ride in at around 35 – checked behind, everyone was on and pretended not to be interested in the sprint. Speed dropping to 32, thought about going around and then someone else did, so followed through on the outside and we paired up on the front. Speed back up to 37, just past the brewery when my partner slid back on the inside, and thoughts of “Cool this is an easy one with only a couple hundred to go’ . . . . Talk about a slow leaner – ‘Bang’ again – and this time Yeo accelerated past and got 30 metres before my ex-partner came around to chase; sat on his wheel and then came around – but it was all too late; these points were Yeo’s !
Second on both sprints is just not good enough – so no cred this week. But it was a great ride anyway and ave speed of 28.4 was up +1.2 on last week.
Cheers Mark_S
All respect to those who the did the ‘150’ and even more so to those who completed the ‘200’; the ‘100’ was sufficiently ‘character building’ for me.
I started this on the Monday after the ride (a week ago) and my quads were still whinging after twice around the river; then Chris finished them off with a few ‘table tops’ and ‘leg bounces’ at the SPR Pilates night.
As always when you have a bit more time than normal, it was Sunday am and I was running late – mostly due to sitting too long in bed with my porridge and a smug expression listening to the 7.00 am weather forecast announcing the current temp at 3 degs C . . . lucky those SPR heroes who had been out on the road since 6.00 am. So no warm up ride for me, as the bike went straight into the back of the car and for the first time I drove over to Coode St. Arriving at the carpark at 8.55, the team were all there and lined up; 14 expectant lycra-clads astride their bikes, front wheels pointing at the car park exit and ready to go. Parked the car, grabbed water bottle, fruit cake and invested in a quick ‘nature stop’; by then the numbers were up to 16. A quick ‘team participation ride / looking after stragglers’ chat and cunningly snuck in the suggestion that we come back via the carpark between laps, to drop off any retirees pick up more water and say hello to nature again; and that was it – except no sign of Carol . . . .Waited until 5 past 9 and then just as we started to roll out she arrived with a big ‘happy to see us’ smile.
Usual route out onto Riverside; sitting on the front (to control the horses who would have happily galloped off into the sunrise) and held the speed around 30. Several others took in turns to roll through up on the outside come up for a chat and then drop back behind me on the inside. Judging by the chatting and chuckling that was going on behind everyone was feeling settled in and comfortable with the pace – clearly oblivious to their own impending personal world of pain that was to still to come.
Great weather, sunny, cool and no wind, the river flat with hardly a ripple and with our 18 strong paired up pack creating a presence on the road we were treated with respect by the little traffic that was around which gave us plenty of room. I always love that section past the brewery at this time of year when you can see the early morning shadows of the tightly knit bunch of riders stretching out across the central crash barrier.
Past UWA and then onto ‘Steves’ hill for our first short climb. Instantly sorted out the climbers and non climbers, and gave the leaders a chance to look back from the top to see who’s who and how we’d go for the other little lumps we’d encounter on the way. The groups dynamics were well sorted by now with riders working out who to pair up with, who to ride behind, when to single out or double up and many doing regular turns on the front.
Onto Stirling and then hammering over the speed humps and down into Peppy G for the run towards the start of the KoM climb. Chuckled, as a bit of position jostling took place with the couple of traffic islands and several of the guys had a crack at an early sprint attack or two for the last couple of 100 metres onto the base of the climb. Dave and Daryl pushed out for a gap off the front, as I sat back for a moment, knowing that for me this is a ‘measured climb’ with a nice little bite at the left hander half way up, so dropped down nice and early into the 39/19 and let the ‘smash attackers’ have their head. Predictably by about a third of the way up it was all over. I wound my way through the panting carnage, just ‘tapping out my own rhythm’ (quoting Pete) and was just about on the front, when Blair with Tim hot on his wheel cruised past as if I was standing still.
A bit of an effort and I was on Tim’s wheel looking for a free haul up and managed to hang on just past the left hander, when Blair attacked again. Tim stayed with him but that was it for me as I gracefully stepped through the back door – at least they had pulled me well clear of the others – or so I thought. Sitting up and relaxing on the false flat before the right turn and next climb, feeling quietly confident that position no 3 in the KoM stakes was mine, when seemingly out of nowhere a quick shadow on the road and then Shaw was pulling past me with a gleeful chuckle, obviously thinking that I’d blown up and the 3rd spot had his name on it . . . Clearly Shaw hasn’t been going to the Wednesday’s Spin with Fynn classes’ (I can just hear him now . . . “cadence up to 100”) I did just that and it was straight back onto his wheel. Sat there for about 30 metres and then (to Ryan’s imaginary “. . . .cadence up to 110”) went past and again sat there for a bit and then it was time for (“. . . .cadence up to 120 and hold for 15 seconds” ) and that was it, got the gap, made the next left hand turn for the final push up to the Water Tower and watched as Blair ahead of Tim by about 10 metres lead out for the No.1 spot in the KoM. Shaw was 4th, Yeo looking cool and unflustered came in 5th and Ruth came in around 8th to claim the Queen of the Mountain. Shared a bit of mutual congratulatory back slapping and controlled our breathing back to normal for the few minutes it took for the others to roll in.
The bigger lads enjoyed the next fast downhill section, Shane hammered past at well over 50 before the final rise leading back to Stirling hwy; and (as was becoming the pattern for the day) on reaching the crest the usual few climbers sat up and waited for the others to arrive, the pack re-formed and we headed down Stirling into Freo and across the bridge as a tight solid bunch.
Our first time across the bridge and the wind had started to show its intentions, giving a foretaste of what was to come the next time around. Tim and Blair put in a good few turns on the front up around East Freo, Bicton and Point Walter before we stopped and re-grouped again to pair up for the roll throughs along Burke Drive. Onto Canning where we somehow managed to get a big split in the group – a big thanks to Shaw, Leon and a few others who regularly sat back to protect the tail on the few times that we were strung out.
Another re-group again at Raffles for a strategy chat about lane selection to cross the bridge, then we were winding it up in the big chain ring along Labouchere before the final climb up Mill Point and left into Coode St carpark at around 11.25am. First lap had taken 2 hours 20 mins – and according to my computer we managed an ave riding speed of 26.4 and riding time of 1hr 54mins, which confirmed 26 mins of ‘stoppage time’.
Raided my car for a full bidon and more fruit cake, said our ‘Thanks’ and ‘goodbyes’ to Carol; Tess, David and a couple of others who were easing ou to relax for the rest of their day, whilst the foolhardy geared up for round two. As predicted the pace was up this time, Blair , Tim, Tyrone joined in to do a few good turns on the front and the pace was up into the mid-30’s. Bade farewell to Sandy at the Belll Tower and as we sat in the cross headwind at 36 noted that it had all gone quiet behind – until a plaintiff cry came from the back, suggesting that maybe 30 or possibly 31 might be nicer ! Shuffled Ruth around inside the pack to give her better protection and then the train was back up and running, with Owen in his fluro yellow jersey still gamely guarding the back.
A lot less waiting at the top of the hills on this lap; Blair and Tim did another big turn pulling us nicely along Victoria Ave up past the tennis courts and up towards Stirling.
A hundred metres or so from the right and left hander and short rise leading to the final roundabout on Queenslea Drive, sitting in second wheel with Tim and Blair out on the front, I couldn’t resist giving them a bit of needle about dropping the pace . . . . and was curtly told to put my words into action. So with ego and honour at stake, did the business and lead out to the roundabout . . . remembering that they had just both done a big 3-4klm turn on the front and of course knew their revenge was still to come up the next KoM.
Out onto Stirling with Shaw and this time we managed to get the correct left turn onto Richardson and the Esplanade, back down over the speed humps and approached the base of the ‘hill’ for the second time. Most were a bit more circumspect this time with only Daryl going early; I covered him with Blair and Tim sitting on my wheel. Left hand, right hand and into the climb, and no messing this time with Blair & Tim as they both stood up and were gone. Tried to get a rhythm but legs were heavy and jelly like, but the pressure was on as I was aware that Shaw was sticking to my wheel like glue. Going nowhere in the 19 on the cassette this time, so dropped into 21 – not much better but at least the legs started to spin for a bit then flagged, speed down to 14k and my quads were burning big time. Knew I couldn’t stand up the whole way so in desperation dropped onto the 23 and spun the legs back up to 90 cadence (thanks again Mr Fynn) and finally speed started to creep up. Shaws shadow was still lurking under my back wheel but was sure he’d be hurting too. Around the left hander and then WTF . . . . . . . this has to be one of my most humiliating riding experiences ever. Some dude with a skate board was standing in the middle of the right hand lane, half way up the hill just waiting . . . . as the two of us were about to draw level with him, he throws the board onto the road and skates up the hill for about 30 metres, not just overtaking us but pulling out a gap of about 5 metres before stooping down collecting his board, giving us a cheeky grin and waving us on. This just has to be far worse than getting chicked ! I know I was sitting on 14 +kph so not sure what he had been smoking but I could have done with some of that for sure. (check the incriminating photos . . . . . thanks a lot Jonny )
I knew Shaw was still attached to my wheel as his shadow hovered under my feet and we rode like that for some way until half way up the next rise I reckoned I could have a go at standing up, clicked into the big ring and finally I was gone (thanks again Mr spin the Fynn . . . . . . ). KoM as before Blair, Tim, myself, Shaw and this time Tyrone displaced Yeo for fifth spot. Ruth QoM of course.
Rest of the ride pretty much as before: the Burke Drive roll through faster but a bit chaotic although Ruth got stuck a couple of times on the front into the increasing headwind, and we did have a Schleckanichal dropped chain or two – but happy to say no punctures, and only one ‘discussion’ with a driver as we approached the red lights onto Stirling by Christchurch. Didn’t see what happened but went back anyway, had a friendly chat and apologised (still not quite sure what for) and so he left happy enough.
Congrats to everyone on the ride. Without exception, everyone gave it their best shot, and for many it would have been the longest single ride that they had done; the strong put in some huge turns on the front, others kept the tail alive and wagging, and the not so fit or so fast still gave it 110%. Its always rewarding for me to see good team work in action and what was out there on the 100 klm ride epitomises the general attitude of SPR, ie; egos and smash feists come a lowly second to ensuring that we have a safe ride, that we collectively enjoy what we do and we feel happy and satisfied at the end. And that’s how it was. The only tangible disappointment being that at the end it all fizzed into a bit of an anti climax . . . . after we rolled into the carpark at around 1.15 pm, no cheering crowds, couldn’t see any of the other groups (we’ed assumed that they had beaten us home), and unhappiest of all – no food ! Later found out that the mid ride catering had taken place at Pete’s – but was OK for me I guess as I still had some emergency fruit cake left and at least I had the car to drive home in !
Our first foggy morning and after the cold and clammy ride down to Coode St. via the river, I was happily surprised to see the Transitional group numbers still up – well done team; apparently 14 altogether, with a couple of new faces and a couple of returnees.
No “Developers’ group riders again today, so Carol decided sit in with us for the Canning Vale Reverse ‘inland’ route. A bit of a quick safety chat about bright tail lights, wet roads, glass and of course the fog (to which one wag queried if there was any ‘good news’? – soliciting the immediate response of ‘yeah we’re riding aren’t we” . . . . . ).
Out along Coode with the fast boys rolling straight past only to catch them again at the red lights onto Canning. Leisurely pace of around 28-30 heading south on Canning Hwy and then the left turn into North Lake with the fog thickening up. After sitting on the front with David for a couple of the short rises, I dropped back to check out & see how the tail was going. Carol was still ‘sitting in’ as far as the Leach hwy lights, but with the short rise after that, the pack pulled away and disappeared into the fog. Feeling a bit concerned about the worsening visibility, the vulnerability of riding in the fog and since two riders have more of a road presence than one, I sat back to keep Carol company . . . . That was our group ride over, and I’ll have to leave it up to someone else to fill in the rest of the story . . . .
Carol put in a good effort up the hills and comfortably sat on 30+ along the flats as we had a bit of a wander through the suburbs between South St and Bannister road (I turned left off North Lake a bit too early) and Carol used her internal GPS to find our way onto Bannister and then the usual way home.
Trying out a new route for the Transitioners, euphemistically known as Rebold Hill, which caused a bit of early consternation as a few thought they would be grinding their way up to the lookout off Oceanic Drive . . . . . .
Leaving South Perth with 16 riders, Chrissy joined in on the front & looking very pro with her deep dished aero rims, whilst behind there was lots of happy chatting going on as we wound our way onto Canning hwy. Leon waiting at the Causeway lights and would have mistaken him for a Bandido with his bandanna around his face – but a Felt in lieu of a Harley kind of gave the game away. We paired up for the first leg east along Riverside Drive past the brewery and sitting comfortably at 30; I checked back a couple of times and whilst the chatting had stopped – everyone seemed happy enough.
Right into Winthrop, up the gentle rise up to Rockeby, and down Nicholson through sleepy Subi; still no traffic around as we rode under the subway – one of the pleasures of winter riding is the reduced number of cars on the road at this time of day. Another pleasure is that warm feeling on your back as the sun finally decides to get up and thaw out yer bones.
Thinking we might have our first split on the short climb on Lemnos, eased the pace a little and looking back from the top; nice to see everyone still all grouped up. Along Underwood, the chill through Perry Lakes and the left turn to start the Oceanic Drive climb and finally the group fragments.
A couple of the girls were feeling a bit flat so waited at the corner of West Coast Hwy , lead them back to the pack; singled the others out in the bike lane when a couple of Utes came a bit too close, before sliding to the back with a straggler to climb up towards Swanbourne. Sat in with her just chatting away to take the pressure off as the remainder disappeared over the hill. The others were waiting just before Stirling Hwy, and we re-grouped to start the usual route home along Victoria Ave. Having pre-organised for a couple of the girls to take the shortcut we rode together along Waratah as the main group followed the river around; perfect timing as we re-joined back in with the leaders. Guessed that there must have been a bit of sprint thing happening judging by the gap that the front 4 or 5 had on the rest of the bunch. Kept looking back expecting to see the fast boys snapping our heels at any moment – but it just didn’t happen today.
At the Mounts Bay lights, we still had 16 riders, so split the group into a fast pack and not so fast pack. Sent the fast lot off for a bit of fun along the final couple of k’s towards the brewery, and sat back with the slower group to ensure that no-one was dropped or left exposed on a solo run.
Chilling out under the heater (thanks for lighting it Kimbo) sipping my Mocha and chatting away when the news of Gwyn’s two punctures came through; she only had one spare tube so back out again and very pleased to meet her on the Narrows, escorted by Carol & Nathan who had stayed back and with the assistance of Carol’s patches, had got her rolling again. thanks guys.
Seems like the new route got the thumbs up from everyone I spoke to and the words ‘Rebold Hill ride’ no longer generates fear and trepidation in the hearts of the Transitioners !
Cheers Mark _S
