by dr ronny

Today was my third week in a row with the novice group. After letting the main group go, we were left with the Malvern Star people and we all put our names down to win an Oppy bike. The guys and gal there also mentioned that Phil Anderson would be at the carpark tomorrow morning to help with the promotion and took a photo of us!

In addition to a couple of new faces today (Lucas and Emma), we decided we would also tackle the Majestic hill, that is, if only we could find it. When we eventually did find it, Jacqui (or is it Jackie?), went round myself and Tracey to reach the top in front of me with new Lucas just behind.
After a little street searching, Carol found Kintail Rd and we off in the right direction again. We made our way leisurely to the Shelley section where the paced went up a little and our roll through began. I was very pleased with our effort last week and was keen to see how we went into the strong easterly wind.

Understandably, the roll through was a little less fluid but Lucas and Emma picked up on it pretty quick, Carol was a little off and a few gaps began to form so I held back with her and we let the others go. They seemed to do a good job as they disappeared slowly up the road till we regrouped. There was a small chat about rookie marks (you know, those bits of chain grease on your calf) and how to avoid them and we decided to try to make the roll through smoother by slowing down the speed of the right hand riders overtaking those on the left on the way back.
Stubbornly, the wind still felt like it wasn’t quite behind us on our way back but the roll through was a lot smoother and there was only the occasional small momentary gap for the whole time. Our two new riders looked like they were doing it easy so I began to tell them how we would split up a little going up a small rise after a left hand turn (apparently, it’s called Bull Creek Rd) and then regroup. Of course, I did this not realising how far we were from it and every time the road started to curve left, I thought it was it, only to find out it wasn’t. When we eventually did find it, I looked back to see just Tracey, Lucas and Jacqui/Jackie within reach. Lucas asked “Is this it?” and almost before I could say “yes” he was out of the saddle sprinting past Jacqui/Jackie.
It was an uneventful ride back and it was nice to have a small chat to “the other Emma”. We were last to coffee but we will be faster next week now that we know were to go around Applecross.
It’ll be the breakfast ride the week after next so we’ll also have to talk about a route that will lead us to Jerry’s place. If only we could recruit someone with a Garmin…..

Ride report  by daniel

Having got a little wet during the week, it was good to be back into dryer weather as the weekend dawned. Although, when we started riding it was a little cooler than I would have liked. Oh well. Anyway, it was a relatively good turnout for the Saturday morning ride. I think we probably had several people doing the State Criterium Championship’s but looking around we would have plenty of company on the road. Pete was out early but had left the lycra at home for a change – seems like handing out water bottles and the like is such hard work the he needed to take a rest from riding in preparation! Hard for some.

Pete was up to giving us the pep-talk before we started: Canning Vale reverse, remember that there are some hills early, try to keep the group working together. The usual, but many of us need to be reminded.

So we started, and I think that we managed to hold everyone together in the main. Heading west on Canning Highway we did split the group several times coming over the freeway due to lights – but no real hassle – after a brief pause to gather everyone, we were off again, and holding a nice even inclusive pace. I was close to the front when we hit the hill leading up to Stock Road, but I think we managed to keep everyone resembling one group; I’m open to being corrected here as I was towards the front at this point

Either way, the lights along Stock Road kept showing red, and this helped us to regroup, and kept us together all along Stock Road and in the initial run down South Street. It was at this point that things got a little interesting. As we approached North Lake Road, I recall Ryan discussing with Jerry when we were splitting and exactly when it was that it would be OK to “go fast”. Or words to that effect. In any case, immediately after this there was a sudden acceleration down the hill towards Gilbertson Road. Now I don’t always have the legs to stay with some of these surges, but neither can I resist giving it a real good go. It seems like I was not the only one, so we were off!

As it turned out, this turn of speed did not last long as we took a few more lulls at lights as we crossed back over the freeway. However you rate it though, by the time what was the fast group had reached Bannister Road, I think it is safe to say that what started as a single group was definitely split into several pieces.

From this point this pace was kept relatively high but not insanely so – again due to lights and even a reasonable wait a roundabout. It seemed like we shared the work in the main, although I do recall Ryan hitting the front several extra times to make sure we kept pushing reasonably hard. So we headed back into town along Spencer Road  and then Albany Highway, picking up several riders who had taken the main group route (I think) and so managed to get out in front of us. We continued in pretty much the same way all the way back, with the lights playing true to form and stopping us as we picked up speed down Shepperton and onto the Causeway.

I can’t tell you who won the sprint as I got held back by the lights on Riverside Drive – except to say that it was not me.

Back in the coffee shop we met Pete to collect waterbottles and trisuites. It was good to see a few new faces on the ride. It was also good to see a few regular faces, the likes of Lisa and Anna, rejoining us after their efforts in the Tour de Perth (well done!). Not to mention that we got to meet Josh’s family, along with the regular appearance of Pete’s boys. Very cool.

See you all next time.

Report by Julian 

Back for a Sunday ride – my first in 4 weeks – and I was keen to see how much climbing form had deserted me in the time.  Thanks to Peter and Mark DC for writing up the last few weeks rides in my absence.  Mark was relieved to see me at the start as it meant there was no pressure on him to get the ride reports out this week.  There were just on 20 of us ready for the 5 climb ride via Canning Dam, but the Elite Group of Paul, Greg, Christophe, Declan, Simon et al. already had a short cut sorted before leaving.  With the easterly blowing there were relatively short turns on the front today (some shorter than others!) and after a trek down Albany Highway the Elite group turned off to take on the Kahnua.  The 10 of us remaining headed further out and were soon turning in Carawatha Rd for the first ascent.  The climb was nice to me today as I took an early lead and made a steady pace to the top without any attacks from behind.  Chris kept up his recent form to take 2^nd and was followed by Brodie, Mark and Peter.  Mike, Lisa, Tim, Marc S and Phil, (not in that order) followed behind and the re-group was only long enough to allow emptying of a couple of bladders. 

The quick descent was rapidly followed by the rough climb of Carradine Rd.  Peter made an early attack and was followed by Tim.  Chris, Mark and I followed behind and about 2/3s of the way up I decided to bridge the gap and left the others to fight out 4^th and 5^th.  I went past Peter and Tim and Peter hung on my wheel and was annoyingly close as the finish approached.  About 150 m from the finish Peter made his move up the inside and I was cooked.  Again the re-group was shortish and was only extended by Peter’s motivational talk to Lisa about continuing the ride.  Happily the 10 of us stayed together for the next climb, the long but no too steep climb up Albany Highway to Canning Dam turn off. 

As we started up Albany Highway we remained together but as the pace quickened, one by one the riders started to drop off.  About 1.5 km from the finish, Mark DC, Brodie, Tim, Phil and myself were left.  Phil was unsure of the finish and made an attack but was hung out to dry.  Tim also tried to go but was wheeled in by Mark DC and Brodie who fought it out to the line.  I caught Brodie about 200 m out and up ahead Mark outlasted Brodie for the points.  Phil hung on for 5^th. 

The sun was out and wind had dropped as we made our way to Canning Dam, then down to Araluen.  Mark DC set a fair clip down the hill and Peter and Lisa brought up the rear.  We regrouped at the bridge and began the 4^th climb up to Karragullen.  After the initial climb, Peter came to the front and said there were 5 of us together and he was about to change that.  With a smile on his face he attacked and the 5 became 3 pretty quickly.  Enjoying the moment I made an attack and this resulted in Tim dropping off.  On the last rise before the left hand turn I attacked again but soon realised I was at my limit and dropped the pace, allowing Peter to get back on my wheel.  We stayed like this until the last climb to the finish when I got away from Peter to take the points.  The battle for 3^rd and 4^th was very hotly contested with Chris and Time sprinting for the line.  I had some concerns they wouldn’t pull up before Brookton Highway but both managed to slow in time.  Time took 3^rd by less than a half wheel and Mark DC took 5^th.  We gathered at the service station to allow for food and drinks to be taken on – Jelly snakes have never tasted so good. 

By this stage there were a few tired bodies and the sun quite strong.  Mark DC and I chatted up the front about recent rides – a couple of weeks ago we’d raced each other of Kwinana Freeway after work not knowing until we broke off who the other was and we happy with the pace set.  We also talked about the last climb and our season ambitions of a sub 8 time for Mark and a sub 7.50 for me but decided that today would not be the day, given the temperature and four climbs already done.  Everyone else did their turns up front and before long we were heading down into Bickley Valley for the final ascent. 

The climb started OK with Mark DC deciding to go straight to the front.  I got passed Mark on the first steeper part and stayed in front maintaining a fair pace.  I looked behind at one stage to see three others hanging on – revealed later as Mack DC, Peter and Brodie.  I kept my head down and by the time we hit the flatter section only Mark and Brodie remained.  I kept the lead and upped the pace to see who would drop.  The others two held on and I figured I try one last attack to get them off.  By this stage I thought my speedo hadn’t dropped below 26 km/h so figured it was going to be a good time so kept attacking and hoped for the points.  Alas on the final rise Brodie and Mark came around and I couldn’t hold them off – with Brodie taking the points just.  As we passed the sign I looked down in disbelief at my time.  The scream of delight from Mark in front confirmed that my stopwatch wasn’t broken.  Mark and Brodie stopped the clock at 7.45 and I did a 7.46 – a 10 sec PB for me and 25 sec PB for Mark.  Needless to say we were both pretty happy.  Peter and Tim came in 4^th and 5^th.  Unfortunately I had to be home early for my son’s cricket so couldn’t celebrate at coffee.  I suffered a few leg cramps going along Lesmurdie Road but kept the pain away by staring at my stopwatch. 

As a footnote, the points table has been fully updated and the final ride for the month next weekend should be interesting.  Five riders are within 10 points of each other at the top so the KOM is wide open.  Let’s hope we get a good turnout as it goes down to the wire.  Also, Peter and I have discussed the hill climb times and this will be updated with recent performances included.

Report by mark

Sunday November 8
Most of the guys were away at the Golden Spokes event, so I was surprised to see a good turnout of 18 at the start.
Another beautiful day for riding – not too much from the Easterly wind, and a comfortable 15 degrees.
Mike B joined us on Douglas road and before you could say “warm-up”, we were climbing Welshpool road.
As all the mountain goats were racing that day, the field was wide open for points.
I tried to stay with the front bunch, but fell off half way up, and watched in amazement as Johnny flew past me, muttering something about how good he was feeling on the bike. Nice to hear!
The order at the top was Matthew, Richard, Johnny, Dean, Mark dC.

There was some confusion after this, as we were supposed to head off right to the observatory via Patterson Rd, but everyone carried on left. I didn’t get any takers to turn right when we hit Glenisla either, so I assumed that was it, and psyched myself up for MW Road. As we approached along Aldersyde, the bunch looked smaller, and Simon asked why I never joined the others up to the Observatory. I did try – honest.
I cruised up Mundaring Weir Rd ahead of the bunch, and then did a U-turn, and headed back down to catch the others on the way back from the Observatory. They approached from the opposite direction, as they’d done the Observatory loop backwards.
I’m told the order at the top was: Dean, Matthew, Johnny, Richard, Marc S.
Anyway, we all made our way back to our favourite hill, and had a good climb to the top. After a helping hand most of the way up (can’t remember who’s wheel) I managed a PB of 8min10sec which I was very happy with. 8 minutes is looming ever closer…. The order at the top was Richard, Mark dC, Dean, Matthew, Johnny, Heiko.
The planned route of Zigzag down and back up Gooseberry was quickly vetoed by the group, and we headed straight to the Merchant for another round of great service and good coffee.
The usual ride home was uneventful, with a hard push along Welshpool/Orrong, up to Albany Hwy.

Sunday November 15
The following Sunday was an even better cycling weather day.
Hardly a breath of wind, and lovely cool dry conditions.
Tour de Perth was on in the afternoon, but I was expecting a good turnout for the ride. I was surprised to see only 10 people there, with a few first timers – always good to see; Welcome to Todd and Nathan.
My old friend Vic and his mate Pascal were also there. Vic took me on my first ride around Perth two days after I flew in from Cape Town in Jan 2005.
The route was Cahunu (Mills Rd East), Urch& Pete, Observatory and Mundaring Weir Rd
We headed out past Curtain Uni, onto Albany and then left, over Tonkin, to the foot of the first hill.
New Chis and Brodie took off early and stayed away to the top. I caught Stu (who was cruising) near the top, and he let me stay in front for the points.
Order was: Chris Brodie Mark Stu Ben

There isn’t much of a break before you hit the next one, and once again Brodie and Chris went hard at the start and closed the gap I’d pulled on the downhill. I paced myself up the steep part, and then worked hard on the flat to catch Chris. Then Ben attacked while we were all waiting for someone to go, and he kept the gap to take second place, followed by myself, Chris and Dan.
We filled up with water at the servo on Brookton, while some admired the U-beaut Ducati’s that pulled up.
Then onto Patterson and up to the Observatory. I can’t remember much, but the order at the top was Stu, Chris, Dan, Brodie, Ben, Mark
Vic, and Pascal headed back home via Welshpool, while the rest of us did the TT up Mundaring Weir Rd to earn our coffee.
I followed Dan most of the way up, and saw Chris and Brodie break clear, but didn’t have the legs to go with them.
The order at the top was Chris, Brodie, MdC, Dan and I missed the next one (apologies – feel free to leave a comment if it was you)
Coffee and service were great once again at the Merchant.
Standard ride home, made more pleasant by the traffic light gods smiling on us, and giving us a clear run all the way down Welshpool.
I pushed as hard as I could along the flat up to Leach Hwy – in preparation for riding my new TT bike which should be together by the weekend, with my bits that arrived from CRC this week.
Watch this space…