The Lights of Leach Highway

Pete’s dastardly plan to ensure “victory” of the loons was to send the main group over a couple of hills and ensure a multitude of unfavourable traffic lights. You would have thought we were on a tour of the red light district.

Once said loons separated from the sensible bunch we were down to 20 odd riders Our plan was to hold the group together until the Leach Hwy – North Lake Rd intersection and then start rolling through.

accutane side effects

This seemed to work as a few people were struggling over the hills but had less difficulty maintaining the pace of the main group on the flats.

It seems someone amongst the loons must work for Main Roads as our run along Leach Hwy turned into an interval session with seemingly every traffic light being red upon our approach.

As the more experienced amongst us coached those less experienced in the roll through technique we did however manage to maintain a reasonable pace between the lights.

Our next challenge was crossing the lanes of Leach Hwy to make our right turn onto High Rd. That safely negotiated we continued our interval session between the lights along to Nicholson.

After a check over our shoulders for the loons and a

brief moment for a regroup after the roundabout we stepped up the pace a little as our roll through had by now became a bit more fluid.

As the loons caught us along Albany Hwy, no doubt thanking their mole in the Main Roads Department, things got a little messy. However I’m sure we’ll have a protocol for this next time.

It soon became a case of every person for themselves with a high speed blast to the café where the real race began, that for position in the queue for ordering food and/or drinks. I’m sure this is the only reason the ride ends in a sprint.

Cheers

Chris

 

saturday 7th feb – leach vs south

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ride report by peter

 

running a bit late today as i decided to drive to the coffee shop with the spare kits and then ride across to coode st.  normally not a problem, as i was up early enough since son #1 came and woke us up at 5:30.  however, i was then running around trying to get him organised (plus getting mum out of bed) before i could go.  hence, by the time i arrived i was pretty much out of breath.  also, so surprising was the size of the group today.  i estimated that their would have been between 60 and 70 riders which meant that we were strung out a fair way.  this also meant that we would get stuck and split at quite a few sets of lights.

we were splitting the group today after about 8 kms and then kind of running parallel to see who could get home first.  the main group would run all the way down to the stirling bridge then back via leach hwy while the fast boys (or “coalition of the willing”) would swing wide through attadale, up over the pt walter golf course hill, then get onto south st.  both groups would use the nicholson/albany route as the return leg.  the last few times we split, we didn’t even come close to catching the main group.  it would be interesting to see if it could be achieved today.

as expected the group split at the lights a number of times coming down canning hwy but it wasn’t too bad and we were basically together once we came past the applecross shops.  i had requested that the fast group make their way to the back before we get to the turn, but this didn’t really work too well as some riders just started slowing down to achieve that move, so big gaps appeared as the main group riders behind could not actually get around.  what this achieved was both groups splitting into sub-groups at the turn and playing catch-up for a while.

the main group soldiered on along canning while we reformed on burke drive for a speed session before the hill.  there were many groups doing their river ride heading in the opposite direction and everyone was going fast.  we rolled through a bit but the speed was not exceptional as i think people were saving it for the hill.

we made the left hander before the usual pt walter hill and headed up stock road.  the hill has a sharp beginning and a couple of riders hit it hard to make it to the corner first.  unfortunately this is only 1/8 of the hill climb and you look up the road to see how far to go and how much energy you now have left.  the hill broke the group up quite a bit with the usual suspects going hard to force the pace.  some of the early attackers were now heading backwards as their efforts took their toll.  the pace slowed as we made our way across the top and it allowed the group to reform.  one of the new guys dropped his chain at the roundabout and steve and myself waited for him with another guy.  this meant that we then got separated from the group as they crossed back over canning hwy, but they waited for us to catch up. 

the pace picked up a bit on stock rd and a few lost contact on the rolling hills.  as we turned onto south st a look back showed that about 4 riders were struggling a few hundred metres back.  steve and brendan dropped back a bit to help them out but i said that i would not be able to catch back up if i did that so jumped onto the back of the pack.  luckily the lights at north lake rd allowed a general regrouping.

once the rolling hills subsided, the group got into a good roll through and we headed towards canning vale.  a quick call out as we approached banister rd to let the group know to go straight instead.  i think the bike go onto auto pilot along there as we usually turn up and use it as our fast section.  i would say that we got the majority of the lights along south st and it made finding a rhythm hard as we were always starting from scratch again.

we turned onto nicholson rd at livingston shopping centre (home of livingston specsavers – see back of jersey) and headed towards albany hwy.  the pace quickened as we now had a little breeze on our backs and we were sitting above 45km/h on average.  the roll through was a little disjointed as some riders were starting to struggle and could not get over the wheel quickly enough.  as we crossed over ???? hwy we approached the roundabout for high rd where the main group should have turned onto nicholson.  we couldn’t see them but very soon, up ahead i saw a row of little helmets bobbing along in the distance.  this may have spurred the guys on and we soon caught them just after we turned onto albany hwy. 

unfortunately we don’t have any procedure in place for when this occurs so it got a bit confusing.  some of the fast boys went around the main group and started leading the pace at the front.  this then meant that the main group was now tapping along at a higher than usual pace and hence the fast group could not overtake.  a few dodgy moves and the majority of the group got around and we headed for home.

the pace picked up across the rolling hills on shep rd and we continued to roll through.  lorraine went off the front a bit when she came around and i yelled at her to “go”.  she thought that i was saying “no” and though she was in trouble for getting in the way off the fast group.  i had to explain later that i was urging her on to attack and try to get away from the group.

the run into riverside drive contained the usual workhorses and i had good position behind michael who was tucked in behind a nice train of brendan, steve and ryan.  unfortunately we got the lights at plain st and i never recovered enough on take off to effectively hold the wheel when the pace stepped up.  i just watched the group sprint on ahead.  so sad.

i managed to distribute a few more of the kits this morning, but there is still some outstanding.  i am heading over east for a couple of weeks, so if you don’t get it before tuesday, then you may have to wait a little while.  the coffee shop was very full as the bikeforce ride had taken up quite a few seats.  there was also a reserved table for a group of old ladies, but they didn’t last very long as we were too noisy.  other coffee shop discussion points included the constitution and becoming a club, the spr ride etiquette guidelines that we will post on the blog and a look at the race calendar to see which races we want to target this year (looks like most of them).

as i said, i will be away for the next 2 weekends, but i will still post the ride routes on thursday night.  however, it will be up to individuals in the group to step up and take control of how we run it to make sure it stays safe and in control.

blog authors wanted

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if you would like to give your perspective of the ride, or have just been itching to show off your literary skills, then i would love to have you write on the blog.  it does take time, but content is what people are after so i end up spending many hours keeping it up to date.  you don’t have to be the winner of the sprint, or even do anything spectacular.  just how you found the ride or just some insight on what you are doing on the bike. 

anyway, if you want to write for us, send me an email and i will add you to the list of authors.

ride routes 7th & 8th february

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ok, we will be splitting the group up on saturday again.  i have started mapping dual routes onto the one page and the main group will always be doing the shorter of the two.  there is some new routes involved, so i need people to step up and have a good look at the route so that they can help guide the groups.  basically the main group head to freo via canning, then return via leach and albany (with a detour to nicholson).  the fast boys will have to climb stock road after a fast roll along burke drive.  criss cross the main groups route then the rolling hills of south street before nicholson and albany hwy where we possibly could meet the other group.

sunday.  take a packed lunch for in the words of some guy that died in antarctica – “we may be a while”.  the course is long, but there may be scope for some shortcuts if people dare to complain enough.  it will be my last ride for a couple of weeks, so i need to hurt myself.

south perth rouleurs saturday ride 17 (leach vs south)

south perth rouleurs sunday ride 17 (kahuna & soldiers rd & canning mills)

rouleurs cycle kit

well we managed to offload the majority of the kits last saturday after the ride.  there are still 18 people that have not collected and you will need to contact me via email to organise a time to collect.  there has been a slight problem with the print on the winter armwarmers and i am waiting for replacement ones to come from cannibal.  so if you ordered them, they will not be in your kit bag at the moment.  anyway, it is a bit hot for full roubaix lined armwarmers.

 

spr-sleeveless

as previously mentioned, we are going to do an order for a sleeveless jersey.  there are a number of you that have been sporting the muscle tops lately so i thought that it may be a garment that we can add to the collection.  this way we can promote the group all year round and will also, hopefully, reduce the prominent tanlines on the arms.  we have orders for 10 so far and we need to get to 20 before we can get them made.  they will be $80 each and i am hoping to get the order in by monday (as i am flying over east on tuesday).  if you want one, send me an email.

we are still collecting names for the spr tri-suit as well.  if you do triathlons and would like to do them in spr colours, then let me know.  this order may take a bit longer to fill, so not sure when we will actually be seeing them in action.

sunday 1st feb – chook farm classic

what you can see through the cut is a $5 note which is stopping the tube from popping out
what you can see through the cut is a $5 note which is stopping the tube from popping out

i had all the best intentions of riding a good, hard hills ride today.  i had mapped out a course that took in some really nice climbs that we didn’t do very often and some absolute shockers that we had never done before.  however, as we came through vic park, the australia day bogans decided to cut my ride short, by leaving a glassy reminder of the more fun side of drunken yobbos.  i mean, how much fun is it to smash stuff.  come on lets all smash bottles on the road. 

anyway, a very big slice in my tyre had me limping home like a fallen soldier that had stubbed his toe on the way to battle.  an almost brand new set of tyres are now ruined (i know only one got sliced, but i can’t ride with one blue and one black tyre, dr paul would be upset).  so off home i went and jumped in the car to make sure the rest of the group did the chook farm hill. 

 

 

the remainder of this post will be of the pictorial nature. 

the fast boys were slow on this section
the fast boys were slow on this section
stu was still pushing the old bike hard
stu was still pushing the old bike hard
note the direction some of the riders are going. one of the guys said his gps said 20% at the steepest. on average this section is around 17%.
note the direction some of the riders are going. one of the guys said his gps said 20% at the steepest. on average this section is around 17%.
not much aerodynamic advantage staying in a pack
not much aerodynamic advantage staying in a pack
ronny took a wrong turn and was a little behind
ronny took a wrong turn and was a little behind
mark was sure that he had enough room to brake.....at 85km/hr
mark was sure that he had enough room to brake.....at 85km/hr
fast = fun
fast = fun
"derosa dan" working it for the camera. yeah, baby.
"derosa dan" working it for the camera. yeah, baby.

The Tour of the Forgotten Climbs (aka The Ride of the Boiled Brains)

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I’m not sure how I became defacto blogger for Sunday’s “Tour of the Forgotten Climbs” (aka the Little Big Day Out) – because I’m pretty sure that occasional KOM premier is no qualification. And I’m sure that club “secretary in waiting” is not much of an endorsement either although I suppose that such folks are supposed to be able to write, right? (Note1 to self – standing for office can have unforeseen consequences – be more careful in the future!)

Prologue

Anyway, a hardy group of about 15 sprouleurs rolled out from Coode St car park at about 7:05. Why “hardy” you say? Coz all good adventure stories start like that. Well, at least I’m sure that Enid Blyton stories start something like that, and a certain degree of hardiness was to be required for the ensuing ride. Or was that fool hardiness? Ride of the forgotten climbs indeed! More like the “ride of the missing flats” – no no cancel that order, we got plenty! More like the ride of the boiled brains – yeah that’s it – the “ride of the boiled brains”! The sprouleurs ( I just made that up, coz I can!) made it as far as Swansea St in Vic Park before the first of the missing flats was found. Strangely, and possibly cunningly, it was found at the bottom of the route designer’s front wheel. Now, I’m not one to suggest that Pete deliberately rode over the patch of glass that indicated we were passing through the drinking warriors feeding ground, but it does seem suspicious that Pete, knowing exactly what verticality was ahead of us, insisted we ride on and he’d make his own way (in blue 4-wheeled aircon luxury, as it turns out). So, we travailed on (I think I made that up too), only to find that one of our hardy bunch has taken another route. Bugger! Where’s drronnie? Loz was most concerned, and thinking that this was an opportunity to show how concerned I was and take some pressure off myself to burst up the Welshpool Rd climb, I turned back to search for our lost soul. However, it was a fruitless errand, and upon turning back and rejoining the adventurers, drronnie was found to have shortcutted back in to the group. Drama over. And so we settled into a nice happy little party at the bottom of the Welshpool Rd incline.

KOM1

I like the Welshpool Rd climb, whether it’s to the end of Welshpool Rd itself or diverting up Lesmurdie Rd. Perhaps I like it because it’s long and boring and not too steep. Or perhaps it’s because I can still recall my first climbs up the hill over 20 years ago (on the same bike as I’m riding now as it turns out) on a 42T front chainring and maybe an 18T or 19T rear cog. And no fancy light bike either. Now that was a grind! Mostly all out of the saddle, with no lower gears to fall back on. The ride these days seems like a breeze in comparison – and I am certainly not complaining. I know the hill pretty well, and I also listened to Pete’s instructions about the KOM points finish line – sort of! Consequently, during the ride up the Lesmurdie Rd section I was quite amused and relieved to see Danny D sprint past us near the roundabout near the small shops at the hollow on Lesmurdie Rd. I wasn’t saying anything.  So as we approached the proper finish near the servo, I put in an effort to try to gain maximum points. The only problem was that Warren the Wolfman was pretty keen to huff and puff and blow my plan down, and so a keen tussle to the finish ensued. As the bus shelter near the servo approached, despite a modest lead I pointed it out to ensure that I wasn’t overhauled on the line. Woops – wrong bus stop – the real one was about 100m further up the road. Sorry!

Order: Stu, Warren, Danny D, Ben, Hunter

Discussion at the regroup point at the servo focused on “where’s Dan?” It was eventually determined that he had passed through and after a respectful wait in case he returned we headed off again toward the observatory. There’s not much to report on for the next stage, except that subsequent reference back to the course map shows we took a short cut by turning left at  Carmel Rd instead of Glenisla Rd.

KOM2

The descent down Walnut Rd past our normal turn at Aldersyde Rd is fast and short, and easy to miss-time the gear change on the steep ascent up the other side. We normally come from the other direction so it was nice to appreciate a different perspective. I was happy to lead for most of the climb, but when the finish approached I had little strength or inclination to fight this one out. Ben took the points. The road surface past our usual turn point at Patterson Rd was smooth and fast (if you had the strength) allowing a pleasant ride up to the regroup point at the boom gate. It would be great if this little piece of road could be linked to other routes. Pete had driven up and was now waiting at the boom gate to give us encouragement for the next section, and take photo evidence of the torture.

Order: Ben, Warren, Danny D, Stu, John D

KOM3
This KOM section commenced immediately from the end of KOM2 and retraced the route we had just come. However, instead of continuing further up Lawnbrook Rd we diverted to the right at Heidleberg Rd. At quick left turn at Hill St  gave little warning of the impending pain. Note2 to self – make sure you’re in your lowest gear before you turn from Heidelbugger Rode into Hill (hoho) St. Note3 to self – double check you are in your lowest ring, front and back. Another left turn led to Karwina Rd. Now initially I wasn’t too fussed about the supposed 17% gradient. I’d been up 15%  many times before, so a little 2% would only be a bit harder right? Wrong! Especially if the 2% is more like 5%! My first look at the climb caused a severe baulk! I’m a not going up there! However, the embarrassing consequence of this option eventually caused a change of heart, not to mention that it might be caught on camera. Let me say – its steep! Kinda like verticality meets traverse, and wins hands down. Note4 to self – make sure you put a 25T cassette on the wheel next time this ride comes up. Ben and Warren showed great strength and determination to take prime points.

Order: Ben, Warren,  Stu, Bill, Jeff

Regroup and discussion at the top of the “chookenberg” centered around two main themes: the fowl smell and whether or not we’d done enough riding and suffered enough pain to justify not completing the remainder of the mapped ride and head straight for coffee. Nobody wanted the points that desperately, so good sense prevailed. An early arrival at the cafe and good service were truly welcome.

Coffee points:  Ben, Warren, Carl, John D, Lorraine, Danny D, Stu, Bill, Pete, Shao, Mark D, drMark, drRonnie, Hunter?, Lisa, who else?? (claim in the “leave a comment” zone!)

During discussion at the cafe Warren indicated that he was headed back to the US next weekend and that it was his last Sunday ride. Hopefully the few rides he’s had with us will give him a little “out of season” advantage over his competitors when he starts racing again back home. However, there’s a chance he may be back so we look forward to some more huffin’ and puffin’ in the future.

The ride back down the hill was safe and uneventful. Mark easily took honours at the first sprint point helped by another fearless descent down the hill, whilst Danny D took honours at the Bunnings stop with a desperate sprint at the bottom of Berwick St.

stooge

WCMCC Criterium Kewdale 1-Feb

Race Report

By Chris

levitra tablet

A club record turn out of 102 racers and a significant number of ladies too made for some good racing across

all 5 grades.

B and E grades were up first with myself and Bruce racing in B grade I can’t really comment too much on how things progressed in the E grade race.  However the podium had particularly feminine tone with ladies taking out 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

A, D & E saw attacking races although the only break to survive to the finish was in A grade with Eddy Hollands initiating the deciding break and earning the victory in a three up sprint.

The B grade race was reasonably quick with an average of 39km/h and plenty of attempts at breakaways. Aper our usual tactic I suggested Bruce just sit in and let me cover any moves and if my legs were up to it see if I/we could stay away. I wasn’t too sure how I’d go after a couple of heavy weeks back on the bike after a virus. Bruce and his extra mass were concerned they wouldn’t be going to well either, after his performance last week (3rd in a point score criterium) I figured he must be going alright.

The race was pretty typical, but I can’t help thinking why the rush to close down breakaways some times, and it looked to be coming down to a bunch sprint. With the time approaching the 45 min limit and the pace slacking off somewhat I thought I might be able to sneak off the front. Bruce had found my wheel in anticipation of the 2 to go board and followed my attack, he kept going and I eased up in a vain attempt to cover the bunch. As we came around we then got the board for two laps remaining and Bruce had some 50 metres on the bunch by this stage. I figured he had a slim chance of staying away and so stayed near the front of the bunch with the intent to launch another attack if/when we caught him.

Sure enough we caught him with about 3/4 of a lap to go, Bruce kicked and managed to keep himself near the front of the bunch. I was swamped by the bunch all aiming to position themselves for the sprint and aimed to simply finish safely. Bruce through skill and experience and by using the guts of Christmas ’08 hung in for the sprint and scored himself a 7th place and enough winnings to buy a couple of celebatory cokes.

Nice work mate, here’s hoping we can both get a leave pass for next weekends event at Wangara.

Another well organised event and a thanks to the club volunteers for allowing us to race safely.

Also a congratulations to Mel Davies who received an O.A.M. during the Australia Honours for amongst other things services to the sport of cycling.

For those interested in racing with the Masters, you can find more info here:

http://www.wcmasterscycling.asn.au/

future rouleur

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at 4:15 sunday afternoon, another future spr star graced us with their presence.

Felice Lydia Pascoe splashed down at home weighing in at 2.75kg (6lb 1oz) and 50cm long.

Owing to family genetics, i would say that she will be a true rouleur (attacking rider) like her father David.

saturday 31st jan – ridge hill rd

early morning roll out
early morning roll out

I think this mornings ride was the biggest yet.  I don”t recall seeing a bigger bunch riding around.  Was it because Pete wasn”t riding,? Because Pete was taking photos? Because word is getting out that we look after newbies to the group? Maybe because we are progressing towards a club?  Or maybe it was Dr Ronny volunteering to ride “au natural” (see post on weekend rides), or the return of Bruce.  Who know, but we should be pleased and proud that more and more people want to come out and ride with us. 

Peter wasn”t riding today, something about a titanium post – not a seat post but more medical in orientation.  And as I live out where we were due to ride, he told the bunch to follow me.  Hence i have felt the guilt and have done the short write up. 

Heading out everybody stuck together really well and we didn”t have any trouble with the lights – amazing for such a long train.    Pushing out into the easterly it was noticeable to the people at the front that the fast/strong cyclists were idling along at the back and all the work was being done by Dr”s Carl,Melvyn and Greg, Nev, Loraine and a few others.  Well done guys and girls. 

saturday morning tour leader - lisa
saturday morning tour leader - lisa

Uneventful trip out to Ridge Hill rd except for the d**khead at rosehill golf course excercising his right to walk across the road in online casino’s front of 60 cyclists.  Dr Paul peeled off and I think along here we picked up a few other cyclists on Oppy bikes, they headed off up Darlington way.  I”m not sure what happened up Ridge Hill as I was dropping back to hang around with some of the bunch who were not quite as fast as I didn”t want their first ride with us to end up in misery 30 km from home.  Peter got some photos of everybody heading up the hill here I think.

After a short wait at the regroup point we rolled out back towards home with the easterly behind us, this time with the stronger guys (the ones who got over ridge hill first) taking the lead.  The pace picked up and due to a couple of lights and roundabouts the group had to work hard to stay together.  After guildford and the lights along Guildford road the pace picked up again with the front rolling through at mid 40″s km/hr and the back was dropping off and getting split with some lights.  Post Tonkin Highway, I was too close to the rear and couldn”t get back on to the main bunch as they accelerated. 

chasing the breakaway on guilford rd
chasing the breakaway on guilford rd

Riding along Guildford rd on your own is no fun as you get no space or respect from the other road traffic, so i eased up and waited until the back markers with Dr”s Wal and Melvyn, Loraine and others who had a bad run with lights along guildford.  We cycled together back through East Perth (Loraine stopped to help another female cyclists who had been riding with us for a few months fix a puncture) and made our way to the coffee shop. 

Peter was spotted at a few locations along the ride and I am sure will post the photos. Can somebody fill in what happened up the front?

Russell

The website for the South Perth Cycle Club