Write up by Daryl C
What’s that noise!
Oh, Crap! The alarm already. Quick turn it off! Don’t want to wake the wife and Fur kid.
Stumble around the house using minimal lumen’s to dress, bathe and eat. What to eat? If I have too much I’ll feel bloated, if I don’t have enough I wont reach the mythical 200k mark.
Man! it’s dark and cold as I step outside, making sure I take all the necessary items for the days ride- water, gel shots, bananas, protein bars, chocolate, apples, kitchen sink. Don’t want to forget anything and have to go back inside, as Julian can attest in his blog from group 1. I think he was considering a 200 DAY ride before venturing back home.
I arrived at the car park to see a field of flashing red lights (well not a field, but it sure looked like a lot through bleary eyes). Everyone was in good spirits as they considered the challenge ahead. People were discussing what they had consumed for breakfast, how much sleep they had or hadn’t had, and how they were going to make it up to their partners.
I discovered that along with Christophe and Simon L, I was a designated leader for group 2, no just being a sheep today, and hence cringed when Pete said make sure you know the course. Tip always keep upto date on the latest blog! Can’t remember how many times Pete has told us to know the course route.
We started off a few minutes after gruppetta 1, with Christophe calling a rally to arms. The group numbered around 25, despite Davina trying to poach a few of our numbers as she left. Everyone settled into the usual 2 up formation as we headed to the causeway and then back along Riverside Drive. As Pete had reiterated at the start this wasn’t to be a race, so make sure everyone made it round as a group. As such we had the roll off happening. Everyone got to chatting as they paired up or moved around in the group. As we passed along the river I heard Doug pointing out the Dolphins in the river, and couldn’t help notice how calm it was with no sign of the 18 knot ESE headed our way later in the day.
Sure enough we were at our first assault of Mosman Park hill soon enough. I’ll leave it upto Jen and the boys to fill in the King of the mountain points as I was so far back as to have no idea, apparently it was a hotly contested competition on the last lap. We did our regroup at the water tower and then headed off. As we approached Bicton discussion was raised about toilet stops and punctures and, as is more often the case/ curse when said subjects are raised, Big Matt got the first puncture of the day as we descended of Point Walter hill. The group stopped, couldn’t leave Matt behind, we all love sitting in behind the big guy as his height allows everyone shelter when he regularly heads up front. A number of the fairer sex took this opportunity to head off for a toilet stop, Anna has a funny story about this experience. Back on the road, puncture two came as we crossed over the freeway on Canning hwy, this time it was police man Frank (one of three of the group who were using today as a lead up too Melbourne’s Around the Bay in a day), the group stopped at the turn off ahead. Remainder of the lap was uneventual.
Did notice more traffic through South Perth as we negotiated Mill point road. Everyone stayed calm and the drivers of the vehicles behind were very considerate. Meg was trailing out the back as we approached the Narrows for the second time, anyone who knows her will know this is unusual, Meg is usually out the front giving it her all. Meg decided to call it a day and head to Pete’s as she was feeling a bit under the weather, our first DNF.
Wind had picked up a bit by now so the trip along the river and past UWA was a bit more of a challenge for those at the front, good rotations off the front still. Second time up Steve’s and then thru Nedlands all went to plan, onward and upwards up Mosman Park hill, where places was hard fought for again from reports, regroup and onwards. A select group of riders were starting to feel a bit of the pinch at this stage but a quick feed on the go brought their energy levels up and they were motoring along strongly again. It pays to keep your supplies in easy reach during endurance events, I noticed a few people with bulging pockets in their jerseys and some with the small bags that sit on top of your top tube up near the handle bars.
As we got to Heathcote a stop was in order as Christophe and the others who were attempting the 150km challenge informed us of their plans. A split would occur along Canning Hwy, the 150 group continuing on the same route as the first lap with no stop and the rest doing the 200 to head to Pete and Kate’s for a refuel. We would miss having the guys there with some big efforts out the front (not going unnoticed by the group) by Brett M, Christope, Simon, Matt and the rest. I know there were more of you but I can’t put names to you all as I don’t know everyone yet. All your efforts were mighty apreciated as it helped keep the group together and as fresh as possible.
This left our group with I think 9 members (Jen, Shun, Andrew, Chris, Mike T, Jordan, Lennie, Anna and me). We got to the feed station as the first group were rolling out, the obvious joke that they had eaten everything was thrown at us, but as usual Kate and Pete had done an excellent job of catering. The plan was to stay for about 15 or 20 mins, this turned into about 30. We had food, drink, a stretch and a pep talk. Seems a few of the group were contemplating bailing out at the end of lap three (Anna and Shun).
Shun put it to the group that we might consider cutting out the Causeway loop to avoid traffic, not to be, as we had received a call from Pan Flute Nigel (to be explained soon) that he was waiting for us at the Causeway. As we left Johnny turned up in his car, his ongoing back problem had kept him out of the days festivities so he was there to support Lennie and the rest of us. We would end up playing ‘where’s Johnny’ on the remainder of our ride. Interesting fact, Shun was heard to tell Anna as we rolled out that he doesn’t have his head phones on when riding, he just wears them to stop people talking to him. This was said with a cheeky smile.
We got a police escort along part of riverside drive then settled into the third lap. Third time up Steve’s saw the group still strong with everyone sticking together, Lennie was seen to power over the top to leap frogged a few of us (this expenditure of energy would soon cost her). As we headed through Nedlands we had a photo opportunity from I think Nigel’s wife who had sat by the side of the road for who knows how long waiting for us. Nigel also provided us with music along the way, the sound of Pan Pipes were heard to resonate throught the streets of Nedlands at times, this we believe was from his brake pads on the carbon rims, nice touch.
As we got to the lights on Stirling Hwy the group got split, we waited up the road, and soon we were all back together. This is where Lennie’s recollection of events differs from the rest of us (see comments in first group write up). Ryan and Gerrard had decided to go for a ride and try catch up with the groups, they caught those that were stopped at the lights and after assisting one of our members, rode along with us for a while, giving encouragement before heading off to find the first group (he was definately giving you a push Lennie). Nigel’s rear rim decided to give out as we decended the speed humps, but not without a final tune from the brakes. Group now back to 9.
The competition up Mosman Park was fierce again. Jordan and Chris were discussing how to keep Jen out of the points at which time they realised they were on equal points with each other. Game on! Jen who had beaten the others in the group on previous climbs found himself at the rear of the pack after going back to check on Nigel. The temptation was there for Contador type attack by the others, but I think they just kept a quick pace to the base of the hill so as not to let him get to the front. I think he started about about 5th wheel. Lennie and i brought up the rear after she had a Shleckanical (chain off) at the base of the hill. Just as she went to attack, or so she says. As we headed towards Stirling Hwy Shun apparently pulled out (seems people started talking to him now word of his ruse was over). Group down to 8.
We stopped briefly at the Raffles where it was decided to cut out South Perth loop and just go up the Freeway bike path. We stopped for what was supposed to be a short stop at the toilets at the Narrows (Eight bladders- one toilet, not so quick). This stop turned out to be a stroke of genius. As we milled around the toilet block along came Chris A, Mike (who gets out when kids footy doesn’t get in the way/ also note worthy for his tall stature and ability to block wind) and Scottish Mark. They very kindly accepted our pleas to tag along and help us on our final lap. Chris took the lead towards the Swan Brewery, I tried to stay abreast of him but soon found it beyond me and fell back at which time one of the others took over. The wind had definatly picked up by this time and was making it hard for my tired legs.
Another photo shoot through Nedlands from the patient lady on the side of the road, Thanks you gave the group a lift, you can definately go home now. We soon found ourselves back at Mosman Park, Jen wasn’t going to take any chances this time. Off he went, claimed first place with a big effort, apparently. This is about the point in the ride when i really started to feel tired legs setting in. Rest of the lap saw us pass Nicole through Attadale, out wearing the SPR kit, great to see you out there, it got everyone’s attention and made us all smile. We met a lovely ute driver as we travelled along Canning hwy and then through Applecross, not sure if he was trying to be difficult or just out for a Sunday drive. Anna showed that she was still feeling strong in Applecross,as she attacked up the small hill to the roundabout, keeping pace with Chris and the other strong boys (can’t believe she considered not doing a fourth lap).
We continued onto the Raffles at which point the fantastic three (Chris A, Tall Mike and Mark) left us. We headed up the freeway path again and cut over too South Perth via a footbridge (Jordan, one of the work horse of the group peeled off here) and onto Atomic for some food and refreshments. This is where Jen decided to throw down a challenge to Chris for stage victory. They raced off along Labourchere road (don’t know where they got the energy from), victory to Jen I hear. Someone said Jen had to put on a show of strength after Anna beat him up the hill in Applecross.
Our final band of 8 finished at 230pm, we made it back with an average just over 29. I covered 216km on the day. Well done to all, some big efforts to pull the group around. You all worked well as a group and the atmosphere in the group was great. It was a real pleasure to share the experience with you. You all showed great strength of character and should be proud of what you have accomplished.
Sorry for not mentioning everyone, including those in the 150 group, my brain was a bit frazzled by the end, probably forgot more than I remembered on the day, I do recall chatting to the guys from Cyclebuz when they dropped to the back after their effors up front. Thanks also to all the support on the sidelines (even the mystery male photographer around Mosman Park) it helped our spirits no end. Special thanks to Johnny for capturing my Robbie McEwen moment. Thanks to the fantastic three for helping on the last lap, you guys are stars. Thanks finally to Pete for organising the day, and Kate for opening up their house again.
All effort has been made to get names right, sorry for any errors.
Make sure you put in a good word for anyone I missed, love to hear how the 150 group got on.
