by Scott

Well after a bit of toing & froing the the Tuesday Transition Group ride came about. (originally when it was just Toby and myself throwing the idea about it was going to be ‘Tubby Tuesday’ but since there are other riders besides us it is no longer appropriate). Naming rights for this ride are still up for grabs. It came about after we discussed the weekly routine of us getting dropped off the main group and how hard it would be for newer Novice riders making the transition as well. We threw around the idea of a slower paced ride and after mentioning it to Dr Ronny at the crits on Sunday, it got legs.

After Ronny’s initial post of the ride, there was a bit of misunderstanding about its intentions with a few novice riders feeling pressured to progress. Just to let you know this ride is for anyone who wants a slower paced ride option for Tuesdays, whether its the likes of myself struggling to hang on to the main group or those in the novice looking for a step-up, all are welcome. It’s a steady pace averaging about 26km/hr or the slowest rider and shortcuts are taken to fit the time frame.

Now onto the ride itself. After a very hot, humid night and similar to follow I wasn’t sure how many would turn up, but on arrival under the Narrow’s I found 7 willing participants + Toby and myself. After a quick briefing from Toby & waiting for the main group to head off we hit the road. Mounts Bay road was a nice stretch to get the group sorted and get a feel for where everyone was at. We headed around the back of UWA and thru Dalkeith with the group working well together, taking the rises in there step and generally maintaining the line. There was a few changes of turns at the front and all going smoothly.

We then headed out to Freo along Stirling Hwy which was another good chance to get the group used to holding the wheel in front and maintaining the line in a group. Lynda was the only 1 who really ‘enjoyed’ the rise thru Claremont, but got the chance to learn the benefits of drafting to get back to the group. It was pretty smooth sailing down this way with a light breeze to keep us cool. Over the bridge and into East Freo the group started to feel the light headwind. The first little rise off Canning was fun for a few, who got pulled up by the short sharp rise, plus someone losing a light, lucky for the sweeper (me) it was retrieved. We regrouped on the roll down the other side and continued to Point Walter where we had a bit of a breather and regroup, with dropped lights & water bottle handed back to owners. At this point the Main group swept thru having caught us as we went around them with our shortcut.

From here it was a mostly flat run back to Atomic for coffee, with the group maintaining a good pace and and continuing turns at the front. We did a few sections of PSP along the way With the group doing really well on there single file and communications. We’ll try to avoid the PSPs next time as they get busy at this time of day and really don’t help with group riding skills. Half the group stayed for coffee while others had to head off for work. For those interested you can see the route we took here (disregard my commute to and from the start/finish)

All in all it went well for the 1st time, with a few little things to iron out in terms of skills and the route. But generally the guys worked together well and showed a good level of skills. Hopefully in the future we will see a few other riders joining us and helping to grow the club.

*Just as a note this ride won’t be happening next week due to Toby & myself being away and it also being Australia Day, but will be back the week after.