Tag Archives: SPR

7 days 400kms

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As you can guess from my title I completed 400kms on the bike in just seven days. Actually the truth is six days. I didn’t ride last Sunday nor have I ridden today. In fact for the whole of February I have not ridden on a Sunday. This will need to change next month I need to get back into the hills.

Monday
New ride created and Peter no where to be seen. He normally does not show on a Monday. We had five people turn up for this ride. Shaw and I lead out into the wind south on Labouchere Rd. Johnathan almost wanted to take The Esplanade too early but a wise man next to him told him to continue straight up Canning Hwy.

North Lake Rd and up the hill we went to lift the heart rate on a Monday morning. Left into South Street and I spent most of this stretch sucking Jonathans wheel. I didn’t have it in me to get in front and with his pace I was happy to fight too hang on. Only one other came up to lend him a hand with the workload. Jordan and Shaw must have been sucking wheels behind me as I never saw them along here.

Left into Bannister Rd heading for Shelly. Jordan and I got stuck in the middle of the intersection crossing High Rd waiting for an ambulance to pass through. Neither of us wanted to get hit as they drove into the sun.

As expect the boys lifted the pace along Shelly. I was holding on for a good period of time even though it hurt like hell. A quick look back for Shaw and he was far in the distance. That was all the excuse I needed to drop of and fall back. Shaw caught up and we meet the others waiting for us at the top of Bull Creek Road. Now on The Esplanade and a tail wind behind us was a nice cruise back to Raffles. Ride took us a little longer than normal and was slightly longer. Felt good was a good start to the week.

Tuesday
Expecting the normal Tuesday sedate paced ride. We had a big turn out that morning. From the get go the pace was on and I was in pain from the beginning. Found myself at the back and fighting just to stay there. An order shouted by Toby to get back on the wheel was successful but then a short push up the hill then followed. The group was a pack of raging bulls all the way through Dalkeith. I could not believe I was the only one suffering with this pace. The workout was worth it. A new PR on Strava Swan Brewery to Christ Church 9.8 kms 15mins 24 seconds average speed 38.4 kph. Not far off Ryan Fynn best effort of 13:09. This had set the pace for the rest of the ride and by the time we got to Burke Drive half way along I gave up I had nothing left I was done. Sat up and cruised back to the Raffles and arrived just in time to meet all the others who had not taken the short cut.

Thursday
A day off the bike and it was time for the Thursday ride. The normal suspects were present. Including Blair who only seems to do one ride a week and he lead out the rest of us with Shaw who seems too be in good form on his new bike at the moment. Same stretch from Swan Brewery to Christ Church today was completed in 15:37 at an average of 37.8 kph. So not a lot slower but it was Thursday. Someone initiated a roll through on Marine Parade which seemed to leave you back on the front just when you thought you got off. This got the heart rate up a bit and on Port Beach Road I started falling off the back again while Blair sucked my wheel. He was doing well considering he had not been on the bike for a week. Lights were red at the left hander onto Tydeman Rd. Gave us a chance to re-join the group.

By the time we got to Burke drive I had recovered some what but not enough. 4min 50 this time as opposed to my best of 3:46. We picked up Ronny on Melville Beach Rd who had dropped off the fast group but done well to hang on for so long. We also passed Carlos going the other way home already. By the time we reached Raffles 1:05:18 had past. 1min 18sec of my best effort.

Friday
Another new route for SPR. Friday Early Bird. Looking around at who was showing up I was like. Oh No why did I get out of bed. Carlos, Johnathan, Toby, Jordan and Doug all the fast group boys. I was going to get smashed. But a larger turnout than Monday. Today saw us head up Labouchere similar to Monday with Toby and Johnathan on the front. My turn came as we turned onto Canning Hwy.

Somewhere along The Esplanade I pulled off and handed over the lead. Pace was ok and we passed a number of other riders that morning. Once we got to Shelly the roll through started and it was murder. As soon as you got off the fast lane you were back on it. Legs were yelling at me to give up but was not going to happen I would never re-catch these guys if I gave up. I thought the end of the road would never come. Finally I head Doug say his done and so then so was I. Was ok was just near the end anyways.

Cruising through Willington I got talking to Toby for a bit. While we were on Banister Road we past Tip Top and all you could smell were Hot Cross buns. Toby had noticed the pleasant smell too.

Nichlosn Rd and Albany were roads we were a little concerned of with traffic but we must have had a lucky break. No issues with cars on either stretch. However Peter said he will probably alter the route. Along Manning Road I was again on the front with Jonathan. Again he was upping the pace and I could no sustain it for very long and pulled off. Let some other sucker slog it out with him. Our pace dropped off at we commuted along Kent St back towards South Perth. Got home at 0710 so quicker ride than others but it was slightly shorter than normal for me too.

Saturday
Last two rides for the week and this would seal my 400kms. A good turnout for the Saturday Early Bird ride. Nothing special about this ride. I was feeling exhausted but legs not in pain. Third day in a row getting up at 0410 was taking its toll. The morning was very humid. I heard 95% humidity being thrown around. Just standing waiting to start sweating like a pig. Was disgusting. The entire ride was just so hot. Had to keep the fluids up.

However as with the rest of the rides this week we didn’t slack off much. Swan Brewery to Christ Church 15:48 and an average of 37.4 kph. Mosman Hill was not much fun today and I was not at all awesome. 1:26 only avg 15kph. After the water tower and heading towards the beach was looking out towards the water trying too spot all the boats for the Rottnest Channel Swim. Bit far up so could only see container ships. All pretty normal up until Burke Drive. Keeping fluids up because it was still stinking hot. Was no roll through on Burke drive just one long line of riders. Recorded a time of 3:46 and had a new PB with an average speed of 44.2 kph.

Once we finished the route also recorded a new PB for the ride of 1:04:27. Hot weather must have helped.

During the commute to the 7am ride stopped at Gull for a Powerade. Carlos was already inside doing the same. Getting my wallet out of my pocket was disgusting. My Jersey was soaked with sweat and my wallet was disgusting. It was YUCK!!

While waiting for the start of the Main 1 ride I had to go top up water bottles again as I had already gone through half a one waiting around. The humidity had improved but was still hot. Not a lot to write about on this ride apart from I was tired and could not wait for the ride to be over. The ride out to Holmes Road was sedate and we cruised in the low 30’s.

No great effort on the climb for me but others on the ride seem to find their legs for it today. I do like the descent on the other side and the half descent on Kalamunda Road. We cruised as one large pack down Kalamunda Rd sitting above 40kph and putting in no effort. Enjoyed it a lot. Sometimes you work for this speed other times mother nature does the work for you.

Navigated our way along to Guildford road and set an average speed of 45kph between Bassendean and Ashfield. After King William street we had a few sets of lights we needed to stop for. This dropped our average for the rest of Guildford Road to 35kph. Overall the ride took us 1 hour 33 minutes. I was sure I had now clocked my 400kms. After a quick bottle refill again I headed for an easy ride home.

Once getting home and getting out of my disgusting wet sweaty kit and having a shower I loaded Saturdays ride to Garmin Connect, Strava etc. Looking for the grand total of over 400kms. I was wrong. At that point I had only 399.13kms recorded. I thought stuff it close enough and posted my efforts. Seems from the few comments and tweets I received I had to finish it off. So I put the wet helmet back on (YUK) chucked my shoes on and wheeled the bike out the door. An easy ride up the street and back is all I needed. As I was going up the road watching the meters tick over I saw 500m and figured end of the road then it is in the bag. I got to the 1km mark and was like great done finished. dropped the gears down and rolled back down to my door. Job done.

However having now done 400kms I know 500kms in a week is doable it just means do a ride every morning for a week. I can see sometime in the future this will probably happen. With all the SPR rides every morning now it is not hard to get these high kms it just takes the super effort to get on the bike. Once on the bike in the morning the rest is easy. It is the getting up part that is the hardest and backing it up day after day.

SPR Saturday Main 1 ride 14/11/2010

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Not the best preparation for this mornings ride. Beer & pizza. Can’t eat pasta every night. Woke up feeling fine.

After being weak and going back to bed Thursday and not even attempting to get on the bike Friday morning I had plenty of carbs to burn off.

Was assisted by a nice tailwind on the way to Coode St but knew it would come back to bite me on Hale Rd. Felt confident of keeping with Main 1 today so again rolled out with them.

We soon caught the back of the fast group. Fast and Main 1 seemed to kind of join together. So we had a large group rolling down Welshpool Rd.

As expected the wind on Hale road was punishing along with the pace. When I dared look at my speed it was in the high 30s so I stopped looking and focused only on the cluster of the wheel in front sucking the thing for dear life. I didn’t want to lookup, did not want a bearing of how far more this pain was going to hurt or how it would make me suffer later. Finally we rounded the bend and saw Kalamunda Rd. I think I then discovered I had Jen following me all the way. Thought he went with the fast group.

Passed three or four mountain bikers with all but the kitchen sink on their bikes. I thought they are totally mad if they plan on going up Gooseberry Hill Road.

It was about now I discovered I had not restarted the timer on my Garmin. So Coode St to here had not been recorded. I don’t know why no alarm exists for this it is so frustrating.

Seemed to have fallen a fair way back on Ridge Hill Rd. Shaw was suffering so I got in front and he sucked my wheel. On the descent he was right on my back. That is the last I saw him for a while. Feeling good I put some more effort in and was hovering around the 45kph mark. Yo yoing with another spr kit rider we started to work together to peg back a pack of three including Blair and Michael Roper.

Felt like I was doing all the work on the front but was enjoying it. Short recovery for a few hundred meters and on it again slowly slowing cutting the gap. About 1km or less from Guildford Road the gap was just meters. Few more hard pushes and we were now on the back. Instantly the relief of a draft was felt and time for a drink.

Guildford Road was great fun with the tailwind. Didn’t really look at the speed but it was fast. Small WTF moment when three riders took the right lane at some light then were stuck there for a while with cars and trucks backed up behind them. Couple splits along the way but due to some lights the group of around 7 or 8 were all together at East Perth and finished together.

Enjoyed the ride and hope I carry the form into tomorrows long hills ride.

SPR saturday Main 1 ride

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Today I rolled out of Coode St with Main 1. For the ride out to Mill Point Rd I was next to Geoffrey. Chatting away about the new bike. Sitting behind Toby doing leisurely 26kph. Along riverside drive Toby pulled off and we took over. Another rider jumped in front so I moved up and joined him until we got along Mounts Bay road where we pulled off. As I let the pack move by I realized just how big Main 1 was. Probably little larger than needed.

Off Mounts Bay road and now the pace stepped up. Soon we were doing high 30s low 40s. The back was yo-yoing a little and I wanted a little more protection so at the first rise I slipped back a few places. Managed a good pace staying in the saddle. Just to be sure I decided through Dalkeith would be a good place to take on a power bar. Wasn’t much chance later. Pace through Dalkeith was kissing on 50kph at points. Was happy to get to Stirling Hwy and get some water down.

Still feeling good. Legs ok but the short transition up Stirling Hwy normally makes my legs burn a bit. Descent down to Mosman Park hill. Keeping an eye on the rowers swinging a kayak ahead. Mosman Park hill. My Tuesday wake up call was today my Saturday wakeup call. As I got my rhythm at the bottom I saw Blair over half way up attacking someone who passed him. Bloody kids and their energy. Reaching the top panting like a dog.

Recovered halfway to water tower and pushed on. Short regroup at water tower and then another descent. Side by side with Anna. However our rhythm was lost on the rise due to bikes in front. Found back at the front of the pack for the next few kms then on the front for the ride over the bridge.

After the bridge I was swallowed up on the hill but made up some ground on the descent. The group ahead was a little all over the place and as I past Toby he yelled some disciplinary orders. By now the power bar should have been kicking in.

Burke Drive I think broke the group slightly. Was not a massively high pace but by no means slow. Think it was all in the 40s. Was a little spent by the end and took on a fair whack of water.

Canning Highway was a little dodgy with a couple of cars where we merged into the center lane to cross the freeway but cars appeared to be giving way. They were out numbered. I think we broke into two packs but thanks to some lights we were back together by South Perth. Another crossing of the causeway and back onto Riverside Drive for the sprint finish. I used the people in front for short drafts before moving onto the next. Was a good ride with an average of 34kph according to Blair. Was happy I could hang on.

crossing the finish line

Golden Spokes (personal TT)

I had planned on getting to this event by train however once getting to the train it turns out that the line was closed so from Cannington I had the rest to ride to Champion Lakes. Luckily I left earlier than expected so I had extra time to cover the distance.

On arrival I found the SPR tent and again the drooling over the new bike continued 🙂

After storing it safely with SPR people I went to fetch my numbers and timing unit. Headed down to the unmarked, unsigned start line around 9:15am.

The start was delayed around 15 minutes waiting for one of the races to come through. Our start was un-organized. No real procedure seemed to be in place. I found myself at the front next to a team and when the guy randomly started counting down and got to zero I went. Having made the first turn and looking back saw they were releasing people at intervals after just saying you all seem to know what your doing so you can go together. Wasn’t going to go back doesn’t matter wasn’t a race anyway. The first team started rolling through and went off into the distance.

I got my rhythm and settled in. The first lap seemed to fly by and wasn’t long until I passed my first person. Must have been from an earlier race. Average for the first lap was 33.5 kph

The first three laps went by and I still had my average around 33kph. On the fourth lap the wind started to pick up on the far side of the river. I was already out of water so sent an SMS to Peter Mah begging for another to be delivered. Working through my Gatorade mixed bottle I got to the start line saw no water bottle and thought this is going to be a long 30kms without water. However on the next time through Peter was on the side of the road waiting with water. After a short pitstop I was back on my way for the last 20kms.

One rider I’ve seen around a few times before had been dropped by his team and he tried to suck my wheel but when I stepped up the pace again he exploded. By now my pace average had dropped to 32.5kph. Destroying some more bunnies down the back straight and with help from a slight tailwind and some dancing on the pedals I cruised in the high 30s and low 40s. Last lap and with the end in sigh off to the left it was time to push for the final 7kms. After getting out of the rowing complex and back onto the road I sucked down a gel I had been saving.

Rounding the hairpin at the far end of the course it was now the run home. At this point the pace car went past me. I noticed the people I should have been seeing and passing were not around. Was a little puzzled by this. However I was on the home run and the gel had kicked in. Back up to the high 30s and low 40s approaching the left turn to the finish I couldn’t wait. I was spent. Over the bridge and right onto the final straight. Out of the saddle and dancing on the pedals for a sprint to the inflatable finish banner. My first chance to get down into the lower gears of the new bike. Just before crossing the line I glanced at the speed 45kph. Loving the new bike apart from the issues in my last post. Crossing the finish line the remaining SPR guys were screaming and cheering screaming as I crossed the line.

I was spent and after handing my number back sat down for five minutes before having to ride home again. Great event can’t wait for next year.

Crossing the line at the golden spokes 2010

SPR Main 2 Saturday 16/10/2010

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A nice sunny Saturday morning for a ride. Not a cloud in the sky but the wind was not going to be our friend today. A noticeable point in the car park this morning was the number of bikes with TT bars fitted. A lot trying to get a warm-up in before tomorrows TT Team race down south.

Peter was late to the car park but no one seemed to notice, all were happy to chat away. When Peter did arrive he used the excuse family commitments. He called for the fast group to take off and this seemed to be a big call as no one was willing. All reckon they were saving themselves for tomorrow. Eventually a few took off. Next was Main one. Main 1 today virtually emptied the car park and only 6 of us remained. Seeing as no one was left Peter said looks like I have Main 2 too baby sit. Personally I think he was using the excuse to rest up for tomorrow.

With only six of us and the Transitional group caught by a truck backing up I said lets take the other exit. Peter agreed and so we rolled out. Because of our small number and the crappy wind this morning it was Peters choice to try and catch Main 1 and jump on the back of them. However this proved to be an already failed plan. Even though Peter and I lead out the four others at a rate of around 33 ~ 34 kph into the wind the combination of us getting every red light and Main 1 getting all the greens our chances of catching the bunnies in front seemed to be drifting away. For the first 5 – 10kms of the ride they were still in sight but catching proved to a failed attempt. Once they started a roll through and their numbers being between 30 – 40 riders we had no chance and they disappeared into the distance.

Knowing I was in the orange zone sitting on the front with Peter who was not even into the 100bpm a minute range I took the chance to down a power bar during the roll through on Great Eastern Hwy so that later in the ride I would have the energy I needed for Ridge hill.

The ride out from South Perth and down into Helena Valley was a good one with the roll through flowing nicely and the group keeping close together. Before long we arrived at Ridge Hill Road. I quickly dropped to the back and then quickly got back past Katie and Ivan. Kat and Wade had already managed to pull an extra 40 – 50m gap on me and I wanted to get them back. The whole way up Ridge Hill I thought I was catching them but was mostly only holding the gap. I glanced behind a couple times and saw Ivan and Katie around 100m behind and focused back on the front.I heard someone catching me and put a couple of hard pedals in only to find it was Peter checking I was ok. GRRR wasted energy 🙂

With a quick regroup at the bottom of the Zig Zags we saw two groups of the fast group go flying by. They must have made up their own route. Most were crouched over on TT bars warming up for tomorrow. After a quick pep talk from Peter we rolled out down the other side of Ridge Hill road. I got a nice rhythm down and peddling away seemed to pull a large gap on the others when I looked behind after going through the round about. I sat up and slowed down waiting for them.

Right onto Kalamunda road and we paired up. Finally with a tail wind it was a nice relief. cautiously we navigated down Kalamunda road and I dropped to the back to make sure we didn’t loose anyone while Peter lead the way. I have driven this road a million times and recently it has had a number of cyclists making their way home from work in afternoons.

Right onto Great Eastern Highway again for the short overlap of our earlier route and onto Guildford road. The old Guildford Hotel which burnt down a couple of years ago now has hundreds of socks on the fence and signs asking for a new owner to buy and rebuild the place. If you got any spare cash lying around and want to buy a pub I hear it is going real cheap.

For the first few kms of Guildford road I obeyed the group and kept the speed down at around the 33kph mark. However the tailwind and my second wind was itching to open up the taps a little. as I made my turns on the front I started to creep up the pace. As we made the approach to pass my place it was on and I broke away. Kat and Wade appeared to break with me but left me on the front to set the pace. Rolling past King William and up the hill we were over 40kph and as the road started to bend upwards I was on the pedals and putting in some real hard pushes. Knowing it wasn’t going to last I forced it to go until the crest. Lights at Garret road and Wade came up to have a turn on the lead for which I was happy to get a rest.

As we rolled through Maylands I put a few more hard pedals in again to the top of the hill and wade jumped back on the front again but Kat also came with him and got in front too. They lead us down to East Parade. When the lights went green Kat was off and I quickly got on her wheel and sucked it until the lights. On the green Kat and Wade were of and I was close behind. Katie, Ivan and Peter were not too far behind. Approaching the hill in East Perth Wade got by at the bottom and I was close on his tail and we both got to the crest with only about a 5 – 10m gap. Easy cruise down the other side to riverside drive. Just as we got to river side drive the lights went green and I jumped. soon up to 40kph and I thought I had broken away however with about 250 – 300 before the lights Wade came from I guess behind and beat me to the lights. From here was a leisurely cruise into the bell tower. Even though it was a small group was still a good ride and I enjoyed the higher pace from my break on Guildford road. Hopefully next Saturday I will finally be on my new bike if all goes well.

I knew it would be hard but didn’t think it would be this hard

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So to explain the title. Not a great deal to write here other than to say that Saturday I made my return to my SPR buddies. I had planned on taking it easy and doing the transitional ride but Dave Shalier told me I’m better than that so I went main 2.

Was good rocking up at the car park and seeing familiar faces plus some new ones. Lots seemed happy to see me back. However lots of these people also appear to have stepped up from Main 2 to main 1. This means I have some bunnies to hunt down over the next couple months.

Left the car park with Main 2. Cruising along over 30kms. Kat was alongside me on Great Eastern Hwy. When we got to Ascot was our turn on the front. Kat opened it up a bit to over 35kph and I was starting to get to my limit. After we got over Garret Road bridge and the road rose a little my speed dropped a little and I started to get over taken. Soon found myself at the back with Russ & John lending me a wheel to suck and shadowing me when I got in front of them. On the way past the TV stations the group started to string out. Few were left behind but I was still feeling good. Hunting down John and Loraine.

A few sets of lights caused a large split in the group. Russ was quick to group everyone up and have us work together. We were soon up to 40kph and the house I crashed in front of was coming up. seven weeks ago almost to the minute. We rolled past and this time I stayed upright. I made an out loud comment that is the place. I’ve got further than last time. Fitting my first ride back was the same as my last ride when I crashed. Anyway we rolled past the rest of the group who stopped for a regroup. Russ made a comment I was doing well. Wish he hadn’t because it didn’t last much longer.

The ride through North Perth was ok but once we reached Winthrop Ave I faded and the rubber band broke. The group opened up and were off. I took the chance to down a power bar on the long flat road. At Sir Charles Gardener Hospital the group was gone and I was on my own. I was now feeling it. A slow ride back to the bell tower on my own. At the bell tower there were a few SPR buddies still around.

After slightly recovering I headed for home. This last 10kms were probably the toughest I was totally drained. I stopped at east Perth for another power bar and even that made no difference. I just had to push on at what. Ever pace I could manage.

But I got home and felt buggered. Garmin says I burnt almost 5000 Cal. If this is right then no wonder I was so buggered. I ruled myself out of doing the Sunday hills ride but I still plan a lap of the river this afternoon.

Garmin : http://bit.ly/aNNUev

SPR Saturday Main 2 ride report (sort of)

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This is only a part report because I only got around half way before retiring. The ride started well with the group heading out from Coode St and down mill point road. I was sitting along side Shaw down great eastern hwy and over Garret road. Group was rolling along nicely and on Grand Prom Shaw and I lead the group for most of the length of the road. Things chopped and changed a little along past the tv stations.

Along Ravenswood drive a roll through started. This seemed to go well until I had a coming together with the riders wheel in front.

I don’t want to repeat what i have already written so please find details for the rest of today events on my own blog.

http://www.lionslair.net.au/2010/08/07/my-first-real-crash-on-the-bike/

Then

http://www.lionslair.net.au/2010/08/07/update-on-my-bike-crash/

PMBC XC Series Rnd 4 – Pile Road

Well last Sunday saw the MTB crew head south to Pile Road near Dardanup for round 4 of the PMBC XC series. AS with the time trial on saturday we did not have a big turnout for SPR, maybe its the distance that turns people off.

As always Lorraine’s son Nick and myself were flying the SPR colours along with Bernie who also made an appearance after a bit of peer pressure from a mate of his who was in town (and happened to take 2nd in their field). Arriving later in the day was Chris Browne & Peter Gill, hopefully they get some kit in the next order 😉

The turnout for the day was 115 riders who had made the trip down and even a few who had raced the time trial on the saturday. With the weather coming to the party we were set for a good day of racing.

The 1st wave would see most of us setting off in short succesion. Nick was the 1st to head out with the under 17s and soon followed by Bernie in Vets. Myself in Sport was soon after this. Each group started fairly steadily due to the deep gravel and nice long uphill start to spread the field out, although Sport was a bit more competative after Tony Tucknott thru down a challenge for me to make the 1st corner ahead of the field. A few others heard this and had a go as well. Needless to say I hooked in off the mark an blitz the corner and halfway up the hill before almost crumpling in a heap. Last time I do that again as it killed me for the rest of the race. It did win me a monster KitKat & bragging rights though.

After that it was back into the riding rhythm to punch out 3 laps of the ~7km course. About halfway thru my 1st lap I past young Nick going hard. Thanks to rain earlier in the week followed by 2 dry days the trail was in fine form. Nice and firm with not too much slip in the WA pea gravel. The Majority of the course was single track with a few connecting sections of fire trail. The 1st half was in a generally upwards direction, which meant a nice downhill ride for the finish. Apart from being downhill the 2nd half of the course had some really nice flowing single track with plenty of fast berms, a few jumps and the odd hairpin to keep you on your toes.

Course

After all was said and done the 3 of us finished near the back of our fields with both Bernie & Nick not up to race fitness, and me never really ever race fit, but a fun day was had and thats the main thing. Both Chris & Pete finished about a second apart in there category, trading places as the laps past.

Once racing was out of the way it was pack up the tent and head up the road to the Wild Bull Brewery for a feed and a pint. before the long drive home. Being a sunday the the place was pretty busy and we had a bit of a wait for the food. This gave us time to enjoy our pints (Cider, Stout and Ale) before the burgers arrived and discuss how we went.

Also thanks must go to Lorraine and Gaby as support crew, photographers, mum, wife and any other task they had to do. Next race will be Rnd 5 at Boddington on July 4th. Closely followed by the 4hr to be held at Pile road as well but with a different course (with over 50kms of trail available it should be interesting to see what htey come up with.) We hope to see a few more SPR riders there, to give Ryan & Johnny a run for their money.

Main 2 Saturday SPR Ride 12/6/2010

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Another chilly morning but compared to Thursday morning it was warm. Arrived at Coode St and only a couple of others were already there getting their wheels on the bike because they drove in. Peter soon rocked up in his car but with the excuse he was doing the time trial this afternoon and was saving his legs.

not a huge turn out today well didn’t seem to be but was a healthy number of riders in each group. I think leaving Coode Street we had around 15 in our group. After getting the group together on Canning Hwy we sat on a cruisy 33kph. Each were taking their turn on the front which was great to see. Even Ivan had the legs on the front today great to see mate.

North Lake Rd gave us a couple rest stops at the lights before taking on the small hills along here. Next was the left turn onto South St and a group of us seemed to open it up a little until we were told to cool it. I’m not sure I think a few may have been stretched on North Lake Road. All seemed to be back on rather quickly. After passing Wheatly Drv the pace was picked up again and for the next 10km the avg speed was 35pkh and this saw us catch up and join onto the back of main 1.

Nicholson Rd seemed to have a bit of a tail wind and there was a semi kinda roll though along here. Approaching the lights at Albany Hwy and 90% of the group were in the left turning lane and not the right. seeing everyone jumping across lanes I’m sure this pissed off every driver around us. You need to look at the map people. William street was a bit of chaos also. Lots of over taking and cars not wanting to be patient. Maybe this would have been safer if we hadn’t merged with main 1.

Once onto Welshpool Rd we paired up again and a few got a break away because of some red lights the pace was within 33 ~ 34 for this section. Once we turned right on Shepperton Rd the pace was lifted and it was time to fly home. Because of some red lights I fell to the back and missed the finish but apparently we caught the Transitional group and it was a big sprint on down Riverside drive.

Was a good ride this morning and my legs don’t hurt. Looking forward to Brookton Hwy in the morning and while the rain stays away I hope just as many show up tomorrow as they did today.

UPDATE: Forgot. Set my own new milestone today got home with an average overall speed of 31.1kph over 70kms. Pretty happy with that. Took so long to get 30kph this was unexpected. Yay me 🙂

By Nathan Rzepecki

JARRAHDALE 6 HOUR

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Report by Lorraine & Scott

SPR Base Camp

Last Sunday saw the second event in the WA Mountain Bike Enduro series. 6 hours of fun at Langford Park in the Jarrahdale forest.

Jonny "volunteers" to let Ryan go first

SPR’s presence on the MTB scene is growing and for this event we had 2 teams: The SPR Mud Wrestlers comprising Jonny and Ryan, and SPR Young and Younger which was Scott and my son Nick.

Getting a teenage boy out of bed before lunchtime on a Sunday is quite a feat in itself however, the excitement at getting on a brand new Giant XTC had Nick and I organised and on the road by

7.15.

Langford Park is a favourite spot for MTBers and it was easy to see why. Beautiful forests and well maintained trails. A little after we arrived Scott and his wife Gaby rocked up. We quickly found a good spot for the new 3×3 sunshade near the transition area, unloaded the cars and then drove up to the carpark area. By the time we walked back Gaby and Nick had already gotten the tent up and were setting up chairs. Gaby is a woman after my own heart and was super organised with thermoses, food, cool drinks, first aid kit…. so along with ALL my provisions no-one was going thirsty, hungry or would bleed to death!

Garmin ready to go...

A little after 9 Ryan and Jonny appeared and settled themselves into the SPR base camp. Registrations complete and numbers on bikes (very un-aerodynamic) consternations and murmurings began as to who was going to front up on the start line to begin the day’s epic adventure for the Mud Wrestlers. Jonny, being the gentleman of the two, relinquished the honour to Ryan. Nick the Novice was feeling nervous about the whole affair and was glad to leave the race start to Scott.

The start line was back at the railway lines at the entrance to Langford Park. After a short distance on the road to sort things out, the riders would then join onto the singletrack race circuit. The 8.5km loop was shorter than the original 9.5km due to heavy rain earlier in the week. 10 am… they were off, and 6 hours of fun in the dirt began.

The Course

Get the camera outa my face Mum!

Not much more than 25 min later the first of the riders riders began to appear. Being up the front of the bunch would have been a great advantage in avoiding the argy bargy of the bottleneck when the riders left the nice wide road and began the circuit. In the first flush of riders was Ryan who had set a cracking pace in his first lap.  Here, as the riders entered the feedzone/transition area they dismounted and walked through a barricade chicane to ensure a safe changeover of riders. No stopping for Ryan though as he and Jonny had agreed to do begin with 2 laps each.  Nick, who had been the picture of pre-race nerves, only had to wait a few more minutes before Scott appeared and he took off on his first lap. Jonny paced around a bit more while he waited for Ryan to appear and Scott headed back to base camp for re-fueling.  The wisdom of starting with 2 laps for Ryan and Jonny was in question as Ryan appeared… Steaming in the morning sun like a cup of tea in the antarctic, he reflected in true Fynn-esque vocabulary that indeed, he would NOT be doing 2 laps again!

Nick’s first lap went well and he reappeared some 36 min later intact, uninjured, bike in one piece and a smile on his face… good to get that first lap out of the way!  His mother, who had embarrassingly yelled out  “take it easy”…. “go for the B line” as he

took off, was

much relieved upon his return 😉

Now where's Jonny?

The day rolled on and apart from a few minor scratches to body team SPR remained intact. The pace stayed strong despite legs growing tired.  Hungry team riders queued at the sausage sizzle that had been provided for the day. Solo riders quickly grabbed drinks and food as they sped past transition. Commentary, updates, music and calls for missing team riders poured out over the PA system. The atmosphere was fantastic!

Team changeover

Just after 2 I had to leave all the action to get back in time to start work. So will leave the wrap up of the day to Scott…

I came in from a lap just after Lorraine left and young Nick headed out on his last effort. By now there where many tired and weary bodies around. Attrition was taking its toll with riders out from injury and mechanicals but team SPR was soldiering on, with Ryan and Johnny still putting in good lap times.

With Nick out on lap 8 and just over an hour left I was counting down the time to see how many more  we could fit in. At this end of the race timing is critical, can you fit in that extra lap or will you smash yourself for nothing and miss the cutoff by secounds. 1 racer did such and missed the clock by 3 seconds. Unfortunately the day had taken its toll on our young rider and I only had enough time for 1 more before kicking back to watch Ryan and the other riders try to beat the clock. The day finished with some big efforts by riders trying to beat the clock and a few fast laps recorded. SPR finished the day in 1 piece with team SPR Mud wrestlers completing 12 laps to get 6th in their category and SPR Young & Younger taking 50th. Also 2 other riders that make an appearance on SPR weekend rides raced the event with us as well. Chris Brown & Peter Gill fresh from the Alice Enduro entered the day as solo riders and must be commended for their efforts, now to get them into SPR kit.

Full details of placings and  lap times here.

All in all a good day had by all. Nick enjoyed himself greatly and looks to be an up and coming racer, and it was good to see Ryan make an event as well. The next race in the Enduro series will be the Ferguson Valley 4hr on July 25th. It would be great to get a bigger showing of SPR riders along. We know there are a number of closet MTB riders out there so make yourselves known and join the fun.