Jandanol Joy 19km Individual Time Trial

Jandanol - a 'flat' course……….

Sunday 11 December saw the final event for Spokes Cycle Club season 2011 and with just 15 minutes to start time only three riders had registered and with one being Junior, one female and one male, race results were determined.  With the day being quite steamy, and many having had a busy weekend "celebrating" the lead into Christmas, the three riders were pretty happy to take the win without actually having to ride……………….

Thankfully a last minute rush saw another six riders arrive and the handicapper assigned start times for the 20km Individual Time Trial. Rhonda Bradley was first to head off and having never ridden the circuit before she burst out of the start only to pause and ask over her shoulder about where to turn!   Barb Glenister left one minute later and as always was happy to be on her bike and out on the course.  Junior rider Jonty Calder was third to go and quickly slipped into his high cadence and speed.

From here time intervals spread out to two minutes with all of the male riders present able to hold good speed on this course.  Mike Reymond headed onto the course at +4 minutes followed by Eddie Muller, Paul Dodson, Andre Eastough and Paul Matthews.  Just after Paul Matthews departed, Tom Thuijs arrived having not realised it was an 8am start and so was the last onto the course.

Jonty Calder was first to complete the inaugural lap and was looking very comfortable.  He was hotly pursued by Mike Reymond who had caught Barb Glenister and Rhonda Bradley and was riding strong until a puncture stopped him just past the start line.  This caused Mike to have to walk back to the start area where he changed his tube and then restarted.

Rhonda was also having problems with her bike but a quick check and she was back on the road.

Eddie Muller and Paul Dodson came through very quickly and Andre Eastough and Paul Matthews were working hard with Paul M using tri bars to improve his aero position. Tom Thuijs rounded out the group and maintained good speed and composure given his unorthodox start.

The second lap of the course saw Eddie Muller puncture and as he was on the furthest point of the course it took him the remainder of the racing time to walk back to the start line!  Dodson, Eastough and Matthews continued at speed overtaking Bradley and Glenister into the last lap.  Calder rode very well and was only caught at the very end of the race - he has improved immensely since his first event and his training is well and truly paying off.

Dodson finished ahead of Eastough and Matthews with Calder next across the line.  They were followed in by Glenister, Reymond and Thuijs.  Unfortunately for Rhonda Bradley, she flatted twice in the last lap and had to get a lift back.

On corrected times Paul Matthews was fastest for the men in a time of 33:08 across the distance, averaging 34.4km/hr.  Andre Eastough averaged 33.8km/hr and was last heard suggesting that the loan bike from Roger had cheap training tyres and this slowed him down. This comment did stem from the fact that Andre managed to sustain a flat tyre after the race and after changing the tube and pumping it up, it went straight back down and he had to abandon riding home in favour of a lift!

Paul Dodson was third fastest in a time of 35:06 at 32.5km/hr.  Dodo was very chivalrous after the ride - he provided tubes to Eddie Muller so that he could ride home and then assisted Rhonda Bradley with changing her flat tyres before she packed her bike away.  Unfortunately this left Dodo without any tubes for himself and so he was less than impressed when he realised he also had a flat tyre and needed help.  "Who would have thought Jandanol would have so many flats" was Dodo's statement before being supplied a tube and getting ready for the ride home.

Many thanks to Tim for putting out signage and marking cycling lines on the corners and to Jonathan Tamm for marshalling.  Special thanks to Barb for once again supplying delicious cake for all to enjoy.

A full list of results is below.

Spokes Cycle Club would like to wish all cyclists a safe and wonderful Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in 2012.

Results - Jandanol Joy 19km Individual Time Trial

Spokes Presentation Night and AGM

Spokes Presentation Night and AGM

Spokes Cycle Club held their Presentation Night and AGM on Friday 9th December 2011 and would like to congratulate the following Award recipients:

Mingenew Blue Ribbon Race                     Paul Hearne

King of the Mountain                                    Paul Matthews

Queen of the Mountain                               Julie Firth

Time Trial Champion                                      Paul Matthews

Criterium - Male                                              Andre Eastough

Criterium - Female                                         Theresa Pomery

Most Dedicated Rider                                   Julie Firth

Most Improved Cyclist                                  Mike Reymond

Junior Achievement - Events                     Jonty Calder

Junior Achievement - Mingenew             Mitchell Crabbe

Junior Achievement - Sportsmanship    Cameron Draper

Best Club Person                                             Tim and Barb Glenister

Spokes welcomes their new committee for 2012:

President                            Andrew Toovey

Vice President                  Tim Glenister

Secretary                             Barb Glenister

Treasurer                            Dom Micono

Committee                         Bec Swan, Peter Johnson, Jennie Haste and Eddie Muller

Criterium de Meru

Criterium Sunday 20^th Nov

A very windy day made for tough riding conditions.  A brave cluster of 10 riders fronted up ready to engage in battle.  The club was pleased to welcome Michael Pardon as a new rider visiting from Perth and to welcome back Theresa Pomery and Andre Eastough who clearly love riding crits.

There was a mass start for all riders who gave 100% over the 20 minute criterium.  Within a few laps Paul Dodson, Andre Eastough, Roger Swan, Mike Pardon and Peter Johnson lead a peleton lapping at better than 1 minute per lap.  The remaining riders stuck at their ride and maintained a good pace throughout.

The sprint finish saw Andre take line honours followed closely by Mike, Paul D and Peter J.  Roger managed to keep the new bike on the same lap as the front runners and went so hard in the last two laps that he missed the bell.  It must have been the wind noise off those fancy new wheels Rog!

Theresa won the women’s event and Jonty won the Junior’s event with strong ride in his first Criterium.  Well done Jonty.  This was also Rhonda Bradley’s first “crit” and although her domestique [Darryl Sheilds] was heckled by the peleton, Rhonda said she learnt more in 20 minutes of riding than she had in years on her own!  Great concentration Rhonda.  Tom Thuijs also had his first run at the Meru crit circuit and finished in the middle of the field.

Well done to all the first time criterium riders and a huge effort was put in by all riders in adverse conditions.  

Thanks to Bec for providing some wonderful prizes for the children’s and Juniors races.

Nukara to N.W.C. Highway & Return

On our way out to the Nukara Farm, Burch made the comment that the race may have been cancelled due to the heavy rain that morning.  It had been discussed that at previous meets the rain wasn’t a factor.  Having said that, we wondered how many riders would be competing. It soon became evident that some people were participating after we passed the old fella (aka Paul Dodson), Eddie Muller and Johnny Barber riding out.  “Well, there will be three anyway”.

On arriving there was a few more getting ready, so no doubt there would be a race.  By 9am we had 19 riders and absolutely beautiful weather (apart from the little friendlies looking for a home up your nose, in your eyes…..).

Welcome to  few new riders, Garry Potter, Sara Armitage and some 2^nd timers Rhonda Bradley and Gus Ruiz.

Burch and I sorted out the handicaps , created 4 groups separated by 5 min except for the scratchers who requested a smaller gap of 4 min?  The old man requested an earlier start group as there were hills and these don’t apparently agree with him (this wasn’t all he had to worry about as glass didn’t do his tyres much good, twice!).

The course went from Nukara farm gate, to NWCH and return, measuring 27km with 4 hills on the way out and guess what…4 hills on the way back.  Apologies, I shouldn’t keep bringing up the hills.

59min 58sec after the start John Barber and Eddie Muller were 1^st and 2^nd over the line followed by the powerhouse Firth and one of the new boys on the track Gus Ruiz with his new Giant (very nice if I can say so) with Simon Mulligan arriving in fifth position.

With adjusted times the order changed, with Simon Mulligan finishing in a fairly unassisted time of 48 min 19sec (good riding big fella).  Second and third to Jonny Barber and Eddie Muller with 49.58 and Julie Firth in 51.11 sec followed in fifth @ 51min 21sec Gus Ruiz (that will cost you a bit of handicapping next time Gus), beating some more fancied riders Reg Solomon and Mr Wild West…..Paul Matthews.

A couple of old timers in Tom (Gravel) Thuijs, John Andrews and Gary Porter (also on a very nice new Giant) held off the up and coming junior of the club Jonti Calder.  Jenny Haste had just under 90 sec on Barb (I never win anything) Glenister who got over the line in front of another new Giant (which developed brake issues metres away from the finish line????), of Andrew Toovey.  Peter Burchill was next after assuming a few teaching positions along the way and in front of Paul Dodson who had the misfortune of two flats and due to his experience changing tyres, on reflection, his time wasn’t too bad.  Patrick Bettridge came in just after a fast finishing Dodson.  A  little way back Sara Armitage rolled in front of Rhonda Bradley, also on a new Giant.  I think Rhonda was a lot happier on her roadie compared to the last meeting on her MTB.

The weather held out to be cool - warmish conditions minus a few flies and low to mild winds.  Standing at the finish line was great listening to the bikes come down the hill at a rate of knots, there is something to be said about the whirring of gears, chains and tyres on the bitumen.  A good turn out to be involved in this a great race - can’t wait to have a go next year.

Many thanks to Paul Baldock and Cameron Dawson for officiating and to Peter Burchell for event coordinating.

Results - Nukara to N.W.C Highway & Return

Nabawa to Northampton and Return

A change of course……………

Due to grain cartage starting early the scheduled Spokes event for Sunday 23rd October 2011 was re-routed to the Nabawa Northampton Road, removing the Chapman Valley and Morrell Roads from the route.  Our decision to change the race was vindicated when we passed 6 grain trucks on the way out to the race.

16 riders faced the start on a calm, warm morning, welcoming a new rider Rhonda Bradley on her mountain bike.  Two juniors Jonty Calder and Cameron Napper, started with Rhonda and Peter Burchell.  The juniors left their elders behind and rode strongly throughout the circuit.

The next group to ride off was made up of experienced riders Tim Glenister, Mort Harslett, Julie Firth, Jon Tamm, Mike Reymond and Reg Salmon.  Julie and Reg lead the riders out and maintained their turns on the front for most of the race.  Mort hung on behind with Jon Tamm who eventually fell off the pace and Mike Reymond moved between leading the group up the hills and joining the centre of the peleton.   This group maintained a strong pace and caught Rhonda and Peter just before the turnaround point at the Northampton Wheat Bins and set sail for Jonty and Cameron who they passed on the long climb out of Northampton.

The final group to set off, with the daunting task of catching the others, was made up of the “big boys” Mike Paxman, Peter Johnson, Richard Quinlan, Johnny barber, Andrew Outhwaite and Simon Mulligan.  The group set a fast pace and pulled in first group.  Andrew’s flat tyre took he and Johnny Barber out of the contention. 

Tim Glenister with Mike Reymond, Mort and Julie hot on his heels burst around the bend to the last 200 metres.  Tim managed to hold the sprint and crossed the line first.  Julie rode strongly and it was disappointing for Reg and Julie to be pipped at the post.  This group finished the race in 1:23:30

Eight minutes later Mike Paxman, Johnno, Richard and Simon sprinted across the line in a final time of 1:15:20.  A strong ride, that would have been even faster if they’d had a sniff of the second group who they were chasing down.

Jonty and Cameron dashed across the finish line in a fine time of 1:45:44.  Jon Tamm came across the line on his own with Andrew and Johnny 5 minutes behind.

Rhonda and Peter came in finishing strongly.  It was delightful that Rhonda rode her longest ride supported so well by Peter.

The consensus of the riders was that this is a route to be repeated in 2012 with enough challenge for all ability levels.

Corrected times have Mike Paxman, Richard Quinlan and Peter Johnson as fasted in a blistering 1:15:20 with average speed of 37.4km/hr.  Full results are below.

Many thanks to Tim and Barb Glenister and Reggie Richardson for putting out the signs, marshalling and timekeeping.

Results - Nabawa to Northampton Return

Wild West Bike Tour - Results

This is a link to a short movie of the race to King Of The Mountain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4WlguNw3W4

Introduction To Wild West

Course gets the thumbs up…………….

The Spokes Cycle Club Introduction to Wild West on Sunday 28th August 2011 was ridden by five teams and one solo rider who just wanted to 'check out the course'.  The Club was thrilled to see a junior team compete and the combination of Lucas Meyer, Bryce Meyer, Cameron Draper, Jonty Calder and Jacob Lee set off at a rapid pace which they managed to retain for the whole 100km, despite their restrictive gears. This team finished in an impressive time of 3:36:20 averaging 27.7km/hr.

Club stalwarts Tim and Barb Glenister were joined by friends Paula Purcher and Reggie Richardson as the next team to depart with Tim looking quite pleased to be surrounded by ladies for his ride into the countryside.  Peter Johnson rode as a solo and set off some 6 minutes after the Junior men's team.  He cycled well to catch them and then rode with the team to the finish line supporting them across some of the more interesting terrain.

Spokes welcomed the team of Matthew Johanson, Chris Worthington, Ken Smith and Steve Kang to their first Cycle Club event and it was evident that this team had been training hard for the upcoming WWBT in September.  The gentleman rode well and used the event to hone their tactics and gain valuable course knowledge.

Andrew Outhwaite, Johny Barber and Reg Salmon were led by Julie Firth and with a 12 minute handicap this team showed their strength by catching all those in front of them whilst also staving off a fast finishing run by Paul Matthews, Megan Dunphy, Dave Rakuscek, Paul Burkinshaw and Jarrod Bell. Just 47 seconds separated the two teams across the line, however on corrected time Matthews' team were just over two minutes ahead.

All cyclists agreed that the course is fantastic and it bodes well for Stage 1 of the WWBT in September.  The unsealed sections of the course provided a challenge for each team and offered variety to the event.

A full list of results is below.

Many thanks to Ian Andrews, Andrew Toovey, Mike Reymond and Eddie Muller for their event management.

Spokes next event is a Teams Ride from Binnu to Giles Park - this is another excellent opportunity for teams to train and work on their combinations and strategies.

Results - Introduction to Wild West

Individual Road Race - Jandanol

Jandanol Joy……..nothing joyous here….

Sunday 14th August 2011 dawned and both the Event Managers and cyclists were pleased, and surprised, to see the raining skies clear to beautiful sunshine and a mild breeze thus allowing the Jandanol 39km Individual Road Race to commence.

Inspection of the course brought some concerns as the beautifully swept corners had been weather affected and were now puddled and muddy 'features'.  Spokes marshal - Peter Johnson - was undeterred and with determination got the main corner swept and a beautiful riding line was found.

Fourteen riders lined up to the start and were split into A, B and C grade categories with handicaps assigned.  C Grade saw Junior cyclist Jonty Calder ride with Spokes for his first event and he soon showed his riding abilities by leading out the more experienced riders of John Andrews and Patrick Bettridge.  Calder's fast cadence and required spinning style saw him averaging 10 minute laps for almost the full 39km.   John Andrews has only recently returned to riding after time off the bike to kite surf and his experience assisted Calder in maintaining speed.

The large B Grade contingent of Reg Salmon, Julie Firth, Johny Barber, Gerald Laurent, Eddie Muller, Dave Rakuscek, Lisa Greeve and Mike Reymond left at 8 minutes and quickly settled into 'peloton' style with Johny Barber completing a mountain of work on the front.  This pace saw Greeve and Reymond lose touch on the first lap when the uphill took all by surprise.  Laurent was the next to go dropping from the back of the group during the second lap and spending the rest of the race on his own.

A Grade riders Paul Hearne, Simon Mulligan and Paul Matthews departed at 15 minutes with Mulligan looking very strong from the start.  This group was expected to ride at around 8 minute laps and they didn't disappoint. Hearne and Mulligan proved too fast for Matthews and he was unable to maintain contact after the second lap.

With all riders on the course, placings changed regularly however the core groups within each grade continued to pass the starter at a maintained average speed.  Julie Firth rode exceptionally well to remain with the B Grade group until halfway through the distance when an injection of speed by Johny Barber on the climb saw her struggle to remain in the slip stream.

Patrick Bettridge retired with just one lap to go and given this was his first ride back after a holiday and illness, he did very well and the starter was happy for the company!!

As the bell went for the final lap the race picked up intensity as all riders were heading for the finish and all eyes looked to see if Hearne and Mulligan would catch the remaining B Grade group of Barber, Salmon, Rakuscek and Muller to take line honours.

Reg Salmon rode the last climb very well and was able to take line honours ahead of Dave Rakuscek, Johny Barber and Eddie Muller.  Hot on their SPD heels was Paul Hearne who had dispensed with Simon Mulligan on the last lap.  Mulligan crossed shortly after and had given the ride everything - he has really improved this season and it is great to see his training coming to fruition.

Corrected times show Paul Hearne as A Grade winner and fastest time.  Reg Salmon won B Grade and Jonty Calder won the C Grade event and crossed the line with John Andrews.

Many thanks to Johno and Lisa Greeve for assisting with event management and also to Johno for his delicious morning tea.

A full list of results is below.

Results - Individual Road Race Jandanol

Jandanol Bring a Friend Pairs Event

A cold and wet start saw a small field of 6 pairs, with three riders new to Spokes. Mitchell brought his mate Liam who had only ridden a racing bike once before. They achieved a courageous three laps and were interviewed by GWN at the end.

Gabrielle has just started riding for the year and did extremely well to stay on John's wheel all the way. Gerald and Peter finished strongly and Gerald was amazed at the riding fitness he is developing.  Kylie supported Jo, who was riding a loan bike and new to gears and racing did very well finishing in a steady time.  Jo hopes to ride a bike that fits her better next time.

Paul and Paul set a steady pace from the start and finished strongly to win the race in the fastest time of 45.32 minutes.

Ian and Jenni started at scratch and maintained a good speed to finish 3rd. 

It required bravery and determination to complete the circuit in the driving rain and blustery conditions.

Results - Jandanol Bring a Friend Pairs Event

Jandanol 20km Individual Time Trial

A shake up………

With winter well and truly on us, and the cooler mornings lending themselves to a sleep in rather than a ride, it was heartening to see 26 keen riders sign on for the Jandanol 20km Individual Time Trial on Sunday.    There would have been 27 keen riders but Reg Salmon had misread his calendar and attended the circuit the previous day…………….

The Club welcomed many new riders to Spokes - Robert Lynas, Richard Houwen, Robert Melville and Lance Jarvis all rode their first cycle only event and Pete and Deb Millard brought their bikes up from Perth to challenge the locals.

Deb Millard's new 'Scott' road bike soon became a talking point amongst everyone with many an envious glance from fellow riders.  Very nice indeed!

With registration complete the first 17 riders were set off at 30 second intervals with the last 9 being stretched out to 1 minute to ensure all were challenged.

Paula Alsop headed the challenge and was followed onto the course by Mitchell Crabb, Barb Glenister, Kylee Crabb and new rider Robert Lynas.  Kylee Crabb quickly settled into a comfortable rhythm and looked to be enjoying the course and the cooler conditions.

Jennie Haste was next to go and was pursued by Reggie Richardson and Ian Andrews.  Reggie Richardson was a surprise start as was not feeling the best and unfortunately after one lap she was not able to continue.  Ian Andrews also succumbed to the flu and withdrew going into the final lap.

Richard Houwen, Robert Melville and Lance Jarvis all completed their first ever Spokes ride but with this trio having been regulars at Tri they were aware of what was needed to ride alone and with no opportunity to draft.

Deb Millard and Kate Watson had hoped to ride together but the two were set off apart and were pursued by Tim Glenister, Julie Firth, Di Mahoney and Johny Barber.  This group ended the 30 second intervals and Andrew Elliot was the first to wait a full minute before setting off to chase JB.

Elliot was followed by a fully colour coordinated Duane Crabb, looking resplendent in Spokes kit with matching bike, gloves and shoes….word at the line is that Crabb-e is concerned that his cycling sunnies don’t match so we may see a new purchase for the next event…….

Gerald Laurent, Peter Johnson, Jon Tamm and Paul Spackman were the next in line and all looked strong riding away from the start line.  Visiting rider Peter Millard was a little shocked to still be at the starting line with only three to go, and his excitement at starting was evident by the impressive wheelie he pulled - not an easy feat on a road bike!  Millard was followed onto the course by Paul Matthews with the last rider to leave being Jamie Rowe.

With all the riders on the course each lap brought changes in position on the road with the Meadowcroft St hill challenging some and really benefiting others.  The sweeping downhill on Jandanol Road saw riders exposed with places once again changing in favour of the stronger cyclists.  

Going into the last lap Deb Millard was seen walking up the hill having flatted on the course, this left just 23 riders on the circuit after the retirement of Millard, Richardson and Andrews.

Kylee Crabb was first across the line having ridden an exceptionally strong and consistent time trial.  She was closely followed by Johny Barber and Andrew Elliot with Jennie Haste and Julie Firth rounding out the first five to cross the line.  All riders finished within 12 minutes of each other showing that many handicaps had been made up throughout the ride.

Corrected times show Mitchell Crabb as the first Junior Rider in a time of 48:36.  Julie Firth was the fastest Female Rider in 38:25 (this also placed her 7th overall) with Kylee Crabb second in 41:27 and Kate Watson third in 41:35.

Paul Matthews showed that his training is well and truly paying off by winning the Men's event in 33:38, pipping Jamie Rowe who finished in 34:17.  Rowe was just one second ahead of Paul Spackman's 34:18 ride. 

A full list of results is posted below and the Picasa photostream to the right has been updated with photos from the event.

Many thanks to Tim and Barb for arranging the road to be swept and then personally sweeping again the day before the ride.  Special thanks also to Terry Wellman for his continued support as a marshal - Terry has been at most events this year and we really appreciate his assistance.

Spokes next event is the Yuna Teams Event - full details will be emailed out to all riders - get your teams together and come along for a fantastic ride!

Results - Jandanol Individual TT

Vija Jackson

Vale:             VIJA JACKSON

On 18^th April, 2011,Vija Jackson lost her fight against cancer. Vija, was only 62.

Vija and her husband, Brian and sons, Dylan, Nic and Troy were all members of Spokes Cycle Club in the early 90’s, with Vija and Brian continuing on riding in the club into the early 2000’s after the boys had left home.

Early on, Vija had decided that a history of the club needed to be kept and for many years, collected all calendars, newspaper articles and photos, which she diligently archived.  Throughout the 90’s, Brian acted as club handicapper and he and Vija served on the committee with Vija holding various positions over the years.  Vija was also instrumental in helping raise many thousands of dollars for the club over the years by maintaining the drinks esky.  This was a monumental task as, in the early years, Spokes held races every Sunday and mid week crits for part of the year.

By the time the early 2000’s came around, Vija and Brian’s sporting life changed direction and they joined the Aussie Masters, while also maintaining an active association with the Geraldton Harriers and Geraldton Tri club. 

Life was looking good!

Then two years ago, Vija was diagnosed with cancer and knowing that time was limited, Vija and Brian packed in as much living and travelling as possible around their trips to Perth for treatment.

I had the pleasure of riding with Vija a lot throughout the 90’s.  She was a good, honest rider. But she was also gentle lady.  She was also strong and uncomplaining, with a deep love for her family and friends.

She will be truly missed.

Mingenew to Bootenal 90km Individual Road Race

Perfect conditions see fast paced event…..

Thirty four riders were blessed with a tail wind and lovely sunshine for the Blue Ribbon Mingenew to Bootenal 90km Individual Road Race.  Once all were registered, event Coordinator Dom Micono assigned handicaps, and junior cyclist Mitchell Crabb was the first to set off, accompanied by mum Kylee Crabb, both of whom had never attempted the distance before. 

Matt Matiera, Mike Reymond, Reggie Richardson and Catherine Brosnan were next to leave and were accompanied by experienced Spokes cyclists Barb Glenister and Bec Swan.  The group soon settled into an even pace with emphasis for Brosnan and Richardson being on the ride rather than the race.  Reymond and Matiera pulled away from the group after the first couple of climbs with both then riding the remainder of the event as solo riders.

Alison Simkin, Ros Johnston, Donna Meneguzzo, Jennie Haste and Tim Glenister were joined by new riders to Spokes Andrew Outhwaite, Kate Watson, Peter Newman and John Byres with this large group combining well to quickly pull back the 5 minutes handicap assigned over the previous group. 

The first half of the ride saw places within this group change frequently and it was the strength of Tim Glenister, Johnston and Watson which prevailed in the latter stages of the race.  John Byres showed ingenuity when deciding he needed his granny ring for some of the climbs and in the absence of a front derailleur he found reaching down with his left hand and lifting the chain over was equally as effective!!  Interesting…………………

Barb Glenister was quick to jump on with this group as they passed and rode with Andrew Outhwaite to the finish. Outhwaite actually completed a dual event as he and Johny Barber cycled over that morning for the ride - that’s a very long warm up!

Some 15 minutes after this group Simon Mulligan, Jonathan Tamm, Julie Firth, Reg Salmon, Duane Crabb, Johny Barber and Darryl Sheilds departed with Mulligan, Salmon, Firth and leading the charge.  The trio dropped Crabb and Sheilds on some of the bigger climbs with Tamm and Barber next to go.  Crabb and Sheilds kept each other company for the majority of the ride with Tamm and Barber leap frogging groups in front.

Richard Quinlan, Peter Johnson, Jarrod Bell, Paul Baldock, Paul Matthews, Dave Rakuscek and Eddie Muller were given just five minutes off scratch and powered away from the start line.  This group was well organised and quickly settled into a fast paced ride which saw them reigning in the cyclists in front of them with ease.  Dave Rakuscek and Eddie Muller struggled to sustain the pace, losing touch with the group by the halfway mark with Muller spending much of his ride alone.  Rakuscek benefited from Reg Salmon having a puncture to team up and catch Barb Glenister, Andrew Outhwaite, John Byres and Donna Meneguzzo on the road to the finish line.

The remaining bunch of Quinlan, Johnson, Bell, Baldock and Matthews powered across the undulating terrain, joined only by Mulligan as they passed.

Paul Hearne, Jamie Rowe and Richard Correy were the last to leave Mingenew however these experienced cyclists were expected to maximise the optimum conditions and they didn’t disappoint.  This was Correy's first ride with Spokes for the year after a busy tri calendar and his enjoyment of their wind up the night before took its toll with him being dropped at Depot Hill.  Rowe and Hearne showed great teamwork in backing off the speed a couple of times to allow the three to regroup however Correy advised he was happy to enjoy the scenery leaving Rowe and Hearne to continue on, taking turns and constantly increasing in pace.

With all the riders on the road there was much shuffling within groups with some pushing too hard early and suffering in the later stages and others riding a constant and improving as the distance to the finish line reduced.

In amongst all of this Mitchell Crabb and Kylee Crabb rode on and were never caught by the groups behind them.  They took line honours in a time of 3:00:39 with Mitchell outsprinting Kylee at the end.  This is a fantastic achievement for a junior rider with Mitchell showing restricted gears won't hold him back.

Quite ironically it was the most Senior rider of the day, Mike Reymond, who was next across the line, closely followed by Richard Quinlan, Peter Johnson, Jarrod Bell, Paul Baldock, Paul Matthews and Simon Mulligan.

Corrected times show Paul Hearne taking handicap win and fastest time in a staggering 2:00:12 at an average of 44.9km/hr and finishing just one second faster than Jamie Rowe.   This is an improvement of 13 minutes on his time from the previous year and despite the ever humble Hearne attributing it to the tail wind, he is riding exceptionally well and continues to be a force on the bike.

The group of Catherine Brosnan, Reggie Richardson and Bec Swan were joined by Darryl Sheilds with about 15km's to go with Swan and Sheilds using their experience to guide Brosnan and Richardson to the line.  Eddie Muller was the final rider in and despite spending most of the ride on his own he still managed an impressive 37.1km/hr for the 90km. 

Julie Firth was first female home, riding a blistering 40km/hr for the event.  She was followed by Ros Johnston and Kate Watson for the top three placings amongst the ladies.

Many thanks to Paul Hearne and Paul Baldock for riding back out to accompany the last few cyclists on the road to the finish line.

Special thanks to Dom Micono, Paula Purcher and Megan Dunphy for their event management and to Barb and Tim's family for putting out and collecting the signs.

Thanks also to Johno and Richard Quinlan for towing bike trailers over and to the many support vehicles on the road for their encouragement and handing out of water bottles.

A full list of results is below and the Picasa photostream to the right has been updated with pictures from the event.

Spokes next event is a 20km Individual Time Trial on Monday 6 June 2011.  Further details will be provided over the next week.