What a few weeks - HBF ride

Hi everyone Sorry for not posting anything for a while apart from the pictures.

HBF Bike Hike.

It was my first big event to take part in and pretty much we have been training for it ever since I got the Oppy. Felica was the one who told Keong and I about it. I thought it would be cool just to ride on the freeway. At that time she said we would probably be suited to the 60km group B and hang at the very back of the packs. Well after 3 months of picking up the sport and doing lots of rides with Bikeforce Joondalup and PCS crew, we were feeling good and confident to able to complete the 60km ride but was urged on by the boys to ride with group A and saying "it's a breeze in the park". So we took the plunge signed our selves up for the group B instead :p

As the big day approached, I tried to prep as best I can, but couldn't get to sleep early. Was excited to race up the freeway with the bikeforce/pulse/psc crew. I was eager and enjoyed being with the guys I even got the Onyx/pulse team jersey. (how many bike jerseys do I have to many LoL).

On the day I woke up really early 3am did the usual, was the first one to be at bikeforce, met Gary who came all the way from Bunbury to take part of the HBF ride with the crew. I was amazed but it shows how good the riders dedication to take part. As the crew started to build I recognized a few of the guys from the Mandruah ride and it was good to have a good quick chat as we waited, Ben, Steve. As I looked around as the numbers build up and the mass of Onyx jerseys gave me some pride and confidence and people will go wow check that group out. The marketing guys at Onyx project must be grinning now.

As we head towards Joondalup I was like a little boy following Chris, Grant, Kev around and copying what the grown ups were doing. As we walked down to the train platform you feel people just looking at us thinking "wow look at that organized group. They must be pro" organized yes pro? Umm Duno about that. Anyways as we head south, Keong caught the right train and as I was new to the group I was still trying to memorize peoples faces and their bikes. Young Lee with his Banichi, which a few weeks ago I found out he is Mikes son.

Enter the Base

As we got out of the train station, I was still a bit nervous but just being with the main people I ride with just made me feel like it was another ride and in the end I didn't think of anything apart from "stick with the crew and don't crash the bike" as we all met up the mass of the Onyx crew (that's the nick name because the major sponsor logo at the front is a big ass Onyx)was a site to see and yes a lot of people going wow, I think there was around 25 Onyx riders.

The Toilets

As standing in line for the toilet,

a guy behind me was going
"man that is a lot of guys from Onyx Project"
and asked me if we worked there,
Me: "err no",
Guy: "oh because I know the boss at Onyx and wonder if I can get a free jersey as well"
Me: "Onyx is a sponsor of the jerseys"
as I had no idea the true facts I just turned my head away and tried to leave the conversation before I get asks a lot more questions.

As there was a big ass line for the toilets I think Mal started a line just for the Onyx guys, I should of taken a picture it was quite funny seeing this massive single line for 10+ toilets and then see a small 2 line for 4 toilets (one of them full of Onyx jerseys) so I jumped into that line too, I was just waiting for the moment for a official to come across and say something but none came. I felt kinda bad that there was a massive line for the other toilets but it moved pretty quick. But As we lined up I asked Grant if he wanted to use the toilets, "nah I will right" Kev was next in line and the toilets flow went to a slow pace which is worrying, someone is doing a number 2 and Kev was not looking forward to the door that hasn't been open for a while. We all laughed when Kev had to enter the stinky toilet, as I could smell it, I decided to jump back into the long line and avoid the stink bomb.

After we all refreshed our selves we clink clank towards the starting area, "A GROUP" hmmm A A A A hmmm, I look back at Felica and shes like hmmmm. I told her we will be fine, I'm thinking to my self... "okkayyyyyy A group.. remember the pack will pull you, stay in the middle and you will be fine. You will be with the crew and you know how they ride.. its all good and they will be at the back of the bunch so not hard to find.. okkkayy lets do this"

The Start of the Race

As the racers took off, Group A assembled at the starting line, I think I was a few meters behind Onyx train. Start off was slow as people were caution of not stacking it so as we road up over the bridge i picked up speed looking for the Onyx train. (thinking to my self, ok they must be up a few meters, lets sprint it, isthat the pack? nope, that one? nope. Ok lets go solo 45kph+ and see if I can see them) after a few minutes no sign of the pack, as my speed dropped due to a incline and I was getting over taken by some small packs, I tried to spot any Onyx guys (even tho I don't know most of the guys I have a automatic mate-ship to any person wearing a Onyx jersey) and just ride with them, but didn't see any at the time so i just joined any pack and surged on ahead, going 40kph ave speed.

A Friend in disguise

As I worked my way through packs, I saw Grant in a normal pack and not with the boys that was strange site to see... I came across Steve from CSC who rides with the Bikeforce Joondalup and decided to stay and have a chat with him in the pack. He told me just sit in the middle of the pack if you are really tired, it will carry you and you will be at the finish line at anytime. The problem I found being in the middle is, you will be more likely to end up being a new pack leader on a incline or at the end of a pack on a incline. So at the narrows that happened, 4-6 guys broke ahead so Steve & I joined them and pushed hard looking for a pack ahead. We were flooring it and the next pack was really really far away and a lot of slower riders were getting drop, and we would wiz pass them, so any pack we were hunting only had the strong ones left. As we were taking turns to lead, there was a big large guy from (since i saw him recently) Bikeforce Joondalup crew and man he was quick, slow up hills but was like a bullet going down hill, I had to blink twice to make sure I wasn't seeing a illusion, (Steve told me on a later date, check out his legs. They are massive cycling legs)

True Reason

As we surged on, I wondered where was Keong & Felica? The reason I was doing this was really to ride with them and I felt bad leaving them behind and ponder how they were going so I told Steve I was going to drop back and look for my friends. So I moved to the far right and cruised along by my self and trying to spot Keong & Felica at each pack that passes me. I was slowing down going around 30kph and hoping one of these packs will have them, as more packs pass me I was thinking man was I that far ahead? I think every pack that passed me was thinking WTF that guy doing on the right side, riding like he was out on a stroll.

So after 6-8 packs I spotted this Asian guy in the inner side middle of the pack, I shouted out "THERE YOU ARE" and had to quickly sprint back to 40kph from 20kph because as I waited (which felts like years) my legs were cooling and relaxed and just the quick sprint took a lot out. As I moved closer to Keong, I didn't see Felica, she was riding a few packs back (a few? i mean yonks way back). I slowly regained energy and slowly moved to the front riders feeling a break away group about to happen and yep the guys try to take off, so I was quick on their tails but too quick so I had to break and avoid hitting anyone. But the break didn't last very long a few seconds, which was bad for me because I used a lot energy. As the pack passed I tried to move back in but didn't have much left in the tank so I fell 10-15 odd meters back of the last guy just trying to regain the energy but lucky from all the rides we have done what i have learnt, I just put my head down, drop position and increased my speed and slowly caught up the group, never sprint back to a group because you will be burning so much energy its just stupid. I use this maneuver on Keong all the time when he sprints, I had to go around 44kph and then ahhh the draft... 40kph cruising

The End

I was knackered, the last incline to Joondalup is a pain in the ass. I didn't feel tired as a body but my legs were, how did I recognize I was F...ed its when you finish off 2 Powerade drinks, eat 2-3 bananas and go yeahhhh that's the spot.

But as we cross the finish line, I spotted a older Onyx team mate and he was looking really tired, I rode up to him and asked if he needed anything and he did a awesome job finishing. The small things we do are what people remember most as I saw him a week after at Bikeforce ride and he was like your the bloke at HBF etc etc. I believe just a light friendly chat to anyone will cheer them up (and also it relaxes them)

Also had a chat to Grant asked why he was not with the crew, he had to pull over and take a leak in the bushes. LOL Grant!!! Teach you not to go to the toilet

I asked Mal what speed the guys were doing at the start? "55kph" OMFG there was no way i would of caught them.

As we met up in front of ANZ building, there was no sign of Felica and there were lots of riders still finishing. Keong and I was hoping she was ok, after chatting with Keong, Felica & Keong were in the same pack but Keong pushed hard hunting down packs ahead and lots of time doing solo rides.

After the group pictures were done Keong, Felica & I rode to the Curtin camp, free message!!! I passed it was for Curtin students/staff but I wasn't one and shouldn't but sneaky Keong did!!

Mr Bling

As we sat on the grass raveling on what we just did we spotted a Asian guy on the foot path with his family (at Curtin camp), gee they were really proud of him for completing the ride. He had bling, Ipod on the arm, Cervelo RS (I think), older Ultegra group set, must of been his first time and he must ride often if you spend that amount of money on a bike you would think so. I was thinking my self wheres my wife or family around me to congratulate me, but then I had 20+ team mates who were proud of me. Anyways I was happy for the guy doing 60km ride solo because he didn't have any friends around him, then a few weeks later Keong tells me him & Felica was giggling at the guy because he actually did the 30km and I burst out into laughter. I know I sound a bit of a snob but seriously, the guy has a Cervelo RS (it is the lightest bike in the Cervelo range), he should be doing 60km. We do minimum 30km on any rides unless its a warm down.