The joys of riding in groups...

After having been a loner rider for many moons, just over a year ago I joined a social riding group and have found it such a joy that it's expanded into a vocation – well, almost. I don't think I've been on a lone ride since.

First example of the joys of group riding was in this years Freeway Bike Hike.

Whilst I've always participated in the hike since its inception, the past few years have seen some rather less-than-safe riding practices in the faster groups, with several mass spills and some nasty injuries. So, this year, after some initial inertia, a bunch of people from one of my social rides decided to get out there.

The ride was all the better for it – we departed within the 'B' group section rather than the gung-ho 'A' nuts, kept to ourselves at our own (still brisk) pace, avoided bunches of people all over the road and distinctly lacking in group skills, and cruised over the 60km Freeway course in a still respectable time having thoroughly enjoyed it. Then we turned around, waltzed back to Perth at a sedate pace and had a lovely brekky! Just perfect.

Second example of the joys of group riding: this past Easter Monday, another bunch of us decided to ride to Mandurah for brunch, and then train it back to Perth.

Since the freeway extension to Bunbury was opened, the route to Mandurah cycling-wise has been made incredibly easy: follow the mostly brand new bikepath south down the freeway until a point due east of Mandurah, and then chuck a right and arrive in Mandurah after a few kms. Couldn't be simpler.

A great 80-odd km ride, nice path, and a nice enough destination.

Feeling frisky, I decided to ride back to Perth as well: some 170 km in total later I rocked up home, a little worn out but chuffed.

I would map it, but apparently the new Freeway extension all the way to Bunbury doesn't exist – well at least not on Google maps or Map My Ride! So, for now, the instruction is head South down the Freeway bike path until you hit the Lakes Rd exit, then chuck a right down Lakes Rd, into Gordon Rd and then left into Mandurah Terrace until you hit the coffee strip!

A merry and heartfelt thanks to all the Wolfe Pack riders who joined me on these escapades, and who have kindly accepted me into their communal riding group. And a big thanks to Anne, who first invited me.

Just for fun, here's the group's jerseys:





See you out there!

Ride safe!