Today was our first day back in the hills (and I use the term loosely) since late last year. The RFY coaching team has been taking it easy on people over the Christmas/New Year period in terms of long hills rides and today was the first step in getting back to them.

Distance was 120km - out through Guildford, up Ridgehill Rd, up the Zig-Zag (which is the wrong way - surely there is a fine in that for Charlie!), down Welshpool Rd and then a reverse Shelley/River loop. To finish up we did an extra lap around Shenton Park to do the full distance.

For the record, there is a fines system in place for RFY - any discretion (real, imaginary or implied) can have a fine applied to it which goes into the general fundraising pool. Apparently, these are very common on the ride itself (for example, you can be fined for not having any other fines brought against you) and there may be fines during training.

So Charlie took us up the Zig-Zag today (which has to be the easiest way I know of getting into Kalamunda - a very gradual climb) and given that we were violating the road rules I reckon there is a fine in that. ;-)

I was feeling good today - I spent a lot of time at the front, did well on the Zig-Zag and was happy with hammering it up the various power climbs around the river. Hopefully this type of form will hold until March.

On another note, Anna came tenth last night in the Joondalup Crit and seventh this afternoon at Leederville giving her six points so far. Her team-mate Holly came first last night and third today with Davina (who is kind of on the Fleet team but was riding for Plan B today - long story) coming second (maybe third) last night and first today. Today also saw a very strong performance from Sally Robbins who led the race for quite some time only to be hauled back in on the last corner, finishing third.