le tour.  it starts this weekend and it conjures up images of sacrifice, suffering and pain.  the riders have it pretty bad too but i am up for three weeks of sacrificing sleep, suffering through a work day and the pain of getting up for a bike ride before 5am.  pretty good field this year and with no team time trial, you would have to think that cadel has a better chance.  better, but no walk in the park.  the prologue starts on saturday and sbs has pretty good coverage this year.  each stage (except the prologue) starts at 8:00/8:30pm each night and runs till midnight.  for once the time difference to the eastern states is in our favour.  i am also expecting a few more people out on the bike over the next few weeks as the tour always gets people inspired….even if it is only 2 degrees.

tour tipping comp: tipping comp starts this saturday so get your teams registered.  $10 entry and there are prizes for 4 categories.  rules and entry can be found here.  do it.

spr accessories: this weekend is the final weekend for ordering the spr accessories.  the order will go in on monday so get your gloves etc now.  i will bring the sample gloves and cap to the coffeeshop this saturday.  buy it.

spr jerseys: thanks to those that lend out jerseys for the cyclo-sportif on sunday.  they have all been washed and ready to return.  i will be bringing these and any other unclaimed kit to the coffeeshop on saturday.  collect it.

pilates: chrissy will be holding the first spr pilates class this coming monday at the collins st centre in south perth.  initially this is only open to spr members as we do not just want anyone off the street taking advantage of cheap pilates.  chrissy and josh have organised this for the club so that is who it is for.  we may expand it later to include member partners, but for now, think of it as a member benefit.  stretch it.

routes: i am feeling fairly evil this weekend and i pity the fools that pick the fast route on saturday.  ride it.

saturday 3rd july – all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)

transitional – spr saturday 40.21km (mosman park)

main 1 & 2 – spr saturday 50.72km (rebold hill & cott)

fast – spr saturday 54.58km (gooseberry hill)

sunday 4th july – all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

short – spr sunday 61.14km (welshpool & weir rd)  but following long route on the way out to welshpool

long – spr sunday 101.86km (welshpool & mundaring & kalamunda)