midweek ride routes this week due to the aussie day public holiday.  before i get onto the changes to the ride routes, there are a couple of things that i want to discuss.

forums – we have a new forums section where you can post classifieds, questions and discussions.  some of you may have noticed that you don’t actually have access to write a blog post.  the forums are different and you will be able to post to them as you need.  anything too offensive will be removed, but use your login to get access.

crits – there are 2 crits this week.  the rccc will be putting one on for aussie day at tech park and then we will be combining with them to put on another one on sunday.  remember, if your licence has expired, you need to renew before you can race or you will need to get a day licence.

community support – a few months ago during a ride, i was talking to matty upton and he suggested that maybe the group could do more for the community.  by this he meant that maybe once a month before a ride start, we could hand the hat around and everyone put in a gold coin or so for a nominated fund raiser.  there are usually lots of groups that people in the club are involved with that can do with a bit of extra support and this way we can be seen to be giving a back to the community.  if you are involved with any fundraisers, from schools trying to raise money for computers, to sporting groups looking at sending someone to an event, or even community groups raising money for a bus, then let me know and we can see what we can do.  this aussie day public holiday ride i want to start this initiative up by collecting for a development fund.  snuggles’ young son seb recently started riding and even competed in the golden spokes where he came 2nd in the under 13 race.  just recently he raced in the state junior track championships where he managed to come third in the points race.  he has got a new road bike, but is now saving up for his own track bike.  at the state champs he rode on a hire bike, with dunlop volleys and toe clips but managed to beat a kid on a pinarello.  he was even looking at selling his nerf guns to fund his own bike (and we have all been there).  so before the public holiday ride, i will be passing the hat around and would encourage everyone to drop in a couple of bucks (more if you want) so we can get the next generation a head start in cycling.

ride routes – according to the road closures for aussie day, we should be right for the start of the earlybird and the start of the main ride at 7.  cars will be restricted, so if you are driving to the start, then you will need to park near the corner of coode and angelo st and then roll down the hill.  on both rides, there will be road closures along burke drive for the aussie day triathlon.  this event starts at 6:30am so the roads will already be closed before the earlybird gets there.  in this case the earlybird ride will continue straight at the roundabout and continue along preston point road until it exits at canning hwy.  this way all of the point walter road will be missed.  for the public holiday ride, start along burke drive as usual, but then just before the road closure will be a turn to stoneham drive. follow this along to the end then a quick right, left will put you on the usual hill up stock road.

there will be a fast group, main group and development group at 5:30am, but just be aware that the public holiday ride will leave at 7:00am as normal.  if your group is looking at not making the time cut then you should look for a shortcut to make sure you do.

thursday 26th january

rides start under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

early lap – spr thursday 43.54km (cott & freo) (skip point walter)

rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

fast & main groups – spr public holiday 59.35km (shelley & freo) (skip burke drive)