someone at work sent me a link to the velominati or “the rules” as it has been known. i have seen them numerous times before and i know that they are meant to be a bit “tongue in cheek” but some people seem to take them serious. then today, in the online paper there is an article about how much you should spend on a bike. in both cases, regardless of the humor involved, there seems to be this elitism involved if you want to be a cyclist. some people won’t be seen riding shimano because it is not european, some just scoff if you mention certain brands. the newspaper article seems to think that you need to spend at least $10,000 to get a seat at the special cyclist table. as a club that is meant to be open and welcoming i hope that we don’t invoke the same prejudices to any new comers. i have heard some people remark that on some group rides in perth, you will be lucky to even get a conversation started with someone as you are riding along. having the right gear is essential to riding but sometimes people just need a little advice. don’t dismiss the guy that turns up to a hills ride wearing running shorts as he might be the next ryan. (note: ryan turned up to his first hills ride wearing running shorts)
ride etiquette – it is unfortunate that this needed to be brought up again but there have been quite a few issues arising lately. interestingly enough, the tues, wed & thurs rides that i went on had people stop at the lights when they had to. i expect that we will get complacent again, but it is up to individuals to actually use their voice and take that stand.
focus group – this saturday after coffee we will be taking the kids with disabilities for a ride. i will be gang-pressing people at the coffee shop for you to help out with this. it is a no stress ride (with no traffic lights, so you won’t get dropped) and all you have to do is be very positive and encouraging. not sure how the weather will affect the ride, but we will play it by ear. do your bit for the wider community and help out here.
busso half-ironman – there are some people in our club that like to swim before a ride and then go for a nice brisk run afterwards. their pinnacle (or half-pinnacle) is this saturday with the half-ironman being held down in busso. good luck to those competing (or in brendan’s case, seeing who comes first, the half ironman or the baby). on a different note, way back in 1986, the half was held on rotto and the course record for bike and run was held by our very own stuart gee. i think he might have even won it outright that year.
tom lowry – a few people heading down to race this weekend in collie. my man-flu has gotten the better of me so i have unfortunately had to withdraw. it is unfortunate as this is a race i really enjoy. it has a bit of everything and usually get a good turnout. all the best to those racing.
ride routes – since you all loved holmes road last week, we will head out that way again. this time up hale road but will take on ridgehill (also known as “lennie hill road”) to make sure you get a climb in. actually, i am planning rides that avoid great eastern hwy as much as possible at the moment while the road works are going on. sunday is all about the kahuna. you know you love it.
saturday 5th may
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
early lap – spr earlybird ride
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
development group – spr saturday 35.48km (novice shelley)
transitional – spr saturday 40.72km (mosman park)
fast & main groups – spr saturday 50.04km (hale & ridge hill)
sunday 6th may
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
early lap – spr earlybird ride
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
short – spr sunday 70.93km (kahuna)
hmmm…looks like i’ll need to spend another $8000 before people will talk to me during a ride? 😉
i’ll come for a roll with the focus group on saturday.
and best of luck to all the busso halfs!
Al, it’s not your bike!!
If you want people to talk to you on rides you’ll need to slow down a bit so they can catch their breath!!
😉
for the sake of playing devil’s advocate – can someone answer the following question for me…?
what is the difference between a red light and a stop sign?
there are at least two stop signs on our regular ride routes that people ride straight through. so what is the difference?
Good point Mr Brown…. 🙂
Some red lights have cameras…
I will be there for the Focus Ride. 🙂
But can we all agree that Green Bianchi’s are terrible?
🙂
2nd that .. but because they are “Italiano” I’ll try and cope with that dreadful green. Will anyone speak to me if I end up getting my cheap-o “chinese deep-ish dish wheels” or will I be snubbed by the mining engineers with big wages, Reynolds and Zipps?
Lennie Hill Road .. bring it on .. coz i won’t be able to make tomorrow anyway, hehehehe …. but friggin’ “big kuhuna, sunday?? Grrrrr.
Do what I’m doing. Call it the spare bike. That way people don’t look down at you as much 🙂
Bianchi’s rule! Just don’t tell Sir Edoardo that Celeste isn’t my favourite colour 🙂
Just want to know, why there isn’t an main ride 1 group mid week. I tried the fast ride on Thurs day but was spat out…. But the 2nd group is a bit slow so whats the go.?
Hang on with the fast group then get picked up by the next group? 😛
the last few months has generally seen 3 groups roll out on Thursday mornings; Fast, Main (about main 1 pace), and Development (about main 2/3 pace)
If the Main group is a bit slow for you then take Luke’s advice. Most of us got dropped by Fast group our first half a dozen attempts – it’s all part of the gig 😉
I will be there for (at least) the focus ride to help out. PS i was thinking to bring my 9 yr old daughter along…?
not a problem morrison. we talked about it being an oppurtunity to get our own kids involved. just be aware that it won’t be very fast.
Best wishes to all those competing at Busselton in the triathlon, and at Collie in the Lowry road race (I’ll be there).
It seems like a lifetime ago that I did tri’s.. in fact it is for many of the youngsters in the club. That ‘stuart’ cannot be me – it must be somebody else – I’m just not that old.. please….