First off, I would like to thank those riders this morning on the ride that decided to listen to me when I split the group for safety reasons. To those riders (Jarad, Mike B, Dan and Jason), THANK YOU! For Staying back and doing your turn in the wind (Rule 67 Compliance points on that one) for the sake of some of the less strong riders. THANK YOU to those riders that DID listen whan I asked them to wait for the second group, or when I split the group and didn’t decide to ignore me.
To those of you that ignored me when I stated that we would split the group for safety reasons at Christ Church Grammar, and those that ignored me when I tried to even up the groups at the water tower, Don’t be a Dick!
This post is probably falling on deaf ears, as those people probably do not read the blog. For those that do, please listen to those people that have stepped up and taken responsibility for the safety of the group/s.
As it was, there was a fall in the first group along Preston Point (Edit – Not Point Peron) Rd at the Roundabout. I cannot tell you if it was beacuse the group was too big or for some other reason as I was in the second group. I hope that those that fell are all right and don’t have any injuries. The point is though, that if we had not split the group, the accident could have been bigger involving more riders. It also meant that the Second group became the First group. Even through I was in the Second Group, I still arrived at work at the same time as I do every Tuesday after the ride. (The Mike Bonner Motor Pace up the Cycle Path may have helped a bit…Thanks Mike)
To those that read this blog, please stand up and be counted when we split the group, and if you are the last ones in the front group, if someone comes up behind you, politely tell them to wait for the second group.
[Steps off soapbox and calmly walks back to desk]
Well put Jory. You are certainly adhering to Rule #2 – Lead by Example.
Remember everyone it’s a Training/Social Ride! Not a smashfest or race. So what if you’re in the second (or third, or forth) group? That doesn’t mean you are a lesser rider or somehow diminished.
Man up. Listen to the ride leaders. If you can’t do that, then why are you riding in a SPR organised group ride?
Oh and for those who don’t know The Rules, have a read:
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/
Oh and don’t forget SPR’s Ride Etiquette:
https://southperthrouleurs.com.au/club-training/ride-etiquette/
Now that spring/summer is here, and the river route is very congested with packs and small groups of varying speeds, we do need to keep our bunches to 20 – 25 for safe overtaking purposes. So it was absolutely the right call to split this morning; a shame some people don’t cope with being in the “second” group (for the sake of a couple of minutes).
We may need to revert to the 2 group roll-out from the bridge for the next few months.
Seeing that the Thursday ride seems to regulate itself into 3 groups (Fast, Main 1 and Main 2-3), should we think about doing a similar thing on the Tuesday? Initially with just 2 groups: Fast / Not-Fast.
I know that in the past if we have a Fast group on Tuesday it seems to get the majority of people in it, even if they’re not really able to keep up/help out. But I imagine that the biggest problem with just a random split is that you end up with a wide range of abilities within the group, which causes lots of accordion action on the ride. (And we all know that accordions suck 🙂 )
So, if we keep reinforcing the concept of a two-level ride, it should eventually sink in. And assuming (yeah, I know) that the Fast group can look after itself, it will make the Not-Fast group a little easier to monitor, and assist* newer riders with club etiquette.
*Inform politely that they should read the website
I respectfully disagree Jordan,
Given that faster group ride options already exist on a Tuesday morning, I tend to think that the traditional Tuesday is a ride for a broader group to ride in a more ‘social’ manner.
Personally, I believe that splitting the group arbitrarily is reasonable as it means the stronger riders can do a little shepherding of those who perhaps aren’t as strong, keep the ride at a reasonable, but ‘recovery’ pace, and everyone can get to work ‘on time’.
Agreed that accordions suck, but perhaps the Tuesday ride may be a good time for the more senior guys and gals to give some friendly tips help out some of the ‘accordionators’.
Good points Jarrad. I suppose the thing to do in that case is to
1) Make sure the “social” aspect of the Tuesday ride is reinforced so all are aware of it
2) Split the group at the Narrows since on-the-road splits are difficult to coordinate.
3) Try and encourage a few more of the SPR long-termers to come along on Tuesday to help out with the above, so it’s not just one or two people yelling a lot.
Hmm, if there is a fast group, more of the ‘long termers’ would be allowed to come out and play on a Tuesday (what is one recovering from on a Tuesday? The Saturday ride was a long time ago).. Still has to be a small ring ride though..
There are other ‘fast’ options around the place but there are alot of people riding at the moment. The fast, not so fast split seems to be the easier option to ‘police’ and if you want to recover, go the not so fast option?
Not listening to ride leaders is not the SPR way. Pull your heads in
Dot point summary of the crash, as witnessed from directly behind it.
1. We caught a group on Stirling Hwy/Canning Hwy lights and it got a bit messy going up the hill on Preston Point Rd. (Jorgy – great post and well said, although I assume geography wasn’t your strongest suit at school – we weren’t in Rockingham!!)
2. Approaching the roundabout the groups were still together (and still a bit messy)
3. A car approached from the opposite direction, with it’s indicator on to turn right. Call went out from SPR group saying car right. The back of the group slowed, then stopped to give way. I don’t recall anyone going through the roundabout when the car was on it.
4. I believe one member of the other group thought we were turning right (misheard the car right call?) and thus did so, cutting off everyone behind. This brought several people down.
5. Road was cleared farily quickly and damage assessed. One rider had a bit of bark off and there were some bent wheels. Thanks to those who remained behind to ensure all were OK.
So, cause of accident boils down to amalgamation of groups and not being used to calls. I agree with everything said above and full understand the frustration Jorgy. Please people, remember the safety WALK principle – Watch (the group around), Ask (if you believe group is too big), Listen (to ride leaders), Keep Safe.
Julian, thanks for the geography lesson. Now fixed to read the correct Rd. Years of driving down Point Peron rd me thinks.
could even have a third group on tuesday, for those riding in the small chain ring. would be a small group so all should proceed nice and safe.