so i read an interesting article during the week on “fat shaming” and was wondering how much this relates to our club. we aim to be as inclusive as possible and this means that we accept anyone who turns up to ride. unless there is something about their bike or they way they are dressed that is particularly dangerous, then what does it matter. things like the “velominati” may have started like a joke, but they have suddenly become a standard for bike snobbery and how we should view other riders. as far as i can see this is crap, and if you are willing to put in the effort and get off the couch and onto the bike, then you are a cyclist. the article finished with a quote from former american president teddy roosevelt from way back in 1910:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
don’t be a critic, be a supporter. get out and ride.
ride leaders – support the club and help us become ambassadors for the sport in the public eye. put your name down as ride leader to ensure that the group ride is safe and organised. sign up here and earn cold hard voucher.
ride leaders sponsorship – this months ride leaders are proudly sponsored by Alto Financial Services. please see the previous post detailing what they provide and we thank them for encouraging our members to step up as ride leaders. ride leaders will receive a $10 Dome voucher to be used after the saturday ride. if you have a business that you want to promote to our members, check out the previous post to both promote your business and help out the club.
spr quarterly breakfast – this weekend is the quarterly spr breakfast. make sure you bring the right change along to pay at the door.
buddy program – if you are new to cycling and want to get some advice on what to do, or if you are and old hand and have lots of advice to give, then sign up to our buddy program. last program was very successful and we actually had more mentors than mentees. see the previous post for more details.
world championships – this weekend the cycling world champs begins in spain. there are 12 races on, but lets take our best bets on 6 of them. women and men’s team time trial (trade teams), women and men’s time trial and the women and men’s road race. put your best tips in the comments below and the best overall may win a prize, if not just the adoration of other club members.
spr watertower challenge – save the date sunday 26th october. more details coming soon.
cycling safari – want to race overseas??? check out this opportunity that mark is organising for anyone in the club. see the previous post.
the beverley heroic – volunteers are needed to make sure this event runs smoothly. if you can provide a volunteer (partner, mum, brother) your entry is free. see the previous post for more details.
lighthouse to lighthouse – if anyone is interested in doing an organised ride down south, the lighthouse to lighthouse ride is coming up. see the previous post for more details and leave a comment if you are thinking of heading down.
ride routes – some real summer weather being turned on this saturday with 32 deg predicted with strong ne winds. this will turn around late sunday with thunderstorms and lightning, very, very frightening. hopefully the weather holds off till the afternoon so all the rides and races can be out of the way.
saturday 20th september
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
development group – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
transitional – trans abernethy 39.96km spr saturday
fast & main groups – hale & ridgehill 50.58km spr saturday
sunday 21st september
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
tranny – special lighthouse training ride – burns beach via rebold hill
short – goose kal 63.41km spr sunday
Awesome quote
Not only that – she’s a racer. If she can get a number on her arm or pinned to her jersey, then…
A few weeks ago on the Saturday Early Bird Ride (EBR) there was a hiss from a tyre and the inevitable withdrawal from the group….accompanied by the withdrawal of at least one SPR rider (Mr. Flat Fairy) to aid and assist.
Then a week later we had a new(ish) rider join us for the Saturday EBR and I was witness to some great assistance and encouragement from a number of fellow SPR members, most notably our Pres.
This is a great cycling club and the actions I’ve just described are pretty much weekly events at every level. We look out for each other and I must admit I’m a very proud member of SPR.
I came across a beautifully inspiring story on a larger chap in the USA who has taken to riding and now racing and has been welcomed and embraced by fellow cyclocrossers.
http://www.npr.org/2012/10/09/162586325/instead-of-surgery-man-pedals-off-the-pounds
Ernest also has a blog you can google up. Give it a read, as it’s warm and fuzzy stuff.
I’d like to say we’re a good bunch, and would provide the same support for someone coming along for the backing of a club with a good reputation.
my best route 🙂 *dances*
Good theme and I really commend the club for the position it takes on inclusiveness.
I’ve also always admired the emphasis on safety with SPR but I have to report an unsafe and potentially very harmful incident this morning. A lady friend (and member) was approaching the bottom of Fraser Rd from Ardross St in Applecross and was turning left to commence the climb up the steep hill. The 5:30 round river group (I think) happened to be negotiating the corner at that very moment. The first part of the peloton was on the correct side of the road but the middle and back end was all over the road and cutting the corner at high speed. My lady friend was pretty much in the gutter and riders were shouting and taking evasive action. She was almost taken out and very shaken and frankly if there had ben a car coming around there would have been some nasty injuries or worse to the SPR riders. Reputation of the club and cyclists is of course another important issue.
We’ve all made mistakes, and it is very tempting on this particular descent and bend to cut the corner. However this was a collective act of recklessness and it would be great for us to reflect on how something like this can happen. If the specific riders concerned came forward with an apology I’ve no doubt it would be appreciated and would be testament to their openess and honesty.