i am not going to discuss the knife wielding perth drivers in this post as i have seen an awful lot of commentary in social media already. there isn’t anyone out there that thinks that the driver did the right thing, so i will leave it at that. what i do want to discuss is 9 news perth and their persistent attack on cyclists in general. first it was “war on our roads” now it is “war on our paths”. firstly we are too slow and getting in cars ways, now we are too fast and can “potentially kill a pedestrian”. i haven’t been able to find the “news” story on their social media sites, for those that haven’t seen it. they had some experts basically telling us that anything over 20kph is too fast and there is potential for a pedestrian to be injured or even killed. the expert had a radar gun and was clocking riders as they came up the freeway bike path just before the narrows. what i didn’t see, however, was any pedestrians on the path at the time the speed checking was done. there are so many holes in the logic and so many issues with actually enforcing any limit that it is not worth worrying about. however, it just seems to be constant theme where channel 9 wants to polarise viewers to get a response and therefore higher ratings. the story was so one sided but i am not expecting for them to show any footage of pedestrians walking on the wrong side of the path, prams 3 abreast, dogs on one side of the path and owners on the other with a lead in between, or that couple in south perth that walk around with earphones in whilst reading the paper (i.e. they can’t see where they are going). in the meantime, the number of bike fatalities from cars still outweighs the number pedestrian fatalities from bikes. but, you know, as long as we are focussing on the ratings rather than the actual problem.
ride leader sponsor – the ride leader sponsor for june is Life Ready Physio & Pilates South Perth. A number of our members already utilise the services provided by Life Ready Physio & Pilates South Perth as they are conveniently located in South Perth.
rules of engagement – please read the previous post if you come out on any of our rides. it is up to all members to enforce these rules.
bike lights – it is now at that time of year where if you are doing the earlybird ride, then you need a good set of lights. last year i wrote a long post about bike lights and what we expect when riding in a group. basically, bigger/brighter is not always better. please read the post take note of what effects your lights have on the rest of the group. take any suggestions on board as at the end of the day, it is for the safety of the group as a whole.
cyclo-sportif swan valley – expressions of interest are open for anyone that wants to be in an spr team for the swan valley cyclo-sportif. this is a great opportunity for anyone that is looking for that next step after the spr group rides. it is not quite racing, but it also, kind of is. teams of up to 9 riders complete a timed course with the entire team finishing together. it is an all new course as the track cycling will not be running this year. make sure you have a look at the bwa links as there are a few very hard climbs involved. please see the previous post for further info and add your name to the comments if you are interested.
spr road race champs – the club road champs has been updated after the first pickering brook race. if you have raced in any of the 4 races listed, see how you are tracking in club points. the leaderboard can be found in the menu above or here.
ladies day – the first saturday of the month means that it is ladies day. there will be a ladies only ride in main 1, 2 & 3 for any women interested. this is an opportunity to set your own standard and ride up front.
uwct sunday – the first sunday of the month means that the long hills ride this week will be the uwct route. normal rules apply. controlled till the group gets to helena valley, then race pace until guilford. 15 – 20 minute regroup, then home along guilford road.
ride routes – you wouldn’t believe it would you. it has been perfectly fine all week and now that the weekend is almost upon us, they are predicting rain for saturday morning. this would have to be a record for us having so many saturday mornings washed out. what always surprises me is just how many people still turn up on a rainy day. if you do turn up, ride to conditions and look after each other.
saturday 4th june
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 reverse river 40.58km spr saturday
women’s main 1, 2 & 3 – tv stations 50.29km spr saturday
fast & main groups – tv stations 50.29km spr saturday
sunday 5th june
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 – coffee ride
short – khna weir 72.23km spr sunday
long – spr 2016 uwct training course
monday 6th june – wa day
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am
south stock 33.76km spr monday
all rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am
public hol 58.97km spr special
tuesday 7th june
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
ride starts frasers carpark at 5:45am
development group – interval training kings park
wednesday 8th june
ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am
interval training – stock road repeats
thursday 9th june
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30arm
spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
ride starts frasers carpark at 5:45am
development group – interval training kings park
friday 10th june
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am
Thanks Pete, picking the real target with a level head as always. I appreciate your insight and patience.