we all know that group riding takes a different skill set than riding by yourself. one of the biggest differences is understanding just where to position your bike in relation to the rider in front of you, to maximise the draft you can get. being able to ride longer and faster is often determined by how much energy you can save when travelling behind someone. so we all know that if the wind is coming from the left, then the group needs to echelon out to the right, with each rider positioning themselves to the right of the person in front. you see it on flat windy stages of the tour, with the group essentially forming a diagonal line across the road. well thursday earlybird is not the tour and so we need to be mindful of other road users. what is not always obvious to drivers behind us, is that we are still only riding two-abreast. what they do see, however, is a scattering of riders, taking up most of the lane. the call of “car back” was made and the majority of the group tightened up, but some didn’t want to give up their position. this is generally those that are struggling to keep pace and know that if they drop the wheel, they might not get back on. it is kind of a survival instinct, if you will. getting dropped, though, is probably not the worse thing that can happen to you. coming to grief with a frustrated tradie that decided to pass anyway, can have a devastating affect on the group ride, not surprisingly even worse than a cross-wind. i keep coming back to this all the time. be spatially aware. know where everything is at all times and you can put yourself in a better position to be able to keep riding. getting dropped on port beach road is not the end of the world. you won’t be the first to ride back by yourself and you wont be the last.
ride leader sponsor – the ride leader sponsor for june is wa cyclocross. cyclocross is a cross between road and mountain biking usually held on a grass or dirt circuit. there are divisions for all abilities and a kids race before on a shortened circuit.
check out any of the events coming up soon and get on down to ring a cowbell.
earlybird lights – the nights are dark and full of terrors, so that is why you need to have a good set of operating lights on your bike during the earlybird. on the thursday group 3 ride, there were 3 people that did not have operating lights on their bikes. if it is a once off “my lights just died” situation, then fine, but don’t argue, just apologise and say you will have them fixed before the next ride. there is a very big risk that you can be cleaned up by a car because they can’t see you. especially since people seem to wear a lot of black kit during winter. if your lights are repeatably failing, then it is time to buy some new ones. as we have always said, no front flashers and make sure your rear is not on retina burn mode for the people trying to follow your wheel.
spr retro roll – as part of the beverley heroic weekend, we are partnering with mr vesparazzi for the spr retro roll – saturday 30 June, 7am coode street,
retro jersey or retro bike come ride with spr. ride leaders will take the group over a 40-50km ride ending at Dome Westralia Square. there you can display your bike, parade your jersey and #bheroic.
spr tomr 2018 – are you interested in this years tour of margaret river??? if so, check out the previous post for more information and send in your expression of interest. make sure you read some of the race reports to understand just how good this event is, or have a chat to a previous entrant at the coffee shop after the ride.
entertainment books – we will again be selling entertainment books this year through the club. the digital versions actually come online now and last years don’t finish till the end of june allowing you twice as many offers for 3 months. check out the links on the previous post to find out more.
saturday start locations – we have revamped the group start locations on saturday morning. please have a look at the map so you know where your group will congregate. this makes it easier for ride leaders to give you a briefing before the ride starts. see the previous post for more details.
from the ride coordinator – Please note that after the section through Whiteman Park, the first 1.5km of Marshall Rd has roadworks and is restricted to a single lane
saturday 16th 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 1/2 – trans benara 39.90km spr saturday
fast/main – whiteman park 50.4km spr saturday
sunday 17th 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 – kal goose 67.63km spr sunday
long – kal chook obs 89.74km spr sunday
monday 18th june
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am
south stock 33.76km spr monday
tuesday 19th june
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am
development group – interval training kings park
wednesday 20th june
ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am
interval training – stock road repeats
thursday 21st june
ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
see previous post for ride groups
spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
ride starts frasers ave at 5:45am
development group – interval training kings park
friday 22nd june
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am