so there was a discussion i was involved in the other day around what would make cycling more popular. people often bring up the netherlands example and how they converted a car-centric city into one with a bike focus. these are all wonderful things that happened back in the 70’s before politicians were afraid of “popular” opinion via social media. for perth, however, i think that there is a pathway in which people become cyclists. now, i am not just talking about people that ride bikes, but rather those that believe that their lifestyle revolves around bike riding. it doesn’t have to be racing, but those that do what we as a club do on the weekend. anecdotally, people usually make a decision to ride a bike for some reason (weight loss, fitness, knee problems). from there they start to think about maybe doing an event (the old great perth or freeway ride). to achieve that they start to consider commuting a few days a week, or join a club or group. after a while they are hooked and start spending most of their paypacket on bike gear. so how do we encourage any of these parts to increase popularity. the previous state government put out a long term bike plan a year or so ago. it that was the plan for a bridge linking mosman with pt walter with dalkeith. as this would be a bike and pedestrian only bridge, it would effectively cut the travel time from any of those suburbs to the city by half. so really, once the trip on a bike at a leisurely pace becomes faster than a car, people will see it as a viable alternative. this also applies to the major bike paths along the freeway. most have not been made as a major bicycle corridor as the public still see riding as a fringe activity. skinny paths that are poorly maintained and intersected by roads. all of these things make commuting more difficult. make it easier and more people on bikes means less cars on the road equals less congestion.
ride leader sponsor – the ride leader sponsor for august is Chaotic Energy. they are an exercise and rehabilitation centre with a difference. the general exercise membership gives you access to state of the art equipment (including a number of wahoo kickr’s for those rainy days) and includes personalised gym programming and ongoing support to achieve your goals. the calm and professional atmosphere has specifically been created to enable you to get the most out of your training.
bike parking on saturday – My dear club mates and customers….
When you come for coffee on Saturday morning can you please please please not put your bikes on the Basilica cafe across the plaza. They (and their security company) complain constantly about bikes resting on their building.
I do my best to shield you from their antagonism, but, I need your help. Please feel free to rest your bikes on my cafe wall wherever they fit. Dome loves bikes – and we will do our best to accommodate you – even when you’re sweaty and gross and pay with money covered in gel goo and perspiration! Ive heard recently that some of our custom bike racks are dying, and Im investigating replacements as we speak. Thanks everyone – please keep coming – but please help me keep the peace with the neighbours. – Love Toby (Dome)
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.
spr juniors – we have started our saturday juniors rides and we will be ridng again this week as long as the weather holds out. this is for kids 10-15 yrs old and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. the route is listed below and involves laps in kings park. it will be between 25-30kms by the time you get back to the carpark, so ensure your kids can cope with that.
from the ride coordinator – Good luck to all the SPR crazies racing the Collie – Donnybrook.
saturday 18th august
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
juniors (10 – 15 yrs with parent) – kings park juniors 23.72km spr saturday
development group – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
transitional 1/2 – trans rebold 38.69km spr saturday
fast/main – alexander drive 50.46km spr saturday
sunday 19th august
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 – brktn weir 82.89km spr sunday
long – cann dam 100.13km spr sunday
monday 20th august
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am
south stock 33.76km spr monday
tuesday 21st august
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 22nd august
ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am
interval training – stock road repeats
thursday 23rd august
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 24th august
ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am