so i have mentioned a number of time before about the imaginary “rules” of cycling also known as the “velominati”.  ex-pro rider phil gaimon has also taken exception to the fact that some people use these rules to belittle or exclude others.  even as an actual pro rider, people were telling him how to look pro.  so below are his new rules for cycling.  with the exception of rule #7 where in australia it is a little different due to laws, i pretty much agree with his list, especially #3.

The New Rules of Cycling: AKA Philuminati

Rule #1: Everyone riding a bike and being safe and having fun is doing it right.
Rule #2: Wear whatever the hell you want.
Rule #3: Nothing on your bike has to match. Cycling is already expensive, complicated, elitist, and often sexist and racist. Don’t make it harder because someone’s tires aren’t the same brand.
Rule #4: A Gran Fondo is as competitive as you want it to be, but the group ride is a workout, not a race. You should have no feelings about winning, not winning, who crossed the imaginary line first for no prize or how they did it.
Rule #5: In traffic, we take the space we need, obey the laws that make sense for us, and try to be courteous. Pedestrians have right of way. If you want cars to respect cyclists, cyclists have to respect people on foot.
Rule #6: We all wave to each other. This includes triathletes, commuters, e-bikes, homeless people, and scooters. We’re in this together. The enemy is car culture.
Rule #7: If you’re not into helmets that’s your decision, but do respect the policies of who you’re riding with. We don’t helmet shame (adult) strangers we see without them, but don’t show up on the group ride like that if that’s not how everyone else does it.
Rule #8: Strava is a social media platform, not a race. Follow Strava’s policies, express yourself with your cool bike rides and your pictures and fitness. If you lose a KOM, you remember that a KOM means nothing. You give Kudos and get inspired to improve and try to take it back.
Rule #9: For f_cks sake don’t litter. I can’t believe I have to say that.
Rule #10: Suffering is a choice–not a rule. You’re no more of a cyclist than someone else because you go faster or they stay home when it’s raining.
Rule #11 (This is broad to cover anything I’m missing): Don’t be a dick.

ride leader sponsor –there is no ride leader sponsor for august.  if you want to promote your business to our 400 members and 2500 facebook followers, get in contact with the club.

entertainment book – once again we are selling the entertainment book as a fundraiser for the club.  available as a digital version, you can carry it anywhere on your phone to make sure that you never miss out on those discounts.  if you do want a physical book, these are still available but you must select a postage option.  click here to order your new book.  there are usually different weekly offers on when you buy your entertainment book.

weekend racing – here is what is on offer this weekend if you want to pin a number on.

• wacx state championships

SPR ToMR 2019 –ToMR EOI’s are closed and details and costs are being finalised.
If you are still interested but didn’t register, see the Race@SPR crew this Saturday. Be quick or be ready for next year!

ToMR Breakaway 2019 – There’s more to ToMR than just racing ToMR!!! ToMR are hosting their “Breakaway” rides – get to ride the full race courses ahead of the race in a fully supported group.
Last year, that group was headed up by none other than Jens Voigt – who else would you get to lead a Breakaway if Thomas De Gendt isn’t available? If there is suitable demand from non-racing SPR members, we can look towards packaging an accommodation bundle to travel with the SPR ToMR-ers. If you like bikes and riding it is one of the best weekends away all year.  For more info on the Breakaway rides, check out the ToMR event website. Email if you are interested or chat to Steve or Greg after Saturday Main rides at Dome.

memberships new changes – if you are a member of another club and want to change to spr then it is simply a matter of calling up  cycling australia memberships and giving them your membership number.  i have requested that an additional fee is not required and most people don’t care what club is written on their card as long as they are in the right club in the system. it should be a zero fee transaction and if they ask for anything, tell them to contact the club.

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 – CANCELLED.  a bit of a discussion with the other parents and we have decided to put the juniors ride on hold over winter.  the last few weeks have been too wet and the prediction is for more rain on saturday.  even if it is not wet, then 2 deg in kings park is not pleasant and we want to make sure that the kids are actually having fun.  we will reassess mid august as to when to start up again.

from the ride coordinator – How exciting was this year’s Tour De France ! It had a bit of everything. From the local hero bolting to the front, eventually being reeled in by one of the young guns of the sport. Then of course there was the intervention from Mother Nature herself to curb the ambitions of many. Does this remind you of our Thursday or Saturday rides ? Looks like we may squeeze our Main Ride this weekend before another weather event hits. But you can almost guarantee it wont be as dramatic as last week in France.

saturday 3rd 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 – CANCELLED over winter

development group –  novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday

transitional 1/2 – trans reabold 38.69km spr saturday

fast/main – karrinyup 52.14km spr saturday

sunday 4th august

rides start at coode st carpark at 7:00am

development group – coffee ride

short – kal goose 67.63km spr sunday

long – darl richardson weir 89.01km spr sunday

monday 5th august

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

south stock 33.76km spr monday

tuesday 6th august

ride starts under the narrows (cityside) at 5:30am

spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)

wednesday 7th august

ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am

interval training – stock road repeats

thursday 8th 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 9th august

ride starts under the narrows (sth perth side) at 5:30am

spr friday 42.01km (shelley)

friday training/recovery ride