things do not always go to plan and bike rides/races can often be the worst example of things not going right.  one minute you are riding along in a peloton and next minute you are not even on your bike.  there are many in the club that have experienced something similar, but i am pleased to say that most have got back on the bike and out riding with groups again.  it is what we learn during the process that is important.  what we learn about the incident an what we learn about ourselves when faced with adversity.  what i find most learn is just how valuable bike helmets are when you need them most.

ride leader program – We are now seeking expressions of interest from SPR members who regularly ride with the Main 2, 3 & 4 as well as Transition groups. We currently have a good number of riders from the Main 1 cohort; we really need to boost our numbers further down the line.  please see the previous post for more info.

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

• state championships at bunbury

cycliq camera lights – we have a hit the required amount of orders to get our discount.  we will finalise payment and hopefully get them out next week.

ToMR race team – final teams for the tomr will be announced soon.  we have 3 men’s teams and a women’s team and more importantly a team of awesome volunteers.

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.

The Beverley – a couple of recaps from the beverley race the other weekend.  a race report from kate bonner and a race overview from mo von moinstein.  check them out so you know what you missed out on this year and hopefully inspire you to get on board for next year.

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 – juniors, juniors, juniors. the weather is looking good so get the kids out and onto the bikes.  we had 5 with us last week including a first-timer who climbed 3 hills in kings park.

from the ride coordinator – So – last week’s howling easterly sure played havoc with some of the groups. Conditions like that are always a good test for group riding. Last week at the coffee shop I had a chat with a few people to suggest “best ride ever coming home with the breeze”. But I also got “worse ride ever, group fractured into many groups”. Got me thinking about this group riding stuff and how everybody  is seeking a different challenge in their Saturday rides including “riding the legs off your fellow riders” to “silky smooth roll throughs” with the group working well together. I know which one I prefer. I have a feeling I know which one which brings out the most compliments for the club. Perhaps those who want to ride for themselves could test themselves with an extra stint on the front into the wind, or there is always a step up to the next group as a good way to test yourself. From a ride leaders point of view, we are just trying to maximise the enjoyment for the majority and get everyone back in one piece. On both counts, it’s definitely harder if we are strung out in dribs and drabs and small groups that are tricky for cars to continually pass. Yes – those howling winds sure can challenge the way you think about group riding !

saturday 26th october

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 – kings park juniors 23.72km spr saturday

development group –  novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday

transitional 1/2 – trans canning vale 42.34km spr saturday

fast/main – maddington 51.87km spr saturday

sunday 27th october

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 28th october

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

south stock 33.76km spr monday

tuesday 29th october

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

spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)

wednesday 30th october

ride starts raffles bike path at 5:30am

interval training – stock road repeats

thursday 31st october

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 1st november

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

spr friday 42.01km (shelley)

friday training/recovery ride