Ride routes 28th Nov – 4th Dec

Released into the wild last weekend was the new ride leaders kit. A slight variation on the current kit but different enough to stand out in a crowd of green. So, you may ask “why are these people so special that they deserve a different kit?” Well they have earnt it and continue to earn it almost every week. Being a ride leader takes a bit of training, a bit of time and a lot of effort. It isn’t about being responsible for the group, as everyone on our group rides is responsible for their own and others safety, rather it is giving guidance to the group to try to make sure that everyone has a positive ride experience. What makes that hard is the sheer number of variables that they encounter. Not just traffic, wind direction, and weather, but also the fact that every single rider in the group is an unknown factor that needs to be considered. Who is dropping off, who is surging, who is a bit unsteady, the ride leader will take all of this into account and give direction to the group. They are what holds our training riders apart from other groups in Perth. They deserve the to have appreciation shown to them and that is what the jersey represents.

The Rules – just a reminder that it isn’t business as usual.

As we progress through WA’s phased approach to reopening, how the club interacts within itself and the wider community will also change.
Rightly or wrongly, the lack of community transmission in the state has meant that a lot of the social distancing rules have disappeared. As such we want to streamline what the requirements are from a club perspective. Basically there are 3 main things we want people to keep in mind.

  • The virus can spread via human contact, so minimise the amount of touching between people and each others bikes/helmets etc.
  • No spitting, snotting or sneezing within the group. If you need to, move to the back of the group, but please look behind you to make sure that it is clear of traffic. That is all traffic, not just bikes. We don’t want some dash-cam footage of someone blowing their nose on a car.
  • Personal hygiene becomes very important in the spread of the virus so make sure that you either wash your hands whenever you can or carry a small container of hand sanitiser. Limit your exposure to common surfaces (chairs, tables) and don’t be sharing items.

Ride Leader Jersey Presentation – As the new kit has changed the look of the club we also need to refresh the look of the ride leaders. This Saturday after the main ride, any members who are ride leaders will receive their new Mayeur Ride Leader Jersey. Members of the committee will be on hand to present the jerseys in recognition of the commitment that the ride leaders make to keeping the rides safe and organised. This will take place from about 8:45am and will be around the raised platform behind the old church/school adjacent to the coffee shop. All members are welcome to help give the ride leaders the recognition they deserve.

Juniors – Pre-Covid we had a fairly stable cohort of juniors that were riding every Saturday. We didn’t kick juniors off again straight after lockdown as we were not sure how long that freedom would last. Now coming towards the end of the year most of the regulars have other commitments/less interest in riding on a regular basis. As such we don’t really have a consistent leadership team to run it as we would like. Hopefully this may change post Christmas when the nice weather gets more people out and about, but like most of our rides, we will just play it by ear and let it develop organically.

Thursday Group Ride – There is now a fourth group available during the Thursday training ride leaving from the cityside of the narrows at 5:30am. This will be a Main 2+ speed and not the frantic pace of the rest of the Thursday groups. If you are interested in having a go at the Thursday ride and have thought it would be too fast, there is now an option for you.

Our commitment to Core Values – We are a diverse club that made a point early on of committing to a number of core values to which we have built everything upon. These are – Safe, Inclusive, Organised & Social. It is under these values that we want all club interaction to occur, whether on the road or in cyberspace. Please read the previous post so you understand what we as a club, expect from you as members.

Where do i need to stand again?

Saturday Start Locations – In order to adhere to the new gathering regulations, we need to slightly change the meeting points of the groups. There is a 100 person gathering limit and when all groups are combined, we often exceed that when everyone is waiting for the start. There was a discussion about different start times for different groups, but what we settled on was moving half the groups to different sides of the carpark. This is not ideal as there are usually more cars using the eastern most parks, but we will just have to work around that for now. We understand that the COVID risk isn’t high, but it is more about how the club is viewed from outside. So, please congregate in the assigned locations, so we can continue to hold group rides in the future.

From the Ride Coordinator – Can you believe it! It’s only 4 weeks to Christmas. Yes Christmas. For many, this weekend is the weekend that the decorations go up, around and/or inside the house. Lots of people are now starting to think about the gifts they intend to give, or how they are going to spend the time over the festive season. Many will be flat out with projects to complete, at home or at work. For some this will be a Christmas where they may be separated due to pandemic restrictions and they maybe thinking of how they are going to connect.
What’s the so what of all this Christmas stuff you may be thinking for our rides.
Well it’s pretty simple – it’s busy and this time of year people are distracted.
With safety as being one of the 4 core values that this club holds dear, it’s always important for us to look after each other when on rides, but this time of year we all need to be extra vigilant as we share the road with motorists who will also be distracted.
So if you decide to ride with us this weekend, be a little patient with others you share the road with, be supportive of your fellow riders in your group and keep safety at the forefront of your thoughts as you head out of the car park.
You’ve come so far through a tumultuous 2020, don’t spoil it now!
PS: Just 2 reminders.
Tomorrow (Friday 27) is the last Friday in the month, so the SPR Chicks ride is on again, leaving from the north side of the Narrows at 6am.
Secondly, for those ride leaders who are yet to collect their new kit, the jerseys will be available again after this Saturday’s ride at the coffee shop, from around 8.30 onwards

Saturday 28th November

Sunday 29th November

Monday 30th November

Tuesday 1st December

  • Ride starts under the Narrows (cityside) at 5:30am
  • Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
    • Development group – interval training kings park

Wednesday 2nd December

Thursday 3rd December

Friday 4th December