I did promise to write up our annual Social and Race Awards this week… read on for all the details. And even a few select photos – although there are *lots* on Facebook already.
Hopefully you are all having a “relaxing” break for Christmas and the New Year. Clearly, “relaxing” includes riding ridiculous kilometres on the bike if the SPR Xmas 500 is anything to go by. As of this writing, we have 1,099kms ridden and 9,807m vertical metres climbed as the top of the leaderboard, and a significant number of rouleurs who have already completed 500km. Kudos.
Enjoy the rest of the break.
Daniel
SPR Social & Race Awards — Each year SPR recognises riders and volunteers for their achievements and contributions to all things cycling. Read below for the nominations for this year’s awards. Respect.
Most Inspirational Rider — Jayant Ashford. What an amazing story of recovery and persistence. We saw you on the ground after the horrifying crash on the short hills ride and at that time I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to walk again. Reading about how you got back on the bike despite all the injuries was remarkable. Racing in the ToMR this year was astounding. You have inspired us all.
Most Improved Rider — Amy Currie. Amy was a standout in this category and has won the award two years running. She has trained hard and made a huge transformation in her training & racing skills to represent the club & the country at the Masters Worlds for gravel. She gives everything a go.
Good Samaritan — Michael Bonner. Michael has won about every award in SPR and this year he is recognised for his selfless giving of time and support for other cyclists. He regularly helps me and others in our greatest moment of need, when in the red, about to get dropped, by slowing and offering his wheel, steadily dragging us back to the group! We call it the Mike Bonners Wheel Appreciation Club (MBWAC)! He is the Chicks favourite train!
Epic Moment or Equipment — Joint winners Mark de Castro & Belinda Evans. Mark de Castro, on ToMR stage 2, his bike was nearly written off by a rear ender into his derailleur and he managed to stay upright …and calm as always. He went on to change over to another bike removing many parts including the kick stand and bike carrier in the break. He finished the next stage that day and continued the next day.. on a different bike again – all the right size.
Belinda drank a 500mL can of V before a crit hoping to break-away on the first lap, only to lose her 200m lead by chucking twice on the first lap and missing a corner mid spew and skidding into a fence. Better luck next time V girl! PS Stick to drinking beer!
Ride Leader Award — Laurensia Rosana. Laurensia is an awesome ride leader looking out for everyone! She gives clear instructions, ensures that everyone works together well in the groups, and meets at the regroup point. It is one of safest groups to ride with.
Volunteer Award — Steve Burns. Steve was a standout in this category and anyone who knows Steve will understand that this is truly well deserved recognition. Steve spends an extra 30hrs on top of full-time hours to ensure successful events…. It goes without saying! What a legend, so many hours, such passion, always working the bunch.
Special mention too for Michelle Bonner who is also recognised as a caring and resourceful Volunteer. She is a class above when it comes to helping out, the true club Mum.
Best Race Contribution (female) — Lily Handoyo. Lily has shown tremendous improvement competing this year in the ToMR.
Best Race Contribution (male) — Sam Mettam. Sam has trained so hard this year and his performance in the TOMR is proof of this. The improvement is not only in the speed but also his approach. To watch Sam in crits now is very exciting!
President’s Award — Adrian Emilsen. Adrian is the epitome of what it means to be club member. He is a Ride Leader extraordinaire, regularly leading rides and respected by all. Adrian regularly offers up his “office” to run SPR events (thank you Melody Wheels), and is a strong contributor across the board when it comes to all things SPR. And a keen cyclist to boot. Adrian is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the SPR President’s Award for 2022.
Club Participant — Petra Bauer. It is a pleasure to award the Club Participant Award for 2022 to Petra. Petra is a much-loved Ride Leader, particularly when it comes to the Sunday Social Hills ride. She has a level head in all situations, is a keen contributor when it comes to choosing and improving our hills ride routes, not to mention an excellent Tour of Margaret River team member. Kudos Petra.
Best Dressed Award — Shirley Vine and Andrew Ballam. A picture is worth a thousand words – so they say – so I will let you check out the photos below.
PS Not everyone was there to receive their award, and I think I missed a few photos. Sorry!
Racing this weekend – If you want to race, or get in on the action watching others race, read on.
1. RCCC Twilight World Champs @ DRMC Rnd 4
From the Ride Coordinator — 2022 done and dusted. We added some new ride routes for Sunday hills, and we’d like that to become a more regular thing. This week saw some massive miles ridden by our members with a few looking like topping 1,000km for the Festive 500. Despite that, it’s great to see SPR crash statistics showing significantly fewer than average spills for November and December. Keep it up – it means we’re paying more attention in groups, as inattention is by far the biggest cause of crashes.
Regulating the size of groups is also an important preventative measure, and it’s been great to see the cooperation from riders at the starts keeping group sizes to around 15. Another way to reduce risk is by riding with a group that matches your ability on the day. If you’re feeling strong, or want to push yourself, try moving up a group rather than pushing a group beyond their normal ability. It makes the ride safer and more enjoyable for all.
I copped a bit of flack for the hilly ride route last Saturday – so we’re going for a nice flat one this week – Alexander Drive – which we haven’t ridden since February! Enjoy, and have a safe, fun and festive new year.
Saturday 31st December
- 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 Reverse River 40.58km SPR Saturday
- Fast, Main – Alexander Drive 50.47km SPR Saturday
- SPR Zwift – <not this week>
Sunday 1st January – New Year’s Day
- Rides start at Coode St carpark at 6:00am (‼️SUMMER TIME‼️)
- Short – Kal Goose 64.50km SPR Sunday
- Long – Kal Obs Goose 94.37km SPR Sunday
- Rides start at Coode st carpark at 6:00am (‼️SUMMER TIME‼️)
- Development group – coffee ride
- Short Hills (Social) – Kal Goose 64.50km SPR Sunday
Monday 2nd January – New Years Holiday
- Ride starts under the Narrows (Sth Perth side) at 5:30am
- All rides start at Coode st carpark at 7:00am
- Fast, Main – Public Holiday North 65.80km SPR Special
Tuesday 3rd January
- Ride starts under the Narrows (city side) at 5:30am
- Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
- Development group – interval training kings park
Wednesday 4th January
- Ride starts Raffles bike path at 5:30am
- Interval training – stock road repeats
- Rides start at Coode St carpark at 10:00am
- Midweek Transitional – <returns March 2023>
Thursday 5th January
- Ride starts under the Narrows (city side) at 5:30am
- Ride starts Frasers ave at 5:45am
- Development group – interval training kings park
Friday 6th January
- Ride starts under the Narrows (Sth Perth side) at 5:30am