Ride Routes 25th – 31st March

Good evening all,

So it has been an eventful week. The end of the crit season is upon us with the States this weekend. The Cyclocross season begins with Party in the Park – CX O’Day 23 this weekend (if you’re new to CX, do reach out – many SPR members are very experienced and would be happy to talk you through it all). And the start of the road season is imminent.

It’s all happening. And that does not cover the incident on our most recent Sunday Hills ride. More on that below.

But first I want to send out 💚 and kudos to SPR green on the podium with the PDCC 22-23 Summer Criterium Race 5 last weekend:

  • B Grade – Claire Rapson 1st

Plus a special mention to Elar Kalda, back on the bike and placing 6th after crashing out at the Perth City Criterium several weeks back.

Now to less enjoyable but equally important topics. Following our discussion last week regarding safety, we unfortunately had a relatively serious accident last Sunday descending Welshpool. The accident occurred at speed (70+km/h) on the main section of the descent, and resulted in three riders coming off. Two riders ended up in hospital with broken bones and some serious gravel rash. We are thankful that it was not more serious, and in particular offer thanks to the SPR riders who assisted at the scene and arranged transport and assistance.

The Committee met on Monday evening, and as would be expected, this event – and the safety implications – were discussed in some detail. Whilst some of what occurred last Sunday is still being ascertained, we do have a some thoughts I would like to share.

Firstly, whilst we have removed some routes from our Sunday Hills catalogue due to risks associated with descents, that is not our assessment in this case. Welshpool Road is a fast descent, but is also one of the safest on the SPR list, with an excellent surface, good visibility and lots of room for cars and bikes on the dual carriage way. Not to mention that it is the descent we use most by a significant margin, and this is the first accident of this type we have on record (and we have kept very good records since 2017).

Having said that, please take care when descending, particularly fast descents like Welshpool Road. Some comments with particular emphasis on Welshpool:

  1. Stay in the left lane (leave the right lane for other vehicles).
  2. Look ahead and maintain situational awareness of other riders in the group, and of the traffic in the right-hand-lane.
  3. Maintain a safe distance to the rider in front of you, allowing for the speed at which you are travelling.
  4. Stay left where possible, allowing other riders to roll past on your right to come to the front.
  5. Keep your hands on drops and fingers on the brakes, being careful to brake carefully (you do not want the brakes to grab at speed).
  6. Pay attention to you posture on the bike when descending fast, remembering to relax as this gives better control.

Please ride safely.

Final reminder that our AGM is coming up on the Saturday 25 March (with voting running online this week closing tomorrow night). Details will be in your email – get in touch if you have not received them.

And a reminder to register for our upcoming Water Tower Challenge. All the details below.

Daniel

B Grade Podium
Women’s B

 

SPR Water Tower Challenge 2023 — It’s back!! After some scheduling issues last year, we are pleased to announce that SPR’s epic adventure – available in both imperial and metric editions – has been locked in for Sunday 2 April 2023.

Read our previous blog post or sign up on EntryBoss now, and choose from two all new courses.

SPR Water Tower Challenge 2023

This is a fundraiser for the club and helps support our Ride Leader Program that both members and non-members enjoy 365 days a year.

 Party in the Park – CX O’Day 23 — Cyclocross is back in WA, time to inflate the 33mm tyres, lube the chain and remember what it is like to race in the red, on grass, hop over barriers whilst smiling.

Grades (Women and Men together)

CX Freshers (20mins), First time CX Racer – this grade is for you (we at WACX really hope that you will love cross as much as well all do.)

Keeping the US college theme going…
CX Sophomore (30 mins), Done a couple of CX racers (not more than seven) want to remember what is required and how much fun CX is.

CX Senior (40mins), Raced more than seven, please self seed at the start line.

The U13 will have the opportunity to ride the whole course, U9 will be doing the half lap (to save their parents backs!)

Licensing – All riders including U9 & U13 will need a Race Off Road which is $50 for the year – unfortunately no valid license no start in 2023.

Please plan ahead, please enter early – you have been warned.

Enter via EntryBoss https://entryboss.cc/races/15023

ENTRIES WILL CLOSE Friday 24th March.

Racing this weekend – If you want to race, or get in on the action watching others race, read on.

1. NDCC WA State Criterium Championship

2. WCMCC Herne Hill Graded Scratch Road Race

3. WA Cyclocross Party in the Park – CX O’Day 23

 

From the Ride Coordinator — With the AGM on Saturday, we’d like to get everyone back to Dome by 9am, so we have one of the shortest (and oldest) rides, Canning Vale & Welshpool. Fingers crossed for green lights and not too many cross winds.

Many of the recent spate of crashes have occurred at roundabouts – both large and small, so please take extra care at the roundabouts on Nicholson and William Rd, before and after we cross Albany Hwy. Remember that the road camber (sideways slope) on roundabouts is almost always the wrong way – so slow down, give each other space, and enjoy the ride.

On Sunday we have our third and final Dams Training session open to all participants. Please work with the ride leaders to ensure a good experience for all.

Saturday 25th March

Sunday 26th March

Monday 27th March

Tuesday 28th March

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

Wednesday 29th March

Thursday 30th March

Friday 31st March