Tour of Margaret River EOI — Keep your eye on this space tomorrow for SPR’s TOMR 2025 Expression of Interest (didn’t quite get it together this evening (on a flight home ).

Tour of Blackwood 2025 — A strong SPR contingent headed South for the Tour of Blackwood on 22 March. The courses offered either the Full Tour (130km, 1684m), Half and Best (64km, 841m) or the newly introduced gravel course (88.4km, 1106m).

Whilst touted as ‘not a race’, it’s clear many were contesting that definition , with some excellent performances across the different courses. The terrain is familiar to TOMR riders, with punchy hills and very little flat, topped off with stunning scenery on a glorious day. The Tour aims to raise community awareness regarding youth mental health, allowing for education and de-stigmatisation of mental illness and the 456 riders raised over $70,000 dollars for a range of projects.

This is an excellent event, with a great community atmosphere and well-marshalled roads- definitely one for the diary next year again https://www.blackwoodtour.info/.

Paris Roubaix Live on the Big Screen — Adrian Emilsen with the Spartans Cycling Club presents another great night of entertainment  featuring the live screening of the biggest one day bike race, The Paris Roubaix, shown live on the big screen in the Garage of the Local Hotel, South Fremantle.  All tickets  include a brand new Rapha cycling cap worth $40  collected on entry.  All proceeds of the evening will be given to Sophia Sammons to assist with her travels and upkeep on her European racing commitments. Sophia is well on her way to a  career as a professional cyclist but needs all the help she can get to kick start it.

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

1. PDCC Hilly TT & BBQ 2025

2. WA Cyclocross 2025 Numbat Cup – Round 1

3. WCMCC Herne Hill Road Race

4. MCC Stan Gurney VC Memorial Criterium (25 Apr)

5. CCC Tom Lowry Memorial Road Race (3 May)

Juniors Ride — No ride this Saturday . Check back next week.

From the Ride Coordinator — Weather conditions for Saturday are looking benign, so to avoid further disappointment we are having another crack at Maddington for the fast & main route. We are expecting a tailwind for the Warton & Kelvin Rds section which should be a nice change.

Another reminder to practise smooth group starts from a stop. Moderate your speed when pulling away from lights, and once everyone is moving the front riders can then increase the pace.

Lots of extra riding opportunities coming up for Easter.  A fabulous ride is the SPR VP’s Good Friday ride. There are two routes from which to choose with different start times & distances. Of course, for those who don’t do hills, there’s the Public Holiday South ride.

And….. don’t forget, be seen in green on Saturday! 

Saturday 12th April

• 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 Reabold 38.69km SPR Saturday
  • Fast, Main – Maddington 51.87km SPR Saturday
  • (*) Please note that our Ride Leaders will adjust the composition and route for Development, Transition and Main 4 to suit people and conditions on the day.

Sunday 13th April

• Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am (WINTER TIME)
  • Short – Khna Palm Pom 61.08km SPR Sunday
  • Long – Can Mills Peet Obs 87.12km SPR Sunday
• Rides start at Coode st carpark at 7:00am (WINTER TIME)
  • Development group – coffee ride
  • Short Hills (Social) – Khna Palm Pom 61.08km SPR Sunday
• Rides start at Bellevue RSL at 6:00am
  • Gravel Ride – Midland Bellevue round trip Heritage Trail (restart post-TOMR)

Monday 14th April

• Ride starts under the Narrows (Sth Perth side) at 5:30am
  • south stock 33.76km spr Monday

Tuesday 15th April

• Ride starts under the Narrows (city side) at 5:30am
  • spr tuesday 36.37km (river ride)

Wednesday 16th April

• Ride starts under the Narrows (Sth Perth side) at 5:30am
  • SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)

Thursday 17th April

• Ride starts under the Narrows (city side) at 5:30am
  • see previous post for ride groups
  • spr thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)

Friday 18th April – Good Friday Public Holiday

• Ride starts under the Narrows (Sth Perth side) at 5:30am
  • SPR Friday Alternate 38.43km (Shelley)
• Ride starts at Coode st carpark at 6:00am (Medio starts at 7:00am)
  • 12th Annual VP’s Good Friday Ride Full
  • 12th Annual VP’s Good Friday Ride Medio
• All rides start at Coode st carpark at 7:00am
  • Fast, Main – Public Holiday South 57.64km SPR Special