SPR Club Members will know that the club has been advocating for the improved training and development facilities for cycling for many years now.
That is not to say that Perth does not have excellent cycling facilities in many regards — the ongoing improvements to our PSPs are a great example. And I know that our members as residents of South Perth and the surrounding suburbs, benefit greatly from these investments into our community.
Equally, we have been very aware that from a sports perspective, there is a clear need to invest in the future of our sport to improve opportunities for participation as well as ensuring pathways for our young people to pursue cycling, from junior through to the elite level.
We were excited by the announcement by Rita Saffioti MLA in January about the facility in Burswood which would encompassing motor racing, sport including a criterium track as well as improved community facilities. The announcement was made whilst the Road Nationals were running, and included AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner who was over as part of the running of the nationals. From an SPR perspective, it has been wonderful to see engagement with AusCycling and WestCycle for this new facility.
The launch yesterday of consultation for the Perth Entertainment and Sporting Precinct is more great news on this front and I encourage all SPR members and the broader SPR community to get involved in the consultation to give voice to cycling as part of this important process.
Check out the website:
From a club perspective, we see some of the important aspects of the new precinct being:
Racing. Running competitive sport racing, both criterium and road racing has become increasingly difficult in recent years, particularly in the inner city suburbs. The introduction of the proposed new criterium track will significantly lower the barriers to running regular racing within our community, and racing that can be conducted with almost no imposition on the broader community (think traffic management and the like).
Off-the-road training. A key aspect of introducing our young people to the sport of cycling is the ability to provide safe and consistently available training spaces and facilities. Whilst cyclists will always ride further afield — think of our cycling around the “river loop” and heading to the hills for a training ride — the ability to undertake training in a safe environment without cars is a huge enabler when thinking about parents being able to introduce their children to the sport of cycling.
Pathways to Elite Sport. We have had some amazing elite cyclists originate from Perth (check out the honour roll at Midland Cycling Club!), and we want to that this continues. A key part of finding athletes of this calibre and enabling them to pursue the sport of cycling is having the infrastructure to be able to provide pathways for participation — starting at the junior right through to the elite level. Having cycling facilities colocated with an off-the-road track will contribute hugely to providing these pathways — whether it be club facilities, AusCycling facilities or spaces for coaches to operate.
So this is great news, and I encourage all SPR members to participate in the process to ensure cycling get the community voice its needs as the WA Government plans the Perth Entertainment and Sporting Precinct.
Some links for reading: AusCycling, WestCycle, Rita Saffioti MLA, and WA Government.
Finally, I wish everyone participating in the Seven Gravel Race this weekend every success
See you out on the bike.
Daniel
SPR Giro d’Italia Dinner — The 108th edition of the classic grand tour Giro d’Italia starts 9 May in Durrës, Albanian and finishes on 1 June in Rome. The club is having a dinner on Tuesday 27 May at the Italian restaurant Bravo’s in East Vict Park to celebrate – fabulous food and friendly staff make it special.
Bring family and join friends for a classic Italian meal.
Menu $68.50 pp for a 3-course meal – fully licensed. Select your dietary requirements at checkout.
Check out the website:
Tour of Margaret River Information Night — As we start planning for Tour of Margaret River 2025 (racing from 31 October to 2 November, with accommodation from 30 October to 3 November), we’re pleased to announce that we will be holding an information night on Thursday 22 May.
Unfortunately, due to logistical issues we’ve had to delay our information night. More details soon.
💚
Racing this weekend – If you want to race, or get in on the action watching others race, read on.
1. Seven
2. WCMCC Dog Hill Baldavis Road Race – (Saturday 24/May)
3. PDCC Harvey Road Race #2 (25/May)
4. WA Cyclocross 2025 Numbat Cup – Round 3 (25/May)
Juniors Ride — Thank you for everyone who came to the Juniors CX training last weekend! We had a great turnout and some excellent training (thank you Tom B 💚). Check out the photos below.
With myself and lots of people away this weekend for a race in Nannup, there will be no usual Saturday ride with the juniors.
However, try to take advantage of the nice and warm weather and get out with your kids for a ride on your own !
Note: There will be no road training on Saturday.
From the Ride Coordinator — At SPR, we encourage all riders to familiarise themselves with the planned route before joining a group ride.
Not knowing the next turn can increase the risk of accidents — for you and others in the group.
Saturday 17th May
- 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 Shelley 40.59km SPR Saturday
- Fast, Main – Hale & Ridge Hill 50.58km 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 18th May
- Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am (WINTER TIME)
- Rides start at Coode st carpark at 7:00am (WINTER TIME)
- Development group – coffee ride
- Short Hills (Social) – Zig zag, Hummerston 71.79km SPR Sunday
Monday 19th May
- Ride starts under the Narrows (Sth Perth side) at 5:30am
Tuesday 20th May
- Ride starts under the Narrows (city side) at 5:30am
Wednesday 21st May
- Ride starts under the Narrows (Sth Perth side) at 5:30am
Thursday 22nd May
- Ride starts under the Narrows (city side) at 5:30am
Friday 23rd May
- Ride starts under the Narrows (Sth Perth side) at 5:30am