The key focus for SPR has always been the training rides. Besides the Monday ride, which we are currently working on, we have at least one ride on every day of the week. Hopefully this caters for most people’s needs, whether it is the balance of work hours, or ride intensity, there should be enough variety to cater for most people. Of course there will be segments that feel that they are underrepresented, but the goal is always to provide what the club and community need. This, has and will change as the club also changes, but being inclusive is one of the cornerstones in which the club was formed.
Winter-time always makes this hard, as numbers are generally lower and therefore the spread of abilities is more pronounced. When the fair weather riders (and there is nothing wrong with being that) come back, there are generally bigger clumps of similar ability riders so it is easier to find a group to suit. The issue for us as a club is how to manage that and ensure that it is giving people what they need without disadvantaging others. Basically an impossible task, most of the time.
A great example of that was in this morning’s earlybird ride. Thursday is the fast day and it is expected that it will be hard no matter which group you are in. However, in group 3 today there were a number of times that the roll through stopped as someone got on the front and drilled it. This strung the group out with only 1 or 2 people attempting to get to the front. At the end of the day this is a group ride and therefore the more of the group that contribute the better. Now, not saying that there isn’t a place for the strong riders, but this was group 3 and if you are going to smash the group, then maybe jumping up to group 2 would have been a better ride for you. No-one looks at you on the front and says “wow, they are so strong”, it most likely gets people to re-evaluate if they will attempt to roll through again, leading to more and more just sitting in and not contributing. Even the person on the front can get disillusioned as they will also think that there is no point riding with the group if they don’t pull their weight.
There is a happy medium, though. If the stronger riders don’t jump up to the faster group, then they need to wind it back so that more people can contribute. At the end of the day, the group should dictate the pace, not just the fastest or slowest rider. Some groups we run are no-drop groups and they will deliberately stop and wait to ensure that riders are not left behind. Thursday is not the day for that and everyone understands that it will be hard. However, trying to smash the group does not make it fun for the majority. I realise that this doesn’t really apply to group 1 as they are trying to make it as hard as possible, but once you are in group 3, there needs to be a level of control or a “rules of engagement” to ensure stability of the group.
Like they say in Zwift, fast is fun, but in group riding smooth is fast, and that is what makes it fun.
There has been a lot of wet weather lately and this further complicates matters. Often when there has been showers overnight, and usual showing of 2-3 groups can be whittled down to just one. This is where we need to enforce a “wet weather protocol”. This is where the faster riders need to wind it back and ride at 80% to not just smash it up entirely. I have seen this occur on Thursday, Friday and Saturday rides, where riders just treat the group like normal, and ride hard at the front. Almost instantly, the majority aren’t rolling and soon riders are off the back.
The club tries to provide for all different segments of the riding community and our regular rides reflect that. Once there is a disruption to that, like cold or rain, riders must remember that these are still club training rides and as such we would like you to look out for all riders in your group. If you are strong, you can still show you are strong by dropping back and drafting someone back to the group. There are no medals or podiums on our rides, but we still want you to get what you need from the rides. Just not at the expense of the group as a whole.
Event Information
TdF Activities for SPR members
The Tour de France this year will be celebrated by South Perth Rouleurs through Alliance Française de Perth with presentations, food and drink inspired by three different regions of the cycling calendar.
Saturday 4 th July 2026 6.00-9.00pm celebrates the grand depart from Barcelona with route highlights, race predictions, festive Spanish themed catering including a cocktail, red wine, food and to top it off, a Chapoutier white wine from Roussillon region.
Thursday 9 th July 2026 6.30-8.30pm Quiz night, three rounds of 10 questions with prizes. An update on the race in the Pyrénées & Grand South-West Stage 6, Pau → Gavarnie, a regional presentation and tastings inspired by the region. Book tables with five people. If you are looking for others to make up your table, please complete this EOI and we will connect you to others who are interested.
Friday 24 th July 2026 6.00-8.30pm Alps Stage 19, Gap → Alpe d’Huez with regional food and tasting, reveal of the sealed jersey predictions from July 4 th and discussion of the most memorable moments of the Tour.
Cost: $63pp for each event separately with discount code ask mailto:admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au.
Any two events is $117pp with discount code; All three costs $166.50pp with discount code. You can provide any dietary needs at time of registration.
For <18yo contact Alliance Française reception 9386 7921 or email mailto:reception@afperth.com.au– cost $50.
Location: 75 Broadway, Nedlands WA
More details and bookings: https://www.afperth.com.au/cultural-events/tour-de-france/
2026 and 2027 international trips –
SPR is again looking to organise trips overseas after the success of ones to the Italian & Swiss Alps 2025 and The Grand Alps France 2024.
Please complete this brief EOI for either or both tours
Note: no SPR member nor the club benefit from the organising of these trips – it is intended to extend the cycling experience with fellow cyclists
Tour de Cowaramup 18th Oct –
The Tour de Cowaramup charity road bike event is on again this year on Sunday 18 th October. Three distances 60km (piccolo), 85km (medio) and 130km (gran) with funds going to assist men suffering from Prostate Cancer.
Start/ finish: Juniper Estate
Register for normal entry $125 until 30th September, then late registration $145-$180. If no SPR team already established when you go to register, please set up a SPR team based on the distance eg SPR-Gran, SPR-Medio or SPR-Piccolo so others can join you.
We have booked accommodation for three nights at the Leeuwin Apartments as per last year; in Friday 16th October out Monday 19th October 2026. This is now currently full with those who have already put in an EOI. However, in case there is a cancellation or enough new interest, we could book another apartment but would need to know soon via this EOI. Note shorter stays cost the same price. Please contact Carol or Danielle via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au for more info.
Upcoming Racing
- WCMCC Road Race at Herne Hill (5 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (5 July)
- WCMCC Road Race at Dog Hill (12 July)
- WACX Numbat Cup at Iho Park (19 July)
- WCMCC Road Race at Chidlow (19 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (19 July)
- X-Speed Junior Road Series 2 (25 July)
Juniors
Last weeked was quite wet and unfortunately we had to stay home. The forecast for this coming weekend looks more promising and here is the program for this Saturday:
Saturday (4/7)
We will all meet at Garvey Park for a CX training session from 11am. A gravel or MTB bike is required for this activity. The trainig session is open to any age group and also adult beginners for approximately 1hr. I hope to see many of you !
Our U17 and U15 juniors are invited to join our main club rides from Coode St car park (South Perth) at 7am. I will be there supervising them.
Please check our WhatsApp SPR junior channel for any last minute call. If you are not in the group chat, please let me know if you wuold like to be included.
Events coming up:
CX: https://wacyclocross.org/racing/calendar/ (next event is on 19/7/2026)
From the Ride Coordinator
We are now just about in the middle of winter! Saturday should be dry and we may also get a ride on Sunday morning before the showers return. It is also the start of the school holidays so there could be more traffic with families heading away to escape the cold.
It’s Step Up Saturday! We’ve scheduled Abernethy Rd which is quite flat. Have a go if you want to be challenged. It is still a group ride so be mindful in your roll throughs and with your calling, and don’t run red lights – call “Split”.
PS: if you’re up at Night Owl times to follow Australia’s World Cup football (soccer) match, please, please, please don’t talk about it! Some of us want to watch it post-ride without any spoilers. TIA!
Saturday 4th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) 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
Transition: Trans Abernethy 39.96km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Abernethy Rd 48.21km 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 5th July
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Brktn Araluen Palm 73.95km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Brktn Araluen Palm 73.95km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: Canning Dam 96.46 km SPR Sunday
Monday 6th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 7th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Two groups – solid roll through vs relaxed pace
SPR Tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
Ride starts at 6:30am at Koorak Kings Park Cafe Car Park
Main 4/Transitional/Novice
Kings Park laps at own pace, coffee at 7:30am
Wednesday 8th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Thursday 9th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Friday 10th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am