The shortest day of the year past us by almost two and a half weeks ago (June 21st) and so technically, the days are getting longer. From that date to now, we have 6 minutes more daylight to play with, but as early morning cyclists, it is not quite what it seems. All of that extra light has come at the end of the day and we won’t see significant changes to the sunrise time until after July.
Twilight is a term that is used to define that period of time between night and day where there is still light outside but the sun is below the horizon. This usually gives the most spectacular skies where the light refracts off the upper atmosphere. After the 2022 volcano at Tonga, so much particulate was ejected into the upper atmosphere that we had the best sunrises and sunsets for months.
Civil Twilight refers to a particular time during twilight where that is enough natural sunlight that artificial light may not be required to carry out outdoor activities. Technically, it is when the sun is 6 deg below the horizon. Civil Twilight is also estimated on any of the sunrise/sunset websites and so we can see when we won’t need lights for our 5:30am earlybird rides. At this point in time it will be the 1st of October, so still a few months away.
This is really just a lot of technical guff for me to say that you will need lights on the early rides and to reiterate our policy of lights in group rides.
Our ride etiquette insists that all lights be kept on solid mode only during a group ride. With the early rides often going through areas that are not well lit, the contrast of the lights to a rider can be quite intense. If your light is advertised that it is so strong that it can burn out retinas at 200m, then please find a lower strength mode. If that light is flashing, then the distraction to riders can be quite dangerous. On top of that, the increase of moisture over winter can mean that glasses get fogged up or have road spray on them. When the light hits this, it refracts to make the effect 10 times worse.
Rides like the Thursday earlybird are quite fast at close quarters, so riders need to have their wits about them or accidents happen. Being distracted by flashing lights does increase the risk of a rider misjudging a manoeuvre.
The Garmin Varia rear light seems to be a very popular addition to the local peloton in recent years. This device senses vehicles coming from behind and can schematically display them on your head unit so you can see if something is approaching. On top of that, the rear light will then flash to attract attention. There is a “Peloton” mode on the Varia and this puts the light onto solid but still will flash if it detects a vehicle coming from behind. Technically, it flashes in a less aggressive way than normal mode, but it still flashes. It is also meant to sense the closing speed differential between the rider and the vehicle it detects. This means that it shouldn’t flash when riding in a group until it senses a vehicle with a greater speed differential (10-20 kph). Unfortunately, it can still trigger if bikes are moving around at different speeds within a group. Rolling through, for example, or catching up to a group can trigger enough of a speed differential.
So, technically, the Garmin Varia and other similar devices do still flash while people are riding in the group. Yes, they flash less aggressively, but they do still flash and can cause the same distraction that other flashing lights do. There is no solid only mode on the Garmin device as they are either on or off. We are not looking at a blanket ban on these devices as it is a clear example of technology changes out-stripping policy, so the committee will need further discussion. However, riders need to be aware of what their light is doing. As these are a rear light, the majority of the time, the offending rider would not even know. So think about the other riders in the group, especially if the roads are wet and give extra space to each other so that you have a bit of a buffer for reaction time.
Event Information
TdF Activities for SPR members
The Tour de France is being celebrated by South Perth Rouleurs through Alliance Française de Perth, inspired by different regions of the cycling calendar. The Grand Départ last Saturday included all things Spanish with cocktails, wine, food and a live cross to Tom McCracken, commentator in Barcelona. It was inspiring and very worthwhile.
The final event is Friday 24th July 2026 6.00-8.30pm Alps Stage 19, Gap → Alpe d’Huez with regional presentation, drinks and tasting. Jethro Gammie‑Nagle, Tour Australian Cycling Commentator & Sports MC leads the discussion of the most memorable and defining moments with a live cross to Tom McCracken. The evening finishes with a live broadcast of the Tour.
Location: 75 Broadway, Nedlands WA
Cost: $63pp with discount code TDF2026; dietary needs recorded at registration.
More details and booking: https://www.afperth.com.au/event-rsvp/tour-de-france-2026-stage-3/
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 Dog Hill (12 July)
- WACX Numbat Cup at Iho Park (19 July)
- WCMCC Road Race at Chidlow (19 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (19 July)
- SWCC River Rd Climb (19 July)
- X-Speed Junior Road Series 2 (25 July)
- ATTA TTT at Casuarina (25 July)
- ATTA Champion Lakes (2 Aug)
Juniors
Last weeked we had a great session at Garvey Park where we learned more CX cycling skills. Thanks to Adrian for his help !
The forecast for this coming weekend looks very promising and here is the program for this Saturday:
Saturday (10/7)
We will all meet in Shelley (https://maps.app.goo.gl/5WLpEZwqzvB2zyC47) at 10.30am. The plan is to practice bunch riding skills. However, we will adjust our program on the basis of the numbers.
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:
19/7/2026 – CX racing, Liquor Barons Numbat Cup Series #5, Iho Park, South Guilford https://wacyclocross.org/racing/calendar
25/7/2026 – WA Junior Road State Series – Round 2
https://entryboss.cc/races/31183
From the Ride Coordinator
Saturday’s main ride is Karrinyup. You could encounter a few sets of traffic lights along the way! So we’ve included a refresher on ride etiquette for dealing with them.
Number one is not to run red lights! The onus is on the back end of the bunch to call either “rolling” or “stopping”. Make it loud and clear! If the group does get split then call “split!” The front of the bunch that did clear the lights, are to then soft pedal until the group comes back together.
Also practise smooth group starts from the stop. Moderate your speed when pulling away from lights, and once everyone is moving, front riders can then increase the pace.
Saturday 11th 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 Reabold 38.69km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Karrinyup 52.34km 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 12th July
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Welsh Pat Lawn 65.16km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Welsh Pat Lawn 65.16km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: Welsh Obs Zig Zag 87.92km SPR Sunday
Monday 13th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 14th 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 15th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Thursday 16th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Friday 17th July
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am