Coming back in as President this year, I had one clear goal: damage control and rebuild. Yes, it does sound like two goals, but neither can happen without the other. There were some clear gaps left in the day to day running of the club that needed filling. The club needed to provide structure and stability so that members and others that ride with us knew what to expect and when to expect it. Being active and visible during all SPR group rides was the intent and ensuring that the rides were kicked off with clear expectations.
The push to include coffee stops after the rides is part of that rebuild goal. Ensuring that the weekday rides don’t become “just training rides” and hopefully bring people together a bit more goes a long way towards building that community. The coffee stops are definitely not forced and were picked for convenience and a little bit of tradition. The Thursday Earlybird traditionally stopped at Atomic in South Perth, but with a lot of people finishing the ride down Kintail, they tend to stop at Steamlab. So we are changing Thursday coffee to Steamlab.
Tradition itself can often get in the way of progression. A lot of my playbook for rebuilding the club stems from what we did previously. A lot of what worked when the club was in its infancy is relevant again today. Building that base, getting buy in from members, providing opportunities. But that also doesn’t imply that everything we did back then will help us today. This is where we need to be careful that nostalgia doesn’t influence policy. The world has certainly changed since 2008 and the members of the club have as well. What the fresh faced, new club members saw back then was still that sense of belonging and they were willing to buy into the dream, not forced to represent.
So grassroots growth is important and happily, we are seeing that through the increase in novice riders fronting up during winter. Traditionally, new riders are usually sweet summer babies which is absolutely hilarious to see them on the first cold day of the year. But as we said, tradition isn’t always reality. The increase in social media has allowed more people to see and respond to what we have to offer. Getting them into warmer kit and then coming back again for further rides is where the rest of the club has to play its part. We all started somewhere and helping new riders to the club (whether novice or advanced) know how we operate, what the expectations are and what else the club has to offer goes a long way to developing that sense of belonging. Cycling can be a very cliquey, individual sport and often we hear of people riding with other groups and just being ignored. So, when you see that new face at the coffee shop, make sure you take the time to say hello.
Event Information
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.
Canola classic 2026
It has been a few years since SPR formally promoted the Canola Classic and with declining mass road cycling events, participation is key to keeping Western Australia’s cycling community vibrant.
Set in the picturesque Shire of York on Sunday 23 August, cycle routes of 93km (1200m climbing) or 52km (600m climbing) take you from the York township through boundless blooming yellow canola fields of the Avon Valley. Registration costs $145 and $130 + booking fee ~$5 respectively; more information on the ride routes.
York is ~1hr drive from Perth so you can drive up in the morning or stay overnight. Contact Carol at mailto:admin@southperthrouleurs.com.au if you want additional information. So why not support this ride with other SPR members – you can ride or just come up for the weekend to enjoy with wonderful scenery.
Upcoming Racing
Midland Cycle Club has recently added three new races to the back of the calendar. The Pickering Brook race is held a great short circuit that is a good starting point for any one that want to dip their toe into racing. Have a chat to anyone on the committee if you are interested but don’t know where to start.
- WCMCC Chidlow B Road Race (16 Aug)
- X-Speed Round 3 Road Race (22 Aug)
- WCMCC Herne Hill Road Race (23 Aug)
- ATTA The Panther (30 Aug)
- WCMCC Dog Hill Road Race (30 Aug)
- WCMCC Rockingham Crit (13 Sep)
- MCC Pickering Brook Road Race (20 Sep)
- MCC Midland Traders 100 Road Race (25 Oct)
- MCC Pickering Brook Road Race (22 Nov)
Juniors
This coming Saturday, Peter Mah will be taking over the coaching of our juniors. Unfortunately, I’ve come down with another cold and won’t be able to ride for a few days.
The weather looks fantastic, though, so it should be a great opportunity for the kids to head to Kings Park, enjoy some hills, and work on their riding skills along the way
Saturday (15/8)
We will all meet at 10:00 am at the DNA Tower car park in Kings Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4uv8tc7P9DkcvSxc7
Our U17 and U15 juniors are invited to join our main club rides from Coode St car park (South Perth) at 7am. Peter or another club member 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 would like to be included.
Events coming up:
Bike It To Ballidu on 27/9: if you will be going to the gravel event in September, please sign up choosing “SPR team” as your team. The event has several options including short distances for the juniors (11.7km is the shortest ride you can participate in). Check here: https://ballidugravel.com.au/rides/
From the Ride Coordinator
We’re putting safety reminders in the spotlight this week. Please:
- Don’t run red lights, call “SPLIT”
- Call obstacles
- Maintain a gap with the rider in front
- Hold your line on roundabouts & corners.
Also, try to keep group sizes to around 15-16 max riders.
Saturday 15th August
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 Benara 39.90km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Benara Rd 50.76km SPR Saturday
Coffee – Dome Westralia Plaza, Perth City
(*) 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 16th August
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Brktn Weir 79.19km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Brktn Weir 79.19km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: F’berg Urch Obs 92.84 km SPR Sunday
Coffee – SnL,Victoria Park
Monday 17th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
Currently no ride scheduled – stay tuned for a new Monday ride
Tuesday 18th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Two groups – solid roll through vs relaxed pace
SPR Tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
Coffee – Steamlab, Applecross
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
Coffee – Koorak, Kings Park
Wednesday 19th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Coffee – Little Horn, Applecross
Thursday 20th August
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Coffee – Steamlab, Applecross
Friday 21st August
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
SPR Friday Alternate 38.43km (Shelley)
Coffee – Hoopla, Kensington